Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-25

being remembered by his class mates,
and as we all know, our college class
mates are the choice spirits of all the
world. So let us recall with rcgrctful
but kindly remembrance all who have
ever been members of tho class of 1909.
1t is not. | venture to think, mere vanity
to affirm that the world is every year cX-
uccting more and more of college grad
yates. And they have good reason. More
is expended upon making them. more
time, more money, moro public interest
n more careful selection of those tit to
receive this distinction. This question of
preparation FOR positions of great rcspon-
siblity which we have been considering
marked every now and then ana much
discussed of late, is always decided by
the great interested public in favor of the
longer time and the more cnacting stand
ards. When n great and vencratcd in
stitutOn proposes to reduce tho college
curriculum to three years the general
verdict is a respectful but decided dis
approval; when another institution pro-
poses two years, the response is an ON
phatic no! And tho meaning of 1t is that
the standard set by the community for
imcumbcnts of tho positions demanding
high intellectual and executive qualities
H. ever advancing; tho demand for trained
abilities is becoming moro ardmorc urgent.
This ambitious and mastcrful tmc-sprit
SAYS to our colleges and universities,
"Whilc we do not expect that your in
situations can of yourselves alone pro-
ducc all the able men that the world
moods. we Insist that YOU shall have all
the time YOU need to do your hest work
ON the material you have, and we do not
think that the time You now have San
be abridged" But this is only a part of
that larger demand which our age is
making for superior men and women.
There is no doubt that we arc coming to,
4 .sa,1. F q
the leadership of the bost-that while One
set of forces is eOCalizing and de-
mocra tizing tho human community. dis
tributiug comforts and luNurios, priv
icPeS and powers among the many. am
other set of forces is calling to the front
strong and capable mon and women To
be leaders. And the world. at least tho
best opinion of the world. is calling cl
college men and women to take LARGE
part in this leadership. and for this most
! potent reason, that on them largely Is
our dependence for the ideal element IN
our modern life. for due place being giNcr
! to the things of the soul to art and ethics
| ana religion. If they do not rescue the
coming age from an overwhelming ma
! torialism, who will do this for us An
So young friends I ask again the qucs
| tior of my baccllaurcdtc last year
! "W no is on the Lords 81 lc%' who %
| You viii do your utmost to help S"m'
community to sec the spiritual side {"
| life. and to live for the uohlcr things o
! life? You have taken a long time tC
prepare for your lif" work. Somo of No'
will take still longer time. In this
respect YOU have followed the example
of him who showed us how best I" dc
our work i'm life. VIII You not also follow
/ him in other respects, dong your Norl
whatever it may be i'm his spirit ass"
ciating yourselves with those who arr
| working III his name and cause. and nut