The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-02
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL.
Closing Exercises Opened With Two
Fine Sermons.


cial) Trinity High School commence
ment opened Sunday morning with a
sermon by Bishop w. w. Duncan. The
attendance was large, including quite
number of visitors. The horses and
buggies filled the groves reminded one
of the old time commandments.
The Bishop spoke from this text,
''Then the king made Daniel great
man, and gave him many great gifts,
and made him ruler over the whole
governors over all the wise men of
Babylon" g Dan. 4s.)
He said in substance that many peo-
pie made the mistake of supposing
that Daniel was great because he re-
ceived these honors and gifts. Not SO.
Daniel was great before. Many young
men and many good mothers have a
false idea of greatness. Everybody
now -a-days wants to be great. Our
notion of greatness is to be conspicu-
Gus. to have a high seat somewhere
and be seen of men. Failure to win
the popular eye is counted calamity.
NV first ambition was to drive a four
horse stage which used to pass my
fatiiier's house, But when / saw my
first locomotive engine imagined that
to manage the throttle of an engine
would be the height of all accomplish
ments. The attraction was the motor
iety. the conspicuousness of the work.
Such ambition is sensuous. We need
more real men in the world. Not more
in number, but more in quality. There
is a plethora of demagogues and place
l. .a,Il 4
because they have genius for attack
ing the governmental villifylng the men
who administer the affairs of State.
Parents count a great honor Tor their
sons to get huzzas of the populace and
they are afraid to send their sons to
sTrinity, Wofford and other institutions
lest they become preachers or teach
ers. Yet men like DR.. Carlyle, of Wot-
ford and DIR. Craven (outburst of APP
plause follew, which had to be sup
pressed) have done more TO lift socie-
ty to higher level than whole re-
giment of politicians. The school
teachers in the backwoods of North
Carolina in puhsuing their humble
task of opening up new institutions
receiving little encouragement, are
while troops are following and shout
inc at the heels of some candidates for
the Legislature" who has barely sense
enough to get out of thunder show
er.
We should initiate the people of the
olden time in calling to rulershlp men
versed in law, science, &c. We need
men of character and convictions like
Daniel not men with notions or
views. Some men have notion that
they are called to preach which is
inspired only by the hot sun In August
and July. They get view OF SHADY
pIaces and imagine that the lie OF
circuit rider is better. All honor TO
men who have convictions which come
from knowledge, investigator
and mastery of the subjects CONSIDER
al. men who do not set store by the
money to be gined, the laurels TO wear,
not men who wait to see when way
everything else is going, but men VINO
are ready to brave lions dens-
Daniel was prayerful man, not that
he spent much time on his knees or III
loud noise. There is enough NOISE III
the world. Men of convictions are not
noisy men. The braggart IS always
harmless. Daniel worked with 6oo'
eo1nnuned with him, and lived a Godly
life.
At night DIR. Kilgo preached on the
..Scepticism of Moses. lie sald 1hal
all great faith was preceded py BreaO
doubts. The young people lmpllcltly
accept the statements of their parents
but there comesa time when each man
and woman must have ideas, convlc-
fions and faith of his or her own. Iney
must ask the question, is hfe immor-
nal and settle it with their own ight.
Moses passed through period OF DOUBT
and scepticism. God had TO appear 10
him in a burning bush. he could not
see God without miracle. God never
worked miracles except to minister TO
men of weak faith. A wicked and adult
Hsrous generation seeketh alter sign.
God only is the supernatural. Moses
could not see God in an ordinary bush.
We want a faith that can see the race
OF God blazing in every bush and tree
and shrub and flower. Everything
that God made is holy, sacred. Even
Grain of sand is entitled to reverence.
God pity the stupid and infidelic spirit
that can only be walked by earthquakes
and thunders No man should glory IN
special visiations of providence, or
speak of Gods having brought upon
him this and that affection. 1t is con-
fession of his infidelity. There is no
great man without great faith. Those
of us who insist on seeing rewards and
success ahead of us before undertaking
our work, are towards. We must grow
ir.to large faith like Moses SO that we
may accomplish great tasks and stand
firm and press forward while the null
titude are signing for the flesh pots OF
Egypt.
These few lines only show the
drift of the sermon which contained
many fine ideas.
MARS HILL COLLEGE.