Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1900-05-29
BACCALAUREATE SERVICES.
Sermon Delivered Before tho Class OF
1900 BY Rev. A. H.
+ Carman.

Baccalaureate services for the class
of 1900 were held Sunday afternoon
at the Congregational church, the
sermon being preached by Rev. A. II.
Carman, pastor Of the Bapt1st
church. We give summary OF his ad-
dress below:
So far as my Judgement will guide
me, the object OF baccalaureate
sermon is not to present something
pretty, smooth, nice, boquet OF
rhetorical flowers scented with
flattery, neither should it be q pro-
found dignified harangue on the
great responsibilities OF life.
In the first place it seemed to me
that ought to say something by
way of encouragement, for it has
taken time, money, hard study and
perseverance to reach the point
which you now occupy. Another
profitable feature might be sugges-
ton. Suggestion is often more bene-
fetal than straightforward instruc-
ton That which opens door into a
fruit ful field and sets one to making
his own Investigations is more con-
ducive to mental growth and charac-
ter building than mere statements to
be stored away in the memory.
Third, q sermon of this character
should not only allude to or SAVIOR OF
religion, but should emphasize it as
the most important element in ones
education and life.
Ihave chosen for my text Cor.
1860. "For a Great Door and En-
fectual is Opened Unto Me and there
Are Many Adversaries." The door
opened to Paul in the wealthy but
dissolute city of Ephesus was an op-
portunity to do good by preaching
the gospel. Paul entered the open
door and at the close of his career
was able to say, notwithstanding
all the adversaries, 81 have fought a
good fight" etc., and I am sure if
you will take the words OF the text
as your own you will find in them
encouragement, suggestion and re-
ligion, for a great and effectual door
is opened to YOU and there are many
adversaries.
Here you are today, each with a
body, soul, spirit, health, talent and
of an education. That
means power. Around you are the
fields of invention, discovery, utiliz
ing the forces OF nature, sin, virtue,
etc. need not even mention the
doors of literature, music, art, medi-
cine, agriculture, ETC., over the doors
of which is the invitation, "Co1ne
and Explore"
The great object of life is not simply
to exist and to get, but to give, and
SO with an avocation and what we
give should be of value. A city as
we'll as an individual needs many
things such as entertainment, educa-
ton, money, improvements, talent
reputation, etc. Place all these on a
scale one above another according
to their relative value, but character
will find a place far above all these.
But of all the open doors there is
none more inviting by way Of re-
ward or honor than that which
opens into the field where one can
lessen or alleviate the suffering
caused by sin, and point the victims
to the Saviour OF sinners as did Paul.
Various illustrations of this point
were given for which we have not
room.)
One point I would emphasize and
that is to have some definite view in
life, something by which you can
make character for yourself and at
the same time aid others.
"And there are many adversaries. -
You will meet them, they are not
nece ssarily disadvantages. but you
need to know how to meet them.
One of the greatest enemies to sue.
cess comes in the form OF love Of
pleasure, love OF ease, appetite, etc..
and one of the greatest dangers OF
an adversary often lies in our not be
ing able to recognize his presence,
but a still greater danger in regard.
ing the enemy as harmless or inof'
fensive.
Religion, and by it I mean not
fanaticism or bigotry, but genuine
religion, is the spinal column OF our
education. No person without it
will ever be able to stand before God
and call his education complete or
his life work success. Without the
religion of Jesus Christ there will be
lone thing lacking and that one"
thing will be the one thing needful.
I I have learned that your class
motto is Il WILL" thanking you
for the honor conferred upon me for
the privilege Of addressing you, may