The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-16

men and women. the large part of
 nn.cn are. comfnonplace or ordinary ana m many ways purposeless, 1t Is
 2 genuine relief to share in the expe-
 riences of an occasion like this in
 which the nobler forms of emotion nave expression. Life in large part is but repetition of experiences. the range ef which Is narrow and unro-
 mantic. How great. therefore, the ex- nuiration to the aspiring mind to move into new fields Of refreshing activity. such an occasion is the one fin which
 We are now participants.
 Tear perhaps that we may not ap- prectate In the largest way it's deep
 and real significance. We are not here merely to take part in a ceremonial of
 formal giving and receiving. This Is Indeed important but of far more sig nihcance. is, the planting, the growth and the final Towering of the nobleT
 sentiment through which this partlc- ular event is made possible. To the reflective mind there Is here pi esent- ed In striking form the whole process of the evolution of historic conscious ness
 Consider for a moment the actors in these exercises--the State and the Diocese. Would such an occasion have been possible ten years earlier? Prior thereto was there ever a time when the disposition, on the part of tho Di- ocese, to give would find on the part of the State the disposition to receive and care for and properly appreciate and dignify the gift? The answers to the questions. contrasting .vividly the old social ideals and conditions with the new, are deeply emphatic ct the value and significance of the co- casion.
 swhiIe there are numerous other ev. idences4 of the fact, think then. that this occasion affords another and po- tent one, that the. State and the Dio- cese. have at last come into full and self-conseious .. realization of them- selves, In the onward march of time | they have reached the heights from which they look back along the way and realize that they are a part of all that has been. that as great Commonwealth and as great church they have been architects and build CTS, the one In the world of politics | and xoyernment, the other in the | world of the inner, life 1f the spirit l This realization carries with it moi I only the appreciation of achievement l but it ifnpfesses and emphasizes and l reiteratSs the obligation we owe te I the ftft0relH No man or body or mef I can De stfovesi to great deeds or greai I Achievements in a more certain way I than hys contemplation of the past and by. the obligation which it i'm l poses.
 "soldiers. from the heights of yon' l der pyramids forty centuries looH | down upon us." cried the First Consu
 as he would inspire the fiagging spir' its of his men.
 q cannot suffer this exercise to past | without directly speaking of the i'm portance of history in its new mean ing and development. The value ol history and historical studies are com ing to be more and more appreciated | In the schools of all grades, In the col' lege and in the university chairs schools and departments are organized
 and provided for the analytical and in
 tensive, study of the lessons of the past Detailed research work, involving ey \ cry ilnportapt question or pronien II which has concerned man indirectly o
 with which he has been concerned Il IaIf the past. is engaging the profound est of our; scholars.
 ,"The original records of the earl!
 church are being explored and exploit
 ed. The archives of all of the govern
 ments of earth are being laid bare fo
 the examination of students. Ancien
 cities are being exhumed. Ancien
 tombs also are giving up hitherto un
 known treasures in the shape of man
 uacripts and relics. In all of this ther
 Is a recognition of the truth, upol
 which all arguments in behalf of his
 tory are based. namely, that, threugl
 a knowledge of past events, whereil
 Is revealed mans experiences. wftl lithefr lessons of warning. inspiration
 and guidance the world can more sure
 ly. swiftly and safely move forwar'
 to it's appointed destinies. The mean
 inR then of the words of the poet-see