The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-23
YALE COLLEGE.
Baccalaureate Sermon by President Por-
ter Before the Senior Class-The Simple
Story or Christianity and Faith In
God.

Baccalaureato Sermon by President Por-
ter Before the Senior Class-The Simple
Story or Christianity and Faith In
God.
NEW HAVEN, Conn.,, Juno %, 1878.
The commencement exercises at Yale properly
began this morning, with the baccalaureate ser
mon before the Senior Class by President Porter
AT quarter past ten O'Clock the Senior Class
who had assembled at their lecture room in the
yceum took their line OF march for the chapel. and
entering the middle aisle occupied their accus-
toned seats, while the galleries and north and
south aslcs OF the body OF the house were oc-
cupied by such friends of the students as had
arrived thus early to attend the exercises
proper OF commencement week. Alter the
preliminary services, the main feature
OF which was the anthem, by choir of male voices
written by graduate OF 1850 and set to music by
Dr. Stoeckel, the instructor In music, President
Porter announced his text to be found in the First
Episte OF John, the fifth chapter and fifth verse
''Who Is ne that overcometh the world but he that
believeth that Jesus is the Son OF Goa ~
THE SERMON
John knew Jesus Intimately while on earth. He
had witnessed the power Of faith in Him over
others, and, whatever think OF this faith none
can deny It's power Men tell US now that the
spiritual Christ must give way to a his
toric Christ; that for miracles must be
substituted faith in Chrst's self-denying cnarac-
ter. We hold the opposite. In the future, as in
past, the necessity OF this faith will not be out
grown, but made more manifest. First, to over.
come the world has been the ideal labor of thought
full men in all ages. To do this Is to understand
the laws OF the universe Man must also overcome
self, aud this is the hardest task.
II John had known Epctetus and Plutarch he
would have said that all they taught was good as
"A 40 ii wan TI,n1
person who helps US to do good. In the second
place occasion for help has in no sense been re-
moved. TO overcome the world is as difficult
as ever Science, arts ana letters to the contrary
nie Is sun connlct In every individual man. The
strong man falls In the high noon OF his strength
ahd honor. culture enlarges sensblities.
our enlarged sensibilities enlarge capacities
ior SIN. Science must be reminded that ITS know
ledge IS limited by infnitude. The substitutes
for our old faith are insufficient Civil
izaiion education, elevation of tastes by letters
teach and train If education is to train and in
spire 1t must bring some personal force to attract
by example, to captivate by law. Without living
PERSONS science and culture can accomplish very
little.
WE ARE MOVED BY IDEAS
but most OF all we want men, otherwise Ideals be-
come idols, igment of the imagination. Matthew
Arnold and followers believe in the study OF man
hood in the idealizatlon of virtue. This they sub
stitute for belief III Christ. For the personality
OF God they substitute dream of moral tendency.
They have no christ, but an ideal Christian,
III.
We now reach the positive conclusion. A personal
God IS the only agency by which man can over
come the world. II this be not So what means
the faith OF scientists in u mighty despot
VINO can compel conformity with the
laws OF the universe I? What means the
belief of the devotees of literature model2 The
story OF the cross Is the old old story, but always
new to him who makes 1t So We have heard it a
thousand times but when man learns his need
by some experience OF his lite, 1t is though glad
tidings OF great Joy were heard anu heralded as
on the plains OF Bethlehem.
WI
at the head shall never be Outgrown as long as
no generation OF men can outgrow occasion for
faith In God unless they outgrow the problems OF
life.
The fictitious differences in the way OF faith
promise TO be removed by the growth of culture.
While there never was time In which IL was so
faith in the Son OF God so simple as now. He
came TO teach us to overcome the world.
This conquest gained, sa else Is gained.
FAREWELL OF THE PRESIDENT.
At this point the senior class in their places
and received the farewell of the President. He
referred 70 their peculiarly sunshny and bright
career in college. Death was comparatively u
stranger to them, having but twice visited their
circle once in the early and once IN the latter part OF
their course. Yet they knew what sorrow and
trouble was and what was Its end in this life
namely, the discipline of those who bear it for
better life He wished that they might all be
henceforth Christians; but If they did not all ac-
corning his beloved people was that they might at
least inherit eternal life.
Alter prayer and the singing Of the 121st Psalm,
the President came out OF his pulpit, and, walking
out through the centre aisle OF the chapel for the
last time, he received he passed the grateful
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