The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-23

usefulness from the individual.
| 1T Is, therefore, true that the self
conferred life is not truly educated. Neth-
er is it the strongest life. You may be
inclined to think that 1t is. In the COM
seriousness of the need of strength you
have toiled for the acquisition of knowl-
edge and the disciplining of your mental
powers 1t is perfectly natural that some
of you should think this is the sum Of
all that is essential to give you power
and effectiveness If this is your convic-
| ton let me shatter 1t. None have edu-
Gated the world like Christ and he
through service. whatsoever would be
chiefest among YOU said He must be the
servant of ALL The greatness which men
today adore as the result of these ere
alive words of the Lord is the greatness
of usefulness, the greatness which stoops
to minister, which holds a trust for
God and humanity the noble talents one
possesses.
Christ was not monarch but min
lister; not king, but a servant Be-
cause he was a minister He is mightier
than any monarch. Because He was
servant He is adored as King of Kings
and Lords of Lords Using His magnih-
cent endowments of mind and heart in
speaking a word in season TO those who
are weary the world has come to His
| feet to learn the truth about God, the
function of the body, the mission of men,
the dignity of service, the grandeur OF
sacrifice, the winsomeness of usefulness,
the strength of morality and the greatness
of goodness
| IF to be educated is to be fitted for
| teaching is not servicea bleness the true
| aim OF education? Someone has given us
| this illustration of strength. Out of one
of those world famed valleys of Tennes-
see great rock leaps to the height of 800
| feet. Out over the valley the storm
cloud gathers. Heavens artillery flashes.
| shakes the earth with its deafening roar
while the old rock takes the sound and
hurls 1t back. Somehow a tuft of grass
has found it's way into assure of that
rock and within its waving folds bird
has built its nest. AS the carol of the
| bird floats out upon the air, that old rock
in its echo sings the same sweet song.
Floating over the valley is bird of prey.
inhabitant and cry of distress escapes
that weli-modulated throat. No sooner
does it break the stiffness of the valley
than the rock which answered song with
song is responsive to the cry of anguish.
Yonder at the foot of the rock children
play merrily round cottage door, and
the shouts of laughter and merry songs
of glee knocking at the heart of the old
rock are sent back to those childish
hearts a welcome note attuned to the
same key.
To He Truly Educated
ITO be truly educated is to be like the
echoing bluff 1t is to have the strength
of granite, yet such tenderness also as
beats with swift and helpful sympathy for
every sob or song that trembles In the
air around and is associated with a
worlds welfare.
80. Again we are instructed by the prac-
teal words of our text to note an indi-
viduality in education. Isaiah was in
many respects different from all other
men, while all others were different in
many respects from him, yet he was com
scious that in the exrcise of whatever
something of helpfulness to the moral and
social complexities of the world. The
Lord Goth hath given me the tongue of
the learned that | should know how to
speak a word in season to him who is
weary True education discourages pre-
tense of every sort. 1t is the foe of
superfciality and mannerisms. 1t asks
that one think and act for himself, but
to think and act with regard to the
r.f oth Inns n inn mt aud
developing a personality and an indi-
viduality through application in the con-
seriousness that what one is and gives
under the exercise of such a principle is
never lost Education has failed of Its
purpose unless it leads one to value and
to display his personality
ThreefoId sphere
Then Dr. Foster devoted the remairf-
der of his discourse to pointing out to
the graduates the threefold sphere in
which their personalities should be pro-
nounced and in which they must min
lister to the WEAKNESS of the world.
The first was religion. God has en-
dowed woman in a re-eminent degree
| with religious tendencies and capaci-
ties The spiritual Is the highest with
in u.s. To attain unto the highest we
1afffust develop the highest. Woman
seems to be more religious than man
of feminine character. The glory Of
lher nature is repose, while that of man
is activity. Woman hath ever been the
friend of Jesus, and, young ladies, as
you leave these halls of training and
ACQUISITION you will fail in your highest
duty of you are not His friends.
The second sphere was social one.
an this sphere of MISUNDERSTANDING
weary world--no possibilities surpass
those Of womanhood. In the imagery
of the poet in the wellrounded period
of the orator and the plain speech OF
simple folk, woman is enthroned as an
Iangel of mercy In consoling the GRIEF
Istricken, comforting the mourning,
soothing the dying. cheering the de-
spondent and guiding infant feet, wo-
man hath led the world
The third sphere was that OF the
home. 1T is an educative center What
will you do. then. with this magnificent
Ipower of home influence? Out of
sense of duty to yourself, the world and
God as well as for the realization of the
greatest happiness, the home shoul be
erected beside the cross. and train
ed. skillful woman therein you may be-
come one of the worlds best educat-
ors.
Young ladies of the Birmingham
seminary. your school days are behind
YOU. They have created for you great
lopportunities for usefulness.
'.They have multiplied your obliga-
lions In the creation OF these spheres.
You have been singularly favored above
many of your friends and kindred who
have not had the privilege of q higher
training. And as you leave these walls
fired with an ambition to fulfill .