The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-15

STATES, Clau IN DlaCk, moving gowns, and
black mortar board hats, that partially con-
cealed the pretty faces beneath them, show
ed In their theses that their minds, as well
az their bodies had been carefully trained
during their stay at this time honored in.
stitution. The diplomas were presented by
Principal O. @. Bragdon, to whose tireless
hand and fertile brain 80 much Of the pres
ent success of Lasell Seminary is largely
due. Mrs. Mary A. Livermore gave the
commencement address on Scientific
achievements made by man since the be-
ginning OF the world" Although bowed
by the imfirmities OF age, and obliged to
walk with a cane, this gifted woman has
lost none OF her mental force, and for
hall hour or more she spoke with all her
old time power and eloquence, holding the
closest attention OF her great audience
After the exercises at the church, lunch
was served on the lawn under huge
tent. Lasell Seminary and grounds, always
beautiful for situation" never looked low
lier than they did last Wednesday. Under
the tent were seated the two hundred or
more young lady pupils, their white dresses
and happy faces shaded by the somber garb
and half sad, half joyous graduates, 80 soon
to leave the institution, to return no more
as students. Stationed in an adjacent stand
the band from the Perkins Institute for the
blind discoursed a varied programme. The
degree OF excellence as musicians these
blind boys have obtained was marvellous to
others beside the Vermont reporter. OF
peculiar interest was the silver jubilee held
in the chapel in the afternoon in honor OF
Misses Caroline A. Carpenter, and Angelina
G. Blaisdell, who this year, completed
service OF quarter OF century as men,
bers Of the faculty at Lasell. The principal
address was by Rev. DIR. Charles W. Cush-
ing, formerly principal of Newbury Semi
nary, and principal at Lasell from 1874 to
1884. DR.. Cushing's address was largely
reminiscent, and through 1t all the sterling
NJ hos foit ri tpa H.,
were seated beside him, was made promi-
nent. At the close Of DR.. Cushing's re-
thrusts Principal Bragdon, in few witty
sentences that had in them both kindly
trusts and the warmest praise for Misses
Carpenter and Blaisdell,. put the audience
sang two solos, with violin obIigato by
Prof. s. e. Goldstein Of the Boston Sym
phony orchestra. The remainder OF the
day was devoted to reunions and social
gatherings. Lasell Seminary was never in
a more prosperous and fourishing condi-
ton than it is today. Rapidly nearing a
half century of existence, with brilliant
record marking the years behind it, under
the guiding hand OF Principal Bragdon it is
sure to go on to yet higher and better
achievements in the years that are to come.
BAcCALAUREATE SERMON.
More than ordinary interest conferred in
the annual sermon before the graduating
class at Montpelier Seminary, preached last
Sunday morning in Trinity church, by Rev.
W. M. Newton, the principal, inasmuch as
it was Mr.. Newton's first appearance in
that pulpit, and practically his introduction
as the new principal and executive head OF
the Seminary. The church was we'll filled
and the graduates occupied the front and
center slips. The class colors, gold and
olive green were festooned over the plat
form and fresh flowers were abundant.
The regular choir was assisted by a quar-
tette composed Of Mrs. Minnie Marsh, Mrs.
G. E. Mills, Misses Nellie Dewey and Clara
L. DeFord and specially prepared musical
programme WAS rendered, pleasing feat
ure of which was the offertory fave Marie"
by Mrs. Mills, with violin obligato by Miss
Fannie Parmenter.
Mr.. Newton's sermon was from words
found in Joshua 14-12, "Now, therefore,
give me this mountain whereof the Lord
spoke in that day." 1t was a scholarly,
polished, earnest discourse, filled with per-
tinent uplifting thoughts for young people,
and must have made a lasting and favor
able impression on all who heard it. In
opening Mr.. Newton dwelt upon the cour-
age and daring OF Caleb, who, in opposition
to his brethren and their counsels, defied
the Anakims and followed the Lord God OF
Israel. Because of that Joshua blessed him
and gave him the mountain OF Hebron for
his Inheritance. Continuing he said that
Caleb has been. ever since that day, the
example for those who dare to do great
things, a representative OF those who
trusting in God, can accomplish wonders
in his name and in his strength. In our
own time and country we can scarcely
find man who is not willing to have
greatness thrust upon him. There are
plenty OF men who do not want to be struck
by lightning, but they sit very near the
lightning rod. They have yet to learn
that they most go after that greatness they
desire with the same earnestness Of purpose
that marked Caleb.
There are not only plenty OF men who are
willing to occupy high positions, but there
are plenty OF such positions waiting to be
filed. There has never been a time of OPP
portunity like the present. 1t is said that
In politics, for example, that there is no
chance for an upright man to become great
aspire, but this is not true AS Lincoln, the
rail-splitter, was called to the highest place
in the gift Of the American people, 80 in the
days that are to come, the correct estima-
ton Of high worth will be placed upon the
right man, and he will be found when the
work OF God we see opening up opportuni-
ties for men and women to make themselves
so useful that men will be found to respect
and love them.
In referring to our ideals OF success in
life the speaker said that whatever those
Ideals are we Will never rise above them.
There are four conditions of an ideal sue
cess-a sound body, a well-trained mind,
pure life, and something Of the energy
which characterized Caleb, without which
we shall never reach the heights to which
we aspire. Most Of us have in our power
the making OF a sound body and we ought
to take care Of the machine God has given
US. But we must also have well-trained
mind. A mind that is able to work, not a
mind clogged and crammed with facts and
rules-that is not education. A mind that
will grapple with and solve the problems at
the forefront.
But yet we have not the man God intend
ed should conquer the mountains OF diff
Guilty. We want more, we want pure life.
Some say a man cannot make a success OF
life and be religious, but never was great
or mistake made. Gladstone was an exam
pie of one who could accomplish great
things and all the time take God with him.
Cromwelps soldiers fighting on their knees
and the Prusslans going into battle with
their Bibles in their knapsacks knew no
defeat Would to God we had more such
men.
And yet, with these three characteristics
success is not assured, without energy and
ambition TO do the hard things of life. The
man who wins in business, in professional
life or in the church must have the spirit of
Caleb, he must be anxious to subdue noun
A.a. - m all a.