New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-07
COMMENCEMENT AT oBERLlN.


COMMENCEMENT AT OBERLlN.
TIKI FoRTIErH YEAR OF THE COLLEGE-MEETING OF
THE THEOLOGICAL INsTITUTE-PRESIDENr FAIR
cuup's Observation-Disclosures GRADUATES.
IFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRDUNEl
OBERLIN, o., Aug 4.-Forty years ago Oberlin
College was founded by the Rev John j. shpherd, VINO
conceived the idea OF establishing manuallabor col
Iege where the poor II they had the WILL could OBTAIN
an education by means Of their own exertons' FIVE
hundred acres land then covered with dense lorest
and more than mile from any human habitaton' were
ven as site the institution, and the labor Of clear
io. began Earnest aud sefdenyng men cast In their
lot with the founder and with missionary zeal de-
voted themselves 10 the work Good people all over
The land were bewany the evils OF intemperanee and
asking what could be done. Garrison had been driven
Baltimore and dragged through the streets oil Bos-
ton because OF ayOWed hostility to Slavery. The
colleges, anxious Southern well as Northern
support and patronage from all classes in the commn-
nifty took no well defined position the two pressing
questions OF the time, Slavery and intemperance In
Institutions even, their discussion was not al
lowed The men who founded Oberlin College had
opinions ON these subjects. and dared to adopt and
maintain them the end with the most resOute fidelity
Their herOsm was Inspiration to noble natures in all
the land. Students came in unexpected numbers.
Men hopeful for humanity, like the late Lewis Tappan
and his brother Arthur, espoused the institution and
gave largely Of their for its support The revolt
Al Lane Seminary only brought to ODern such men
as President Asa Mahan. Prof. John Morgan. aud the
James A. Thorne, but transferred largely TO
the rising College the sympathies and the benefaetons
Of those who longing and laborng for reform In
church. state aud society The place took the name OF
the College. Oberlin grew. Students came In such
numbers that there for them to occupy.
SAB shanties were extempOrzed. Freedom Of discus
all subjects pertaining to human welbeing was
not only permitted but encouraged. The cOetucation
OF the sexes adopted, and the full college
course Of study opened to all without regard
20 Another question arose. Should col
ored students be admittedl Here
question The prejudice against color strong,
and well nigh blind The college needed money. Thus
lar poverty constituted the total Of the
endowment fund. Could the enterprise be sustained II
10 total abstinence antSayery. and college education
males and females i'll the same classes, education
without regard color previous condition should be
add-Gg After a prolonged discussion postponed from
time time, reached by the trustees. and it
was tie. The chairman. the late Rev. John Keep
promptly gave the casting in favor of the admission
OF cOOrcd Students Since that day Of conflict and Of
victory. the catalogue Of Oberin College in all its de-
parments has shown OF about 1000 students
per annum. about equally divided between the sexes
Sometimes the list has exceeded 1900 in NUMBER for the
last yeaI the number in attendance is l,246.
This wee, occurs the 10th Annual Commencement Of
the institution The examinations in the various de-
p1rtmeuts completed LAST week. The Faculty
report to the trustees that more aud better work has
been done by students during the past year than in
any preceding year. The health OF the students has
been good No death has occurred among them. While
tie examinations were being held, Theological Inst
tute in session. which all the Alumni Of the Theo-
logical Department and cergymen generally had been
invited The related chiefly to the important
and popular themes Of Christian doctrine and practice
such as the duty the Church in the temperance
the expediency nerancy for the feebler churches
the forms and antdOe OF pantheism the necessity Of
intellectual labor effective ministry, the claims Of
missionary work and the prOpriety Of so amending the
united States Constitution as TO recognize Christianity
The discussions throughout animated and interest
ing but particularly regard TO the last topic The
opposition TO any meddlng with the Constitution
as touching recognition Of form OF faith amounted
almost 10 protest The proposition had but one or two
ON sunday afternoon the Baccalaureate sermon was
preached by President j. ii. Fairchid from the text
BY the fear OF the Lord men depart from evil" How
10 prevent sin Is the question OF the ages Men are
greedy happiness. Sin is the obstacle. Why not
these facts, but the knowledge Is not enough. Some
force from without is necessary The soul of man is
Children live and breathe in the atmosphere OF parental
lnnue L'ye reslrSdns ana oVersnao0% Dnt dVss
heart in which II gowed How feeble IN com
sIaar bst f II ia also eod TEese usSao5ys
show the power that thoughts Of God have men,
ience He is our Father. Hs children There is mo
tive power IA rational eODvlctlop personal influence
WHITES IL. A child may know what is right, but Chow
shall do this great wcKedness and sin against Cod,
has caused many 70 stop and think and flee from
evil Love the logic OF the Call it dream it
mas more power than ali the dead facts IN existence
Something live for and something to die for
tia 20 exalted character Being co-worker together
with God has power 10 redeem from low aims. But 1t Is
a moral power, and may be resisted. ITO as
many as received Him 10 them gave He power" God
j. the source Of power by the force OF His character
The value OF prayer largely in the relationship which
n establishes between the soul and God. Many make
God power, cold abstraction. We turn 10 our God
forc1ving sin over against this is tendency TO make
God all kindness. But justice must go with kindness.
must be faithful "a father Our sentimental phOs
Ophy IS the reaction from too stern theology The
Achievements Of modern have been startling,
its results grand that Herbert Spencer looking for
mode OF beng as much above ours as ours is above
mere motion This conflict Will be short Toe dust will
soon clear away. Culture does not furnish the
needed restraint noble life cOnsecrated to
noble aims comes with God. All can
have this source Of strength few be saved by cu
ture even n 70 could any. Faith in God makes
heroes. In this faith they endure all things
toned By Paul when he called the roll OF the dead in
fat Immortal chapter III this fear OF the Lord, all
equal and have a common foundation for response
lluty and FOR society.
Tomorrow some thirty ladies will graduate from the
four year, course, and "Wednesday about as many
IRON the College course.