Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-06-29

life is the life that best satisfies the soul
"Seek We first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness" The kingdom of
God which Christ came on earth to es-
tablsh Is the perfection of human socie-
ty. 1t will be achieved when the sent-
ment of human brotherhood is every
where cordially cherished and complete
ly obeyed; when each individual devotes
his best energies for the well-being of
the community; when each strives, not
for his own advancement, but for the \
growth and prosperity of the whole.
God created men to live together in this
fellowship. He has endowed them with
such faculties and affections as adapt
them to this perfect social life. Sin has
entered in as a disturbing force. Our an
imal nature has left us an inheritance of
selfishness which is in direct conflict with
the principles of the kingdom of God.
But Christ came to redeem us from this
sin and selfishness. His spirit is breath
ing into the hearts of men kindler SYM
pathies, prompting them to establish
splendid charities, inspiring them with
nobler purposes in their life-work.
In order to obey the command of Christ.
to seek first the kingdom of God. we are
not obliged to turn aside from the ordin-
airy pursuits of life, but to engage in them
with the Christian spirit of love for God
andm man. God has so wisely and beautiful f
ly arranged the economy of human life
that we may, if we will, step easily into
that position where we can best do his
will. The various trades and professions
that have arisen in modern civilization are
simply so many kinds of service for 9TH
ers. The clergyman's profession has
been called the "ministrv' I'm express
recognition of this fact. But the other
professions are all likewise ministries,
wherein he is greatest who most efficient
ly and heartily ministers to the wants of
his fellowmen. The several callings of
life that are open to young men, are in
reality what the word implies, places to
which needy and struggling humanity is
calling them to give her aid. The finger
of Gods providence may be plainly seen
so shaping our modern life as to prepare
it for the coming of his kingdom-the
hearty recognition of our human brother
hood. Every railroad that is built, every
telegraph wire, every ocean steamer, ev-
cry advance in the division of labor is
binding the human family more and more
ineXtricably into one corporate existence
where each is dependent on the rest and
in turn must render service to the rest.
But while the call of the Master is
heard on every side to do work in his
vineyard, men often enter upon this work
in the wrong spirit and with selfish mo-
tives. A young man may enter profess
sion chiefly for the purpose of making
money he may choose particular cal
ling because it seems to open the surest
road to fame; he may elect that for his
life-work that promises the most ease and
comfort. Such may have their reward
the reward they seek: but. surely thew
are only hirelings in Gods kingdom, do
ing mental service for pay They know
not the joy there is in doing work in
which the whole heart is engaged, the
blessed satisfaction to be found in disn-
terested service.
Christ has taught us to seek first the
kingdom of God and his Righteousness
and all these things shall be added. A
consecrated life is the most satisfying
life. Learn to lose sight of self; learn to
scorn ease; learn to think less of fame
and fortune; seek for that place in hu-
man society where your talents and tastes
will enable you to do the most efficient
work; learn to love that work for its own
sake, and you will attain to the highest
manhood and secure its rich rewards.
Young Gentlemen Of the Graduating Class
-Four years of daily intercourse, in the
classroom and out of it, have endeared
you to our hearts. We part from YOU
with sincere regret. We look forward
to the lifework, upon which each of you
is now about to enter in dead earnest,
with anxious hopes for your success, in
in the highest and noblest form in which
human success can come. Gladly would
we, if it were in our power, speak benz
sou which might shield you from all the
wicked shafts of evil, make you strong
in conflict and serene amid all the din and
| .t,.,4 Ill Is 81, Il
Gladly would we, if we could, utter such
words of counsel as might infallibly
guide you to the attainment of all that
is best in manly character. and make
your lives radiant with all sweet and gra-
cious influence.
know of nothing better to say than
to commend to you the great truth,
which believe to be the very quintes-
sence of the blessed gospel of Jesus
Christ. that the noblest. happiest life that
man can live, is life of consecrated SER
vice. These long years of training and
culture are preparing you to minister
most efficiently to the wants of your fell
low-men. They stand in sore need of
your ministries. There is manifold dis
ease and physical suffering to be alleviar-
ed; there is ignorance and prejudice to be
enlightened; there is vice and meanness
|
the blind strife of social classes, the avar-
ice of monopolies, the greed for public
office to be thwarted Your different ca
liabilities and inclinatiOns Will properly
lead you in different directions. But
there is no honest profession in which
the secret of the highest success does not
lie in unseltish devotion to the advance
ment of Gods kingdom among men.
And when, after fifty years have passed,
if God shall spare your lives so long, you
gather again in the old college grounds
as some of those shall this week do, who
fifty years ago stood where you now
stand-may you find your highest joy,
not in displaying the treasures and hon
orable titles that you have won from the
world, but in the memory of good deeds
and blessed service that you have done
for God, for country and for mankind.
AT Fort Gaines, Ca, a six-year-old
| rOlOrpd Girl chOkpd her infant sister TO