New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-09
PRINCETON CROWDED
At bACCALAUREATE
Record Audience Hears PreSi-
dent Hibben Deliver Sermon
to Faculty and Seniors.
"WILL TO SERVE" HIS TEXT
Three Hundred Graduates Have
Place in, Historic Procession
Across Campus from
Old Nassau Hall
tBy Telegraph to Tho Tribune ]

Ab1 lti'Fldlll 10 lfV tribune
Princeton, n. j., June S-One OF the
largest crowds of visitors that ever
stayed I'm Princeton for commencement
Sunday fought for admittance into Alex
ander Hall this morning for the l66th
commencement. Many people who would
not have stayed otherwise remained ilI
town for the postponed Yale game, which
is to De played tomorrow.
Alexander Hall has rarely proved large
enough 10 hold all who would like TO
enter for the baccalaureate sermon, and
a system OF tickets, which are given only
to seniors and faculty members. had been
arranged. To-day. however, standing
room was at a premium, and many got
no further than the doors during the SER
vice.
The academic procession formed I'm
front OF old Nassau Hall promptly at
1915 and marched slowly across the
campus TO Alexander Hall, where the
service was held. Colonel William b.
Lbbey. head marshal OF all the COM
meucement exercises. led the procession
with President John G. Hibben. and the
faculty was followed by three hundred
seniors dressed IN their caps and gowns.
President Hlbben led I'm prayer and de-
lirered the baccalaureate sermon. Or.
Francis IAndey Patton pronounced the
benedlctlon.
That the present age is one Of great
aWakening as regards the social con-
science OF man was the keynote OF the
baccalaureate sermon that President John
Grier Hibben Of Princeton University
addressed to-day TO the members OF the
graduating class OF 1918 In spite Of the
wide prevalence Of the philosophy that
man has no rights which others are bound
10 respect n he cannot defend them by
his own might or hts own craft. President
llibben declared he was convinced that
men are under a higher compulsion than
the will 10 live. and that this was the
will 10 serve
With two texts from Samuel, XIII. IS
and Il. and XII IA and 10. illustrating the
duality Of human nature by two incon-
slsteut acts OF King David. President HID
ben began his sermon. pointing out the
danger from the unsuhdued forces within
US There was no tragedy, he said. com
parable to the divided self. there was no
sin so disastrous as the sin against ones
own soul
with the growing completely OF life
the pressure OF strenuous competition the
commission OF ends that seem 70 require
desperate means for their realization
there is danger lest we come 10 hold all
TOO cheaply the human values which mus,
be- reckoned with In the problem OF He
We lower ourselves In so far as we allow
our regard for our fellow men 10 be low
cred.
.Tf the one compelling impulse in human
nature is the will 20 live, TO live at any
cost and any sacrifice, as Schopenhauer IN
slsts then the logical outcome OF II all as
that astute German philosopher has point
cd out. must be at best a dismal pessimlsm
which can breed only a cynical indiner-
,uce or else despair
but ours is another tradition and an
other belief / am profoundly convinced
that We are under higher compulslon
than the will to live, it is the will 70
serve. This is the central teaching of the
life OF Him who came into the world not
10 be minlstered unto. but 10 minister Il
IS this ideal which makes Christianity the
hone OF salvation for the world. There
will always remain substantial ground
Tor enthusiasm and for hope as long as
there is A chance to work and TO night for
the welfare o: man.
'You have not caught the spirit OF
humanistc culture In your studies here
II YOU 20 forth from us at this time lack
ing IN the human interest and sympathy
The humanities are not concerned merely
with the thoughts Of men long dead and
gone. but with the living present also, anu
NTH the problems OF the hour which press
upon US. with their iJsistent demand that
we stretch forth our hands in the midst OF
the evil and mlsery about us TO help and
70 save"