Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-02
SERMON TO STUDENTS
BACCALAUREATE DISCOURSE BY
DR.. s. Il. GREENE.
Before Graduates of Columbian Uni
versity and Their Friends at
Calvary Baptist Church.

The graduating classes of Columbian Uni
versity yesterday morning listened to the
baccalaureate sermon, preached at Calvary
Baptist Church by Rev. DR.. Samuel H.
Greene. acting president of the university
and pastor of Calvary Church An i'm
mense audience attended the service and
the church was filled to overlooking, many
of those who came being unable to find
either seats or standing room in the edifice.
The seats occupied by the members of the
faculty and graduating classes were hand
somely decorated with the university COL
ors. was also the pulpit, while palms
and other plants were placed about the
church in profusion.
Rev. A. F. Anderson, assistant pastor Of
the church. and Rev. ]. E. Rankin occu-
pied positions the platform. The mem
berS of the faculty who attended the SER
vices were Dean Hodgkns of the univer-
sfty. Dean Needham of the law department,
Dean Monroe of the graduating school and
Dean Lewis of the dental department.
Theme of the Discourse.
Rev DR.. Greene took his text from Mat
thew. xx:2S: Even as the Son of Man
came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister. and to give His life ransom for
| many" He said, in part:
You Will soon have passed beyond the
classic halls of university life and the i'm
mediate presence Of those who have been
both instructors and friends, honored and
!! loved, and the worlds cruel test will reveal
how much of past ministry and privilege
has become practically your own. In this
closing hour Of your student life in Column
bian University I would bring to you each
as the honest offering Of my love a prac-
teal working ideal for all the future; an
ideal in which your own life may find
worthy development, the world a helpful
ministry, and your own soul an abiding
peace and satisfaction. am here to speak
no word for Sect but rather to say to each
of you the most real and most practical
truth I can voice in this tender hour of
farewell.
The civilized world unites in the judg-
ment that the purest, wisest, strongest and
most helpful life it has known was that of
Jesus Men have differed somewhat in the
Interpretation of His teachings. but never as
to the Incompatible sweetness and great
ness of His lige. There can be no mistake,
then, If you make the best life the world
has seen the ideal of your own, profoundly
believing that, freed from the accident and
necessity which SO often shape the deci-
sionS of Others His choice was that of the
highest wisdom. Need 1 remind you that
the decision must be your own, for in all
the crucial hours of the future you must
make your own. and the nearer you ap-
proach the end Of life the more emphatic
will be this truth.
Selfshness the Greatest Danger.
DR.. Greene spoke of the dangers to be en-
countered. and said that the greatest dan
ger threatening the graduates today and
In coming days is their own seifishness.
This must be met and mastered or the fight
for real manhood or womanhood is lost.
He also mentioned the temptations of the
world, and said he hoped while the students
had been gaining knowledge in the college
they had also been developing moral and
spiritual strength.
In concluding he said: ITO destroy
treachery within is to disarm many a foe
without. We need nothing more as individ-
uads than the cleansing, uplifting ideal Of
the text bring you. Such a ministry as is
here set forth of necessity broadens the IN
tellectual horizon and enlarges the heart
The recipient becomes giver; the beggar
a king. There Is no wealth or luxury to be
compared with unselfish service. 1t puts
the soul In touch with God In His thought
and movement.
Young ladies and gentlemen OF the grad