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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 Missis-
sippi Agricultural and Mechanical College
were of an impressive chracter this
morning. Previous to the sermon deliver-
ance by Rev. William Mercer Green, rec-
tor 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 dis-
course. 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 de-
livered 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 suc-
cessful 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 opin-
ion. 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 achieve-
ments in moral progress, humanitarian en-
terprise, 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 non-
denominational or non-religious colleges.
Society is asking the question.

"The pronounced materialism and secu-
larism of the day tells us that large
masses of our people have weighed the
Christ life in the balance and have de-
cided 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 non-
resistance 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 them-
selves through life.

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