New-York tribune., 1922-06-05
Graduates Told Unsel6sh
Service Is Needed i'm Re-
building War.Torn World: /:
Crucial Times Ahead
Cermany's Fall Cited
Chaplain Raymond C.. Knox
Sees No Hope for Future in
Purely Materialistic Things

orisl Chapel, on the campus. A warn
ing against eynieism and the need for
hard work in rebuilding the war-swept
world were the keynotes Of the sermon
delivered by Chaplain Raymond c.
Knox.
From every viewpoint, We are living
in the most momentous period Of the
modern world has ever SEEN" said the
| chaplain I'VE have but recently
emerged from a great war. II was
war fought and won for noble ideals.
Let no cynicism ever deprive US Of that
/ heritage To impute the base is 20 be-
smiroh the memory Of those vho laid
| down their lives that We might live
Vho for our tomorrow gave their to-
day. We hoped and ardently believed
that out Of the darkness of that gi-
gantie struggle would dawn the bright
/ ness OF better day"
Referring 70 his text, taken from
/ Haggsi. III and 2. Thus saith the
Lord Go up % the mountain snd hew
wood. ari build the house the chap
lain continued;
you shw the vision. you VINO four
years ago began your college course
| in training for the battlefield. And ~
/ the days and weeks which followed the
arniistice men said: Now we shall
/ build upon the ruins n new and endur.
/ ing cdifce. Its foundation stones shall
be brought from tho quarries Of jus
| ticc. Its timhers shall be hcwn from
the oaks Of equity and truth i shall
/ be a temple in which men shall ofcr
] 80 AL a.
and % the practice ~ brotherhood.
The sight Of its towers and gates
shall give men inspiration and strength
% vrest themselves free from the
/ tyranny OF war and 20 live in abiding
| peace
Invokes Spirit Of Hamilton
But speedily there came siaeken-
ing Of purpose. The structure Of a
new society could not be reared In a
J day. and the high mood Of determine
tion waned. The emotions OF war had
passed and is ~reekage had 20 be
cleared without It's enthusiasms. In
creasingly men have become engaged
in their own pursuits. The cynic sneers
AZ human nature as incapable of
change; many protesting idealists can
only cit impotently by the ruins and
lament and criticize"
The chaplain asserted II is not too
late 70 salvage the world provided
that "ve have men and women who will
70 up 20 the mountain and hew wood.
and build the house" He invoked the
spirit OF Hamilton 20 descend upon
the graduates. declaring that this Co
lumbia graduate "by overcoming preju-
dice, By combating selhshness, by a
carefully wrought-out plan Of eonsti.
tutional government, by eeaseless toll
in raising the debt Of the impoverished
colonies. had laid the foundation
stones. had built the walls OF new
commonwealth"
Stressing the importance OF the
graduating generation IN world recon
struction. Chaplain Knox continued;
an the dust ard the din Of our
Z deafening present. how quickly may We
be caught in the rush and haste OF
( living. and be made helpless victims
Of the grinding machine. We imagine
we are building when ne only hammer
ard mound. How easy u is % be for
ever busy and yet accomplish nothing
nothing whatever OF beauty and per
roanenee. because ve take no time 20
consult the Supreme Architect of life
and 10 work With Him according 10
the plan.
"As the long days of peace return
how frequently il happens men more
and more become ermeshed IN mate
rial and solely personal pursuits,. hv.
ing as in the time Of the prophet OF old
IN luxurious houses OF their own, for
getting their devotion 20 the pubic
house which stands FOR the things OF
the spirit and God.
Warns Against Materialism
"uor easy IL is for a whole nation
"a be deceived as Germany was de-
ce;ved. and 70 end in downfall as that
nation did-and for the same reason
Because the life OF the spirit u regard p
ed AZ negligible and weak. because y
/, not cultivated, because trust - put
in force. in physical laws only. and IN
tbin0. that can be weighed and meas
ured and touched and seen. %
r,ake supreme and dominant the life o.
the spirit is the highest mission OF
Columbia herself
In referring 10 the visions Of peace
possessed by men OF all ages Ch1P'A'"
Knox said:
However slight may seem the prog
re,s as measured By the ideal stana-
ard. vet al Washington A. least ihe
as, ..sp was taken 20 substitute m,
na.fsr.nes table and the pledge 81
honor for the carnage of var ana 20
.voei,,- hat the best security for any
p,.ion /. the friendship Of the "oria
won bv patient and constructive gooa
vii let the work 60 on ssiliiuliy
plaeine stone upon stone, SEEKING ahe
bringing the timber from al parts o.
the earth. III.
"Onlv bv men and women Of spirit-
nal insight can this work be done ~
has been said. IL is always a mate'lA'-
istie world. bent on profit and aeeumu-
la,ion. that plans and invites war. VI
.hs other hand. world thst Is orll'
a, TIE Foundation Of moral ard spir-
Zeal eonvic,ions will be world irom
whieh war is excluded by every means
that man ear devise. ,,.-,.
"A new world. firmly established OF
moral and spiritual law, ir9m
rnr is forever banished' inihHiDs ~
age-long hopes ard ASPIRATIONS o. ur"' ~"
is our responsibility. Il IS poss'''e
II must and shall be built.
The Rev. Roelif II. Brooks rector o. o.
81 Paul. Church. Albany Coiutn ola
1900. conducted the services az Shle1
Alfred Marling. member Of tne eo..e
Of trustees, read the lesson, NAI's. g
Henry Hall. professor Of music was IN
charge Of the choral program.
The procession 70 the enspeo
headed By candidates for the pace
slor's degree in Columbia, Barnard Ans
Teachers colleges and the Schools oi
Journalism and Business. The enolf
President Nicholas Murray butter Az AZ