The log cabin Democrat., 1914-06-01
NORMAL GRADUATES HEAR f|Nf SERMON
REV. OWEN BREACHES
SIXTH ANNUAL COMMENCE MENT EXERCISES WERE BE-
 GUN SUNDAY.


 mon delivered to the graduating class by Rev. T. o. Owen of Hope at the First Baptist church yesterday morn ing, the sixth annual commencement exercises of the Arkansas State Nor nal School were formally begun. A congregation which filled the spacious new church almost to it's capacity was in attendance and listened with mark ed interest and attention to the bac- lcalaureate services.
 The exercises opened with a profes- sional, Filing Out the Banner sung as the Normal students marched in a body into the chur With the con gregation standinl he Gloria Patri was sung, and after being led in pray CT by Rev. Otto Wilmington, the con- gregation repeated the doxology. Rev. E. R. Steel read the 18th Psalm and the Normal Boys Glee Club rendered a selection, "Tho' I Speak" Presi- dent J. J. Doyne made the commence ment announcements, and after cho- rus by the young ladies of the Nor nal, How Lovely Are the Messen- gers," Rev Owen delivered the bacca- laureate sermon.
 Rev. Owen took as his text Ecclesi- astes 8:11, "Wisdom is better than weapons of war;" text which clearly expresses the theme of his address. He showed how our own nation is ex- pending vastly more, however, for weapons of war than for wisdom. The cost of building and maintaining dur ing it's life one great battleship, the speaker declared, would educate 500,- 900 men, or would build 1000 colleges. Rev. Owen asserted that nothing is gained by the immense expenditures in the navy and army, while if the money could be spent for education it would make war impossible The troubles in Mexico, he said, are large ly due to that nation devoting it's en- ergies to military affairs and failing to educate it's people. He urged the graduating class to teach the rising generation the benefits of peace be- tween the nations and to inculcate in their pupils higher ideals than those which inspire battles.
 The baccalaureate services were concluded with trio from Mendels- sohn, Lift Thine Eyes," by Misses Comstock, Pless and Hibbard the benediction by Dr. J. H. Reynolds and the recessional, Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name"
 The junior class were hosts Satur- l day evening at an enjoyable lawn party at the home of Mrs. Josie Hil- dreth on Locust avenue, to the seniors and faculty. At the conclusion of the Entertainment delicious refreshments were served.
 Tonight at the Grand theater the senior class will present a play, "An Old Sweetheart of Mine." It is a western comedy drama, with the scene laid at Bar ranch in Texas, and the leads are played by Misses Minnie Lee Jones and G. s. Butler, with cast which includes 10 other members of the class.
 There will be no exercises Tues day, but on Wednesday three pro- grams have been arranged. At 12 noon the Crestomath society will dedi- cate the fountain which it has pre- sented the Normal, and a speech of acceptance will be made by President Doyne. At o'clock the seniors will hold their class day exercises at Woodland park and at p. m., in the Normal auditorium, the four literary societies will render joint program. The graduating exercises will be held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.