Thoughts Gleaned from the Address of Professor Tenney at the Dedication, Sunday, May 6.
“When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth; and our daughters as corner stones hewn after the fashion of a palace; when our garners are full, affording all manner of store; and our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; when our oxen are well laden; when there is no breaking in, and no going forth, and no outcry in our streets; happy is the people, that is in such a case; yea, happy is the people, whose God is the Lord.” Ps. 144:12-15, R. V. God never places before man ideals that can not be reached. Yet “God's ideals for us are higher than any human thought can reach.” “The sacrifice on Calvary was not salvation, but it opened the way and made salvation possible. Man was to be raised to a higher life by first accepting the sacrifice; then by the power thus received living a godly life. Education has to do with this attainment of a higher life; hence there is no true education apart from Christ. Adam and Eve were God's ideal man and woman, created in “his image, after his likeness.” Through sin man descended to his present low position; through Christ man can regain what he lost by sin. Education is a new growth and not a development. Rom. 12:2. God is the creator of mind, and only through him can it be renewed. Every faculty of the mind is exercised through power from God. It is therefore absurd to attempt an education that leaves out God. When all our faculties and strength are consecrated to God, he gives his Spirit to comfort, to teach, and to lead into all truth. The careful study of God's word prepares the way for the operations of the Spirit. The Bible is therefore an essential factor in education. It is absurd to speak of sacrifice that we may avail ourselves of the benefits of Christian education. We should, on the contrary, not cease to praise God for the precious truth he has given us in it. Let us heed these principles of truth. Our salvation depends upon the place we give to them in our lives. To these principles of eternal truth, this building and all that pertains to it, these students and teachers are to-day sacredly dedicated. So may it be said that all who accept these truths and are led by them, are taught of God; and our sons will be like plants grown up in their youth, and our daughters will be like corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace.