Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-29
New Head Of University of Yer
mont Speaks to Members Of
the Senior Glass.
ASSURED IMMORTALITY"
Theme Of an Interesting and Prac.
teal Sermon, Delivered with
Force and Enthusiasm
before 1000 People.

Before an audience of a thousand peo-
pie. which filled the First Church on
Wnooski avenue to its utmost capacity.
the Rev. DR.. Guy Potter Benton, presi-
dcat-clect of the University of Vermont,
delivered the baccalaureate sermon to
Tic class of 1911 Sunday afternoon at
;,.rce o'clock.
THIS was Or. Bentons first public ap-
.'drance III burlington, and the interest
at in the successor of the late Pres-
Acut Buckham was deep and almost uni
N,rsal So large was the attendance at
,EN service that all the available space
~ the church was filled with chairs, and
cen then many We're obliged to stanu.
~. Benton created Il splendid impress
ION, ana during the evening his address
was almost the one topic of conversation
"A many homes of this city. Everywhere
tie comment was most favorable and
there seemed to be a general feeling that
he man for the place had been found.
Ills sermon was interesting, practical
ana fcrcefu. and his delivery was clear,
eloquent, and full of fire and enthusiasm.
lie made upon his hearers the impress
ION of man who combines ripe ex-
'hr energy of youth. Those who had the
priv ilege of meeting him found him q
nam of uncommon personal charm, COM
lining tact and graciousness with de-
ision and every sign of personal power
The church was tastefuly decorated
with peonlcs. Upon the stnge were seat
"d. from left to right. Dean George H.
erkins. Emeritus Professor John T.
''Ht drich, the Rev. DR.. George Y. Bliss
he k2r. DR.. c. v Grismer, President
!ect Benton and Acting President Elias
- man. During the organ prelude the
graduating class. one hundred strong,
marched down the center aisle led by
lie class marshals. Arthur B. Delano and
frederick W. Hartman, and occupied
the seats reserved for them in the middle
If the church.
After the singing or hymn Dr. Girls
"cr offered prayer. giving thanks for
n" better knowledge of nature and the
!cser fellowship with God" which we
'Ajry ut the present day, and asking for
blessing upon every agency for the
oiucation of men. upon the many thou
sands of young men and young women
Who go out into the world to put into
ractice what they have learned, upon
hose who have already gone forth In
Est years. and upon the faculty and
rUstees of the university.
Let thy blessing rest In an especial
amer upon him who has been chosen
Job bear these burdens during the years
come. SO equip him with vigor of mind
III BODY and soul that he may be q
ne leader Of this institution. Let thy
.eSsug rest upon the class which goes
II into the world to put into effect the
args learned here. Let their ambition
g To serve. Bless these exercises, and
n'lY we feel that the Father has spoken
through the SON"
Following an anthem. Light Of the
" prld,' by the quartette, Or. Benton
"3I his scripture lesson. from First
'"rinthians, 18th chapter verses "a to q,
- after the singing Of hymn 4lG, he
coke substantially as follows. his sub
r, being Assured Immortality:"
THE BACCALAUREATE SERMON.
Text: I'VE Shall Not Die:"-Habbalsuh
IL
g only emgrates.
itmigravit is the inscription on the tomb
stone where he lies;
Dead he is not, but departed, for the
artist never dies"
Thus does Longfelow proclaim his be,
lief i'll the immortality of one who
/ painted pictures we'll in an ancient city
# the world.
Here, when art was still religion Will
simple reverent heart
Lived and labored Albrecht Durer, tn,
Evangelist of Art"
because he toiled hard and wrough
"c!l, he lives forever in the works which
eft behind. testify ever of him who
icing dead through his handwork, /.
yet alive.
This is a very difficult conception o.
immortality from that which exists II
lo mind of the average man. The well
1igh universal notion is that of tn,
lorpetuation of the conscious personality
rhis is what we all long for and it Il
title wonder that the longing has be
ONE belief with most of us. since al
'hristendom, Catholic and Protestant. |.
aging weekly or even oftener. as tn,
Apostles Creed Is rected in the publ,
congregation, Il believe in the resurrec
tion of the body and the life ever
lasting"
Life Is sweet. 1t is n priceless pos
session which most men will not relinquisl
without desperate fight, and when. a
,ast, it Is perforce surrendered, dealt
.oses somewhat of its terror in tn,
contemplation of another life which shall
| snow no end.
There is, then, not only the hope 70
eternal life among men, but there Is. al
Well, the positive belief in it, TIL,
savage looks forward to continuatio,
of life in some brighter, happy huntin,
ground which his desire has led him I,
believe must exist somewhere beyond hi
ken So great is the love of human life
so strong the wish for its perpetuation
that the crudest heather believes II must
in some way, stretch out beyond tn,
borders Of the grave, Civilized people
have been struggling. through the AGES
, | to find the key which shall unlock TN
door to eternal life. for they feel sur
II must be somewhere. The existence O
this common belief among men, founde,
on a general desire would, alone. con
stitute strong presumptive evidence o
mans Immortality, Somewhere for ever.
| pinion there Is air to support IT, Hunge
does not exist without the possibility