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President Wilson Quoted to Effect That "Opinion Ultimately Governs the World" and a Brilliant and Scholarly Discourse is Delivered.
Special to The Commercial Appeal.
STARKSVILLE, Miss., May 30. --The commencement exercises of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College were of an impressive chracter this morning. Previous to the sermon deliverance by Rev. William Mercer Green, rector of St. Andrew's Church, Jackson, Miss., the processional hymn, participated in by ladies and gentlemen of the city and campus, was sung and the ritual of the Episcopal Church was read, Rev. Lundy Sykes of Aberdeen assisting in the impressive ceremonies. Dr. Green was introduced by President Hightower and delivered a brilliant and scholarly discourse. Since the college was founded 35 years ago some of the ablest divines have spoken from its platform, but it is generally conceded by all who heard Dr. Green that his sermon is entitled to rank with the very best of these which have preceded it. He took his text from St. Matthew 22; 42, "What think ye of Christ."
In part he spoke as follows:
"President Wilson in an address delivered a short time ago spoke these true words: 'Opinion ultimately governs the world.' This is another way of saying what the ancient proverb asserts: 'As a man thinketh in his heart so he is.' In pulpit the language changes but the idea is the same. The truth is so axiomatic that it need no buttress in argument. One of the fundamental duties of the mind's opinion and the heart's faith. Life's successful journey depends on it. The open switch brings many a train to disaster. In the unguarded sidetracks lurks danger. The main track of life is faith. The open switch is a false faith or misguided opinion. Many lives are wrecked up in a sidetrack into which it has been turned by invalid creed. A good watch ahead is needed. Conscience is life's man in the cab. The eye of conscience must be on the track of faith.
The Central Figure.
"To this end I bring the question 'What think ye of Christ?' He is the central figure in modern civilization. All achievements in moral progress, humanitarian enterprise, industrial and governmental ideals have found their strength in Him. The issue is not asking the question. The educational worls if asking it, some would have us place confidence in the power of and enriched mind to cure the world's ills and so would close up the churches and buildin their stead libraries and nondenominational or non-religious colleges. Society is asking the question.
"The pronounced materialism and secularism of the day tells us that large masses of our people have weighed the Christ life in the balance and have decided that it is not the pathway to success or happiness. So I bring you the livest and most pressing question of the day. His life was not one of mere passive nonresistance or cowardly renunciation. It was positive, aggressive, constructive for righteousness and was set in heroic mold. He declared that peace is the condition of world conquest and that the meek shall inherit the earth, that love is the only guarantee of balance in human relations, that the only true wealth is character, that service is the measure of greatness."
Towards the conclusion he told the graduates how they should deport themselves through life.