New-York tribune., 1901-06-10
DIR. PATTON TO GRADUATES
COMMENTS ON INsULAR DECISION. SAYING
IT SEEMS TO BE BOTH WAYS.

Princeton. ". j. June (SpeciaD--The Rev. Dr.
Francis l. Patton. the president of the university
delivered the baccalaureate sermon TO the grad
uating class Princeton this morning Al lo
o'clock the academic procession was formed oy
the marshal. Professor William Lbbey. The trus-
tees and faculty OF the university marched In
front in full regalia with colored hoods
denoting their degrees. The members of the grad
uatins class. also in cap and gown. brought UP the
rear. The gallery and parquet circle OF the hall
were already filed with guests when the procession
hled in. the trustees and faculty occupying the
platform stalls, the students the pit After prayer
and hymn DR. Patton delivered the sermon from
the text: And he will take your goodliest young
men and put them to his work" The sermon
In part follows:
The responsibility of this is veVy great: they
not only enter upon new life at this Tune, but they
century of characteristic spirit
=, The Intellectual situation of the world to-day is
this: There great Gladstones
Darwins. We are living upon the mighty concepts
which former great have given us. In this
seEse the race is mediocre to-day But the level is
than great man in past centuries. The character
istic OF the science of the time is specialization.
lfe we qd nOiieea6s neglect Of religious OBJ
dhls spirit Is not rreisious for the great concepts
and doctrines OF to-day are at bottom religious.
There is lack of harmony in the religious situa-
hi, I1qh Men are hooking to the rituastic service
eliminating the supernatu tural from religion. men
tai unrest Is caused by the dslocatiOn of the union
between religion and philosophy. which cannot be
kept apart.
The remarkable thing the political situation is
the phenomenal life of the nations Of to-day
The United states has rapidly and conspicuousy p
came into her PLACE as great world power Yet
inferior civilization is the great exponent of
Our Supreme Court has rendered it's decision as to
| insular afars-a decision which we question not
because 1T decides right or wrong. but because it
| seems TO decide both ways.
National life is not like individual life. A nation
cannot go back. The nations of to-day killing
| mentor their good And it is for the good of
| future ages. But the question is whether the end
| justhes the means Great Britain does her colonies
good after d she shs has them but In eonguerins them
are so generous in giving away that which they
| Does the end justify it?
| Turning to the social condition, DR. Patton noted
| marked Improvement Old world class distinctions
are growing up here, but the new world has taught
| the old the laws of good stewardship All honor is
| due to Carnegie and Rockefeller for their colossal
| benevolence But the law of love is stronger now
than the law of right. Men losing the sense of
| sim There is too much Sabbath desecration. The
| business situation is promising. for the profes-
sions are not Overstocked, though few will get
great wealth. The corporations absorbing
| business yet they need men. None tell where
| the trusts will end The advertisement This ar
| long
After having shown the conditions under which
go into it with a firm theory of life. and theory
OF Things They must believe in Providence. not in
fate-that right will conquer The theory of life
should be Christs. The Saviour's Take no thought
for raiment' does not mean asceticism He meant
that men must not set their hearts on cirsunl-
stances. Man is superior to his environment. The
life is more than meat Atruistic love is the su-
! with brief address the seniors. who listened
best of their opportunities; they had not learned
| promPtness and trustworthiness. and that in the
accept excuses-even better excuses than those
offered In college. After the singing of Luther 3
hymn DR.. Patton dismissed the congregation with
| benedicton.