Article August 31, 1940 Issue

Selected

[Extracts from a Baccalaureate Address delivered by Israel Pickens, Committee on Publication for Alabama, before the Graduating Class of Fairhope High School, May 5, 1940]

Israel Pickens, Committee on Publication for Alabama

What is the crowning and all-sufficient life-motive? Christ Jesus said: "For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." "I am among you as he that serveth." To "bear witness unto the truth"! What wondrous words are these! What higher motive could you or anyone have, what better watchword to one's forward march? Your motive should be vastly higher than the mere making of money. There is the ever-present opportunity to stand firmly for Truth, to bear witness to the nature and character of God, to reflect His qualities and attributes—to be honest, clean, pure, just, humble, strong, courageous. These qualities are enduring and will lead you to success.

Truth must inevitably win all battles. Your true business is to dedicate your lives to wholehearted and unselfish service in behalf of human upbuilding and constructive living. Realizing the importance of spiritual motives, Melanchthon said, "Fitly to train one single youth is a greater achievement than the taking of Troy."

Remember, there can be no failure to any righteous undertaking. What though there may be delay at times? This should only spur you on to higher and greater endeavor. Emerson gave as the test of civilization the characters of its citizens, not their material possessions.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Christ and Anti-Christ