Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-02-11
SERMON TO THE GRADUATES.
CHAPLAIN CLARK GLORIFIES
SCIENCE OF WAR.
BaccaIaureafe Sermon To The Midship.
men of The Naval Academy
Large Congregation
Present.

Atlll ever ASStlAbltQ III tue RtkA
at the Naval Academy at chapel SER
vice, was present yesterday morning
when Chaplain II. II. Clark preached
the baccalaurcate sermon to the fifty
graduates who today received their
diplomas.
Ii is estimated there were eight
hundred persons present, in addition
TO the midsnipmen. The graduates
occupied seats Immediately in front
OF the pulpit, and as usual the full
brigade Of midshipmen was present.
The musical program was furnished
by the choir composed of midship-
men.
Chaplain Clark preached from Eze-
kiel, xvii, IL: They hanged their
shields upon thy walls round about;
they have perfected thy beauty. =
lie said, in part
Ancient Tyre. upon whose walls
the shields were hung, in numerous
particulars might be made a symbol
OF our own land. Her people were
most distinguished of cont en-
porary pc pie for their inventive ge-
Mus. The prophet says TO her that she
dwelt at tho entry of the sea, signifi-
cant of her continental and insular
power. She was also called the mer-
chant of the peoples, and, by the
Prophet Isaiah, the mart of the ma
tions. The extent of her commerce
led her TO plant colonies. She had
colonies in the south of Spain, in Ire
land, and, some believe, in Mexico
and South America. In her best days
she was the great world power.
Though this chapter is lamenta-
tion, the prophet expresses admira-
tion, even enthusiasm, over her pre-
caution in providing for herself mill
tary defense. Whatever afterwaTd De-
fell her was in no particular to the
disparagement of her army and navy.
lie declared, as the text shows, that
the means of defense had perfected
her beauty.
"Let us see if the prophets praise
of the provisions of this ancient city
for her safety may not have in
voIved some things in military mat
ters Of pleasing and vital interest To-
day.
lie had no thought but that war
was a method Of Divine Providence
for enforcing the claims of its moral
government of the world. There is
wide effort today TO east this truth out
of mems belief. Men forget that a
modern war may be as holy as the
wars Of the Israelites. Sometimes
war is a nations sublimest duty.
The olive branch, emblem of peace,
must be stripped of its leaves and turn
ed into rod, emblem of war.
"The shining of the shields seemed
to stir the martial nature of the proph
ct. Military display fulflls an inn
portant function. It is the right of
distinguished profession to speak
through insignia and emblem, ii is
right for armies and navies 20 make
their presence impressive; to make
exhibition of the things that set forth
their power.
"But this ancient observer saw back
of the glitter of the shields. lie knew
that the brightest pictures must have
the darkest background. These shields
were hung upon dark and frowning
walls. lie saw that every shield
might call for the laying down of a
life. This possible background to
armies and navies embraces their
beauty and luster.
''We can think of this prophet med
itating with pride upon the stamina
of the people that had provided them
selves with such ample protection.
Such provision saves humiliation.
Think of our great land being forced
to- use sophisticated and honeyed
words 10 avert war or TO sue for in
glorious pelce Better SOW our fields
with courageous bullets than to wet
them with abject tears
Gods ancient servant was the
prophet of peace. Yet he knew that
the price of peace lies in the means
of protecting and maintaining peace.
To turn our forts into fshmarkets
and our ships of war into carriers of
merchandise would be the dethrone-
ment Of peace.
'sHe admired the readiness of Tyre
for war of defense. Behind her dis
play of shields was power of organi
zation. Organization How necessary.
We think of it as a mighty, irresist-
ible wave, in which, as it sweeps bar
riers away, every drop pushes and
strikes with fullest endowment of
power.
mo debut, too, the prophet thought
Of the soldierly character behind the
shields. The character of seIf-sur-
render; the sacrifieial character; the
character not of the prudential virtues,
but of those that hold nothing dear
but the manifest self-sacrifice, the
deepest sense of honor and duty, the
Willingness to lay down all when the
great call comes.
These young gentlemen go out to a
service that asks the best of them, in
which they W ill find room for the reali-
zation of tn cir truest ideals. And
when after many years the end is
reached may the sentiment Of these
words be in their hearts, if the words
themselves be not upon their lips:
l lay me down TO sleep,
With little thought or care,
Whether my waking find
Me here-or There.
My full days work is done,
And this is ALL my part
/ give to loving God
My willing heart.
II grasp the colors still,
Though all the blue be dim;
For stripes and stars
Lead up TO Him.
The singing of the choir Of mid
shipmen was especially good. Solo
parts were taken by Midshipman
stephen d. Mckinney, who is leader;
Ralph r. Stewart and Harold DEF.
Burdick. Mr.. Charles A. thinner
man, leader of the Naval Academy
band, was organist.