Daily globe., 1879-06-23
CARLETON COLLEGE.


NoRTHrE1D, June %. The beautiful city
Of Northfeld never presents more attrac-
tive appearance than at this season. Stran-
gers and visitors drawn hither by the services
of this festival week are impressed by the
thrifty, refined look of the town. The col
lege, however, is its most valued jewel, and
crowns the ridge on the east side of Cannon
river, commanding most extensive pros
pect. Few Minnesotians realize the amount
of quiet, steady progress made by this young
college. Started in 1867 az a preparatory
school, the first college class was formed
three years later. and graduated in 1874.
Each year has witnessed o visible growth in
the number of instructors, in equipment,
buildings, ETC., till to- day it compares favor
ably with any of the younger institutions Of
the West. Named for its largest patron, Mr..
Carleton, Of Charlestown, Mass, who gaveit
$4,000, its endowment has been steadily
enlarged, and the prospects for the future
are every way encouraging. The manage
ment has been harmonious and wise, and the
success of,the college due not little to this.
President Strong has labored with rare self
devotion to build up this institution, and has
been signally successfully. Commanding
the confidence of Eastern friends of educa
ton, he has, by his presentment of the
claims of Carleton, his broad views of the
latter's work and worth in the Northwest,
and his persistent efforts to secure for it in
creased financial means, shown himself a
college officer of rare tact and ability. North
field may well feel proud of the college,
for it will prove in coming years
q a1v vto ~ ho rolNa yui11
make it literary and educational center of
increasing eminence. The city is already
notable for the elements of a cultured and
enterprising life, and in it's handsome resi-
dences, shaded streets and general attrac.
tions, is place one would naturally select
as home..
This year Rev. Mr.. Dana, classmate of
President Strong in the theological semi
nary, and the newest member of the board
of trustees, was invited to deliver before the
college the Laccalaureate sermon, DR..
Strong's engagements East, and the pressure
of official work, preventing his rendering
this distinctive service of a college presi-
dent.
In accordance Herewith DR.. Dana deliv-
cred the baccalaureate sermon this morn
ing, taking for his text jeremiah,
WIG: gs,ai a5f,, &
Thus saith the Lord. Stand ye in. the ways.
good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find
rest for your souls. s.s
It is the belief, said the speaker, of
many so-called religious liberals, that
what is old must now be discarded,
that this enlightened present cannot be
sent to school to the blind and stupid past.
The brilliant discoveries and progress of
| this modern age show that it has outgrown
| the crude life and clumsy modes of our
| fathers day, and that the time for new re-
| ligious departure has come. Yet it cannot
| be that with such religion as this, with its
august history and divine Authorization,
we have outgrown it, and are ready for the
new patented faiths of the wiseacres of
the East and West.
/ THE TWO TRNDENoIEs IN CHRISTIANITY.
In the sphere of Christian belief these
are: First, to what is old second, to what
is new. The former tendency carries us
back to first principles, to doctrines sane
toned by age, to faith which, supernatu-
| rally attested, was long in Z coming
to its present full and Catholic state
| mont. The second tendency carries us
onward to the new applications Of Christian
ity, to its possible adaptations to present
wants. It has thus an ever changing field
in which to operate. It admits of modifca-
tions. Accordingly it is fitted to cope with
the latest assailants, and proposing to meet
the necessities of human society as it now is
found, it has an answer for tho newest op.
ponents that with caricature OF specious ar.
gument are in some quarters bitterly assail-
ing it.
CHRISTIANITY THE ONLY DIVINE TRUE Re,
LIGION.
It is not question whether Christianity
is one among many religions, for it refuses
any comparison with other faiths, as rival or
peer. Its claims are exclusive. It assumes
to be divinely revealed religion, and holds
this ground or none. Accordingly it de-
olares that it is the sole appointed means
for human recovery, and places the power
and means of such recovery in the person O.
Christ, historically considered. The road to
free religion lies in the direction -of the
abandonment of all belief in the miraculous
up of what has been the dominant faith o1
the ages.
CHRISTIANITY THE OLDEST RELIGION.
It started with man, and hasa history co
terminous with the race. 1t wore the name
at first of the people within whose bounds i
was set to work, and thereafter received th,
name of him who gave it application K
Gentle as we'll as Jew. It existed by tn,
side of the Egyptian, Assyrian and Persian
empires, and served them all. 1t saw th.
non limited empire of Rome broken up; j
witnessed the rise of Mohammedanism, tn,
fall of the Bysantine monarchy, and, at tn
confluence Of three civilizations, lifted it
| victorious banner. Fresh with youp,
strength, it is also crowned with the dign1t,
inseparable from age. It shows to-day n,
signs of decay. Great and marvellous ha
been it's success in leavening human societ,
with its diviuely given truth, and never wa
its popular influence greater than at thi
present time.
CHRISTIANITY SHOWS PROGRESS IN DEVELOP
+ 1t was potentially complete and perfect a
the start, but practically its Development ha
been conditioned upon the needs of man
kind and the peculiarities of human thought
The gospels have each an individual charac
ter and aim. The Pauline epistles give t,
gospel truth logical statement and practica
application. A doctrinal progress is eviden
from the first, so that during the centurie
the truths of Christianity have been gainin,
clearness of statement in the great histori
creeds, and adjusting themselves to the sys
TENS of philosophy and discoveries Of science
the achievements of great but devout schol
ars. ase-Es
CHRISTIANITY ALWAYS NEW IN PERSONAL Ez
II pERIENCE.
Everyone accepting alone knows what it
real power is. It attests its truth to tn
obedient soul. It's doctrines are best proye