Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1891-06-25
VERMONT ACADEMY.
COMMENCEMENT AND CELEBRATION
OF THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY.

OF THE Fifteenth ANNIVERSARY.
The Exercises the Most Interesting Eve,
Held-Examinations, Prize Speaking, Ad.
dresses, Military Drill, Concert, Alumni
Meeting, and Annual commandments
Some of the visitors Present.
The fifteenth annual commencement
and anniversary week of Vermont Acad.
envy began Friday, June 10, and closes
to-day. The exercises for the week have
been of more than ordinary interest and
the attendance has been unusually large.
The last part of last week and Monday
of this week had the accompaniment OF
rainy weather but Tuesday the skies
frightened and the weather has been
good since. Tuesday, class day, could
not have been more delightful and the
large attendance indicated the interest
felt in this institution by friends both
far and near. THE TIMES hoped to be
able to give review of the work of the
school since it's foundation, in connection
with its report of commencement, but
pressure on space forbids. That will be
given later much more fully than could
be given in connection with the present
theme. There are many things to be
learned educationally, by visit to Yer
mont Academy, and the most salient
points will be treated in subsequent arti-
Giles.
Friday and Saturday of last week were
given up to examinations before the ex-
aiming board. The examination of the
students is the test of the education, and
well did the classes stand the ordeal.
By most students it is dreaded, but when
their education has been right they have
no reason to be frightened. The board
expressed themselves as pleased with
the result of the examinations. They
indicated the character of the work done
more clearly, perhaps, than it could be
otherwise done.
Sunday the bacalaureate sermon be-
fore the graduating class was preached
by Rev. E. A. Herring of Brandon.
His theme was 'sThe Law of Liberty"
and he pointed out how the young men
and women before him could be truly
free. The music for the Sunday SER
vices was furnished by members of the
school, and was of high order.
Monday commencement ball game
between the Vermont Academys and the
Brattleboros was postponed because of
rain. 1t was set along until Wednesday.
The storm prevented all out door exer-
cises or pleasures. At 745 p. m. the
students and friends gathered in Fuller
hall to hear an address by Rev. s..
B. Partridge of Swallow, China, on
"The Chfnaman of Today The
address was a mastery one and dealt
with the manners and customs of
the people of that far away country.
1t explained the clinging to old tradi-
lions, the principles of religion, the
everyday life of the Chinese and then
went on to indicate some of the best
means of reaching them by the civilizing
hand of Christianity. Those who were
fortunate enough to hear carried away a
better understanding of China and its
people than they ever had before. The
music was furnished by students and
was fully as good as that of Sunday.
Tuesday was class day and was the
most important of the whole in the minds
= of the seniors. At a. m. class day ex-
ercises were held in Fuller hall. The
gathering was called to order by the
class president, j. H. Blodgett, who well
coined the visitors in few fitting words.
An eight shand selection on the piano
was rendered by Misses Davis, Smith,
Chaplin, and Pettingill. Rev. B. F. KEEL
logg of Bristol, VT, offered prayer and
was followed by Miss Hilliard who sang
ssMy Heart Ever Faithful" Arthur L.
Emo, class orator, delivered the grafton,
his subject being "True Ambition" He
spoke of the different ambitions, men
tioning those of the dude, the dazzler,
the fashionable girl, the strong minded
woman and others with which we are all
familiar. He thought that our ambition
should be to cultivate an appreciation OF
nature and her grandeur. He spoke OF
some who can stand before Niagara,
Mont Blanc or any other grand thing in
nature and think no more of them thar
of the most insignificant objects which
claim their attention every day. This
appreciation should be cultivated and il
is worthy of our best ambition to make
the most of ourselves. To make true
men and women should be our ambition
A. L. Hibbard presented the key tt
the junior class with a well worded
we'll chosen speech. He intimatec
that by the use Of that key the jun
iors could become Intellectual giants
like the seniors. He said that his class
had found out that Heaven helps those
who help themselves" and he advised
the Junior class to do the same. Keel
the key bright by use, and there will bt
no difficulty in accomplishing the pur
pose of their endeavors during thei
course there. The response was made
by Miss Mary Bowdish, who made ,
felicitous speech. She intimated, among
other good things, that the class of 81
intellectual giants though they were
might yet be known because they wer'
next to the class of '92. Then, saying
that they should try to keep the Ike.
bright, she closed with thanks to tn
seniors for courtesies extended. H. H
Cushing sang Gloves Sorrow" accept
ably, following which the class poem wa
read by Miss Mary P. Scofield. She pic
tured the student as young sailor o.
ship board with all to learn, and indicat
ed how one might succeed in acquiring
knowledge. The poem contained man
illusions to school matters which wer
understood only by the members of tn
school, but that they were good one
and appreciated was proved by the heart
applause which greeted some of the hit
made. Misses billiard and Chaplin an
Messrs. Williams and Cushing san
s'Fairy Moonlight" This closed tn
exercises in the hall The classes Wer