New-York tribune., 1879-06-09
VEST POINT EXAMTNATIONS.
POOR GUN Practice.

FIRST CLASS EXAMINATIONS IN ORDNANCE AND GUN
NERY-THE OFFICERS HOP-PREsIDENT PORTER
breaches TO THE CADETs-THE RELATIONS OF
SCIENCE AND CULTURE TO A RELIGIOUS LIFE.
WEST POINT June S.-The exercises and
recreatiOns of Saturday were interesting Ordnance
and gunnery the subjects of the examina-
tions in Library Hail. and showed off to good
advantage the special features OF West
Point training One cadet explained the use OF the
phouograph in measuring the velocity OF the proiectes
Late in the afternoon the siege battery drill created con
siderable for the large company OF visitors
gathered the hotel piazzas. The siege battery, con-
ssting of six twenty-fOur FOUNDERS. is planted few
rods from piazzas and half down the hillside.
point of sand and rock seen at the waters edge
this side Of Crows Nest and this point the white tar
get was placed, shots from each gun, and
finally a broadside being fired across the little bay
separating battery and target. The shot threw up
considerable dust about the target, which was not hit
10 the modification of the cadets who aimed the pieces
After supper Friday evening" the hotel dningroom
which been extended the river side, was cleared
for the officers hop 1t well attended and very
ioyab for there many graceful ladies present no
lack OF blue and gray uniforms good music and cool
atmosphere. The cadets giving their leisure hours
TO the weaving evergreen Garlands aud trimmings for
the messball So that it may be handsomely decorated
on Wednesday night when tho Second Class give grand
ball in honor OF the graduating cadets.
This forenoon the handsome chapel standing between
the Academic Building and Library Hall was filed in
every pew cadets and visitors. On the walls were
captured in The wars with Great Britain and Mexico
pat # the services most acceptable manner. Pres
dent Noah Porter preached slOr ana compact sermon
gnbp viii. ia: lam the light Of the world; H. that
foOueth Ne shall not walk in darkness Dut shsl nave
The light Of Ie" "Chrst claimed very much for Him
self said the speaker when He uttered tneso sayings
lie claimed much that many Of his hearers were Of
tended AZ what they considered TO be either insane
blaspBemous words Those VINO behaved Him the most
and loved Him best did not and could not cOmpre-
try The faith the world Christ furnished ample mate
rals with which to confirm the faith Of the world for lie
clearly oresaw and dared to say what eighteen cehtu
rles have aimee been proving to be true, -
Every age has Its own peculiar need OF Christ. Let
me call your attention to several particulars In Wmch
Cbrst needed in this present generation ana III CON
sequence is and culture. Christ Is the light
OF ns TGrG % very rss to man lie is needed at the
prcs,nt time 10 countoract those lnnnercrs OF nouofn
and culture which make Him distant ana unreal
Modern science ought 10 be intensely ana peculiarly
Tbestc. IL is So so FAR as II undersiands lse Is
everywhere assuming the presence ana nhdhs i the
proofs OF one omnlpresent TINKER IN the
near. Atheism has OF late como into sudden fashion
and Why tnis should be II science leads to God
and implies God but be explained bV the impotence
In the midst OF mans discovery OF the yasne,s
Of ths universe OF the majestic thoughts which are pet
rssdy spring into being III the future the scientific
Visions winch mis- spells have raised Atheism
brngs darkness into every mind mat accepts it,
philosophy ThcistC scientists and men O culture. are
TO cay the least, brave brOad and enlightened
thinkers each IN their departments those wGO
deny God and providence and prayer But the pnilOsO-
pber 10 more than the scientist. and the man
10 more than either, aud fearlessly assert
that as philosophers and they
broader and braver and nobler. Christ teacnes
science aud ineucates philosophy, and Yet lie is
ight 10 both science and phlOS lie SIMPLY mani
est God as living ana personal ad nus the universe TO
the believing imagination ana the loving heart with
sense OF His presence.
'Chrlst confirms mans confidence in DanspOwer to
know the truth. Christ teaches caution and certain
quality OF disuust. but He couples with this
the 0na!ity OF clear and tenacious convection.
lie knows nothing OF that fashionable sceDticism winch
suggests that knowledge il but uncertain guess work
that thinking Is changing product OF material OF
ganzaton that the truths Of generation are but
OF the next that even the aIOms OF science
arc physiological phenomenal that God is a
bc!ng 10 be guessed apUut and never gnl ssed
Alright; that the processes by which we know
sre as unirustwOrihY the processes by
by which question them. 10 Is fashionable IN these
speak of Christian believers rs committed TO
creed aud as, therefore, incapable OF new IDEAS To
one conviction they all commit ed, and that worth
more than apt TO think; thst IS that Truth 10
possible 10 mdn and that he Is bound 10 attain H.
Christ HE dignity and his rightful
place the universe OF matter aud OF spirit There Is
single point IN rospec TO which Christ has wrought
complete revolution as in respect to the dignity aud