New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-12
TuFTs COLLEGE.
TILE RAcCALAUREATE sERMON.

The annual Commencement exercises OF this
growing institution, located in Mediord Mass, were
opened last evening when President Miner delivered the
baocaaureato sermon before tile graduating class and
large auditory. special train OF went out from
Boston, carrying large numbers from the city The
speaker chose for BIS text John VI CO. II is the spirit
that quckeneth the flesh prontcth nothing the words
that speak you, they spirit aud they life"
The diversity Of opinion among men, even upon the
grayest sul rcts constitutes OF the most interesting
problems a. human experience Few topics outside the
limit OF the mplcr demonstrations have failed 20 excite
controversy aud provoke Idissont Nor this matter
Of wonder such the imporfeotons Of human obser
walton reasoning and judgment that nothing short OF
the constant interposuon Of divine aid, amounting 20
continuous miracle IN the individual soul could prevent
H. Christianity itself has largely shared IN this dm
Guilty aud IN many minds tie great body OF ITS truths
has come 20 be lightly esteemed since efforts al tho De
neatou % truth lead 10 diversity ~ opinion. and al
vrrsty o. opinion too often leads alienation Of feeling
Il has been rashy concluded thnt search Tor tuth net
not a letter but slrli; not doctrine, but life;
that the subjects Of controversy in Christianity are
transient, while those 81 agreement are permanent
u Is true that Christianity, 90 its practical point y
sp, tteisy nfeyilirg or even OF Indifference IL
wound be nudacous say that the spirit % Nero.
though he might have been sometimes gracious aud com.
uiacaut Equally with the spirit OF Paul and Of John. II
Is specific and peculiar spirit IL embraces much tnat
Was In the world before 10. and that eth remains IN tho
world outside uf a. Tho common moraes Of lie ana
tho common generous impulses % the soul are approved
and sauCted by Christianity but thesc are not thilh-
tanity Christianity demands duet, and spirit born
OF particular revelations. and hng 40 tho measure
Of obligation imposed by the felatonshls anu deSl y
reveals IL may be dfeult 20 outline 10 terms rs Is
difficult describe JOY fragrance LIE YET u "a as as
these facts are from each other other spirits may
resemble IL IN some o. Igr az APOSTLE Command
us Try the spts, whether they are OF Coo man -
not Christian simply because no does not steA on " sh
cere or feels goodish but lac r. truly Christian who has
attained specific Christian spirit not only m purpose
and none IA respects eternal verles But Christianity
70 spirit must DO embodied IN order 70 be recognized
man heart as lightning eaps from the cloud OF as an AZ
row punc(es tho qesh wy IaIgei tS{SsS o 1stl en-
hand 10 us In the helpfulness Of the Son OF God
ID shines upon IN His meekness under cOhtuhioy'
vary The speaker dwelt upon this point az
some length, showing that however ~ inc AFTER nc NC
divine method AT present - to omDody 5pitl. ~ pc
cept in doctrine, IN life that we know ShIsts splli'
ONLY because know what he said, what ne tahkhl'
what hs did. AZ this stage OF the discussion the speaker
showed the value OF miracle as proof OF DIVINE con-
mission, help aud sanction tie variety OF ChIi5ts
Istv and the grounds OF comprehensive criticism by
now arst patronized and then evRded. Tho English
Iests denied Inspiration and made an end OF t. Ihc
modern Thcist claims inspiration Tor All men;
and comes TO the same result IL Is n9lS'SrL ~
An men inspired" The consequences are lhe sae
when begin by lauding Christianity ana es1 Py De
carpg miracle impossible the possible facts OF Chtsts
l uuauthentcatcd and hrs doctrines Dutthe hypolheses
OF erng speculator they nave uheohsciSuSS tui eu
a summersaut IN their logic. They reject the premises
then dognaze the conclusion They forget the TEX
'Tne trords that speak unto you they are spirit snd
the are fe" Nor they more successful when they
undertake 20 set aside the facts OF christian hsory p
discriminating between the permanent ana WnAt Ilcy
aege 20 DE the transient In Christianity me onI son5o
n which the facts OF Christianity may he saId 10 De ta
silent Is that they are not 10 be repeated inc perform
ance Of miracles transient Dut theI hElleaev
aud Influence are permanent, and az historic IAot my
remain forever. other facts may be sald 10 DC slo
i'm their form, but permanently recurring IN e' H.
stance such was the amounting or Chtis ee ~ @
woman and washing OF the disciples ieet ny %
nm even the form remains permanent hislpI iaS
The speaker closed with address To- the ciSs ~
be xhorted them Christian scholars 70 ahG UP ,
gbties life IN true allegiance 10 thet 0ouuy
and their God 10 oschew lives oi case OF mere
ment OF selfish toll and, cutiyatng inc soCi en1 ,v
Religious equally with the personal eielehln Vi
being 10 bear in some measure tle M Va I
world and lift the nation nearer 10 bou Ia ~ suou
,rcrk they were assured of the sympathy OF on soou
men the blessings Of their Alma Mater, aud the iaVoi Oh
Almighty God.