The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-06-12
OPPORTUNITY OF
YOUTH COMING IN
GREAT HOUR
BaCCaIaureate Sermon by Rev.
George S. Mills
CHURCH FILLED LAST NIGHT
Pastor Said Strong and Valiant Life
Was Always Backed by
Religion

The Baccalaureate services OF the
bennington high school graduating
class were held in the auditorium of
the Second Congregational church
Sunday evening, filing the church to
capacity.
Rev. George S. Mills preached the
l3aecalaureate sermon. The services
constituted a union meeting of the vii
lage churches. Rev. p. L. Dow read
the scripture lesson and prayer was
offered by Rev. w. G. Towart.
Music was furnished by the Second
Congregational quartette, 4. e. Bot
tum and Mrs. Amyel Baker rendering
a duet.
The high school seniors were present
in body as well as many from the
lower classes.
The theme of Mr.. Mills sermon was
Youth and Exploits" the text being
taken from Daniel 1132-"But the
people that know their God shall be
strong and do exploits"
Mr.. Mills said that youth was COM
ing into its inheritance today in a great
hour--never greater since the begin
ming OF Christian history. All thought
full discerning men are saying this is
tremendous time. 1t is full of
tragedy and sorrows such as have
never been for such multitudes Of
mankind. II is full Of opportunities
and glory unequalled in all the ages
for the faithful and the brave and the
strong How is youth going to meet
this matchless hour? How are the
boys and girls in whom we have an
especially affectionate and loyal inter-
est preparing to answer to the de-
mands of this mighty time? There is
only one right expectation and prayer
that We can have for them-that they
shall do exploits in the faith and
strength of God
We must see shining through all the
insanity and crime and horror of the
great war the prime virtues of millions
of men. II is a revelation on the one
hand OF cruelty and lust unspeakable,
but it is also a revelation of sublime
fidelity, courage and selfsacrifice.
Therefore we have two minds about it,
and sometimes are in one mind and
sometimes in another. But we are
consistent and fixed in this-there is
no place in such world as this today
where heaven and hell are in new and
deadly grapple, and the last and
greatest battle of Armageddon Is being
fought TO everlasting issues, for any
to come on the stage who will not pre-
pare to do exploits. 1t is inconceiv-
able that any boy or girl in this year
of our Lord 1916 who is thoughtful,
ambitious and of earnest purpose will
not dedicate himself or herself to
strong and noble life.
There is an "heroic mood" and it is
this mood or spirit or will that is de-
manded and can be exhibited and ex-
| ercised anywhere and at anything
which is all in the days work. Great
\ ness is relative. To some comes the
dramatic chance for distinction, but
We are not concerned about that,
| which is in the keeping Of God. The
| self-same qualities of responsibility,
courage. daring, fortitude. and UNI
| calculating sacrifice may be revealed
in hundred ways day after day.
How many of our boys are beginning
to take life seriously and as
sumo real responsibilities and
plan big things? Some are
l They see that life isn't just 60
ing to the movies or following the base
ball scores or looking around for a
soft job. What call there is for lead.
ership among them in unselflsh,
thoughtful and serviceable ways! A
boy can do exploits If he has got the
heroic strain in him.
| What is back of the strong or valiant
life? 1t is religion-always religion.
BY religion is meant the real thing;
mot ceremonies and creeds but knowing
L God original acquaintance and fellow.
ship with "the Power not ourselves
(which makes for righteousness" not
| discussions about the Bible, but feed
ing on the truths of the Bible as the
L bread or the soul; not merely saying
| prayers, but praying-trying after and
In some measure finding communion
with an Eternal Spirit whom We best
| know by the name of Father; not prat
ing about love to men. but actually liv
| ing with them on terms Of happy bro
| therhood and good will, in the spirit o.
l Christ.
| Call the roll of the men and womer
| from the beginning even to this hou
| who have been strong and done eS
| ploits, and they will answer everyone
did my duty, fought a good fight,
kept the faith, because knew my God
: It cannot be otherwise with any of u
If we are to share in the heroic ca
3 | plots of the world.