The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-25
BACCELAUREATE SERMON
PREACHED BY DIR. FAIRIES AL
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
THE AluMNAE MEET TOMORROW
The Annual Concert will Take TtaCe
thursday Evening and Gradu-
at,ng Exercises on FRI
day Morning.


This is commencement week at Peace
Institute. The examinations have been
completed and the most successful year
in the history of the institution will this
week be closed.
The exercises began Sunday with the
Baccalaureate sermon by Rev. DIR. K. w.
FAIRIES, of Goldsboro at the First Pres
byterian church. Tomorrow evening at
: O'Clock the alumnae meeting will be
held at the Institute. Thursday evening
at o'clock the annual concert will take
place: and Friday morning at 10 o'clock
the genral commencement exercises will
be held with music, delivery of diplomas
and address to graduates, by Prof. d. Fl.
Hill. of the A. and NJ. College.
Splendid music, earnest prayer, white
ROBBED figures and a flower-shed fragrance,
filled the First Presbyterian church Sun
day morning. Nothing could have been
more beautiful, more appropriate to the
occasion than were these young
women in the restful mellow
light that sifted itself through
the tall windows. Just closing
their school work, many of them for life,
they had come, ON this Sabbath morning,
in all the innocence and purity of young
womanhood to hear the words of wisdom
from that good and wise man, DR.. FAIRIES.
He spoke to them tenderly, lovingly
us a father to his children. In simple
language he pointed out to them the true
and narrow path that leads to success and
happiness in this world and salvation in
the next. 1t was a strong and eloquent
discourse. and the number of people that
heard it was limited only by the inability
of the churchsto hold those who came.
The front seats in the centre of the
church were reserved for the students of
the school and the gallery was occupied
by the Peace choir, who furnished the
music for the occasion.
The fourth chapter of Philippians, Sth
and 9th verses. was selected by DIR. Far
res as his text: FINALLY, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are
just. whatsoever things are pure. what
soever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any
virtue. and if there be any praise, think
on these things. These things which We
have both learned and received, and
heard, and seen in me, do: and the peace
Of God shall be with YOU.
The word finally with which the
text begins, said Dr. Farries, shows very
plainly that they are farewell words and,
as suo1l. they are charged with all the
love- tenderness and intensity of last
words from friend to friend. No higher
blessing could be desired than these of
this last tender pressing counsel address
ed to the Christians at Philippi. Here the
love of the apostle gathers all the inten-
sity at its command, and speaks with the
deep love and concern of friendship.
Here the apostle sets forth those viz
tues that the Christian must possess:
here we have practicaf grecticns as 20
the pathway we must pursue p III Oh
Christian life. Think, he says, upon
these things. Then do these things Che
adds. Hear and then heed Faith with
cut works is dead, and from this wish
to draw some useful lessons for the young
womanhood before me- This text is a
summary, my young friends, of what you
have been taught in Peace Institute these
many years:
/. A direction as to our thoughts.
Thinks ON these things he says. What
things3 Whatsoever is Of true report.
Be true, true TO God, to yourself; true
10 your convictions to your friends, true
to society, true to every obligatin of life.
Truth is the one thing that shall stand
The world is full of lies, society is honey
combed with deception.
BE true that is the ringing counsel
of the apostle. Do not deal in fiattery.
According to- Gods standard there are no
white lies. no Misrepresentation, no mis-
takes There is only truth and false
hood.
Whatsoever things are honest then-
orablel. says the text. Deal fairly with
your neghbor. BE honest. Respect all
that is worthy of respect. There are
things sacred in the world reverence and
respect them. Be careful as to your con
duct. your attire and dress, your talk and
manner your words and gestures. Young
people should be young-merry, sprightly
and full of life, but these things can be
carried too far, and greatly to the harm
of young women.
"All things that are just-respect the
claims Of others. Don't stand too stub
bornly on your own rights. 1t Is often
a harder thing to be just than it is t.
be generous. Meet the demands Of jus
fice The one strong thing IN the varied
relations of men is justice.
..All that is pure, says the apostle
Shun whatever will defile you. Avoid the
apDearance of evil. The higher youl
character. You may breathe upon rocl
all your life without making an impress
sion. but the slightest breath dims the
polished face of a mirror
Whatever things are loyely-beautlful
The most beautiful thing in the Worlt
is a sweet character, a good disposition
Cultivate the beautiful, from that yot
will inculcate the beauty. Fellowship
with Christ is what you want. Catcf
from him that beauty that age, mlsfor
tune or even death cannot take away.
Whatsoever is of good report. This
means not what the world applauds
Gentleness, purity, meekness, charity
patience, virtue-these are of good report
Think upon these things. They will giv'
strength of character and nobleness o.
life. Think upon them until your sou
catches something of the inspiration, Thu
divine fire that makes noble men ant
women.
But cam we control our thoughts