Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-06-29
THE MORAL OBLIGATIONS OF
CULTURE.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE ALUMNI 40
DRESS.

thorough education ana superior lheHl"
equipment. but is something more than
education. 1t implies refinement OF
taste and nicely of Judgment but Is
something more than refinement OF
taste and Judgment. 1t implies true
and noble spirit, all the higher powers
of the soul dominant IN the life, but
is something more than spiritual eXalta-
ton. True culture is no one of these,
but the sum of them all combined. But
true culture defeats itself, if it exists
only for itself. If it would reach its
highest possibilities, it must exist not as
an end, but as means. The ideal OF
true culture is attractive IN and for it
self The tendency is for ambition to
end there with the blight of selhshness
upon it. But it need not be purposeless,
empty, contemplate. 1t ought, in such
an age and such a country as this, to be
intensely in earnest and nerved to the
noblest deeds for humanity. such cul-
ture is an education never completed.
1t grows with the service in which it is
engaged. The true man of culture will
read Alright the signs of the times and
will live for great principles and great
ends. He will see in his fellow-man,
grand in his ruin. the possibilities of
something grander still. The supreme
reason, the constitution of things, the
environment of soul constitute the
grounds of moral obligation. The whole
universe is enlisted upon the side OF
truth. The end and aim of living is to
put together the broken pieces OF lie.
Culture is simply opportunity for good.
The man of culture must understand
that if things are to be improved in this
beloved land of ours. either socially.
morally or politically it will cost him
something. some effort, some self-sacri-
flee. some God-like service. The man of
culture will so value the truth that he
will live to impress it upon his fellow
man. But truth carries moral influence
by being presented not as Il proposition,
but as a living reality. Truth embodied
becomes motive and guide to action.
| The man of culture will recognize better
than all other men the leverage power of
truth which he possesses. Applied
/ knowledge is more than power, it is life.
| \ pond IN yOnder Adirondacks lies deep
and still and beautiful But it has no
outlet. 1t never gives itself to bless
humanity. Just beyond is another
lakeet, but it i the source and spring
of a mighty river. From it flow forth
streams of refreshing in cOpious torrents
to Stake the thirst of millions, to turn
the laundering wheels of manufacture,
AMI finally to bear upon its bosom,
broad and deep, the commerce of the
world. True culture serves and enriches
the world
For the largest efficiency of culture,
something more than the learning of the
schools is needed. Strength and cour-
age. resolution and daring, the mora
nature all alive, magnanimous large
heartedness, broad and spiritual sym
pathy, a swing through wide circum
ference of thought, progressive, ihven
tive resourceful enterprise-all thi'
adapting itself to the eXigencies of tho
times. For the man of culture, if he
would serve well his day, must be pre-
pared to meet new conditions. new
forces, revolutionizing the old into {
new world. The Disturbances of the
times demand Il reimbursement upon hi!
part. The freedom of labor and thu
tyranny Of capital have both run wild
We are living in eventful times, and i
i, the men of true culture who mus
save America to save the world. Tn,
rapid growth of our cities, the foregl
population, the tendency to fast living
present problems which men of tru
culture alone can solve. The salool
power, socialism, communism and anar
clly. these and other evils in society fac
the man of true culture. Surely it is for hin
to secure to man Their lights that have bee
denied or forgOtten-the right of tn
weak and feeble to be helped. of tn
ignorant to be instructed, of the erin:
to be reclaimed. Culture is slowl
learning the moral Unity of the race
She may not point to herself and say
"Behold", while the worlds suffering
and sorrows, the worlds penury an
sin are forgotten 1t is not for cultur
to be self-absorbed and self-containeC
The man at the bottom Is the man t
whom culture owes a debt of servic
and self-sacrificing love. Blow love
sweet music through the instrument c
your culture and the dust of selfish cas-
will not accumulate within it. The ma
of culture must stand upon the earti