Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-07
MAINE DISPATCHES.
BOwDOIN COMMENCEMENT.
The Baccalaureaie Sermon Delivered BY
Prof. y. &. Brown.

BRUNSWICK, July 6.
In the forenoon Prof. Egbert C. Smyth,
ID. D.. Of Andover Seminary. delivered .
very able and practical address before the
Y. NJ. c. 4. As the service was in the Con.
gregational church Rev. W. Z. Fisher. the
pastor, assisted in the opening exercises.
The sermon was forcible presentation OF
the subject, the application being very
strongly suggested, and not definitely stated.
The church was crowded in the afternoon
by those wishing to hear the baecalaureate
sermon by Prof. s. G. Brown, d. ID. Prev
ious to the sermon, the choir sang an ap.
propriate selection. Prof Brown took his
text from Sd John, 4th. 81 have no greater
joy than to hear that my children walk in
truth" The sermon was in the Dr's concise
and finished style, and was carefully listened
to throughout.
He said. these are the words of an aged
disciple, who, for thirty or forty years, had
tested the reality Of which he affirmed
TO all who starting in new and untrodden
ways what can surpass the assurance that they
are walking in the truth? are subject to no
delusion, are not tickle or capricious. but
wise, self-poised, resting on an immoveable
foundation.
Let me ask your consideration of some of
the characteristics and rewards of a truth
loving spirit.
/. There is implied in this hearty love
of the truth for its own sake, irrespective of
any possible advantage. The love of TRUTH
and the love of success, of profit, of victory,
are different things, though sometimes con-
founded +! The kingdom of truth is a spiritual
kingdom, over those who render allegiance to
her alone, are loyal to her authority and follow
without hesitation in the path which her un-
erring finger points out.
2. Another characteristic of a tru.hloving
mind is that it earnestly searches for the
truth, and can be satisfied with nothing lees
than finding it. We may fail from indiffer-
ence as surely as from incompetence. or hos.
tility. Wisdom is the pearl of great price
hidden in the field, and he who would obtain
!. may be called upon to sell all that he has
and Guy that field.
3. truthloving spirit is obedient and
reverent The real love Of truth is proved
by our receiving and following it to the end.
by making it part of our very life.
T. The truthloving soul uses the truth.
and so far as possible. only the truth. Such
a man supports arighteous cause by righteous
means. He does not employ an irrelevant
argument even to insure a true conclusion.
No nobler character is to be found than that
of him who loves the truth better than life or
the prizes of life.
The rewards of such spirit are not uncer-
tain; they are high, indessructible and sure.
Mark, first, the inherent beauty of such a
spirit In the sight of God there lis nothing
more precious than truth in the inward part,
unwavering sincerity, which flinches not,
which swerves not, which yields not. Here
truth is beauty and beauty is truth.
2. Observe what strength this imparts to
the character. 1t is not of things which are
weak, tottering and uncertain, but of those
which are stable, unerring and mighty. Here
is laid the basis of every noble character.
1t is the truest spirit of the scholar to love
the truth; it is the purpose of his life to
search for il and to find it. and his reward is
TO hold it as his priceless possession, dearer
than houses or lands and even his own life.