New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-15
HIBBEN breaches
TO PRINCETON men
Urges $50 Seniors to Seek
Deeper Meaning of
Existence.
[Ey Telegraph to The Trlbun. I

Princeton, y. j., June H.-Almost a
thousand visitors heard President John
Grer Hibben, OF Princeton University. de-
liver the baccalaureate sermon at Prince
tons 18th commencement TO a gradual
ing class Of almost go men in Alexander
Hall this morning.
The academic procession OF members OF
the faculty and seniors formed in front
Of Nassau Hall at 1915 and marched to
Alexander Hail.
After the singing of America Presi-
cent Hibben delivered an appeal for fac
ing the profound problems of life, and not
resting content with ordinary, everyday
existence He spoke on the three grea.
mysteries of lfe-the mystery of man, the
mystery Of God and the mystery of God
in man.
1T is not often that we allow ourselves
TO think upon these great themes" he
said, but life has a deep meaning, and
we dare not ignore il.
What is man? He is a mere unit in
the mass, an individual among many.
Yet he is more than he seems, and in his
UNEMPLOYED remainder we are confronted
with the great world mystery of man
1T is no explanation of man that his
processes are potential in the original dust
of the stars. His coming remains a
miracle, his being mystery His most
complete attainment falls far short OF
the command of conscience and the
warnings OF his spirit. And in this some
thing beyond there is concealed and yet
revealed the mystery of God. II there
were no mystery in man, there could be
no suggestion Of the idea OF God. The
secret of the universe is the secret OF the
inner self.
While in the mystery Of our being we
recognize intimations of the divine, never
theless we feel the need of clearer rev.
elation. The mystery of God, therefore,
merges into the greater mystery, and yet
at the same time the clearer revelation OF
God in man.
I'm Christ we have the manifestation OF
divinity in human form, without degrad-
ing the divine and yet without destroying
the human. Even in such revelation
there is still a mystery, the son OF God,
the son of man. We do not explain hum
when we attempt to reduce His life and
Qedtn 10 tHtlt iONcSN 'Sih'Nf -
analogies of our experience. We cannot
explain Him by ourselves.
Although the mystery ever remains
there is still the bright shining of great
light in the world, sufficiently clear to
quicken a new sense of duty, new hopes
and new ambition, and TO summon us TO
new adventures and to new conquests for
the welfare of humanity in the name OF
the eternal God and His Christ
During your university course YOU
have earnestly endeavored to maintain
and promote the spirit of duty and OF
honor which governs our campus lie
Your record here we take as pledge that
tha mighty power which is potential in
this group before me, will be abundantly
realized in lives of noble achievement and
still nobler aspirations. This is your op-
portunity TO go forth in the yigor or your
youth and play your part in the pro-
gressive march Of events toward the real
ization OF redeemed humanity.
DO not allow yourselves TO become so
absorbed in material things as 10 forget
the life OF the spirit Finally, | would
charge you not TO lose that deep sense
of self-reverence which regards your life
as sacred thing coming from God and to
God again returning. ! would not nave
YOU leave this place without some positive
RELIGIOUS conviction