Dr. Angell On Character

The Annual Address to the New Students

In University Hall

How the Friends of the First Two Months Should be Chosen- The Secret of Developing Character.

Over 2,000 persons were present Sunday afternoon in University hall to hear President Angell give the annual address to new students. Never did a larger or more appreciative audience assemble for the opening address, and never was an assembly better repaid. Earnest counsel, sincere welcome, words of encouragement and hope, struck home in the hearts of the hearers who responded to it with a fine sympathy that paid great homage to Michigan's president. 

There was more than the usual number of freshmen, who made themselves known by their conversation while the crowd gathered. 

"Did you ever see the president?"

"Why do they call him 'Prexy'?"

"Who plays the organ?"

"Yes, that's a member of the faculty- " Yes, yes, yes.

But Prof. Stanley absorbed all conversation in a Prelude, which will fix forever in the minds of all freshmen "who plays the organ." And Mr. Killeen certainly established himself with the new as with the old, by two solos rendered at their best.

After his introduction by the president of the association Dr. Angell made a few remarks of welcome to the students in behalf of all religious organizations connected with the University and the churches, and every association which does the work of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. 

Launching into his subject, he said: "Whatever may be true of students in come colleges, it is not true here, that a considerable number come because they are sent. They come of their own volition, because they wish to train themselves for a useful life and a cultivated mind. No word is needed to stimulate students with intellectual purpose, but some fail to apprehend one important consideration, even more important that this, that if you train yourself with success you must appreciate the importance of continually cultivating character. Intellectual brilliancy will not suffice. It is misapprehension to think so. The world at large cares primarily for the character of the men and women who are in it. It is not enough to know law books and be fluent in speech, to gain a strong hold on public esteem. Cultivate character. It is important for the physician, coming as he does into such close contact with the secret relations of family life. It is important for the teacher, for the man of business- for all men."

"Character is not a thing ready made," said Dr. Angell, "that you have in your native town and bring with you to pack away in the attic like your trunk and get out upon occasion. Character is a living, vital force, a power fed always by streams of moral principle in the center of the heart, a growth growing day by day. It is not so much what you are today as what you will be tomorrow, that counts. Unless you progress you will go backward. Your life is between the hammer and the invil. We are constantly learning, constantly having new experiences, new tests and new temptations. Unless under these your life becomes tough and strong by progress, it will become brittle and rotten. You cannot fashion character by proxy; you cannot pay tuition for it; you must build it for yourself and the only model for you to work on is the character of our blessed Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, who never dallied with temptation, nor played with it, nor was indifferent to it, but set his foot upon it once and forever."

"There are two perils," said President Angell, "which the newcomer must always confront: The peril of leaving the healthful restraints of home, and secondly scrutinizing of doctrines as simply hereditary beliefs. In respect to these, there is no place where a man can go through them so safely as in a good college. But don't be in a hurry to make intimate friends; don't give your heart away to those you don't know well; for so much depends upon the companionships you make in the next two months. Choose those who will help you build up character- not those who want to hang around saloons. Why any civilized being can do this I don't know,  for saloons are the haunts of all the thieves and harlots in town."

"Start your college life with your ideals and purposes fixed, for our Lord and Master is looking with longing eyes on a company like this, and asking what this young people mean to do with their lives. Such possibilities are before you! You are like steam engines with the steam up, such power is concentrated within you. Cling to your highest ideals, follow the dreams of your best moments, press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. For this is the secret of developing character which shall make life a blessing, to yourself, to your friends, and to your God."