Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1903-06-04
BACCALAUREATE
SERMON

Probably the largest congregation
that ever assembled in Shiloh Reform.
ed Church crowded into the building
Sunday TO hear the baccalaurests
sermOn to the graduating class Of the
High School preached bv the pastor.
Rev. George +. Limbert. Considerably
before 30 O'Clock those seeking sd.
mittance were told at the doors that
every bit of available room was oc-
cupied and thus very large number
were disappointed and returned to
their homes.
The auditorium was very nicely doc
Grated with the class colors and a
profusion of palms and flowers.
The graduating class, the faculty OF
the High School and members Of ths
School Board occupied seats in the
front of the church The ushers were
Misses Frances welliver and Jane
Foulk of class '04 aud Misses Jessie
Kimerer and Catherine Vastlns OF
class '0j.
Rev. Limbert chose for his topic
Mary's Choice The text will bs
found in Luke 10: 4l-42. But the
Lord answered aud said unto her
Martha, Martha. thou art anIiou.
and troubled about many things. BuI
one thing is needful for Mary. hath
chosen the good part, which shall not
be taken away from her -
We recognize Jesus Christ As one
who speaks with authority ON alI
phases of human life He has some.
thing to say for our relation to God
and our relation to men, on character
and OH conduct He teaches Us whAt
are the best things in life and what
the best life IL. Both from his teach.
ings and example we learn what choice
to make-how to distinguish accurate.
ly between the false and the true, bs-
tween the nOn-essential and the essent.
ial, between the transient or temporal
and the permanert or eternal. He docs
this in variety Of ways. On this oc.
casion we shall learn lesson from
one of the most interesting and In.
structive incidents in His ministry
from an event which occurred in the
home of Martha and Mary Of Bethany
Christ's answer to Martha $ complaint
as expressed III the words Of the text
embraces a deep and significant truth,
worthy of constant consideration on
the part of all men, but especially on
the part of those who are on the very
threshold of life's active career These
words have been selected as basis OF
our discourse of this special occasion
because they come from the very high
est authority and because they touch
upon that which is fundamental and
all-important in the ideal life Of man.
The sermon was divided under two
heads:
lst. "Martha's anxiety about many
things: negative of Mary's choice.
End. Mary's choice Of the Good
Part-the one thing needful"
Under the first head the speaker
drew a very beautiful picture of the
home of Mary and Martha in the will
age of Bethany, very aptly applying
to human life in general the lesson
learned by the incident that occurred
during the Savior's visit there. In
this busy age of materialism. of com
mercialism, when men are unduly and
intemperately anxious and troubled
about the things of this world we may
be thoroughly convinced that Christ
will say unto all such with disspprov.
al and condemnation what he said 10
Martha Thou art anxious and
troubled about many things, but one
thing Is needful.
Under the second head, 'Mary's
Choice of the Good Part, the lesson
drawn was that success lies not in a
multiplicity of pursuits, which sway.
turn and distract the mind and energ
les of man, but that il lies in one all
dominating aim.
Whilst he may be very useful man
| who is able TO do all things, yet she
highest efficiency and success do nos
lie in diversity of pursuits. To be
| Jack of all trades il to be master OF
none.
This choice must be of the essential
and the good. 1t must carry with is
an ambition which includes the glori
flying of God and the ennobling Of self
| Mary was not the mere nominal be
lever in Christ, but to her Christ was
the supreme object of her life She
sat at his feet and heard his word.
| An attitude of grace and devOtion SEA-
as a model for the human race.
| Young friends of the class OF 1908.
since accepting the kind invitation of
the Honorable Board of Directors 80
preach the sermon TO you on this
auspiciopS occasion there has been
keen recognition Oh my part Of the
great responsibility resting upon me.
But once the privilege may be mine
to address YOU as a minister OF Christ.
| What shall the message be In preparz-
tiou of this discourse but one main de
sire has been uppermost in my heart
to bring TO your attention a message
from Christ, the Savior, which should
speak a needful truth to your minds
aud hearts aud which should help you
TO make the wisest choice aud 70 an
r fold and develop In your own being
what is noblest, purest and most en-
; | deariug.
: The words OF our Great Teacher and
: only Savior rs embraced in the text
e under consideration contain and con
vey a truth which you can not afford
to slight or pass by, but which you
should consider carefully and serious
# ly and which you will do we'll TO em
: body in your own lives and bring Il
I -. l.,