The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-06-05
tLIFE'S VOYAGE
LIKE A SHIPS,
SENIORS TOLD
Largest Crowd Hears Rev. John
ssgfs McGown Stevenson-Drffters
IL; Menace Of World.

The largest crowd ever attending
t1e Broadway Presbyterian church
was present last night when Rev.
5ohn McGown Stevenson, pastor,
rave the commencement sermon,
The Voyage of Life," to 143 grad
hates of the Rock Island high
school. Every section of seats and
floor space was filed.
On the Voyage of Life" Rev.
Mr. Stevenson likened the gradn-
htes to ships launched on their
maiden voyage. He said, The
graduates, like a feet of ships, are
launched with crowds cheering on
the shores, wondering how they
would return-some probably with
shattered decks and cordage rent
none ever the same again.
but life is vastly more import
ant" continued Rev Mr.. Stevenson
and there are graver issues when
we think of the possible conse-
quences. 1t is an enormous task,
this building of life. We can't af-
ford to put anything unsound into
the construction. No inferior
workmanship One loose rivet may
spell destruction Everything must
be up to standard. Carelessness
spells ruin. Our first task is the
Dverhauling of materRl-physically,
mentally and morally.
- 1.-THE physician can test the ply
steal Your teachers the mental.
My task tonight is something vastly
more difficult than any mere eX-
amination 1t is the sounding of
your moral nature. Materials are
given to you, you brought them
with you. You cannot select your
own. Some have fine endowment,
others are handicapped but you
must all work by the best models.
You are not responsible for the ma
Ii.terial but you are for its use. The
'unsound must be cast aside. 1t is
+ better to build a smaller boat
There must be no paint or putty
that will not stand useful puT-
pose. 1t must not hide defects. The
novice may not detect the blemish
but heaven defend you in the fury
ofthe storm. 1t is superficial
thinking that comedies wild oats
Tor youthful years.
rA TOday's Problems Social.
NmThere is a scientific law called
reflex action There is no action
without corresponding reaction
vibrating through every cell. Even
if heaven was willing to mitigate,
injury is done. Divine vengeance is
not the invention of dramatists. 1t
is the law of nature. So that sue
cess is determined by the quality
of preparation, by character. Is it
sham or is it real?
1.-THE tasks of the day demand
iron. Last century the great ques-
tions were political. Today they
are social. Don't complain of your
difficulties, face them. Have more
concern for your duties than your
rights. Take care of the duties
and the rights will take care of
themselves. Everything must be up
to standard Carelessness spells
ruin. Our first task is the over
hauling of material-pl ysically,
mentally and morally"
Like Early Mariners.
The graduates were compared to
the early mariners, bold and ven
turesome, who started out on IN
chartered seas. THE first ruling
principle for them was courageous
WDTk, he SAID.
Don't be afraid of woIk Para
disc is under its shadow 1t is the
best gift God gives us. There re
breakers ahead for the idle, indo-
lent Stacker. The second principle
OF your voltage is self-discipline
Failure here means loss of every
thing. There must be no mutiny
aboard. Without will, obedience
eaio
it means disaster. Take the Lord
Christ on board as the pilot, not TO
steer while you sit lazily by, but
standing at the helm in you. Con-
science is like the bow of the boat,
rising and falling with the surge
n of the tide. Be in Him and have
I Him in you"
Must Set Goal
Rev. Mr.. Stevenson concluded
with the purpose of the voyage after
speaking of the preparation and the
conduct. When two vessels meet
on the high seas they give friendly
greetings, they tell where they
came from. what they carry. where
they are going and who is the cap
tain Conceive of a captain not
knowing where he is going This
is q frequent spectacle in life
adrift mid-ocean, almost derelict.
Drifters are always a menace on
the deep, so in life. We must honor
the laws of navigation, know where
We are going and for what purpose
Navigate by the great stars of duty
and steer for the port flying the
flag of the Kingdom.
1T is the set of the sale that
. determines the course of ship and
not the gale, and so it is in the
sea OF life, it is the set of the soul
that determines the goal, not the
storm or the strife he concluded.
& March to Professional.
The graduates in their caps and
gowns, marched into the church
while the professional was being
played. Several musical numbers
and organ selections were given at
the program.