Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1917-06-22

himself direct into the face of God, with
no obstacle and no need OF any inter
mediary between himself and the Father
who makes men free, He scorned the
suggestion of mpossibilty, ignored the
innumerable ages of patience that must
be before the coming OF the day, and
held before men the dream OF a perfect
world, world Of liberty, OF righteous
ness, and Of love,
The day Is coming, Our own prophets
and poets have seen 1t and have testified
liz Gus. No evil ispermanent no wrong
must endure forever The treasures OF
the earth, which are chiefly treasures
of the mind and the soul, the prayers
the saints have prayed when God
touched them with His fire, the visions
noets have seen when the fairest OF
earth q scenes have dissolved for them
into the beauties of heaven, these riches
of the wealthiest of the earth, who are
the men of largest souls and noblest
spirits. are not for the few, they are
for all men, and we are engaged To-Day
in tearing down one more palace OF the
Caesars that the Galiean may again
conquer and come into his own. A.,
lis this large task we have under
taken in making the world safe for
democracy. Never a nation had a
higher call, a nobler mission, It's diff
ficulties are proportlonate to the
nobility of the endeavor AS a nation
we have not yet begun to realize the
severity of the task before US nor the
greatness of the sacrifices we must
make. The demon Of war will drain our
treasure till we suffer, and destroy our
youth until we too know the meaning OF
n world in mourning. Upon no circle or
organization will the burden and the
sorrow rest more heavily than upon the
colleges and universities OF America
Factories may prosper, individuals grow
rich, railroads may STRAIN at the loads
they carry, dividends of corporations
may be increased, but we must see our
very life 90 out from us IN the youth
who rush to honor's call. We would
not stay them, and we will bear the
heavier burden that falls upon those
who remain
And vet never was greater .oppor-
tunity nor higher duty presented to the
American college. 1t is for us to show
the spirit Of service, the spirit OF
courage and self sacrifice, without
wavering and without fear. He that
saveth his life shall lose it, and he that
loseth it for the sake of honor and truth
shall find it, 1t is for US also to well
come vet larger number, if we may,
If those whom we may strengthen and
inspire before they take their places IN
RESPONSE to duty's imperious call; 1t Is
no time to close college halls, but to
open the doors more widely and TO m
tensify and vitalize the work wlthlh
them, that we may raise up men VINO
are fit for the task the nation has to do
II will take courage end strong talth TO
nursue in the endeavors whose results
NAV seem more tame and common, IN
comparison with service where deadly
danger lies, but the results Will prove
eventually that no work is OF greater
value to the nation or of higher honor
to those who do it well.
1t is also for the college to interpret
to the world the real significance of the
nations present task, to set forth the
spiritual meaning of it all, to make
clear that we struggle not for gain and
conquest. nor yet merely for the free,
dom of the seas, nor for reparatlon and
vengeance, but for the brotherhood OF
man on the level of man at his best and
in the fellowship of God.
MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS
Not since 1861 has company OF youth
gone forth from Middlebury College
upon whom rests greater responsibility
and to whom comes a larger privilege
than is yours today Our country needs
the utmost service of every man and
woman. 1t needs especially the service
of men of mind, who have started IN the
training that will fit them for positions
of large trust and responsibility, 1t
needs vet more men who realize the
meaning and the possibilities OF these
dark and terrible days. | charge you
to give your all to your country. You
are not too good for any service IN any
place under the old flag. But you should
be wise enough and patriotic enough to
seek the utmost service it is IN you to
render, the place of largest .dllhcuIty
and responsibility for which your
training has fitted you. Flfty-hVe years
ago a boy took his diploma from this col
lege who commanded a regiment IN the
Shenandoah at the age of Y. BE
humble, but be honest, and DO not
under-rate your powers.
No man of large achievement ever
felt equal to the task which God gave
him. Do not be afraid of large things,
but be afraid only lest you may not
hear in the day of Gods call. You have
but one life to live, and you will not
find it very long at the best. There is
no time for idleness, for trifling with
small things, for doubt and hesitation.
Do your best and the utmost possible
for your country and for the coming
day of equal liberty for all men.