The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-05
GRADUATES DEBATE
SPIRITED ORATORTCAL CONTEST BY
 SOUTHERN COLLEGE STUDENTS.
President Andrew siedd of the Uni- versity of Florida Addresses Men on Progress
 in Life

Greensboro, June 4.-(Special )-To- days exercises at the Southern Univer- sity were by far the most interesting of the week and the crowd which filled the chapel was composed largely of visitors, pretty girls galore. and old graduates who still cling lovingly to their alma mater. as well as ministers from Montgomery, Mobile, Opelika and other places.
 The societies Clarasophic and Bellies Letters took the stage this morning in spirited oratorical contest. At the conclusion of the contest Dr. Andrew Sledd. President of the University of Florida and an ex-membef of the Southern University faculty delivered a masterly address to the literary so- cieties. The speaker based his remarks upon Bacon's treatise on the advance ment of learning, taking as his text Idols of the Cave" and as his theme, The Liberating Powers of Education"
 The speakers line of thought was as follows:
 The human race worships idols of the tribe, clan, market place, and of the king. The chief function of edu- cation is to shatter the old time ideas that are instilled in us. Education brings us away from our idols into life, liberty and power found in Christ Jesus. Men are in bondage to adverse physical conditions.
 Man had first to conquer brute force and ins this scientific age he is over coming the germs of disease Weak ignorant and afraid, the prophecy of his dominion of forces of nature seem ed contrary to the law of the survival of the Attest Man is strong in oraIn power, and this separates him from animals and gives him power. In the stone, bronze and iron implement can be read the story of how man over came his bondage
 The discovery of vaccination and the deadly mosquito within recent years shows that man is still coming from under his bondage. Man is in bondage to time and space, but steam, electric ity and flying machines are breaking his shackles. Man Is in bondage to the ideas of the present as derived from the thoughts of his forefathers and the most important function of education Is to throw down the idols of the cave and set up the ideal of the future.
 Progress comes from knowledge, cul- ture and the truth. The mysteries of one age become the creed of another The Jews crucifled Christ as a protest of the present against the greatness of the future. It was the conflict of the better against the good and of the best against the better. Progress is the motive power of the race and it must fight against indifference that most deadly foe to developments which brings about individual and social sui eide.
 The great stirrings within must re- spond to the calls without.
 Opposed to progress is the fear of the vague future. To be afraid of life is to make Christianity a sham, and faith failure. One of the greatest foes to progress Is lack of teachable- ness, and humility. and faith. Newton says we are but picking up the peb- bles along the great sea of truth The son of Southern hero, I would be ashamed to be a craven and a coward in the fight of life. but I shall move on- ward and upward until reach the goal Courage. faith and hope should inspire each to do his duty to God and his fellowman.