Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-22
BACCALAURBATE
Sermons Is Delivered Il the
StTsr'l Maine Colleges
10 ths4 Youns Agea Just Rressiue on
the Duties Of Lafe.

| bKUsswfck, June 2i.-President Hyd
OF bowdoin college delivered the bsccs
laureate sermon today before q isrs
sudience, taking ~ his subject, "Trutl
and Love- II John 3. He said: M,
subject IS the relationship between scholar
snip and Christianity. Conceised pedsnt
and laundering ecclesiasties hsve slway
/ been nischievously busy in getting up con
fiicfs between the two.
l In one age it WAS about the motions a
the heavenly bodies; in another it vas ths
age and structure Of the earth. A genera
tion ago II was the origin Of species and ID,
descent Of msn. Today it is the question
whether certain books Of the Bible are ,
mirssulousiy produced, miraculously pre
| served. miYaculously Attested account O,
| events In crest measure contemporsneou,
with the eomposition Of the writings or ar,
TIE product Of later age in which the spirit
usl tendencies Of preceding generations
and she spiritual insights Of living leaders
are given q pseudo. historical setting. will
perfect integrity Of purpose, aud with ali de-
voutness OF intent. and in accord with vel
| recognized ancient and oriental custom. in
| osdr to ciofbe them with greater pfsctica
| imrrsssiveness. This question, like thost
| which have gone before, 10 one for schol.
arship to settle BY lss own methods, with
ou' the Interference Of the courts, civil OF
| ecclesiastical; and without the intimids
| ton OF mobs, clerical or lsy. Ii 10 higt
| time TO have the bou adaries between schol
sFship and Christianity clearly defined; GO
that professors and preachers msy eaci
know their place and mind their own busi.
ness.
The business of the scholar is the pur.
.gi; Of truth. He is to find out and formu
late the facts regardless Of articles OF
creeds. teachings Of traditions, DEGREES Of
councils, or votes Of assemblies. If he
does less than this he is . coward and q
jcs serser. If he does more he is dema.
gogue and charlatsn. And any man or
body Of men that try to force the scholar
to do either more or less than this, the
scholars bounden duty, in so doing make
public confession Of their own utter ina
oiiily to appreciate the nstuee Of the schol-
al - vocation and their consequent incom-
fe,ence to pass judgement on the worth Of
his results.
As scholarship is loyalty to truth, so Chris.
iisoity is fidelity to the hfe of love. The
Christian is the man whose every thought
and word and deed aims to express his love
to God, bis loyalty to Christ. and his en-.
deavor for the welfare of his feilowmen.
This spirit of love, this enthusiasm eor doing
good. this hunger and thirst after practical
righteousness, is the heart Of Christianity
as unswerving devotion to the plain, simple
truth about things is the soul of scholar.
chip.
Scholarship and Christianity move on diff
ferent planes, and deal with different as.
poets Of the world. They may not always
coilcide. but they never can conflict. A
man's standing as scholar does not depend
on the form of worship hs prefers or the
length Of creed that lie recites. Nor does
msn's standing as a Christian depend on
his views abou. the authorship OF Genesis
aud Hebrews; the date Of composition OF
the Pentateuch and the Ps:rine Epistles, OF
the historical character Of such books 90
J JJnsh and Daniel.
Settle questions of scholarship by schol.
atly methods and brook no interference
with your words, do ali your deeds, fulfil
All the relations Of your life in the Christ.
like spirit, and suffer no taint Of 5eltishness
OF malice to detrset from the purity Of ur
Chri.,iau character.
That loyalty to the pursuit Of truth, the
highest Intellectual excellence. and devo-
ton TO the life of love, the crowling Chris
lisL gtace, may be united in your minds
and hearts, and bring forth the fruits of
integrity and usefulness in your characters
ana lives is the last, best wish of the Col.
lese for you all.