Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-06-08

The saved soul Is the most complete
ly educated soul. 1t is the spirit I'M
folded and perfected by soul culture,
while mind and hand have been in
training. Soul saving Is not matter
| of moment. With salvation 1t Is q
process by which men are being saved
all their days. Conversion Is enlist
ment In the cause OF soul culture. !
like that text In Acts. And the Lord
added unto them daily such as were
being saved
The Mission Of Soul Culture.
Jesus was supremely interested X
soul saving, which is the process OF
soul culture. For he knew that II
would not profit man II he gained
the whole world and lost his own soul
But Jesus was not dealing In futures
when he went about seeking to save
| that which was lost. He was not In,
terested simply in populating heaven.
He was more concerned with bringing
| In soul culture on earth, and in this
lie Which now Is. We speak In
! shallow way Of putting heart and soul
into an enterprise. Jesus took thar
| seriously. 1t was just what he want
ed For 1t meant bringing in the
| kingdom He wanted men and won.
en- to put soul into every word and
act, every relationship of life This
lis the end of soul culture. Music
which is ever SO perfect in it's tech
nique but has no soul behind 1t Is mere
sounding brass and changing cymbal.
Painting which is merely perfect in,
detail and color, but has no message to
| the souls of men, Is little more than
daub. A man who Ia soulless ia a
libel upon his creator. He has lost
the immortal spark which made him
more than the brute. Jesus was in
terested In soul life, which meant soul
in life 1t would redeem life from
the rut and the drudge. Mans every
activity would be exalted into SER
vice to himself. God and man It
would not be mere length but depth
Of days; not quantity but quality.
This Is the mission of soul culture in
life.
And now, members OF the class of
1916, / address few personal words
to you.
I 81 congratulate you on reaching this
day in your lives. 1t is but the com
mencement' of the educational process
which ends only with the earth chap
ter Of life's story. For this constant
education could wish for you moth
ing better than this May 1t be the
continual unfolding and perfecting Of
your spirits. hope that every one
of you may 90 further on in your
schooling. There Is no excuse for any
healthy, red-blooded boy or girl not
getting college education, Choose
your school seriously. Look for one
with a reputation for soul culture,
soulful men and environment and ac-
tivities which will give your soul It's
fullest chance.
Some of you may be at point
where you will enter lifes work. II
SO. beg of you that you will accept
no vocation which calls for sacrifice
of soul. Engage only in such work as
that into which you can put head
heart, hand. and, In the deepest sense
of the word, also soul. Choose such
a calling as shall be worthy spending
Of life-your life.
j "You are all entering upon career
Of further struggle to attain In gen.
eral way, put character before posses
sion of abundance Of things Put first
things first, taking the essential things
seriously and non-essential things cas-
ually. I wish for you all constantly
increasing abundance of goods laid
/ up for many years. Above that,
wish for you lives that shall be mas.
| terpieces because shot through with
soul.
i IF have seemed to over-emphasize
the MAYNARD side in the mysterious
work of soul culture. suffer me this
i final word. In the education OF Or
binary sort you put yourself in touch
!. and cooperation with the best o. finite
minds. In soul culture you will be in:
touch and cooperation with the inn.
mite mind You will not strive alone
God comes in. How, ! do not know.
Ii only know that he does. You Will
do your part He will be more VIII
ing than you to have Him, to help you
lin the culture and saving of your soul.
In this sacred work Of God and your
selves, pax vobiscum."