The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-06-25
GODDARD SEMINARY.

for Goddard Seminary, but notwith-
standing the lowering skies and almost
continual rainfall the Universalist
church in Barre was we'll filled on Sun
day morning, at the opening notes of
the voluntary. The church was pref
tily decorated with ferns relieved
with touches of white, the Goddard
and class colors being effectively ar
ranged to lend a brightness to the
whole. Pews reserved for the students
were designated by punches of roses
tied by ribbons in class colors and soon
the tones of the organ indicated their
approach. The members of the junior
class were ushered down the aisle to
be followed by the faculty and lastly,
the senior class Mark Davis, men,
Der of the senior class had charge of
the music and the singers were: Nh.
Davis, tenor, Mrs. Alfred Temple,
soprano, Miss Pansy Severance, alto,
W. o. Lowe, bass-those who com
pose the quartet choir of the Unitarian
church, Montpelier. Bucks beauti-
full ''Rock of Ages" and Coward
Christian Soldiers, were the anthems
chosen and Mr.. Davis sang "Jesu
Lover of My Soul" as response.
Following the customary order of
service the class sermon was delivered
by the pastor, Rev. Fife K. NJ Jones'
Her theme was "Open Doors" from
the text, "Behold l have set before
thee an open door and no man can
shut it, Rev. 3-S. Mrs. Jones said
in part The shut door is symbolic of
desolateness, solitude and terror the
open door, of all that is worth having
in life, an opening to glorious posi-
bilities of achievement in all it's
phases. Helen Keller, though in
sense imprisoned, has had doors set
open for her, one by one, enabling her
to enter large and beautiful living,
far beyond that enjoyed by many in
possession of all the senses. Life is a
synonym for opport unities and doors
are constantly standing open whether
we avail ourselves of the privilege
they offer or not. Among the things
most desired in life is success. This,
however, is variable quantity de-
termined chiefly by the ideas of those
who seek it, and when achieved in
one form or another rarely satisfies.
This inability to be satisfied, the
speaker argued, is prophecy and
foreglimmer of perfection. While
there is no defnable standard of success
there is one general principle which
in the last analysis makes or mars it
the choice ard use of the openings
presented. How is the success won,
and to what end, is the all important
question. 1t is for us to realize that
the successes in life are but incidental
and tributary to one great end, that
of character building. Therefore, we
should choose wisely. taking this as
surance for thought, that mo man can
shut the doors set OPEN except for
himself. While the mistakes of the
past may not be retrieved, today is
ours for best use or abuse. The dis
course closed with a brief and i'm
pressive address direct to the senior
class, in which they were assured that
doing their faithful best was the final
| test of character and that in spite Of
mistakes, 'wanderings, or debasement
even, God never let's go His children.
a hymn followed by the benediction
closed the service.
The opening event of the annual
commencement exercises of the Sem
mary occurred on Saturday evening
with the prize debate and sight read
ing contest in the chapel. The prize
debate was participated in by four
students on the question: Resolved,
That United States Senators Should
Be Elected by Popular Vote. Messrs.
Hatiin and Berry, who had the affir-
native side of the question, were
declared winners. In the sight read
ing contest Alfred Cadger won the
first prize and Miss May Robinson,
second. Miss Halle Lynde received
honorable mention. The judges in
both contests were; e. H. Hapgood,
Miss Alice Sturtevant and Griswold
: MarIax