The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-24
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
BACcALAUREATE SERMON BY PREsIDl Mt Fcss-
MUNDANE VERSUS CosMIc CULTURE.

SEkMON Bl PRES1Dl / fSBs-
MUNDANE VERSUS cosMIc CULTURE.
M,DpLKrowS, Conn. June %, 1874
Rev. Cyrus p. Foss, D. D., tho President Of Yves.
lcyan University, preached his annual baccaaursats
sermon to gay on Mundane versus Cosmic cuh
turc" taking for mis- text l. Timothy, w.. 16-"Taks
heed unto .hyselL" Tho following is abstract Of
his remarks:-
The crcumstancs of this hour lead our thoughts
very naturally TO the subject oil liberal education.
moncsmens week IN Wesleyan University, ssn.rss ia
u oil young men who have accom- plshsd Q
asaa' sSar, ,s. ,u.ssc'Sa! s.1'ns So
chiefly 10 preparation-thc rest will be devoted
principally TO achievement Thus far their studies
have been part Identical The post grad
and professional courses open before some OF
them viii have to DO directly with their life plans.
They will enter various professions anu occupations.
Tbcy have been to believe that the they
have pursued together. the college curriculum -
admirably adapted TO prepare man Tor almost any
pursuit In lite. And now their studies and their paths
diverge; let us hope TO meet again where the Great
Teacher shall lead them 10 the perennial iounains Of
perfect knowledge.
Ny theme is Mundane versus Cosmic Culture.
shal attempt 10 show that there Is exceedingly
prevalent and pretentious Idea Of culture aboundpg
III the world commanding high respect and almost
homage, aud yet dangerously false bscause OF It's In
ture when would toerably belt man II this mundane
sphere were his only sphere TINS mortal life his only
and " he had capacities or aspirat Ions
iating any but earth-born beings and then shall
attempt TO show that there is possible here and
ts man Tor every world he is over to live IN and for
his relations to all iutelligencos In tho universe.
one . narow .ne o.nss o6osa Inc one 70 one.
lar aud very brilliantly Ia certain directions. the
other in all directions
the mundane culture oil which speak claims to DO
broad, aisjded, incapable OF prejudice, impartialy
hospiiabc 10 all truth II holds That the intellect Of
well able TO grasp all truth. IL no ~ mpa.
my with the Illuminating view OF human nature set
forth oy theology as beng In a fallen and dts
OF all tho virtues. Professor Huxley says that
ssrhs chess5oard IL the world, the pieces are the
phenomena Ut Tue universe the ruos of game are
what We cali the laws OF nature. The player tho
other s,de Is hidden from We know that his play
Is always tar, Just and patient But We know,
cost that no never ovsrIooks mistake makes the
smallest allowance Tor ignorance. To tho who
flowing generosity WITH which tho strong show dc.
light IN strcna,h. For me education means neither
moro nor less than tnls"
Tae radical iauit 10 this conception Of education 10
that II proceeds on radically Ialsc, fatailstic and
pagan view Of nature IL deals only with the shell oil
nature and ignores tho kernel Nature is mot ! 70.
morssiess chess player watching tor the nrst posi-
bic opportunity to cry tschock mate.n and end ths
game against US forever.
Inc objections 10 this mundane culture which
have thus far indicated will FULLY appear ans
others VIII DO suggested VI now pass un 10 con.
sdcr what have termed cosmic culture, by wh,ct
mean tho culture Of the whole man in view Of all
his r'iatons present anu future, especially IN view oil
these most Eomeutous facts that he is nful being
designed Tor holiness and mortal destns cd to i'm.
mortaity.
Lot me iasten your attention ON two very striking.
and, " they wsre not familiar should call them
startling iacts. l. That all over the word ana all
down the ages men have been longing yearning striy
Ing alter perfection vi knowledge and character ANA
: That always and everywhere their sense oi
failure Ia TINS search has beon s gpa and then
disappointment most utter.
speak not now Of the masses OF tho ignorant aud
inc Vicious out OF the type OF tue ru &C. those
whV nave Ruiaed us deveiopmeut aud nave filled
i.s n'era'ure, poetry his.ory aud philosophy with
tueir queries and theories How they nave ion ed
ior thc ssmmum toaum, The philosophers stone. the
golden agel
" had time now TO point out the elements OF
cosInc culture they lie nIbedded IN the Word of
| CONTINUED On NINTH PAGEi