Wilmington journal., 1876-06-16
TRINITY COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.
Annual Sermon by ssev. Dr- EHi-
INRge.
From the Raleigh News,
Trinity COLLEGE, n. G.,

From the Raleigh NewE,
TaINFrY COILEGE, n. @,
june s, 1876. ,
The large college chapel was filled
to its utmost capacity, which IL 1900
Quite Il number of the ministers o
the North Carolina Conferences Were
present on the roztrum. and several %
the choir sang the anthem, Exai
Him, All Ye People. Tine ntrodnc
tory hymn was read by Rev. l.. =
B,rkh"ad Hail the Power o
Jesus Name. Prayer by Rev. W. IL.
BnbhItt. DR.. ra:mage then read 4
lesson from the 18th chapter of St.
Luke, with that full, deep toned voice,
and commented as he read, until il
really sounded like IL sermon itself.
The s. 'cund hymn was read by Rev. j.
isumple, of Snlisbury--A Charge t.
Keep 1 Have. DIR. Talmage arose
and commenced his t. xt from
Prov. j, II: ''Surely i'll vain the
net is spread in the sight OF
any bind" He said that he had re-
ceived such cordial welcome that
he felt very much like preaching to his
| own congregation. 81 camo 20 preach
to these young men" Ho first gave ii
beautiful description, which came
| Under his own observation, Of a
fowler netting birds, which il,ustra.-
ton wildly brought out the meaning
and appreciation of the text. Sin is
represented lis beautiful and at ractive,
and men must he fortified if they stand
the pressure. He said there vas a class
of young men who were sour and
peevish It is useless to Try to
describe this class as he did. What
would the devil do with them they
We're too sour to go to perdition unless
sor..ebody paid their expenses But
1t was that class of young men II. .I the
devil wanted. But young m3n with
empty heads, empty hearts and empty
lives are i'll no danger, for the devil
don't care for them, for they have
nothing 10 care for An empty headed
fellow will stand around bar-room
and wait till good fellow comes along
and asks him to G me in and take "A
drink; "Oh yes, | believe | will" No
life, ne heat, no rarpose, God pity
him.
The first danger to which young
men are exposed TO skepticIsm. There
are only four books recognized as of
Divine inspiration. or claimed SO to
be-the Bible, the Koran, the Shasta,
and the Zeuda-Eesta. Oh ! young
men, which one of these books will
you take. Oh, never give up the
Bible-it is your comfort and solace
in life, your pillow in death. The
sieptic says: Do you believe in the
story of the serpent? Oh yes.
Well that is very absurd; do you be-
lieve in the birth of Christ Oh, yes.
Well, that is absurd also. And SO it
is uselesa-you are fortitied-you
can't stand the pressure. Death knocks
at the door of the sKeptic-well, you
must go. Oh, no, take my books,
my pictures-everything, but leave
me. No, you must go. Oh, the room
is getting dark; my forehead is getting
cold; Oh, ,dont't crowd me; don't press
them; one, a pause,) two (silence,)
Bury him beside his
Christian father.
here..is another dang gcr-Idleness.
Oh, as many tears as there are to wipe
away, and wounds TO bind up; cau't we
all tiud something to do ? Another is
5trong drink. In 1912 vessel lost its
above the Niagara, and down
it went, on fire, and terrible was the !
Oh, God! [ see a man
an Immortal man; he has lost hIs moor
iug; he IL burning upI Ah! but you
say. I have formed the habit; can't |
stop. Oh, yes You can; let me tell you;
throw yourself on God. But [ can't |
pray. Yes you can; let me give you a
prayer: God be merclful to me a sin !
ner. If that is too long, here is one |
save. or ] perish. II |
that Is too loug. cry. HrlpI heipl II |
hat won / do. inst lift VOHf hands Ht.,t |
eyes h"avenward AMI lpoki looki
Young men, You mut give mp |
your bad companions or give up |
heaven.
This is but M imperfect synopsis
of one OF the granlest and most sub
lime sermons ever preached nt this |
place. He preached aa no other man
can preach. by look. action and words
set on fire Of clOquenca.
After the sermon, DIR. Craven read
the following note from the Presby~
tarinn ladies ut Lexington:
DIR. craven. Dear Sir: The Presby
ter ian ladies' Of Lexington have com
me through ynu, to present
these flowers to DIR. Talmage from
their homes AS IL token, not only OF
their kindly regards, admi. alton and
of his high and noble
Christian fellowship, but as conveying
suggestions of that union in the better
lite beyond where va may we'll believe
they Will flourish iii perennial! beauty |
and fragrance on the banks of the
River of life.
Very truly and sincerely,
Il. l.. LEACH.
June 7th. 1876.