Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-05-31
CHAPLAIN CASSARD'S
FAREWELL TO MIDDIES
Baccaulaureate Sermon Preached
in Chapel Yesterday.
BEFORE LARGE AUDIENCE.
Former Chaplain H. H. Clark, and
Rev. DR.. Courtney, Assist in the
Services.

my opened the first day with appro-
propriate and impressive service ofthe
baccalaureate ceremonies. The Chapel
was tested to the utmost seating ca
Dacity with congregationcompos Of
he graduates, the regiment of Midship-
nen, n,officers and their families and civ
lian relatives and friends of the class
If 1915.
The regiment of Midshipmen marched
ip from Bancroft Hall in two columns
of fours, the advance guard ahead, and
he Midshipmen drum and bugle corps
with trumpets raised and golden sash
es flying playing a national air AS
they reached the Chapel, the corps
lalted, reversed face and. as the two
columns marched into the Chapel, the
strains of organ and choir blended in
The Sons of God Go Forth to War"
Chaplain w. G. Cassard. o. S. N, led
,heseTvice and the Midshipman choir
3ang 20, Come, Let Us Sing" The
first lesson. from Second Samuel, 18th
chapter, was read by the Rev. Dr.Aus-
tin M. Courtney. The second lesson
was read by Chaplain II. H. Clark,U u. S.
~, from Paul's Second Epistle to Tim
othy. The choir sang the TIE Deum
Laudamus, Midshipmen T. T. Patterson
and III. l.. Grosskopf rendering the
solos The choir and congregation sang
My Country 'tis of Thee"
Chaplain Cassard made a brief state
ment, saying. first, that he desired to
recognize the cordial support given
him by all and especially by the Off
GERS. If there was any failure on the
part Of the Chaplain's duties, it could
not be laid at the feet of the officers;
second, he wished to thank the mem
bers of the choir for their faithfulness
in measuring up to the requirements of
their position; third, he desired to ex-
press his appreciation of the officers and
their families who had taken part in
the services in the Chapel
This service is voluntary. Midship-
men who desire, and whose wishes are
supported by parents Or guardians,
may go TO any church they desire
Your presence here is an evidence Of
your interest in the work that we be-
lieve is here to do, and which we are
trying to do; that of serving your best
interests in seeking your moral and
your spiritual welfare.
In the farewell sermon Chaplain
Cassard spoke from the text: And
the king said, is the young man Absa-
lom safe ?"-Second Samuel. 1919
Chaplain Casard said:
"Absalom, at the time to which the
text refers, was in rebellion against his
father, the kingand a struggle was be-
ing waged between the armed forces of
the father and the son. The father
was awaiting tidings of battle. and was
| more anxious for the safety of his son
thanthat the army should win In the
main, the instructive thought of the
father is right
'It was the misfortune and crime of
David and his son that the safety of
the young man was not consistent with
the welfare of the whole people.
Speaking for himself and of the many
who are interested in you, / feel that
the thing of pre-eminent Importance
this morning is your safety. Not the
safety that protects you from little
things; but rather of that safety by
which you are safe-guarded in battle
| as in peace, in death as in life. You
will rejoice that our interests are not
divided as it was with David and ABB
SALON. The welfare of our sons and
the success of our Navy, in all it's wor-
thy aims. are identical.
What then is essential TO your safe
/ ETY.? First, that you should have a
right conception of the laws by which
the battle of life is to be fought and
won. No man, father or king, no gov
ernment, however strong, could have
permanently safeguarded the welfare
of a man pursuing the course of con-
duct of Absalom. Not all the pater-
nalism in the world of which it is
charged there is some in the Navy
would not hold you in the road of sue
cess, nor keep you from certain disas-
ter and disgrace.
The paternalism of the Navy has a
right TO hold you responsible for the
obligations which you are ever charac-
teristic of the true son. Absalom's sin
was the sin of unfaithfulness. If YOU
| are W ESdllLe our WISH anu prayer IOl
your safety. you must meet and bear
the weight of responsibility with equiv
ped manhood. inspired by righteous
| aminations
You are to be naval officers. Lei
me give you a definition of the Navy
| An American institution with an hon.
orable history, unexcelled traditions
which il has ever maintained, whose
officers and men have been loyal and
who have, in every part of the world
sealed their loyalty with their blood
an institution which, in its strength
efficiency and loyalty. has more fre
Quently made for peace than for war
and which, when war became newt
able, by reason of the invasion Of thc
rights of America or of humanity, ha.
stood between our homes and our enc
mics, pursuing only direct and honor
able paths to those victories witt
which its wars have always been ulti