Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-10
At UNIVERSITY OF MAINE.
The BaccaIaurcatc Sc. mon Delivered BY Dr.
" Il. Jordan. Sunday.

Orono. Nc. June 9.-Tnc bacal,u-
rc2te address to the senior class Of tho
University Of M&inc was dcl!vc: Cd by
DR.. w. ii. Jordan, of the experiment
station At Geneva, n. Y. this evening,
in the University chapel. DR.. Jordan
said in part: The place where we are
met ana the occasion have great charm
for us, the spirit and the purpose pro-
foEndly stir our sentiments. Yet one
moment of anxiety come to us We
are solicitous that the greater knowl-
edge and added mental power here ac-
quired shall serve the highest good of
their possessors and shall be con-
the State and nation.
The example of Daniel and his COM
panions should inspire us to moral
courage in the responsibilities of life in
which we are called. Favored above
their fellows, rs are we. by selection
for high mental culture and good
physical training: and maintained at
the Kings expense to serve his pur-
poses. they would not forget their God
nor compromise their manhood when "A
crisis called for the decision.
''Life's issues are largely deter
mined for each of us by our personal
estimate of the relative Importance of
the things which life offers. What.
then. arc the objects of our controlling
ambitions? Have We placed the highest
good in the fore front of our desires?
All human experience and all philoso-
ply declare that moral and spiritual
excellence is the object of supreme i'm
portance. Moral rcctitude, rather than
mere skilfcf hand or training of intel
lect is what we first demand in our
builders or our bankers, in our public
officials to whom we entrust vast re-
sponsibilitics, or in those who seek
our law makers. What is needed.
however, is not Il passive assent to
moral truth or a negative condition of
abStaining from evil: it is a Virlc
and dominant moral and religious pur-
pose. The great danger lies in the
direction of moral compromise. The
business man hCsitates TO move ac-
lively against evil for fear of losing
trade. The architect or city officials
awards the contract to the bidder who
gives him the largest commission. The
politician remains silent on moral is
sues when speaking his convictions,
may lose him votes. The seeker after
money or power hold ethics to be all
right for women and clergymen, but
impracticable for commercial life or
politics, virtual denial that moral
and spiritual excellence is the object
of highest attainment. The vicious be
lief honeycombed society with I'M
sOundncSS and at times seems to
threaten our democratic institutions.
I'VE must not only desire the moral
bettclment of the community but ac-
lively seek to promote it. Every citi-
zen of the highest type is a reform.
The duty of protest against evil is per
sonal. Zeal should be tempered with
wisdom and discretion. We must al
low to others Independence of thought
Dogmatism and blind adherence to
party or creed bctokens Indifference or
weakness. while cgotistical, intolerance
of opinions of others and refusal to
join in common efforts makes one
equally inefficient in the field of re-
form We should cultivate a judicial
temper of mind toward evidence and {;
fearlessness of new truth. Broad in
formation and fairmindcdncss lead to
a discriminating adjustment of means
to an end. Such an attitude makes
possible reform measures of value:
while the uncompromisinG redicalsm
of some jealous advocates of lcgisla-
tive prevention of evil would prevent
all steps in advance which do not at
once ovcrleap all obstacles to the final
goal. II is foolish to argue that cX-
trmc measures would be sufficient if
every one would do his duty: for lax
jty of duty and conditions that handi-
cap are inevitable. This nation calls
for well informed men AMI women of
high moral purpose-a call to which
college graduates should respond. We
should at the outset ally ourselves
with the forces that make for moral,
uplift. good men and women. organi-
cations that promote righteousness. the
church."