Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-12
COburn Graduates
Hear Baccalaureate
at Impressive Service

i
Coburn Classical Institute opened
Sunday morning with the Baccalaur-
cate sermon at the First Baptist
church by Principal Drew T. Harth-
orn.
The exercises were deeply impress
sive. The members Of the class
marched from the Coburn building to
the church. The boys were in con-
ventional black. and the girls wore
the school uniforms, white middies,
white dresses and black ties. Abbot
Smith, member of the graduating
class, presided at the organ, and
played as the march by which they
entered the church, q composition by
Carl Jean Totman, director Of music
Of the Institute. Mr. Smith played
the organ for the hymns during the
service and also for the occasional
march, VIXEN the members of the
cl-s3 retired from the church.
"Thc .'lundant Life" was the sub
iect which Mr.. Harthorn had chosen
with the text from John 1910. 81
am come that they might have life
and that they might have it more
abundantly."
Mr.. HarthOrn said in part:
"These words were spoken when
Jesus was ex. lining to his friends
! to the Pharisoes the difference
~ ,".cen his mission and { mission
e of those who had gone before him.
Blind adherence to dogma and ritual
had destroyed the spirit Of the earlier
teachings of the Jews. Journalism
with its deadening results had
crowded out the finer qualities which
had once marked their faith. People
everywhere were perplexcd and dis
turbcd. In the midst Of such uncer-
tainty and unrest the sweet and ten
der message Of Jesus fell upon ears
ready to listen. Burdcncd hearts felt
sense of relief and nav spirit
seemed abroad in the world.
I'm the words of the text Jesus
implies Il comparison. Others had
claimed that they brought life into
the world. Jesus said He too brought
life hut a life that should be rich
or. fuller. moro abundant than had
been brought by any Of those who
preceded him.
Jesus did not use the term in
scientific way. He was not teaching
tho principles Of biology. nor was he
conccrpod with establishing any
elaborate system Of philosophy.
"Thc question of life. the cxper-
foncos which make it up. its develop
mcnt and enrichment. is as all alb
SorbinE today as it was 5000 years
2-o. What does life hold for me-?
What can I contribute to it's devel-
opmcnt in myself and others? These
/. .9rc questions which we can not
: dodge or evadc.
Jesus made clear His idea of life
:. and service. 1t was deeds not words,
> fact and not theory that counted with
, Him. The world needed just such a
. philosophy of life and Jesus rccoG-
nized it's need. Jesus did open the
. way for the development Of a more
, abundant life than had been possible
: before. From that day to this, what
: ever institution, organization or in
!. dividuals have had as their purpose
!; to help men or to better life, have
f found their inspiration for such
> service in the life and words of the
! Master.
( II find in this day a parallel to
! the day in which Jesus lived. The
Z world is in dire need of some force
. which shall give life. and Il life that
/. Is more abundant, than any it has
/, ever had. What will be the agency
for the development of q more album
&, dant life today if it is not the young
7 r.cn and women who are going forth
f. from our schools and colleges after
. having had the high privilege and
helpful associations of student days.
If you accept the truth of this state
ment, and I am sure you do, 1 am
certain that you will have the pur-
pose and the determination to do
your part in bringing about such a
result.
: What i The need Qs the world