Live Oak daily Democrat. (Live Oak, Fla.) 190?-190?, 1907-05-20
By REV. e. w. WAY, PASTOR
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
FERNANDINA
THf LIFE Of THE GRADUATE
Great Sermon and Contained Food
for Thought for the Graduates
and Pupils Of the school

Inc oaccalduredte sermon preach
ed by Rev. E. W. Way, of Fernandina,
at the Auditorium yesterday was one
of the best heard here in years. He
did not rake the skies In search
for thought, but buckled down to old
time theology, applicable to this day
and age, and eaptivated his congre-
cation. Rev. Dutill introduced the
distinguished divine, and opened the
services. Mr.. Way took for his text,
the eighth verse of the third chap
ter of ST. John, which reads: Behold
/ have set before thee an open door,
and no man can shut it." He por-
tayed in glowing terms the prospects
and advantages of the graduating
class, and illustrated the fallacy of
chasing rainbows for advancement,
profit or preferment.
School life does not end studies. he
said The term commencement
was truly appropriate The grad
yates from that minute commence
life without further tuition. and they
perfect their own distines, in a bust
ness way, socially and otherwise.
When one finishes school, he or she
commences life, and only the tuition
IN school and at home inspires them
with right doing. Diplomas are
simply stepping stone to something
higher and better. They show to the
world that the holders thereof have
submitted to discipline. which is the
groundwork of our Republic, and
have accomplished in learning all
that was required of them. As a
matter of fact, a diploma of this
character is like apples of gold in
pictures of silver. 1t certifies to
honor integrity, fidelity and virtue
all the characteristics God or man
expect.
DR.. Way very wildly illustrated
his personal experience in the climb
Ing of the Statute of Liberty on
Bedloe's Island, in New York harbor,
and compared the same to the adj
vancement Of those attending school.
AT the first attempt he huriedly
climbed the stairs, and was in
eestacies OF delight. However, be-
fore he had reached 200 feet of the
400 he had to climb, he looked back
ward, and wondered how he had pro-
crossed so rapidly, but he was tired.
yet determined to reach the upper,
most step. He did so, and as he
gazed upon New York harbor, he felt
that his efforts had ben crowned
with success, and that he had been
amply repaid for the tiresome ascent.
He very appropriately applied this oc-
currence to the pupil seeking an ed
ueation, and it was one of the best
we ever heard. When
the ascent is made, the pupil enters
into practical life, and is himself Or
herself being who is expected to
know right from wrong, and become
shining example in the community.
Rev. Way dilated upon the text
that Christ is the Door to Knowl-
edge, and in an earnest effort in this
direction undoubtedly impressed
many youthful minds. He did not
direct his sermon to older people, for
that would have been inappropriate,
and unnecessary, for but few were
there. He illustrated the power Of
GOD, and infinite faith in prayer by
noting an instance Of one of the best
scientists Of this country, who, when
questioned as to his success In life
said: Il do nothing, or ATTEMPT any,
thing without first asking God to
direct me-" There is a big sermon
IN those thirteen words, but we are
not in a position to preach on the
question. Mr.. Way eontended that
graduates of High School, by Dip
tomas. possessed the best OF ered;n-
[ials' and were entitled to all honors
mat ta could be bestowed upon them
True, some may fall from grace but