The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-12
DOIKGS AT BROWN.
Rev. Mr., Ferris Speaks at the VeSpsr Ser
yjce-Orher College Notes.

OF Yesterdays weather. was pr@e at
yesterdays vcsper service. The Rev
George Hooper Ferris. Brown 81. now
pastor OF the calvary Baptist church In
New Haven. was tire speaker. Mr.. Ferris
studied at Brown for his A. u. and NJ
degrees. and completed his course at
Union Theological Seminary, New York
city. After his ordination In 1886, ne
went to A church at Tarrytown, where he
remained until 1900; at this time he be-
came assistant pastor Of the Firth avenue
church. OF which Dr. Faunce was the
minister. He is now one Of the leading
clergymen ia New Haven.
Mr. Ferris took as his subject. "Reli-
gious Activity" with John 80 as his text:
"Nicodemus answered and said unto MIN,
How can these things bey'
Nicodemus was OF the school OF Rabbi.
who were prescribing formulas for
fixed religion. but the soul OF Jesus was
overfiowing with God S love. Nicodemus
did not know that spiritual experience
was necessary, the countersign without
which no man can pass the lines OF the
true religion. Christ could not define
his religion OF life in the set terms OF the
Pharsee He could only compare IL and
say: 1T is like this or like that His
mind was filed with the mystery. IL he
tried 10 shut this I'm by rules lie would
Nicodemus was bewildered with the mys-
tic phrases of the Christ.
How can these things be-" is the cry
OF countless people today. Men have
searched with scientific instruments into
everything, trying 10 invade even reli-
sion. and wish TO brush IL aside because
they cannot comprehend IL. The titles
Of thesis by which recent Doctors OF
Philosophy have taken their degrees are
unintelligible and almost ridiculous to the
normal mind They are all minute in
quirers into the minutest details OF
science. Now there is the greatest de-
light I'm knowing everything about some
thing. no matter how insignificant. but
we can enjoy and admire things We know
little about. The mountains and the
stars are a delight to people who know
nothing Of their formation or origin. Even
the German. who is said TO analyze the
smiles OF his lady love, finds something
beyond that he cannot explain by science.
"A man who has knowledge and keen
ness OF intellect. but lacks the impulse
to drive him To good Is like an engineer
who knows every bolt of his locomotive.
but can't get mp a pound OF steam.
What wilt Thou have me 10 do?' is
pressing question.
Faith and works arc bound together
like physical activity and exercise. To
discuss which OF the two former is more
necessary Is as futile as 10 argue whether
the north or the south pole is on top OF
the earth. Every manifestation OF man
hood is fuel for faith The reason why
the flame within burns down is that we
have given il no fuel. Life is to wake.
not sleep: to press from earth's level to
Heavens height. Build your life on your
convictions: anchor To the rocks of your
principles and your character will not be
swept away.
% ,,hx
teach a boy TO take exercise-he does IT
almost unconsciously. So the man who
figures on faith rather than works will
find himself spiritually anaemc
THE will demands larger things ahead
Of It. or 1t settles into uuaspiring routine
There must be unsatsfed strength In
your soul 10 reach up % some further
summit OF achievement The chief char
acteristic OF the man OF faith Is the al
formation of achievement and fresh aspi-
ration. We can never find n system that
the true religion. Truth is
still the step before us. tho next act Of
self denial-not what you are. but what
you ought to be.
"When our dreams turn into daylight
our growing strength viii call us SIN
higher, as we enter into the plans and
purposes Of the infinite God
NJ Mabillean, a noted French publlcist.
the official lecturer OF tho Federation dc /
'Alliancc Francaise for 1903. delivered a
lecture In French last night IN Manning
hall, HIS subject being Ia Literatur
4 Auyourd min" on account Of tho 7
weather there was a small attendance. /
but the lecturers rcmJrks were we'll re- /
,eivcd
Manager William O. Rice of tho musl- /
'al clubs. will take his entire organiza- !
Ion 10 Boston tonight whore thev will /
entertain under tho auspices ~ the Bos- |
ION Young Mems Christian association
The annual Brown banquet will prob I
ably be- held during the winter term The /
banquet committee has already boon ap- I
pointed and viii consist OF three members I
" the Cammariau club. tho managers I
md assistant managers of the athletic 4
teams ard q representative from each !
,lass The following men are this years /
committee. Chairman. Howard r. Grose I
O3: Alexander Abbott. '03: T. BiandinR
O3. Fred Cox. 03: Frank Dillon. 'O3, Paul I
Clark 'Oi Chester Allen. ~: Elmer /
stevens oi Harry Harding. '05. stephen
Hunt o5. Fred Schwinn. oj: William +,
srlccr. o5
Ralph Woodsum, '05. has made n new
eaguc record FOR single score IN bowl 7
ng, getting IL pins IN the game against
f.dpevood Tuesday night