The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-23


Burke. 'pg gssessing any portion of
power ought 10 be strongly and awfully
impressed with an idea that they act in
trust and that they are 10 account fo-
their conduct 60 the one great Master,
Author and Founder of society. They
who administer nsthe government of
men, I'm whichthey stand ia t3e perspiI
- sody yHi,nself, should have high and
worthy notions % their function and
destination. Their hope shpi:ll be full
of immortality"
When Charles Sumhsr was elected TO
the United States Senate aud was con-
graduated on his success ,c replied:
II am not In politics. bat In morals.
and though some. indeed. nil sht regret
his want Of savoir faire and practical
tact. yet none can help alniring that
answering devotion 10 duty. by which
he was endowed with more than sol
dier's courage and crowned with the
laurels OF a martyr. We may gather
some hone AT the present time in our
country's history that though scorrup-
tion and bribery arc still rife. though
there is much to alarm and disgust the
true patriot I'm the conduct OF men who
seek and sometimes attain the highest
offices. vet the struggle against such
practices is well maintained and there
are those In, high station who fight for
truth and honesty and who are resoute
nor only to keep the commandment
Thou shalt not steal" but also thou
shalt not let others steal.
HOPE FOR THE COUNTRY.
Whatever We think of the measures
OF the test congress, wc.lnay find heart
felt satisfaction that they have foiled
the purposes &C some who wished 10
make their vices and their bribery the
instrument by which they might gain
seats of honor. There Is hone for our
country when such "a ielyike Is given
TO dishonest men. And l think | may
say, too. that We see at the present
time some loosening of party bonds and
that men are respected for independ-
ence and are honored and trusted, even
though they may disagree in many
points from party platforms or govern
ment measures. True moral sentiment
is the foundation OF greatness as well
as OF culture. Two generations ago
our fathers preached often against the
dangers OF mere morality. There is no
crying need OF such preaching now.
Mere morality. as IL il could exist in
any exalted sense alone. Mere moral
ity." SAYS Emerson. 1T Is as il man
should say. Poor God; with nobody to
help Him" Genuine moral sentiment
| is touched with power divine. Ii has
the enthusiasm of humanity. II cannot
| exist without the essential element OF
religion. II may not profess adherence
| holds with deathIess grasp upon the
faith OF the old Greek father Chrysos-
| tom. or whom IL was said that "he be-
| lieved in the soul and was very sure
| OF God" And this strength OF moral
| sentiment must be formed largely in
] college life.
PURE LIFE AND HONEST PUR-
POSE.
The high endeavor to do right be-
cause IL is right. To advocate truth on
Just grounds. TO win not by trickery
nor any arts save those by which the
wise excel, this is the model which is
TO be set before the undergraduate
that he may learn from his teachers
and his comrades the sanctity Of pure
| life and the glory OF an honest purpose.
! Liberal studies may do much to pro-
mote this. They may and do have a
| powerful influence 10 create high
disdain OF that which is low and mean.
The natural sciences make men prompt
and accurate, Keen in observation
sharp To discriminate between truth
and falsehood. and 10 convey in the
most accurate terms the meaning OF
what they have learned
Imagination too has its office to make
vivid the truth, and even in the realm
of discovery and the exact sciences II
has power TO lead the way to high at
even the basis OF common sense SO
necessary TO the conduct OF affairs of
daily life. and prepares men to act
wisely and sagaciously in every condi-
| ton"
All the studies OF the university
whether of literature or science or lau-
guage with the diligent practice of
writing and speaking may minister to
| high character and wide Usefulness. X
based on the moral sentiment.
The higher education of women here
and elsewhere gives us hope that the
steady purpose of usefulness. the fame
| of moral enthusiasm which burns per-
haps more brightly in her heart than
, elsewhere may lead the way to the
strengthening OF this moral sentiment
and thus 10 the highest influence of al
true culture.
EXERCISE OF MORAL POWER.
And moral power IL that which ex-
hibits itself most clearly in personal
influence. The great thing that comes
to us In college life after all is contact
with men. The friendships there form
| ed. the attrftion OF minds fun OF en-
thusiasm ana eager with new thoughts
and hopes, cannot help awaking the
powers and faculties TO new vistas OF
truth, and sunny expectations, wnlcn
may indeed be clouded over in later
life. but which can never be VIII lily
forgotten. The personal influence of q
strong character i'm any chair of in
struction is much more than the sci
ence he teaches.
| The fitness of any man to teach in a
university depends more largely or
his character than on his requirements
and the gain that the student makes
in the college curriculum is not chiefly
the amount OF knowledge or proficiescy
in any one department, but the power
of attention, the breadth OF mind, the
tenacity OF purpose the courage OF
conviction which comes largely from
the subtle and irresistible influence OF
"A teacher intent on great things.
The personal influence OF "a noble
teacher i'm whatever position he occu-
pies. becomes "A living force in the IF,
and character OF all who come in con-
tact with him. This was wonderfully
illustrated in the life of DR.. Wayland
whose singleness Of purpose, whose
warm sympathy with youth. however
wayward or erring, gave him power
over this and other institutions OF
learning. second TO that OF no man IL
| any part OF our land.
Brethren OF the Alumni, never had
4 ~l