The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-06-26
PRES. BENTON
TO SENIORS
Opened 18th Commence
ment at University of
Vermont
FORGET SELFISHNESS.
HE EXPORTED
Leave Behind an Influence
for Good That Will
Not End

Burlington, June 26. The ll2th annua
commencement of the University of Yer
mont was opened yesterday afternoon
with the baccaaureate discourse to the
seniors class, delivered by Pres. Benton
on "The Permanently Of the Kingdom OF
God and from Daniel f:3: How great
are His signs How mighty are His
wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting
kingdom, and His dominion is from gen.
GRAFTON to generation
Addressing himself particularly to the
seniors, Pres. Benton said;
Members of the class of 1915, students
beloved, do you want an investment that
is secure? Do YOU want to place your
talents where they will bring you certain
interest? Then speaking for your alma
mater soon to be, and for all the teachers
and friends who love you, exhort you
to take advantage OF your high privileges
of citizenship in the kingdom that is
without end. You are going out into a
world full OF temptations, but it is also a
world filled with many blessed opportu-
mites for service. We want you to sue
coed. We shall be greatly disappointed if
you fail
The University of Vermont expects
great things of every enc of YOU. We
shall watch your careers with increasing
interest through the added decades We
shall rejoice in every great victory that
comes to YOU. Your triumphs will be the
triumphs in which all of us will gladly
share You will not find it easy to
achieve your purposes, You will soon
learn that life is very rugged roadway.
1t may prove to each one OF you happy
pilgrimage strewn with flowers on either
side with a radiant sun always shining
above you.
IF you yield to the Establishments OF
sin and worship at the shrine OF self, you
may secure business standing; YOU may
even take high rank in society; you may
amass fortunei you may win political
fame. These things, alone, do not, how
ever, bring the largest happiness.
If any Of you in legislative halls shall
prove delinquent in meeting your obliga
tions to the people through your efforts
to serve the interests of the few you
may line your pockets with gold, but you
will bring TO your own roof tree the
cherries sness Of life that comes always |
as the result Of selfish effort. ii in bus
mess or in profession. or in the home,
Your endeayor is primarily to advance in |
dividual interests rather than the social |
welfare, YOU will come more and more to |
disregard the rights of your fellowmen |
and your life will find its largest fruitage
in mpurity, in dishonesty, and in all un-
A life so lived. in its last
analysis, spells but one thing, and that is
If, on the other hand, you each strive
to make your life conform to the prin
ciples Of the everlasting kingdom Of God
and His Son, Jesus Christ; if you let the
holy spirit have right OF way in animal
ing and directing your every thought and
word and deed, YOU will be pre-eminently
not because OF the fact that
YOU achieve your own personal desires,
but because, while YOU strive to make
your life worth while to yourself, your
constant endeavor is to make il of value
to your fellowman. life so lived will
bloom forth in the. sweetness of absolute
purity, in an effectiveness that counts
wherever it strives sHd in a happiness
hat IS perennial. Living thus you will
zach leave behind you an influence for {,
rood that shall never end and there will
Be granted unto YOU an abundant en-
rance into the kingdom of eternal day.
Gods kingdom is an everlasting
;ingdom and His dominion is from gen
ration To generation Invest your life.
rot part OF IT, but all of it, under His
in the service of mankind and
'ou have an insurance policy Of perma
lency that will never be contested.
'rowns and thrones may perish, king
IONS arise and wane. but the imperish-
bic kingdom OF God goes on forever
nd you may go on with it," !