The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-28

ON public occasion, Thou s0alt not steaL' But
he was speaking the truth for the Time now pres
ent, when needs the commandments 10 De pro-
claimed as awfully Us they were az Slnai 10 arrest
the corruptions OF individuals ana OF rings. some
think that preachers in these times might pronta-
bly, laKe as their text, 'Honor thy iatber ana 10Y
mother" II fathers erred TWO centuries ago ~
being somewhat too rigid with their chlldren, ~ ls
possible that III THESE times they may not be sum.
cienty faithful in restraining sei-ina ulgence and
IN training TO habits OF Beltsaerlnce. II SOME
preachers IN ages gone by preached hell ana dam
nation instead OF Chrst, II Is possible That some
in these times are so relaxed by a weak charity
that they have not the courage or iaithlulness 10
bid men nee from the wrath 10 come. IL there
have beeu preachers IN certain ages Wno insisted
on nothing out stern duty, there are NOT . few IN
our day who recommend love without the due re-
straints OF law, who are tampering with the mar
rage relation, lowering the sacreunesS OF Weoloek
ana allowing such liberty OF divorce as Is fitted TO
break up the FAMILY, winch, may remark, Is the
only means OF securing proper moral culture and
framing the rising generation TO virtue. More
EVIL may arse nom laWless love, which Is lascl-
mating than from hatred which is repuaive. 30
we have no intention here IN Princeton OF chang
ing the truths OF Gods Word on the miserable
presence OF making them softer and more lovable
than God has made tRem IN His Word. There Is
teaching IN our day antagonIstlc to the Princeton
theology. 1t can scarcely be called theology. II
does not take, 10 cannot be made TO take any sci
entlhc form. IL would let down doctrine and eX-
alt charity, and would thereby make religion
easier anu more attractive as they suppose. IL IS
Broad church, In England delivering itself rom
all creed. IL Is the "Religion OF Humanity" In TINS
country instead or the "Rehgon OF Divinity for
Humanity.o 1t would free humanity from certain
restraints ana sacrifices with the view OF eXaltlng
It, 1t is not Just the same, tut IL ID analogous 10
the attempt III the last century TO DO away with
doctrine on the pretence OF exalting morality and
which led TO dry High Churchlsm In England, to
Modernism IN Scotland ana Ulster, to Rational
ism on the Continent or Europe aud to Unitarian.
ism in this country, and ended in all in the decay
OF religion and the lowering OF morality. The new
gospel which has appeared among US is evidently
running like career. Doctrine IS discarded nrst;
duty goes next IN the next man or the next age.
Hare 10 form correct Judgment concerning
the tendency OF any doctrine we should rather
look at the forms 1t bears In the disciples than IN
the teacher. For lie only made IL; they are made
by it.p We may now see the klnd OF characters
that are made IN this school OF love and humanity.
There was first q turning away rom the old
doctrine, and this has been followed Dy q turning
away from the OLD morality. beg that II may be
understood that have no reference 10 any one
individual and that enter on no doubtful or dts
puted points. proceed on what Is ylslole TO all,
on what, indeed, has been forced onenslvely on
the attention or all. Inc feeling or many OF us
IS, 20 my SOUL come not thou into
their secret; into their assembly, mine
standing all the efforts to suppress the secret
awful disclosures nave been made. We see now
the milk OF human kindness, wnen not restrained
manity SINKS Into selhShness. We see now peril
GUS II Is 10 Begin TO tamper with the most sacred
OF all earthly relations. IL LOOKS as ii the genera
ton now springing up needed TO know what sort
OF assembly or society has been formed among
us, and what the practical consequences OF the
sentiment passing current In the circle The
young needed 10 know what kind oil men seek
ing to guide opinion IN the puolio press even she
EO-called religious preSS-men VINO keep no Sab
BATH but work on 1t as on other days; who go TO
place OF worship, whe are supposed TO be capable
OF teaching others, While they have abandoned
the religion which Is the basis OF etnlcs anu ridi
cule the molly doctrine which they know con
demns them. The Watchmen who are set on thy
walls, U Jerusalem, need TO proclaim, al loud as
when seven thungers uttered their voices, that
love is TO be guided by law, that love cannot ex-
cuse lying, whether TO shelter the persons them
selves or others; that III contradictory statements
there must be lying, and that in contradictory
oatns there must be perjury OF the deepest dye
offensive In tue highest degree 10 God and TO be
denounced with terrible repr0bation by man. Our
general subject leads me 10 remark that in Prince
ton College we seek TO combine affection with dis
cpltne. In not few or our larger colleges the
authorities have virtually abandoned all attempts
securing order In the recitation rooms. and stu
dents may aud often DO fall into vicious habits
without their instructors having any knowledge
of or the parents having any hint OF IL till Il IS
too late But surely IL is very serious matter to
separate hundreds OF young men from the re-
strains or home and then take no charge or them,
rellglously ana morally Ii Is very dillicut task
acknowledge, to combine these TWO things, love
ana faithiulness. do not venture TO afirni that
we have perfectly succeeded; thaL on the one
hand, we nave always shown as much sympathy
and tenderness as We should; or that, on the
other hand, we have been nrm enough In re-
pressing evil But can say for the authorizes OF
this college that we have been anxious TO do what
IS right so FAR from dscouraging innocent
amusement and manly sports We provide them,
and keep them under proper regulations as 10
hours. We roWn on studlous characterization
and vice, on every form OF equvocation or lying,
and on practices winch degrade those who en-
gage In them. IL WA be admitted by all who
know our state that we nave now got rid oil Rvarly
all the old practices that have dsgraced American
colleges, ana that no professor remembers a rear
IN which we have had so mucn quletness aud pro-
prlety OF conduct ana much mutual con hdence
on the part OF the faculty and students. In teach
ing other high branches we aim 70 impart religious
instruction. l feel this TO be difficult work
10 q large college with young men OF such varied
character, some or them wltn as yet no taste Tor
spiritual tnLngs. ButW hold that the mind II not
furnished as 10 ought, u, on opening 70 our stu
dents the riches oil literature, science and pnilos.
oeay we 40 not make s9sm acguaintsd WIN 1ns
only By the Scriptures; / Know OF no other relig-
'ous instruction which can be OF any value practi
cally. SO labor 10 take the students through the
BlDs IN a general way IN our collegiate course Of
four years. This last year have been expound-
ing the doctrines OF tne Word, with the Eplstle TO
and perfect combination oil doctrine aud precept,
OF law and love- Those yersed IN this portion OF
Scripture should be In a position TO form correct
judgment on all subjects religious ana neral and
are In possession Ol BODY OF principles fitted 10
BACK from what Is evil We believe thai BY i'm
parting such instruction not only 40 we best serve
the cause OF our great Master, but are taking the
most effective means 10 tram for work and useful
meas the young committed 10 our care by anxious
parents and guardians.
Gentlemen Of the graduating class, | have
been associated with most OF you very closely tor
the last Jour years. During this time, besides
praying with you from day 10 day in the chapel
ana lecturing 70 you and occasionally preaching
TO you on the sabbath, have met With you a.
class once week Tor Biple instruction. During
for tne study OF the human mind, and WITH poy-
ton OF yea during another Tor the study OF the nis
tory OF PHILOSOPHY. These meetings were pleas
ant at the time, and the remembrance OF them
Will be precious. l realize II as very serious
thought tAat nave now to part with you. have
this day TO inquire whether have done my dnty
az ought toward you; whether have been sum
GENTLY faithful on the one hand and sufficiently
tender on the otner, | feel more deeply than |
express that have lost Opportunities OF dong
good which 1 should have embraced and that
nave not been so sympathetic az ought IN my ex-
positions and 10 my counsels But bless God be-
cause lie has gwen me q glorious opportunity OF
bringing before you great truths, bo.h in religion
and philosophy; and my prayer TO God and TO you
ts that you new take them with you and use anu
Apply them in your beliefs and your actings IN the
varied scenes OF life, overlooking any imperfec.
tons that may have mingled VITA my exposition
OF them. feel IS n had left much unsaid which
should have said but the Omission cannot be rec
titled by trying to say ~ now. All can now DO IS
20 pray that what l. sown n weakness may be
raised In power.n Perhaps some OF the things
have said may come up before you once and again
10 animate and establish you; some OF the sparks
may kindle FIRE; some OF the seeds
scattered may strike root. you have GER
"a My received valuable instruction IRON the
able the faithful and laborlous teacher under
wnom you nave sat IN this college; and We eherlsn
Ey.s,m NJ na Nahf