The first religious service of the college year was held in Appleton Chapel last night. It was conducted by Rev. S. M. Crothers. The sermon was preached by Rev. Francis G. Peabody and brief addresses were made by Rev. Philip S. Moxom D. D., and Rev. Leighton Parks, D. D.

Professor Peabody chose for his text: "Ye know how to discern the face of the heaven; but ye cannot discern the signs of the times." He said in part: The period just before us is the greatest period in the history of the world. The man who is to live during the next twenty-five years is to see greater achievements in thought than we have yet seen. Before this future stands the young man setting himself to the task of discerning the signs of the times.

First among the deeper aspects he sees the demand for the idealist. On the surface it seems just the opposite, but beneath it in the deeper movement of the inner life through which God has guided every age, he sees that if there is anything manifest it is the inadequacy of the material life.

There never was a time when there was such a searching for new religions and philosophy. There is beginning to stir a new movement in philanthrophy, education and religion. When the historian of a later age comes to sum this up he will call it a great revival of idealism. This is a sign for the university man of today.

The second great demand of the age, and it is one which grows out of the first, is the demand for the optimist. There is enough in the American life today to encourage pessimism. People say America is not the place for scholars and gentlemen, but they do not read the signs of the times. A man who begins his university life today begins with much crudity, but every healthy man ought to be glad that his life begins today.

The most conspicuous demand, however, is that of social service. On the surface there is still the scrambling of individualism, but beneath all self-seeking there is heard the call of social service. There is coming a new appreciation of the words: "No man liveth to himself," and "Bear ye one another's burdens."

It is easy for the scholar to be a miser, but we must come to realize that with opportunity comes duty. The selfishness of the scholar is being cast out by the age and university men are going out into the lowest classes to better them. Education frees a man from materialism, pessimism and selfishness; such education is religion and begets true Christian manhood.

Rev. Philip S. Moxom said on behalf of the board of preachers that it was with pleasure and diffidence that he brought their greeting at the beginning of the year. It is true today that the hope of America in politics as well as in religion is in its youth; in those who are getting moulded into noble form.

In speaking of the system of voluntary chapel exercises Dr. Moxom said that the method which was adopted a few years ago with fear and trembling is based upon the profound conviction of the importance of religion as the basis of character. The board of preachers believe that the voluntary method shows larger faith in forming character and manhood in America than any other.

"We come here, said Dr. Moxom, "not with academic authority, but with the appeal of sweet reasonableness and the divine authority of truth. We desire to bring to you such help as our own spiritual development may give us in settling your problems. We invite you to join with us in making this year one which shall ensure a life of success. I bring you the welcome of the university preachers."

Rev. Leighton Parks closed the services with a few remarks on the passage: "I come not to destroy but to fulfill." Many men come to Harvard and find that the very things they were taught to respect are scoffed at. It may seem to some that religion had come to an end. One man wraps his religion in the napkin of orthodoxy and will not have it touched or made more effective for fear of losing it entirely, while another flings it away and says: "Harvard destroyed my religion."

But the university stands not as a place of instruction alone, it stands as one of the agencies of Jesus Christ. It offers to those who enter today a larger, richer and deeper life than it has ever been possible for them heretofore to know. It is not destroying but fulfilling it.

The choir sang the following anthems: "Fight the Good Fight" by Parker; "O Lord our Governor" by Marcello; and "Peace and Light" by Chadwick,