The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-06-15
High School BaccaIaureate Sermon.


fast High school was given in the Unitarian
church last Sunday afternoon by Rev. j. M.
Leighton. The church was very neatly and
appropriately decorated, by committee
consisting of Mrs Geo. O. Bailey, Mrs. ]. W.
Frederick and Mrs. j. M. Leighton. A large
arch OF ferns was erected above the pulpit,
with row of buttercups and columbines
on the face of the pillars and arch, and a
bunch of the latter at the keystone. The
altar was neatly decorated with ferns and
blossoms of the class colors, purple and
gold. A large jardiniere of yellow garden
lilies stood on the right, and one of tleur-de-
lis at the left.
The church was we'll filled with an inter-
ested congregation, who were well pleased
with the various features of the service,
The music was by choir composed of
Messrs. Pettingill and G. E. White, Misses
Russ and Sullivan, with Miss Dinsmore,
sooist, assisted by Mr.. Stephenson, and
with Miss Faunce as organist. AS the
school marched in to seats reserved for
them, the choir sang "They are coming" by
Thayer, after which Mr.. Leighton read an
OcASSoAoA5
ler. The choir sang Break forth into 10y"
and Miss Sullivan gave as solo, Light in
!! Darkness" by Cowen. The response, fol-
lowing the prayer by the pastor, was solo
by Miss Russ, "Cross and Crown by Dana
The pastor read a number of brief and ap-
propriate Scripture selection, after which
Miss Dinsmore with much expression in fine
ha ha oil Nv 1r,
Adams.
The subject of the sermon was the words
of Kipling 1.-THE Wonder-Song of Youth -
Mr.. Leighton in his discourse looked upon
the bright side, showing the hopes, aspira-
tlons and opportunities that lie before those
who are starting in life. Young people, he
said, are often admonished to profit by the
successes or errors of their elders, but in
this world of progresss youth is a new being
Different conditions confront the young to-
day from those which prevailed genera
tion back. The young do not want their
song pitched at discordant key, but in har-
mony with hope and joy. The happy laugh
of youth chords with the bird songs. One is
heartily sorry for the young person who
does not enjoy fun The very goodness of
youth is joyous. No prayers are more
earnest and sincere, than the heart
offerings of the young. We should foster
the religious instincts of the young; we
would not have them try to reform the
world, that will come later in life; but we
would encourage the religious sentiment
that is inherent in youth. The simple,
trustful prayers of child should not be
changed to walls for forgiveness. The in
junction to honor the father and mother is
obeyed instinctively by the young and is a
part of the wonder-song of youth The
sacredness of home is sentiment inherent
in childhood. The wonder-song of youth
looks hopefully into the future. Clara
Barton's advice was to do the little duties
as they present themselves and thus be
prepared for any greater duty which God
may send. The young should live by this
wonder-song of youth-hope and joyous
ness-and when they become men and wo-
men it should be reverenc ed and respected
in the younger coming generation.
The service closed with the hymn, II
wish not wealth." and the benediction by
the pastor.