Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-01
SERMON TO THE GRADUATES
Rev. w. s. barnes Points Out tho
Source of Power in the
World.

The commencement week program of the
Council Bluffs High school was entered
upon by the baccalaureate sermon to the
graduating class by Rev. w. 3. Barnes at
the First Presbyterian church yesterday
morning. The members of the class, the
high school faculty and the members of
the Board OF Education met at the church
q quarter Of an hour before the hour for
the service TO begin and were seated In a
body in the front part of the center section
OF the auditorium. Notwithstanding the
disagreeable nature OF the weather, many
friends of the graduates attended and the
church was well filled. The pulpit platform
was beautifully decorated with flowers.
Rev. James Thomson of the First Congre-
Rational church assisted In the service by
offering prayer.
Mr.. Barnes said, in parts:
Ny friends of the class of 1905. you are
welcome to this church this morning to
engage In the religious exercises which a
wise custom has established in connection
with the completion of the course of edu-
cation provided in our public schools. What
1 have TO say 20 you is simply an attempt
TO give you suggestion and exhortation from
a religious standpoint that l hope Will help
you wisely and successfully to make the
transition from the high school to the
larger life for which you have been pre-
indeiibly Impressed upon your minds and
written in your hearts the words OF my
text. II Peter iii, Is, Grow in grace and
knowledge OF our Lord and Savior, Jesus
The founder of christianity is still the
ideal figure in modern thought. Some
where in connection with the grace and
knowledge of Christ is TO be found the
secret of real power in the modern world
The power of Jesus OF Nazareth in our
world today is unquestioned, and you Will
agree with me that 1t is not His vast
exaItednessS of His Views and Of His life.
1t would seem clear, then, that the extent
of ones learning has not nearly so much
plane Of elevation on which he thinks and
lives. Washington and Lincoln are remark
ably conspicuous among the mighty men
Of the worlds history, and yet it is doubt
full whether they had more that an ele-
mentary education.
to think on a higher plane than on that
which the world commonly thinks. Life
tina no one can be permitted to think only
OF. himself. We have come 10 the time
when the interdependence Of the industrial
and commercial worlds make more neces-
sary than ever the Christian spirit of re
gard for others. the subordination OF self
I would have you observe the growing dis.
position to recognize power only in per
sonal quality and personal ability. Ever
education Is no guaranty of influence. II
matters little what you have in your hands
or what you have In your head, II you are
not capable of making II count in the
world. You must win mems esteem foI
what you are before you can have influence
with them. The thinking WOrlo Is now
sharply distinguishing between the man and
his belongings-between the man and his
brains. Some unfortunate people may
covet your belongings, and some may fear
your shrewdness. but the source Of your
power for good Is In what your are.
suppose the president OF the United
States Is In many respects almost the idea
in American manhood; he would probably
rebuke the statement IL he should hear Il
but we should then believe II just a LITTLE
more firmly. Robust In physique, In mtnC
and in character; clear cut in his sense o
right, and loyal 10 n; fearing Goa ana no
man; regardless OF consequences when dutl
is once determined; saying with an expires
sion of iron sternness in his face; Il VII
DO what l think is right whether you Xix
Il or not or whether you like me for do
ing IL or not. The consequences to mn
personally do not concern me nearly a
much as doing my duty to you"
The second event Of graduating week will
be the class feast at the home OF Ar. aaC
Mrs. l.. Hammer this evening when Mis-
Hazel Hammer. a member Of the class
viii act as hostess.