Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-06-26
Commencement week at
R. S N. S.


through the week.
On Sunday eve, the sermon before th'
graduating class was delivered by Rev
Ransom A. Greene of Lowell. The choil
opened with an anthem and also rendered
efficient service through the evening. Rev
DR.. Smith conducted the Scripture reading
from Prov. g.; prayer was offered by Rev
J. A. Bates.
The theme Of the sermon, "The Discipline
of Life" was developed from Matt. ia
''It is good for us TO be here" the words
of Peter to Christ on the Mount of Trans
figuration. At the time OF the Transig-
uration, Christ had reached the height OF
his popularity. II was therefore natural
for Peter during his exaltation to think il
good for them to remain upon the Mount
in worship. But after descending, Christ
told his disciples OF the shame and trial
they must endure for his sake. Life for
them was not to be a life of restfulness
but labor
So life presents itself to us in different
aspects OF tint and color, JOY and sorrow,
struggle and calm. From the mount OF
vision we pass to the valley OF humiliation.
L lt NitHitT itdGUtS lIdl DOlH dft GOOu.
the silent moments are most helpful but
one cannot be Christian and be inactive
4 in the worlds strife. The speaker by
{ many appropriate quotations from the
prominent philosophers he showed the
4 pessimistic and optimistic view of human
/ life, proving the bright side, the right
4 through Christ who said, "Be OF good
1 cheer | have overcome the world +"
\ Life has been considered an empty dream,
Z but the age is outgrowing this idea. We
1 are learning that it is better to do one lit
tie act for Christ than TO follow the teach
ings Of the old philosophers and authorizes.
Activity is the Genius OF the age. Instead
Of the philosophy Of words, we have the
philosophy of works. The problems of to-
day are not like those of the Middle Ages
such as, how many souls can stand on the
point OF the needle? But how can science
best overcome the difficulties that beset
mans pathway? II is not mans destiny
TO achieve ease, the ideals of one age be-
come the stepping stones of another. One
hope realized is no guarantee of satisfac-
tion but an incentive to higher work yet.
One created want suggests another. Man
is like child picking a few pebbles from
the sea shore. But let life be lived at its
best and there need not be much to be sad
for. We cannot be blind to the darker
side however. Life is a struggle, no May
day affair but march and a battle. The
millennium will not be speedy in its coming
and there is need of faithful workers. The
speaker in his address to the graduating
class eXhorted them TO be thorough and
active in the worlds work and to rely up
on themselves going forth not recklessly
but bravely. 1T is good for us to be here.
Mr.. Greene is graduate OF X. ;. \. ). un-
der Prof. Conant TO whom he paid the
well deserved tribute, -"Vermont's great
est and noblest educator"
Written examinations began upon Mon
day continuing with the oral until Thurs
day p. NJ. Supt. Palmer and Mr.. John
son of Springfield, the Normal examiners,
were present through Wednesday and
Thursday.
Prof Walter Z. Howard of Middlebury
College delivered the lecture before the
alumni on Wednesday evening. 1t was de
livered in Prof. Howard's usual interesting
manner and held the audience amused and
attentive to the close. He opened the ad-
dress with the quotation, have seen
princes walking as servants and servants
riding on horses.n Man has clutched the
garments of gods and risen out of the
swamp and jungle to the uplands. He has
traversed seas and explored the heavens.
Nature almost acknowledges him as
master for all things were put under his
feet" 1t is not my aim to consider man
abstractedly but to deal with the qualities
of mind which form character. The golden
age has passed away and the age of gold
and brass is present. Money takes the
world captive in golden ferters. There is
nothing money will not buy from wife
to kingdom. The richest men are tyrants
if they exercise their power. Money is
big thing it puts knaves into Congress,
fools into high places, and harnesses lge-
MUS to fish-cart. Not all the rich are
fools, but while one admires man for his
virtues, thousand bow to his wealth.
~ 4lar, b btap The nnalifiaS
that constituteIheman are purely intellect
ual and spiritual though the physical may
modify vet some of the most noble souls
exist in manned and crippled bodies.
Some one has said that perfection cannot
be defined, but perfection is attained by
one who is unselfish, as Christ has exem-
plified. - The true ge gentleman is
strong, brave, and gentle; gentle, yet not
bound to take all the kicks but to give
few lessons in muscular Christianity
Teachers and parents should give lessons
in gentleness ;the child's first lesson should
be the sanctity of all created life.
All great souls are merciful, defending the
weak-they ale gentle men. Much care is
needed to distinguish the bogus from the
real coin, the gentleman must be tested IN
his home life to prove him. The man who
will hold himself steady and resolute, fall
ters not before trouble and danger, though
life is as dear to the brave as to the coward.
Courage is not question: Ol lnuSNic Noi
al courage is a severer test than physical,
but both are questions of the will. The
ideal man is gentle, easy to be entreated
and a rock in questions OF right and
wrong. Ideal man is also master of him
self, IS slow to anger but the man who
never lost his temper is not much lof a
man and is either an angel or fool and
is not at home in this world Above all, the
ideal man is religious man, man of !
true piety remembering that the Golden /
Rule has never been repeated.
The annual alumni.meeting was held |
Thursday P. NJ. but few Of its members
were present.
CLASS DAY EXERCISES.
The Glass Day exercises on the Normal
campus were fully attended. This was one /
of the pleasantest events of the week. The
crowd of young people in bright coloring, /
under the blue canopy OF heaven, sur
rounded by the green OF trees and lawn,
make a never be-forgotten picture.
The day was delightfullylcool,a and with
the exception of a slight breeze making il
somewhat difficult for the speakers, there
was nothing to mar the afternoon.