Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-06-11
THE 5AccALAUREATE.
Rev. Fraser Metzser Points Out High
Ideals to the Graduates.


the annual bacealaureate sermon before
| the graduating class of the Randolph
High school. The morning decorations
had been left in place and the church,
with its throng OF people, presented an in
teresting scene as the seventeen graduates
entered in two files and took their seats
under direction of the class marshal, Jo-
seph Goodhart.
| The choir rendered an anthem. "Jesus,
Lover of My Soul, " followed by scripture
lesson and prayer by Rev. DIR. A. l.. Coop
er. Miss Grace Lamson sang two solos
| during the exercises, s'Come Unto Me-
| (''Ibe Messiah"), and "Arise, o Lord, y
| (Eisherl IN her usual charming manner.
Rev. Fraser Metzger took as his text,
STUDY to show myself approved unto
God, workman that needeth not to be
ashamed ii Tim. 2:15. He said in part !:
We call this baccalaureate service, lit
tie thinking what it means. Such a SER
vice, il true to its name, is but service in
the interest of beginners. The youth de-
serve all credit for the work done, but they
need an inspiration for the work to be
done. Many men have been spoiled be-
cause they concluded they had finished
their work when they had in fact only fin
ished their preparation. Indeed, life is
but preparation for higher and better
things.
Education is the greatest gift a man
may receive and carries with il an almost
overpowering responsibility. 1t remains
for him who receives it to prove that he is
no migrate. And yet it often happens that
a community shows the same moral and
intellectual symptoms OF disease that an
individual does who suffers from physi-
cal ailment.
The man who has gift always finds an
avenue for its use, and he who has discoy-
cred a truth will always have a hearing
There is ample room for all the helpfulness
that God has placed within the power OF
man. To give the world leadership i'm this
direction is the object Of our schools and
churches.
As to courses OF study, one might cancel
much that is at present upon the school
curriculum and do it in the interest of the
scholars future welfare. What we do in
the schools today must be done in the
light Of its practical application. Yet my
pen would pass through some so-called
practical subjects first of all. What the
world needs is men Of large intellect and
keen insight, which require the broadcast
education and the sharpest training.
II there is one crime in society greater
than another il is that OF quackery. There
is no room for the young man who ex-
poets TO bluff his way through. The
time lost from hard training Will always
count against q man in the crucial
moment OF his life, while no man has
ever attained a noble end except by
steady plodding. In the haste Of selfish
men is found the cause Of all the waste
Of Gods handiwork.
Study, but always study in the remem-
brance that there is a work to be done.
The gospel OF our day is the gospel of
work. Life is a trust, stewardship.
The principal factor in its fulfilment is
honest toll. motto equally fitting for
pulpit or pew, high school or college,
mart or shop would be "Nihil sine
lahore
Life has in II something more than the
mere enjoyment of the Injuries at hand.
Punishment from Eden carried with it
an inestimable benefit in that the sweat
of our brow gives the most eXhilarating
experience Of life. We live in our work,
not as mere hirelings OF fate, but chosen
architects in Gods universe, building
eternal mansions. Failure is the evil
story OF the wicked the message of hell and
the forced conclusion OF the outcast who
mingles his groans with the sinful.
Honest acceptance of the business in
hand, stripped of all supercilious pride
and free from a snob's estimate OF has
to the place which he occupies
has no end but success.
God has written in every nook and cor
ner of his creation an unmistakable COM
no monasteries, in these days, but rather
the energy that sets on fire whole. COM
and stirs an entire nation into ae-
tivity. There is a vital blessing in honest
toll In which neither suffering nor happi-
ness has any part. II is best given in the
Beatitudes OF the Great Master-that
and not happiness, is the
chief end of life. | have no quarrel with
and pray God to send us more
devout spirits, but he who never rises from
his knees viii never feel the touch of the
divine hand, and never soul has known
he halo of divine presence who has not
toiled night and day until, like the ex-
Christ, faint from a lifetime's
he falls beneath his cross.
Members OF the graduating class:-
This is an hour for reflection. Your
youthful minds viii not recall the past in
the vivid pictures OF age. But, here and
here, throughout the early years OF your
school life YOU have been open to mighty
influences. Some single act, message or
book clearly defined in your memory Will
do more toward shaping your destiny than
all the other influences combined. Some /
one personality, be it expressed IN teacher, |
friend or sehoolmate, has found its way |
into your life and viii shape your charac- /
ter despite every other association. IL re-
mains Tor YOU today to determine II they /
have been good, and II evil you are IN duty 1
bound to purge them from your soul as
you would the poison from your body.
II this conviction go hand in hand with /
he success you have already achieved, you 4
nave cause for congratulation tonight ana
-ou have reason to look upon this day as 1
me OF the most important and crucial
places in all your lives. For meeting Il, 1
rour training seems to have prepared you /
veil il there be aught OF sincerity in your
,hoice OF motto. ! beseech for your /
axes that il be engraven on more last
ng place than upon the program OF this
weeks service. In that short, concise sem
ance may lie a wonderful prophesy. II
,nlv remains for you to prove In greater
ense. a. YOU have in lesser one, that 70 4
abor is to win. The years to come VIII
ind YOU either fools or men and women
nd the motto Of your class VIII be the
est guide to the nobler end. / should be
utility Of despicable hypocrisy II, while i