St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-06-15
AIM OF LIFE.
Baccalaureate Sermon at MacaI-
ester by DIR. Hill.

BacCalaureate Sermon at MaCaI-
ester by DR.. Hill.
The baccalaureate sermon to the class
OF '91 OF Manchester college was deliv-
cred yesterday afternoon at the Macal-
ester Presbyterian church by Rev. NJ.
l.. p. Hill, ID. ID. The text was ii. Sam.
xii, &c, And thy gentleness hath
made me great"
Christian gentleneSS is the true gen.
tlenesS of character.
1t appears from the fact that there is
in it so much of the omnipotence of per-
SuasiveneSs or love. GentleneSs is not
the mere absence of rude vigor: it is the
softness and tenderness of vigor and
great power. The greatest power of
which we can be possessed is that per-
suasivenesS of power that eXceS with
out friction and that one never gains
without first being master of himself.
And Thomas Hughes, in an article OH
the manliness of Christ, mentions in
particular this quality of gentleness as
one of His divinest attributes.
There was His tenderness and
potency that little children and
rough men and women alike felt.
Greatness of character is in proportion
always to the presence and strength of
moral qualities.
In his Greatest Thing in the World"
Henry Drummond speaks of David Liv-
ingStone, whom the poor Africans could
not understand, but whose dusky faces
would light up as they told of the kind
doctor who years before passed their
way. 3.
Trhe eentleneSS of character is great
ness of character, because it is the pow
er of self-control. To say that it is the
absence merely of what is harsh and
violent would be TO state only half
truth. If it is elimination of the rougher
and more rigid elements, it, is also COM
prehenSive of certain reserve of force
and self-possession that gives ore COM
nland of himself. We find that the men
and women whose force of char
acter goes for much are those
who, carry gentle grace, a
quiet decision and self-control; that is
bbth their charm and their power. The
great general must be like our own
Grant, whose quiet opersiStency and
Self-poSSeSSlOn were in pre-eminence.
Knowing his opportunity, he seized it
with callous, silent courage and per-
siStency that nothing could upset or de-
stroy, ami still he could be as gentle as
a child, as forgiving to fallen foe as a
mother.
GentleneSs of character is greatness
OF character, because it is the grandeSt
power of usefulness in this world Such
effectiveness and usefulness depend
upon two things, the ascendency of
moral tone or character. If a man is
under the purer or gentler disinterested
motives, that moral spirit that lovesfa
tranquiliZeS the mind, in which truth is
always sought and seen, and right 10y
ally served his every effort and aSpira-
ton is a joy not only to himself, but is
felt in all its intrinsic beauty and noble
ness Oil others. Such elevation and
chaSteness of sentiment needs to be
braced and girded by true moral earn
estneSS, which is never connected with
hustle or restlessness. So that all
along in the great work of life man
may be!surmounting difficulties, gaming
fresh acquisitions, reaching out into
wider spheres to influence for good his
fell ow men.
The age in which we live is one of
growing restleSSneSS and attempts to
command attention. Too many are for
just sensation. The weakest and most
useless people are those who are forever
craving attention and pushing into pub
Lefty. True WortnineSS of character
eXcelS by its sweetness and gravity.
Beware how you fall into the notion
that you are not appreciated. You may
be tempted to feel that you have mar
row field, but remember it will widen
out to you in proportion as you show
real worthiness and facility.
Thrifty application to worthy end
will give you the best results. Take
care of your character. Your reputa-
ton will take care of itself. Any life
which ends in its own amusement or
emOlument is unworthy. Education
for the sake of erudition; cultivation for
the sake of culture; sunlight for the
sake of sunshine; polishing for the sake
of polish, is low. Get as far away as
possible from yourself and live for 9TH
erS.