St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-06-22
VOL. LXI---NO. 3178
COMMENCEMENT.
rhe BaccaIaareate and Public Speaking.

lie baccaiaurcate ana PuDlfc speaking.
A large crowd gathered at the North
church last Sunday evening to listen to
the baccalaureate sermon preached to
the graduating class Of the Academy by
President M. H. Buckham OF the Uni
versity of Vermont. There were no ser
verices held at the other churches, thus
giving all an opportunity to attend the
meeting.
On account Of the absence Of Rev. DR..
A. H. Heath, the service was conducted
by Rev. DR.. Edward T. Fairbanks, who
graciousy introduced the speaker.
President Buckham's text was from
Rom. 12: II (revised version, Take
thought for things honorable in the sight
of all men," and his theme was "The
Nobler Life"
He dwelt upon the advantages OF
higher education, showing the uses to
which it should be put. Among other
things he said, "a young man or woman
who has this education ought to set
their hearts upon tine lovely and beauti-
full" "What are the primal
qualities that command the admiration
of all men? First, fine sensitiveness.
One great lesson from the life OF Christ is
his love for human beings. Who are the
worlds greatest men? Not those who
have secured the title great, but those
who have brought Joy and happiness
into human lives. The higher natures
have a gentleness toward the weaker
beings. When we have in our power the
future welfare or character OF person
then comes the test whether our grain is
fine or coarse. The man who humbles
himself before others is the one who is
exalted.
"Another primal character is the sense
of subordination. What is an uglier
sight than disobedient child or pupil?
What is more beautiful than promrt
obedience? This is what may be called
the softer side of life.
"Now comes the stronger side, one Of
the primal qualities Of which is magma
nimity. know of no better illustration
of this than the history of graduating
class. The transcendent virtue is hero
ism which is composite virtue and is
not rare. The principal element Of hero
ism is sacrifice. To make great sacri-
flee and not feel it sacrifice is as high as
human beings can 60.
ut is an honor for you to receive a
diploma from St. Johnsbury Academy.
congratulate you on what you have
gone through. want you to think Of
the education you have received as a
great privilege. There are many things
you can do with it. The worst thing
you can do is to look with contempt on
those who have not asgood an education
as you. 1t is good to speak good Ian
guage, but it is better to have a kind
heart. The best use you can make of it
is to get such a conception OF the human
life as may send you out as human
blessing"
The pulpit and platform were tastetully
decorated with yellow lilies, peonies
and palms. The choir were assited by
Mrs. Charles Peck and rendered choice
musical programme consisting of the
song "He watching over Israel" from
elijah" and "Chime, 0 Bells" with piano
accompaniment. The Mahogany Quar-
tette sang, Breast The Wave, Christian"
Public Speaking.
large and representative audience
gathered at Music Hall last evening to
hear the declamations by the students of
st. Johnsbury Academy. Prof. Com
stock made a few remarks welcoming
the people. He said that the old prize
speaking had been done away with for
various reasons and that the people were
invited here to see the progress Of the
students in this direction and to pass
pleasant hour. The speakers were in-
troduced by Prof. Comstock and all Of
them rendered their selections in a
manner which won words of praise from
all the spectators and reflected great
credit upon their instructor, Mrs. Anna
Spencer Frost. Following is the pro-
gramme:
Legend of the Red, White and Blue.
Whittier
Rose M. Bailey.
Tobe's Monument Kilham
Saada Gage.
The Old Minstrel Anon
]. Ethel Brush.
Music.
Mary's Night Ride. G. w. Cable
Lena M. Smith.
Our Honored Dead, H. W. Beecher
Charles E. Newell.
The Little Stowaway, Anon
Ellen M. Abbott.
Music.
Robert of Sicily, Longfellow
NJ. Pansy Smith.
The Revolt of Mother, Mary e. wilkins
Alice Il. Warden.
Miggles, Bret Harte
Anna NJ. Somerville.
Jack Halls Boat Race, Robert Grant
Frank X. Rogers.
During the programme Miss Helen
Boynton delighted the audience with a
violin solo and T. N. Shulelt sang very
pleasing solo.