Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-11
PRINCIPAL HAWTHORNE GIVES
BACCALAUREATE SERMON
PLANS PROGRESSING Well
Baccalaureat Sermon

The 102nd commencement exercises
OF Coburn Classical Institute were
opened yesterday morning with the de-
livery Of the baccalaureate address by
Principal Drew T. Hawthorne in the
First Baptist church at 1890 o'clock.
Long before the hour set for the
services the church was filled to the
doors. and at the hour set the senior
class Of the institute marched in to
their seats. being led by Russell M.
Whitfield Of New Haven. Conn.,, who
acted as marshal. The customary
church services were conducted by Rev.
waiter Quarrington and the baccalau-
reate address followed. The service
Tor the graduating class is always i'm
pressive and this year was no excep-
ton and the townspeople gathered to
witness the event.
Principal Hawthorne took for the
topic of his address "Education: For
What?" from a text in the Bible,
Study to show myself approved unto
God" Mr.. Hawthorne told the audi
cnce that the question Of education
was today one Of the most pertinent,
and that it was too broad to discuss
lin the short time of an address. He
said that commencement had deeper
meaning than simply the end, which
it really was not, since it was consid-
cred to be the beginning. and that it
had holy meaning as we'll.
Mr. Harthorne stated that there were
three stages in the development of ed
ucation: First. what what was educa-
ton: second, how is education secured.
and third, what should be the purpose
of education.
The speaker said that education was
an ideal. The Spartans thought that it
meant strength; the Athenians took it
to mean beauty; the ancient Romans
took for the meaning that military
power was education. All of these
great powers are but tales of history
row. They all failed because they had
the wrong ideal. He said that good
definition Of education was that it fit
ted man to perform skillfully all Off
cial duties in peace and war, private
ly and publicly. Also that education
was one Of the major concerns Of the
race and the most fundamental of all.
Education can only be had through
hard study, the institute head further
stated, and that If the student was am
bilious there would be no limit to his
field Of learning. He said that study
was absolutely necessary and that the
secondary object would come after.
The purpose of the education acquired
was toward character and knowing
God.
Principal Hawthorne closed his adj
dress by giving a personal word to
the graduating class. 1t was: "You
must formulate your own definition
of what your education shall be-
Your experience of the last four
years has opened the gate to lar
ger, more beautiful and more salts
flying life. You have had glimpses
of the best things that life has to
Offer In history and literature you
have learned of the best thoughts
of men and women of the past. In
science, in laboratory and field, you
have just begun to think Gods
thoughts with him. With school
mates and teachers YOU have asso-
Citations that have been inspiring
and helpful. The stirring days of the
last four years with all their per-
picking problems have given you a
challenge more impelling than eyer
called the Mailed knight to the bat
tie in olden time. That you will &C
cept the opportunity, have no
doubt. AS you go on into college,
life will unfold more completely
Larger opportunities will be yours
Coburn has stood across the path
| now for more than a hundred years
Year by year she has seen the roll OF