The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-06-19
Commencement at the Seminary.

Commencement at the Seminary.
The commencement season was ushered
in at the Vermont Methodist Seminary on
Wednesday evening of last week, the Junior
prize defamation contest being first on the
programme of festivities The speakers,
with their selections, were as follows: "The
Four Knights" Robert G. b. Myers, by
Mary e. Abbott; Hannah Jane" Petro-
leum V. Nasby, by Jessie NJ Templeton
" One Niche the Highest" Elihu Burritt
by Arthur G. Mansur; Foes United in
DEATH" Anonymous, by May d. Burnap;
Flossie Lanes Marriage" Emma Dun
ming Banks, by Nettie j. Norris; The
Pony Riders Mission" Anonymous, by
Dilemma" Charles Dickens by Katie NJ.
Davis. The speaking as whole was of
high order, and the audience showed its ap-
probation by hearty applause. The Judges
Rev. G. T. Raymond, Mrs. Fred Sher-
burne and Professor e. A. Bishop-awarded
the first prize to Miss X: NJ. Davis and the
second to Miss May ID. Burnap. Hannah
Jane" by Miss Jessie NJ Templeton, was
finely rendered and deserves honorable
mention. Mr.. Bertrand Riggs played
selection upon the organ, and during the in
termission Miss NJ. A. Northey sang "The
First Song" by Gumbert. Earl Il. Davis
Elbert II. Dwinell and James b. Miller
were excused on account of sickness.
On Friday evening the principal and
preceptress gave reception in the school
parlors to the graduates, faculty, resident
alumni and friends. About forty were
present, and the reception was one of the
most enjoyable ever given on the Hill.
Among the nonresident guests present
were Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Owen of Boston
and Mr.. Carter of the firm of Ink & Carter,
Washpeton, Dakota.
Sunday forenoon, at Trinity church, the
annual baccalaureate sermon was preached
to the graduating class by Rev. E. A.
Bishop, principal of the Seminary The
church was crowded with large audience,
which listened with close attention to an
eloquent and impressive discourse. Pro-
fessor Bishop took as his text Ephesians
VII 10. Finally, brethren, be strong in the
Lord and in the power of his might" He
compared the life of the Christian to that of
the warrior. Life is first defensive war
fare, struggle to resist the devil and his
evil agencies, and, second IAN aggressive war
fare. Our duty is to stand, then charge.
Active aggression is necessary to life. The
speaker illustrated this by reference to the
battle OF Gettysburg and the other great
battles of history. Among the fields of
contest open to the young man entering
upon his life-work were mentioned the
work in Utah, in preserving the Sabbath
from desecration, for the temperance cause,
and in the foreign mission fields in
India and other places. In this active
warfare there is need of strong earn
est men. The privilege of living and
fighting ought to be valued highly and
the warrior should prepare himself for
the field by Spartan discipline. An earn
est exhortation was given to be strong in
the Lord. Such was the strength of Paul
who could do all things, and the wonderful
power of Mr.. Moody comes from the
same divine source. The address to the
class, with which the principal closed
was earnest and helpful. He urged
them TO weigh carefully their responsible
tiles and privileges, to use their own
knowledge and the inventions of the age in
Gods service, and, finally, to abe strong"
living, like Luther, in contact with the
Divine.
On Monday and Tuesday the examinations
took place in the various departments.
Monday evening the annual recital of the
music department was given in the chapel.
The hall was tastefully decorated with ever
greens and ferns. large audience was pres
ent The concert opened with an eight-hand
overture by Misses Truax, Livingston, Mar
tin and Morse, which was executed in per-
feet time and harmony. Miss Helen A. Mar
tin played " Romance in F" by Rubenstein
and Marcia, op. 20, No, g." by Scharwauki,
rendering the double number with great
delicacy of touch and fineness of expression.
Mr.. G. +. Lyons sang Yearnings," by Ru-
bernstein, and his clear and expressive tenor
was so pleasing that the audience yearned
for more, and gave him an enthusiastic re-
call. Mr.. Bertrand III. Riggs played Con-
certo, ID. Minor" by Mozart, the orchestral
part on second piano being taken by Miss
l.. Il. Carpenter This selection, though
somewhat lengthy, was rendered in almost
faultless style. The next number, "Sonata
op. IA, No. 2, g. Major" by Beethoven, was
exquisitely played by Miss Josie Truax.
Miss Ida f, Hubbard was greeted with
hearty applause upon her appearance, and
sang " All! Non Credea," and "Ahl Non
Guinge," from La Somnambua, by Bellini.
Miss Hubbard sangthese beautiful selections
in charming manner, showing herself to
be the possessor of voice remarkable for
its clearness and wonderful range of ex-
preston. She deservedly received double
encore. Miss Carpenter and Mr.. Riggs rem
dered in their usual perfect style " Gavotte
Musette," for two pianos, by Raft. The
last number on the programme was an or
gan sonata in f. minor, by Mr. Bertrand
ii. Riggs. Mr.. Riggs has already acquired
a more than local reputation as an organist,
and his work in this instance was fully up
TO his high standard. The concert was one
OF the most successful ever held and every
number on the varied programme was ex-
cellently rendered.