Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-06-26

spirituality Is too often restricted In Its
meaning. Mans spiritual nature includes
all his souls activities There is. UNI
doubtedly, an element OF morality en-
terfns into every act OF the intellect, tho
sensibility and tho Will, but there il n
realm In the spiritual world that Is dis
tinctively moral II has to do purely
with those questions which may broadly
be classified as right or wrong from the
standpoint of character alone. II IL to
the individual who settles these questions
OF character In tho right way that the
average man believes the invisible re-
endorsements are promised. This. how
ever. Ia too exclusive an Interpretation
to put upon the help thaA is promised from
beyond.
Mans intellectually Is a part of his
spiritual nature and every intellectual
effort Is rewarded with an influx Of
intellectual power from without Mans
VIII Is also a feature Of his spirituality
and every obstacle overcome by the ex-
ercise OF the will. and every act re-
strained by effort of the will means in
crease OF the willis muscularity from the
realm of the extra personal. II, Of course
goes without the saying that every NOR
al effort receives It's supplement OF divine
strength from this kingdom OF the un-
seen.
These invisible forces of the upper air
have been your faithful allies IN every
spiritual struggle from the day OF your
first accountability uo to the present. On
the authority OF Gods word and univer-
sal human experience, I come to you
81 u
sure you that these invunerable defend
ers will be behind you as your strong
support in every intellectual and moral
battle Of the fmture. with such help,
If you will but use It, you are certain to
be successful in the best sense OF the
word. You cannot fail You are bound
to win. "T:ehind the shadows standeth
Cod"
1t Is, then, by no means impossible for
us to know something of the future, We
know that back Of every worthy effort
there will he the strength OF the in
visible and invincible and with such
combination there can be no douSt Of a
successful issue. The failures of life may
trace their origin in nearly every instance
back to the element of fear. The man or
duty or sacrificing principle to policy is
the one who fails. Trembling in tho pres
ence of things that are seen and failing
to develop the spiritual vision that will
penetrate the clouds and see the horses
and chariots Of fire round about. ultimate
failure Is ine"itable.
Your college training has been n lament
able failure 81 1t has not developed the
clear vision that will enable you to en-
dure as seeing Him who is invisible.
Your time has been mis- spent, II 1t has
not developed the keen spiritual ear
which will enable lou to hear the voices
OF approval and The :ramping hoof-beats
of the supporting armies narshalling
round about you. You might better never
have come TO these halls Of learning If
your moral perception has not thereby
leen so intensified as to enable you in
every conflict for righteousness, to lay
hold resources at your command in the
great universe of God round about you.
The real purpose of your college life
has been to reveal to you the sources
of your largest power If the revelation
has come you have only to go forward
developing acuteness of spiritual insight
keenness of spiritual hearing and sharp
ness OF moral conception and YOU will
be ready for every contest that awaits
you. l wonder II you know what battles
are ahead Of you. ] am sure you do not
for you need not. With the equipment
have described, the discerning vision,
the hearing ear and the developed moral
conception. you can see and hear and
feel the inspiration OF the supernatural
forces round about, and I'm their presence,
victory in your yet unfaced battles is
assured. 1t is safe TO predict that you
VIII have need of these re-enforcements
in the day and generation of your ac-
tivity.
We may not be ahle TO forctel the de-
tails Of the combat It will he yours to
engage in but We know It will be a
combat and reading the signs Of the
times we are able to forecaste what It
will he in its broad general outlines.
Mans great struggle from the creation
morning until the late hours of the 18th
century was for the conquest OF physical
forces. Henceforward until inality, the
struggle will be for the mastery OF sir
itual things. Throughout all the ages Of
mans existence, until the coming of the
recent day, the earth has been bathed
in human blood to determine the boun-
dares of material empire. In all the pa
men have been Telling the forests, bridg-
ing the streams, tunneling the noun
tains, throwing railways across the con-
tinent. annihilat!ng space and conquering
disease to make the earth "A place fit for
the habitation Of those born to imnor-
tally. From this day on, men will devote
their energies chiefly to the breaking down
Of ancient superstitons. the conquest of
evil influence, and the solution of in
tellectual problems. As In the physical
age, there were those who were inter-
csted in spiritual questions, so, doubtless,
in the spiritual era material questions
viii continue TO demand consideration
In the old age, though. the physical ele-
ment was predominant. In the new age
the spiritual element will predominant
The first six thousand years of mans
existence were used by God for the two
fold purpose OF conquest and education
Divine recognition OF the greatest Of all
educational principles. namely that the
way OF approach to the abstract concep-
ton Is through tho concrete, was Gods
motive for leading men through the ply
steal struggle to spiritual apprehension
The strife and carnage OF the battle
field were educational processes designed
to bring mon up TO the point OF compre-
hending the possibilities OF spiritual eff
fort and the full meaning of spiritual
achievement. The slow and difficult
movements required by tine centuries, the
whip of the taskmaster. the GRIND of
Ii nd ha.SI t1al h. 81 L..