Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-07-02

uttered it testihes to the great de
mand Of the people everywhere in
politics and society. And the chief
danger in our day is that reform may
, proceed too rapidly for a wise conser-
walton OF what is good in the old.
Let me not be misunderstood. |
am not such an optimist as to affirm
that mankind does not often take
backward steps. There are here and
there reauent eddies in the great stream
OF human progress. There are cases
OF local degeneracy; even a whole
nation may relapse into an inferior
civilization. 1t is a painful thought
that another four years may see the
policy of reputation or OF socialism
IN control of our own government.
But, after all, the general movement
OF the stream of human history is
onward toward the ocean of perfect
righteousness. In the fierce struggle
with evil we may grow weary through
/ temporary reverses we may lose
courage. But there never should be
serious alarm for the final result.
Every just cause is destined sooner or
later to succeed. There are many
grave problems that we have, as a
nation, to work out in the next few
years. There are to be, | suspect.
many fierce battles with the avarice
OF capital, the greed of ofice-seekers,
and the lawless spirit of tradeunions /:
but | believe that American states
manship and Christian zeal and enter
prise will in Gods providence prove
equal to the task. In the coming
struggle let us never forget that there
IS an immortal vigor in every righteous
cause. All wickedness is hideous and
harmful; in time men will surely
come to see this and abhor it; while
righteousness is ever lovely and bene-
fcent, and will more and more win
her way over the hearts and lives of
men.
But, finally our hope for humanity
will be strengthened when we reflect
upon the power OF truth. The present
IS an age of new doctrines and new
theories. The thinking world seems
to be in state OF ierment, and
scholars and men of science are
every now and then putting forth new
views, which conflict with received
opinions in morals and religion.
Many are filled with alarm and dismay
at the threatening aspect; they fear for
the cause of truth they apprehend
that deluge OF scepticsm and inf
deity will drive out from the minds
OF men their faith in the precious
revelations of Gods word.
But | am confident there is no occa-
sion for serious alarm. The vital truths
OF Christianity stand upon as firm a
basis as the everlasting hills. No
amount of learned scussion-whethe
it be the higher criticism or the lower
crticism-can overthrow it, no spec
ulatiOns of men can ultimately harm
1t. In fact, the more men think and
reason and discuss, the more firmly
and more fully will the truth appear in
the end. AS Milton has nobly said,
"Though all the winds of doctrine were
let loose to play upon the earth, so
Truth be in the field we do injuriously
to misdOubt her strength.
Let her and falsehood grapple Who
ever knew Truth pat to the worst, in
free and open encounter?' We
might as well tear that gold when tried
in the hrewould turn to dross. The
hot fires OF discussion will only purify
the true metal by consuming the base
alloy OF error which may have hereto
fore been mingled with it, Let scholars
and critics and students of nature push
their investigations into every depart
ment OF knowledge What ever new
truth they discover and establish we
shall receive with a hearty welcome ,
for all truth is OF Cod The new can
not contradict the old, if both be
rightly apprehended for all truth is
one and self-consstent. 1t may be
that some of our previous conceptions
will prove erroneous; if so, we shall
gladly correct them. For it is not our
opinions that we so highly esteem, but
the pure truth as it really is. And as
to the ultimate triumph OF this divine
truth, we should have not the slightest
msgivng. Her career in the world
hitherto has been one of victorious
progress, and will continue so to be
until men shall see eye to eye and
know even as they are known.
Dear Pupils q(Mc Graduating Glass;;
We want you to know that these are
grand and stirring times on which your
lives are fallen. The dear old College
has sent out nearly hundred classes
to fill posts OF honorable service in the
great world but it seems to me as l
survey the outlook, that no class ever
went forth at a more suspicious time
than the present. Not that the avenues
that lead to wealth and honor are any