The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-12-08

effort as YOU strike at the beginning
the religious note, or the note of utli-
ity, or the note of culture. The best
education strikes at the beginning the
religious note. This, however. does
not mean that this institution. or any
other with like traditions, ought to be,
or will be bound in the bonds of an
intolerant religious dogmatism: but
it does mean that those who direct its
affairs, and those who give instruc-
ton here. While they are not afraid to
open their eyes in the presence of ma
ture. will also not be ashamed to close
them in the presence of God; that it
still be no less Christian in its cath
olicity than catholic in it's Christian
ity; that it Will be Christian, not as
wearing the placard on official oc-
casion;" not as demanding "a forced
alteration from stifled conscience;"
| not as requiring subscription to any
formula; but as believing that a sin
cere and fervent religious faith is the
basis of moral conviction and that no
one can so much as touch the hem of
the garment that duty wears" without
this foundation.
1t IS claimed that this is a sceptical
age; that it's religious maxim is Doubt
| !, our penets. ana believe your doubts''
that the trend of the times is to
change the sign of Christendom from
a cross to an Interrogation point" that
the academic tendency of the day is
to regard doubt as q, mark of mental
agility, and faith as a symptom of
mental decrepitude:" that Christian
ity undertakes to "paralyze the head
| in order to vitalize the heart" that
1t is unreasonable that the principles
Of the Christian religion shall be
| taught in our schools: and yet that it
| s. perfectly reasonable to teach doc
.rineS in history. in science, and in
philosophy antagonistic to the Christ
| ian faith.
Science is proclaimed as the religion
Of today and of tomorrow. The Carts
1 rian COLLEGE does not object to the
| facts of science. 1t earnestly seeks
| them, and as earnestly teaches them.
| 1t does, however. object to the irreve-
| erent guesSes of many so-called sci
| entiSts. 1t comedies that the votaries
| of science are at liberty to put nature
| on the rack: that, having done SO.
| they are at liberty to torture her to
| the betrayal of her inmost secrets"
| 1t calls a halt. however. when they in
1 wade the realm of immaterial and sac
| red things: when they intrude upon
| the domain Of faith; when they rasnly
| rend the veil and presume to enter the
| Holy of Holes; when they assert
| without evidence. that God is merely
rotating giobe;" when they think
| by searching to find out God" or to
| dream of understanding the Almighty
| TO perfection" when they apply their
| tests and solvents to the secrets of
| the spiritual life, and the profoundcr
| problems of destiny. These are the
| things that have been hidden from
| the wise and revealed unto babes. The
| Christian college refuses to nail to its
masthead Il FLAG without religious
| color. 1t announces. without apology
| and without fear. the Eternal as the
most important member of it's faculty,
and as its rghtfuf head. 1t proclaims
to the world the solemn, majestic fact
| that the rover to speak with the
tongue of men and of angels profiteth
nothing, unless faith energies. hope
beckons onward. and love abides.''
These cardinal features of the insti-
| tuition whose affairs you are called to
/ administer, Mr.. President. should
learten you in the great work which
you are now formally to assume. If
you are called today to a grave reSpon-
ibility. YOU are also welcomed to Il
'ich opportunity. trust YOU may
ind strength and courage for the dis
charge of these duties in the loyalty
IF the faculty, of the board of trustees
Of the alumni, and of the friends
IF the college which has done SUCH
conspicuous service for Church and
state. in stimulating the IMPULSES and
aspirations Of Il large constituency. in
enriching the concept of civic vir-
ne. in oxemplifying the ideal of social
service, in revealing the strength and
beauty Of an abundant and useful life,
and in establishing tho cause of true
morality and of true religion in the
world. I devoutly Drav that YOU may
long be spared to guide the dcstinies
of Wake Forest. and that strength 31l
skill may be given you in double
measure to discharge these solemn du-
ties in the wholesome spirit of peace
and progress.
May Wake Forest 1.-Two and prosper
in the great work she is pledged to
do, pouring into a thousand homoG.
as from some cream reservoir clear
streams of water. and planting i'm n
thousand waste places trees OF ifc.
whose leaves shall be for tho healing
Of the nations!