Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-09
BOyDOIN COLLEGE.
Abstract of President Cha NIB -rlain's Bac
caIaus cate Address.

NaIauheAAe AOOTcsb.
Commencement at Bowdoin College, Bruins
wick, opened yesterday Sunday, with the BAG.
calaureste address by President Chamberlain, of
which we give an abstract
Text: A Kingdom of Priests. Exodus 10, 6.
This remarkable expression is q revelation OF a
great truth of human history. 1t was uttered al
grand epoch, when God was about to give a
mass Of fugitves from bondage a Law, obedience
TO which should bring them TO become a "holy
Nation" The words might with equal pfopriety
be translated "a Priesthood of Kings" They ex-
press the two great ideas and offices of the ndi-
vidual in society, and the reason and moral of the
Nation. The nation is chosen instrument in the
deliverance of man from evil, and these words
bring out the two ideas of sovereignty and sscr-
fee, the two Offices of Priest and King. They
imply that mank ind stand 10 need of order and
organization and law and government, for free
dom and defence; and that, being under the
doom of disobedlence, perverted and disabled
from the right, they stand in need also of media
ton and atOnement. This shows how it is that
the nation-that is to say, the STATE or organized
socley-is a divine institution. 1t has offices TO
fulfill and ends to achieve, which no number of
individuals, as such, could ever conceive or &C.
complish. 1t is a mediator and minister between
God and man, to establish righteousness and free
dom on earth, and enable men to attain to the
preme end of their being. These are the highe
trusts and duties committed to this earthly life.
Indeed toe being of the nation is that larger life,
in which each true man and woman has a respon-
sible share, and whose rights aud summons
recognized. and obeyed, as paramount to all mere
personal interests and the demands of all other
human societies and relationships, and in the
name OF which we are called upon to lay down al !
that the individual holds dear-eycn to life itself
The relation of the indiv idual to society is an
unsettled question of the ages. The oriental civil
lzatons crushed the Individual; the systems of
Ly curgus and Scion, however unlike, resulted in
sinking man in the state; Plato and Aristot lie,
with all their mastery intellect failed to grasp the
moral element in the State, and looked on the in
dividual will as disturbing force; Rome, great
in her treatment of property, sgnaly failed in her
treatment of persons,-estimating men by status
and not by intrinsic worth, building for the etern-
ity of Rome and not for the eternity OF man, max
ing the means the end, and SO she fell, like all
those who make their own life the end of living.
The modern masters disagree, except in antsgo-
MIXING the individual and the State Mr.. Mill says
that society is advancing at the expense of the
power of the individual. 90 the contrary the laws
Of political economy, the logic of society and the
records of history all show that q high social Or
ganization and great political epochs are always
accompanied py high power of individuality.
Neither savage nor hermit life shows mans true
power. This comes by society. Mr. Herbert
Spencer's view is that government,-thsti is, socie-
ty,-is a necessary evil, and that even schools are
inripgements on the liberties of the individual,
and that man has right 10 ignore the state. This
Is based on wrong conception OF government, as
if it were solely rep,essive and torbldding. 1t
has more vital and moral function. Nor is that
necessarily an evil which appears on account oil
the existence of evil. The physician is not an
evil. Christ was not an evil. Such views as these
under examination are perncious they take the
living power out of all human institutions, and the
noblest motives out of life and endeavor. Mr..
Greg's conception that the true ends of human
endesvor are not the highest perfection of the in
dvidual, but the harmonious development of the
race, would be wonderfully near the truth, if he
did not stop in the sad conclusion that we have
only to submit to q misfortune we can neither
avoid nor understand. He leaves the state still q
soulless Juggernaut instead of vicegerent OF
righteousness. MIR. Benthams maxim "the & eat
est good of the greatest number" fails to show
any reason or right In choosing out that number,
and leaves but poor comfort for those who 90
down In the struggle; nor would any right heart
or conscience be willing so to triumph in the
wasteiul sacrifice Of fe low soul.
What man puts into the state should be of that
VIII ch is greatest and most Godlike in him. These
offices Of kingshp and prestho cd are great trusts
which every person who is q member Of the state
that is cizen,-is called upon to exercise, and
for the same ends. But for the sake of clearness
| sovereignty may be first considered. LIST, This
kingship derives its strength and dignity from the
worth Of a man as man. No trick to gain power
over men, no confounding of willfulness with
righteousness, by invading holy office with the
spirit OF petty intrigue, can ever teach us the
sancity and awfulness of the trust Of commanding
and judging men. This is only to be reached by
comprehending what man is 10 his Wilderness and
nobility, being made in the image Of God and