The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-15

quest.
To get behind all traditional conception
and venerable formulas. and stand face q
face with the eternal verities OF tn,
spiritual world-far more real than all the
world that touches eye and ear--yis the
distinguishing desire OF the truly religious
man today.
NOT SURE OF THEORY
On some things a student graduating
from college today may not have as
clear and definite opinions as had his
fathers. He may not feel as sure OF
cosmolog.cal theory or metaphysical pro-
position as were the great leaders OF
men when the world was smaller and
simpler.
But while you are thinking or rather
living, out your creed, thankful N you
may complete IL on the day before you
die. the great essential verities OF a
godly life. the great requisites for ef-
fective human service are clearer and
more certain today than ever before
That God Is. that He Is establishing a
vast kingdom OF righteousness and truth
that every one of US IS potentially and
may be actually a son OF God, and that
our sonship TO Him is proved by our SER
vice OF humanity-all this is clearer than
ever I'm human history.
The world is hungry for men who be-
lieve IN a God OF righteousness and are
trying 10 do His will
When Helen Keller. just emerging
from the hopeless Imprisonment OF her
early years from the pathetic darkness
and silence in which she was born. wrote
TO Phillips Brooks for religious instruc-
ton. she spelled out on the typewriter
this sentence: PLEASE tell me something
that you know about God"
She was but child crying I'm the night.
but she voiced the cry OF our generation
to all men OF Christian education: Tell
us something that you know about
God" Not what Edwards knew, or
Aquinas,. or Augustine but what you
know about God
DO you know that God is eternal right
eousness, and have you seen that right-
eousness incarnate in Jesus OF Nazareth ?
Then you know God. Then you can tell
the world by voice and pen and life what
righteousness is. and so render the one
great service OF which the world ever
stands In need
Ladies and gentlemen OF the gradua-
ting class-Four years ago you and en-
tered college together. and for four years
we have labored side by side for the up-
building OF Brown university, l have
learned TO know and honor your class IN
quite peculiar way.
No other class have I hal opportunity
TO know so web. and there are many of
you that / shall follow with confidence
and expectation as long as I've Now
you go forth to various callings and
spheres.
NOT WHERE. BUT HOW TO GO.
The all-absorbng question for us. your
teachers, is not where you go. but how
you go. Geography has constantly less
significance under modern conditions.
The mountains are tunneled, the seas
are pierced with cables. and no place on
earth is far from Alma Mater But the
supreme desire we have today is that
YOU go deliberately and avowedly to
take a servants place among your fell
lows. Some OF you will enter the Christ
an pulpit But the word minister in the
New Testament never means a clergy
means one who lives life Of
To such a life your uni
versity ordains you today.
We send you out not 20 accumulate
wealth, not TO strive for fame, but to
minister 10 the noblest life OF this per-
picked aspiring age. Serve your home.
your city, your nation. II fame comes,
be thankful
II wealth arrives, use " and be glad
The quantity of your life lies with God.
Its quality lies wholly with you. You
AN so highly dedicate yourselves 10 the
service or the world that all whom YOU
ouch shall rejoice that you were and
shall believe that God Is