The New York herald. [volume], June 26, 1876, Page 8, Image 8

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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Baooalanreate Sermons Delivered
Yesterday.
Vassar, Union, Hamilton, Princeton, Yale,
Trinity, Lafayette, Dartmouth,
Wesleyan and Amherst
Last Words of Advice from
Anxious Presidents.
MONITIONS NOT SOON TO BE FORGOTTEN.
VASSAB COLLEGE.
PBXSXDXHT BATMOHD'a BACCAIACBKATX SEB
JtON?THE TOC1IO LADIIS WAXNXD AGAINST
rauuDicx.
PocoiKKirsix, June 25, 1870.
The city Is fast Oiling up with the parents and trieixia
of pupils or the various schools. The commencement
exercises at Vassar begin next week. Tuesday is clasa
day. and Wednesday commencement proper. The
baccalaureatu sermon was preurhed th'a afternoon by
President Raymond in the chapel ot the .college.
His text was lound In I. Tbessalonians, 21?
"Prove all things; hold lust that which is good."
THJS SKKXO.X.
Dr. Raymond commenced by faying that the words
or the text have no connection with what goes before or
arior. The text stood by itself, and will lie round npon
examination to contain principles or Importance and
Utc widest application. He knew or no more prudent
and all-embracing luw or found thinking#
Notions we have in plenty?ideas, Impressions,
fancies, caught up by the accident or education or as
sociations; strong prejudices, decided predilectiocs
fostered by press or pulpit, by |>ers<>nal sympathies or
clasA interests, leading to iutense and even passional*
tAseverut on and often upheld with persistent xeal.
Opinions they may be called, but tbey are not worthy
?t the n?me, because tbey do not real ou an inielltgonl
basis; they are not the product of thinking, not the
result of a careful and deliberate search after truth.
Hut whenever such a person is found, a tnau or a
woman or real convictions, ot clear, latalligeni, settled
belief, then wo And a power in the earth?not merely
a seir-poiscd centre of resisting lorrr, sustaining itself
agamat pressure without, refusing t<> bo lonsed lo and
fro and carried away with every wind ot doctrine,
but a source ot positive tiiluvb^ as well,
loiug forth and nukiug it fand seen.
Nothing id plainer than this connection between
opinion and character. Settle1 p^miona make the
iteudlast dmd; positive opinions make the positive
man; earnest convictions simulate to earnest en
deavors and produce active, |>ersevcrint; and fruitful
lives. ".As a man thinketh so u he." so will he
speak, so will hp do, such will lie the measure und
character of his Influence, bucti the kind of contribu
tion bo will cuske to the common weal .or (It may be)
the common woe. By us much, then, as wo are
bound lo -make the most and the best ot ourselves
ihould we tee to II, Urst, that we have opinions, and,
lecondly, what those opinions are. Wo are not to con
lemn without examining, lu the great held of boaan
?piuion every thought is entitled to a fair trial and
?ball not be convictod and cast out without a hearing.
The most mean and cruel of lfle foes ol truth is preju
dice, which is a vice; lor what can be nieauor thuu to
strike the defenceless, or what more cruel ihun to treat
as a criminal him who, lor aught we know, may be our
best benefactor. The world has been slow to recognize
Its benelactorw in the roaltn ol thought; but it is preju
dice that blinded its eyes. It was bigotry tbat kindled
the fires of martyrdom; it was bigotry tbat cruulllod
?ur Lord. No wonder that Paul, who remembered the
bluer hour when he himself did its wicked bidding, and
tow that be had becomo a minister of the truth and
Found prejudice the umv*rsul bar to its progress, should
rnjoin upon its friends the broadest catholicity Preju
dice is not always malicious, though It is nlwavg ua
lust; not always insincere, but it, is always cowardly.
It was meant to serve the truth, but it Is by tinworliiy
means It does not leave truth to delend itself in an
open Held, and strikes its supposed enemy a dastardly
blow; it shuts out the day from itself and others
through tear that darkness may come In at the win
dow. If you are n lover and seeker ol truth, then, says
the apostle, begin by banishing tMs lalse ally. ? Prove
all things; cultivate a broad and brave catholicity; fear
not to be just, at least lo those who differ with you and
with men generally. In opinion.
In ihe formation of your own opinions shut yourvlf
not up to a narrow range ol preconceived Ideas, boi open
all the windows of your soul that you may sweep the
horizon round. Keep them open ail the time and wel
come light Irom every quarter. And in the community
demand that the advocate of the most unpopular cause
*linil haveat least u hearing and shall be condemned and
stigmatized by those only who give a reason lor their'
censure. The text seems to raise a double warning,
(?Harding us on the one tide against such narrowness
is will excluae ihe true and the good, because he can
lot speak our shibboleth and "lolloweth not with us,"
and on the other against such breadth as admits and
fraternizes with evil and untruth. Catholic to gener
osity toward the opinions of ail we should in build
ing on our own bcliel l>e Inval in our devotion to truth,
ami to him who Is the truth, whose life presents the
noblest ideal ol such loyalty, whoso word alTords the
surest tests of the truth we seek. Ten everything, but
accept and hold that only which abides the proof.
UNION COLLEGE.
IK ELOQUENT EXHORTATION TO THE OIUDU
ATES TO HAVE 8TltoNG FAITH.
Schmectadt, N. Y? June 25, 187?.
Dr. C. D. W. Hridgman, ot Albany, addressed a
large audience. Including the Senior Class of Union Col.
lege, In the Presbyter an church in this town to-day, and
look for his text I. Corinthians, xvni., 13?"Quit you
like men; be strong. " When these words were written,
laid he, religion bad a more tragic meaning thau It has
lo-day; It meant no peacelul, prosperous course, as
bow, but one of suffering aud siniction. It was a life
serial that demanded the courage or warrtors; and
theso words were Addressed to the persecuted
and afflicted disciples. And now, said tho speaker, in
applying this counsel to you who are most considered
la the prayers and remarks of this hour, let me ask
yoa to contemplate your life in three as]<ects:?First,
?a a thing to be reverenced; second, as a klncdont
10 t* ruled; third, as a training school for eternity.
Let a man live for self inere.y, or for pleas
ure, and he cannot long retsiu the power to eu
loy. He cannot go bopelnMy and cbeerltiily
through the round ol his duties unless be believes
he It in training lor something beyond what is seen
here. Ho needs tuo discipline of u lather who Is pre
paring him lor a world whore all Scripture mysteries and
prom seasimll have their abundant Iru.t. fettle it now,
iriends, at the beginnuu of your life, which it sliult be.
Mau must be either hopciulor hopeless. There is no
middle ground ol indillcrence tenanle all through this
lllo. Hither the hopo that tnaketh not ashamed, tho
anchor which Is sure aud steadiast, entering into that
within tho veil or without Uod and without hope in the
world. Which shall it be? Tberc was a man who
seemed to have cheriabcd the saino purpose with which
manv of t'ie young men ol the day go forth into tho
world, and wtiose lllc was a success, as judged by tho
world; and his history Is that ol ihe rich man
whose ground broucht forth p:enti:ully and who
laid, "1 will pull down my Uarns and butld grestor."
Bat God said to him. "Thou tool," So Is every one
who lavetta up treasure for himself and is uot rich in
K-jd. there was anoihor who reverenced lile and Its
power* too much 10 squander it for pleasure
or gold, whose life whs a rich ?acrifiie on
tbe altar of doty. There was no tremor when death
caine to him. Ho passed up with the words, "1 have
fought a good light. " It Is His voice which sounds in
tbes* words, "Quit you like into." He found the secret
of |>ower, the elew to a glorious destiny in believing
In Him who loved him slid gave Himseil lor him.
Kxerctse the sutnc rait Is and give yourself to Him;
?xercise ihe Mine faith und lite .-hall be lo each ol you
t victorious progress, auil death Ihe gate that opens to
Die presence of Uod.
OOTKItSon T1LDIN PECLIN'KB.
SCiiKMCTArT, N. Y., June 2.1, 1876.
Governor 7 llden ha? declined to deliver tho tiniver
rity oration at the Commencement of Union College, oa
"itesisy next, and rrofi-s-or Taylor I.ewis will sup
p:y his place with an appropriate address to thealiimnt
?egardicg the long alid honorable career of Dr. Isaac
W. Jackson, who tin- >t ar w ebr?tes his semi eentea.
aial as a member of the faculty. Distinguished gradu
ate* Ol tho last live decennial classes will respond.
HAMILTON COLLEGE.^
COMMENCEMENT EXEBCIftKH?NAMES OT THE
OR ADD ATI NO CLASS.
1 MXTOJ, N. Y., June 21. 18TB.
Tho eommen< ement exercises of Hamilton College
spened lo-daj* with the customary hircalaureale ser
mon beforo fbc graduating cU?s b> the Rev. Samuel U.
Hrowu, 1*. D? Prtaidenl ol the college. Tbo college
holds Ms commencement and other exrrri-es In this
pleasant little village ol 2.000 souls. although the col
lege proper Is situalcJ a utile distant. No buildings of
?tifllcteai sixe to accommodate the numbers that as
??i?i>le are as yet on tho campus. Yet the college
boasts extensive grounds, more than fl.teen acres, laid
Ml in tbe Knglikh style. Walks wind about among the
?Ml trees, and Irom almost aay spot on tbo elevated
plateau the eye can look down on Clinton Tillage, the
valley of the Oriskany, farther to the le:t that ol the
Moh,.wk. anil iu the blue distance (he apirea of I'ttca
and (he Deerflold bills. We are nine miiaa southwest
from I ilea.
TBI OKADt'ATtSG CLAM
that goes out to try I la luik iu the "cold world," aa
the coiiegiana call their fallow men, numbers eighteen.
They are
W. H. Allbright, Northampton, England; Clarence
L. Barber, Albany; George P. Bristol, Clinton; Jamea
| V. lirodie, Hammond; John R. K Dey, New York;
i Howard P. Eells, Cleveland, Ohio; Juli'en M. Klliolt,
New Vork; Philip M. Hull, New Kingston; Fayette
Kelly, Hamburg; William E. Kimball, t'tica; Sidney
W. 1'etrie, Clmiou; Humphrey Mat-Baxter. Arch. K
Love. Herbert K. Randall, Amenia; Edwin A. Kock
| well, St. L<>uts. Mo.; William ferry l.ucieo 8 La fiord,
i Deaiisvllle: Edward C. Stringen, Auburn; Byron Wells,
Onondaga Valley.
This evening Dr. Allen, of New York, la to deliver
an address to I ore ihc Society ot Christian Research.
PRINCETON COLLEGE.
BACCALAUBJCATE HEl'.XOH BT FRBSIDENT
M C08H ?THB WOULD A SCENE OF CONTEST?
BIDDING THE SENIORS GOODBT.
1'KiwrsTos, X. J., Jnae 25, 1ST?.
President McCrsh delivered the buccalaureate ser
mon In the chapel this morulng. The text was from
Genesis, lit, 15:?"I will put eumlty between thee and
the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; It
shall bruise thy head and thou shall bruise his heeL "
TBR HSKM05.
The Doctor (aid two extreme views have been taken
of the character ot the world; one, that It Is without
wisdom or design or goodness, the sport ot chance or
bound In the grim grasp ot fate. On tho other hand
there are some who see nothing in our world bat order
and benellcence.
But, a."ked the Doctor, does either of these views,
taken by itself, account for the wbolo facts? Aa against
the one, we have beauty and bountilulness pressing
themselves on us so that we have only to open our eyes
to benold them in hoaven and earth, In revolving sea
sons and unfolding Providence. But our world rcr
taluly presents another and a very different aspect.
!Sm and pain are also in our world and force themselves
upou us whether wo will or no. Whatever else is trae,
this Is true also.
Thoro is to be a contost between the two and be
tween the seed of (he two; the serpent crawling In the
dust Is to bite the heel of the seed of the woman, bat
as he does so the seed of llie woman is to put his
heal ou the serpent's hoad and to crush IL We have
here, in epitome, the history ol oar world, the history
ol man, the history ol redemption, all in one.
Alter speaking at great length ou the conflict, the
Doctor B0ke<l and answered the question,
WHAT IS Tin: christian lirs ?
It Is a work, it is a wariare. It is a campaign In sn
enemy's country. It is a voyage through winds and
waves. It consists in the conquest ol sin in a siniul
nature; in Hie attainment ol holiness by an unholy
heart. The Cnristian life is life from tho dead.
KARKWBLL
The sermon finished, Dr. McCoeh turned to the
graduates and said:?
Gkmti.kmk* or thk Gradcatiso Classes, Academic
akii Mamnti?We would send you lorth from these
walls as soldiers ot the crots. We shall be disap
pointed should you tarn out to be ol those who mm
simply ai obtaining as many as possible of the com
forts and enjoyments of this world, saying, with the
epicurean, "l.et, us eat and drink, for to morrow we
die;" or even of those who have the higher ambition
to distinguish themselves and gain the laurels which
this world places ou the brows or us votaries, only to
tlnd how soon they witber and become an
encumbrance. Yon have to "light the good light
of faith, nod lay hold of eternal lile." You
have lofK within ami wilhont to conlcnd with. You
have to defend the right, to oppose lite evil and propa
gate the good.
Tht* senior class In tbo academic department is
the largest that has graduated from Princeton college.
The best members nave been distinguished for their
sterling ability, tho solidity of their acquirements,
and the weight of their character. This senior class,
the first graduating iu the scientific department, gives
food promise of what our School of Science is to be.
t will be an Inexpressible pleasure to me to confer on
you all that degrou you have earned by years of study.
We have been meeting together from week to week, in
deed trom day lu day most of us, for now three or lour
years. It would be a proof that our natures were very
coid it wo did not feel, and feel deeply, at the thought
of separating. Your alma mater will look alter vou
with deep interest, rejoicing in your Joy, .sympathizing
with you iu any sorrow with which you may be visited,
pleaded above- all when she bears of your Deing good
and doing good. Sbe will Inquire after you, and she
wishes you to visit her from timo to time to report
what you are doing, and that sho may keep up hor
acquaintance with you. We cherish the hope that at
last we will meet, no wanderer lost, in that place
where "ye shall receive * crown of glory that ladetb
not away."
Kraut the wave, t'hristian, when It Is strongest,
Watch tor liny. Christian, wlieti night Is longest.
Onward anrl onward still be tlilne endeavor.
The refit that ramaineth endnretU forever.
Kight the fight, Christian. .Tesns Is o'er thee.
Run the race, iThristlsn. heaven is before thee?
lie who bath peBiulsed faltereth never.
Oh, trust in the lave that eodureth loreveif
YALE COLLEGE.
BACCALAUBKATB SKBMON BT PRESIDENT FOB
TIB? HOW. TO ATTAIN BCCCKSB IN LOT?
ADDRESS TO TBI GRADUATING CLASS.
Niw Havbh, Conn., June 25, 1878.
President Porter delivered his baccalaureate sermon
before the members of the graduating class and a large
congregation In tho college cbapel tbls morning, lie
took for bis text John, xv., lft?"1 have chosen yon and
ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit,
and that your lrnit should remain."
THIS 8SRMO.N.
The times In which we are living are called eminently
uncertain and depressing, especially to those who are
forming tbeir plans for life. Fifteen years ago and the
country was convalsed by the throes of clvtl war. For
lour years or uiore tho hitherto stable structure of our
government waa heaving to aud fro as In the perpetual
vibrations of an earthquake. Then ensued a sea
son ol unnatural financial and speculative excite
ment, with feverish expectations of wealth and
dreams of easy success with little cost or by dis
honest means. Then an ominous stagnation and quiet
subsidence, followed by the crash after crash ol gigan
tic interests. Knormous assets shrank Into nothing or
were transformed into heavy burdens. Promising eu
| t?rprisos disappointed the contldence of sanguine or
deluded investors. Stupendous frauds began to be ex
posed. The character ol those conceived to be of tbo
| purest and holiest were assailed, whether rightly or
: wrongly is of little consequence, lor faith In man Is
perceptibly dying out of the community, and in the
, same proportion laith in goodness aud faith In God.
, The uncertainty aud distrust thus begun in commercial,
political and social circles still continues. The faith
of men in the laws of trade seems almost to fail them,
as season alter sensou disappoints their hopes. Tho
grinding processes of adjustment tyo ell.I going on,
and, it would seem, will not ceaso till the
masses of accumulated capital are ground to utoms.
The faith of man iu moral law, which ought to ln
I crease under this discipline, seems rather to bo dis
turbed by a morbid sympathy with the uncertainties
of trade and of politics. Science, even, is Infected
with a spirit of romancing. It bewilders Its own vo
taries with extravagant and contradictory theories, in
duced by tbe richusss ol its revelations and the excite
ment of it> brill.aut discoveries. It more than whis
j pers that tho imtuorttliiy to which man might torn
with hope, in his experiences ot chango and diaup
; polutmcni, is tnoro than an uncertainty. And to com
plete this mockery of our woo philosophy confidently
tells tis that tho universe, in its present condition, is
' uncertain ami unstable, boruo forward as it is upon
1 mighty waves of tendency, of which wo only know
that they exist, only that they will displace luuti and
1 Ins interests L>v noule forms ol beiu^, swallowing in
their movement our individual existence and hope* and
. tear*, lo complete the climax, wo areas positively
| nasured that liud himself is euvel<>| e.l with this maze
; <>i uncertainty, the only ceria n Hung oi Him that wo
know being that nothiug cau be certainly known, only
j that something is very wonderiui aud very groat.
TNK THKSSHOI.D Of I.IVK.
In one view tins outlook ol unceria>nty is not very
I hopeful to n young Bias w ho siands at the threshold of
lilo. on oue hand he is tempted to depression or des
pair, on the oilier iu reckie?snes* of faitt. and bouor
i and uuty. Some of ynu will think that this picture is
overdrawn. I cannot imi ih nk tbst tbere is some
i truth in the l??iiigs with which tlrougtiliul young men
' ate now looking out upon lile.
I.et me remind you ibat the times were anything hut
hopelti. wlter Chrisl tittered me words of the text.
UK rely titer* sever welt rn many and never such cx
| treui* paradoses ol lact and oi promise aa are pre
' ientcd in t hrift's condition and the pledges ho makes
' to His d sciples Ho was to leave them alone in a des
{ |?eraic struggle with powerful loe?, and yet by .being
leit alone they wouid gstu their victery.
lie was Himself to me, aud it waa only
by dyin; that, a* a ,-eed disappears. Ho
should bring lorth Iruit. He was to die upon the
cross, but li was only Ir.nn tho cross tint He rould
ascend to the throne of power in His kingdom. His
di.ciple* I eared that in a lew days they should be
scattered und their work destroyed Hut Ho assures
t tie in that He scuds them lorth, that they s'ose should
eruig lortb 'ruit and that their fruit -bomj remain.
My ti.eme is otcoess In life, hut not in tbe general
seusil such .is is irue ol all men, but iu the special
sense in which it is true of t hristian uirs. 1 shall con*
eider the conditions md the character ol his success
iwditioss or a wiviKsrn ukk.
What are :he conditions ot a -nrees?lui lile and who
are those whom Christ sends lerth to bnug lorth Iruit?
1 ho first eoudiuon is a just and h< arty .<ceeptance ol
the t liristlan ideal of m* racier. The ;aith in I hrist
which constitutes a disciple lias two sides, the etbicsl
and the personal. From the one side s man exists IB
Christ's iplrlt ud delights In His exampla From trie
other be trusts In C t ruii as a person. Normally the
one involves the other, but llM ethical cone* tint to
our notice. Christ came Into the world manilemng
? peculiar spirit and having a peculiar
life. Ttio world at flrit did not even
understand and It has learned very slowly
to believo iu Ik But It lit time now as It wan then: If
a man have not tbe eptrlt ol Canst be Is none oi Hi*.
Cbrist pleaded not Himsell, and Christ delared that the
disciple le not above hu master; and if a man will
coiue after Me lei him deny himself and take up his
cross and follow Mr. Tbe ethical side of disclpleshlp
approves itsell to the consciences of all men. The can
dm thinker and the Christisn student can easily appre
ciate its worth anil power, and benco to such a man it
is tbe lundamental coudltion of Christian success No
stiff dogmatism ol theory and orthodoxy; no partisan
seal for this or that physical lorranla; no passionate
trust in Chriat's death can tike tbe place of a loving
luilli lu His temper and life; no ecstatic worship of
Christ as a divine person can be set off against the
neglect 01 Christ as an example of tbe ideal of human
perfection.
pibmavckt rnuiT.
Tbe next eondition ol permanent fruit from lite Is
Intelligence in tho exemplification of tbe Christian
Ideal. To conacnt to Cbrlat as the Inspiration ol one
living is not enough. We must learn hew to realise
tho conditions ol oar everyday lite. The Son ol Mau
same eating and drinking?this Iriend of publicans and
cinners. 'I bough He lived as no man ever lived lu the
transcendent purity and biatnelessnrss of His spirit He
frequented tbe scenes of ?public aud domestic activity,
walking iu the highways and byways of common life,
being present at fessu and in the svnagogues by day
and resting in the quiet of modest friend* at night
So should it be with Hla disci plea If they
would be like their Master. So moat it
be with any man who proposes that bis
life should be iruitluL He must not only acoept tbe
Ideal i brist with his heart, but be taunt use bla intellect
to make blm practical. It is not abstract Christianity
wbich tbe world waits lor or caros for, but It is tho
Christian in the concrete and tbe detail; tbe Christisn
parent aud tbe Christian child, the Christian neighbor
nod the Christian Iriend, tbe Christian teacher and the
Christisn pupil, the Cbriettun buyer and the Christian
seller, the christian magistrate an.; the Christian citi
zen, the Christian politicisn and the Christian citizen,
and all these together living and organized as tbe Chris
tian commonwealth and tbe Cbrlstiau Church
by tbe inieiliBont applications ol Christian prln
! ciples and ideals o tho varied conditions of
lmmsn society. Such applications requiro in
telligence to discern between what Is possible and
what is simply quixotic?experience that is slow to ob
serve and willing to be taught by lalth. The world has
had its lair share of Christian romancing from that
bind of children wbich went forth to disappointment
and death In imitation of the lanatical madness of
priests, kings and knights end peasants, down to the
thousands and tens of thousands now liviug who waste
their energies and squander tllmr fortunes and dream
out their lives in some quixotic enterprise, or some
r 'mantle theory ol tho Kingdom of God, unmindful of
tbe simple words ol the Master, "Lo, the kingdom of
Cod is within yon." "Whatsoever things am true,
whatsoever things are boncst, whatsoever things aro
just, Ac.. be not children in understanding, but in un
derstanding be yo men."
Tlio preacher then proceeded to show that practical
wisdom which studies tbe relation of means to onds
will not overlook tho attractiveness of refinement and
culture, that energy is another condition of Irnitful
disciplcshlp, and tbat such energy only comes irom
faith in Christ's person. He then considered, under
seveial beads, elaborately and in minute detail tbe,
permanent fruit which follows the life described, con
cluding with tho usual address to the graduating class,
numbering 123 students, who occupied scats In tho
chapel uear tbe pulpit. The language of tne address
wo* of tbe most beautiful and touching kind and many
In the congregation were affected bv it.
The exercises ol commencement take place on Thurs
day next.
TRINITY COLLEGE.
fiftieth anniversary commencement bxeb
CISKS?BACCALAUREATE SERMON BT PRESI
DENT PTNCHOX?* 'PROFESSOR jm" ASSISTS
IN PLANTING the CLASS IVT.
Hartford, Codil, Jane 25, 1878.
The events of Trinity College Commencement week
began with class day exercise* on Thursday, on which
occasion Mr. H. V. Rutherford delivered the class ora
tion and H. O. Du Bols the class poem. After the
awarding of essay prizes, seven in number, the grad
uating class formed in line, beaded by the President
and "Professor Jim," who has been janitor to the col
lege daring llfty years, and inarehed to the upper sec
tion of Jsrvis Hall, wbere they planted the ivy. Mr.
T. A. Porter, of Sooth Carolina, delivered the
Ivy oration, showing that the act of planting
the Ivy was not a mere lorm, but a
bond between each departing class and Its
Alma Mater. Mr. B. ?. Warner, of New Jersey, made !
the farewell address, In which he thanked the citizens
of Hartford lor kindness extended daring foar years.
The college song to the air of "Litorta" concluded the
excrcises.
Examinations In mathematics, natural philosophy
and Greek took place on Friday; examination* In
Latin aud English on Saturday.
On Sunday evening In the college chapel
rKKBIDXST riKCHO.t's BACOALACMATR SERMON
was preached.
The reverend gentleman selected his text from
Romans, xv., 18, 19. 23:?"For 1 will not dare to
speak of any of those things which Christ hath not
wronght by mo to make the Gentiles obedient by word
and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the
power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem and
round about the Ulyrtcum I have fully preacbcd the
Cospel of Christ, &c." President Pynchon said:?
The lilyricun, of which the Apostle here speaks, and
where ho Kays ho had preached the Gospel, was on the
Adriatic Sea, just over against Italy, on the extreme
western side ot Macedonia, aud from seveuty to 120 mhos
only d.stant Irom the Italian shore. From Jerusalem
and Antiocb, through Asia Minor, acrosa the Helles
pont, ovir the enure width ol Macedonia, down
through Athens and Corinth, then across the sea by
water, through Epbesus to Jerusalem, thence back to
Antioch, through Galicta and Phrygia, theuce to Epbe
bus, wbero be spent three years, tbeuco once more
over to Macedonia, a second time Into Hellus ana thonce
to Corinth, where this epistle was wrlucn. St. Paul
says "ho had lully preached the Gospel of Christ " and
all this In aa little m?re lhau thirteen 'years
alter ho tirst commenced his missionary travels.
For we must remember that It was eleven years after
SL l'aul's conversion before he began actively to preaoh
the Gospel of Christ and before he waa ordained to the !
Apostlcship of the Gentiles, lie says, moreover, that I
he intends very soon to cross over to Home and thenoe
to continue his journey eten to the remote regions of
Spaiu in lultilmeut of a great desire which be had for
many years cherished to visit the Roman Christiana
and preach ibe Gospel in the Ktornal city. He says
moreover, that oue reason why he desired to do this
was because he felt that ue had no more any place In
those parts, having lully preached alreadv the Gospol
ot Christ through all that portion of the world.
From all tins it Is evident that no sooner had our
tard Jesus Jell tho earth and ascended into heaven
than the knowledge 01 His advent into the world, aud
I ol the great work ol redemption which Ho had wrought
out. bewail to run like lightning throughout the earth.
This was owing maiuiy to two causes?11 rat, the pecu
liar character of the Gospel as the proclamation of the
visit of a divine person to the earth, who had given
Himself as asucritico for the sinaof the whole world
and then Offered Ills sacrifice upon the altar of ?>od In
the heaveuly places above; and, secondly, to tho facili
ties lor rapid communication which then existed, ex
tending from the Holy Land, especially in the direction
ol the West and toward the great capital city ol the
Empire.
The speaker, after showing bow Christianity spread,
by a direct and easily traced channel, Iroui Jerusalem
to Italy, and Irom Italy throughout tho West, until It
reached the shoros oi Pagan Anglo-Saxon Euglaud
prooeeded to trace the history ol Christianity in that
island uown to the present time, lor the purpose of
showing how it has been transmitted from tbe spot
where it first beguu to the present time. and
how It h.ta reached us In a clear and dis
tinct lorm, notwithstanding tbe distractions that
bavn been produced by the conflicting teach
ings ol modem sects In conclusion lio said
The origin ol the religious contusion around u* may be
traced to the fatal leaven introduced into the Western
Church oy tho pride and sell-conceit engendered by the
pa-sage ol Christian ty through tbe Imperial city, lea-l
ing men to preicr their own lauc.ies and imaginations
in mutters couuccted with religion to the llxed laith lor
apostolic times, and thus converting Christ.unity into a
highly retined nud elaborate system ol doctrinal the
ology oil tue oue hand, or, on tbo other, Into a vague
dreamy md sceptical mvstieism. '
The ctlorts, ol which the author of one of the books
which we b-ve recently read together speaks (1
reler to *>Rawlinsou s Hampton Lectures,") and
which he says, "weak and contetnptiblo as they aro
le.t by critics and scholars to bo, havo nevertheless
had a certain mlluenco on the general touo ot thought,
and have caused tuany .o regard the early infancy ol
t hrislianity as a dim mid a shadowy cloudlam;, in
which nothing Is lobe seen except a lew figure's of i
bishops and martyrs moving uncertainly amid the gen
eral tiarkiio-s. " The** ctlorts havo had no influence
over you, because you are convinced that these lacts
<>n which the Christian re'tgion reposes were in
formed in the oroad light of day, In the very centre of
the world, and In one of the most sceptical nnd at the
same time ono ol tbo most enlightened ages. They
stand, therefore, upon a has* surer than the everlast
ing hills, and one which no power can possibly shake
because au act, once performed, can never be annihi
lated?can never be made never to have taken place.
In tho second place. Christianity has not been prs
sented to you as a collection of1 barren, past fsct*
which. from mero age, although absolutely certain,
have lost their power, but as a groat present
fact?vix., the existence or a living intercewor,
at this very moment engaged in working out our sal
vation, and lust as much engaged in it exactly as He
was when on earth. Christ's work was not completed
when He die.l U|-on tne crosa. #?H>k not, then, with
pain and an* oty tor the proof ol thinua which faith
onl i ran realise nor lor tbe rea?on ot their existence.
Say only, ?? Wilt thou believer" The bewildered ex
plorer tremble* and stammers, ?? I do l>eiieve." This
u the true process ol conversion to Christianity. Tts
simple r< cepuon or its lacts and tbs worship ot Its au
tbor. This is tbe faith, my young brethren, in which
. you have i>?en trained. In this faith may vonr Divtne
1 Master tr -r keep you, and receive you at last into His
i glorious kingdom, amen.
Examinations lv>r admission In ths various branches
I occur on Monday and Tuesday. Meetings of the col
lege cor|K>ration and the Heta Kappa and oratloa
I by Rev. Ik A. Washburn, D.P., sf New York, wlU
take place ob VidDNdif. The meeting of the Senatna
Acadomlcua, procession on the campns, Corn men co
ntent. dinner mid President's reception on Thursday.
The graduating class after leaving college will proba
bly be divided aa lollowa-?Law, 4; medicine, 2; the
ology. 3; teaching, 3; bttinees, 4; machinist, 1;
{arming, 1; total, 17.
LAFAYETl'E COLLEGE.
BACCALAUREATE 81BMOK BT PBESIDBNT CAT
TELL?ST. Paul's wobds to thb oobikth
IAN3 BBPEATED TO THB BBNXOBS.
Eastos, Pa., Jane 36,1878.
rrosldent Cattell delivered the baccalaureate sermon
to-day, talcing aa hie text I. Corinthians, xv., 68?
?Thoretore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadiest, Im
movable, always abounding in the work ol the Lord;
forasmuch aa ye know that yoar labor la not In vain
In the Lord." .
THE BKKJION.
President Cattell said:?It Is well for the young If
thoy early learu the Importance of having a definite
object In view and of being steadfast in the pursuit of
it. Assiduous and well directed labor ia essential to
success in all the affairs of this lite. There is no easy
bypath that would leasen (he toil or ahorten the dis
tance to the high places which his youthful auditors
bad in view. The text exhorted the Connthiana to be
steadfast and immovable, alwaya abounding in work.
After describing the wretchedness of an aimletun, idle
life, he said it was equally true that no man welcomed
toil or labor for its own sake, and since no great or de
sirublo object could bo sccured without work, all men,
especially the young, needed constant admonition and
exhortation In this rospect. It was a misiake to re
strict the term "working classes," as Is so frequently
done, to the tollers in shop and field. Thero
are weary workers who have never driven the |
plough or swung the hammer. A man may often cbooso
the kind'ol work he prefers, but work in some form bo
must, or the great' st natural endowments are worth to
him but little But the text whs not a maxim for the
present life alono. The apostlo was wriilug to those
whose immortal Interests ho had m view, and he ex
horted them to be steadlast in their convictions and to
be abounding in the "work of the Lord."
Hero followed a discussion of the nature and object
of tins work; Its extent; the limitations of our respon
sibility in carrying It on und the means lor Its success
ful accomplishment, dwelling especially upon the high
obligations of scholars to be "fellow workers with
(iod" in His preat scheme of restoring to the world the
truth and Joy that were lost in Kdcn. The sermon
concluded by a presentation of the motive to Christian
work, as given in the text Such labor for the highest
good of men undertaken from Christian motives, with
an eulightencd anJ intelligent zeal, and couformed to
tho principles of God's revealed will would never
be In vaiu. Many reforms in so letv inaugurated by
humanitarians fulled, not from lack of euthusiastic
labor, but oeiausa the principles upon which they
wen: based Vero not God's truth. It was Bat "Hie
work of tho Lord." Nor would tho Christian work be
"in vain," as respects its reward to the doer. The
honors and riches winch mcu of this world seek,
though uol to be despised, are nevertheless as nothing
compared with tho peace and joy of the humblest
Christian worker, oven in this life, but in the world
to come tho joy would bo Ineffable and eternal when
tho Muster should say, "Well done, good and taithlul
servant."
ADOBXSSIXa TUK HKJUOK8.
Addressing the senior class, who rose and stood for
the remainder of tbo sermon, the President said
Young gentlemen of the graduating class, twelve
inontns have rolled away, but it seems to me as yes
terday that the men of '74 stood where you now stand,
and 1 uddressed to them the purling words that 1 must
now address to you. Perhaps tho timo seems short
also to you, yet you will Und as you grow older that
the years aro swilter footed; they will seem shorter
than the months or weoks ol your college days, and
this gives emphasis to the exhortation ol the wise
man?"Whatsoever thy hands Una to do, do It with all
thy might." Apply these admonitory words to the
truths 1 have this day endeavored to present;
let "the work of tho Ix>rd" be promptly
undertaken and steadfastly performed. Beware lest
the years steal past you go silently and so swiftly that
tbe "cud of lite snail come and your work be not done.
(><>d grant, If you are spared to old age, that you may
look back upon a hie, not of Indolent sellishness or Ir
resolute and lltlul efforts lor the right, but upon a Hie
steadiest in well-directed labor In the Lord, such as tbe
world thaf needs your help experts anil demands from
tbo cultured Christian scholar. The year ol your grad
uation Is a noted one In tho history ol our country,
but 1 do not propose to dwell on tbis nor on tho lact
that tbis year, in one sense, Is tbe scmi-oentennlal of
the college. Although no classes were formed until
1*3-', when Dr. Junkin accepted the presidency, yet
tbe college charter was obtained from ihti Legislature
in 1826, two years after tbo meeting of the citizens of
Kaston was held, when it was resolved to establish hero
an institution tor the higher education, and, in view of
the signal services rendered to tbo cause of American
freedom by Lafayette, to call It by his honored name.
While the celebration of our semi-centennial
may, therefore, bo appropriately deferred a
few years longer, this year is, nevertheless,
one oi those periods in the history of the college when
Its friends should gratefully call to mind tbe nobio men
' who planned it and who, with assiduous and unwoaned
labor during uiany dark and trying years, carried It
forward. To the enlightened zeal and self-denying
toil of those men, who now rest irom all their laliors,
wo to-day owe much, aud tbo year should not go by
without our laying fragrant garlands upon their hon
ored graves. It is a notable year, too, tor the college
In the large number ol your oiass, by lar the largest In
all its history. A college that numbers seventy upon
, its senior roll has a right to be regarded as an impor
tant centre ol education, and If its work be well done,
what can meusiire the extent of its miluenco? Not
without a deep sense of our own responsibility, as your
guardians and Instructors for lour years, do we see you
go from these halls, whether It is to enter at once upon
tbe active duties of lile or by further stndy la profes
sional schools to bnild upon the foundation here laid.
We have tried to do our duty, and yes have
tried to do yours. The past cannot be re
called. It is with God and ourselves, and for
the Judgment day, when the secrets of all hearts shall
be reveaied. Rut the future is before us; let us alt,
with renewed and solemn cousecratlon ol all onr pow
ers, resolve to be steadfast In Christian iaitb, Immov
able in our purpose and always aboundlug in work lor
Uod's glory anu lor the wellare of men.
FARBWU.L.
And now, my young friends, lor myself and mr co'
leagues, 1 must bid you larewcll, To many beloved
youth have 1 thus addressed tbe parting word,' and not
withstanding its official and somewhat formal charac
ter never without sincere emotion. It ts a duty that
touches me more deeply year by year. 1 find that my
llie, as I grow older, is knit more ami more closely to
my college boys (as I love to call them), and wheiher
you have been kinder to mo or moro thoughtful and
considerate than others I cannot say; but it seems to
me so as I come to take leave of you. I assure you it
is with a full heart 1 recall your constant kindness dur
ing tho four years wo have been thrown so much
.together, and out of a deep and earnest love for yon
my prayer ascends to Cod that Ills richest grace and
His choicest blessings may over rest upon you.
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.
THB BACCALAUREATE SERMON BT FBESIDEWT
SMITH?THE SOURCES OF IK FIDELITY?AD
DRESS TO THE OBADUATIN'Q CLASS.
Hasovxr, N. H., June 25, 1874
The baccalaureate sermon was preached In chapel
this morning by President Smith in the presence of a,
very large congregation, including all the students of
the institution.
The text was Isaiah, xllv., 20?"He feedeth on ashes;
a deceived heart hath turned him aside, tbat be cannot
deliver his soul, nor say, Is thore not s lie in my right
bandf"
THK SKRXOJ.
The saying of tbe wiso man was quoted:?"Bettor Is
tbo end of a thing thun the beginning thereof." Yet
ho by no means intended, It was said, to speak lightly
of the lstter. There Is evermore a special interest in
beginnings. They awaken our curiosity, as wheu tbe
source of tbe Nile ts sought in the centre of a vast
continent. They aro Intrinsically important. Tboy
are casual and | ropbetlc. Tbey aro scedliko. There
is a type and a law In Ibom, a law of descent and propa
gation. Beginnings, as types, sbed light on the anti
types. Tbey help our understanding of them. Ascer
tained, besides, tbey may bo the better controlled and
modified. Kspecial'y Important are beginnings in tho
moral and spiritual sphere, and nowhere more so tr.an
In relation to that protean infidelity so rife in these
latter days. To uuderktand It thoroughly and so to be
funharmed against it, you must know its sources; and
theso are otten not in tbe recent, but far hack in tne
past history. They are to be sought for mainly not In
tho open plain, but in tho thick Jangles of the soul, In
Its shrouded morasses, or on rugged and oloudy heights
hard to be reached. Latent as tbey often are, and un
suspected?doing their deadly work subtly and in the
dark, and doing It tile more effectively bccause so
stealthily?It ts ball the battle to eclaircise them. With
an eye to tho case ol those who, feeding "on ashes,"
as tho text has It, are turned aside by a deceived
heart, so that they cannot deliver their souls, nor say
'?Is there not ? lie in ray right hand?" II was proposed
to consider some of the chief
sot-m-KS ok iMrtDBurr.
1. Tho first named were early associat ons. Though
It Is not true, as soiuo hold, that tho mural Ictuitlons
and sentiments are the mere creatures of association,
It is doubtless one of the most far-reacting and potent
of all the laws both of our intellectual sod moral being.
It has much to do In fashioning and coloring tho web
ol lire. Especially is this irue ol the associations of
oariy years. Home associations were dwell on ut
length?their power for good In s Christian;
their great and enduring power lor evil
when a sceptical spirit is dominant in the
hovaohoM. The isttQonco of youthful companions was i
adverted ta A beardless Infidel, solf-eonOdent, loqua
cioui. magnetic. Las bees known lo poison la* minds
ot half bin juvenile associate* Tbe associations ol the
school aa<i lbs college were touched on?the evil In
fluence. especially, that must bo exerted by honored
and revered teachers, who, with whatever reticence,
are known to have sceptical leanings. Much more, if
infidel views are stealthily though only occasionally
insinuated.
X The next source ot Infidelity mentioned was a need
leas stumbling at mystery. Thera Is in lalien man
everywhere the old Kdenic desire to "be as gods,"
knowing good and evil In every age "vain man would
be wise, though man bo bora like a wild ass's roll."
In respect to divine things, especially, many are im
patient of inevitable liiniianona They are un
willing to receive what they cannot understand.
They call in theology lor what they find nowoere else.
Wo find mystery everywhere, evea in the lowest range
of existence. Lacb one of us la a breathing, walkiug,
thinking, working mystery. So far aa the circle of
mystery is concerned, the proudest achievements both
ol science and philosophy have only served to broaden
It. 11 it be so with tbe finite, how much more with
tholnllnlte! If it bo so with tha human, how much
more with the divine!
Two errors were spoken of Into whloh men of philo
sophic thought have lallen, as tbey have grappled with
this subject. They have lailed duty to discriminate (1)
between lacts snd modes, anil (IS) between apprehend
ing and comprehending. These kindred errors were
discussed at length. and their Important bearing
shown.
& A lalse independence was named as a fruitful
source of scepticism. A true independouce was de
fined and commended, and tha false was set forth as
cousisting (1) in sn unaue Independence ol others?a
disparagement and even contempt of all human wis
dom, a loolish scorn ot whatever is traditional, a re
nunciation ot Important helps which God designed lar
us; and (2) in uu atl'ected independence of our own
moral naturo. The doctrine ot indilferentism as to all
religious truth, which Home have stonily contended lor,
was considered at length and its laliaclcs pointed out
4. Tbe unhappy mlluence ot much ot our periodical
and popular literature was next adverted to. The com
parative purity ol the American press was thankfully
aumttted and an emphaticencomiunmvus passed oil that
worthy class ol journalists, in particular, who are never
otilivious oi the moral and spiritual interests of iheir
readers, and who carelully exclude Ironi their columns
whatever would lavor cither lax modes of lile or scep
tical tendencies. And a very different class both of
books and periodicals was described and dealt with.
5. Another and a prolific source of inlidellty is isno
raucn of tbo Bible. No other book of Importance
suffers in this respect like tho Word of tiod. How little
some literary men know ol It Is shown often by their
blundering isolations, and more abundantly In other
ways. There are not a few of those who berate and re
ject it, who know little more of lis contents?nay, in
s?me casos, less?than ol tbe Koran or tho Shasters.
Tho advocates ot Christianity are often charged with
ignorance of various fielda of scientific research. And
tne charge in, in many cases, well founded. An ac
quaJntance with that
Klder Scripture writ by (lud's <Hra hand
is every war profitable. It binders not, but halpe
rstber the wise and effective defence of tbu sacred vol
ume. Kor there is uo antagonism betweeo nature and
the Bible. They have one author, one great end; and
to the reverent ear there Is a glorious harmony be
tween tbeui. iho more nature Is studied, II it be with
true docility, tbe more clearly will this appear. But to
that end tbe Bible should be studiod also, and that not
lu tbe manner ot a mere sciolist. No lesa than nature,
It requires profound study. This was urced by various
considerations, particularly by the lact that the Bible
Is not only hm own best interpreter, but its own best
defence, 'if it were daily and diligently read in all the
families of the land scepticism would' go to its own
place and the nation he saved. This point was dis
missed, with an emphatic protest against tbe ex
clusion ol tho Bible from the common schoola
0. A misapprehension of the evangelical Isith was
next named as being sn occasion often of secptical
leanings. Men of straw are never particnlarly seemly,
and this is especially true in tbe sphere of religion. -
It is not strsnge that one becomes an infidel wben the
tsir form of Christianity Is transmuted?whether by
Ills own lault or that of others?into a scarecrow or a
hobgoblin. Such transformations the leading doc
trines ol our lailh have often undergone, and the sad
result has been the rejectlou or the genuine coin be
cause of tho counterfeit. Various Illustrations ot this
were given. This has sometimes been due to the in
competency or wrongheadedness of the advocates ot
Christianity; but it lias rosulted often from ignorance
ol tbe Bible, from lack ot laithlul Investigation and of
a fair and candid consideration of what tbe delenders
of the trtiih havo had to ofler.
7. I he source ol Infidelity last named was a lack of
sympathy with the Gospel. This is not merely the
complement ot tbe series, but is Intimately connected
with the whole. It is said, ludeed, you must beware
in your discussions ot the odium theoloyicum. True,
very truo. In a certain relation of tbe phrase. But we
may saiely follow the Divine method ; and tiod has de
clared that it is "the tool"?the fool in a moral sense?
who "bath said in his heart there is no God." It was
because men '*llked not to retain tiod In thuir knowl
edge," the Scripture affirms, that He "gave them over
to a reprobate inlnd." It men like not tbe Biblo we
have ample warrant for saving It is bccsuse tbe Bible
likes not them. "He that Is of God," said
our Lord, "heareth God's words; yo therefore
hear them not, because ye are not of
God." It is not affirmed that men of i-ceptical lean
ings are always immoral?far lrom it; albeit tbe tend
ency or Infidelity, In itself considered, Is to all manner
ol deterioration. But immorality apart, there is a
natural contrariety botween tlui proud and selfish
human heart and the bumbling demands of the Gospel
ol Christ. So the heart, reluctant to yield, fortifies it
self with some specious form of scepticism.
The discourse closed with sn sddress to the graduat
ing class, Id which aflectionate reference was made to a
deceased member of the class?the only one who bad
been taken from It by death in the whole lour years'
coarse?Mr. Walter C. W. Puffer, ol Lowell, Masa
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
BACCAX.AUBEATB 8KBMOB BT BBT. CTBtTS D.
TOSS, D. D.?TBB MISSION Or OUR LAND.
Rev. Cyras D. Fom, D. D.. President of the Wesleyan
University, preached bis baccalaureate sermon before
tbe graduating class in the Methodist church at Middle
town, Conn., the seat or the university, yesterday morn
ing. The reverend gentleman selected lor his text tbe
eighth and tenth verses of the eightieth Psalm, begin
ning?"'Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou
hast east out tbe heathen and planted it."
Alter referring to the Centennial and to the fact that
highly educated men had been among the loremost pro
moters of tbe glory of this country, the speaker said It
would not be amiss to aerote the hour to a considera
tion of the mission of our land. I believe, said he, that
God has a plan for nations as well as lor men. He as
signs to each nation the part lor which It Is especially
fitted in working out tho grand problem of tbe civilisa
tion, the enlightenment and the Chrlstianlsation of the
world.
Tbe uprooting of the vine whleh had been growing
In Egypt 400 years, the driving out of tho heathen from
Canaan and transplanting It there under such benign
auspices that it took root and filled the land so that
"the hills were covered with the shadow of It and tbe
1 boughs thereof were like tbe goodly codars," were
accomplished by a series of illustrious miracles. In the
plauting and training of America there was no miracle,
but there was the constant working of the same good
band of God.
Lot us ask to-day what is the work of this nation t
For what part In the solution ol the mighty problem
ol tbe ages has God prepared It? To what magnificent
achievements does lie summon It? The thesis 1 shall
attempt to maintain is this:?The August Ruler of all
the Datlons designed tho United States of America as
tbe grand depository and evangelist of civil liberty and
of a pure religious laiih. And tbeso two are one. We
cannot consider them separately and draw out distinct
lines of prooC It in Idlo in this age for any nation to
expect greatness or permanence without acknowledg
ing God. lu anoisnt umoa tbe case was different; but
now Christian nations control tbe world; and, depend
upon it, the hands will never go back on the dial
Franco tried to get on without a God; but Napoleon,
purely lor reasons oftState, restored tbe Roman Catho
lic religion. There are three criteria by which the
purpose of the Almighty Ruler
CODCUIIM THIS NATIOX
is clearly indicated?the location he has assigned It, the
providential training he has fallowed upon It and
tiie resjurces iio ha* put within its reach.
Notice the placo of this nation on the face
ol tho globe and ou Hie scale of the centuries,
i.od's last opportunity to plant a great new nation was
here. There remained no other field for the good seed
or freedom broad enough lor a mighty harvest and
clean enoagii lor such a harvest to grow oncbeckcd by
the tares and thorn* ol deep rooted almses.
Let us now pa>s on to sec what was tbe seed God
pluuied in tins virgin soil. The question is all impor
tant, lor the handlul ot seed sown determined tbe
character ol Immeasurable Uarvosts in after age*. God
seurcbed the Ota Wur.d over and look lbs very best seed
there was to ptani tho New. Why aid not this ciitsjtry
come under the hale ml dominion ol the Crescent?
Tbe discoverers were Komau Catholic, and what should
; save this irom being a 1'apal country? Rome wanted
it. Who were ike fetiiors? Not Mohammedans, not
I'apisis, not Britons with merely Protestant creed, but
! Puritans, darnm el wmwW> nomrn, men who came to
; these shores with the noh.esl motives that ever in
1 spired the bofora of un emigrant; not as tbe Spaniards
went to Mexico, lor gold; nor as tbe poor ol Europe
j now throng these shores, for bread
What sought tlie.v tlm> alar?
Hrlclil Jewels ol the mine ?
The wealth ol seas, tho spoils nf war?
They sought a faith's pure shrlos.
The same God who planted tho colonies moulded
tbrtr history. He bound them to tbe mother country
until they were strong en ugh to slanu alone among
nations, aud then he overruled the circumstances of
their breaking away so as to inspire tbem with a per
I'Oiuul haired ot all oppression. Why did England per
sist so long In treating englishmen here as Kngiishuien
there would never buvo submitted to be treated at all ?
Tbe c ia hut one explanation: England was judicially
blinded in order that America might be iree.
the same Providence which made us a nation has
gntaed all our progress; and never more manileetly
than in our civil war. lu that cventlul time our pride
was humbled by tbe bitter experience ol lepcated dis
asters, nntil we learned to trust not in coluuibiads, nor
In Ironclads, nor in mighty hosts.
Let us consider tbe resources of this natloa lor tho
accomplishment ot the mission to which It was so man
ifestly called and lor which It has been, In the whole
Mam ol it* history, so. marvellously prepared. These
resource! an both material and moral. Of the former
boi a word, A nauou cannot m treat without room
tu be great in. Switxerlaad can be great only la Idea.
Ureal Britain would quickly drop to tba fourth rw/t
but for her Immense colon ie?.
ft HA va A MAOXIFJCBWT AU4
and agricultural and mineral resources which an in
computable ana uuimaimable. This fact la eiosely al
lied to another, which must be reckoned among oar
moral reaotircos?every raau haa ? fair chaoee to be
como a part owner of the noil. No law of primogeni
ture or email distinguishes between tbe children ol the
same parents. In Kurope land monopoly is one of IM
chief enemies of oivil equality. We are also a compos
ite people, made up of ail tbe people* moulded Into one,
under the guidunno of the Puritan spirit. I once heard
from the lips of Kirnan this figure:?"We bare in tbla
couutrv a great tn'11; the lower stone of it la our com
mon school system, the upper stone the Bibi& We pour
into tbe hopper tbe beicrogencotie immigration from
all lands, and It comes out an enlightened sad Chris
tianised Protestantism." I venture to suggest that IP
it Is to do l*s work well the two atones ot this mill must
be kept close together. We speak a language wbiofc la
emphatically
A PBOTESTAXT ASn A fttKB I.AKOCAOK.
A nanou whose vnruaculur is that of Milton and
Crouwoll, of Patrick Henry and Abraham Lincoln will
not readily bow the knee to I'ope or despot. Romsn
ism conceals itself under tho darknoss of a dead Ian
guage. Protestantism courts tbe light. No great
Knglish speaking nation ih Romanist. No other Is em
phatically Protestant. The time will soon come when
halt tbe race will speak, cr ut least understand,
English. How imperative the obligation of those who
do speak It to fill it with the twin evangel of freedom
and faith I l,et those who will insist that the world n
growing worse. I point you to tbe lactathat within the
Hie tune ol some of this audience more copies of tho
lilble nave b'-en circulated and more successful labor*
have been expended lor the conversion ol the heathen
world than in all the ages before siuce Moses wrote lh?
Pentateuch. To tbo graduating class ot thia
university, said the speaker, in conclusion, the truths
1 have unfolded must be my argument and
appeal Tliey summon you especially, and others who
like you can wieid the potent we ipou of a liberal edu
cation, to atrixe always lor truth and freedom. They
cry to you, b?t heroes' be lovers of truth and battle for
the right. "Other raru labored and ye have entered
into their labors." Guam wefl your sacred inherit
ance. (ioid is dross. Man's applause ia but empty
breath which dies us it leaves his li|>a. Seek tho only
real honor. "By patient continuance in well doing
seek for glory and honor and immortality." Then,
when on the great commencement day, your examina
tions all honorably paused, tho King shall come to dis
tribute crowns, your brows shall be deckod with laurel*
that shall never lade, and you sbull excb hear from HIT
lip* those, oh Iiow welcome words, sweeter than tkf
symphony of all tbe heavenly harps, "WelT dono, goo*
and faithful, servant; enter thou into the joy of thj
Lord."
AMHEBST COLLEGE.
BACCALAUBEATX SERltON BT PRESIDENT
BTEABNS?A NATION'S LIFE CONDITIONED 01
INTELLIGENCE AND VIRTUE.
At Amherst College yesterday President Stearns de
livered his baccalaureate sermon before tho graduate*.
A nation's life, *aul he, is conditioned on lntelligeuo*
and vlrtuo. It a government dcQcs tbo eternal laws ol
righteousness; if perjury and corruption prevail among
a people; If the fear of God forsakes them and moral
recklessness runs riot among tbom, the certain conse
quenco Is political death. So said tbe Hebrew lawgivef
more than 3,000 years ago, and all history attest* tho
fact.
That I* a wonderful chapter of prophetic statesman*
ship', tbe twenty-eighth of Deuteronomy. The author,
in a religious civil ode, through fltteen versts, enumer<
ates blessing* which are pledged to God-fearing na>
tiona, especially to the elec.ed peoplo whom, as vice
gerent of Jehovah, he controlled. And then, reversing
the picture, In Qlty-four verges bo pours down a hatl<
storm of denunciatory eloquence, certain to blast and
beat them into tbe earth if thoy should cease lo feat
the glorious and fearful name, tho Lord thy God,
and become rebellious aud vile. And now
America is on trial, dear nativo land, belore
God and mankind, and all tho blessings expressed la
this twonty-etghlh chapter of Deuteronomy are prom'
lt>cd to us, and all the curscs, the same m measure II
not In kind, aro threatened us. It is our destiny; th<
foresight of wiso men, even without a written insplr*
tiob, perceives it; to bo exalted above all nations or U
sink down into tbe lowest hell of political disgrace.
The air Is fragrant and bracing with ccntcnnial rejoic
ings to-day. But who know* whether our posterity
will be jubilant or ashamed 1U0 years hencoT The
answer to this question will depend greatly upon a*.
If wc can keep tbe body politlo hoalthlul, if we caa
achieve reforms and transmit sterling virtues to out
more immediate descendants, we may hopo. that the]
also will hand over to generations following a glorified
republic. It is with these sentiments that I come U
you this morning with a pica for tbe natioifc
I exhort you, first of all, to love your country.
Do you realise, as has recently been called
to your notice, that In building the earth your Creator
selected North Central America for His best sdaptetiona
to the human racef Immense rivers, vast spaces of
the richest intervales, mountains piled up to tha
heavens and Ollod with mineral wealth, countless bays
and indentations of coasts, great oceans, connecting 11
with all the rest of the world, while separating If
therefrom. It waa treasured up and hidden by the
covering of the Almighty's hand till, for our lather!
and lor us, the lime ot its showing should come.
Love your country, lor it is worthy 01 lore; ojr suit
worth Christian ancestry, salf-government instead of
despotism; liberty restrained ouiy by laws which pro
tect ; schools, churches, open Bibles; a great history,
sacrifices ol blood In mighty and success! jl conflict loi
human freedom and the right; the sacred dust of sol
diers' graves, our lost onus and our loved, with mono
menth of glory above them; how they call to us lot
aflcction aud patriotic devotion!
Love your country; it is a nation. And this nation
Is yours; youis to honor, yours to save, yours to make
great. Kncourago and promote geueral education. II
is an sccepted truism, k saying which has been repeated
in this country ten thousand times, that no republic caj
prosper or loug exist without inteiligenco among th?
people. It was the ignorance and semi-barbarism' 0
the masses ol' our Southern States, quite as much ai
the ambuun ot their leader;, which suook the pillars
of our government, And there are millions now grow
tug up without knowledge, without training, just thd
material to break out, by and by, under the goading)
ot demagogues and rush forth like herds of lufuristed
bultalo trampling down ail good things in their way.
But it is not ol the training ot tho intellect alone
that I would speak; the pubilo conscience most bo
educated, or we are lost as a nation. Her*
knowledge, sharpening the mental perceptions,
strengthening the faculty of contrivance without moral
principle, is just L.e way to make devils in humaa
form. By such au education you arm ton thousand foi
mischiei. This fact is well known, but needs to be ra>
pealed with ever recurring emphasis. Moral training
must accompany the intellectual, or we are mined.
The recent uncovering of public Iranus?stealings by
the million carried on by respectable men, the every
day lading of stars in our political Armament, to say
nothing of sensualities which might make the angels
blush?all go to show that, where the intellect Is quick*
ened and the conscience neglected there we may ei>
peci crime and shame. It this condition ot things be
comes general we shall be legarded with disgust and
terror by all nations. The lathers of our American In
stitutions understood this, hence the constitution of
Massachusetts says:?"It shall be tbe duty of Legisla
tures and magistrates in all future periods ot this Com
monwealth to cherish the interests of literature aa4
the sciences and ail seminaries ot them;" and again If
says that "a constant adherence to the principles of
piety, justice, moderation, temperanoe, industry and
frugality are absolutely necessary to preservo tbe ad
vantage* of liberty and to maintain a free government."
Onr lathers would not leave these duties to tlM
caprice ot legislative enactment, but embodied thent
in the primal law ol the Commonwealth; and no man,
however deep Bunk lu political corruption, has over
had the daring to move their repeal. Washington, la
his Farewell Address, reiterated the same prinolpleS|
and all the statesmen of America have echoed and rOi
echoed the sain-'. It is not without roaaon, then, thai
1 say cncourago and promote education, especially la
the department ol conscience.
And here let It be understood that Ibis never can ba
properly done, the public conscience can sever bs
properly bnligbtencd and quickened without rengioa.
Whatever may be said of select persons, naturally
amiable, disinclined to low vlccs, tbe million ranst lear
| Uod or they will not keep His commandments, sad la
I order to this there must be an Inteaae religions life
somewhere. I exhort you again to be laitbfal to vonr
| more Immediate duty as citizens. In all the nation no
untitled man is more strougly pressed by the daty of
' securing a good government tlisn yourself. If corses
| come down upon an nngodiy people, none among tha
t million." ol us will (laservo them, it you neglect civil
obligations, mom than you. You must devote time,
thought, eflort to promote tbe common good. Tbe
Republic is yours and you must tske care of It. Let no
Indolence, no shrinking frost contact wttb Ignorance
aud vulgarity drive you into social ssolaslaa or aea
tralite your power.
If yon sspi'e to btgh national trust aad think von oaa
do good service lor tne oonotry, there is notnlag dis
honorable in tbe ambition. Kit yourself lor controlling
po-mons and then wait till they call lor you. Oh, this
office seeking, how ignoble! Tbe old patriots of
America, they soorned it. Fiity yesrs ago, young mea
learning tbeir preparatory Latin, would almost blusn ta
secret whefc tney read ot digniflsd Roman Senators
humbling themselves before tne people as they weal
about among ihem In their own persons canvasaiag for
office. Those were the days wben the modesty and
rcvorence which characterised our English lathers
before the Revolution bad not deserted us. But the
spirit of French communism camo in and It vulgarised
the naton. Ob, It is so mean, this sacrifletagof man
hood lor place! Thank llol, it is a cans* :or boons!
pride that, w hen the cvuic's iantern waa going round
in si'srch ol incorruptible men. It louun a candidate at
icugtb, occupied in the quiet studios of philosophy, just
here lu the balls ol old Amherst, who could not bewails
to fawn npou the genteel or kiss 'he nnwaabed hand
lor votes. In tnta connection I exhort yon to truth
fulness in po.itloa, and that, too, !>oih personally aad
tbroogh the pros. 1 hero are frauds at the ballot nos
and hnbeaoiten in disgusting torms to sooure vote%
but these vicos are almost venial compared with tha
enormous lyin s with wbicn every great slretion fiends
charged, bncourage honest journalise, lu sagacity.
[CONTINUED OH 2M*TB PAO&j