w
'-j
'
THE nriSPF.RiAiV SYUBEffT. $
T
M
if
HESPERIAN STUDEN7.
LINCOLN,
JUNE, 187!!.
Till! Jli.si'iiiiiAN S'it'nRNT.--n (,'olleeo pntior
imhlliliuri liionthly by the xtiiiluiits ol thu No
firahUa Htnlo University, 'forms--N) ccnlx per
yuar, In nilvnnce. Stil)Mrlitinn -will lio rorclvrd
ut I. V, AilnniH' Now Ntninl. next door north of
vot onu-o.
OiimimnilontloiiM wc noltrttcit from all (lie Mil
itant e nnd our IVIuihIm In ucncrol. Ali1runi tlm
llocporlan Student. 1. (i. lu MHi I.tueoln. N'u-liraaL-fi.
II. K. MKTOAI.I-',- Eelltnr-lii-Clilof.
O. A. Wa'MO.N, I. A(lllni.n,1.
nJl
1 "V
N
oinmeiicemciit WtK.
ll.VPOAl.AfltEATK SERMON.
On Sandfly Ilio 28udin.sl.,u largo, con.
grcgntion Assembled "hiN tlio Academy of
Music to listen totho address of the Chan
oellor. Tills is memorable in the history
of the University, as the first Baccalaur
eate to the first graduating class. It was
listened to with marked attention through
out. The object of :! address was to show,
that God has a definfile purpose in the life
of every man, and is providentially pre
paring him for it; and that some aid is
given him in getting hold of the Divine
plan. The first point wis illustrated by
The biography of eminent men, whose
lives tire recorded In sacred and profane
history. God has a particular, care, a
particular sympathy and a particular re.
ward for each individual, His plan is
eomprehenshc embracing all the adapta
tions and dependencies ol being and par
ticularly adapting to each one his life
work. Every man exists for some pur.
pose, ami this end God designs to be.some
thing good for him: what, opportunity
permit! he ought to become, and that God
employs Ills providence to aid him in lie
corning what he ought, to be.
It. was next inquired how we are tu gain
any understanding of what our life plan
"is. First, it cannot belong to any one's
life plan to crush out or snap oil' his in
dividuality. God delights in variety, not
loan in the manifold manifestations of hit
man talent, than in the human face, or in
the infinite variety of nature.
Again was discussed 1st, the pursuits
of, life and 2nd, the spirit in which any
pursuit should be followed. The spirit
of every callingshouldrepreseutihespir
It thoteniora into God's work. He cannot
bo one thing and design "us to be quite tho
contrary.
The work in the life plan of each per
son will bo indicated, first, by opportunity,
and will be developed slowly, but connot
be rudely snatched at and anticipated.
If is also Indicated by talent and bias.
Besides the duties of to-day arc elements
of each one's life plan. Al) ambitious
and ends of life should be laid in God,
who will providentially guide to those
conditions which will be crowned with
lasting satWnction,
With a short address to the graduating
class, and yords of cheer to the under
graduates this Intel Oiling meeting was
Drought to a close.
.P.IM.ADI.IN EXHIBITION.
On Monday evening, June the 23rd, we
had, the pleasure of attending an exhibi.
tlon given by the Pdlladian society in the
Academy of Mttrflc.
The exercises we're listeued to with mark
ed attention by a largo aud intelligent
audience. The participants in this enter,
taintqejit displayed thought and earful
preparation. Tho Salututory by Mr. K.
II . Wqollcy was very appropriate, giving
ft brief history of the Society from its
birth its revolutions, internal commo-
tions, final separation into two societies,
, and its presnl prosperous condition, The
nrnlion of Mr. Hnell, entitled "The Amcr-
lean Giant, "was well rendered. Mr.
Holmes delivered "The Burning of
Chicago" in an exceedingly pleasing
manner. Vj'hc questions discussed were
handled inn skillful manner: tho first,
' Unsolved: That the mind of woman is
superior to thai of man," produced con
siderable amusement, tho debaters, Messrs.
Street and Field, treating the subject lu
humorous light; the seccond, "Would
he proposed plan of reform improve our
Civil Service," was discussed by Messrs.
Metealf and Sweet in a manner befitting
older and more expeienced heads. A
song, "My Iloyhood's Home," by Mr.
Norlhrop, was rapturously applauded.
The Valedictory by J. F. Hobbs
well written. Kxcollcnt. music was
was
fur-
nished by tho Congregational choir.
THK fMVKllSlTV ADDRESS.
The address of Hon. Loren.o Orounsc
before the authorities of the University
and the students was one of tho attractions
of the commencement week. The address
contained practical suggestions of value,
and was full nf recognitions of the im
portance of the work of the University.
After brielly attending lo the cnuditiou
and prospects of the state, he passed to
consider the value of education to tho
commonwealth, especially in its higher
institutions, and particularly emphasized
the necessity of making education us tar
as posslble,;)wctfert;. Ho argued at much
length the importance of tho best eduoa.
tlon for the. industrial classes, as their
only way to achieve .power and. Jo .main
tain their rights that all the prizes of
ambition are as possible to the educated
farmer as lo any qth7 elkss. . Ho was
scarcely prepare! io tuko radical ground
in favor of compulsory education ; but
indulged tho hope that American pride
would bo In time as potent as law to se.
cure to every child a fair education.
With words of cheer, and wise counsel
to the Faculty and students, this interest
ing and well delivered address was
brought to a close.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
At ten o'clock Wednesday morning, by
a simple coincidence, the commencement
exercises commenced
The music for the occasion was fur.
nished by the Lincoln siring band, though
one or two pieces of vocal music wrronn.
nounced on the programme. After a
prayer by the Rev. J. li. Maxflcld and
a second piece of music, the first oration,
entitled "The Evils .of Anarchy," was
delivered by W. H. Sncl!. The subject
was well handled, the illustrations and
hits excellent.
The oration on "Light and Shadows,"
by J. S. Dales, was o different, from the
prececding as hardly to be compared with
It. On the whole it was more flowery and
elegant, but abounding less in sound
sense and deep thought. The delivery of
both the orations was Hue, each iu accord,
nncc with Its own peculiar style.
With the usual and appropriate cercmo
ny the degree of 1) Ph. was confered up.
on our first graduates, and soon afterward
the. benedictiou was pronounced.
DHAMATIO ENTERTAINMENT.
On tlm evouing of the 25th, the Adel.
phlan society, aided by the .Missed, Fuuke,
Balrd, and Sessions, gave n dramatic ?n.
taruiument, which received tho following
notice from the Stale
I, Toufnat:
, The member1- of lite Adelphlnn soclely
'covered themselves villi glory in Hie en-
teriatnment given nv mem ai me jumue
mv of'Musle last evening. The drama nf
" Michael Erie or the Maniac Lover," was
presented. Mr. Dales supported the lead
ing character of Michael .Kile, In a man
ner pleasing to everybody. Tho young
gentleman showed undoubted hlstronic
talents, exhibiting the best amateur rendi
lion of so important a character, that we
ever witnessed. The Indies, Miss .Sessions,
Miss Baird and Miss Funkc, deserve
great credit for the manner in which they
rendered their purls, and Messrs Cropscy,
Howard, Bonds, llurd. Brace, Stevenson
and Kuhlman sustained their characters
in good manner.
Mr. Braoo in the low comedy character
of Andrew Ad., was peculiarly excellent,
and drew forth much hearty laughter.
The ladies and gentlemen deserve the
thanks of the public for presenting such
an excellent entertainment; rendered in
such an able manner, and we hope they
may bo induced to give another like en
tertainment, some day.
The members of the Adelphian desire
to assure the ladies, who so earnestly and
excellently aided them, that they have
their sincere thanks, and that they will
ever be held in grateful remembrance.
John Stuart Mill.
Again, while he accepted fully tho
necessitarian doctrine of llcnlhum us:i
gainst tho aumletm doctrine of Free-will,
he gave to it a far nobler interpretation.
As expounded by him, it was something
quite different from the old Idea of fate.
It simply recognized the tact, to which
and to which only the consciousness of
overy one testifies, that every event has
(as itMwfhaveJitKown indispensable and
sufllcient cause, that every act of overy
ones life is absolutely determined by an
tecedeuteonditions, conditions of charac
ter and conditions ol circumstances, and
could be no other without breaking the
infrangible chain of cause and.offect. On
this immovable basis, he founded the
rights of government, the. justification of
punishment, the propriety of :vll rewards.
I'unisnmeni, rcwarus, etc., tut motives to
correction or inducements to Tight action
are justifiable; punishment in any other
crbo or for any other purpose, vindictive
aud hence devilish.
Again, he accepted tho Benthainlc
"principle of Utility," or, first principle,
but with nn enlarged application; extend,
ing it hcyoud the moral aspect of action
to the (esthetic and sympathetic as well.
Bentham wrote exclusively as a moralist.
After he had inquired whether an action
is right or wrong and had determined it
by its tendency to produce happiness or
misery, he stopped. He cared not wheth
cr it be either admirable or lovable or tho
reverse. For this reason, his conclusions,
though sound in the main, are often re.
fiulsfve. For this reason alo Bentham.
sm failed of a wide acceptance.. Mili,
on the other hand, never lost sight of
this threefold nature of man. lie ad
dresses himself not only to the conscience,
us did Bentham, but also to the imaginu.
tion the common feeling of humanity.
By this enlarged application, he has
commended the principle of utility, or
greatest-happiness principle, to almost
every order of mind The courses of hu
man happiness are as various as the ca
pacities of humun nature. Utilitarian,
ism recognizes the fact, at tho same time
it rigorously distlnguishe.-; kind of plea,
mires, and assigns the dominant place aud
higher value to pleasures of the intellect,
of the imagination aud of the moral senti
ments. Mill's deletion of this principle, Hie
most elaborate of his lesser workH. muv
bo regarded as completely unanswerable.
While hapuiues.i in the end of exertion,
wo attain the end by gradually approach,
ing to an ideal standard of inward liar,
mouy of till our faculties. It is mi achieve
mentnotouly moral but uisthetic, and,
hence, is incompatible with tiny merely
selfish vlow of life.
Mill's little work on Liberty mould be
in every ones hands. It Is a vigorous plea
complimonierv
'for larger moral and Intellectual freedom
lor the individual as against me social
diMpotiMii eluiraeierlslic of our time. In
It he define- the irue limit- and fuiit'tiom
of government. One sentence on the eon
! sequences of social despotism we quote;
"A stale of tilings in which a larger pos
ition of I he active and iniUiring intellects
find il advisable In keep the ireiiuMie prin
ciples and irroumls of their ronvlctioin
iu their owii breast-., and aiiempt, In what
they addict lo (he public, to lb n- much
as lliey can id" their own eonclu-ioin to
promises ihev have internally renounced,
can not send forth the open, fearless,
characters and logical, con-i-lent Intel
lecls, who once adorned the ihinking
world."
This book would be a good missionary
work for the schools, college-, ami church
es of America to-dnv, to slay the tendency
toward Asiatic mediocrity and similarity
which i becoming so alarmingly appar
ent. .
If our civilization is lo bo saved Irom
a hopeless decline, if humanity is to be
kept .steadily on in il.- upward career, u
must be by leaving each individual of the
race free to think, to speak, and. to acl for
himself as his own highest conviction.-of
truth justice and right shall dictate. Tn
stead of this, However, socny ucsircs io
mould every man according to its own
forms and, woe lo him, who declines to
,-ubmit to the process. Against him .-he
wagers a relentless warfare.
If he be strong euouirh. independent
enough, to .successfully resist, to manlnin
his own inli"'rity7"to" be entirely true to
hiin-elf and his own Highest thought, ev
en though it isolate him from llie world,
restrict hia intercourse to a few congenial
spirits, it will inevitably place him among
the world's few real benefactor.-,. Of such
was Mr. Mill both in his life and iu his
leaching-. .Never was life more harmon
ious, more grandly, nobly consistent,
more genuine and manly from first to last.
In liis domestic life he was blessed far
beyond the lot of most men. In his wife,
he found not merely an ardent sympailii
.er but an active cohiborer in all his phil
osophical and literary pursuits. She
seehis to have hud all lib- breadth and
philosophic strength of mind, combined
with nil of u woman's delicate instinct
awl dcvlnc intuition.
Mr. Mill, with a .simplicity as admlr
able as it is genuine, declares that she is
tlto real author of all that is boat In hlb
workt..
What man ever wove a chaplet for the
fair brow of womun, comparable lo that
with which this great master has adorned,
the head of Ills wife.
"While she was Hie light, life anil grace
of every socieiy in which -lie took part,
the foundation of her character was u
deep seriousness, resulting from this coin
bination of the strongest and most sensl
live feelings with Ihe highest principles
All that excites admiration when found
gcpcraielj inolheis, seemed brought to
gether Inner : a cohscm nee al once healthy
and tender; a gcneiosity bounded only bj
a sense of justice, which often forgot Its
own claims but never those of others; u
bean so large and hiving Hint wiioevei
was ciipable'of making the nmtiliest re
turn of smpttlh always received ten
fold; and In ihe iulelleciual depaitmem,
n vigor and truth of imagination, n deli
cacy of perception, an accitracv and
nicelj of observation, onh cqiiallud b
herprofitndih of speculative thought and
by a practical judgment and discernment
next to infallible. Mo elevated was the
general level of her faculties, that the
highest poetry, philosophy, oratory, or art,
seemed trivial b the .,idc of hci and e
qtir.l only lo expressing -ome small pun
of her mind. And then! is no one of
those modes of manifestation in which
she could mil easily have taken tho high
est rank, had not her inclination led hci
for the most part to content herself with
being the inspirer, prompter, and uimvow
ed coadjutor of others."
Remember that this Is not ihe raptui
of u lover, though no man ever excolled
Mr. Mill iu the depth and slrenglh of ln,
devotion ; It is tho culm, considerate nm-i
aiico of the most deliberate or nil KnglU
mniLM.nMii.-i.-,. ynij iinu,! )t. (mute (
C.mnll1ncif.ifii..ii I... .. i.
.j.ii-iiiim nun inn iu iiiivu Hiiinit i..n nrr n
the grandeur nnd nobility of -ouch n sou!
G. B.
i
w
M
