Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-12-05

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Religious Faith" This was q strong,
straight-to-the-point talk which was
enjoyed by all who heard 1t. DR..
Hodges said, in part:
There are many young people who
would be here except that their par
snts think that the influence at the
State University would undermine
their religions faith. There is an idea
abroad that many of the professors
are antagonjstic to Christianity, but
this is mistaken idea. When was
a boy In college q wave Of skepticism
swept over the college world. Oar
winism was at its height. People were
saying, II Darwin's theory is true, it
will destroy religion. Even religious
people made the mistake of thinking
that Darwin's theory was necessarily
one OF faithlessness. One day some
body awakened to the fact that there
really was no conflict between science
and religion. What difference does 1t
make how God created the world or
how long 1t took Hima The great fact.
is, In the beginning, GodH No man
has been able to go back of this. We
are learning, more than ever to-day,
that scientific facts are In harmony
with religious faith. 1t is my firm be-
lief that there is nothing in a college
education to-day to destroy q young
mans faith, but there is much in col
lege life to set such faith on sure
foundation. Paul told the Greeks that
they were too religious, that is, they
were too much inclined to run after
every new thing That is not the ten
dency to-day, The tendency is more
and more towards firm belief In God.
How many mfidels, atheists, or agnos-
tics do you know? Among all the col
llege men / have known as classmates
and students have only known one
who really said that he did not be-
lieye anything.
"The greatest advance in education
the last number OF years has been In
science. Those of you who have
studied physics know that energy is
always the same; none OF it is ever
wasted. Who started this energy?
&EAqaaet the universe In motion? No
an &n think of the millions Of stars
noYihg at terrific speed through space,
without conflict or accident, without
thinking OF God. The science student,
of all students, should be the most
ldevout, for all science points him to
God.
1--WE must distinguish between a
mere belief in things and faith that
works I expect to go away On the
train tonight. Now, may believe that
the train is able to carry me where
want to go, but II my faith does not
cause me to get on it will not reach
my destination. Now, people may stop
me on my way to the train and talk
to me, causing me to miss my train.
There are some things which tend to
keep college strudent from working
his faith-society,. athletics. college
politics and the like. Even his devotion
to his studies may interfere. But there
is no more danger Of this in college
than out of college.
Jesus Christ has the brains OF the
world working for Him to-day Visit
| the meetings Of the great religious
bodies and note the kind of men who
are at the head. The study OF Gods
works never led anyone away from
Him. The poets and seers got their
inspiration from study Of Gods
works. To-day we can look, not only
at the great things which God has
made, but with the microscope we
can study the minute things, but
whether great or small, they all point
us to God, the place where the intel
Elect must finally rest is In the begin
ming, Cod AS Whittier says:
l."T know not were thine islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
/ only know can not drift
Beyond Thy love and cara,
| Student Handbook.
The Student Handbook, published
by the Y. NC, A., OF West Virginia
i university, has made its appearance
land fills a need long felt In the stu
ldent body. It is a neat little book, Of
lvest-pocket size, bound in neat leath
er, in the University colors. It con
tains almost hundred pages, consist
ling Of general information about the
i University, the rules, customs, organi
cations, athletics, yeHs and songs, and
other items of interest to the students
lgenerally. 1t also contains the stu
dent directory, in much more de
sirable form than It has hitherto beer
published. E. C. Smith, 10, is man
Laying editor. The book sells for the
nominal sum of fifteen cents.
College Circus.
| Something novel is promised by the
Young Mems Christian Association, Of
West Virginia University, as an at
Traction for the college world. They
promise a circus. to take place shortly
before the Christmas recess, with
many splendid features, novelty acts
spectacular performances, acrobatle
antics, peanuts and red lemonade; II
fact, everything that makes Circus
4pay so dear to every schoolboy. ant
all other boys Of every age. THAI
there is SO much local talent within
the bounds Of the University, running
In such lines of genius, may come Al
j surprise to many unacquainted witt
the inside situation. There seems t.
no doubt, however, that something
| really big and startling is to be pulled
lon. The students and citizens are al