The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-06-04
COMMENCEMENT WEEK
OF the Madison State Normal School
B~accalaureate Sermon by the Rev. W..
]. Cleveland Order Of Exercises.
Banquet and Reception.

Il @I&HE ##@AM#EA ###E#3&&
Last evening the opening exercises Of
the Tenth Commencement Of the Mad
ison State Normal school took place at
the opera house, the occasion being the
delivery OF the B~accalaureate sermon by
the Rev. WI. Cleveland. The audltori-
UNI and gallery we're packed TO their ut
most capacity and the platform was oc-
cupIsd by President Bsadle, the city
clergy who could be present and the
Presbyterian CHOIR who furnished the
vocal music for the occasion. Rev. j. n.
Jenkins offered the opening prayer and
the Rev. Mr.. Cleveland read the lesson
e. the evening from the CIV. Psalm.
taking as his text for the sermon which
followed the first clause OF the second
verse OF the lesson: .Who coverest
Tbyself with light as with q garment,
From this the speaker drew i cornpar.
ison with other passages Ia Holy Scrip
ture which represent God AZ sitting 10
darkness, unfolding as it were the inys-
terry Of this darkness and this light as
related TO Gods attributes and the ef-
feet il has upon mons minds and ma
ture. He ~postulated his remarks to the
effect that these mysterious conditions,
attributes OF environments Or Diety
were beWiidering TO men as incompre
hensible TO their finite minds and hence
being unable TO explain them satisfac-
toriiy TO themselves, men were apt to
give up in despair and settle back INTO
Indifferent attitudes OF religion and their
own relation and duty to God. But It
was assuming too much for man to
think he could fathom Gods infinite
nature and wisdom, and while there
was much that was incomprehensible to
human minds, there was enough TO sat,
isfy all human desires, to inspire all
minds and hearts with the greatness of
Gods love for man and the wisdom OF
Gods plans for mans. redemption.
Gods manifestation Of himself in Christ
was not only the connecting link be
tween time and eternity, but the reve-
lation of Gods purpose toward man and
the living in y HON in time would IN
eternity reveal all that TO man now ap-
pear so mysterious in Gods character.
The sermon throughout was replete
with illustrations drawn from wide and
rich stores OF literature and couched In
elegant diction was the finished product
OF q cultured mind.
The address at the close TO the eradu
ating class was an earnest appeal to ap
ply the lesson OF the sermon 10 their
future conduct and experience in life
and could not fail OF making y deep Inn
preston. The Glars numbers eighteen
young men and women, all oil an age
ready 10 step gu. into the grave respon
sibilities of life, and well equipped in
mental and physical endowments.
The further exercises OF the week will
be as follows:
Monday, June 4, at $50 p. m, orator.
ical contest.
Tuesday, June 5, at 2:30 p. M, class
day exercises. +,
Wednesday, June G. at 10 a. M, com
.encement exercises, At $50 p. M,
Alumni banquet. At $50 p. m, class
reception.
NOTES AMI COMMENTS.
The b-accalaureate sermon oil the
Rev. w. Cleveland last evening meets
With high c~ommendation from everyone !
whom We have heard speak OF it. Re- /
marks such as the following are beard /
without the asking:
Jacob Brorby: .That was the best
sermon | ever heard in Madison. !
ion't understand how . man could
iear that and be any longer q skeptic.
When such teaching is associated with '
'ur state education, the country 10 safe. y
g. i. McCallister: .That sermon z
vas elegant, II showed deep and wide !,
tudy and sat and enjoyed every word 4
4 it, \
Mons Grinager: 1T was q good SER
non; just fne."
Goo +. Tuttle: ibid you hear the
A0Ds UNCAAA&s GtGAF Huu 80 -
In anner People are just y
eginning 10 appreciate Mr.. Cleveland, i
think Z,
D. D. Stitzel: aThat was q strong
nd finished sermon; . treat to hear it.s
Hon. r. @. McCallister: aThat SER !,
ION was very fine. He is the clearest :
we have. took Il daon intnraaf 4,
his address and watched him very
loosely = :
a. w. Mackay: 'That was q ine ad
ress last evening" :
y. III. Williamson: aThat sermon was 4
ood. One would think sometimes he
ad undertakes more than he could
andle, but he comes out of ii In strong. y
ear conclusions
w. III. Klaus: "A splendid sermon. |,
Il. Cleveland 10 en- able man. Perhaps !
ID argument ID q little too high FOR al
mind and vet hn n.aLaa hs~ 3