The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-18
ANNUAL FOUNDERS DAY
SERMON At De PAW
First Public Address Delivered by
President Hughes on Re-
quest OF Trustees.
MEHARRY HALL FILLED

Special to the indianapolis Journal
GREENCASTLE. Ind. Jan. IA very
large audience gathered in Meharry hall
Of De Paw University this afternoon to
hear an address by President Edwin Holt
Hughes. The occasion was notable in two
respects: il was the annual observance OF
Founders and BenefactOrs' day-a day of
Importance on the De Pauw calendar, and
IL was the first address delivered by Tres
ident Hughes in compliance with the re-
quest of the board of trustees that he
preach in this city at least once a month.
His address was in part as follows:
There are very few people who have ever
sought TO define the motives that properly
give a foundation TO the life of service. we
say that we should aid men, but If we are
asked why, we usually reply by walking IN
q circle of words. 1t is indeed quite a
tribute to the holiness Of service that so
seldom does any one question the duty or
helping men. Even the famous quotation
from Emerson is simply a contention tnat
men ought to keep their self-respect and
self-reliance. There are three motives that
naturally lead men on TO the aid of the
world.
The first may be called the motive of OBJ
legation. The truth is that the race has
done more for US than can ever hope
10 do for the race. 1t has given US con-
veniences, institutions. blessings of all
kinds The library stands not only for the
philanthropy Of the man who gave the
building, but also for the service Of those
who wrote the books. If could follow
out the intricate lines of history we would
doubtless discover that there is no man
to-day on earth whose ancestor has not
rendered us real service. The natural heirs
OF serving fOrefathers are everywhere. This
thought will take out of all orr service
any feeling of self-cOnscious charitableness.
The second motive is the motive of re-
lationship Whenever a real relation is
granted Immediately there comes up the
sense of the duty of service. A man sup
relation allowed, the duty follows. This is
true more widely. The brotherhood of men
admitted. the duty of service for all needy
men comes inevitably. When Cain asked
his cold and heartless question the very
form of the question answered the ques-
ton itself. If one is your brother you are
his keeper.
THE third is the motive of promotion.
This does not mean any selfish striving for
enlargement. No man can avoid growing
into larger and richer life If he really
serves his fellows The test of the Savior
as TO greatness is not an arbitrary law;
II is rather based on the eternal nature of
things. If you serve, YOU cannot avoid
motion Will not render that promotion any
less real. Often the best benefit that you
can render any life is to interest that life
in some large cause.
'All these things fit into the thought Of
this founders and benefactOrs day. We
owe much to the men and women who
founded and fostered this institution They
rendered the service under their sense of
relationship to us through the great Mas
ter. In their good work they have pro-
NOTED both us and themselves. To-day we
pay our tribute to the army of benefactors.
And out of this hour we shall go with the
will to live worthy of all who have brought
hither,, gifts of gold. or mind, or hearty
work"