Caps and Gowns

CAPS AND GOWNS* By Elder Stephen L. Richards, of the Council of the Twelve. In the presence of so distinguished a company I labor under a high degree of tension. I have always had an awful and fearful respect for caps and gowns. I suppose it is born of the mystery this scholastic apparel enfolds. You never can tell what is concealed by the long black gown. Usually there is a body with arms and hands, legs and feet. I am told that a digestive apparatus is often discovered, and in instances somewhat rare, a searching investigation has revealed the existence of a heart, not wholly normal, it is true, but still susceptible to certain highly educated feelings and emotions. It is often, however, found to be entirey devoid of the attribute of human sympathy, particularly for the feeble efforts of common folk, and perhaps that in large measure accounts for my fear. But I fear the caps, too. There is mystery associated with them. You never can tell what is under one of them. They say it is common to find a head with nose and eyes, mouth and ears, and occasionally hair. Brains have been found, and in one or two instances, common sense. Now common sense, is so essential to the understanding of common people, and the college cap is so well adapted to the concealment of it, that it is of little wonder that it accentuates my nervous apprehension as I stand in its mysterious, awful presence. Knowing now the effect which these academic costumes produce upon me, you will naturally wonder why I appear before you tonight regaled in one of them. I can best account for the apparent inconsis- tency by telling you a story. Years ago in our neighboring state of Nevada the lawyers of that state projected a great meeting of the bar. Lawyers were summoned from all parts of the state to participate in the meeting and festivities which were to culminate in a grand banquet with the usual accompani- ment of speeches and toasts. It became the function of the committee on arrangements to select the toastmaster for this great occasion. They finally, after considerable deliberation and some hestitancy, chose a lawyer who at one time had clearly been the leader of the bar of the state, but who in the years immediately preceding the great occasion had declined from his position of eminence, occasioned by giving way to his appetite for drink. He had become a drunkard and a gambler, and had lost nearly all his practice and the respect of decent people. The committee felt, however, that owing to the distinction he had theretofore attained, he should be selected; but they wondered how he would attempt before his associates to account for his disreputable ♦Baccalaureate sermon delivered in the Utah Stake Tabernacle, May 31, 1925, to the graduating class, Brigham Young University.

1026 IMPROVEMENT ERA conduct and respond to his introduction as toastmaster. He did so in the following manner. He said in substance: "Gentlemen: I suppose my selection as toastmaster will be a surprise to some of you. It is no surprise to me. I recognize that during the last several years I have been coming down the ladder. I have been drinking; I have dissipated my energies and wasted my strength. And I recognize too, while I have been going down hill, many of my friends here have been climbing fast. They have im- proved their opportunities and have made great strides forward; so that, while I have been gradually going down and down, they have steadily been coming up and up until, gentlemen, we are now about on a level." And now, fellow students, I want to talk to you "on the level" as a man talks to his friend, not with the disparity that exists between your high academic standing and my humble one, nor as preacher to the laymen but as associates engaged in a common cause, seeking to reach common ends. It is only so that I may hope for your sympathy and confidence. May I first make a statement of some great things to be ever held in view. I assume, of course, in making this statement that you are sympathetic with the ideals and high purposes for which the Uni- versity and the Church which supports it, stand. "God is a Father, Man is a Brother; Life is a Mission and not a Career." Our mission is service to God and humanity. Our goal is Salva- tion. Our Church is divine, divine in origin, divine in its authority and in the inspiration of its operation. The Church was made for man, not man for the Church. It is in essence an aggregation of quorums, agencies and facilities instituted of God, and maintained under the power of the Holy Priesthood for the salvation of the souls of men. It is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end, the ultimate objective being the saving of our Father's children. Through the Church we proclaim the gospel, teach its principles and administer its ordinances. We interpret the gospel in the light of revelation and inspiration and in terms of life and living. It is more than a theology. It is a philosophy of life and a program of living. Our surest way to function as instrumentalities of service is to make the Church function. We must therefore conform to its disci- pline and government and preserve the integrity and usefulness of its institutions. Lastly, to bring to function as instrumentalities of service is to entail the consecration of our time, talents and energies to the God and the Church we serve. If you accept these statements, and for this occasion I must assume you do, then I should like to discuss with you for a little while, how

CAPS AND GOWNS 1027 you and I wear these caps and gowns, and as beneficiaries of the generosity of our Church may contribute most effectively to the realiza- tion of her hopes and aims. I make my suggestions humbly, being fully aware that you may have thought of better ways than I, and that my ideas may seem old and trite. I am sure we require more effecient help in discovering the needs of the Church and her people. No organized body, social, politic or religious, ever makes satisfactory progress without a thorough un- derstanding of the actions, tendencies and psychology of its con- stituency. To arrive at such an understanding entails intelligent ob- servation and careful survey. Guess-work furnishes an unsafe founda- tion on which to estimate and build. We do not tolerate it in material construction or business. We demand the accuracy of the engineer and the accountants. We would not hazard a dollar without them. While human tendencies, traits and actions are not so susceptible of definite measurement as brick and profits, yet through careful study and investigation, data may be secured which will furnish a safer basis on which to legislate and proceed than that now available to us. 1 am not unmindful of the gift of discernment which comes to the in- spired worker in the Church. It has been of untold value and will continue so to be. It will assist the student in his investigations and surveys, and every true officer in the Church in the administration of his office. It is expected, however, that that gift shall reward the sincere, intelligent, prayerful effort of the student and worker. The Church is reliant upon you, its trained, intelligent students and thinkers, to scientifically discover its needs and lay the foundation for remedies and advancements, when you are called into leadership, of course. Such interesting and important questions as these will call for your attention: Why do not our sacrament meetings have a larger appeal to the people generally and to young folks in particular? What is the attitude of the average young "Mormon" toward the ordinance of the sacrament, the priesthood as a principle and institu- tion of power, the quorum as a faternity of men, the Sabbath as the Lord's day, the Word of Wisdom as the law of health and the law of God, our conception of the human body as the tabernacle of the Spirit, the literal child of God; Temple marriage as the foundation of our celestial glory, and many other vital principles of the gospel and activities of the Church. If you imagine such questions are easy to answer, I beg of you to submit your answers to the General Authorities without delay, for I assure you they are sorely perplexed about them. __ If on the other hand you recognize their serious import to the Church and the diffi- culties attendant upon their solution, you will discover that a study of the needs and conditions of the Church constitutes a great field of endeavor which challenges the highest and best trained intellects we can produce. It will be a contribution you are to make.

102 8 IMPROVEMENT ERA When the needs of the Church are found it is needless to say, remedies must be provided and constructive programs projected. Your trained minds will find useful application in this service, and while the Church is governed from its head, it will be remembered that those who create its policies and set forth its programs derive no small portion of their ideas and inspiration from association with and observation of the workers in the field, so that your influence on the general poli- cies of the Church will be felt long before you arrive at places of eminence in its general government. Let me here say that what I have said with reference to the Church; discovering its needs and suggesting remedies, applies equally well to community and other organizations where the welfare of the people is concerned. If any happen to be not identified with the Church, their opportunities are still abundant. Another item that will make demand upon your mental equip- ment and your common sense too, is the necessity you will discover for the proper appraisal and interpretation of Education. Education is today, generally speaking, held in popular favor. The most striking evidence of this is to be found in the large portion of state and Church revenues expended for it. Because it is widely supported, we must not be too confident, however, that it is altogether fully understood in correlation with life. One is not so sure, on hearing the expressions of some people and organizations, that a reaction may not set in, if indeed it has not already begun. Thoughtful men are watching care- fully to see the definite influence of college training on such matters as business integrity, moral soundness, self-control, disturbance of tradi- tional established faiths and many other items, some of which I shall mention later. You have a duty not only to yourselves but to the public and to the cause of education itself to use and interpret it wisely and well. You will be called upon, not infrequently, both by yourselves and by others, to harmonize science and religion. This will be particularly true of those coming from this University, since its graduates are expected to be the exponents of both science and religion. I don't know that I can aid you much in making this contribution to society and the Church, but I take the liberty of venturing a few suggestions. In the first place, I am much inclined to the view that no one can successfully make reconciliation between science and religion who is not a first class scientist and a first class religionist. I mean by that, not that one man must know everything to be known about science and everything to be known about religion, but that one must have the true scientific attitude and understand the genius of scientific approach and research, and at the same time be endowed with the true conception and genuine spirit of religion. I am thinking that he who fails in this synchronization may well look to himself to discover his deficiency in one direction or the other or perhaps in both. It occurs to me, too, that the field of science and the field of

CAPS AND GOWNS 1029 religion are sufficiently distinct, one from the other in methods and application, as to forstall confusion if a few governing principles are borne in mind. Science deals generally in process, religion with ulti- mate facts. The scientist is content with the result of his research and experimentation, and abides by it irrespective of preconceived theory or hypothesis. The man of religion begins with the revealed truth, seeking only to interpret and apply it. There is within him a sense of conviction, a faith not dependent upon the demonstrating processes of science. He feels, he believes, he knows. The processes which bring his conviction are not subject to scientific analysis; there- fore, the real scientist will not dispute the belief and knowledge of the man of religion whose soul has been touched by divine influence. Religion embraces all revealed or known truth inclusive of the truths discovered by science. Science is man's way of disclosing the hidden secrets and laws of the universe, subject, of course, to the limitations of man's power and intelligence. Truth is truth, discovered or undiscovered by man. Revealed by the research of man or the power of God, it is the same. When one believes that God has spoken, it is no reflection on his intelligence to say, "I cannot understand, but I believe." Science or God some day will enable him to understand. The greatest confusion and perplexity seem to prevail with respect to the origin of life and its manifestations. Can we not keep our thinking straight by here bearing in mind the distinctive fields of science and religion. Science does not account for life, it seeks to analyze it. Religion accounts for it although it does not give all the processes by which it came. Since Science has not been able to produce fife ought it not to be content to accept the explanation of religion, or at least abide the time when its further discoveries may bring more light and knowledge. God has told us whence we came, why we are here, and where we are going. This knowledge serves our needs. It explains life and its purpose. We welcome the discoveries of science as to the components of organic life and their functions. They sub- serve vital interests in the preservation of life and its usefulness. With- in its proper domain, as the tool of man, for the discovery of truth, Science is king, governing the orderly marshalling of facts to assail the strongholds of error and superstition, and raising over their demolished ruins the banner of truth and pure knowledge. Outside of its domain it is a ruthless tyrant, enslaving the minds of the misguided and partly learned and killing the spirits of men. I trust you, my fellow students, to bear this message from a great University, the only University in existence where pure science and true religion are apt to be found in happy combination, to a despairing world, torn by the conflict of the deceived and billigerent disciples of these two great captains of human thought and philosophy, who when understood are really gentle and firm friends, Science and Religion. I would not divorce your mentality from your feelings if I could, even for the purpose of discussion, but I have sought in what I have

1030 IMPROVEMENT ERA said up to this point to stress the contributions which your intellectual equipment may be expected to bring. May I now mention a few items which your moral and spiritual strength will greatly help to sustaia. There rests upon an educated man a large and peculiar responsi- bility. The acquisition of knowledge and the development of his talents give him greater power, and power enlarges his influence. His personality becomes more dominant and his behavior attracts wider attention. His increased influence is a potential force for good or for ill. It is essentially a spiritual power, built of spiritual and moral attri- butes and conveyed through contacts which create feelings and im- pressions seemingly of a spiritual nature. This personal influence it is which largely accounts for the power of example. You men and women of education, and, therefore, of large in- fluence and leadership, will immediately enter into the practical affairs of life and take your places in the ranks of the world's workers. You will go into business, professional life, politics and society, and it is here you will make immense contributions to the welfare of men as you carry into the heart of their affairs the ideals and standards of the great institutions you represent. You will be tempted to depart from these standards. Business will tempt you. She will hold out to you the allurement of speculation, the promise of reward without labor and the emoluments of "shady" transactions. You will be offered untold opportunities to sell things — everything from a rat trap to a railroad, and you will be offered marvelous profits for your selling; profits which are to be paid by the one who buys. You will avoid being the "cats paw" in the hand of the un- scrupulous. Your conscience will forbid you ever selling an article or a property that you would not be pleased to buy yourself if you had its price and the need for it. Your high conception of honor will prompt you to pay your debts in the same money with which they were contracted. Your word will be your bond. My! You don't know how this will all help — how it will help the tone and morale of busi- ness and dignify jobs that seem almost menial. Men in the industries everywhere recognize the need of it. Since the war the business morale and sense of honor of men have been so broken down as to constitute one of the chief barriers to the resumption of extensive trade and prosperity. Dependability, mutual faith and confidence are the things so sorely needed. They are essentially re- ligious products and, thank the Lord, they are a part of your equipment. Professional life will not be without its insidious appeals. It involves relationships of a fiduciary nature where trust and confidences are liberally reposed. It offers unbounded opportunities to take advan- tage and it also demands the highest standards of ethical conduct. You will uphold these standards, and I like to contemplate the unmeasurable gain to the professions and those whom they serve by the entrance into them of such men and women as you,

CAPS AND GOWNS 1031 Politics will call you shortly. In its better sense it is not a call to be ignored. You will make a choice of party affiliation and then someone's friends, opportunity prompted, will prevail on him to run for office. If he is nominated and there are two candidates, he has a fifty percent chance of election — unless he is a Democrat. If he happens to be of that species it is most likely that any advice for con- duct in office will not apply. And after all I am much more interested in making suggestions to those out of office than those who are in: first, because they constitute by far the larger number, and secondly, because they are going to choose those who will be in office. I look to you University men and women to maintain the high ideals and ethics of true citizenship. I believe you will not place party above country and let the lust for office distort your judgment of the public good. I trust you, too, never to affiliate yourselves with an organization, society, or club whose aims and practices do not square one hundred percent with genuine Americanism. You may not be aware of the dangers threatening the Republic from this source. I warn you of them. As a guiding thought I commend the suggestion that the organizations of your Church and the legitimately established institutions of your government furnish ample opportunity for the expression of your talents and the expenditure of your energies. I believe you will scrutinize all other organizations with great care before you give allegiance to them. Your country needs you. I know you will not fail her. And now, my brothers and my sisters, may I take you into my inner confidence and tell you what 1 think your greatest contribution to your Church and Nation will be. I don't know that you have thought much about it. Your minds have been on the goals of attain- ment you aspire to reach, but your hearts have been telling you a story, a story as old as the race, that usually ends in love and home. These stories of the heart, although filled with romance, poetry and pathos are the truest stories ever told, and the most vital, too, to the progress of men and civilization. No one can over-estimate the value of a good home. It is the most important institution of society, since it produces the very constitu- ency of society, men and women. It concerns every aspect of life and living. To the educated and intellectual, its import and mission should be particularly clear for it is the student and scientist who have set forth the clearest visions of its influence. Criminologists tell us that most of our delinquencies originate in bad or neglected homes. Economists say that the training of the home is largely responsible for the thrift, industry, and prosperity of the nation. Doctors advise us that the health of the people depends on its care and teachings, and the eugenist assures us that the whole trend of human happiness, intelligence, good- ness and endurance depends upon it. Do you know that statisticians have scientifically calculated that the

103 2 IMPROVEMENT ERA United States will support a population of not to exceed two hundred million people, and that we are very rapidly approaching this "point of saturation." The character of the nation and its destiny depend almost entirely on the families who shall make up the two hundred million. Will they be families descended from the old stocks of America who set up her great institutions and who have fought for and fostered her liberty, her equity, and her justice, or will they be families imported from backward nations of the old world in the stream of whose blood does not course the great impulses, the indomitable will, and idealism which have been and are the genius of our democracy? Such questions must give pause and concern to every lover of America. To us of the Church, the home has an enlarged significance that is subordinate to nothing else in life, for it constitutes not only the source of our greatest happiness here in this life, but also the foundation of our exaltation and glory in the life to come. After all, it is essentially a religious institution. It has its origin in religious ceremony. It is the fulfilment of divine command. Its government is of a religious nature, and the finest of its products are spiritual. So it is here in the humble and yet exalted institution of the home that I find the greatest opportunity and mission for "caps and gowns." I am sorry to say, however, that the record does not disclose a very creditable response to this big opportunity and obligation. College graduates have not always been good home makers. Recently pub- lished data informs us that the average number of children in the families of the bootblacks of America is slightly over four, while the average number of children in the families of school teachers is slightly under two. Now it may be that two school teachers exercise more and better influence than four bootblacks, but how long will it take on the present respective rates of increase for the bootblacks to crowd out the school teachers? I present this illustration not in derogation of people who follow humble vocations, but to emphasize the fact that the world supply of intelligence, goodness and beauty is largely a matter of propagation. There is in this respect a traditional and rather well advertised distinction which our people enjoy. They have been noted for their large families and had they been better understood they would be famous for their good families. Children have been our best crop and in the good old homes there has been an abundance of them. Eight, ten and a dozen in a family were common numbers. What families they have been! In days of privation and starv- ing, how they have stood together; the sacrifices which they have made, one for another; the love, the service, and nobility which have come from these great homes will probably never be known to men; but God knows of it and I think that if he were to speak now of the accomp- lishments of his Church in the first century of its existence, he would mention first the noble fathers and mothers who, in log cabins of the

CAPS AND GOWNS 1033 frontier or mansions of luxury, have served him faithfully as priests and priestesses in the temple of the home. Your people and your God call upon you, my friends, to main- tain the integrity, the purity, and the high purposes of this sacred institution. I trust that no one of you will ever so yield to the in- sidious appeals of selfishness, vanity, and the world, as to be swerved from so doing. To warn of a great danger I must speak of it more specifically. I do so most reverently. If it shall please the Lord to send to your home a goodly number of children, I hope, I pray, you will not deny them entrance. If you should, it would cause you infinite sorrow and remorse. One has said that he could wish his worst enemy no worse hell than this, that in the life to come someone might ap- proach him and say, "I might have come down into the land of America and done good beyond computation, but if I came at all I had to come through your home and you were not man enough or woman enough tc receive me. You broke down the frail footway on which I must cross, and then you thought you had done a clever thing." I know you will not yield. With you, with your fine equip- ment of knowledge, devotion and great vision, this ideal of your people is safe. I should here close but I must beg a moment more to present a thought that has been running through my mind and I hope through yours in this discussion. To what are we indebted for the lofty conceptions of life and opportunity we have here feebly endeavored to set forth? It is to the gospel, the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The gospel is the embodiment of all truth. The Lord is its author. The most precious part of all your equipment is your knowledge of that fact, your testimony. Without it your knowledge and training would be perverted and your vision distorted. Intellectuality you might possess, but intelligence, the great capacity to comprehend God's truth, that intelligence which is the Glory of God, would be denied you. In all the fervor of my soul, in the love I bear you, I pray you may preserve your faith and your testimonies. Be tolerant and broad- minded. Be truly scientific, but be true to the faith of your fathers. Let the world know that "Caps and Gowns" of this University lead not to agnosticism, heresy and apostasy, but to pure knowledge, faith and trust in God. Amen. October Country lanes bordered with sumac red; Peaks dimmed with a purple haze; Pumpkins aglow 'mid foliage dead, Hills painted a scarlet maze. Carpets of green o'er each fallowed field, Barns crowded with winter's store, Hearts well content with the harvest yield — This is the Fall we adore. Ogden, Utah. IVY WILLIAMS STONE.