Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1920-05-26

last to help dedicate the new college
building. He had watched the school,
it's struggles and its successes, and re-
jo1ced at the progress that has been
made. Launching into his main adj
dress, he developed and discussed in a
logical and instructive manner the
subject he had chosen, '"The Value Of
Life. Mr.. Chelgren said in part:
Life is a precious gift of God. Its
value'per Sc is beyond earthly figures
to express. 10 do so we would have
to know the arithmetic of heaven. ****
Wherein then, do we find the basis
for the value of life in it's bearing upon
the welfare of society, of man?
We, often hear the question discuss
ed: What can and should society do
for the individual?' This qeustion is
back Of all so called forward move
ments of the day, the reforms, socially
politically, morally and spiritually. OF
course, all do not agree as to what
society can best do for the individual,
hence the many theories and plans
that are being offered by man ,singly
However, all agree that something
NC uOllc ny SOC1clv W UcLlcI luC
conditions of the individual. But the
other side of the question is of still
greater Importance: What can the in
dividual do for society. or for the COM
mon good of man? The progress of
man is made possible by the reaction
Of these forces, the individual and
society. The individuals Of a genera
ton enrich life by toll, sacrifice and
devotion, thereby the individuals Of
the next generation are given larger
opportunities and better environment
hence there is progress. The proof
Of this fact can be found throughout
the history of man.
All these, wealth, position, natural
endOwments and education are all val
liable as factors and aid in a useful
life, but there must be something else
that gives value to life and that is,
mans services to the world, mans in
dividual contribution to the general
welfare. The progress of the world
has been one of service of ministry.
Literature, art, philanthropic and edu-
cational Institutions are found today as
the result of services. Every contri-
button to the true welfare of man has
come through the ministry of service.
Hence the value Of our life will be
determined by the services we give for
the common good.
Further it is selfevident that the
value of mans services depends upon
the quality or kind of services: Ser
vices differ as to Importance, and yet
any man who makes a real contribu
ton to mans welfare, however small
it may seem, is benefactor Of the race
You have heard, the quotation from
Dean Swift that the, man that makes:
/ two blades Of grass grow where only
one grew before is a benefactor of
man.. What valuable services have not
been rendered to mankind by the great
discoveries and inventors! 1t is safe
to say that most of them have not col
lected from society what was rightly
| due to them for services rendered. But
I wish to emphasize the services of the
! tOiling millions who from year to year
! carry on the work necessary to the very
subsistence of mankind. The value of
their work was brought to our notice
as never before in the late world war.
The eyes of society have been opened
to the value of productive labor.
It is, indeed proper at college COM
mencement that we mention the service
of contributing to the intellectual Gull
ture and development Of man. the ser
vice that broadens the human horizon.
| that heightens the human ideals and
| that strengthens the human mind, for
! without this there would be no pro-
gross. What would become of society
and civilization if our teachers should
go on a permanent strike! Then the
services that bring help and comfort
to the needy, the services of Christian
| charity what would the world be with
out the works of charity?
! But friends. the service which means
most to human society is that which
deals with human character and des-
| tiny. Here is the supreme service that
any one can render mankind. True and
noble manhood and womanhood is the
highest ideal Of society, and the work
and influence that helps in the realiza-
ton Of this ideal is of the greatest
value. Character will abide forever
We are citizens Of two worlds, and
these worlds are related Let us realize
that all contribution to the mutual well
fare except as it finds it's value in hui
man character will perish. Olr wealth
will vanish, our cities and our treas
ures will moulder in the dust, the great
monuments of civilization will pass
away, but character will survive the
| wreck of time and death. Character
! therefore gives the real intrinsic value
of life. 1t is also that which serves
as measure Of the things in life that
are worth WHILE -.
Now there are many factors in char
acter such as environment, work, study,
faith, hope and charity, thoughts, words
and deeds. It is true that there is a
mutual action and reaction between
character and these elements, and by
Gods help and grace all may work to-
gether to make man fit and willing to
do that which is in accord with good
ness, truth and beauty. Only then will
our lives be of value to our fellow men.
Then the world will be a little better
because we have lived.''
At the conclusion Of Rev. Chelgrens
address. Miss Agda Wennerberg rem.