The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-06-16
BACCALAUREATE SERMON.
BIZ REV. A. J. HUNTINGTON, d. d.

Quite large audience assembled
in University Hall on Sunday, June
10th, where the customary sermon
to the graduates was delivered.
The opening prayer was made by
Rev. S. l.. Finney, pastor of the
Presbyterian Church.
The text Of the discourse was
taken from Matthew, 10: ID,
Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
If any man will come after me lei
him deny himself and take up his
cross and follow me. ;" and Rev.
8: FL, ITO him that overcometh
will | grant to sit with me on my
throne, even as | also overcame
and am set down with my father
in his throne"
The speaker said, ~ come not as
lecturer on any literary, scientific
or philosophical subject, but as a
preacher of the Gospel of Christ.
This is theme for all, but es-
pecially for these young men about
to leave, these halls.
:. Two views of life will be pre-
sented to you and their rewards
and inducements. One, that OF
the mass of mankind always
selfish. Some indulge themselves
in incidence; some, in seeking
fame and honor, produce formal
morality, but all aim at self-gratif
cation and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT from
the things Of this world alone.
On the other hand is shown a
life Of self-sacrihce, selfdenial, pre-
paratory to the enjoyment of a
future life.
The tendency Of our country, at
this present time, is toward display
and would urge you to aim at the
highest worldly promotion.
The theme Of this discourse
is the duty and rewards Of a life
Of christian selfdenial. First self
denial is a duty, because it is abso.
lutely essential to moral excellence.
| will not here discuss human de-
pravity, but no one will deny the
tendency of the human mind and
heart to evil. 1t is inclined to
malice, to envy, to jealousy.
These must be subdued or it will
make you cruel and vindictive, the
traits that spread death and destruc-
ton.
Naturally bent upon the gratifi-
cation of our bodily appetites and
passions, to shrink from hardships
and duty. If all passions be al
lowed full sway we become british,
devilish, and they must be checked.
We condemn all who give up to
indulgence in wine, in gluttony, i'll
RIGHTEOUSNESS. But we honor all
who resist these evil tendencies and
curb the natural appetite; all who
imperil their lives for others.
All hold in esteem the memory
of Leonidas and his three hundred
Spartan soldiers in the pass of Their
mopyla the Apostles in their
perils by land and by sea, in the
street, and the martyrs of later
days; and modern missionaries
who in the heather lands, risk
life and all the sense indulgences of
civilized countries for the purpose
of carrying the gladness of salvation
to those in darkness.
Selfdenial is indispensable to
discipleship, Yield yourselves liv-
ing sacrifice.
Even Christ gave up the heavenly
throne for the manger in Bethle
hem divine life for malefactor's
death.
But why make so stern a de-
mand7 Why not float gently and
pleasantly down with the current,
instead of striving to stem it 7
All. Christ knows that left alone
man will wander in the paths of
disobedience and sorrow. 1t is a
gentle love that prompts the require
ment and says Turn from the er-
ror Of your ways. He speaks
not as on arbitrary master, but as
a kind friend.
We are not expected to re-
nounce anything not contrary to a
true devotion to him and per
feet love for him.
One given up to the indulgence
of bodily appetite is rendered inca
pable Of holy life, all philosophers
have held the view that the nat
ural appetite must be curbed, or the
physical nature and the soul are
Crippled i Il
Itadaasnot require to- give up all
striving'after worldly gain but that
it be subordinate to the higher life
We must deny ourselves a life
of ease; must strive and labor.
Even the Roman poet says" Life
is worth nothing without labor. "
Train the moral nature as we do
the mental and physical. Eternal