Evening journal., 1907-10-07
PASTOR ALISON
ON KNOWLEDGE
Points Out to the Pupils the
Advisability Of Seeking
Wisdom

A special sermon to the pupils Of tbs
Wilmington public schools and bus ne e
colleges. was preached in West Presbyter-
ian Church last night by Rev A'ex indcr
Alison, Jr There was "a large attendano,.
Rev. Mr.. Alison's theme was "The Priv-
lese. the Temptations and Safeguards Of
Student Life" His text was from Pro-
verbs, 4'7 Wisdom Is the principal thlng:
therefore get wisdom and with an Thy
getting get understand ng." lie said IN
part:
Permit me TO congratulate you stu
dents who are here assembled upon the
quest In which you are engaged To
search for knowledge Is to do noble
thing for wisdom Is the principal thing
Compared 20 the search for wisdom tho
quests OF Jason and the Argonauts for the
Golden Fleece. of tho knights OF the
Round Table for the Holy Grail. and Of
Columbus for the North West Passage.
were as nothing. The price of wisdom Is
above rub'es
knowledge is OF intrinsic va'ue Knowl-
edge is light, and even the dimmost light
Is preferable to the darkness OF ignorance.
knowledge, moreover forms a basis for
character What we believe is what we
live by "As man thinkoth in his heart.
so IS he" To know God man. responsible
ity and duty, is TO lay substratum of
wisdom for the founding Of character ~ e
chief value of knowledge. however. IS IN
its serviceabiity. According 70 eat
writer. the lessons Of life are three Roa-
son. ghteousness and service. The first
ID \
The contribltion of the Hebrew. The third
the contribution Of the Anglo-ssxon. Il
remained for the Anglo-saxon 20 discover
that reason IS not righteous, and that
righteousness is not reasonable. unless
both are communicable and made service
able. The only science for which the
modern world has any use Is applied sci
once. knowledge is power only wien Il
has a purchasing value. purchasing
wealth. honor and success for one self.
and Happiness for ones fellows Abraham
Lincoln was honored by his countrymen.
not because Of his cNtraord nary intellect
ual furnishing or lack OF it. but because
every ounce Of his acquisitions was lsii
upon the altar Of devotion 70 lhis country s
veal. It Is a high privilege 10 know, II is
% higher privilege 30 know and do.
Student Temptations.
Student life is not without as pccul ar
temptations. ono Of the suhtest = the
lust for knowledge as an end. rathor than
as n means 20 an end This temptation
turks in much OF what proceeds under the
title Of "Self Culture" on the "Higr er
Life" The exponent OF tho higher life s
in danger Of superlatve se,nshness. An
other temptation 20 which stu ieat life Is
\ exposed has to do with school friendships
Vulcan himself could hardly weld on hi,
anvil two hearts more closely togetho'
than such school ties bind them. Heart
touches heart and life flows n o life. n "
| great should be the care exc sci In
forming such friendships. Then there ars
tine more fagrant and vulgar temptations
such as lust. imp0rIty. iniemper tnce. un.
savory books and the unwholesome drama
which accost the student az frequent
stages and in various gu'ses To Weld
Is easier than 70 resist but resis ancc de-
velopes strength. Gold Is refined by burn.
ing No opportunity for winning ones
spurs Is 50 golden. as when one ha-C
be-stead.
'svre I Unjust fight If would win.
Increase my courage. Lord;
I'll bear the toll. endure the pain,
Supported by thy word
Also Safeguards.
But II student life has its tempt etions
It also has its Safeguards Failure IS vol.