A. Queer World by A. B. Longstreet

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 13, 1864

A. Queer World.

By A. B. Longstreet

THE following passage closes the Baccalaureate Address of Hon. A. B. Longstreet, President of S. C. College, Columbia, to the recent graduating class:

"You are embarking upon a strange world, my young friends. It banished Aristides, poisoned Socrates, murdered Cicero, and crucified the Lord of Glory. The spirit of Themistocles, of Melitus, of Anthony and Caiaphas, is still in the world, greatly subdued and law-bound to be sure, but not extinguished. You may expect, therefore, at times to be depressed by your rivals, condemned for your patriotism, and tormented for your benefactions, your confidence abused, your integrity derided, and to suffer a thousand impositions in smaller matters—from those from whom you had a right to expect better things. These are hard things to bear, say you. They are so, my young friends, and you will never bear them as you should unless you take the good book as your guide, and look only to its Author for supplies of strength sufficient for your trial. Do this, and all will be well at last. With that chart in your hand now launch your bark upon the troubled ocean of life; and when the squalls strike you, be at least as prudent as the common sailor, and be found hard at the helm, with your chart before you, and your eye fixed on Bethlehem's star."