The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-30
THE FINAL WEEK
AT THE VARSITY
BACCALAUREATE PREACHED BY
DIR. JABEz BROOKS.
He Points Out the Heaplessness OF
Mere Philosophy and Portrays
Christ as the Key to Life-Presi-
dent Northrop Gives Advice to the
Graduates
Graduates.

Commencement week at the state
university began yesterday afternoon
with the time honored baccalaureate
sermon. It was delivered by the ven
cradle DR.. Jabez Brooks, professor of
Greek and archaeology, to an audience
of about 1,500 people. The graduates,
some 400 in number marching into
the arnory shortly before the exercises
began, made an impressive picture in
their flowing black gowns and mortar
board caps.
The armory was decorated in the
class colors of pale yellow, white and
green. First Of the exercises was a
selection by the Nchoir from the Church
of the Redeemer, Praise Ye the
Lord" The invocation by President
Cyrus Northrop was a touching prayer
to the Creator for his guidance Of the
young men and women who were now
about to enter on life's serious duties.
Following a violin solo, DR.. Northrop
read a selection from the Nineteenth
Psalm. beginning with The Heavens
Declare the Glory Of God" Then the
congregation and choir Joined in the
favorite hymn, Come, Thou Almighty
King
zone is your Master, even the Lord
from Matthew 28:10 was the text Of
the baccalaureate sermon, and this
theme was amplifed under the fol-
lowing heads: Christ Our Master
Morals, Our Master in Religious Be-
lief, Our Master in the Ordering Of
Our Conduct and Life was the theme
OF the sermon.
DR.. Brooks preached an old-fash-
toned sermon, showing the helpless
ness of philosophical systems to clear
the mysteries Of being and solve the
problems of life. Christ, sent by God,
was the key to all. The divinity Of
Christ was maintained and represent
ed as being easy Of proof. In con-
clusion DR.. Brooks said:
Jesus Christ, the Son Of God, the teach
er and Savior of the world; the way, the
truth, and the life; matchless in wisdom,
grace and love; the bond Of union of the
| apostolic and the early church. and the
only necessary and the all-sufficient bond
of the church that now is or that is to be-.
Other matters, of mere dogma, tradition,
custom, usage, church order and decrees
| which, while not likely to be tossed aside
| lightly and scorned as Of the moment, are
not to be exalted as essentials Of Christian
faith and union and life.
President Northrop supplemented
| the sermon with a short personal talk
! to the graduates in which he urged
| them above all things to have a def
| mite purpose. Lack Of purpose was
the common fault. Three qualities
were very essential-reverence, love
and patriotism.
Have a Ieelng OF reverence LOT
God, your father in heaven" urged
| the speaker. mo life is complete
without this feeling, and no life can
approximate the best that Is in it
without reverence for the Almighty
Love, too, is necessary, love for
thy neighbor, for others. Cultivate an
altruism that will lift you out Of the
narrow cell of self. To the person who
is completely wrapped up in himself
the external beauties Of the world are
| lost.
Finally, let patriotism have con-
spicuous place in your lives. Love
your country, it is every whit worthy
of your love. Here the truest freedom
exists that has ever been vouchsafed
| to man, and here the 11nightiest prob
lens that have ever challenged the
| wisdom Of mankind are being worked
out and will be worked out.
America sung by the whole as.
sembly, closed the exercises.