Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-07-02
Moral and Religious.

Il -
| LIS wiped away.
Moral and Religious.
Baccalaureate Sermon.
| Rev. Jno. A. Broadus, d. D., delivered the
baccalaureate sermon at the commencement ex.
erclses OF the Washington College, at Lexing-
ton, Va, on Sunday, the 10th of June, 1861.
we are indebted to correspondent of the Dis
He selected as his text Acts 35: l9-'sAnd
OF one Jesus which was dead whom Paul affirm
ed to be alive.
In a simple and beautiful introduction he
brought out the Indifference which Festus man.
ltested to the great question concerning Jesus
at issue between the Jews and Paul, and con-
trasted it with the indifference which men still
have to the claims of Jesus and his religion.
1t is matter of the highest consequence that
whatever else we may do or leave undone, we
shall not be indifferent to Jesus. This NAV be
seen from the following considerations
l. Jesus is the most important personooe an
human history: The obscure and insignificant
one for whom Festus cared so little founded an
empire which shall endure forever. Napoleon
remarked, when at ST. Helena: 'sAlexander.
Caesar, and myself, founded, by force, empires
that soon passed away but Jesus of Nazareth.
without force, has laid deep the foundations of
an eternal empire" From Him flowed the
influences which have given to modern eiviliza-
ton Its chiefest glories, and even then men who
now boast that they can do without Christianity,
owe to it the lofty conceptions the elevated
ethical sentiments, etc., of which they boast.
dhe centre OF all human history is the cross of
Christ. The little silver ri, which more than
eighteen hundred years ago entered the current
OF human events, has flowed quietly on until It
has pervaded and influenced the whole. We
should realize that Jesusis apersonaqeof history,
and diligently study him as such.
z. Jesus IS the centre OF the Scriptures. Every
part points forward to Him or proceeds forth
from him. 1t is, therefore, perfectly natural
that all controversies as to the Bible should now
be gathering about the person of Jesus: that
lnhdel and semi-infdel writer's should be discuss
ing his life and character. 7
Christianity Is here mighty power in the
world, and 1t remains to be accounted for.
s. Jesus Is being unique IN the miverse,
Inherent from any mere creature, distinct in
one important sense from God, who is a spirit.
God Is only God, and man is only man; but
Jesus is both, and perfectly each-not a man
rising to something of divinity, not God taking
some semblance OF humanity, but perfectly a
man and perfectly God at the same time. His
divinity lies on the surface of the Scriptures.
which were written for the people, and is so in
terwoVen In Its texture that if you attempt to
eliminate 1T, you destroy the whole fabric. As
well pluck this beating heart from my body, and
Call what remains man, as to pluck from the
gospel the divinity of Christ. =
His humanity is taught with equal clearness.
and Is OF equal Importance The controversies
OF the hrst four centuries brought out his Di-
vInlty-the controversies of the present age have
brought out his humanity. AS man he was
porn I! IN Bethlehem manger, grew in statue
sod
at the work bench of Joseph, and endured the
Ills OF our common humanity as man he was
tempted, and as man he set an example for
our study and imitation, and is prepared to
sympathze with us; as man he took our place
and died, while his Divinity gave infinite dignity.
significance, and redeeming value to that death.
Jesus as Goldman now rules the universe
all power in heaven and on earth has been given
to him, and he upholds all things by the word
OF hls power. Let US these dark days take
comfort from the thought Jesus reigns and rules.
4. Jesus has wrought a work unparalleled in
character and Importance work of reconcil-
ing sin-mined world to God.
8. Every one Of US does and must sustain
some personal relation to Jesus, not merely as
historical character, but as parsonage now
living we are all his friends or his foes. ssHe
that is not for me is against me-" Men NAV
stultify themselves by denying the truth of Re-
velatlon, but the most inconsistent of all posi-
tons is that Of the man who admits the truth of
the religion of Jesus and yet fails to embrace it.
Ye knew your duty but did it moi" will be a
pitter ingredient In the cup of woe he must at
last drink.
The preacher closed with an earnest and
touching appeal to the young men present to
yield their hearts at once to Jesus, and then,
constrained by love to Christ, to 90 forth to the
duties OF life determined to consecrate them
selves entirelyto him, and serve him in whatever
calling they pursued.
The sermon made powerful impression, and
tears were freely shed even by those who are
unused to the melting mood"
''GoD BLESS You. "A crippled beggar was
striving to pick up some old clothing that had
been thrown from the window, when a crowd of
rude boys gathered about him mimicking his
awkward movements, and hooting at his help
lessness and rags Presently noble little fel-
low came up, and, pushing his way through the
crowd, helped the poor crippled man to pick
up his gifts, and placed them in bundle Then
as he was running away a voice above him said,
Little boy with straw hat, look up" A lady
leaning from an upper window, said earnestly,
God bless you, my little fellow, God will bless
you for that. As he walked along, he thought
how glad he had made his own heart by doing
good. He thought of the poor beggar's CRATE
full looks and better than all, he could almost
hear his Heavenly Father whispering. Blessed
are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy
Little reader, when you have an opportunity of
doing good, and feel tempted to neglect it,
remember the little boy with the straw hat. s
, A WISE OLD FABLE.-A yellow hammer
and nightingale were suspended in their cages
at the outside of window The nightingale
began to warble, and child was smitten with
admiration of his melody. (Which of the
birds" said he, ''sings so sweetly?'' II will
show you them" answered the father, s'and
you may guess. The boy fixed his eyes on the
yellow hammer. This must be the one How
beautifully painted are his feathers! The other
youmay see, is good fornothing. !" 1.-The vulgar,n =
said the father, '.judge precisely after the same
manner they form their opinion of men by the
outside, and are generally wrong, as you are
now. .
DRESS FoR CHURcH-Itis said that Queen
Victoria puts on very plain dress and leaves
off all jewelry when she goes to the house of
worship. The sin that thousands-of American
citizens commit, by putting on all the fine dress
they can command to attend the house of the
Lord, will deprive them of The reward promised
to the righteous at the judgment.