The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-06-21

stood at this point, otherwise my words
to you will be failure.
mo man can be worthy contributor
to the future who does not by the help
of God cultivate within himself the ele-
ments of true manhood. l speak advis-
edly when / say: Better fail in scholar
ship, in culture, in business, than In
character. But you need not fail in a
measured sense, in any of these. Scholar
ship ought never to be a barrier in the
way of furnishing the best possible type
of christian manhood, and "A scholarship
fostered by proper conditions never is.
Was Moses unnamed and disquali-
fled to exemplfy a splendid type of char
acter because OF his learningy Did the
poetic genius of David weaken his true
nobility? Was Paul less a man because
he sat at the ieet of Gamaliel, or Tim
othy who in turn sat at the feet Of the
apostle? Intelligent thinking and manly
living ought To go hand in hand, each
aiding the other. Paul says, 'Covet
earnestly the best gifts Not for the
purpose of personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but
that you may be a contributor in the
world. Oh, for a stalwart manhood and
a sturdy womanhood ready prepared to
meet the eXigencies of the opening de-
cades of this new century. Do not seek
for an easy place, but for the right place.
Your time of toll is to be transitional a
crucial period. You are needed, every one.
The exigencies of the times demand
concentration and conservation to
high and noble ends. Indifference
will not do at time like this. 1t
is not safe 10 rely on what others
are doing, but each must be true
himself to the needs of humanity. This
truth is enforced in that conversation
which Jesus had with his diciples, when
he tested Peters love and loyalty Peter
was intent on knowing what John, the
bosom friend of Jesus, was to do. This
is his language: And what shall this
man dor Jesus made the following
characteristic reply: If l will that he
tarry till come, what is that to thee?
Follow thou me- There are too many
Peters in the world, who wait to see
what John is going to do before they act
themselves. Far better to. hear Gods
orders and obey them, building charac-
ter, perfecting manhood, contributing
the best you have of bodily strength, of
mental power and spiritual life to the
worlds quiet need.
What incentives there are to well do
ing What opportunities present them
selves for the young to get out of life its
best things! We are accustomed, |
sometimes think, to dwell too much up
on the barriers in the way of success.
Paul, who was model of perseverance
and loyalty to God. said in the midst of
bonds and Affections, None of these
things move me- Again, This one thing
| do, forgetting those things that are be-
hind making forgetfullness an element
of power and progress, / press toward
the mark for the prize of the high call
ing of God in Christ Jesus. Then with
your face toward the future, YOU will
need to cultivate the grace of patience.
Do not be in a hurry, abide your time,
abide Gods time and meanwhile accu.
mulate reserve force to be used when
most needed
II speak to you tonight as one who
would exhort to nobility of character, to
Christ like living. Take the man of
Galilee as your ideal, as your Savior. |
address you as one who is interested in
the worlds movements, social, educa-
tional and moral. which make for the
righteousness of the nation and the
purity of individual life.
"In closing let me say, seek to excel in
what is noblest and best Do not dis
appoint your teachers who sit with you
tonight. Do not disappoint your par
ents to whom you owe so much. Do not
dishonor God.
Life is before you From its fated
road you cannot turn. Then take We up
the load, not yours to tread or leave the
unknown way. Ye must go DER it, meet
We what We may Grid up your soul
within you to the deed, angels and fell
low spirits bid you speed
LET no man despse thy youth, but
be thou an example in those things
which make for righteousness, for man
hood, for nobility of character"
II;1.l, CahDA1 Cloon Nav