The log cabin Democrat., 1916-05-29

CONSCIENCE THEME OF STRONG SERMON BY BISHOP WINCHESTER Large Congregation Hears Baccalau- reate Delivered to State Normal
 Class of 1916.-

Before congregation which filled | the First Methodist church to it's utmost capacity Bishop J. R. Win chester of Little Rock, bishop of the diocese of Arkansas, Protestant Epis- copal church, yesterday morning de- livered the annual baccalaureate ser mon for the graduating class of the Arkansas State Norclal Scnool.
 Promptly at II o'clock the Normal student body, preceded by the senior class in cap and gown and the faculty, marched into the church, singing their professional. Prayer was offered by Dr. F. S. H. Johnston, pastor of the Methodist church and scriptural se- ections were read by Prof. A. J. Meadors and Dr. Johnston. Prof Meadors also made the commence ment announcements, explaining that illness prevented Pres. J. J. Doyne from presiding at the services. The offertory was a beautiful vocal duet by Mrs. Lila Wade Harrell and Ber- nard Bruce.
 Bishop Winchester took for his text II Chronicles, 12:14: "He did evil be- cause he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord." The text, he stated, referred to Reaboam, the son of Solo, mon, whose disastrous career is well known to every student of the scrip lures. It was stated negatively, but indicated the need of preparedness, now a topic of peculiar interest throughout the nation. Of all pre- paredness, the speaker declared, heart preparedness is the most important. This must be directed by conscience, and conscience was the theme of the bishops discourse.
 The voice of conscience, he declared, is needed to be heard and obeyed among nations as we'll as men. When solemn treaty between two world powers is contemptuously cast aslde and referred to as a scrap of paper and when mems words are no longer their bonds and even their bonds are broken" he said, "it is high time to stop and listen to the voice of conscience" Conscience, he said, runs like a golden thread throughout the scriptures and throughout lit by the Bible, should be the ruling guide and principle of the graduates lives. Reason, imagination and mem- ory all are defective without con- science, and the preacher eloquently adjured the class to be governed in all their acts by the dictates of an enlightened conscience. The consci- ence should not only be kept alive and alert, Bishop Winchester said, but it should be educated. He spoke of the cruelty and oppression brought about in past ages by the workings of misguided and uneducated consciences. He saw, however, in the administra- tion of President Wilson and in the nomination of Dr. Brough evidences of an enlightened and educated con- science asserting itself in the nation and the state. He pointed out the great undeveloped resources of Ar kansas, urging the class of 1916 to set as their task the work of develop a greater and greater state. If all their work is directed by an enlight- ened and intelligent conscience, he said, happiness will come and with it will come peace with God.
 The sermon, delivered without or atoricai effort, was given the closest of attention and made profound i'm rression. It was declared by many to be the best commencement address delivered here in many years.
 The annual Senior-Junior reception of the State Normal was given Sat urday night on the beautiful lawn at the home of MT. and Mrs. J. T. Mur- phy, on the corner of Donaghey and College avenues, attended by members of the junior and senior classes, the Normal faculty and a few invited guests. Japanese lanterns were
 strung about the lawn, which, with
 the natural setting, made a beauti- full spectacle. The juniors were con-
 spicuous by their absence early ir the evening. When they appeared
 wearing caps and gowns, forming a
 semi-circle about the Normal band
 the seniors seemingly were surprised
 and somewhat indignant, all of which provoked ripples, of laughter from the
 others present. Diplomas were giver
 to the psuedo-seniors, taking addi
 tional conceit from the graduating
 class. The band struck up severa
 lively airs, adding enjoyment to tht
 entertainment. Games of variou!
 kinds were played, following whicl
 refreshments were dispensed, whicl
 consiste dof ice cream and cake il
 the senior colors.