The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-06-09
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The BaccaIaureatc Sermon.

Heb. 12:1-2, Wherefore seeing we
are also compassed about with so
grea: cloud Of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and he sin which
doth so easily beset us, and let US
run with patience the race that is set
before US, looking unto Jesus.
F7or 40 minutes The preacher held
he undivided attention of the large
audience wAile he in a plain and prac-
tical and forcible manner spoke Of the
great contest in the spiritual life
which was necessary to sue
cessful ending of the life. The
great central thoughJ Of the text and
the sermon is that life is a great con-
tes... The most excellent feature Of
the Christian life lies in the fact thai
il is always striving for improvement,
said the preacher. 1t is con inually
making new and more earnest efforts.
1t ever presses forward wi h renewed
energy toward higher attainments.
The Christian is never satisfied with
present achievement. s. He is content
ed and yet he is not con ,ented. The
heroism Of the Christion lies in his
resolute determination always to
reach out after the better and to
strive fer its possession.
The text was written in the spirit
of self-eXami. alton, for tie takeing
our spiri ual bearings, for the eXer-
else of Christian heroism in new
determination % improve upon the
best that we ever have achieved in
the past. We are admonished to look
about US, to look within us, 10 look
above us. These three things are not
mere propositions but they contain
great propositions.
The preacher then impressed the
impor ance of careful self-examina-
ton and of the many witnesses Of
every Chris ian career here in this
world. 1t may be that there are many
witnesses of our lives that we never
dream .Cf, that will remain utterly un-
known to US u4til we reach higher
condition of eXis ence. We have true
friends who watch us and who rejoice
in our success and then there are un-
believers who are also watching US.
Then there are certainly other Wi
nesses about us that we know OF GER
tainly and the greatest and most con-
slant of these is God himself Il is
not improbable that the redeemed and
our own departed friends continue to
know something abou: rs down in this
lower world. 1t is GER ain that they
remember us. 1t is certain also that
they retain their interest in US. But
how far those who have passed over
into the spiritual world may have
power to witness the course OF our
lives here no one is able to know with
any degre of certainty. 81 am per-
suaded,' said he preacher, "that they
know O: us and come to us cnly in
and through The omnipresent Christ.
We have fellowship Of life with them,
and we are sure hat they continue to
have such knowledge Of us as Gods
infiaite love and wisdom see fit to
give hem. The most blessed and
comforting way in which we can think
of hem and realize their presence
vita US is by beholding them in Him
and communicating with them
Him
We should remember that as Chris
tians we are running a race. We
should put aside every burden. every
impeachment. TIE contestant in
race prepares himself. He
puts himself in training. The text
says that we must initiate hat. We
should be spiritual athletes.
The. real ground and power in run
ming the Christian race is revealed in
the admoniJion to lo,k up-,o look
unto Jesus. The Grecian runner look
ed at the olive wreath-the emb en-
OF victory which was placed at tee
end of the course. 1t 100 was with
him as we'll as before him. 1t was II
his eye, and mind and heart OF hope.
1t was his stimulation; the strength
of mis- utmost effort. Blu; his garland
Of victory was a dead thing. 1t was
a corruptible crown. 1t stood for