Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-06-04
THE BACCALUREATE SERMON
Preached to the Graduating Glass of the
wheeling Female College.

Preached to the Graduating Glass of the
wheeling Female College
Following is s synopsis OF ihe bacca-
laureate sermon preached by Rev. J. 7.
Mcclure, D D., or Sunday last to the
graduating class of $50 of Wheeling Female
College:
DR.. Mcclure took his topic from Josh
iii.-4: "Ye have not passed this way
heretofore" He said:
Young ladies of the graduating class of
1889 OF the WheeiiI Femsle College, you
are now about to enter on the practical
duties of life. The DAYS of school and Of
routine study are about ended, and new
vista Is opening for YOU ia your personal
horizon. You come 10 a period OF life
when it may be said OF you, IS il was
said of Israel: aye have not passed this
way h rejofore. "
Israel was occupying a new and I'M
known position when thess words were ad-
derers IL the wilderness for fell forty years,
and were now 10 have new experience in
realizing the fulillmeut of the promise
made them long since to their fathers, that
they should have permanent home in
the land Of Palestine The way across
Jordan was an unknown way 10 them ana
they needed divine guidance ~ reach their
promised Inheritance Il is not my pur-
pose TO trace out any lines of analogy be-
tween their condition then and your con-
ditiOn to day. IL is 6nough 10 say You
are really entering on an unknown way,
as they were then. All young people
need Just such clear ana plain directions
IN life as God, in his kindness, has seen
fit to give Us. Let us, therefore, prepare
our minds TO follow as God may lead.
THE FIRST WAY,
to which l will call your attention may he
called the way OF social and domestic life.
You have already hsd some experience in
Socisl life, and know something of dOmes-
tic affairs. But in the very important
matter Of forming associations and cult
waiting close friendships, your experience
is necessarily limited. 1t has be-
come proverb that man is
known by the company he keeps,
and II is no more true of the man than it
is of the woman. Indeed, wrong assOcia
tions are even more dangerous and dis
as.rous for women than for men.
But how may our associates be selected
safely. Itisa mistaken theory and one
that often bears bitter fruit, 10 select our
friends from among those who are wealthy
and who move ia fashionable society
This is an error for which parents are
more to blame than are their children.
The idea Of attaining higher social posi-
ton than bss been held in the past, is so
attractive that worthy people who may
not he aole 20 cater 10 it are very apt SO
be sacrificed. Indeed, Que OF the most
.erious social dangers that meet Us N our
soc;al intercourse, il found IN the fact
Of so many striving to occupy positions
that sTe above their reach. Do
not select your associates merely
fo7 their money, Or for their
arristocratic associations. If nothing bet
ter can be found let them alone. Select
your close friends from among those You
can trust; those who show their possession
OF wisdom and integrity; those who are
truthful and honeat and upright; those N
whose hands your mOnev and reputation
would be alike safe. II they possess
wealth, education and refinement, so much
the better, provided they are willing 70
become your friends. Tue line must be
drawn in our social ethics, more closely
between the
FALSE AND THE TRUE.