The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1884-06-26

MOSG DTlllllUV duQleuCcS GnaG SNSA
greeted public speaker in New
berry, assembled in the Opera
House to hear the
BACCALAUREATE SERMON.
After the opening service Gus
tomary in the Lutheran church, the
venerable preacher, DIR. A. c. We
dekind, of New sIork city, an
nounced his text, + eb. VI, l,2 8,
and invited special attention to the
words, Let us 90 on unto perfec
ton"
Progress, ne said, is the watch
word of the day. Whoever does
homage at this shrine is the man of
our time; whoever refuses to offer
frankincense at this altar is regard
ed as a laggard or sort of human
curiosity fit only for Barnum's mu-
scum. This Judgment is not to be
set aside. Progress is Gods law
in nature, and this divine law is
seen also in the growth in grace
and the development Of mind. lie
gave examples of cur amazing pro-
gress in material science. A sub
lime audacity characterizes US in
our intercourse with nature. In
crossing from Bremen to Baltimore
in 1887 he got more than enough of
"Rocked in the cradle Of the deep;'
to-day, in Charleston or New York,
you can appoint the day, almost the
hour, Of next week when your
friends shall meet you with cab
on the other side. We now bid de-
fance to the lightning and send it
as our post-boy with messages of
friendship or business, joy or grief
to the remotest corners ofthe world.
The divine law Of progress appears
throughout the domain Of Chrlsten,
dom. 1t is the harbinger of the
golden age Of the world.
But there is no such universal
progress as is persistently alleged.
It's horizon is bounded by Christi
anity; it extends not beyond the
lines of the Gospel truth. Heath
enism, Idolatvy, and Paganism re-
cord no real progress: their works
in the 10Th century present sorry
appearance when contrasted with
the Pantheon of Rome, the Parthe-
non Of Athens, and the eth wonder
of the world that stood at Ephesus
when Paul preached Christ and the
resurrection. The same is true Of
their literature Of this age when
compared with the classics. The
Gospel sends from continent to
continent,from kingdom to republic,
from city to cottage signs Of pro-
gress ovcr which the Hebrew proph.
cts would have clapped their hands.
This law of progress asserts it.
self also with reference toChristiani-
ty. Many who shout most Justify
declare their independence-and
love to style themselves liberals.
This means "Over-board with the
Bible, and Christianity" We
should aim at true doctrine, truly
and faithfully applied. Nothing is
so intoleraut as truth. One lie will
tolerate another lie, but the truth is
the uncompromising enemy Of both
lie then explained what is meant
by Christianity, the fixed centre a.
round which the moral world re-
wolves. 1t is q plant not set by
human hands, stream that flows
from the throne Of God to purify
every stream and fountain in the
progress Of science. The words of
the text must come with peculiar
force to the graduating class as
their Alma Mater bids them, Go
on unto perfection. TO be perfect
even as your Father IN heaven is
perfect is indeed impossible as to
quality, but not as to intention-to
be perfect in love comprehends the
whole ofthe perfection Of the Chris
tian character. Luther puts it fully
when lie says, We should fear, love
and trust in God above all things.
Paul says the Christian must ab
stain from all appearance of evil.
The words Of the text were writ
ten to 4 congregation Of Hebrew
believers, who, it appears, needed
teachers when they should have
been teachers; who Lad ceased to
90 forward. There are to-day
cradle Christians-babes in relig-
ion-eating only as they are fed,
and sleeping only rs they are
rocked.
To the young men Of the gradua-
ting class he said, You stand by the
shore Of the great sea Of life, which
is covered with crafts similar TO
Your own. Who shall fathom its
mysteries or tell its mighty secrets?
Not every Nelson secures q peer
age or 4 tomb in Westminster Alb
bey. Not every Columbus distov-
ers new world. But you can do
better-you can have your names
inscribed in the Lambs book Of
life. Instead of trophies that be-
get cup;dity and troubles, you can
secure treasures such IS eye has
not seen nor the heart Of man con-
ceived. In The words Of Moses at
the Red Sea, | urge yCu Go for
ward" Quit you like men-be
strong in the Lord. Your activity
is your best security. Be not weep
ing willows, but fruitful palm trees
in Gods vineyard. Adoptthe mot
10 of your own commonwealth and