New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-16
BACCALAUREATE SERMONS.
THE REV. G.. X. VAN DE WATER All
CORNELL.
"THE TIMES AND MEN FOR THE TIMES y THE SUB
JECT OF HIS DISCOURSE.
rnY TuI KeRLPH To THE TRTBUNB.i


fpr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSB.l
ITHACA, June 14.-The baccalaureate sermon
at Cornell Un versy was delivered Sage Chapel this
afternoon by the Rev. George Van he Water OF the
class of "a rector Of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal
Church. Brooklyn Mr. Van DE Water Is the first gradu
ate OF Cornell who has been called upon either to preach
at Sage Chapel or to deliver baccaaureate but he Il
widely known and s of the candidates for trus-
tee Of Cornell to be elected by the Alumni on
Wednesday. His manner earnest his bearing
prepossessing and his delivery forcible. The chapel
was crowded 10 the doors. IL was DeautHuV
adorned with flowers Goodwin Smith was among the
nonresident professors present The effort OF the ser
mon was to show that the present times presented
greater opportunity for usefulness and worthy lives than
any that had preceded them.
The texts suggesting the topics The Times and Men
for the Times" taken from the Old Testament
the other from the New and read together; cay
not thou what il the that the former days we're
better than these" but ~Qut you like men, ana DO
strong" The preacher said The Illusion regarding
memories OF the past although capable OF giving much
pleasure nevertheless most dangerous for any purpose
of history IL be corrected by sober Judgment
before be reposed in its utterances Inc par
aax between apparent and real experience needs to be
determined before memories can be accepted as an
soute standards Of truth. The glamour with which
memory covers the APPROPRIATENESS OF yesterday Is IN
one sense good thing but ts evil tendency Is that IL
makes our Judgment of the past detective
Jov and happiness prove themselves perpetual by the
way they impress themsees the mind, while trOua
ton and 70 he temporal In the tact tnI
allmemOry of fades away when they are past We
seem in fishing up the things of the past to drop out OF
our drag-net all the sand the seaweed and the drlt
wood and retain only the tinted shells with brilliant eX
terors smooth lining OF pearl and when hed to the ear
sounding the soft murmurings OF recedlng ana IN
written music angelic and sublime. One effect OF all
this is good Another effect dangerous and needs 10
be guarded against II il 10 make forget the I'M
pleasant things OF the past well. II In any estimate
cause us to paint the past in brighter coors than II de-
serves then croak the present and despair OF inc
future ILL., Fancifu retrospection Is good thng TOT
sentiment It is very.bad thing for TACT solomon
rebuke the people for saying former days were bet
ter and, tells them in this We inquire not wisely To
inquire isey in the matter OF estimate between past
times and present ones, we must take epochs' Inc
movement OF society Is like the current OF rapid
river running increasingly IN one direction Dut rather
like the swing OF the mighty with the rising OF the
tide One wave comes in, breaks rolls back. single
glance shows progress. Fix your eye for hat-hour
on one point and you see with all that ux and relax OF
the waves. steady advance.
IL Never times better than these never opportunities TOT
greatness everything good more abundant than now
This an age Of nceasng progressn the arts IN tue
sciences in the moral and religious culture OF the races
The golden fruits OF ripeaing civilization are WAVING
| upon a thousand. fields. oar time is distinguished
above all its predecessors the increase OF liberty Tor
the security OF chartered rights for greater amount
present and prospective OF intelligence. industry peace
order and prosperity The Brotherhood OF Men ana Tue
Fatherhood of God two articles of common fath'
which reveals the unique feature OF the times Art
science commerce. philosophy and religion are working
together to bring realize that Got hath male OF
one blood all races Of the earth, and that the highest
| law of life is that they love one another
"Tbe men for the times must be modest men. Realizing
they are above OF Cod they must work fore
most for His glory Next they must be moderate men
we must not hasten be wise, rich nor great God
hasens. Patterns q"ia eternus NeXt' men .or
guard No power IA greater than the power o. Know
edge Then must be moral men, for goodness Is rs
sential to happiness. Lastly, must be godB men 10
purchase freedom for the race the redemption OF tne
cross necessary TO acheye the teeaO b tns d
10 ought to settled IN your minds as the mountains are
rooted the heart OF the earth, that man greatest
glory is TO live for God and that the great end of exist
ence is TO attain to the perfect stature OF mlhoou III
Young Gentlemen Of the Glass Of "a; I esteem
this very great pviegei as wen fs partnS words to
Won az Won 90 from these academic halls TO become men
To that To which YOU now called If in the course OF
ten years hard work and much experience with men
essiop ike this may say briefly you forth now to be
for the times. No man can begin 70 te he .lt o.
your influence for good your power TO bless lnnA Oh
The time when ID Gods providence YOU are called ~ uty
Think of the land where God has east your lot mink OF
are TO- become the r,0 trustees sizes which yon
| enter IA a continent The banner which it unfurls
wreaths itself into a rainbow wffch rests upon two
| oceans and encompasses hemisphere. What lands TO
ne peopIedl What seas bays, lakes to be uaversedl
What rivers to be bridyed What mountains TO De tun-
nelled What myriads TO De taught What millions TO ne
savedl Commerce is extending the principles OF our IN
situations and the influence Of our manners 10 the ends OF
the earth The nations coming together upon tnls
| battle-ground of liberty The heather hOrdes or the
whole world opening for US the way 10 preach
salvation and to Outvalue 70 them
| the wealth OF Ormus ami OF hide by the 'uil-
searchabe riches OF Christ At this great iuncture IN
commerce. ana gOn the arts tasked the elements
are chaned the powers OF Heaven enlisted to over
| come ali difficulties What a held for enterprise, Tor
yaIorl Whar field for the trumphs OF science the tro-
miles of civilization the cOnquess OF the cross! What
held what bouudless field, what glorious Held NOung
| brothers for yOu Never times greater than these.
Never was there demanded TO meet them greater men
Cird n your lons nay brothers enter Il, occupy H.
Never FORGET your Alma Mater Guard jealousy her m
f.rsstg You never do for her much az she mas
done for Won II were ungraefu TO do other than speak
well of her and work hard for her Go from these was
| determined % be for the times GUT you IKE
men he strong Go comforts % your homes bless
inrs 10 your country, and lights 10 your ae-and may
| the Blessing Of Almighty God 20 with your