Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-18
Cardinal Gibbons Remarks.

lie Sald IN part
Il propose. my dear young friends. to ad-
dress you a few words today on the sub
ject of Christian manhood. Tie question
may be asked What is the greatest need of
our times for the betterment of society? Is
it churches? Temples of worship are in
deed very necessary at all times. They
bea- evidence of the faith and devotion of
the people. But they not the most es-
sential thing for our day The primitive
Christians worshped God in the catacombs
of Rome. and some of our forefathers
adored their Lord in secluded mountains
and in recesses and caves of the Garth.
And they. we know, were most exemplary
Christians.
us it hospitals and sanitariums that the
times specially call for? Hospitals, indeed.
are the landmarks of Christian civilization.
and contribute immensely to the alienation
of human misery But they do not consti
tute the greatest need of the day. for they
relieve only a small fraction of the men,
bers of the commonwealth.
rs ii schools and colleges that are most
needed? Christian schools. like Worcester
College indeed Indispensable for the
moral and mental development Of the ris-
ing generations. But what would be the
use of this spacious hall and the adjoining
class rooms, and able corps of learned
and pious professors If there were no
pupils to frequent the college? This edifice
is the casket; you are the gems that are set
in it. You are the jewels that are destined
to adorn and delight a Fair Columbia. the
mother of us all.
Sturdy Men the Call Of the Hour.
Il Will tell you what is the greatest need.
What the time calls for is men, sturdy men,
endowed with the courage of their con-
victions. We need men who are controlled
by conscience rather than by expediency,
who are guided by principle rather than by
popularity, who are Influenced by spirit
of pure patriotism rather than desire for
political preferment Above ALL we need
men of strong Christian faith, who are
prepared to uphold their religious convic-
tons in the face of popular prejudice In
a word, we need men of upright char
acter. If you reveal to me your character
as above reproach. l will reveal to you your
destiny. 1t is probable that you will not be
Presidents governors or senators or
bishops. But the attainment of these high
offices is not the test of genuine success.
The true test of success lies in the fulfill
ment OF duty. If you are faithful at the
post to which providence will assign you.
no matter what that post may be. you will
be successful in life; you will merit the es-
TEEN of your fellow-citiZens; you will en-
joy the testimony of a good conscience.
and above all you will have the approval
of heaven. Your name may not be en-
blaZoned on the fading pages of earthly
history, but what is infinitely better, 1t
will be inscribed in the imperishable rec
ords of the Book of Life
Value of Christian Education.
'It is the characteristic Of all noble and
ingenious natures to manifest spirit OF
gratitude for their preceptors. Indeed, no
emolument can adequately compensate
teacher for the blessing he imparts in
sound Christian education. If We admire
Michael Angelo who molds a figure like
Moses from the rock of marble, how much
more should we admire the tutor who
molds and fashions the mortals of youth.
laYa
ais. had for his preceptor Aristotle. the
greatest of ancient philosophers. Alexan
der had a great affection for his ilustrious
teacher. We are told that he made him
gift of 800 talents, equal to about million
of dollars. Your beloved teachers hardly
expect you to be as munifcent to them as
Alexander was to Aristotle. But l trust
you will bestow on them what they value
more than earthly treasures, that Is, the
pure gold of generous and grateful hearts,
and above all. that you will exhibit in after
life the virtues they have inculcated in
you.
be a drone in the social hive. No man
should be an Indifferent spectator of the
social. economic and political problems
which presented to his consideration.
And if every citizen should take an inter-
est in public affairs. surely those who en-
joy the advantages of liberal education
should in a special manner have a deep
concern for their country's moral and ma
terial welfare. Exercise the right of suf-
frage by giving your influence only to can
didates of clean hands and unsullied repu-
taton.
But you will best serve your country by
the integrity of your private lives. Politi-
cal life is the reflex of domestic life For
the stream does not rise above its source
What would it avail you to be regarded In
the public walks of life as freeborn citi-
zen, If in the sanctuary of your homes YOU
were the slaves of intemperance and of an
ungovernable temper"