Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-24

est evil OF our day is a tendency toward
divorce from leaders Of masses.
oPENNESS THE ATTITUDE.
The second attitude OF mind which we
should cultivate Is openness. Lack OF
-mindedness IL more general than
lack of caution. or the two. lack OF
openness r. the deadlier sin. IT is only
the open-minded man whom the Word
of God itself can reach. The school sys-
TENS Of our day are not intended prl-
marty to stock the pupils mind with
knowledge, but rather 10 develop Tin
brief, 20 open the mind. We should real
lie that Just In so far as this openness
OF mind Is attained one places himself
In position 10 receive the great truths.
plead also for the spirit Of inquiry and
research. The questions OF to-day can
not be handled now as they were handled
a century ago. In every century, In every
generation. we see new situations calling
forth new energies and the occasioning
and adoption OF new methods. We must
seek 10 meet these new conditions in the
midst Of which we live. Shall we BIND
ourselves to the old for the lack OF
spirit OF inquiry and experiment the
possession of which would lead US to
attain far greater things than had ever
been dreamed OF. Every truth is new TO
the man who has not before grasped II,
and appropriated 1t TO himself and In
this sense every man or woman may be
the discoverer of new truth. This spirit
OF inquiry and research is the key 10 all
progress and advancement.
THE SCHOLARLY SPIRIT.
The scholarly spirit will be the con-
structive as opposed 10 the destructive
spirit The destructive spirit Is all
around US. IL is easily mistaken for the
constructive spirit. Only time will indi-
cate frequently the true state Of things.
1t is sometimes necessary TO destroy be-
fore ore can construct. This is the
fundamental principle Of all progress.
The solution OF this apparent difhculty
lies in the expulsive power Of new az
lection. For the sake OF humanity, let
us not destroy the beliefs of men unless
we are ready TO substitute for them
something better. Let the constructive
spirit predominant. Let the new method,
or the new policy. or the new idea be
introduced in such manner as TO take
the place of the old. Let us be cautious
inquirlng. broad, and comprehensive III
our spirit, and charitable. Soon spirit
Will settle in large measure all our DIM
culties, and will bring about realization
Of that ideal life Of which prophets ana
poets have spoken.
When the distinguished speaker had |
corcIuded the splendid discourse, for |
which Dr. Hatcher, in the name of the |
trustees. thanked him cordially the APP
plause was most generous and prolonged.
CONFERRING OF DEGREES.
An imposing spectacle, the class OF
thirty young men, all in sober cap and
gown, made standing before the presi-
cent, also similarly costumed, and re-
ceiving from his hand the best honors
the college has to bestow. DR.. Boat
wrlght's charge 20 them was earnest and
eloquent.
DR.. Hatcher, for the trustees, ans
nounced that the School Of History ana
Literature had been this year established
n the college. and that Mr. j. A. {.
Chandler, Phi. D., of Johns Hopkins Unit
yersitv. had been elected acting profess
cor for the year. He also stated that
he trustees had conferred the degree OF
Doctor of Divinity Rev j. r. Bagby an
,lumnus of the college. The hour 1or
losing had come, and President Boat
wright declared that the session was at
IN end.
The half-hour spent later in the Jeter
Memorial Library Hall was greatly en-
DYED by many, and President Harper
vas always the centre of an interested
roup.