The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-16
State School Commencement
Exercises Testify to the
Diligence of the
Pupils.
BISHOP FlTzGERALD's ADDRESS
Congratnlates Teachers and Schol-
ars on Their Progress
Immense Attendance.
BISHOP FITzGERALD's ADDREs
snee:alt to The jersey CITY Nears.

y 49," 49, ~
TRENTON. June 16. 1S96.-The audi
orium at the State Schools last night
was gay with pink and white and orange
and white hangdngs, representing the
two branches of the school, and a fine
audience both as to numbers and inteali-
gence greeted the speaker of the even
ing. On the platform were seated Bishop
James N. Fitzgerald. D. D., LII. D., Rev.
j. Richards Boyle, D. D., Rev. John
Dixon, D.. D.. Rev. J. B. Graw, B.. p,
Rev. J. H. Boswell, Prof. J.. M. Green
and Prof. seely. while a number of
clergymen were scattered through the
audience.
The graduates and undergraduates
filled the centre block of seats in front
of the platform.
The exercises began by singing to
'tStockwen." under the direction of Prof.
Henry Moorhouse, Take my heart, Q
Fatheri mould it in obedience to thy
will"
Rev. J. Richards Boyle, D. D., pastor
of State Street M. E. Church, read the
scripture lesson from the third chapter
of First Corinthians, beginning at the
ninth verse, and Rev. John Dixon, d. D.,
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church,
offered the invocation.
A chorus of young ladies then sans
"Haili evening bright followed by
singing II heard the voice of Jesus say,
come unto Me and rest
DR.. j. M. Green, principal of the State
Schools, introduced the speaker of the
| evening. Bishop James M. Fitzgerald,
| D.. D., LII. D., in a few we'll chosen
words. in which he spoke of the neces-
sity for training in the arts and sciences
and, more important still, the spiritual.
1t was fitting that a portion of the ex-
ercises of week should
be devoted to that, and no better ex-
ponent could have been secured than
Bishop Fitzgerald.
The Bishop said:-'.The topic upper
most in the minds of all connected with
Institutions of learning is You
have given it much attention during the
years you have been here and before.
Hence / have deemed it best to treat
upon a topic closely related to education
reltgion-the strongest and best ally OF
education. The text is recorded in the
twenty-seventh verse of the first chap
defled before God and the Father is this,
To visit and fatherless and widows IN
their affliction and to Keep himself un-
spotted from the world
The speaker began by saying it may be
best to notice some of the terms employed
In the text. The word religion is de-
rived from a word which means again
n again. and has reference to the Gus
tom which prevailed in very early times
Of reading again and again the Scrip
lures. AT that time they had no such
things as printing presses. The copies
of the Scriptures in existence were in
manuscript and were very carefully
guarded. Certain persons were set apart
to read and reread. and study them that
they might impart them in turn to the
people, Others say that the word means
ligion as coming from the old study Of
the word and binding together them that
The term rsIigion Is a very comprehen-
the heathen, Of the Mahomedan, and
even of the infidel, as the rule and prac-
tice that governs their lives.
Fake the word pure: it has two mean
feet. q synonym for perfect and more than
perfect; a coin may be perfect in form,
s ssss- ysi & ea and sglSF. an a.E laek |. g san i
coin issued BY the Government, but It
uine coin but It is imperfect. Take a
1t IS a pure, perfect coin. In this sense
we understand the word pure in the
text. Thus we have. pure religion.
Then We take undefiled. Something that
has not been marred or defaced. ASK the
heather what pure religion. indebted Is.
and he says 1t is impossible except ii
recognizes the god he worsflips. made
with his own hands. The Mahomedan
says no religion can be pure that does not
recognize the great prophet or the book
The Papfst says no religion can be
pure and undefiled that rejects hat great
qoctrine Fl absolut lon IN the pals Of
ees. The Episcopalian calls for apos-
ltolic succession; the. Presbyterian says
It cannot. be pure and undecided except 4
| eEdureS Denomination and the final per
severance of the saints; the Baptist says
it cannot be pure and indebted If It does
not stand for immersion and reject in
| FAINT baptism; the Methodist is loud In
his praises Of sister denominations and
| says II cannot be perfect If 1t does moi
rs & Sd;;,ss the - dSctrine gf free salvation
people agree upon what religion pure
and indebted Is. we would wait until the
end Of time.
give either the E~piscopalian. the Presby-
terrain, the Baptist or the Methodist idea.
It y to visit the fathsrless and the widow
done for others and something done f5i
Something lone for others-to visit the
fatherless and the widows. Who are they:
The youngest. child a answer. Who
were the husbands and fathers?- They
| were the protectors and the counsellprs
of the household, and when they were
removed the protector and counsellor was
gone hence we get this principle, coun-
the unprotected: This is religion, pure
and undefiled. Pure religion will prompi
you and me to stand for those who need
oppressor has rested and who have fell
the ~grindings Of tyranny. We have 'op-