The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-06-14
Baccalaureate Sermon.

All available seats in the auditorium of
the Congregational church and most of those
in the lecture room were occupied on Sun
day evening by people from the several
churches who desired to hear the Baccalau
rcate sermon delivered by Rev. W. B. Mat
teson, pastor of the Baptist church, to the
graduating class of the High School. The
theme, 'T.ove, the Keynote of our Common
Faith" was handled by Mr.. Matteson in
splendid manner and we are pleased to give
our readers the full sermon.
The church had been beautifully decorat-
ed by the Junior class who acted as ushers.
Music, prepared for the occasion by Mr..
Duff, was sung by choir consisting of
Messrs q. q. Duff, Alex and Edwin Mosher,
j. B. Mcintosh, Mrs. d. M. Christian,
Misses Helen Duff, Edith Freseke, Frances
Jones; Mrs. II. ID. Lyon at the organ. Rey.
j. M. Kerridge, Rev. j. G. Cromer and Rev.
S. Roosevelt took part in the services.
THE SERMON.
1t is with somewhat peculiar emotions that
attempt the task imposed upon me tonight 1t
back over that, seemingly. so brief span of years
when stood where the young men and women
of this graduating class stand tonight with years
of toll and preparation behind; with other years
of labor and of possible achievement OPEN
ing before. The memories of that day are very
fresh upon me. The solemn hush in the old
University church-the deep, earnest voice of
the honored and beloved President-the COM
mingled inspiration, admontion and exhortation
of his closing words. No address, certainly, to
which ever listened so deeply impressed my
imagination, or so profoundly influenced my life.
And now, after so little an intervening space, 1
am to counsel and you to listen. can only hope
that a 1.-THE of the impression made upon my
life upon that June day, now thirteen years
agone, may be able tonight to make upon you.
To utter some word of encouragement, Of inspir-
alton or of suggestion, that, abiding in your
memories, may help to guide your lives to noble
issues, is my loftest desire.
have been not little perpexed in the choice
of a subject upon which to speak to you. Many
themes have suggested themselves, and one by
one have rejected them all. And am finally
come to you tonight not so much to elucdate
theme or to preach sermon, but. If may, to
sound afresh the keynote of our common faith.
lam not we'll instructed in music and 1t is pos
sible misapprehend the metaphor; but under
stand that the "keynote" of any musical produc-
ton determines the tone and character of the
entire piece. / have seen a choirmaster check
his chorus in the full swing of melody, declare
that some or all were "off the key" cause the
determining notes to be struck afresh and every
voice brought into accord with it. Sometimes,
less wise than these, we attempt to play out the
music of our lives careless in what key we play
it. We need that once and again the true notes
be struck that harmonizng Herewith fes melo-
dy may run most sweetly on
There is no uncertainty in my mind and am
confident that there is none in yours, as to what
the keynote of Christianity Is. 1t was struck
way back in Genesis, when God made man in
his image, and blessed him and fitted the world
to be his habitation and established him as ruler
over word-wide.heritage. That note resOunds
| from the prophets, thrills through the gospels,
echoes in the epistles, bursts forth tumultuously
| in the triumphant strain of the Apocalypse. The
whole Bible is grand symphony written In this
key. Paul strikes the note clearly, melodiously,
| resonantly In the 18th of Corinthians. do not
need to tell you what that note is-it is summed
| up in a single word; that word is-love.
| In this chapter in Corinthians, Paul brings in
| to comparison the best things of which the world
has knowledge, and hesitates not to declare that
not only are they inferior to love but they are
altogether worthless without love.
The Corinthians craved-as have all men in
every age-the prizes of life. They disputed
among themselves for their possession. There
| we're great gifts indeed for them to covet Not
only might they desire to possess these gifts
which men in every age have hoped for-gifts Of
help, of teaching, of government-such gifts as
men today covet under such names as power,
reputation, glory-but 1t was open for them to
desire special supernatural endowments. There
we're among them who had power to work won-
ders; others who could heal the sick; others,
most envied of all, who could speak with other
| tongues. Paul does not dsparage these gifts.