Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-25
MAINE DISPATCHES.
BACCALAUREATES
At Various New England COLLEGES.
Strong Words From Strong Scholarly
Men.
Bowdoin.

BRUNSWICK. June "a.
The first day of the BOwdoin commence
ment week was cloudy and rain fell all day
long. At four in the afternoon the skies were
dark and dreary AT that hour the church on the
hill began to be filed by friends of the SEN
or class to listen to the baccalaureate ser
mon by President Hyde. The seniors
marched to the seats reserved for them and
Prof. Chapman opened the exercises by
reading from the scriptures and prayer The
president then delivered the sermon, an
appeal for the acceptance of christianity.
The following is an abstract:
And Agrippa said unto Paul, with but
little persuasion thou wouldst fain make me
a christian" And Paul said, II would to
God that whether with little or with much.
not thou only, but also all that hear me this
day, might become such as l am, except
| these bonds" Acts XVI, 1929.
The old version of this passage is entirely
astray. Instead of,being almost persuaded
by Paul's argument Agrippa utterly despised
it. Whereupon Paul turned from external
arguments to the immediate and obvious
fact that at any rate he is the sort of man
that Agrippa and all the rest of them ought
to become.
We have considered together the evidence
of christianity which philosophy and history
afford. Whether you thought them little or
much do not know. The time for such
eternal evidences has passed and today
| shall try to tell you plainly what there is in
the christian character that which makes it
inherently desirable for every one of you.
First the christian is indie euenueut
The second attractive element in Christian
life is the boundless career of activity in the
work which it affords
A third charm of Christian life is its rest
fulness.
Fourthly, the Christian life is sure of VIC
tory.
These four qualities, independence, activ-
ity in work worth doing, restfnlness and vic
tory, are the most essential features of the
life that is intrinsicaly desirable Types of
life other than the christian give something
like one OF more of these separate qualities.
Stoicism gives independence; but it spoils it
bv its pride. The epicurean gets seeming
restfnlness, but it ends in .ennul and disgust.
Materialsm and worldliness will keep a
man forever ON the rack of action; but ner
vous prostration, premature old age, loveless
hearts and joyless lives are the best it has to
give you in return.
The CHRISTIAN life is the only one which
can give you these four qualities each in its
gcnuineuess and all in combination indie
pendence without pride; activity that is not
mere rushing to and fro; rest that has o
| faint of incidence or self indulge nee about
1t; and victory that is not marred by hard
ness and cruelty. 1t is the only life that can
| lift YOU up above the worlds temptations,
and at the same time hold you down to faith
ful doing Of the worlds humblest work-the
only life that will enable you to lie down
after each days strife AMI turmoil TO rest as
sweet and peaceful as a childs; in the assur-
ance that the triumph of all that you are
working and living for is as certain as the
rising of the morrow's sun.
Members of the graduating class Your
alma mater is a christian college; not merely
in name and ecclesiastical affi ihation; but in
the spirit in which she lives and works.
She is independent; seeking money, hon
or. men, only for the good that she can do.
| The college is a working college; doing,
spepding, caring nothing for show; but de-
voting all her powers and resources to the
training in sound learning of those committed
to her charge.
The college is contented in her work :;
entering into no servie imitation OF larger
institutions; and no ungenerous rivalry with
1
her equals.
The nermauent success and prosperity of
tho college is assured because it rests not
ON special efforts to work up the appearance
of prosperity, on artificial devices to attract
numbers and attention bat on the broad ana
solid foundation of determination to do the
work God gives her, as well as II can DC
done. -
can wish you nothing better than that IN
these respects your lives may bear her I'M
nress. BE independent scorning to be de-
termined in your course by anything lower
,han ,he will of heaven. Find work worth
doing and put your whole souls into H.
Whatsoever you do carry into it that res'tui-
moss which comes from knowing that your
work is supported and yourselves upheld oy
The everlasting arms. And be so constant
in your loyalty to God that you may ha'e
Tho confidence of his promise to all ooedi-
ont souls, whatsoever you do shall pros
per-" .f Christian
coilsve and enter into the liberty and Pow
or M the sons of God into the peace ana
The tr riumph of the Kingdom OF his Christ'
The exercises closed with prayer by 'he
nre sident and singing by the choir