Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-06-25
COM m ENCEMENT
EXERCISES.
TWO HUNDRED AND ELEVEN
tn SESSION.
Closes with the Presentation
of Degrees. Etc.


Rev. Oliver johnson. of South Caro-
lima. from the words, According TO
your faith be IL unto YOU" The ser
mon set forth faith as a divine power
in human life-faith in yourself. faith
in your fellow man. and faith in Jesus
Christ being the three manifestations
Of II. which. taken together and work
Ing together. determine our lives
Mr.. Johnson said in part
Faith in ourselves IS a sort OF d.
vine self-consciousneSs. Self-cOnceit Is
child Of ignorance-an abortion Of
real power. The man who does things
is the man who has faith in himself.
When the youthful David. the future
King OF Israel. went down 10 the camp
10 see his brethren there came out
from the host OF the enemy and stood
in the velley the great giant who
cursed and defied the armies OF Israel.
There were brllieS and blusterers in
the camp Of Israel. but they stood
weak with trembling knees. None had
confidence in himself 20 so. But David
felt down IN his heart that he was the
one 10 go. and in that sublime conf
dence We see him start we see his
form knit. his eyes fash. we see him
| quickening his pace. We see him reach
| for his stone and sling il. We hear II
crash into the head OF the great giant
and Law him at full length upon the
sround-an evidence OF the irresisti-
Die power OF man when he has faith
that he is the one 70 do something.
BE a loving believer in mankind.
| There lies buried in the heart OF every
child OF Adam some noble emotion.
| some generous impulse principle
/ which will show itself unselhsh. II you
et-ra tIa.nr
| wil show itself II you approach IL In 4
| noble way Consider Mary Nagda-
iene. Human society and human sym
patty had shut their doors against
| her. But one day a man came along
| who could see down into the depths
! u human nature and spake kindly @
| this woman. and the next time We see
! her she is lying al the feet Of Jesus
washing them with her tears and wip
INK them with the hairs OF her head.
4 covet for you none 81 the arts oil
| the demaEoEue. no turning OF tnt
weak and heggariy elements OF oul
human nature 90 your personal gain
no arraying Of ignorance and pre-
| dice. through pretended sympathy viii
| them. against existing order 10 maxi
Al opening for yourself But / do
cover for YOU a manly faith in what +
good in our race and an honest appea
always 10 il. We know something O
} he shallow passions OF the weake
members OF our race. We have hear
= | them no doubt under the excitement {
some thread-bare demagogic battle CT
shout FOR the space Of two hour
Great is Diana Of the Ephesians.' ID
: greater part not knowing FOR wh'
- | purpose they are come together. Bl
We shall not lose faith in them; y
shall sit quietly by until the storm
overpast and We shall then still nr
- those principles 20 which Ne can aga
u make an honest appeal Would y
- be loved OF men, would We call for
all that Is best In them. let Us ha
- faith IN them. believe there is good
ne them. and. like the magnet draws q
81 iron. SO viii they give up % Us IA
ne | which is best in them
Tie yourself 10 Jesus Christ vi
A faith which none OF the philosOphi
e u this world. falsely sO-called. C
Id weaken. which none OF its griefs a
10 disappointment can root out VIII
- God tells as that these hearts are
:. ceifful above all things and despera
u IS wicked and the temptations OF q
o. world are so subtle and sweetly
~ ductive. Why should not our hea
IN trembie within Us when We see an
experienced one start through
~ world without the presence and gu
ance OF one who knows and can gu
as Alright How many are the dereli
he hat float upon the sea Of life. b
=. many are the wrecks that line
shore. They made a prosperous sta
GO fond hopes were centered there. G.
va speeds Of faithful Instructor ".
it's shoWered upon them VIII they
e., strong: will they endure They c
away the anchor. that anchor OF
soul both sure and steadfast which
TIC tereth into that within the vail tt
Oh are caught IN the whirlpool Of u
- they are dashed upon the breakers
:. strong drink. they perish from
world OF honorable achievement z
me noble service. Haw many grand in
y lects In the world today are lying "
ect | their pinions tied. pinions with wh
hey might have scared above n
fellows as the eagle above the 81
row. but now tied and beating
prison bars Of the flesh. who need o
that freedom with which Christ ma
us free"
Rev Oliver Johnson Is one %
most popular speakers among
Der leroy in the South, his services be
tful IN constant demand. A few days
- le preached the baccaiauFeate sern
~ Al the commencement exercises Of ]
West Theological Seminary. at
West. s. G. A recent Issue q