The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-21
Commencement at Sewberry College.


graduated in the Theological Semi1-lry.
AS is usual quite a number of visi-
tors We're present and the opera house,
in which the exercises were held, was
filled at all the services.
BACCALAUREATE SERMON.
The baccalaureate sermon was
preached on Sunday morning by Rev.
r. G. Holland, of Virginia.
The altar services were conducted by
Revs>W. G.. Schaeffer, G. \. Marks, J.
D. D., and J. S. Cozby. The
text was from Matthew20: 1928. "Who-
soever will be great among you, let him
be your minister ; and whosoever will
he chief among you, let him be your
servant:
Even as the Son of Man came not to
be ministered unto, but to minister and
to give his life a ransom for many"
The subject of the discourse was,
''True Greatness Illustrated in the Pur-
pose and Life of Christ"
Rev. Mr.. Holland said {: The
Roman pretor asked what is truth?
but unprepared for the answer ad-
journed the court. What is truth in
life and what is true manly worth has
been the question Of the ages. Oc-
casionally from out the night there
would arise Il seer or star heralding
the coming morn, but the shadow still
fingered over the horizon and human
ity continued to ask what is true hu-
man greatness. But this deep sigh of
the race after the true, the beautiful
ana the good" found divine answer.
The coming one" comes. The sun of
rises with healing in his
wings and interprets to humanity its
proper self and solves the riddle of the
ages. 1t is the Son of Man who is him.
self 1.-The way the truth and the life" "
and by word and example gives answer
once for all in our text. This is an adj
vanced lesson in human greatness. 1t
contradlcted the notions Of the dis
ciDes. 1t is a lesson which humanity
i'll the mass has not yet learned. Bnt
there is progress in this direction and
with the steady march forward in
doctrine, morals, we shall be
astonished at our former blindness. A
few, centuries ago the doctrine ''might
is right moulded the intercourse of
nations. "The divine right of kings
was but recently the accepted theory of
Europe. But the current of humanity's
life is leaving these behind as driftwood.
Human greatness was the synonym of
personal strength and physical power.
Rome which gave law to the nations
and made heroes of men gave the SUI
preme dignity to physical proves and
named it virtue. Intellectual proves
bids for homage. Achievement in the
domain Of thought wins the worlds
applause.
This age presses hard upon our own
day. We are not yet emancipated from
the era of mind dominion. But this
is not the goal of human greatness.
The truth of our text presses hard upon
the consideration Of thinking men and
women. We are pressing upon that
era when greatness shall be of the
heart. When he whose heart goes out
in helpful benevolence towards his
fellowman shall be great.
Goodness is greatness. He who
serves is great.
The devotees Of science and art move
in circle too limited. They may be
learned, but never truly great.
All the nobleness of the world lies in
sacrifice. The grand mission of man is
to serve mankind. This lesson in
higher culture is given by the Son of
Man. It is the loveliest pattern of
noble life. From him who above all
others is capable to discriminate. 1t is
a reflection upon our moral nature that
it moves so slowly toward perfection.
Truth is eternal and tho it may slum-
Der for ages, it retains the vigcr OF
youth and the energy of divinity. All
truth is old, yet in the experience of the
race it may be new.
The human race is to experience a
regeneration as to the true law of hui
manity, and the true standard of cul-
tlre and nobility shall be the law
enacted by the great teacher: Goodness
is greatness.
Christ came in pursuance of d pur-
pose-a life purpose-to give his life a
ransom for many, the consummatlon
of the most honorable life. He went
about doing good-the memorial Of a
perfect life. This is the heavenly STAN
dard; Christ is the worlds indispensa-
bic all. Without controversy the
Christian is the highest style of man.
IN the ordinary current Of thought
the heart has been dethroned, but the
knowledge which transcends all others
is heart knowledge. 1t wins the high
est enco.niuns. If you would be truly
great, learn of Christ. Mankind is no.
blest in sacrifice. The sum total Of the
divine attributes and powers Of g
manly life is love"
1t would be impossible to do full JUS
tice to the sermon in any abstract of 1t
The warning was given the graduating
Class to follow the example and rule Of
Christ taught in the text, and his Life
as the greatest of greatness. AS the
sum total and essence of advanced
thought and all that makes life worth
living. He is factor in the world who
helps others by the blamelessness Of his
own life.
There are great problems for this age
to solve and they are pressing hare
upon us-the great labor question anc
thatstill greater question oftemperance
No philanthropist can hold an indiffer
ent attitude.
Would you be great in the regard O.
heaven? Let the word and spirit O.
Christ dwell in you richly.
Would you be great in the impartia
Judgment of your own conscience. Lei
your purpose be one that magnifies the
self into mighty force for the service
of others.
Would you be esteemed great by the
enlightened sentiment of mankind
Those lives are held noblest which lay
hold on the future and actualize in tht
present that which shall be; those thai
anticipate the true and set it agains
the present error. 1t requires DO mora
courage to conform to existing custom
TO live in advance Of ones time is tt
antagonize the taste of men and seem
ingly to fail of appreciation. But tht
applause of a better age is the propeI
applause of greatness.
Hold aloft the banner of gospel truth
hold forth the Christ life as the law
and pattern of excellence in human
character and go forward anticipating
coming victory.