The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-06-21
Goddard Graduates Began
the Annual Exercises
This Forenoon
DIR. r. G. BLACKMER
GAVE THE ADDRESS
Program Was Followed by
the Usual Dinner This
Afternoon

About 100 alumni, excepting the class
that graduates this week, attended the
opening alumni exercises at the Goddard
seminary chapel this forenoon at Ii
O'Clock. This afternoon at 1880 o'clock
the alumni association met for its an
nua4 banquet and business meeting and
at 3 o'clock the Goddard class day exer-
cises will take place on the seminary
campus. The principal speaker this
morning was DIR. Rollin C. Blackmer of
st. Louis, OF the class OF 1880.
The exercises opened with piano solo
by Mrs. Alice Ayerili johnson, and she
was not released until she had responded
with an encore. She was followed by
Rev. Albert A. Smith, So who led the
gathering in prayer. DIR. Rollin G. Black
mer then took the platform and after
explaining that the alumni association
had mo axe to grind, either for ourselves
or for the institution proceeded with
his subject, THE Quest of the Holy
Grail" He followed through the origin
OF the story from the time of Christ up
through the period of King Arthur's
court and wound up with an application
OF the story to the present.
His concluding remarks were as fol-
lows: Each year few of our knights
wander back to these old halls to relate
their adventures. Some bring tsiings of
brave knights who have fallen in the
fray; some tell of here and there one
who has attained fame and honor. Some
tell OF disastrous chances or moving acci-
dents by floor and field. Some who have
wandered in far places and distant lands
tell OF strange people encountered
forests vast and of deserts idle--of deep
quarries and lofty mountains whose
heads touch heaven. Yea All have
had adventures and occasionally we have
some noble daring-some generous sac
glorious deed We hear Of
none who have brought reproach upon
the standard of our school, none who
have dishonored the name of the great |
of which they were once a part. |
Not all have been equally successful. |
Sir Launcelot, Sir Perciyal, Sir Tristram, |
Sir Bedavere-may have mounted up on
wings like eagles but the larger number |
Of our knights have had to be content I
with the reputation Of having met their /
1evoirs as becometh men Many have /
run and have not been weary, but near
Iy all who set out upon their quest from
this institution have pretty we'll demon.
strated their ability to walk and not
faint Some sorely wounded knights /
nave been resuscitated and nursed back
10 strength by fair ladies Some have
rescued distressed and long imprisoned
iamoselles from enchanted castles. Meet.
ng, at times, hair breadth escapes, with
deadly breech; at times cap
ured by the insolent foe and sold into
layery whence there is no redemption.
MY brethren, ii the Holy Grail has
,een attained by any Sir Galahad among
,ur ranks, we have never heard of IT,
Their wonderful happiness can only be
ttained as it was in those old, old days,
ven as Sir Galahad is said to have at
aimed it, whose bright sword Glove the
asques of men, whose strong lance
hrusted sure, whose strength was as
he strength OF ten--because his heart
vas pure, by absorption within the Grail
tself, for he that loseth his life shall
md it, When the heart of man is set
pon one thing alone, he feareth naught, /
nd naught hinders him He has found
he bread and wine, Of which once hav- 5
ng partaken, be that tasteth shall new I
r hunger or thirst again--the true foun- a
ain and elixir OF life, life abundant, d
elf-renewing, eternal" c
DR.. Blackmer was followed by Mrs I
lice Sturtevant Willis, '07, who sang
wo solos. She was accompanied on the i
iano by Mrs Alice Averill johnson. I
he exercises were concluded by several I
eadings by DR.. Frank NJ. Lynde, '0l, +
nd the gathering broke up TO assemble
nee more at l30 around the banquet
oard