Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/310

 and righteousness; and, as to the Knight of old, when the Herald handed him his spear, so to you we present your diploma with a charge to be valiant for the truth,—and God defend the right.

Finally, gentlemen, I venture to say to you one and all, have respect in all your doings to the Great Supreme. I am aware that, on many important points, most of you hold not the same creed with myself; but I have not had intercourse for so many years with intelligent Hindoos, without knowing that with myself they acknowledge a God, all-wise, all-powerful, all-good, knowing all things, seeing all things. I appeal to you, then, as recognising a Supreme Being, and in His name charge you to eschew evil, to love virtue, and to seek the good of your fellow-men. For this end may strength and wisdom be imparted to you; may the study of truth lead you into all truth; may the blessing which maketh rich and addeth no sorrow rest abundantly upon you and your occupations. And, as the morning star, having brightly shone in darkness, then disappears not in darkness, but only in the still brighter effulgence of the rising sun, so may you shine as lights in your generation, and at the end of your course be withdrawn into the brightness of the Fountain and Father of Lights, even that adorable and Great Supreme, whom truly to know and faithfully to serve is present peace and everlasting happiness.

FIFTH CONVOCATION.

Gentlemen,—By the regulations of our University, at this stage of to-day's procedure, it becomes the duty of a member of the Senate to exhort you to conduct yourselves suitably unto the position to which by the degree conferred upon you, you have attained. This duty by order of the Vice- Chancellor devolves upon me, and in the name of this University I call upon you at all times so to act, that your good name may add lustre to your degrees; that in the consistency of your life, the purity of your motives, the exaltation of your aims and the devotedness of your patriotism, it may be seen that the cultivation of sound learning is a spring of lofty action; and that you may repay the fostering care with which you have yourselves been nurtured, by continuing "to support and promote the cause of morality and sound learning" in this Presidency.