The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-26
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
BACCAIAUREATE SERMON By REV. CYRUS d.


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TOSS, D. D.-rHE MISSION OF QUE LAND.
Rev. Cyrus D. Foss, D. D.. President of the Wesleyan
University preached his baccaaurcate sermon before
the graduating class in the Methodist church at Middle
town. Conn., the OF the university, yesterday morn
ing The reverend gentleman selected for his
eighth and tenth verses OF the cigheth Psalm begin
ning-.'rhou hast brought vine out Of Egypt; thou
hast cast out the heather and planted it."
After referring the Centennial 10 the fact that
highly educated had been among the foremost pro-
oters OF the glory OF this country the speaker said
would not be amss TO devote tho hour q consdera
OF the mission Of our land believe said he that
God has plan for nations well as for men. He as
signs each nation the part for which II is especially
ntted working out tho grand problem Of the civllza
ton tho enlightenment and the Characterization Of tho
world
Tho uprooting Of the vine which had been growing
In Egypt 400 years. the driving Of the heather
Canaan and transpanting It there under such benign
auspices that took and filled tho land SO that
he hills were with tho shadow OF Il and the
boughs thereof like the goodly ccdars, i" were
accomplished by series of illussrous miracles In the
planting and training OF America there miracle
but there the working OF the Same good
hand OF God
Lot ask to-day what is the work OF this nation
For what part in the solution OF the mighty problem
OF the ages has God prepared III To what magnificent
achievements docs He summon III The thesis shall
attempt 10 maintain IS this:-The August Ruler Of all
the nations designed the United States of America as
the grand depository and evangelist Of civil liberty and
OF pure religious faith And these two are one. We
cannot consider them separately draw out distinct
lines OF proof II Is Idle this age for any nation to
expect greatness or pcrmanence without acknowledge.
ing God. In ancient times the different; but
now Christian nations control the world; and depend
upon 1t, the hands will never 90 back on the DIAL
Franco tried 10 get without a God; but Napoleon,
purely for reasons Of State restored the Roman Catho
lie religion There three criteria by which the
purpose Of the Almighty Ruler
CONCERNING THIS NATION
IS clearly indcaicdhe location he has assigned It. the
provldentia training he has bestowed upon IL and
the resources He has put within its reach
Notice the place OF this nation the face
OF the globe and on the scale Of the centuries
Gods las, opportunity TO plant great nation
Of freedom broad enough for mighty harvest and
clean enough Tor such harvest grow unchecke cd bv
the tsres and thorns OF deep rooted abuses
Let us now pass what was The seed God
planted IN this virgin soil The question all mpor-
tant, Tor the handful OF seed sown determined the
character OF immcasurablc harvcss after ages God
searched the Ola Word and took very seed
there was 10 pant the Now. Why and this cos1try
come under the baleu dominion OF the Crescenty
The DISCOVERIES were Roman Catholic and what should
save THIS iron being Papa country Rome wanted
u. Who we're tho settlers Not Moham medans, not
Puritans, cidrum ct venerable nomen came to
these shores with the noblost motives that ever in
spired the bosom Of emIgran not the Spaninrds
went 10 Mexico, Tor gold nor as the poor OF Europe
now thropg these shores, for bread -
What sought they thus ATARI
Bright jewels OF the mine
The wealth OF seas. the spells of warf
They soueht faiths pure shrine.
Tho same God who planted the colonies moulded
Their history He bound them TO the mother country
until they strong enough Co stand alone among
nations, and then he ovcrrued the circumstances OF
their breaking away so as 10 inspire them with per-
rctual hatred OF all oppression Why did England per-
sst so long in treating Englishmen here Engshncn
there would never have submitted TO be treated ALL
The Is but explanation: England was judically
blinded IN order that America might be Tree.
The same Providence which made US q nation has
euocd all our progress; and never moro maniiestiy
than IN our civil war; In that eventiul time pride
was humbcd by the bitter experience OF repeated ais
asters, until we learned in colum bads nor
In ironclads, nor mighty hosts
Let us consider the resources OF this nation Tor the
accomplishment OF the mission TO which twas man.
ifcstly caIlod and for which Il has beon The whole
course Of is history, 90 prepared Thsss