St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-06-14
At The Academy.
Sermon 20 the Graduating CAass-N@seS
Of Commencement Week.

sermon 10 e10 UE&&WBbA@@
Of Commencement Week.
The South church was filled on Sunday
evening to listen to the sermon to the
graduating class, which was delivered
by Rev. DR.. Edward T. Fairbanks. The
pulpit was decorated with ferns. The
service was opened by selection by the
chorus choir; the scripture lesson was
read by Rev. DR.. S. G. Barnes; the choir
gave another selection, and prayer was
offered by Rev. E. M. Chapman. Rev.
Mr.. Fairbanks theme was from Matt.
XIV: 4. "But the wise took oil In their
vessels with their lamps" The address
was full of striking instances where
reserve or surplus had stood in good
stead, and OF the frequent demands upon
every one for reserve force.
He said that reserve always showed
good management, whether with young
ladies in preparation for wedding,
young people starting out in life, bank
officials in their business; and everywhere
in every day life surplus is necessary for
rainy day. There is always liability
| for an extra demand or an emergency,
when a reserve is necessary to fall back
| upon. He said that the Lord does not
| teach us to literally "take no thought for
the morrow" but to be not anxious for
the morrow, for God will take care of
US, but we should have something laid
I'D for future need, as the oil in the para
bic under consideration. God had oui
great salvation in reserve long before
man was born. The training in the
academy not only helps students for 6
time, but the principles, facts, laws ane
discipline are working capital and
growing surplus.
He cited for examples of men strong il
reserve sources Daniel Webster and Jame
A. Garfield, who drew at will from i'm
mense reserves Of dignity and strong
solid characters. Another strong reserv
source, and one we can never have to-
much of, which he emphasized, was trus
in God, which is rich and ample reserv
and which gives us command OF an.
situation. No attainment Is more pret
ious than faith and trust in God. Char
acter too is a very important asset i
: practical affairs, which cannot be value
in dollars. Ones personality cannot b
transferred-it can be gotten, but no
! given. At the close he made the usus
practical remarks to the class, and thes
were followed by the benediction.
The Alumni reception, held every yea
on the evening of commencement day
\ has been an occasion of marked interes
4 to all friends of the school, both thos
who have been members ofthe institution
!. in years past, and those who, as parent
and friends ofthose who are now stut
ents, take pleasure in Identifying then
, selves with it. These gatherings are ct
tirelv informal. There is no set program
good vocal music, however, alway
!, forms an entertaining feature OF the ever
ing. The inducement that, first of al
brings the gathering together is tt
{ certainty of having an enjoyable evel
D ing,-meeting old friends, making ne
g ones, and manifesting an interest In ii
i school. While the occasion is called Il
"Alumni Reception" it must not be i
3 terred, as has already been said, that it
e limited to former members OF the schoe
d Mothers and fathers, brothers and sister
uncles, aunts, and cousins, s,-and, fnall
all friends of the Academy will be mo
!, welcome on Friday evening, June 16,
n O'Clock, at Academy Hall.
II Tickets for the graduating exercises
" Music Hall, Friday, June 16, $50 a.
s. will be distributed, as usual, to the mel
Of bers of the graduating class, this wee
i'll All tickets remaining after the distribt
in ion will be left at Bingham's drug stol
Thursday, at a. M, where they may
e obtained without charge. All tickets n
to be used should be returned to t
ar principal before Friday morning.
~. An interesting feature in connects
I, with the chapel exercises yesterd
A. morning was the presentation from t
p the class of St. J. A. '04, of bust
ue Shakespeare and carbon print OF Str;
ps ford. on Avon; also the class picture a
= banner. The presentation was made
le' Philip Thompson, who came from Da
Sc. mouth College for this occasion.