The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-07
BIRMINGHAM BOYS HEAR SERMON BY
 DR. W. W. P|NSON
The College Commencement Events Will Be in Full Swing at Owenton
 Today

Ihe commencement sermon for Bir- mngham college was preached at II clock yesterday morning at the First Methodist church by Dr. W. W. Pin son of Nashville. whose theme was, Eliminating the Risks" and whose text was from the sermon on the mount in the two passages No man can serve two masters" and Seek Ne first the kingdom of God"
 The large audience present was greatly impressed by the message which was a forceful analysis of hu- man life as related to the spiritual and eternal. Dr. Pinson spoke of life as an enormous risk with possibilities of infinite failure or success
 While the lower animals by a blind instinct unconsciously fill their deg tined place in the world" he said, man alone has to find his own path through life and carve out a place for him. self unaided by instinct Every man Is new experiment and God himself takes an immeasureable risk when lie launches new soul, While the march of civilization has eliminated many things which limited mans physical
 
 single sin has been removed. Every form of moral blight that fell on Baby lon, Nineveh and Sodom falls today on Birmingham, Nashville and Atlanta pr. Pinson said that as one looked out over the world today there was temptation to be pessimstic "The highest form of culture in Europe is engaged In finding ways to destroy human life,' he said. Science which has done so much in eliminating dis ease Is today speaking in the whirr If the Zeppelin over sleeping cities and the scream of the shell on its mission of death and destruction. When the disciples were tempted to be pessi- miatic, Christ gave them promise of coming beauty, Joy, harmony and com pleteness when he told them to consider the lilies. When men gave as much attention to spiritual things as to ma teral interests the world would begin eliminating the moral risks so that it would be easier to build character. Manhood Is more important than ham mon and by approaching life as Christ approached 1t we can eliminate all risk of making a failure at the end of the way" pr. Pinson closed with an eloquent appeal to his hearers to seek the best in life" not as single act but as a perpetual attitude
 In beginning his discourse Dr. Pin- son took occasion to speak appreciat- ingly of the splendid work that Bir- mingham college was doing and to ex- press the hope that it should have the hearty support of the people of Bir- mingham and Alabama On the plat form with Dr. Pinson were Dr. ]. W. Johnson and Dr. J. D. simpson. Dr. Simpson announced the commencement programme. The college glee club sang several selections.
 Today at 10 o'clock in the college chapel the freshmen and sophomore Reclamation contests will take place. At S:15 tonight there will be an ora torical contest between the R. E. Lee and Eumenean literary societies and also a debate between them. Wilbur B. Nolen of Alexander City, who won this year the state oratorical contest. will represent the Eumeneans and J. P. Franklin of Birmingham will speak for the Lees The question for the debate Is Resolved That Imm grafton Should Be Further Restricted by tho 1lliteracy Test as Prescribed by the Bonner Bill" The affirmative will be represented by Banks Walston and J. W. Moore and the negative by T. g Bugg and J. C. Pegues.
 The annual meeting of the board of trustees will be held this afternoon ,t 2:3o. Tuesday will be alumni day At 10 o'clock there will be the junior ora tions and the alumni address by Clyde H. Vann of Heflin, followed by tho li.- erary address by Dr. II. NJ. DuRese, pastor of the First Methodist church. Atlanta. The alumni barbecue will be held on the campus at o'clock TuuS- day afternoon.