Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-06-18
BACCALAUREATE
SERMON GIVEN
Local High School Grad
yates Hear Inspiring Ad-
dress by Mr.. WeStCott

Taking as his subject An Ac-
complished Youth" Rev. Wllbert
Westcott, pastor of the Simpson
Methodist church, last night preach-
ed the baccalaureate sermon TO n
graduating class of the Perth Am
boy high school. An audience OF
about 400 including eighty mem
bers of the senior class, listened APP
preciatively to Mr.. Westcott's re
marks.
The ext of the address was taken
from Samuel Chapter 16, Il have
seen a o of Jesse, the Bethlehe-
mite, that is cunning in playing n
a mighty valiant man, and a man
of war, and prudent in matters n
a comely person, and the Lord is
with him"
MI. Westcott told of the sheppard
boy who three centuries before the
founding of Rome was tending his
flock among the Judean hills and
it was that same boy who was des-
tined to fill a large place in the
worlds history, David. He was the
youngest of ten children and the
most unpromising. In time the son
of Jesse is recognized by Samuel and
then by King Saul. All this was be-
cause he was well born. Mr.. West
colt declared, and he was a picture
of accomplished youth.
There is such a thing as being
we'll born" the Methodist minister
stated, naming the three qualities
namely, physical characteristics,
mental gifts and moral qualities.
THE tendency in our American life
is neither to blame nor commend a
man for that for which he is not
accountable" he said, coming down
to modern times. He then told of the
centuries back from which our an
cestors date. 1T teaches us the re-
sponsibility and dignity of life. We
can't choose our grandparents but
we can choose our grandchildren"
was the point brought out here.
Mr.. Westcott then took up separ-
ately each of the qualities which
David possessed and drew conclu-
sions with modern youth. In stating
that David was talented, he said that
there is such a thing as talent and
most of the talents are gifts, point
ing out that il you have a talent it
not only comes from God but is to
be used for Him.
David was vigorous for he was a
trained athlete, not the same as to-
day, but in all respects an athlete.
Athletics play a prominent part in
our national life, Mr.. Westcott said,
as he told as examples of the great
throngs which pack the parks 10 see
a football or baseball game. Ath-
letics r a part of individual life
also but athletics should not be over-
done, he warned, as they are some-
fi1anc n hS,dYo - NuNh,Fn zF114&fA.
should never be an end but always a
shot as he urged the members of the
class to live a vigorous life.
David was aggressive and a man
of war but not the kind we always
think Of" stated the minister as he
told of some of his boyhood expert
ences. ITO say a man is a fighter
may be either a compliment or a
criticism. It all depends upon the
enemy a man fights" David was
also prudent as he was a youth of
good judgment, Mr.. Westcott further
pointed out, and gave some examples
of the everyday use of good and bad
judgment.
Although David was a comely per-
son he was attractive. Beauty is not
everything, he told the students, but
it is the disposition and character of
the person. Personal appearance
may be a moral help or hindrance
and it also reflects the kind of lives
we live. In urging a clean life he
said. True beauty is not TIE face
and form with which we are born,
but the life back of the face that
makes or the beauty of it."
In speaking of David's religion EIr
Westcott said in part: THE greatest
feet in the universe is God. There
is not a mouthful we eat, a breath
we draw, a pleasure we experience
or a joy we entertain that Toes not
bespeak the sacrifice of God. The
greatest calamity in the Universe is
to ignore or, forget God. To be-
lieve is the greatest compliment IN
the universe"
In conclusion let me state the
seven glories of an accomplished
youth: Appreciation, development
nervousness. agg~ressiveness, pru-
dence attractiveness and religion.
David had all these and rose to
prominence. All Of you should have
the same and rise to great heights
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