The doors of Appleton Chapel were thrown open to the students of the college and the public for the first time since last June yesterday evening. Every available seat in the chapel was taken and it was decidedly gratifying for those who advocate optional church attendance to see what a large proportion of students were present. The services were opened with a hymn by the regular choir, followed by a prayer from Rev. E. E. Hale. Dr. Gordon, who expected to be present, was unavoidably detained, but will be at the chapel next Sunday. The sermon was given by Dr. A. McKenzie. The text was taken from the Revelations III-8 "Behold, I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it." In the course of his remarks Dr. McKenzie said, "The truth which these words express could be taken from any book of the Bible and merely means that the power of God is stronger than that of man. Christ, the Son of God, did not drag men into His train, but said, 'Come ye, if ye will.' The one thing, and the only thing that students ask is an opportunity commensurate with their ability, and certainly they have it here. The University can do little more than broaden the door and keep it open by day and night. It does not bestow learning, it only affords the opportunity to acquire learning. Knowledge is not a commodify which can be bought for such and such a price and the university is not a shop for bartering and trading. The university is not an angle, but a circle touching every part of the world with doors in it for the various schools of learning. It is imperative that there should be some place where the graver questions of life may be studied apart from the multitudinous throng of every-day studies, and for that purpose this church was built. Learning, when free, rises to worship, and study, when untrammeled, soars to communion with God, and for this worship the door is wide open. As soon as men feel the influence of Christ, humanity thrives, charity increases. The best in a man, the best in a society, the best in the world has the right to rule the rest. For this the door stands open. Will man enter? That rests with him. 'Behold I have set before thee an open door.' God grant that you enter it.

Dr. Hale made a brief address, demanding the hearty co-operation of the students in the pleasure and duty of helping on the services. "Here in the midst of liberal ideas tending toward elective studies, there is one matter in which there is no option-the wish of the university that every freshman who enters this week goes forth four years hence better fitted to withstand the allurements of the world. What we all want is the confidence of the students."

Dr. Phillips Brooks urged on those present that the Chapel was founded to represent to men that they are something more than mere students in the common acceptance of the term. The more the student knows he is a scholar the more he feels himself a man. If a man believes in Him who saved the world, his mind must become enlarged. The fragments of life are here brought into unity, and for this reason the university, and, above all, the chapel, were founded."

Dr. Francis J. Peabody closed the services with the benediction.