The morning times., 1895-07-22
First Sermon of President Whit
man, of Columbian University.
SPOKE AT FIRST BAPTIST
Saytour's Knowledge of Man-His Eff
forts and Work Reveal the Positive
Side of Ltfe-W arnings Against
Asceticism, Materialism, and Mis-
conception.

Rev. DR.. b. L. Whitman, president OF
Columbian University, whose election to
the position is of recent date, preached yes
terday morning before a large congrega-
ton at the First Baptist Church, at the
corner OF Sixteenth and o streets northwest
DR. Whitman was temporarily in the
city, having arrived the day before, with
the expectation of returning last night
to Boston AT the request of DR.. Stakely,
however. he remained to fill the latter's
appointment.
He was introduced by DR. Stakey, who
expressed his high appreciation of the priv
ilege OF having his distinguished friend to
offciate in the services.
DR. Whitman is tan and of commanding
presence, with a pleasing manner and voice.
His face was smooth shayen and IN fea-
lures and otherwise he bore many marks
of resemblance to eX-General Postmaster
Bissell His discourse was delivered eX-
temporaneously.
KEY TO THE SAvIOUR'S LIFE.
He announced as his text the twenty
fifth verse of the second chapter Of st.
John: And needed not that any man
should testify Of man; for He knew what
was inman." These words were considered
in connection with the preceding verse.
After brief reference TO the circumstances
under which he happened To be present,
Dr. Whitman said, in part:
''0ne reads but a little way until he finds
that Jesus was never at loss III dealing
with men The key In this specific case is
the key TO His whole life. He needed not
that any should speak of man, for He knew
what was i'll man
Light is thrown upon this phase of His
| character by the miracle performed at the
marriage in Cana Make table OF Chrlsts
miracles, and see how the Christ like
! spirit stands out. There is a distinction be-
| tween His miracles and those OF any other
| person. Compare them with those per
! formed by Moses, and note the difference.
Christ working miracles eXemplified
| Himself, and in them we have an index or
! His whole life-One life in which purpose
| and attainment are one.
! There is purpose i'll it, indicating the
kind of life We should lead, and the willing
| ness of God TO help US. Christ's life was
defense of the faith, and we are made TO
! know that He was not only a SAVIOR IN
! GalliIee, but the world over.
/ THE positive side OF life Is shown in the
/ divine effort to pour Himself out for the
! good of the world. The positive SIDE lis
| what We want.
PROPER CONCEPTION OF MAN.
Christ knew what was in man. BE
recognized the lower forms of life-the
social side He had regard for the family
relations Singularly enough, of all the
religions of the world 1t is Just Chris
tianity that recognizes mau-Christianity
| alone that has proper conception or man
| In II we have the proper conception ana
| eXaltation of the phy ysical.
Through this We are warned against
ascetiosru, which reiutes itself By defeat
ing itself: against materialism and against
], fTTIn
abuse.
''Our Lord taught no greater truth than
| when He cleansed the temple. The pill
Crims had gathered from every direction
in great numbers They Were weary
and footsore. Having come together TO
worship they must have means OF saCTlllCe;
they must have oxen and sheep and money
changed How natural for the benefit
OF the weary pilgrims that the tables should
be moved up 10 the temple. II neanwhlie
money changers may turn an honest penny,
what matters it? Would not God be glorl-
fled anyway?
Our Lord drove out this crowd not be
cause their busines IS was bad, but be
cause it was being tran sacted in the
wrong place.
WHAT HE TAUGHT
He taught thereby that there is plac'
where intrusion cannot be permitted H.
knew the constant struggle between th'
higher and lower life, and that the highe
has interests in which the lower must no
intrude.
The charge OF religious narrowness il
no doubt well founded. Man has offer
too narrow a conception OF life and it
duties 1t is Illustrated in the bushes
world.
II have no patience with men who
having never seen g thousand dollarsint thei
lives. and probably never earned the hal
of it in any one year, are nevertheless
constantly debating to men of large busi
ness how they shall conduct it
The main difficulty is not lack o
knowledge What we need is to estat
lish the proper relation between knowledg
and will. We should be brought to d
as well as we know When we hear
said of some men that they have Stroni
will. strong impulses, it means that the
possess a good deal OF the raw material o
humanity.
, I'VE need not be troubled over theories
. The heavenly and the earthly are but Oil
ferent sides of the same life. Chris
!, taught US how to build. We know how
for we have seen the Master Builder
; Or. Whitman closed the services with
brief prayer, and was afterwards person
aIIy introduced by DR.. Stakeley to member
, OF the congregation.