Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-06-14
HAccALAUREATE SERMON.
Delivered by Rev. Samuel Knowles
before Class of 1906.

pofuef the pulpit platform.
MISS Abbie Clark was the organist aud
played beautiful voluntary, followed bv
march, to which the six mem bers Of the
class entered the church and took the
seats reserved for them. Rev. samuel
Knowles gave the invocation aud read the
scripture lesson, and Rev. X. NJ Fowler
offered prayer. a charming duet, 'Peace
70 this Sacred Dwelling was sung by DR..
W. n. Kelly and Miss NJ. Blanche Spar
hawk, and male quartet essrs Kelly,
Brigham, Vaughan aud Beedle-added To
the music OF the service two well-rendere1
anthems.
The baccalaureate sermon, by Rev. Mr..
Knowles, pastor OF the Bapt st church,
was a sound, logical address. smoothly
written and effectively delivered. He
chose for his text the story OF the rich
lawyer ia Matt. 19;16-2O, who asked Christ
what he must do TO gain eternal life, and
who went away sorrowful because Jesus
commanded him to sell whatsoever he
had, give to the poor and follow Him.
The following are some OF the thoughts
OF the sermon. The lawyer WAS mistaken
in the manner OF the divine gifts and
graces, for he regarded them and eternal
life as self-earned. Peters motive was
perhaps just as unworthy when he said,
40, we nave left all and followed thee,
what shall we have p Giving in expecta-
tion OF more is an unworthy motive. Yet
sacrifice will suggest its own eorrelative,
namely, compensation. "Mhat shall we
haye2" is a legitimate question, but must
be kept in its proper place. Christ sought
to place in the human soul neral dy-
manic Of love to God and man, which,
when there, seeks TO adjust all outward
relations in beautiful spirit.
Jesus did not condemn the legitimate
accumulation Of riches. He did not say 1t
was a sin to be wealthy. Some OF his
warmest friends were rich people. But
coyetousness was stamping itself on the
Jewish people. As they lost moral char
acter, they bowed at the shrine OF NAM
mon. Christ stigmatized riches as a hin-
drance to entering the kingdom of heaven.
A person who is in the kingdom OF God,
observing faithfully the principles Of
Christian righteousness, is less likely TO
be overcome with covetousness. His prin
ciples viii prevent 1t. Many follower Of
Christ has grown rich and lost nothing OF
his Christian character, but has spls ndid-
ly enlarged his career Of usefulness.
Christianity makes people economical and
saving. But the person who starts out IN
life bent on making money, IN whom the
moral dynamic OF love to God and man is
not supreme, is liable 70 miss his way into
the kingdom OF God. To be a Christ-like
man or woman first Of all is the call OF
AHNW 10 EhElF nIAAhh H0AAs 4 AtA ~ AAAfN
give our faculties as large a scope as posi-
bic IN the making OF wealth. But II
means that II some day you have chance
to make $4,000 By some crooked method,
when, by being Christian in your deal
ings, you can only make so you Will
only make the ten. Thus you VIII not
only maintain character, but increase II,
and the treasure OF character is one Of
heavens brightest gems, and the reward
i f.tfoosahf,, with kfndrad characters In
time and in eternity.
IL is not difficult to make a practical
application OF these principles IN these
times. Perhaps few people are held IN
greater contempt than he men who were
recently proved thieves and robbers, con-
corning funds that were pubic trust.
IL does make a difference that some OF these
men were active in our churches, but the
difference is against them. The recent
insurance investigations have shown US
how some men, who 10 all appearances are
moral and generous, Will sell their man
hood at Mammons shrine. Those VINO
read the report OF the commission on the
great slaughter houses OF our country
must have felt sick az heart, as well as at
stomach, as you thought OF the filthy con-
ditions from which meat foods were sent
out for you ana others to eat.
The Wealthiest man in our country mas
Just gone abroad. And the common state
ment OF the public press was, that he went
to escape personal examination, when IN the
near future has business must be inyesti-
gated. The isolated, guarded, unap-
proachable lives which some OF these men
live. is regarded as an untayorable COM
ment both on their characters and BUSH
ness methods. II we can think of these
men approac hing Christ with the question Z
with which the young lawyer approached
him. He would say, BE honest 10 the
trusts committed to your care. Give the 4
people pure food from clean, healthy
places and processes. Let your business
methods be above suspicion and reproacn. +
The people may be grateful for the found-
ing OF q great university, for generous
gifts to education and religion, and at the
same time despise the men who give these
things because OF their business methods:
The Christ looked at the young lawyer ana
loved him b cause OF certain noble quail
ties; but the demand he made OF him
proved that mercenary spirit hau the
strongest hold OF all upon his life.
such characters will seek to restrain al
Efforts to check their greed. Ire
hue and cry Of certain politicians ana
portion OF the public press against our be-
loved president in some OF his work IS De-
lieved by many to be because he Is deter
mined to protect the people against TINS
spirit of coveteousness.
Then the preacher gave dissertation on
moral science. Moral laws were denned
and principles stated. The common stand
ard OF morality is too low. The perfect
standard is in the human Christ. Inc
great difference that exists between men
and the Christ is the measure OIL their I'M
To be immoral not only means
Ia be vicious and wicked and degraded, but
hat conduct is immoral which contra
venes any God-given precept. Goa
standard Is high, but the measure OF Peo-
ple's character is the measure oil ther
growth. and not their increase IN wealth.
Class Of 1861 would leave you THIS
you are responsible Tor your
lives 10 the great Moral Ruler OF the uni
verse: that while God is too wise 10 err
and too good to be unkind, He IS also Just
and has stamped il in the nature 81 things
What whatsoever a man soweth, tnat shau
ne also reap He may escape MS JUST que
partially or wholly at the triounal ol pun
IA opinion. but he will certainly receive
Ms inst due at the bar Of God.
would leave you this message. Ih9t
character will be the measure OF your vi
innate success and service. The nations
huild monuments to those who serve lneul
those who observe the Vicarlous
orincirie-tbe principle Of living, labor
guffnr1mu for Others l