New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-19
breaches DESPITE PAIN
Dir. Finley Leaves Sick Bed to
Deliver BaccaIaureate Sermon.
URGES "PERfECT SERVICE"
President of City College Tells
1911 Men No City Intends More
Loftily than New York.

Against his physicians advice, and sur
fering intense pain. President John "A. I'm
ley OF the College Of the City OF New YORK
left his sickbed yesterday and delivered the
baccalaureate sermon to the graduating
class of 1911. For some days past President
Finley has been suffering from an abscess
OF the foot only with the aid OF cr'itches
was he able 10 move around at all. De-
spite all this, DR.. Finley not only delivered
his sermon out sat through the long organ
recital which followed. In the audience
was Mrs Grover Cleveland. who is guest
OF the presidents family
Dr. Finley began his sermon by saying
that he felt as though he were performing
the office Of the ancient prophet VINO one
day many centuries ago walked over me
.Judaan hills TO anoint p young man VINO
some day should be king. Then, quoting
some lines from Browning, Dr. FINLEY
pointed out that one in every thirty adults
in this city was public servant. going
up or down for the people" He continued
One may cherish the hope that you. VINO
have had the best and dearest training that
any CITY has to give Will he readlest 10
serve her, not AS those who seek once Ivi
their livelihood, or for honor, or TOT lelsui -.
not as the men in Europe VINO nave "
serve I'm the army, though | have Wlsneu
that every graduate might he caused 10
serve the city as a West Point man seINtS
the national government, as hacterioloslH''
chemist engineer. rodman. statlstlclsn, ~
spector. laborer, teacher, WIN no ti""7"'
of personal advancement
The hope that you will at any rate go
even If there is no such office open 70 you,
willing TO starve your own life tn serve .ne
city. willing 10 grow poor or 10 lenialn 49, 49,
sefN
know that your service 10 this CITY Is per
feet -, a.,
II Won carry that spirit into your work IN
this city, or wherever You 60 II hot9 ~ y,
So much matter whether YOU have an OF 70
flee or not-you will be In the puollc SCI
vice. YOU will be each OF you OF the klnsS
Of which democracy is dreaming
DR. Finley said that a young man of LET
tors had once remarked TO him. after re-
turning from trip abroad, that New YORK
seemed to him "bsrbaric and intensely SELF
ish."
"No great city has. as city, intended
moro Ioftilv." the speaker exclaimed. more
unselHshlv in it's heart, as this college IL
self witnesses. one needs Only 10 I'"'
the city Record with. insight TO Kro"
with what high and unselfish purpose ms
city is sacrificing to-day and praying for
n better tomorrow"
The speaker thought that II some one
with keen insight could make me oei"'-
tions of everyday realities around US ie''
prosaic democracy might appear the glorl-
Gus thing which I'm It's intending IT reaily T.
As an Illustration he gave definition which
he had once read Of a signal box. II was
not described" said he, AS box or certain
material. Of certain dimensions and of GER
tain equipment. but as place where men
in an agony of vigilance light blood-red ana
sea-green fires IN keep other men from
death-a house OF lifo and death.
THE poet has said" continued pr' IN
lev. democracy is always dreaming OF a
nation of kings'-kinss in the sense or men
who are monarchs Of themselves at least
clear visioned, strong willed. clean vlrtued
soverelgns. It is Of that vision, or tna'
longing. that YOU have been educated