Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-06-22

schools commencement week began sun
day evening in the Congregational church
when Rev A. II. Webb. pastor OF the
Methodist church. preached the baccal-
aureate sermon before the graduating
class. A large congregation was present
filling the pews on the floor ana IN the
balconies. The high school teachers ana
members of the school board occupied
front pews on the north side ana the
members of the class were seated on the
south side The pulpit platform and the
choir railing were decorated handsomely
with laurel and ferns by members OF the
Junior class. The program opened with
an organ voluntary by F. c. Leitsinger
The remaining numbers were: Invocation
by Rev. Frank l.. Masseck; anthem.
Great Is the Lord" Burdett. by the
church quartet: reading of Scripture.
Proverbs III, 1-2O. by Rev. George b.
Lawson; hymn, 30 God, Beneath Thy
Guiding Hand" prayer by Rev. Fl. r.
Miles; solo, Fear Not Ye, Israel
Buck, by Fred c. Adams; sermon by Rev.
A. II. webb; prayer by Rev. Mr.. Lawson;
Hymn, 80 Master Let Me Walk with
Thee" Benediction by Rev. Mr.. Webb;
postlude by Mr.. Leitsinger
Rev Mr. Webb's address was of deeply
thoughtful character and was delivered
without the use of the manuscript. The
keynote was sounded in the texts, Luke
XVI. 10: HE that is faithful in that
which is least is faithful also in much
and the lines of the poet:
In the worlds broad field of battle,
In the bvouac of life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle;
Be a hero in the strife"
Fidelity to duty where we are is the
road that leads to broader usefulness.
This is something you must remember as
YOU pass "out of the life Of the school into
the school of life" One of the first things
10
school of life is what God wants us to do
Ruskin says: God always gives us
strength enough and sense enough Tor
everything He wants us TO do To take
life as God gives it, not as we want IL,
and then make the best of 1t is the hard
lesson that life puts before the human
soul to learn. The hardest piece OF work
anv of us will ever do is the making out
of ourselves what we ought to be.
Character is an acquisition, not gltt.
When one sets himself to live a grand life
man cannot interrupt him, God VIII not
AS for our opportunities, we can make
a heroic life out of whatever is set before
ne 10 work with or upon. There are no
circumstances in which man cannon
develop the essence of heroism. There
is no herosm in the world like that OF a
man who lives in the world and granny
reveals that he is not OF the world Go
then. establish your kingdom OF the soul
which to build 1t, for they are ready tc
your hand Get God into your life ano
the most homely circumstances viii
assume heroic forms
'rYoune people l wish you to remember
that rhe cause of the failures of many
who have stepped out into the school OF
life before YOU has been discomfort witt
present conditions, which has so frettec
the soul as TO prevent them from doing
well the work at hand, and so they nave
been unprepared to avail themselves tn'
chance when the tide rolled In and whlch
had they been prepared, would nave
hoated them and borne them out 10
broader sea and a greater influence 30
ready to avail yourselves your opportunl
Nv when 1t comes, and you will do thu
best by being faithful in that whlch Il
least. ,ooc. -.
''Members of the class of 1906: You arr
about to leave your school lie ana g
out into the world Place your lives ant
mowers in Gods hands and ask Him Il
make the most He can out OF you. fo'
carry with you our best wishes, and on
prayers shall follow you. Go with TN
determination not to disappolnt the ex
pectations of your dearest friends; g
determined with Gods help never to dis
grace your homes or the school which
has done so much for you; go with tn
heroic spirit which comes from a nobl
purpose to battle with the dlmcultle
and trials connected with the grea
school of life; go to row and not to drift
Soma of YOU are intending to go to col
Iege, Before you go read the little bool
entitled mot in the Curriculum, writtel
by two college men who have not desire
to make their names known. 1t contain
advice given in a manly way which WI
prevent you from making many common
mistakes during college life Read
carefully and ii will save you great dea
of trouble in the years which are befor
you. Be careful that you never lose you
good name It may take you many year
to gain a high and spotless reputation
but you can easily destroy 1t In nv
minutes, and man who has once prove
himself unworthy to be trusted will i'm
IL almost a hopeless task to win back con
fidence and regard
Some of the class are young ladies
There was a time when it was a disad
vantage to be a woman, but that day ha
passed. The opening years OF the 2Ot
century offer equal chances for all Nearl
all the professions are open to yol
Women are writing their names high o
the roll of honor. 1t lies within you
province to make the home the most at
tractive spot on earth, and the world
looking for the influence of women
make the men of tomorrow what the
should be- We talk of John Wesley, bu
the brightest crown for his achievement
should be placed upon his mothers brow
America is proud of the memory of DAME
Webster, but that statesman in his palm
lest days laid the secret of his power a
his mothers feet. Go then into tn
world determined to WELD your infuenc
and power for good, for God for nativ
land, go TO lift your torches high and
scatter all the darkness you can; go I
act a true woman's part in the grea
school of life Fare you well. and Go