The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-05-22
DE-. DODGE BREACHES BAcCA.
LAUREATE SERMON


to the graduates of the Ocala High
School was this year delivered by DR..
W. H. Dodge, the Presbyterian pas
tor at the Baptist church Sunda-
morning last at eleven o'clock.
The service was opened by DR..
Dodge, after which the congregation
sang a hymn.
Rev. R. H. Barnett of the Methodist
church. read an appropriate scriptura
lesson. followed by Rev. G. H. Harri-
son Of Grace Episcopal church, whose
prayer was a most beautiful one.
The choir was composed Of Mrs. T..
n. Johnson. Mrs. Harry Lapham, Mrs.
E. II. Mote. Mrs. A. E. Gerig, Mrs. -.
F. BIaIOck. Mrs William Hooker, Mrs
D. E. McIver, Mrs. William Coin, Mrs.
George Martin, Messrs. A. E. Gerig.
C. S. Cullen, G. A. Nash, ]. J. Gerig,
l. F. BlalOck and Mr.. George Martin
led by Mr.. Gerig. Mrs. A. L. Izlar
played the organ and Misses Mary
and Resale Conner rendered the &C
compartments on their violins.
The choir sang as an anthem The
Battle of Dawn" by FIotow. which
was very lovely indeed and was ex-
quisitely rendered.
After the sermon Mrs. Mote sang
charmingly a solo, The Shepherd Of
the Hills" with the organ accompani-
ment only.
DR.. Dodge has only lived in Ocala
some thing over year. but in that
time has very greatly endeared him
self 10 the members of his own
church and has made many friends
among the other congregations, as
we'll, and all were glad that he was
selected TO preach the baccalaureate
sermon.
Dr. Dodge's text was found in the
fourth chapter Of Paul to the Philip
plans, The eighth and ninth verses.
which is as follows: Finally, bretn-
rem. whatsoever things are true.
whatsoever things are honest. w1atso-
ever things are just, whatsoevc-
things are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever things are Of
good report: if there be any virtue.
ana # there be any praise, think OF
these things.
Those things which ye have both
learned and received. and heard. ana
seen in M, do: and the God of Peace
shall be- with YOU
Or Dodge said that the TWO main
thoughts in this text were thinking
and doing, and for thirty minutes he
held the very closest attention OF his
large audience. He clothed his idea
in beautlfL, language and gave the
five graduates many important ideas
to carry away with them, not only
along educational lines. but moral
ones as well. He asked them and all
the remainder of his hearers not ID
regard LIES highest ideal as merely
way in which TO make a living. bur
20 remember thai life did not merely
consist of jhe enjoyment of worldly
pleasures, but of Cody attributes rs
well, and Jba5 Christ should be the
chief study OF life
He advocated higher education. as
we'll as Il thorough study in our hig1
schools, but wanted the pupils in the
material studies of life not to neglect
the spiritual studies as well
DR., Dodges sermon was a splendid
one, and he closed his remarks by A
comparison of Christ in the botanical
study as the beautiful Rose Of Sharon,
and the humble and beautiful lily OF
the valley; in the geological study as
the kingly Lion of the Tribe of Ju-
dab" and the Gentle Lamb of
Peace" and in the study of govern
ment as the King of Kings" the
prince of Peace and Lord OF
Lords"