The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-12

Of duty as a privilege? Are you standing
ready TO take orders and execute them
without ~hesitancy or question at personal
sacrifice and genuine cost. because they are
orders which God. who is personal TRUTH,
gives TO you, which belong to you and not
another. which you can discharge and none
else can? i hope this may be so. For If
IL is, / am confident that YOU are also TAX
ing with you broad and true views OF God.
and Christ and self. II II is SO. you know
you free. This is eternal life to know the
true God and Jesus Christ whom He has
sent This also is eternal life to know your
self because you know God and Christ.
Cherish the friendships OF these college
days. Cherish the memories of all the good
YOU have seen and touched here; Hand 1t
touch men. may God in you touch. them.
Great, then. shall be your life. and great
shall be your reward. II shall be the ie-
ward of the truth seeker. even to be a
truth finder, TO AVE found not SOMEBODY
clse's God, but TO have found your own God,
even the Father himself.
REV. DIR. PURVES'S SERMON.
The commencement sermon was delivered
at Center Church this evening by Rev.
George T. Purves. D.. d. Of Princeton, N. j.
The music was also a feature of the occa-
sion. Mrs. Hulett sang a solo. and the choir
anthem was Praise the Lord (Randeg-
gar.) The organ voluntary was a fantasia
d-Tours), and the organ postlude
was IT1umpnaf MdTCH iiOHu ANddiidh
(Costa.) DR.. Purves, who is a member of
the faculty of Princeton Theological SEM
mary, took for his text:
"Out Of the eater came forth meat, and
out of the strong came forth sweetness
Judges xiv. IA.
1T is difficult for US moderns;" said the
doctor. ito have much admiration Tor the
character of Samson. He appears ike a
mere Jewish Hercules. with great physical
power, but with no corresponding develop
want ~ rnfn1 nD1 go WA Unndpr Uhv
God raised up such a man to do such a
work. One simple principle, however, re-
moves the difficulty. viz. that God must use
instruments adapted to the condition of
those for whom He works. In rude and bar
barOus times He must employ agents quite
different from those He would employ
Judges in ancient Israel were thus rude and
semi-barbarous. The Hebrews presented the
spectacle of utter weakness, and the reason
was that they had forsaken the Lord their
God. To teach them the one truth that IN
God was their strength was Samson raised
up. He was like the rest In other respects,
was invincible. Thus the lesson was taught
in God is our strength-which we are TO
apply with our higher ideal OF spiritual
strength which we have learned from Christ.
with this understanding of the mission
of Samson, consider the riddle which he put
forth TO his Philistine enemies. 1t Will be
found to state the great riddle OF human
life. the answer to which lies in the truth
which Samson was born TO Illustrate. Thus
1t reminds OF the strange fact tndt the dlIH-
culties of life are often our best helpers.
They strengthen our muscles. sharpen our
wits. They equip us for success. Instead OF
murmuring over them. we should see In
them the means of our discipline. So, too.
the conflicts through which truth has had
to pass have been the means of making the
truth itself clearer; and likewise the pain
and sorrow OF life have proved the occa-
sion of mans spiritual growth. These are
TRANCE facts. They make life a riddle to
many. This was Samsonfs riddle. The an
swer is. that when we take God for our
strength, the very trials of life become a
blessing. Hate, pain, conflict, temptation
all issue I'm good to the man whose strength
is in God. Make Him your friend and your
father. and the battle of life which lies be-
fore you. however fierce it may be, will issue
in victory"
The alumni banquet on Tuesday evening
will be of more than ordinary interest, as 1t
will be made the occasion to extend con-
CALCULATIONS to Prof. John l.. Campbell,
who has been an instructor in Wabash Col
lege for fifty years. The annual alumni ad-
dress will be delivered by r L. Anderson,
II. OF Ocala, Fla.
The sophomore-freshman con-
test billed to take place on Tuesday morning
has been declared OFF, as the entire fresh
man class is suspended. Thus the ancient
courage Of the Romans and the greatness OF
Caesar will be passed by this year I'M
noticed and unmourned.
The freshman class members have agreed
not to seek readmission to Wabash unless
the college authorities ask them to return.
They say that they will go TO Bloomington