Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-06-12
REV. w, D. McCURDY PLEADS
EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENT
First Baptist Church FiIledfWith High
School Pupils, Teachers and. People
Sunday Nieht--Polished Sermon
Marks Profound impression on
Large Audience on Annual Event.

/
scene OF notable event Sunday night
This was the baccalaureate sermon TO
the graduating class OF the Martins
burg high school which was delivered
by the pastor of the church. Rev. w
D. McCurdy. "A congregation that fill
ed the auditorium to the doors was
present at the interesting service.
The senior class occupied front
seats in the center with their fellow
pupils of the high school seated I'M
mediately behind them. To the right
and left sat the high school and ward
school teachers. Several members OF
the board of education were also pres
ent. They all met at the Y Nj. z. A.
building and, headed by Superintend-
emit George w. Brindle, marched to the
church in body.
A feature of the service was a vocal
solo by Miss mo Thompson who sang
with fine effect Ranbegger's Save Me,
o God" before the sermon.
Rev. Mr. McCurdy's discourse was a
masterpiece in holiness of thought,
elegance of diction and grace Of de-
livery. II was somewhat out OF the
beaten track of baccalaureate sermons
and. on that account, was perhaps all
the more appreciated by the audience.
He based his sermon on the text,
And this ] pray. that your love may
abound more and move in knowledge
and all discernment; so that you may
prove the things that are excellent.
Philippians and 3. He said n
part:
"When a student at college | over-
heard a young man say TO another: l
fbeleve the only passion OF Professor
Blanks heart is for pure mathematics.
He seemed to be surprised that any
one could fall in love with mathemat-
les. And yet say to YOU tonight that
the only motive that viii ever lead you
into the depths Of knowledge is a sin
cere love for it.
"In my young manhood | had the
rare opportunity of attending college
twice. The first time l went because
my parents compelled me; the sec
ond time. after / had experienced the
call to the ministry, | went because
nv heart compelled me. Therefore !
can speak authoritatively on the mo-
tive for the acquisition OF knowledge
But the question will arise in the mind
Of this graduating class: Why speak
to us about acquiring knowledge?
Have we not already acquired knowl-
edge?
REV. DR.. Henry VanDyke says that
Life itself is the great school Then
YOU say to me What have we been do
ing? and reply, getting an equip
ment.
"Godowsky. the great pianoforte
teacher, once replied to pupil who
came to him to be taught to play a
certain piece. 4 will not teach you to
play that piece, but | will teach you
so that you can play any piece
"But our text specifies another OBJ
ject Of love, and this. tos is part of
your educational equipment that your
| love may abound in all discsrnnent.'
The word here used means ethical
tact-the inward PERCEPTION that leads
us to choose the right as by instinct.
ANY educational equipment that
leaves us with lower moral standard
| is worse than useless. | do not in
sist that the Bible be part of our
school curriculum, but do insist that
the Biblical standard be the moral
standard OF our public schools
"But after all, your education is but
means to an end and that end Isl
|. that you may approve the things that
are excellent There is no curse that
to my mind is worse than the curse
Of mediocrity; for anyone to be salts
fed with anything less than perfect
attainment means the sitting Of the
best before it is born.
"McCaully says; i strive to look my
best. to do my best and to be my
best on every occasion And this may
, well be the ambition of every one Of
your hearts"