The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-11
Meharry Hall Filled with People Who
Listened to President Goblin,
of De Pauw University.
PRESIDENT KANE AT WABASH
WHOLESOME ADVICE TO A CLASS OF
YOUNG PREsBYTERIANs.
Address by President j. j. Mills to the
Coming Graduates of EarIhnm
and Their Friends.

versity to-day were attended by large
crowds. The pleasant weather was favor
able TO a crowded house. and at 1870
o'clock all the available space in Meharry
Hall was taken. The senior class, attired
in caps and gowns occupied reserved seats
in the front rows of the center tier Of
benches, and on the rostrum were a num-
Der of the older graduates. alumni and
visitors The opening prayer was delivered
by Bishop Thomas Bowman, who though
in his eighty-fourth year. is still able to
attend commandments and open the bac-
calaureate exercises. The music was in
charge of members of the De Pauw School
of Music, who led the congregational
singing, and Miss Helen Herr, of
Brazil accompanied by Miss Raeburn Con-
ger. violin. gave a special selection. The
scripture lesson was read by Rev. Henry
Ostram. the evangelist, from the tenth
chapter of ST. John.
The baccalaureate sermon was delivered
by DR.. III. A. Goblin. president of the uni
versity. His subject was THE Superior
Life" the text coming from St. John, tenth
chapter. tenth verse: THE thief cometh
not but to steal. to kill. and to destroy;
that they might have 1t more abundantly."
DR.. Goblin said in part:
"A baccalaureate sermon is defined as
farewell sermon to a graduating class.
prefer to consider 1t address OF con-
graduation to the candidates for superior
life. In few days you will be honored
with an academic degree which certifes to
the completion Of courses of study in sub
jects most favorable TO a larger sphere of
usefulness and higher degree of happi-
ness. This honor is more than the reward
for past endeavor; IL is pledge Of new
opportunities; IL is a bond of new RESPONSE
bilities. 1t should be accepted as as
surance of greater efficiency In some high
of formal tutelage as it is the beginning OF
independent thought, aspiration and
achievement. In other words, it is the be-
ginning of a superior life.
when we wish to set the best ideas
about what this life is and how we can
best use it, we turn TO the Son of Man, the
Prince OF Life, the One who In His own
personality is the life. the truth and the
way. In the science of true living He Is
the best of all teachers After the multi
tude had heard His sermon on the mount
they were astonished at His doctrine. for
He taught them as one having authority
and not as the scribes. How did the
scribes teach? They taught as mere pro-
fessionals. Their doctrines were platitudes,
traditions and ceremonials given with the
spirit and zeal and much of the method of
authority assured by the fullest compre-
hension of the subject. He did not speak to
meet an appointment, or occupy an hour,
or I'LL an office, or comply with custom.
living on a basis of mere animalism to
arouse them TO a higher life of spiritual
perception and divine services. His au-
thority was not the result of preferment
or favoritism, buts because of His supreme
mastery of the doctrine of sound and true
living. 1t is an evidence of wisdom to seek
the best sources of instruction In any line
OF inquiry and accomplishment This is
illustrated in the sacrifices of enterprising
students in the great professions. They will
gladly make long and expensive Journeys
TO foreign countries in order TO sit at the
feet of distinguished masters. 1t is equally
wise In one who aspires to a superior life
TO receive with eagerness and appreciation
the counsel of the Christ who is designated
by inspiration as the life-givipg spirit.
From the large anthology of maxims,
aphorfsms, definitions and precepts, about
the superior life given by the Divine Teach
er. / have selected as a text this simple
and graphic figure. The thief cometh not
but to steal, to kill and to destroy That
Is the concrete or picturesque putting of
false views of life. Vain and foolish con-
ceits in the soul are like burglars in para
disc. They belittle, befoul and ruin the
noblest nature. Superficial takers some
times say. No matter what man believes
so he lives right They might as well say.
No matter what a man eats so he is
healthy and strong. Superior health is
sustained by pure food and correct habits
Nobody doubts that. II Is equally true that
superior living in the soul life is based on
sound principles and right conduct. .
THE life dominated by Christ's spirit be-
comes a masterful life. st. Paul gladly de-
cleared himself the slave of the Lord Jesus.
He regarded himself as the property of the
Master. His function in life was TO do not
his own will, but the will of Him who had
brought him from darkness into light 1t
q h1rf rot ar he
intensity, of his subordnation to Christ
which made him the apostle of the nations
and the greatest factor under Christ in
promoting Christian civilization Do not
disdain the homely figure given in this par
able of the duty of subordination. A sheep
Is not a degrading type of discipleship.
Some animals. like some rich towards are
post-mortem philanthropists: they are
dead. But the sheep blesses the human
race more with his fleece while he lives than
with his flesh after he dies The sheep is
an animal congenial TO civilization Savage
tribes select for their emblems of tribal
supremacy savage beasts. such as the lion,
the tiger and the bear. But these animals
become extinct species as civilization ad-
vances: but the sheep will abide with man.
kind In all the future advances i'm better
living. His subordination TO the interests
of a superior race is the guarantee of his
preservation and improvement. So with
the qualities of men. In the higher de-
the hustler and the arrogant who will have
sway. but the of deeper thought
stricter conscientiousness and benevolent
purpose will be the chosen leader. More
and more we recognize the correctness of
that which most men have felt to be a
very dubious beatitude. the meek shall in
herit the earth.
There is no such thing as absolute inde-
pendence in human life. Every man must
wear yoke. He may refuse obedience 10 his
superiors. He can reject sacred obligations.
He can disdain the guidance of the life
giving Shepherd. But In so doing he does
not gain liberty. He Is rather giving him.
self over to the bondage of an inferior life.
Ii his disappointment he begins TO under
istence- He finds the yoke of his distrust
heavy and grievous. He becomes cynical.
misanthropic and atheistic. He scorns the
doctrine of Immortality. He considers
heaven a mere nursery tale. He has no
faith in human goodness. All business Is
extortion. All friendship Is treacherous
All. religion is hypocrisy. The thief has
caught him, killed him and destroyed him.
Note this repetition II he is killed. why
lives on after death in pleasant memories
and holy influences. Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord from henceforth:
yea, saith the Spirit. that they may rest
from their iabors and their works do fol-
low them But when a soul Is burglarized
by doubt, disobedience and rebellion IL is
not only killed as TO it's life. but DESTROYED
as TO its good influence
Better by far take the yoke OF Christ
II means restraint. obligation and service.
but IL also means knowledge. growth use
fulness and blessedness- II accepted I'm "A
cheerful spirit and borne with faithfuness.
II becomes source of courage and de-