The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-11-26
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
I3sh Annual Com Exer-
cises.

College delivered the
BAccALAUREyrE SERMON
in the college chapel. Music for the
exercises was furnished by the Eight
o'clock club OF Lansing.
After the opening exercises he COM
menced the sermon, of which the fol-
lowing is an abstract:
IL is the custom in England, when
an heir to an estate becomes OF age, to
prepare feast and 10 invite ia all the
friends TO share in the festivities. A
similar custom in this country is prac-
ticed by the college at its commence
ment. This is important To the stu
dent, for at this period his circum-
stances change, he will be no longer
subjected 10 the routine OF daily exer-
cises that he had been accustomed to
as an undergraduates, but must plan
his own work. he must "earn" instead
of "spend. On leaving college the
student should take an inventory OF
what he has learned, and compare his
present knowledge with that he had on
entering college. He should do the
same with his habits. and see what he
has gained in that direction.
To-day we are gathered for congratu-
lations, and ask for not the retrospect
but the future.
The text chosen was Matthew %, 90:
Take therefore the talent from him
and give il unto him which hath ten
talents.
Tho doctrine of this is, that the
talent you possess but do not use shall
be taken away from You. Although
the text is a special example. yet il can
be applied to all cases, for God always
acts in unison aud without caprice.
His laws are general, and the orderli.
ness OF nature is a proof OF his law.
In mechanics you are well acqualnt-
ed with that principle which relates TO
the position of bodies so placed that
the least force will cause them 10 move
from their position. THIS is called un-
stable equilibrium. A similar condi-
tion may exist in respect TO knowledge;
when learning q person might think
that what was acquired 30 gradually
would always remain, bnt he will find
that IL II is not used memory lets it
slip, little by little, until perhaps when
il is wanted II is not TO be found. The
worth OF knowledge is to be found in
its relation to other knowledge.
knowledge Of sciences ten years ago
would be Of little good to-day. An ed
cation is never completed. What you
get in college is but the elements Of
knowledge aud the methods of acquir-
ing IL. BY continual practice you must
keep that knowledge bright aud add to
il or il will be taken away from you.
The same unstable equilibrium is
seeh in reference 20 skill in any pur-
suit. Skill of hand is soon lost unless
continual practice be resorted to. The
same is true with moral habits aud
habits OF thoroughness. Some students
are never thorough, aud this habit
grows upon them. IL a person is
thorough in one thing he is thorough
in all; II he does not do work we'll in
one place he will not in any place. A
true workman newell neglects the hid.
den or disagreeable parts of his work.
Sir Humphrey Davy set his new as
sistant, Faraday. at washing bottles on
the supposition that II he could not do
that well he could not do anything
well.
This unstable equilibrium even ex-
lists in Christian life. The reality OF
unseen things never remains content,
but increases or dies out, grows or
fades; aud the question at once arises
as TO your position, should IL entirely
fade out2 a fate could not be worse.
Sooner or later some habits may lead
man TO do anything. Thus the Emper-
or Nero, who at FIRST could not sign
death warrant without weeping, became
the most cruel tyrant OF Rome.
Our only safe method is to seek free
dom in God. All other ways lead away
from him, and by-and-by our talent
will be gone.
There is bright side as well as n
dark side. ~ is seen that IL il said.
"Cfive it unto HIM which hath ten tai
ents. This is the wsy II IS in life. -
He who accumulates small amount
acquires habits Of economy aud indus.
trious by means Of which he is likely
10 accumulate until he becomes rich. -
What advantage TO you is yonr knowl-
edge OF science and philosophy? You
will find it often OF practical utility; IL
will aid you 10 understand those arti-
cles in magazines which relate TO SCI
ence; il will aid you IN other ways; but
more than this, il is a talent given TO
you; aud by its proper use you can
gain glorious freedom in Gods tenn
pie OF truth.
Religion requires systematic effort as
well as other things. The new testa-
ment requires OF the Christian work.
The kingdom Of God can only be en-
cred by effort.
In the third place we would ask, "Is
personal culture mans first duty?"-
Some philosophers would say so, but
not the new testament A man should
pursue an active life. He should not,
like st. Augustine, give himself up To
retired contemplation. Your duties
should lead you to work. Negative
duty does not suit the requirements OF
God. Society requires of you your
noblest efforts. IL has been found by
experience that good common-school
education cannot exist among the mas
ses unless there he some among them
who have a college education. A man
has no right 10 be neutral. The state
that has educated him may rightfully
demand his services. You will find
that eternal vigilance is the price OF
manhood as we'll as Of liberty. All
educated men should be Christians
They should be humble aud eager to
do any act TO serve God. May you act
so as to hear the voice of your Father
say, well done, good aud faithful
servant, thou hast been faithful over a
few things, will make thee a ruler
over many things; enter thou into the
Joy OF thy Lord.
The usual class-dsy exercises, pre-
cedipg the annual commencement,
we're held on Monday evening last in
the college chapel. music being fur
nished by the Eight O'clock Club OF
this city. The exercises were opened
with music aud followed by an oration
by w. X. Prudden, on the subject of
Science and Religion" Mr.. Prudden
traced the early history OF science,
showing how il was opposed at every
step by the church. The effect of this
opposition was 20 retard scientific re-
searches, but il could not prevent
them. In the end ID produced change
in religious feeling. aud from these
past charges IL is safe TO predict that
any popular form OF religion will live
only so long as IL satisfies and harmon
ICES with new truths in science. Re
ligion must be made practical. IL
must come down from It's ethereal po-
siiion and minister 10 the wants Of hu-
manity. The domain Of science is not
spiritual; IL can never give Us knowl-
edge OF anything but the material uni
xorae and can ravef oppoeo truo re-