The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-14
BE OPTIMISTIC ALWAYS,
Is the Advice of President Herrick in
His Baccalaureate Sermon.

6aCCa1&uTG6L6
The annual baccalaureate sermon to
the graduates of Washburn college was
given yesterday morning at the Wash
burn college chapel by President q.
M Herrick.
The large rooms were filed with
students and College Hill residents.
Two musical numbers were given.
Miss Florence Townsley sang Barnby'S
Il VIII Extol Thee, o Lord" and she
and Mr.. Edward Strong sang a duet
The Rev. Charles M. Sheldon read the.
scripture lesson.
President Herrick delivered one of
the most scholarly baccalareaute ser
mons heard in the history of the col
lege. He took for his text. And he
went into far country and attached
himself to a. citizen"
In opening, President Herrick said
that too little attention had been given
to the citizen in this drama All in
terest had been taken in the prodigal
son.
That citizen was probably a rich,
influential man." said ne. He was
prominent in the affairs of the city
When the prodigaI applied to him he
sent him out to feed swine This must
have been very humiliating work for
Jew. But the question with the citi-
zen was not what the value of the prod
igaI was as man to man, but how much
he would be worth as a. swine herder.
This text leads up to the subjects
of the day It brings up the subjects
our tramps, the regulation OF immi gra-
ton and of the mutual duties of the
rich and poor. The fact of the citizen
of that time was one of question of
present need We have all filed the
role of prodigal many times. We shall
find among those who wear silk and
broadcloth some who will thirst for a
crumb of true society. What's your
theory of life? When Cain killed Abel
and was asked about it, he replied; Am
I nv brothers keeper? Is that your
theory of life? Civil service based on
merit is coming forward with rapid
strides and the old disgracefuI practice
of to the victor belong the spoiis,' IS
being given up. But the most infarn-
Gus instance in connection with the
doings of large trusts and corporations
was that made recently by the proprie-
tor of a large department store, who
said that his theory of business was;
Crush your competitors
1.-The tender declarations of the
brotherhood of man viii never come
until there is a fraternal feeling. Not
till then will the citizen consider the
prodigal as more than swine herder.
O. citizen don't send the prOdigal to
feed swine Find him out. He had a
home once He had friends, too He
realizes his condition. He has come to
himself. Help him, for not all the prod
fgaIs come to themselVes-sOme die
among the swine and husks. These
three things abide: Faith, hope and
love and the greatest of these is love.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Gradual
ing Class: (The IS seniors arose and
stood in front of the pulpit.) You are
going out into the world where com
petition is a strong factor in life. Re
member this, that there viii never be
an overDroduction of conscience and
integrity The best post graduate study
is the study of human nature. l now
charge you to be optimistic in all your
views You'll find darkness enough
without hunting for it. You will find
light and brightness if you look for it.
Citizens and prodiga1s will sometime
understand each other better. For right
is right as God is God; and right the
dav must be- -