Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-06-25
| CLASS SERMON
Before the Graduating Glass
at Goddard Seminary
"A GRAND PRODUCTION
Was Delivered by Frank O.
Hall, D. D.

Barre is proud of all her institutions
Of learning, and one for which she has
great pride, and one in which many
people in the surrounding towns, the
state, New England, and in far dis.
tant states in the Union take a most
tender interest is Goddard Seminary.
The annual commencement eXercis-
es of this school began Sunday fore
noon at 10. Is at which hour the Rev.
Frank O. Hall, of Cambridge, Mass.
delivered at the Universalist church,
the baccalaureate sermon before the
graduating class.
The church was crowded with the
relatives and friends Of the class mem
bers, and friends of the school. DR..
Hall s address was one of the best ever
| given in this city.
After an organ voluntary by Miss
lIealey the male quartet, composed of
Messrs Gokey and Niau of Montpelier
and Messrs Joy and HOLSTER of the
Seminary rendered an anthem, Gre
member Now Thy Creator
The congregation, led by the pastor
the Rev. E. X. M. Jones joined in an
invocation, after which came the
responsive reading, led by the Rev. E.
X. M. Jones.
Mr.. Gokey gave a tenor solo and
the pastor read the scripture lesson
from Matthew 6. DR.. Hall led in
prayer, and DR.. Niau gave solo, son
God Be Merciful," after which came
the sermon.
DIR. Hall took for his text Ezekiel
Fl and delivered one of the strong
est, healthieSt, and most inspiring
addresses that has been the good for
tune for a Barre congregation to lis
ten to for many day, taking for bis
subject, "The Religion of Manhood or
A Manly Religion"
Any attempt to reproduce his words
in part would only serve to spoil the
grandure Of the whole, SO we simply
give few of his principal IDEAS.
DR.. Hall spoke Of the two classes of
men, one whose contempt for and dis
approval of religion, showing the
character of the man, should be con.
sidercd IA compliment to it's purity
and holiness, and the other, the in
telligent, honest man, whose con-
tempt for religion shows something
radically wrong with religion.
He spoke of the impression a man
of this latter class would receive on
listening to the whining, self-abasing
prayer that is heard from the pulpit
so many times, stating that his con-
ception of God could be only that of a
small God, great way off, conceited
and stingy. Having many blessings
but 10th to bestow them upon his
people.
DR.. Hall went on to say that there
was a manly conception of religion,
and manly prayer to a manly God
that would appeal to the intelligent
man much more readily than this self
abasing, btittling appeal that SO
often rises. He pictured Christ and
his religion, not, he said, as 50 many
have done by word and picture as
weak, and et1emnate, but as strong
and manly. Study His life and you
will find an example of the ml'Iy re-
igion. There was nothing weak or
cringing in His life nor in the religion
He taught. Let us build God s King
dom after Christ's principles and we
shall have manly institution.
There is right and a wrong con-
ception of God, right and wrong
way to pray, right and a wrong re-
ligion. The gospel taught by Christ
was essentially of this world, strong
and manly. Follow his precepts.
After DR.. Hall closed the quartet
rendered the anthem, 'Lead Kindly
Light" after which the congregation
joined in singing hymn, and DIR.
Hall pronounced the benediction.
At 2o'clock this afternoon the class
day exercises were held in the Semi
nary chapel. A full report will APP
pear tomorrow.