The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-18
TO The GRADUATES.
DR.. Blanchard's Bacca-
lauriate Sermon.
Before the Class Of 1900 Of Vest
brook Seminary.
Goth Century Saints
The Subject.
Words OF Wisdom and Advice
Eloquently Expressed.

At the Congress Square church yester-
day morning, the graduating class OF
1900 of westbrook Seminary, listened 70
the baecalaureate sermon preached by
Rev. DIR. Henry blanchard, pastor of the
! church, one Of the board Of trustees and
chairman of committee on teachers.
The class was accompanied by some
OF the fellow students and honored teach
ers. A few ofithe turstees Hon. NJ. p.
Frank, MIR. NJ. b. Coolidge Charles ,.
Fobes, Esq, and Alfred Woodman, Esd,
president of the board, occupied seats
with the students.
The text was taken from l Corinthians,
I'd verse: tCallei TO be Saints"
After a cordial welcome to the church
and special services, DIR. blanchard spoke
Of 1.-THE characteristics OF the sainthood
Of the twentieth century-the conditions
and the call"
He would have his hearers stamp the
words of the text so deeply upon their
minds that they could never be effaced.
In years to come he would have them
repeat and repeat the words called
10 be saints
The first characteristic of the twentieth
century saint In his eternal search for
knowledge Young men and women OF
today should prize their privileges OF
gaining knowledge. Think of the rich
treasurers of science, philosophy, art,
sociology, history. Think that life is TO
be one long study TO know. Think Of
the problems Of today. See how they
who would learn in China are opposed
by those who are content W it'll what they
know already. knowledge shall greatly
help to sanctify life. The second char
acteristic is admiration for the beautiful,
the true, the coed. The third is rever-
encs-for self, for the great, for Christ,
for God. The fourth is Overwhelming
to love of all mankind. The fifth is
development of will that men shall not
only dream, but do. On all these points
the speaker dwslt at length and with
great earnestness.
The conditions are those of our every
day life. Paul, If 10 were speaking to-
day, would ask as he did the Corinthians,
that men should see that in every voca-
ton life is 20 be sancuiied. One of his
head of the department in the Boston d
Maine railroad which has under its
charge every engine and engineer of that
great corporation. Another former
parishoner is now the woman president
Of MILL One of the boys of Congress
Square church is a graduate OF West
Point, fought in the Spanish war, is now
professor of mathematics at West Point
His brother and another former parish
oner, are now ministers of the Gospel.
But the superintendent of the engines
and the woman president OF the mill
and the soldier, ali sanctity their lives,
are all twentieth century saints, as well
as the two successful and honored
clergymen.
A fervent appeal was here made for
saintllness on farm or in shop or bank or
profession. The call is from God. Ar
mold Toynbee heard the divine voice.
Walking under the trees in the quad
rangle of Baliiol college, rs the moonlight
fell upon them, the young, eager student
believed he heard Gods voice calling
him to noble, active life Of service.
Let the grad yates of Westbrook study
that life. Let them hear the call of Cod.
During the week of festivities, on
graduation day, in all the years To come,
let them listen for that voice. God calls.
Let them obey. Let them see the re-
splendent opportunities of twentieth
entury saints.