Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-06-24

unf1inchng at the FIRE, there Is no chance
OF perfect score. Moral failure is
intellectual failure first to far greater
degree than we realize. You will always
find twisted view of things. perverted ,
series of notions, in one who has de- ,
parted seriously from integrity and honor. |
We explain these perverse ideas as at
tempts at excuse and self-defense, in
vented after the act. The truth. ! believe,
is that they preceded the deed, and had
there been a mind clear to see things as
they are and strong to hold fast by
established facts and reasoned convic-
TONS the error would not have been com
mitted The defaulter does not intend to
steal he is only making a quiet tenn
porary loan. The liar does not mean to
lie he is only being tactful, diplomatic,
courteous. serviceable to some good end.
scaping from a position in which others
had no right to place him.
'If it could be said truthfully of one
that he Disseminated. IT would testify
that he passed by thousand occupations
Of his time harmless enough. interesting
perhaps, valuable and sufficient for some
persons in some circumstances, but un-
related to what should be the main pur-
pose Of his life. The way to the highest
usefulness for every man is to adopt the
motto-Ths one thing ] do. Judging right
" what that one thing should be, and
then to distinguish clearly and accurately
what will contribute to It. Clear judg-
ment is the basis of strong character
and achieving power of will. We say
that men fail because they are tickle.
irresolute, weak in purpose. Indifferent
and lazy. The cause lies farther back.
The root of the difficulty is not in the
will, but in the mind If they saw the
goal clear they would not waver from
it. II they had judgment to appraise
rightly the exceeding value of the prize,
they would not be irresolutc 1t is be-
cause they do not have mind enough to
understand. that they do not rouse their
energies. 7 doubt very much the exist
ence of those exceedingly clever and
brilliant individuals who might achieve
the highest possible success If they wished
to do SO. That they do not wish disproves
the alleged ability. They may have
flashes of insight, excresences of talent
Of one sort or another but no man who
secs clearly and in its glory manhood
developed to it's full power, magnificent
in its strength, towering in its influences,
forging its way up the heights of achieve
ment, pushing aside petty difficulties. and
scorning the small jealousies from beside
the Wayne man who has soul enough
10 catch that glory does not spring to the
fight for it and stay by to the triumph.
More do not strive because more do not
see. They do not want to because they
do not understand. The root of moral
difficulty is in the mind. in the lack of
, ability to distinguish values in the want
Of power to discriminate.
IF il could be said of that he
Disseminated, it would testify that he
had not given his strength to endeavors
founded on half-truths, to undertakings
so mingled of fact and fancy and in
different to certain fundamental reali-
ties and convictions as to he impossib c
Of realization There is enough general
henevolence. enough good intention
, enough spirit of service in this world tc
turn it into a paradise in a single gener-
alton. The trouble with things is not
the lack of reformers. nor in their sin
certify. or enthusiasm. or self-secrificine
devotion. The difficulty is that they are
SO impractical.
at the recent political convention ir
Chicago the Committee on Resolutions
, gave two whole days to hearing persons
, who had come there from all parts o1
, the country to advocate various cures
for the evils in our political and socia
life. They urged all manner of changes
, and reforms. each recommended as the
one thing needful to make America Tito
pia right away. One could not fail OF
, admiration for the zeal and enthusiasm
OF these advocates, nor to be deeply i'm
pressed by the vast amount Of idealisn
t in the American people as thus evidenced
But with not a few notable exceptions
tclear-headed men and women who saw
t the next step forward and urged it sens
bly, and strongly-with these exception!
the great majority of these good peopl,
were impractical Missionaries, wasting thei
things impossible of realization.
The cure of the world waits for mel
of mind, men who can arrive at facts
men who can work with materials a
hand and not waste their time dreamint
i of Instruments which can never be man
lufactured-in short, men who in addition
: to henevolence ana enthusiasm posses
= clear vision, sound judgment and tn
ability to discriminate.
. Right discrimination is the guide hoo
= to the way Of life 1t is the test of educa
" ton. Not how much one knows. not no,
- many facts and theories he has mastered
>, but how accurately and reliably he ca
judee-that determines whether he has
trained mind The educated man shout
:. be able to discriminate among men
- whether they are honorable. sound. an
- sincere. or demagogues and hypocrites
- whether they are loyal servants of truth
. or plausible seekers for their own ClorN
=, The educated man should be able to dis
- crimnate among propositions and theore
-. whether they are based on fact G
: imagination. whether they will work OF
80 In practice, or lack some essentis
- element to their concrete application!
- Above all the man of trained mind shoul
= be able 10 discriminate among his ow
: feelings, thoughts, ambitions and desires
:. what are worthy and what are base; wha
:. are true and helpful, and what ar
- seductive and misleading; what are rigt
=, and honorable and what are false an
vicious what are the impulses of his ow
), evil passions and what are the nspira
- ton of God. man armed with soun'
''' clear Judgment will not go far astra,
- The truth will be his shield and buckle
He shall not be afraid for the terror ths
, tiieth by night nor the destruction tina
=, wasteth at MONDAY. God will preserN
- him from all evil; God will preserve h
- soul"
In the afternoon at 430 D. IN. the ann
" versarv of the Christian associations Wa
y, held in the Mead chapel. The address wa
" given hy Professor Charles B. Wright G
- ''The Common Aims of the College an
= Community" In the evening the variol
: fraternlties and soror.tes held Reunion
"a at their rooms and houses.
Id M|DDLEBURy commencement
al -----------'
N rour Honorary Degrees Conferred q
is 10th ommencement-Class of