The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-14
PEACE ALSO MENACE,
SAYS DR.. HIBBEN
princcton's Head Asserts War
Does Not Prove Christian
ity to BE a Failure.
GREED GREATEST CURSE

PRINCETON, y. j.. June 13.-Thc pres
an, world war does not prove Chris
,,anity 10 he n failure, but rather II In
giving Christianity It's supreme test. ac-
eo-dins to President John Grier Hib-
hon IN his bac%calaureato address to
p-,rceton's graduating class in Alex.
,,der Hall to-day. The subject OF the
.srmon was Martial Nalor in Times
Of Peace
The brilliant academic procession
vas even more Respondent than usual
President Hibbcn headed 1t. with Col.
william 4. Llbbcy chief marshal. They
we're followed by the trustees and the
faculty. all In full academic regalia,
their black gowns setting on their many
gayly colored hoods. Members OF the
Graduating class followed in black caps
and gowns. They will not be privileged
20 wear hoods until Tuesday.
There are some" Dr. Hibben said.
~ubo have formulated for themselves
a philosophy OF national destiny which
maintains that war is "A dire necessity
IN order to %rcgcnorate and re!nvigorate
a people fast approaching a decadent
state due to the detcriorating forces
n, material good. and the emasculating
Influence Of luxurious ease and self
Indulgence. From such a point OF view
war is the great national prcphylactic
7, is insisted that war arrests national
disease and decay. revives the national
conscience. unifies n people and gives
. new meaning to the spirit OF Loyalty
and sacrifice that II is only by the
han,ism Of fire and blood that the re-
generation OF n nation can he accom-
,ished. Thus a new national consecra-
10, ia born Of national peril and is
maintained through national defeat.
Question for Younger Generation.
Drs This the only way TO realize -.c
,,ua end OF a peoples destiny? Must
We confess that IL IL necessary Tor us 10
descend into hell before we ran begin
IN climb the steep ascent or heaven
Wa OF the older generation cannot
answer II. The answer Is with YOU or
The coming generation-you who are TO
NAV YOUR part in the new day OF your
iahors in the world awaiting you. !
Am profoundly convinced that II Is pos
,lhle for you 10 prove in your own
lives that martial vigor may ne mus
.-a,ed IN times OF peace as well as IN
zines ~ war. Let us not deceive M
.alvss that peace Is in itself n blessing
We ran make II a blessing. but we can
make Il a curse as well.
"paaca Ia a situation. an externsl
s,,,inr. the guarantee Of a free exercise
O, ali our powers, without rear OF 'he
msrace or Intrusion OF foreign foe 10
r,alIenrs or control that freedom.
peace is the clean sheet p which
man NAV write the record for good or
III; Il Is the opportunity which man
NAV nobly use or shamefully apuse
It /. the unknown quantity to when
the human factor alone can CIV de-
terminate value.
1T would he we'll for us to recognize
and confess that the great obstacle to
the progress OF our people in the devei-
cpment OF national vigor and rectitude
Is the growth OF a selfish individualism
which has no though, for the common
good and the public veal. No nation
has ever been conquered by n Zoe from
without unless there has been devel-
oped some Inherent weakness within. II
we can withstand the dangers Of peace
We need never fear the danger or war
Sees Higher Light Ahead.
II. NAV be regarded by some" said
n. Hibben in concluding. "as the ex-
preston OF a too e~Ntravagant optimism
II we declare our belief that the world
is entering upon a new time In Its his
tory. a new order OF things in which
the law OF Justice and the spirit OF
mercy will universally prevail. The
very darkness. however. OF the present
time creates n persistent belief that
there must be some higher light ahead
No robust spirit can be permanently
ntssimistic. You are called to play a
part in the building Of a new world
This vocation IL your Inspiration.
There are some who, all too readily
discouraged, complain bitterly thai
The present European tragedy proves
Christianity n failure. on the con-
'-ary ! believe tina Christianity is ap.
Preaching It's supreme test. II rests
with the coming generation TO which yoI
t.ong 10 restore TO the law and love OF
CHRIST their ancient power.
The will to believe is sufficient u
carry the strongly intrenched heigh'
N the face Of the enemy's fire. The vii
" believe II potent also TO the kingdom
o' God ard His Christ 20 prevail agains'
We evil OF the world, against the princi'
f%ali'ies, against the powers. against tn
spiritual hosts Of wickedness In IN,
heavenly places"