Huntsville gazette., 1889-06-08
COMMENCEMENT SERMON
experimental knowledge the
oasis OF EnteraI Life. John 17-3

basis of EnteraI Life. John 17-3
The following is synopsis of the
commencement sermon BY Rev. j.
H. Welch, Sunday May 26, at Pal
mer Hall, State Normal and Indus.
trial School,
These pathetic words Of the Sa
i 'lor form part Of his sol
emn address to his Father. Thev
are instructive and initiative of the
preparation and conduct Of the High
frlest on atOnement occasions. All
Ihe utterances ofthe Saviour abound
ed IN clearness, beauty and instruct
lon. lie never made an unwise or
premature utterance, which indicates
the divinity and infalibility IF his
l character Never man sp Ike like
'this man" he suggestions of the
ext will assume the character Of in
q ulrles, examined with as much
bl evity as their Importance will allow.
1st, WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE
EXISTENCE IMPLIED?
The existence is eternal and pe-
culiarly adapted to mans spirital and
intellectual capacity and nature.
But the full and complete enjoyment
Of this higher realm Of the soul de-
pends upon knowledge 'ot the true
God, and Jesus Christ whom thou
hast sent" The intel ectual idea
appears in the word ''know," which
results from mental exertion. In this
we perceive a mysterious and unde-
fined union between soul, life and
mind. This beautiful trio Of entities
implied in the text are the prime
elements of our Immortality.
I'd, ARE THESE HIGHER PLANS OF
CHRISTIAN THOUGHT ANDEX-
CELLENCE ATTAINABLE?
Recognizing no assignable limits
to the development of the christian
mind, we affirm that these higher
plains Of christian thought and su-
perior purity are attained through !
human effort, perseverance and faith
Thought and reason appear able to
travel any way grazed out by fer
tile imagination. When human
reason and Imagination lie exhaust
ed at the feet Of mental exertion,
faith revives them and directs them
to realem lighted by the smiles Of
the true God and the presence Of his
Son.
sd .Is WlLLFUL IGNORANCE OF GOD
DANGEROUS?
Ignorance and vice are close
neighbors and unite in destroying
individuals and nations. Jehovah's
address to Israel this his faithful sers
want Msses comberates the idea.
"My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge: because thouhast rejece
ted knowledge. | will reject you
Hos 4-6. Rome experienced the
fearful consequences of rejecting a
knowledge of the true God. The
realization Of their depraved desires
brought leanness to their souls and
obstruction to their pride and power.
They wept in the presence of their
departing glory and the kindle wrath
Of Jehovah. If America to day were
blessed with few well kept laws,
based upon the broadest principles Of
Of christianity, greater peace and
goodwill would subsist between her
citizens. then our crowded prissn
houses would soon become crumbling
monuments of our past sins
righteousness exalteth a nation
but sin is reproach to any people!!
4" IS ETERNAL LIFE ACQUIRED BY
STUDY?
The unavoidable negative to the
inquiry appears III the 2 verse Of the
chapter. "As thon hast given him
power over all flesh, that he should
give eternal life to as many as thou
hast given him !! 1t is gracious
but conditional gift throught Christ.
A careful study Of nature furnish.
es US with partial knowledge Of God
and increases our general informa
rion Of his works. But there is an
amazing difference between knowl,
edge gained by study and that aris-
ing from personal experience; The
first affects the judge ment and the
second transform the heart, purifies
the life and elevates thought.-His