Wilson, B. F.

English

James Madison University

The Virginia Teacher VOLUME XII SEPTEMBER, 1931 NUMBER 6 INVOCATION AT THE DEDICATION OF WOODROW WILSON HALL, HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA By Rev. B. F. Wilson, D. D. THIS is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. We thank Thee, our God and Father, for this day, for its meaning and promise. "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory here unto their children. "Let the beauty of the Lord thy God be upon us, and establish Thou the work of our hands; yea, the work of our hands, establish Thou it." We thank Thee, O Father, source of light and life, for that word of our Master, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." And "he that doeth the truth cometh to the light." We thank Thee for minds that can be disciplined into truth and thoughtfulness; hearts into sympathy and ten- derness; wills into beautiful, unselfish service. We thank Thee for teachers, friends, and influences that help us to larger and clearer thought, to more just and kindly judgment, to understanding hearts, to the service of love. Let mercy and truth fill the minds and hearts and guide the lives of all who come to this college. May they learn to see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly, and to love and live what is true and beautiful and good, and so make life wholesome and useful, winsome and radiant. Happy are they who find wisdom and get understanding hearts, for their merchandise is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. We dedicate this building and this college today—and ourselves in its use— to the attainment of Thy truth in all nature and life and to the desire and use of truth for social good and the enrichment of life in true fellowship of love and service. Through the years, may the teaching and influences in this Hall help youth to see life and see it whole; to acquire the love of pleasures that do not corrupt the heart; to cultivate instincts and passions towards noble purposes and worth- while deeds; to outgrow tradition and superstition, and to win a living faith in God that works by love and purifies the heart. Let the benediction of Thy light and guidance be constantly with the Pres- ident, faculty, and students of this college, and with all who will labor here to widen the skirts of light and to narrow the skirts of darkness. Give to them a living faith in God and man and then diligence to add to their "faith virtue, to virtue knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, patience; to patience, goodness; to goodness, kindness; to kindness, love"; so that they will win the more abundant life and become partakers of the Divine nature. O God, keep us mindful of all we inherit; that we are bought with a great price, and make us wishful and purposeful to be true and just, brave, and loyal to the best for ourselves and others in simple gratitude. Keep us mindful of his words whose name this Hall bears, that "our land to be saved materially must be redeemed spiritually," for there is no real wealth but life, and no abiding values but spiritual values. Help this college to send out those who will do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God in the commonplace duties and relationships of life. We ask it in the name of Him Whose life is the light of men and Whose truth makes men free. Amen. 

Invocation at the Dedication of Woodrow Wilson Hall, Harrisonburg, Virginia

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2464&context=va-teacher

Invocation at the Dedication of Woodrow Wilson Hall, Harrisonburg, Virginia

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