New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-26
SERMONS TO SENIORS.
AT UNIVERSITIES
AND COLLEGES.
DIR. DWIGHT breaches FOR THE LAST TIME AS
PRESIDENT OF YALE

>-ou,.1Ioven Conn June 25-Dr. Timothy Dwight,
Tho retiring president OF Yale University to-ud!
nreached his last baccaaureate sermon peio'e NV
graduating classes Of the academic ana sc'e'''o
departments. The service was rendered the my
,n,arestine as the occasion also the hftleth
orr,versarv of President Dwight's own graduaton'
A number Of classmates were present Inc ei"u
o,ire class occupied the greater part OF the body
Of Ratteu Chapel. All of them wore the academic
robe and the was one long 10 De reiheloeieu'
remarkable tribute Of respect and affection ior
the venerable president was witnessed "heh I'M
,,adiateIv after the benediction was pronounced
the entire body Of students turned insunctVely
toward the central aisle, through which the pres
sdent passes out Of the church, ana acKhoWleuseu
his farewell with silent and dignined po"ihs'
President Dwight was noticeably affected. and the
hushed audience was deeply impressed.
President Dwight's sermon was based on the
words of the G5th Psalm. Thou makest the out
goines OF the morning and evening TO rejoice
His sermon was a simple one, 1t evidently bem8
his desire TO express in way that was perso"a
his deep sensbility Of the fatherhood OF Co.. ana
he said he looked back over his own history anu
was moved to express his gratitude, FOR shid me-
"I see evidences there Of the existence OF oVihe
Fathers care and leading / want no evidence that
does not belong to my own life to make clear 10
me the existence Of a Father and God
The sermon was devoted to the development or
the thought that life is a constant CROWN rum
youth and immaturlty to old age He compared the
course of life to a long and bright summers day.
which in successive periods gradually ana event
uallv changes His own time of life. he said was
the late afternoon The uncertainties that face the
youth leaving college change TO the stern reallues
that confront the OF affairs and these IN turn
change to success and achievements TO the oIu
man who has run his course. comes the reward OF
a life well spent. In this period the sweetness OF
the memory of a successful life and conscientious
striving for the supreme good cheers the old man
I'm his sunset hour. This the preacher declared 10
be the happiest and richest period Of mans earthly
career and the fact that with advancing years
man does not feel anything except young he be-
neved to be evidence of immortality.
His address was largely OF retrospective and
personal nature and embodied the principles which
he has often repeated 10 the classes which have
met him more directly. He said he desired on this
last occasion of his meeting the student body as
| university preacher to set before them the beef
which has cheered and guided him. In conclusion
President Dwight spoke feelingly Of the long vaca-
ton which now opens up before him. He looked
back upon his career and found in 1t more OF JOY
and happiness as the years have gone by
After the close OF the sermon President Dwight
addressed a valedcton in the most solemn ana
| impressive manner his voice often choked with
emotion. His words were:
! And now my fellow-students and may not al
most say my Classmates OF the class of 49, let me
ask you TO rise. The words which have spoken
TO you have had personal meaning. So much
! Of the personal there In them that they may
have seemed more adapted to friendly converse
| ton than to be presented 70 you In large pubic
gathering. But the occasion must be the reason
! for giving them TO you here. | scarcely find
! II possible TO speak to you In any other way
| You with are leaving the university. You ana
go forth together you the younger brotheih' ana
the older. But we are all Of us going fortn INTO
a great and glorious brotherhood tity years
separate us In point OF graduation. put ID 'ni MI
members OF a great college home. You stahd, m
deed at the end OF your college careers, WIT VIII
much faithfulness Of spirit. much OF energy, ana
with many pleasant nntcipations But for me the
summer day has passed into the late afternoon.
| For you Il is still morning.
and OF that loving Father who orders our Ire $
movements for us; have not told you anytnlhs
many of you. and some OF you; possibly, many any
| times. The costs and the results of them you
alone will know But You VIII ma as ihG and
| 10 the clarifying Of the soul within YOU and that
the Divine Father II you trust TO ms undyihg
care is leading you out Of darkness into me
( sunshine OF His love When the clouds or the
summer day pass away they leave the SKY the
! wish for each OF you life's greatest blessings.
It's greatest happiness and the best that IT can give
you l wish you Joy. and that your sorrows may
out your entire good and give you evidence
that you under His care and keeping
wish for you that faith In Christ the expression ,o
and the sign of the Fathers love. ] wish for you
n lose every doubt every questioning fear. every
weakness and sin and that your life may be full
IA And SO / bid you farewell. May the long sum
mer day and the sunset hour at the end oil, II Dt
filled with beautiful light and may the ci f ihs
better and the happier life beyond! May your
testimony and mine unite together as II COM H.
PsaIuist's song about our loving God and Father
who ''maketh the outgoings of the morning and
the evening 10 rejoice.
ppEsIDEcT RRAINERD AT MIDDLEBURY