Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-01
COLBY UNIVERSITY,
Baccalaureate Sermon of the President
Rev. Dr. G. d. 3. Pepper.
Special to the kennebec Journal. !

WATrRyILLE, ME., June 30
The annual baccalaureate sermon to the
graduating class of Colby University was de-
livered this evening before large audience
at the Baptist Church. by Rev. DIR. Pepper
President of the University. His text was
"And they shall bring the glory and honor
of the nations into it," Rev, NNI, 2G.
After a beautifully worled introduction
addressed to the outgoing class, DR.. Pepper
said that the words of the text teach what is
abundsntly taught in other scripture, and
amply tested apart from scripture. namely.
this that all true progress in this world has
hitherto been and hereafter shall be simply a
| realization of the divine idea of things re-
vealel in Holy Scripture. We well
know that there prevails somewhat widely a
quite different notion; an exact contrary
view. Progress is conceded, is asserted, is
traced along all lines, in all departments
and spheres Its infinite variety, richness,
comprehensiveness and scope are elaborate
! ly displayed and discussed and its laws stat
ed We find this in the learned and scien-
tific treatses of the erudite scholar and phil
osopher And this view of the course of
events is accepted and held by men of sh )rt-
er and narrower vision, by those who think
| less or not at all All seem to agree that
there has been and is and shall be motion
perpetual and that up to date the motion
/ has been advsnce-a movement from the
| inferior to the superior, from the worst to
! the better-a movement of which TO boast
( and in which to glory-with prospect still
grand, inspiring There is not, however al
I agreement that this progress in far ii
has been or shall be genuine, is that which
scripture makes known, which has in scrip
/ ture and so in Christianity, its Principal, its
law and its goal. How common the notion
that the idea of il is alien to the Bible, and
the realization of II apart from and even in
spite of the Bible. Our motto is forward,
onward, upward. Shall we throw aside the
! old Book. or walk in its light.
DR. Pepper then unfolded the scheme OF
his discourse under three heads l. The fact
of progress, is in scripture made clear and
emphatic; q the principal of all true pro-
gress-its efficient cause--is revealed in
scripture, and 3, revelation makes known to
US the goal of progress. The fact of pro-
gress obtrudes itself upon our attention by
the very structure of scripture, The Bible
is itself one of the most impressive examples
Of progress. II is not book written ont in
full at one heat-fni-hel at stroke. IT..
beginnings are in the dawn of tine ;
its completion centuries after in the
fnlness of time foretold and foretok
ened It consists Of many distinct books,
wrItten in successive ages with continuity
Of progressive thought in vital and organic
connection part with part The beginning is
but germ. the completion is the perpetual
organism. and each stage between is stage
in the germ. groxth. We fad continuity
and unity Of organic development into a ma
jestic completeness and integraity. Revels-
ton is symmetrical whole. and make. upon
~ q md ha 80 Ef,i= =t-
ed product, but product Of long and steady
progress. As it IS magnificent example Of
progress 30 again the idea of universal
progress il everyv here regnant in scripture.
Ops n the old Book wherever you will between
the first and last page and it is still the same.
Il stands not fronting the dead past. bewsil-
ing the golden age Of times dawn, the para
disc lost, but fronting toward the golden age
. that shall be and the paradise regained, and
t revealing the ever Frightening and broaden
ing way INTO the final good.
We have become familiar with the fact
: that Advancement is found in two quite dis
tinct though closely related spheres, and is
equally remarkable in both. We find II in
the realm of nature wholly apart from the
action of human wills. and also in the life
, of mankind where mans rational sctioa CO.
operate. with other forces and contribute
! 70 the result utsr Two AlnAlr uI progress
or development are closely related, and to
them jointly it has become common 10 sp-
ply the name evolution With this name
!! We need not quarrel, if it be allowed to
designate simply fact and not false ex-
planarion of the fact
That the forces of our world, and pre-
r .umably Of the whole universe, have
= worked along an &C Fancing line 10 result. oi
e an even higher order, we have seen to be ar
idea alike familiar to scripture. to science
b and to men at large. We canno; 5Gt asi
for the efficient cause for this for the pow
: er or powers that determine il. One Of tv'
answers we may accept; that il is btin'
+ force only, or that it s rational will. "
: man can accept and rest in the answer tha
+ is due to an unknown and unknowable power
y Shall se stop short with mere force
0 Here he stops who will know only nature
). Here he bids US also stop Science di.