The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-28
JUDGE CONOR LAST NIGHT
An Able Account of Changes in Our
State Constitution,
OUTLOOK GOOD FOR LARGE ATTENDANCE
Wake Forest is Completing Session Of In
exampled Prosperity and Success.
The New Gymnasium at
The College.
the College.
Especial to The News and Observer

Wake Forest, N. c., May 27.-The com
mencement exercises of Wake Forest
College began Sunday night when Rev.
A. A. Marshall, D. D., pastor of the
First Baptist church in Raleigh, preach
ed the baccalaureate sermon to the
graduating class. His subject was "The
Conservative Influence of the Few"
Text: Leviticus 26-S
"And five of you shall chase an hun
dred; and an hundred of you shall put
ten thousand to flight"
DR.. Marshall began by showing that
while for certain prudential reasons the
right OF the majority to rule had been
recognized in constitutional governments,
yet there is no reason inherent in things
why maJorities are more apt to be right
than mlnorities. Said he Il desire to-
night to speak a word in defence of mi
norities and to stress the fact that to
the conservative influence of the few we
are greatly indebted both in matters of
law and religion" Mere numbers af-
ford no guarantee whatsoever of right.
and l believe l state truth of easy re-
as apt to be right as majorities. At
any rate no one can deny that the opin-
ion of the few often exerts a marked
and beneficial influence upon the many.
preventing them from running into dam
gerous excuses" He then showed how
the great reformations of the world have
been wrought not by the combined action
of the whole people, but by the influence
and effort of a few men. various
causes, said he, render possible the in
"1luence OF the few. First 1t is a sad
fact suggested in the Scriptures and con-
firmed by our own observation that only
small part of mankind really think for
themselves. We are accustomed to boast
Of the grandeur of man and in our
brighter momens we fancy him a collos-
sal figure proudly treading the earth as
though his head did touch the stars. but
what commentary upon his pretend
ed greatness when Jehoah charges him
with having less thought than the OK
that knoWeth his owner and the ass that
knoweth his masters crib" The speaker
then suggested that much of the political
unrest could be traced to the lack of
thought upon the masses who were de-
eeived SO often by designing politicians
who excited hopes that they could never
fill. The same lack of thought explains
the real difficulty in all religious and
humanitarian work.
The second cause that makes possible
the power and influence of the few grows
out of our universal depravity Sin as
a factor in determining character and
influence is ever with us. The great mass
of humanity yield to the suggestions of
sin rather than strive to resist them;
and sin weakens and emasculates. while
a troubled conscience makes towards
of us all. . "A man panoplied in the
right and with conscience void of Of
fence becomes a hero whose words and
influence carry an irresistible power OF
such men it is true that five of them will
chase an hundred; and an hundred will
put ten thousand to flight" Some
times, /" said Mr. Marshall. s'the heroism
of man like that, may cost him his life.
But what cares a determined man even
for his life in the consecrated cause of
right?
'As an illustration. there comes to us
the story of a monk through whose hero
ism, resulting in his death, the bloody
sports of the gladiatorial arena in
Rome We're ended forever. The gladia-
torial arena, as the story goes, had been
closed for years, but in honor of re-
turning conqueror the cruel sport was to |
be revived
1t was holiday in Rome, the din of |
trade and commerce had given place to |
the cheers and shouts of the people in |
honor OF a conquering hero. On! On! |
tramp! Tramp! To the amphitheatre /
the crowds are moving-today they are
10 see again the contests of the arena |
ana gut their eyes on human blood. In |
the midst OF the contest when cruel ex-
pectatfon was raised to its highest pitch
q pale-faeed monk rushed into the arena |
and parting the combatants appealed to |
the Emperor in the name of God and |
humanity to end the cruel contest. The |
crowd shouted put him OUT" Strike |
him down." The sword of a gladiator |
felled him to the earth The contest went |
on. But the impression and influence of |
that heroic man whose blood had stained |
the arena, as he appealed to the En- |
peror and populace, in the name of |
right and of God to end the brutal show.
were never effaced, and the gladiatorial |
arena was never opened again.
The speaker then referred to the won
derful influence wrought through the ages
by the Christian church which at no |
time has constituted more than a respect
able minority of the worlds population.
How that to the Christian church and
the Bible which it has preserved we
are indebted for our higher ethical no
lions as expressed in our social and legal
systems.
The maintenance of law and order
he insisted is possible only because of
he moral influence exerted by the good.
Then" said he destroy these churches
md scatter these Christian congrega-
ions, and silence the voice of these