Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-25

Baccalaureate Sermon for August ana
Students.

baccAioure3te sermon Tor AuEuSt8nA
Students.
Augustana college chapel con-
tanned a large assemblage last eve
ming on the occasion of Rev. Prof.
f. +. Bartholomew's baccalaureate
sermon to the students. The ad-
dress was an able one forcibly pre-
sented. Prof. Bartholomew took for
his subject 1.-The Serviceableness of
Christian Culture" He said: whilst
Christian education fully appreciates
the value OF secular learning and de-
mands the highest excellence in
knowledge OF al the arts and
sciences. it holds all these subordi-
nate to the ends of personal character.
The conception which we as church
specially stand for is education of
the church. by the church. for the
church. You are to be bearers of
Gods blessings to your fellowmen.
Tkere is no better way to enlarge the
soul and deepen the wells of knowl-
edge than to make use of our posi-
tions in service to our fellowmen.
BY the ministry of benificence both
quantity and quality of knowledge
are improved. The more we draw
out and use our talents in the ser
vice of mankind the more do our
mental and spiritual faculties grow.
The more you shed abroad the light
of knowledge the more brightly will
your own light shine. As in the
miracle OF the text, the water was
converted into wine, so the common
knowledge gained from books and
observation Of men aud things by
experience is transformed into q
higher form of knowledge. Obey the
commands of Christ in actual work
in his kingdom is the final and de-
cisive way to grapple with deep ques-
tons Of moral and spiritual life. The
devoted servant comes into the Sc
crets of God and attains insight into
the inner beauties of spiritual
things. By drawing out and dis
pensing to others you attain the
deeper and more effective vitality Of
knowledge. This is the potent
agency the mysterious philosophers
stone by whose touch the baser
things OF common learning are trans
formed into the gold of spiritual life.
A cold and lifeless inteIlectualism by
itself will not work many mighty
wonders. 1t needs the quickening
pulse and the rvddy glow which
come from vigorous exercise in do
ing the will of God. 1t is thus that
knowledge becomes power. Never
before were the demands upon
cultivated talent so urgent as
now. Especially to Christian
colleges does the world look
for its faithful servants. So
ciety. the church and the state unite
in calling you to the service of man
kind. IL is your daty to present
yourselves living sacrifice to the
service Of God. The way up to the
highest eminence is ever down
through the valley of humiliation
You may not achieve fame, but you
can all attain the greatness of useful.
ness. Act well your part; there all
the honor lies"
at the institution inaugurated.
Eighty graduates from the sew
eral departments and large
concourse of people from the
cities, as well as mum Der of visit ,rs
from abroad. thronged the tastefully
decorated chapel. The services were
opened with an anthem by the chapel
choir. after which followed the invo-
cation by President OLSON. The
audience then sang when all Thy
services. o my God. my rising soul
surveys. transported with the view
I'm lost in wonder, love and praise"
President OLSON then read the
scriptures and offered prayer. after
which the audience sang ..Jesus,
Lover of NV SOUL" after which Rev
Prof. E. F. Bartholomew, d. D., then