Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-06-22
BACCALAUREATE SERMON
Delivered by Rev. w. I. Walker
Before the Graduating Glass of
the Mineral Point High
School.

On Sunday evening large congre-
CATION assembled in the Primitive
Methodist church to listen to the
baccalaureate sermon to be preached
by Rev w. r. Walker. The heavy
thunder storm marred the latter part
of the service, but in spite OF these
difficulties it was felt to be profitable
time. The church was beautifully
decorated with flowers. The choir
rendered in mastery way two an
thems, 'Iu Joyful Acclamation," and
"His Glory Revealed" and these
we're highly appreciated.
The PASTORS text was Gather up
the fragments that nothing be lost, "
which he said contains lesson OF
infinite Importance for all time. In it
Jesus would give his disciples les
son in thrift, industry, economy.
First. To undervalue time, is to
waste life. To rightly value time is
to put most into life and to get most
out of it. We cannot fully appreciate
the value of time till divine purpose
propels us. Higher than any social,
commercial or political pursuit must
be a divine purpose. Pursue pleas
ures and pastimes, but make them
contribute to the great end of life.
The speaker next dwelt upon the
Importance Of the conservation of
talent-especially the residue of talent,
which fits for the higher pursuits of
life. Toll Is the law of life, and ones
talents should be directed in the
right kind Of toll, and the fragments
gathered up that remain, that nothing
may be lost. 1t is hard to toll and
see no results; but most of the great
achievements of life are the results of
plod rather than of genius, as gener
ally understood. One writer says:
"Genius is nothing but continued at
tention." The speaker gave many
illustrations of this truth. Because
Japan could wait and toll she has won
thus far. She gathered up the frag-
ments and for her patient toll she has
been amply rewarded.
The speaker closed as follows:
"In the Christian religion there is
room for culture and there is room
for restraint The end of Christianity
for every man, however, is not cur
tailment, but enlargement Of life.
There Is room for the full development
of brain and heart; and not only
room for, but appeal to both. And If
the Christian religion be accepted,
thought and emotion will merge in the
practical affairs Of life and you will
then have the rounded, symmetrical
character. Restraint becomes step
saving of life.
"When Jesus asks us to deny our
selves and follow him, He is asking us
to practice self-sacriiice that we may
enter into the larger life of service.
We do not exist as single entities; we
exist in society, we are bound to-
gether for veal or woe. And that is
u positive blessing, for it is only as
man enters with heart and brain into
the practical affairs of life that he can
both save himself and his fellow man.
"Now, in this discourse | have been
pleading for an ideal of life ideal,
however, which is within the actual |
reach of you every one. And If you
will take the advice here given, no |
matter what may be your calling in
life, no matter whether you stand |
behind the counter, sit mt the desk |
work on the farm or ut the forge,
you plead ut the bar or sit on
the bench, fill the pulpit or occupy |
the presidential chair, If you will |
exercise an implicit trust in Jesus
Christ and manifest that trust by n
life Of practical obedience to His laws,
then shall your character be like the
pillars of the cathedral of St. Mark |
in Venice firm and durable rs gran
ite, and SO transparent that the light