e turning toward this place from every region of this
land. Out from behind our congregation stands in the background a
cloud of witnesses in whose presence we meet. There are the fathers,
earning and saving, that the sons may have a {2} better chance than
they; there are the mothers with their prayers and sacrifices; there
are the rich parents, trembling lest wealth may be a snare to their
sons; and the humble homes with their daily deeds of self-denial for
the sake of the boys who come to us here. When we meet in this chapel
we are never alone. We are the centre of a great company of observant
hearts. And then, behind us all, there is the still larger fellowship
of the past, the historic traditions of the university, the men who
have adorned it, the inheritances into which we freely enter, the
witnesses of a long and honorable associated life.
Now this great company of witnesses does two things for us. On the one
hand, it brings responsibility. The apostle says in this passage,
"that apart from us they should not be made perfect." Every work of
the past is incomplete unless the present sustains it. We are
responsible for this rich tradition. We inherit the gift to use or to
mar. But, on the other hand, the cloud of witnesses is what
contributes courage. It sustains you to know that you represent so
much confidence and trust. It is strengthening to enter into this rich
inheritance. You do not have to begin things {3} here. You only have
to keep them moving. It is a great blessing to be taken up thus out of
solitude into the companionship of generous souls. Let us begin the
year soberly but bravely. Surrounded by this cloud of witnesses, let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which most easily besets us, and
let us run with patience the race that is immediately set before us in
the swiftly passing days of this college year.
{4}
II
"NOT TO BE MINISTERED UNTO, BUT TO MINISTER"
_Mark_ x. 35-45.
The disciples in this passage were looking at their faith to see what
they could get out of it. They wanted to be assured of a prize before
they took a risk. They came to Jesus saying: "We would that Thou
shouldest do for us whatever we ask." But Jesus bids them to consider
rather what they can do for their faith. "Whosoever," He says, "would
be first, is to be the servant for all, for even the Son of man comes
not to be ministered unto, but to minister." I suppose that when a man
faces
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