The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-27

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Ntrth Carolina's famous Episcopal
School, St Maiy's is now in the midst
of its commencement exercises.
With patronage extending over many
States in the South it is an annual event
that is anticipated with great pleaura,
fully realized in all of the events of COM
mencement, to which many visitors an
nrally come.
After a series of concerts and other en-
tertainments the eliminating event
| comes tomorrow morning, when the
graduates of the year will be awarded
the diplomas which have come as the
well done" for faithful service.
Sunday afternoon despite the downpour
CT rain many friends gathered in St
Marys Chapel and with the faculty and
students enjoyed the simple. yet strong,
presentation of the humility shown in the
life of Jesus Christ, which was the
theme OF the sermon of Bishop Ellison
| Capers, Of the Diocese Of South Caro-
lima, who delivered the annual sermon.
Last night the parlors of the institu
ton was crowded with visitors and
| friends. who enjoyed the splendid pro-
gramme of vocal and instrumental music
rendered by the pupils, whose perform
ances reflected great credit upon their
talented instructors.
THE ANNUAL. SERMON.
The annual sermon before the school
was delivered at o'clock Sunday after
noon by the Right Reverend Ellison
Capers, Bishop Of the Diocese of.South
Carolina, and was splendid exposition
of an eminent trait in the life of the
Lord.
Before the entrance into the chapel Of
the students of the school, Prof. Jeud-
wine, director Of the music department,
rendered several selections. Within the
chancel the decorations in white and
green lent an air. of serere beauty, and
as the young ladies, all clad in snowy
White, entered the building the effect of
soft purity was heightened.
| After the Introductory service, con-
sisting of hymns by the congregation
and school, the reading of the lessons of
the day and prayer by Bishop Cheshire,
the annual sermon was delivered. 1t was
noted fer it's direct appeal and for the
, insistenco of the one idea of humility
illustrated in the life of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Capers began by abiding to
the pleasure With which he had accepted
the invitation, stating that it was "a
privilege and real honor to speak to
the students of st. Mary's." and one
which he highly appreciated.
He announced as his subject, ''The
Grace of Christian Humility" and ex-
pounded this from the words and ideas
set forth in the second chapters of the
Epistle Of Paul to the Philippians
wherein is shown in the life of the Saw
Jour a true definition of the grace OF
humility, who though He humbled Him.
self was exalted, and at His name every
knee shall bow, and every voice shall
acclaim Him altogether lovely and
chicfest among ten thousand"
With a citation OF the words Of Cole
fridge, that in one word there is often
mere of history than in a whole CAM
Epaign, the Bishop proceeded to n graphic
description of the ideas taught by the
word humility" and how today. with a
definition entirely unchanged, il still was
regarded in very different light
with u.s." said he the word occu
Iries an honored place, vet in the times OF
the Greeks. antedating the life of Christ
it had in it the idea of meanness in spir-
it, lack of moral courage and of char
&cter. Trench says it as a word of rc-
proach and a direct insult ia that day to
use it of any man. But with the advent
of Jesus Christ it has become a badge
OF honor where before it was one of dis
grace
why this Changer" said the preacher
why is it that the word which meant
to the Pagan subordinate one of mean
reputation should now have become a
term of honor"
THE answer is easy. Because Jesus
Christ has given to man a different
standard by which to Judge 1t is nc
longer man judged by man. but now it is
the Goldman that is to be considered
He made the word refer to this Goldman
for it referred to him and he was Goo
made manifest in man.
Paganism in itself could not be hum
bled, for it had no personal standard
1t was because in the life of Chris
Jesus God made manifest this humility
in the action of human life that hu.
mility became honored. 1t was honorec
in the incarnation of Jesus, whose lif,
was humility
He showed this in consenting to be.
come man, in making manifest the Goo
in the limitation of human life He tool
our form and submitted to our tempta
i tions. 1t is then the, Christ character
in a Christian that makes this humility
! IF, young ladies' said the Bishop