The Mena weekly star., 1913-05-22
THE REV. I. A. PARK
 ADDRESSED SENIORS
Lardc Auditorium of the Baptist Church Could Not Hold All Who Desired to Hear the Bac-
 calaureate Sermon.


 the scene of especial attraction inc delivering to the graduating class of the Mena High school of the baccalaureate sermon by the Rev. T. A. Park.
 The large auditorium, beautiful Iy decorated for the occasion with potted plants and flowers, a beau tiful collection being supplied by Mrs. A. L. Kirby. It was inadequate to hold the great number who de- sired to attend, and some were turned away. The two Methodist churches, the Presbyterian, the Christian and the Baptist all joined in the one service.
 The Rev. w. L. Smith, pastor of the Baptist church, opened the ser vices with the invocation. The Rev. c. w. Lambert gave Scriptural reading and prayer, while the bene- diction was by the Rev. F. N. Brew CT. The Rev. J. J. Bowman acted as master of ceremonies.
 The music by the combined choirs of the five churches was a notable feature of the occasion:
 The Rev. T. A. Park, in his best manner, delivered the baccalaure- ate sermon, which was as follows:
 Blessed are the pure in heart" Matt. 6;8.
 The old Greek philosopher has said: Call no man happy till he is dead In bygone days this was considered a very wise saying in deed; but in this enlightened age it finds little response in the human heart, for it simply means that man finds happiness only in the repose of the grave. To the old philoso- pher happiness was a stranger to this life, and since to him there was no future life-nothing beyond the grave-true happiness could be found only in the silence and re- pose of the tomb. The greatest of all philosophers, the wisest of all ages, has said: Blessed are the pure in heart"
 Happiness is result, and not principle. Many regarding it as the latter have earnestly sought it in the commercial world, in the social circle, in political honors, in the intellectual realm or the literary sphere, only to find written in gold en characters above the portals of the entrance of their career these words: The quest of happiness is not for such as thou" But when, ike Jacob of old, We have wrestled long and fought hard to gain a vic tory for right or, like Daniel we have gone to the very den of self denial and self-sacriflce; it is then that the white winged messenger of heaven wings it's way to the hu- man heart and all the gold of a Croesus or the brilliancy and gaiety of King Solomon's court could not purchase it.
 The great Creator in the begin ming designed the happiness of all His creatures. We read in the language of inspiration that mans first home was called Eden. which means delight. Indeed it must have been a delightful place No heartache, no sorrows, no tears, but every soul attuned to the eternal symphonies of heaven. The garden was refreshed by the crystal stream, the tree of life bore it's golden fruit and mans companion ship was with the Lord God who made him. Soon however, we read of heartaches, sorrows, tears and death. Whence came these, we ask? The answer is, from dis obedience. When God created the universe. looking out over all His works. He pronounced it good, and in turning this world over to the care of man He gave him, as II were. a blue print and commanded t to be followed in every detail. Had it heen so heartaches, sorrows and death would be strangers to b- life; but man. knowing better han his Maker, discarded the blue print and built according to his own plans and ideals. Chaos was the result The promise is though that once again order shall reign from chaos, the wilderness shall blossom 0- the rose. and eternal happiness shall settle down upon the human fare Man is to be Gods agent in working out this ideal state Each one has his work assigned him. and unless we build according to Gods plan the work will he hindered to- that extent.
 Young ladies and young gentle men, you have chosen a beautiful class motto, and may it not only he your class motto, but your mot To for life: Let all the ends thou 9Imest al be thy country's, thy Gods and truths"
 Happiness. as a result depends on certain condition. We will men, ton three.
 CD Nobility of Principle.
 As you go from yuor school du- jeN to assume the responsibilities ol life there will be unheard of tasks and undreamed of problems confronting you along the path way of life. There is a beautiful old legend of Hercules, when he was dismissed by his teacher, The youthful hero started out in life to seek his fortune. Before he had gone very far he met two beautiful women, who immediately entered