Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-12-08
CITY AND STATE MOURN AT
FUNERAL OFPRES. BUCKHAM
Dr. G. G. Atkins of Providence, R. l., breaches
Powerful Sermon in Honor Of Dead Scholar
Address by Professor Goodrich.


ham, late president OF the University OF
Vermont was held Friday afternoon
at two o'clock from the College Street
Church. The Rev. Dr. G. G. Atkins OF
Providence, Il. l., preached the sermon,
and Prof ]. f. Goodrich gave an adj
dress. touching on the life and work OF
President Ruckham. The services were
conducted by the Rev. Dr. I. c. Smart.
pastor of the church. lnterment was
made In Green Mount cemetery
President Buckham so used his life.
said Dr. Atkins. that the task OF speak
ing IN his memory was inside easy. His
life was marked by great central
simplicity. He lived In the realm Of the
spirit. that realm which. in the prcsi-
dents own words, is not apart from US
hut which we meet with everywhere.
inter penetratine ufe.
President Buckham, nevertheless. had
his place In the world Of affairs. In his
long career az college president he had
to deal with policies and possibilities, men
| and things and how well he aid 1t is
| witnessed by the monument which ne
! has left behind him. one always felt
that he dwelt IN the fellowship OF truth
and beauty and love, IN fellowship with
the spirit Of God. And all that he did
| bore direct evidence to that fellowship.
| His creative and luminous life was It's
best witness.
| President Buckham was the comrade OF
the masters OF human thought Of all ages
and OF the spiritual leaders of men. He
was as much a citizen Of Athens and
| Rome Of Burlington Tie rejoiced in
all the masterpieces and uncoverings OF
beauty. He lifted UP his face to the hills
and he joyed az much In ths rose IN
the mountains. in the simple ne IN the
great.
There was something Of the majestic
simplicity Of the Bible in tho speech and
writing of President Buckham. His reli-
eion had a note Of blessed reality and his
faith a great and serene assurance. The
president believed that all teaching is
personal mediation and that the torch Of
enlightenment is passed from living hand
to living hand. His ministry was both
simple and great The simple outgongs
Of simple and fruitful life now begin TO
mass themselves on the horizon of the
memory and we are taught how great
may be the spirit Of man.
IT. in his teaching. President Buckham
could show men the sources OF his own
power he was content He wrought for
spiritual ends In spiritual ways. He did
not, indeed. expose his heart to everyone,
but his friendship, when given. excelled
In grs ciousness.
DR.. Atkins said that the presidents re-
ligious attitude could be no better ex-
pressed than In his own words. There is
nothing which concerns me that l hes-
tate for a moment TO bring to my Fa-
Their" 'Out Of what spiritual depths
must such words come" said DR.. Atkins.
President Buckham fed on the food of
the spirit and worked with spiritual tools
for spiritual ends. and now he is gather
Ing the fruits OF the spirit. The buidin g
at the University Of Vermont are the ef-
forescence Of his spirit working through
the spirit Of the university. He had gath
cred the fruition OF the spirit In the love
Of his city and State and In the fellowship
Of scholars all over the world
1t Is not given us to know what noun
tains LIT their heads in majesty in tina,
land whittier President Buckham has
gone, or what roses blossom in simple
beauty. but because II is the land Of love
and truth and the spirit OF Gcd he Is Al
home there, for he has gone TO his Fa-
. theirs house.
PROFESSOR GOODRICH's ADDRESS.
Professor Goodrich reviewed briefly tho
long period Of President Buckham'f
activity In connection with the University
OF Vermont. He gave his whole life,
: work. with the exception OF some foul
; years. In service to that institution.
With the close OF tho Civil War a new
era in the life Of the university began
When President Angel went away, aftel
; the expiration Of hts five years of ser
= vice. Mr.. Buckham. to the surprise o
the greater part Of the alumni. was ap
pointed to succeed him. In a few year!
it was conclus!vely demonstrated that M
mistake had been made. He gained hell
o through his wisdom and proved ability
Q and one building after another wa
n erected on the campus. until finally cam
Morrill, hall.
y II the president had lived q year or tw
g longer his vision Of a chapel at the sid
n Of Morrill, hall might have been realized
' This would have rounded out the worl
e OF his life Worn by his labors in con
II nection with the completion OF tn
x centennial fund last June. the presiden
e went abroad for Incorporation, hut hi
d health did not Improve, had bee,
i hoped.
u President Ruckham kept up his coura &c
y however. and his address at the opening
e Of the present college year showed n
Il dininution OF power intellectually. h
was stronger than ever and all hope
y that he might go on with his work,
- Now the presidents council and over
II sight, his benign countenance and friend
ly greeting, have passed from hi
T friends. lie never wore his heart upo
his sleeve but mis- friendship was a thin
:. to rest upon. And he was ever lenien
y and kindly toward the half-failure. vi
% work is so built into the fabric OF tn
Ia university that 1t may be styled hi
o.