St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-06-01
Baccalaureate Sermon to the
Class Of 81 at Hamline
University.
President Bridgman Delivers
Himself Of Sage Advice and
Weighted Wisdom.
Examinations To-day, the EX-
erciseS to Continue Until
Thursday.
A Matter Of Fact Sunday as
Rounded Up by Repor-
tiers.

The beginning of the end for the class
of 81 at Hamline university came yes
terday. Commencement week began
yesterday morning with the bacca
laureate sermon by President q. ii
Bridgman. In spite of the heavy rain
of the preceding night, which was
enough to discourage the hearts of any
but Baptists, and the continued lower
ing of the sky. the chapel was well
filled, many of the staunch friends of
Methodism from the Twin Cities being
present. The chapel decorations, which
were in the hands of the sophOmOres,
were simple, yet tasteful, consisting of
graceful palms and foliage plants. On
the rostrum. were seated Bishop j. n.
Fitzgerald, DR.. Cyrus Brooks and DR.. G.
S. Innis, who assisted in the exercises
The Ii. u. 1913 quartette opened the
service with a sacred anthem, and also
sang Lead, Kindly Light" before the
sermon.
DIR. BrIdgman announced as his text:
l. Tim, vi, T., Flight the Good Fight
of Faith" and Ii. Tim, H., 3, Endure
Hardness as a Good Soldier of Christ"
1t was an earnest effort in encouraging
the class to lead a religious life. and
through it all breathed the spirit of de-
votion and belief in the principles of
Christ. There is, said the reverend gen
tie, man universal struggle against OBJ
jebtS and for things. whether it be SIM
ply in the battle of life against poverty,
or for the higher glOries and re-
wards. To whatever work man
directs his powers, he meets opposing
forces, and he has need Of that nerve
and lofty resolution of purpose which
mingles a solemn. grandeur with the
horrors of war. There is still going on
that great struggle between light and
darkness of which the world is the thea
ter. 4 simple act of faith is all that is
required to enter upon the Christian
life, but there is a long warfare to main
tain the sword to the end. 1t may be
lustrous in the sunshine, but it will be
dimmed in the storm and blunted in the
fray. Those lives which seem to soar
above the cares of this world are ever
tortured with fears of failing and haunt
ed by spectral doubt. Man sees only what
is done, God sees what is resisted. The
religion Of eXpediency, that of the man
who says. Il bend with the willow and
flow with the stream" is not that Of the
strong one, who finds a continual battle
field and life filled with endurance
and resistance. Religion is spiritual
thing i'll world of sense, and the ten
dency is ever toward an idol, or cere-
mony which is useless unless VitaliZed
by the principle within. There are foes
which cast no shadow and leave no
footprints. The doctrine of evil agents
finds place in all religious and super
stitious systems of the earth. The myS-
terry and ignorance OF, evil Spirits
has a strange and solemn terror.
Laws of heinp muSt he taken not from
antiquity, from public opinion, the
church or creeds of men, utfr0m Christ
alone. Divine law and not human opln-
ion form the rules by which men should
be governed. Faith is the winged in
tellect," an invincible factor in human
deeds. The mightiest power in the
world is the Christ faith in the human
soul. There is lesson of comfort, ''Ye
need not one of you be overcome;" a
lesson of responsibility, of the obedi-
ence that's owed, lesson ofinSpiratiOn,
to see and grasp the highest and best.
Entrance examinations take place to-
day, and term examinations to-day and
tomorrow, when it is expected that the
conference board of visitors will be
present. This includes ministers all
year. of Revs. w. K. Marshall and j. G.
Outlet, Minneapolis; Rev. H. G. Jen-
nings, Red Wing; Rev. j. j. Crist.
Monticello; Rev. }. G. Ogle, Owatonna;
Rev. W. G. Rice, st. Paul, and Rev. f.
a. Cone. Redwood Falls.
Tuesday afternoon at O'Clock Judge
Brill will lecture before the united lit
erary societies on The Merchant of
Venice"
Wednesday morning the field day
sports will take place at Midway park.