Decorah-posten., 1902-10-31


was subversive of the one great aim for
which Luther College was founded and
for which she is maintained, we may fec
assured that no consideration would
weigh enough to retain him. Luther
College has an aim, a purpose, there is a
reason for her existence, so often point.
ed out, and we may feel certain, that
whoever should not be willing to con,
tribute by word and deed to the realiza.
ton of this purpose. whoever should be
unwilling to lend his infiuenc, his whole
influence, to the furtherancc of the cause
for which Luther College stands, would
never find a permanent place at Old Lu-
Their in one capacity or another.
But if we the friends of Luther College
are eager to see her prosper, eager to
point out what in our opinion will make
tor her future welfare, let us o forget
that one requisite already mentioned,
means by which she may be enabled TO
carry on her work. Principles alone
cannot make a school. The demands OF
the student of today require the equip
nients Of today. 1t is true that the mill
lions of a Carnegie or a Rockefeller new
could make a Luther College. But it is
Just as near the truth that she cannot
be what she ought to be without a hbe-
raj material support from those who re-
ceive the benefit of her work
And you my young friends who are
students here today, you will not, ! am
sure, forget, that you arc also playing a
part, and no small part, in the upbuild-
ing of this institution, in assisting her to
live up to her name and aim. The COM
bined energy of teachers, graduates,
friends, and supporters, could not insure
her doing this without your aid. And |
know, that your love OF Old Luther will
serve TO remind you of this. That you
feel grateful to her ] take for granted.
And yet | do not in the least hesitate to
say, that not one among you can at this
time fully estimate the blessings of hav-
ing been brought under her influence.
The true value OF a course ut Luther
College will, trust. become more and
O apparent 10 you as the years pass.
And the use which you make OF IL after
leaving this institution will show, il you
truly appreciate what you owe to the
church that has made it possible for you
to come under the benign influence of
Luther College. Your life will be the
proof, whether YOU are here TO receive
only a certain amount of knowledge
which n other institution OF equal
standing could have given you, or
whether you are here to receive besides
learning, that which an institution of
this type alone can give you. Icannot but
hope, that the latter is your chief aim in
coming and in remaining here. The
world may be in need of scholars. but il
is in need of Christian men. There
&c No inr1 nj hrntaa hat vary pftat1 N sad
lack of true hearts TO accompany the in
tellectual powers. In this age filled
with loose, airy hypothesis, we need,
above everything else. men with trnness,
with adherence to principles, men who
know they have something on which to
build. We need men who bear the stamp
which it is the intention that Luther
College should give to you.
And when you are imbued with this
spirit, then will the 14th of October in
the years to come have even a deeper
significance to you than it now has. 1t
will mean something more than the
mere celebration of an anniversary. 1t
will turn your thoughts back TO the
place where, under the guidance OF
Christian instructors, you learned, that
there is something to live for besides
wealth or honor or a life of ease, the
place where you were led onward on the
path that leads farther than to the
grave, where you learned TO see more
fully what n noble aim is set for your
earthly existence. Then you will be
truly grateful for what Ltther College
has done for you. And up from the
depths OF your soul there will ascend to
Heaven the prayer, that every anniver-
sary festival shall find her power for
good increased, that every 14th OF Octo-
Der shall find her nearer her one lofty
aim, nearer 20 fulfilling her great mis-
sion in the Norwegian Lutheran world
in America.
And when those walls yonder have
long since crumbled into ruins, the cause
for which they were erected, the banner
of truth which she held aloft, shall stand
firm amidst the wrecks and ruins Of the
world, because it was planted on the
immovable Rock OF Ages.