that which was noble, generous and elevating. Her funeral was attended largely by the student-body and those who treasured highly a friendship in life. The interment was in the University Cemetery by whose side her venerable husband was laid a quarter of a century later. In accordance with the spirit of the Faculty's decision, the two Literary Societies at one of their meetings in December announced the dates, subjects, and participants for the debater's medals: Jeff.-January 16th. Was the execution of Lord Stafford justifiable? February 27th. Do the advantages of war compensate for its evils? Wash. January 23rd. Is the example of the United States, according to present appearances, likely to increase the favor of mankind toward Republican government? February 27th. Does morality increase with increase of civilization? April 16th. Has the law of primogeniture, been productive of more Contestants: Messrs. T. E. Blakey, I. R. Faisen, H. J. Huck, J. E. Mason, C. E. Nicol, A. D. Pace, H. C. Stuart, N. E. Vasser, N. S. Walton, A. M. West. CHAPTER XV INCIDENTS AND COMMENCEMENT OF SESSION 1874-75 Session 1874-75 continued. Address of Rev. Dr. Randolph H. McKim: Selection of Jeff. and Wash. officers. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Robert L. Dabney. Sermon by Rev. Dr. R. N. Sledd. Typhoid epidemic; Baseball games. Commencement-Semi-Centennial Celebration: Sermon by Rev. Dr. W. T. Brantly; Wash. Celebration-Geo. Ben. Johnston, Henry C. Stuart, Charles E. Nicol; Jeff. Celebration-Benj. Fitzpatrick, A. M. Robinson, Leo. N. Levi. Alumni Celebration-Daniel B. Lucas, Gen. Jubal A. Early, Robert M. T. Hunter; Commencement Day-Gen. John S. Preston; Alumni Banquet; Final Ball, etc. ་ ON Sunday night, January 31st, Rev. Dr. Randolph H. McKim, a distinguished alumnus-one who had seen active service in the Civil War-delivered the sermon before the Young Men's Christian Association in the chapel to a packed audience composed of students and the University colony. His theme was, "False Views of Life and a True One," which beyond able composition and thought had a delivery of rare force and strength, inasmuch as few approximate, far less equal, that speaker's manner and personality-both lending a charm of sincereness and power that carried conviction. He was at that time Rector of Old Christ Church, Alexandria, Va., but during the year received a call to a more important field in New York City; about thirty-five years of age, tall—at least six feet one inch-compactly built without superfluous flesh, weighing one hundred and ninety pounds. His face was bright, reflective and observant; chin and upper lip smooth, but side whiskers cut well back; strong nose and forehead; enunciation clear, deliberate, earnest and engaging; voice deep, rich, sonorous and delightful. As this was the only sermon published during the session, we give here a few excerpts: I am to speak to young men, before whom the vision of life has just opened-who are indeed standing already upon the shores, and looking out upon its sparkling waters, eager to launch forth upon them-and it shall be my effort to expose the unseaworthiness of some of the vessels in which young men are tempted to embark in life, and to indicate one to which I think a man may commit himself with a fair prospect of reaching safe harbor at last. The purpose of life is what I call the vessel to which he commits his fortunes, and in which he launches out when he leaves the university. A mistake here may be fatal, at least productive of great loss. Mere pastime or pleasure is not the proper end of existence-it is a leaky vessel that must be abandoned with the toys of the nursery for the first results of liberal culture is to emancipate the mind and heart from the dominion of the senses. Nor is the accumulation of wealth the proper end of existenceit also is a leaky vessel, that gauges our civilization by its material rather than its intellectual and moral development, that suffers virtue, integrity, public and private honesty to decline for material prosperity. All the lessons of history, the records of past valor and patriotism, the evidence furnished by the remotest ages of their perpetual effort to escape the bondage of mere material things, in order to pursue the ideal image of truth and beauty and goodness which has floated like an angelic vision before the soul and has captivated its deepest affections-these elements of university culture, to say nothing of the study of mental and moral philosophy, exercise a most potent influence against the materialistic idea of life. The seeking of material happiness is not the end of human life, for its unsoundness must be apparent at a glance. A civilized community must rest on a large realized capital of thought and sentiment; there must be a reserved fund of public morality to draw upon in the exigencies of national life. Society has a soul as well as a body; the traditions of a nation are part of its existence. Its valor and its discipline, its religion, faith, venerable laws, science erudition, poetry, art, eloquence and scholarship, are as much portions of its existence as its agriculture, commerce, and engineering skill. Happiness is an incident in life, not the object of it-a wayside flower, not a parlor exotic. If sought for its own sake, it will mock us like the mirage in the desert; but if a man have chosen a Noble Aim to lead him, Moses-like, through life, his happiness will follow, as the smitten rock followed the Israelites through the wilderness, and ever and anon, as he journeys forward, will open for him its crystal fountains. Nor do I consider culture-education, intellectualism-the meaning and object of life, for it is a leaky vessel of which a man should beware, if he would not make shipwreck of the most precious part of the cargo of life.. The moral powers and spiritual faculties are nobler and command higher consideration than the intellectual, since the latter implies the culture of self, by self and for self, the former not self-culture, but self-sacrifice. Human life is not complete in itself, it is a fragment of another life-the germ out of which that life is to be developed. That which we call life is but the introduction to life-the Porch of the Temple-and not only so, the Temple will be in keeping with the Porch. The life that now is shall determine the life that is to come; it is this that gives such inestimable value to the brief span of human existence-a shadow that flits across the dial-plate of Time, a frail flower soon to be cut down; but what seeds has it left in the soil for eternal germination? Our life stands related to the Author of Life, and being his gift it is reasonable to suppose it must be used with a view to His good pleasure. What was the Divine purpose in bestowing life? What is the Divine idea of its significance? Life is God's training-school for human souls-a University in which man is to become fitted to enter upon a higher and better life hereafter. It has many schools, and the Divine Educator places each in those which are best suited to his nature and his destiny. According to this view, the great guiding principle and aim in life should be to submit ourselves to this Divine will, to receive and obey the Divine teaching. In the University of Life, the Great Educator has room for all-there is a place for each, and none is left out. The culture here of first importance is character. Misfortunes, reverses, disappointments do not overturn the purpose of life; rather they help it forward, for, under this sharp discipline, character is matured; and that is the human side of the purpose of life, that is God's purpose for the disciples in His school. Death does not prematurely arrest the educational process, but only calls the faithful student to an upper form, to a higher school. Let the great thought of God come into your life! It will be like the light of morning upon the landscape. Then you |