The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-20
"BE We PERFECT"
President Buffers Text at the Free
Street Baptist.

Interesting Sermon by Colby's New Presi-
dent-Emphasized the Necessity of Nor
al as Well as Mental and Physical Gull
ture.
At the Frea Street Baptist church yes
terday forenoon, DR.. Nathaniel Butler.
the new president of Colby University,
appeared for the first time before Port
land audience and preached from the
text. "'Be Ye Perfect" taken from the
last verse of the fifth chapter of Matthew.
He said that his subject was "The In
fiuence of Christianity in Human Gull
ture -
He spoke of the prevalent idea Of even
the present time, that personal religion
is something to be put off till other
things are accomplished. We regard the
acquiring or an education, the making
of successful career, as something to
look forward to with delight, because
it is so much gained of great value After
that is secured, we will consider personal
religion which is not something gained,
but something lost, a self-sacrifice. The
idea still prevails, despite the evidence
all around us, more potent than ever,
that personal religion is the civlizing
and uplifting influence of the world.
The old lie still lives with us. Let us
hope that we may learn TO know that
it is lie.
regard it human culture, DR.. Butler
said, that education does not primarily
hn Of LODI
books. 1t is the making of possible
man or woman into an actual man and
woman.
The idle and ignorant lounger is pos
sible man. The active, energetic, achiev
ing business man is an actual man.
Every actual man must possess more of
knowledge than is involved in his daily
occupation. All honor to the man who
can build house or make a cart, but
thare is a greater demand upon him in
his community than simply doing those
things, if he is to exert his proper infu-
ence as fellow citizen.
Let the blacksmith strive to do his
work as perfectly as possible, but shame
on him if he strives to do or know moth
ing else.
Dr. Butler discussed at length the at
tributes of the man of culture and edu-
cation, and the great value of physical
and mental training of the schools of to-
day The professional man who is able
to handle tools, whose eye and hand
have been trained to be true and skilful,
whose muscles have been developed, is a
letter professional man. The man OF
all round culture and education is after
all the most practical man.
But let us consider the man Of perfect
education and culture. You wish to en-
ploy man in your bank. l tell you that
an applicants physique is magnificent,
his constitution SO strong that he can do
anything without fatigue His mind has
had the best training of the schools. But
you ask about his character. You
mast know about that before you can en-
trust him with your business. Is he
honest? Will he tell lie? Will he be
faithful to your interests 1t will be seen
that we are compelled to Recognize the
spiritual element of education.
1t is almost trite to suggest that many
men of the rarest mental and physical
equipment have been guilty of the
greatest moral debasement.
The world cannot teach you how to use
the great powers that it has put into
your hands. 1t is just at this point that
Christianity comes in to do its special
work 1t does not and cannot impart
this knowledge and skill in natural
things.
Christianity undertakes to guide
trained hand and skilful brain with
true and honest heart.
DR.. Butler dwelt upon this theme at
some length and emphasized especially
that Culture without religion is futile,
mischievous and deadly"
In regard to the work of modern insti-
buttons of learning in producing this
many sided culture and education, DR..
Butler declared that 1.-The whole ques
ton Of the Christian citizenship of this
country is identical with the question
of our higher institutions of learning.