Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1906-06-01

Tue church Of st. Francis Xavier was
dlled Saturday morning 20 the doors,
many standing u the vestibule, the
occasion being the delivery to the
high school graduating class Of the
naccalauHeate sermon BY Rev. Father
Lemothe. The class members, tholY
relatives and friends were pretent,
besides many others
On the text-s.Be pradent: watch
and pray" Father Lamothe based his
sermon, which was one of the most !.
inspiring, thoughtful and helpful dis
courses of the Kind ever given in this
city. Comparing the position Of the
graduates, about to enter the world Of
sorrow, struggle and strife. With that
ct sailor who goes out upon the
great deep. be drew striking analogies
and illustrations. The sailor must
weather tempests and dangers Of the
eea before he reaches safe hsrbor,
and 10 must the youth launched out
on the ocean f life experience tempta-
lions and sorrow, many and various,
presented in many forms, before mis-
harbor is reached. The compass and
other instruments are assistants to the
mariner in his course, so must every
human being in his voyage of life
have the guides of faith and prayer.
The course Of the vessel determines
the harhor it 10 20 reach, ana the
course of the youth will also point ont
the harbor he seeks.
Material success 10 not the chief
glory If life, which rather should be .
preparation for the achieving of the
better life to cone. Material success
will profit little if to attain it the liner
things of the soul perish. When the
end comes the temporal success and
glory Of this world will not be of %
much importance as life that was
rightly lived.
Father Lamothe pointed out the
things that were Ct permanent value,
that the practice of the moral virtues
was the sure guide of real success.
He strongly urged care In the choosing
IF companions. who should be such %
helped to better thiuge, not such as
might poll down. They should be
grateful to their parents for their care
and troubles for their goodness in see
ing that they received the boon Of
education, but their knowledge must
not he the occasion Ct false pride or
presumption, but rather to be regarded
W an aid to be properly usei in the
voyage Of life. Temperance was a
great virtue not only to be practised
in the common acceptance f the term,
but also as regarded speech and con-
duct. An eloquent tribute was paid
to the power of prayer, which was
said to consist Of three elements,
faith, hope and charity. All who be-.
lleve in God must acknowledge their
dependeE &c on Him, must trust in
His love and mercy and justice.
There fore. prayer was good for all.
Pray to be guarded against tempta-
; tion, be watchful andprudent alwxye.
In conclusion Father Lamothe hoped
for the members Of the class success
in life, not only in the material way.
but in. the. still more important
things Of heart and soul. With the
help Of the moral guides, with earnest
ness, sobriety, with prayer and watch
fitness, they. would succeed. 49,
The above Is On imperfect synopeis
of an address which eliclte1 the most
favorable comment. from all who
:hea ard it. It! was In every way worthy
of tho occasion, and the council Civ
en- should sink dsep into the youthful
minds for whom it was primarily In
t9AO0U.3 q i go Is