Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-23
OLD STUDENTS MEET.
REV. J. 7. DICKINSON ADDRESSES THE
ALUMNI OF RICHMOND COLLEGE.
v...ous Drawn from the Life Of Knox
Glse-CIub songs and Isscitation-
Trustees Meeting.

The alumni Of Richmond College heiu
their anniversary meeting in the chape'
Last night and an immense crowd az
tended the exercises, which were OF an
unusually interesting character. Inc
Bluos' Band enlivened tho occasion win
their merry music, while scores OF pref
~ girls made the scene more attractive
Rev. DIR. II. Il. AGREE, OF Roanoke
presided and performed his duties IN a
very graceful and happy manner
After fervent prayer by hev. j. NJ.
Pitcher. of Petersburg. The dlee Oiuo
sung "Thc College Bell" with excel
lent effect
GRAFTON BY REV. J. T. DICKINSON.
The orator Of the evening, Rev. James
TAYLOR Dickinson, OF Orange, \. j.,
WAS introduced 10y DIR. AGREE and
received very cordial welcome. After
n few words OF introduction the orator
said
Tender and strong is the picture
which Thomas Hughes gives OF the re-
turn of his hero. Tom Brown. in full
manhood TO Rugby, the school OF his
youth. Standing IN the old chapel
amidst the shadows OF the evening, and
thinking OF his old teacher, Thomas
Arnold. Tom Brown yoarns for the
privilege of living over the past, thanks
God for the lessons learned then and
since. and prays God to make HIM
worthy of the teachers he has had.
Somo6ow so must he the feelings OF
the alumni gathered here this evening,
and looking once more into the face OF
our mother. n face somewhat worn ana
weary, and yet serene and benignaht'
with a " light that never was on lana OF
sen.
THE DAY or JOHN KNOX.
Tprnino AWAY for awhile from the
many "burning questions " OF the pres
emf let rs consider rs our theme, " A
KNIGHT of the Sixteenth Century
John Knox. Consider what was gong
ON in the world when John Knox was
born. in 1905. 1t was a time more agl-
tated with new spiritual and mental HE
than any period smce-an age OF Dlood
aud blessing. Of darkness and hight. OF
boary superstltiOn and iconOclastic pro-
cross time of the discovery OF new
continent. Of a rich outburst OF learning
OF the utilizing of mariners compass,
pnupowder. and printing ress-most
nj all q time when the people began TO
think and pray and read Gods word Tor
tbernsclyes. Spain and Portugal IN the
midst Of Undesirable opulence are on
tho brink Of ruin. Through northern
Europe there Is an unspeakaDle
WEAKNESS of the forms and ialseness OF
tbe Roman Church. In l3lI, October
3lst Luther's voice brings all this feel
inc IN sudden conspicuity, especially III
ENGLAND and Scotland. Catholics burn
and torture and quarter Protestanis,
and lrotestauts quarter and torture
and burn Catholics. In this stormy
period. ami III the s,ormlest OF c0un-
ines John knox Is born il 1903, near
Haddinotou. Scotland lis poverty
pr.af aud his career at the University
81 (,is.row short. tor eighteen years
q Catholic priest. the iniiueDce OF George
Nishrt changed hls life aud put nm
among heroiorm0gs. lie ispersecuted,
sent 10 France Us q gallcy-s'a'e, spends
ten wears in exile. On returning to
Edinburgh May >, 1859, he becomes
the leader Of tic Keformers and the
minister III st. Giles Cathedral.
a SENSATIONAL roldIIcAL PREACHER.
ilis great career from now on IS
brought before ms wildly il three build
ipgs still standing in Edinburgh. In
ST Giles Cathedral he preached sermons
which changed the thought, emotion,
life Of Scotland His denunciatons OF
tu,cn Mary were as true as they were
terrible. do WAS in the best sense a
sensational, political preacher Another
building linked with his fame, Holyrood
Palace. where he argued with Queen
Mary and denounced her treacherles.
lie alone seems TO have understood her
sagaci;vrn her wickedress. HE other
eljdce' the st0re-housc on the Canon
gate. where knox lived. Here shone de-
hehttul domestic virtues. From yonder
window at uiinight was heard the
thrice-rcpea;od cry 80 God. give me
Scotland, or / die, !" Over his grave
the bari Of Norton said : " Hero beth
man who in his life never feared the
face of man." Bat John Knox did fear.
He feared God. This was the keynote OF
his life. He feared Cod 50 much that
he feared man not at all Glance at
some of the fruits of Knox career. He
brought 10 powerful and practical d.
mansions all the latent spiritual life
among the people lie banished Ro-
manism from Scotland and helped 30
save the good IN Komanlsm the world
over. lie gave a new spiritual fibre 10
Scottish character, which has ever marked
il since. To him more than to any other
man is il due that England and Scotland
became one mighty kingdom. The
United States owes him a great debt OF
gratitude because he plead for separation
of Church and State. The spirit Of
John Knox inspired the Independents
Of ENGLAND. the Pilgrims on the May
flower. the Monticello Sage, and Patrick
Henry. Most OF all. John Knox gave
new value and dignity to the lndi-
vidual man. To Queen Mary and Queen
Elizabeth he dared 10 assert that the
common people were worth more than al!
the lords and earls i'll the land. There
could have been no Robert Burns but
for John Knox.
CONTENTION WITH DIFFICULTIES.
Three practical suggestions come to
us from this knight of the sixteenth
century.
We have here mans noblost educa-
tion-conteuuon with difficulties.
knoxs life was one fierce struggle with
Tremendous obstacles Poverty, failure
TO take his college degree. doubt and
unrest in the Roman Church, and at
last severance from that Church, exile,
torture, years OF struggle with prelates,
statesmen. and soyerelgns-these were
some of his diiiicultses. But they eau
Gated him and made him heroic figure.
So it always must be. sweat, toll, IA
yoke, cross, furnace OF iire-thank
God for these
HOSPITALITY TO NEW IDEAS.
Again, we have here an education S
noblest duty hospitality to new IDEAS
search after truth. John Knox, in his
friendship for truth, gave up his home,