Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/478

This page needs to be proofread.
1884.—The Honorable W. R. Cornish.
185

and honorable lives, filling the highest stations in State service, and in the learned professions, with the unqualified approbation and respect of all who know them, so we hope you will serve as examples worthy of imitation to those who come after you, and become men of light and leading in your generation. If you bear in mind that no man can live wholly for himself, that in your daily lives duty should take the place of inclination, that self-sacrifice should be the law of your being, and that selfish objects and motives should find no response in your hearts, you will have risen to a high conception of your responsibilities, in connection with the days that may be in store for you. In George Herbert's words, once more,

    "Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high,
    So shalt thou humble and magnanimous be;
    Sink not in spirit: who aimeth at the sky
    Shoots higher much, than he that means a tree."

But it will happen to you, as to all of us, that intellectual cultureSeek Divine help or scientific research alone will not satisfy your spiritual cravings for deeper knowledge of the mysteries for life. This University, very properly, does not deal with theological questions, but leaves every man free to worship his Creator, and to seek His help and guidance in the manner that seems best in accord with his hereditary training or honest convictions, but this much I may say, that your education will have been but of small benefit to you, if it has not strengthened and expanded your views of the Divine Government of the Universe. H. E. the Viceroy, in opening a Science Hall in Calcutta, a few days ago, concluded his address in words which express my meaning so fully that I cannot do better than repeat them. Lord Ripon is reported to have said:—"When the widest generalizations of science are reached, and its loftiest discoveries are mastered, there will still remain, above and beyond them, all those mysteries of life which prove to us that the utmost knowledge of the outward universe will never solve the greatest problem of life, and that we must look elsewhere for that help which is to enable us to fulfil our work on earth, for the glory of Him who is the Ruler, not only of the world around us, but of the hearts and spirits of men."

I have nothing to add to these noble and touching words of one of the truest friends of the people of India, except that it remains for all of us to seek the Divine help we need, in earnest prayer, and spiritual communion with the Most High.

    "For what are men better than sheep or goats
    That nourish a blind life within the brain,
    If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
    Both for themselves, and those who call them friend."

24