Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-28
MAINE DISPATCHES.
BATES COMMENCEMENT.
BaccaiauFeate Sermon by President
Cheenev Before the Graduating Class.

LEWISTON, June 81.
The Bates commencement exercises opened
this afternoon with the baccalaureate sermon
at the Maine street church by President
Cheney. The sermon before the theological
class in the evening was by Rev. James L.
Phillips of Midnapoore, India. The gradu-
ating class numbers 27.
The following is an abstract of President
Cheeney's baccalaureate sermon before the
senior class:
Text: pray ye, therefore, the Lord of
the harvest, that he will send forth laborers
into his harvest. Matt. Ix:3S.
These words are from the lips of Him who
spoke as never man spoke. They are words
to prayer we must never fail to offer.
DAILY, trust, we offer the prayer beginning
''Our Father which art in Heaven" certainly,
as often, should we offer this prayer, go Lord
OF the harvest, send forth laborers into thy
harvest"
Man as well as the Heavens is the handi.
work of God They have in him one Father.
one ruler and so are subjects of his govern
ment. Their obligations are mutual. The
rich must help the poor; the strong the weak
and the weak the strong; those in health
those that are sick and those that are sick
those that are in health; those with knowl-
edge, those without it and those without it
those with it. For neither class is absolutely
independent of the other. On this sublime
truth, viz, the fatherhoOd of God and brother
hood of man. Paul bases his declaration that
he is debtor both to the wise and the unwise,
Greeks and barbarians. On this truth rests
the plan of human redemption. God has
made all men; He loves all men; He pro-
vides for all men His Son, our Lord and
Saviour. is universal gift. On the same
principle, also, is founded the grand moral
work OF this century in which we live. This
country is the beginning of better years,
Gods spirit is abroad on the face of the wat
ers. God makes men perform special service
and so the Glory belongs to Him and not to
man. Unless all signs of the times are de-
ceptive, before this country shall have closed,
it will come to pass that to follow Christ, or
in other words to be a Christian, will be
something more than to call ones self a
Christian, something more than to put ones
name to creed or even to a sentiment of
Christian doctrine. To be a Christian will be
to be truly born of God. 1t will be to be of
pure heart and life; truthful and honest, to
keep ones word so sacred that his promises
and pledges shall not be broken, to renounce
all claims to worldly possessions and to hold
them as faithful steward of God for the BEN
eft of mankind. God is Interchangeable, He is
much more than the support of him who be-
lieves today our divine Lord sees millions in
the bondage of sin. The harvest is penteous.
If actual performance be the measure of His
interest in men now living than his interest is
increased by all that is meant in his prayer on
the cross Father forgive them for they
know not what they do" The harvest is plen-
teous in that part of British India, related in
several ways to this college. On that territory
are living as heathens live, over three millions
of people. To help this people our College
has sent but one missionary, and to support
him there are many men and women under
the shadow of this very college who have yet
to do their part. To show how plenteous is
the harvest we must come nearer home. Even
our mother land needs plain gospel preached
to her. Not so much to give our fishermen
their rights as to give protection to thousands
of her own girls, and to give Ireland local
self-government. There are young fogies and
there are old young men. We have an ex-
ample of the latter in Gladstone. He knows
all about this wide world He carries it as a
burden on his shoulders. HIS prayers go up
to heaven for it. Were permitted to speak
for many a young man before me l would
saw, 81 will enter the christian ministry, if
there were no other, that may work in uni
son with Gladstone. For in no other profess
sion can do much of the kind of work he
is doing
To come home. There are broad, moral
fields here to be harvested. God is calling
men and women to preach the gospel OF tenn
perance. Free suffrage must be something
more than name, or a dead letter, or a
mockery in this land. Women must be made
to see that il is not only hef right but her duty
to help by her vote make the laws. These
things can be settled only in one way. Young
men must champion them. The differences
of capital and labor are great question. L
was in ST. Louis on the day OF the terrible
riot. There were dead and diving and bo. $
in blue with muskets. Has war come again
said Who is reponsible? Is it the knighs
of Labor? Is it the Knight OF Capital? Is ii
both? God knows where the responsibility
ia and will reveal it in due time. But what
a pl.nteous harvest there is in the capital and
labor question:? The question is Il moral one.
The pulpit must speak on it-kindly and yet
plainly and boldly. The young men must
ro to the harvest There is a scarcity OF
Young men TO preach the gospel. We must
nrav for more laborers. Let us pray for God
to send out laborers to the harvest.
NV Young friends of the graduating class
II il not a pleasant duty to say good bye We
are glad when you come and sorrowfui at
YOUR leaving. We shall not cease to pray
for YOU. We shall expect great and good
things of you. The motto OF this college
sent by my request by great statesman Is
"Love and study" These, and these alone
make true men and true women. Ihat' we
the faculty, are trying to hold the coiiege 10
this aim, you will agree. this we propose 10
do cost what it may. To you, young men OF
the class will say: Seriously consider the
subject of the text of this sermon-the need
Of men for the Christian ministry. The har-
vest is plenteous, the laborers few. It is not not
a call to worldly gain, God forbid. but call
IN treasures laid up in Heaven. few years
400 Christian minister died after success
full ministry of 60 years. Had he lived few
months longer he would have addressed the
Young men, then members OF this college. IL
vas the mortal remains of daughter OF TINS