Seldom is Appleton Chapel as crowded as it was last evening. By ten minutes past seven, almost every seat in the house was taken, and at 7.15 the doors were closed, and throngs of people were obliged to turn away. The attendance of college students was very large, and the seats reserved for them were far from adequate. Rev. Phillips Brooks conducted the services preliminary to the sermon. Canon Farrar's text was, "By Faith," taken from the fourth chapter of Hebrews, and the substance of his remarks was as follows:

In history we find few prominent characters; for the vast majority of men the law of life is oblivion. We belong to the unknown, the unrecorded masses and one epitaph would do for all. This is one great law of man. A second is that the human race, left alone, tends downward. An old proverb says, "The majority are evil." Indeed it is a sad spectacle - the world tending to degradation. The history of the world is a record of degradations and deliverances. The world has fallen and there have come great heroes, agents of the Creator, to raise it again. The hope of the world has been in the rarer souls, whether in literature, art, science, philosophy, or religion; men who, by the force of their own convictions, have stirred all mankind. Such men were Homer, Thales, Galileo and Watt. A score of names sums up a whole history. Material civilization, wealth, commerce are of no value to the world without righteousness. Not civilization, not intelligence, not knowledge, but the true uplifting power of the model genius of God's few heroes is of the highest value to the world. Greece, Rome, Italy fell of their own corruption. England, America will fall if they refuse the message of God.

In history we may learn at least three lessons: First, history teaches us the sole secret of moral power. By faith St. Paul, St. Anthony, Gregory VII, and Luther shook the world. Secondly, history teaches us that the work of the world's heroes is never permanent in its results. The oil in a lamp, if it is always to burn, must often be replenished. If a work pauses, degradation ensues. Christianity as a human philosophy is lacking. Only as a divine message, as a living energy, can it be complete and truly successful. Thirdly, history teaches that the failures of the world's heroes are not absolute. Each hero, each saint of the world but led the way for a successor.

Man has done wonders in the world, in science, art and literature. In the work of life, action has been and is the law. To be faithful, not famous, is the purpose that will make our lives not in vain. Be faithful in the least things. Each grain of sand helps to keep back the ocean. The great heroes are few, only two or three in a million. Our task is to honor and help them. "To you, students of Harvard University, because I shall never see you again, I shall speak these words of hope, encouragement, inspiration. Can you sacrifice pleasure and success to duty. Have you faith? If you have it, however small, you can move mountains. By faith Columbus, Washington, Channing, Garrison, Lincoln, lived their great and useful lives. America needs a new enthusiasm and calls on you, the trustees of her prosperity for it. Cleanse her politics, elevate society, defy the arrogance of public opinion. Will you leave the world better for living in it? Or will you be of those who die, though they have never truly lived? Seek not wealth and praise; take upon you self-sacrifice and humility, endure opposition. "Fight! Fight! Fight in the battles of your God!"