The Washington herald., 1909-06-07
PRESIDENT TAFT
AT G. v. u. SERVICE
Rev. Dr. Herridg6 breaches
Baccalaureate Sermon.
GRADUATES OF 'Os NUMBER 100
New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church Filled with Friends and
Relatives of StudeDts-Canadian
Pastor Urges Harmony of Material
Interests with Religious Truths.

The class Of 'Os Of George Washington
University, comprising the candidates for
degrees in all the departments. listened
to virile and Inspiring haccalaureate
sermon yesterday afternoon. preached
by Rev. Dr. ". T. Herrldge. pastor OF ST.
Andrews Church, Ottawa. Canada. In the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
The distinguished guest OF the service
was President Taft. who, with hls milf
tary aid. Capt. Butt. entered the church
unobtrusively Just before the march OF
the students and the faculties began. He
took q seat well down in front. Ia the
midst OF all the gowaed graduates. ana
entered heartily into the spirit Of the
service.
In closing his sermon. DR. Herridge
made his only reference 10 the relations
existing between Cansda and the United
States. and this. IN view or the presence
OF the President. held a double interest
He said:
Ideal Is ExemDlihed.
7 am a Canadian. while you are
Americans; I come from a country which
exemplihes in a somewhat different way
the democratic idea pray you viii look
across that invisible boundary line. and
Join IN every EFFORT for the riddance OF
political triekery, OF ecclesiastical SOM
nolence and bigotry. and aid In the hght-
ing for the Kingdom. Americans and
Canadians alike can fight in a common
cause"
The sermon throughout sought 70 har-
monize the material interests with the
great religious truths. and expressed tne
belief that the successful future OF de-
mocracy would advance the cause or
Christ.
Unless we are convinced there Is a
Cod who cares for Us. Il would seem al
nose better 20 believe there IS no God
az all he said. God helps man IN
working out those stupendous moral prob
/ lens that develop character and fore
shadow destiny. The incarnation Is the
/ perfect answer 20 the cry of man for God.
Christ possessed IN a unique degree
those qualities which make for cOmrGde-
I ship But He often sought solitude. II
/ Is plain 10 the student Of the Bible His
motives and ideals I'D not conform 20
( the popular vogue. lie stood above the
! fret OF prejudice and the turmoil Of base
/ appetite What wonder He should be
/ despised and rejected OF men.
1 For some men solitude Is inevitable
I especially for those Of lofty nature. He
/ who is devoted 20 the truth VIII soon find
. he Is not wanted IN certain quarters. His
( tory abounds with instances where some
man has sacrificed all that makes life
worth living for the sake OF an ideal OF
I some great cause. When Hamlet was
/ possessed by his great sorrow and By his
mighty task he found none % enter into
! his spirit Rosenc-antz and GuildensteTT
had been hts 1ovial college mates. but
they could give nothing % themselves
when their comrade was in trouble.
IdeaIist Pays Price.
The ideaiist has to pay the price. Their,
is always fellowship IN commonplace
weIl-worn thought. But solitude IS par
OF our education for elective work. i
I life was held up constantly 70 the herc'
glare OF work, Il would become dry and
parched. n life so intensely practica
as that Of to-day we often find men los
ing the power OF concentrated thought
and growing Incapable al last OF desirinl
the best gifts.
SOLITUDE. however. carried 20 an ex
treme degree IS often an indication OF al
anaeuaic state o. moral health Cnfor
tunale IS ne WHO mas no dplleue 10
friendship Friendship should be show
IN a passion for service to others Oh
iyiously. the weak need friendship an,
sympathy. and even the strong. though
dlsclaimIng any need, are made stronge
by n.
He who loses his life. the same shal
find IT, Keep your soul unsmirched O
evil. II you are persuaded there IS any
thing worth doing. do II with al you
might Chiefest OF all Is the servant O
all
Christianity Is not. as some seem Z
think. a disguised and polite form OF self
ishness Il demands self-sacrifce an
the elevation OF those who serve best
/ Democracy might well be suspected o
madness Il II ever scorned the inteUec
! tual aristocrat- especially II he possesse