The Commencement Address was given by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Burton C. Hatch, United States Army.
Life of the Righteous All of us must die, unless the Lord returns first. David of old cried, "Let me die the death of the righteous." Now, one cannot die the death of the righteous unless he has lived the life of the right eous. For the dedicated child of Cod, death is gain no matter how it is viewed. How frail these bodies are! The greatest curse for man would have been to live forever in the flesh. Cod has designed it oth erwise. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. At that day our redemption will be complete. Not the pearly gates, not the streets of gold, not the mansions, but it is Christ who makes heaven heaven. Never again the thought of separa tion. Such a happy condition is surely gain (vrs. 21). We see some interesting con flicts in vrs. 22 to 26. While he wanted to go home to be with Christ, which was his objective, he
also recognized how badly these Philippians needed him. He was concerned that the "conversation," which is really "behaviour" would truly bring glory to the Lord (vrs. 27). What a great privilege it is not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for His sake (vrs. 29). There is a parallel of this in Ro mans 8:17 and 18. Did you ever think that trials and testings are a gift from God? His providence will not take us where His grace can not keep us. Others Chapter two contains one of the most moving portions of the Word of Cod. It gives us a tremendous picture of Christ, the believer's pat tern. The key word is "others." The word "therefore" in verse one pro vides a connecting link with the first chapter. The Philippian's did not have a lukewarm religion. There was a tendency evidently toward internal strife. Paul's constant em
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