The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-06-08

He Is the Great First Cause of all
things whose existence and attri-
butes are mirrored in all things.
Then last of all God is light. The
whole world has become illumined
by His presence. He is all knowl-
edge, holiness, justice, goodness and
truth.
Nor even narrowness or spite
Or william fancy feetng by
Grew in the expression OF an eye
Where God and nature met in light"
After the diplomas were deliver
ed to the graduates, Prof. Wilson in
a neat speech presented the McTeer
and the Thornton gold medals to
the successful competitors, Mr..
Chas. Moore in the Preparatory De-
partment and Mr.. S. w. Boardman,
Jr., of the Sophomore class. The
medals were designed and made by
James Thornton. The same per-
sons have offered similar medals
for next year.
Oration-"Moral Conflicts" by
VIM. McClung.
We live in a world of conflict.
The history of the race is largely a
history of conflict. The human
race is vast system whose equilib-
rum has been disturbed by an ex-
ternal influence so that mankind
has become involved in disastrous
conflict.
In the ages past this conflict has
been pre-eminently physical one.
To expatiate on the miseries of war
were both needless and vain. We
rather turn from the horrid scene
and look with eager eye to hail the
coming day when the good genius
of humanity shall ascend the throne
of reason and forever WELD the scep.
ire of universal peace.
The conflicts of the present age
are moral conflicts. With the con-
slant change of conditions in human
affairs comes inevitably a rise of
new and varied issues. These is
sues partake of moral character.
They receive their opposition and
support from those who cherish an
endless diversity of opinions and
desires. Consequently out of these
issues there grows moral conflict
upon the result of which depends
the veal or woe of countless multi
tudes.
The chief conflict in the econom-
ic and industrial worlds is that be-
tween poverty and wealth, Drawn
and capital. There is enough
wealth in the world were it proper
ly applied to maintain comfortably
every creature in existence and yet
a large per cent of the human race
are compelled to exc out a precari-
Gus existence while thousands OF
them are actually crying for the
lack of bread.
This state of affairs has OCCASION
ed the rise of socialistic and com
munistic ideas which are being dis.
Seminated throughout our land
Already a tremendous movement
has been organized which threatens
the peace and tranquility of our ma
ton and the perpetuity Of our civil
institutions.
Possibly no better examples OF
moral conflict can be afforded us
than to be found in American poll
ties. The mere existence of politi-
cal parties implies a conflict. These
moral conflicts are not confined to
the economic, industrial and politi-
cal worlds, but they have invaded
even the religious world. Ours is
pre-eminently an age of theological
unrest.
Thus the moral conflicts are going
on in almost every sphere of human
thought. They involve the most
sacred interests Of humanity. You
are not called to revive the dead is.
sues Of the past, you may never be
permitted to share in the victories
Of a distant future but you are call
ed to engage nobly in the moral
conflicts of the present. BY so do
ing you will not only elevate the
plane of your individual life, but
may greatly ameliorate. the condi.
ton of a needy world.
THURSDAY EVENING.
THE ALUMNI.
The meeting of the Society OF
Alumni was very poorly attended
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