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Cartledge’s Message Focuses
on the Spirit
|
Tony Cartledge speaks to students
at
Campbell's 2004 Baccalaureate service.
photo by Bennett
Scarborough |
While members of Campbell University’s Class of 2004
prepare to enter professional life, Dr. Tony Cartledge gave them the
formula for a successful spiritual life in his baccalaureate address
delivered Sunday, May 9.
Using examples from his own life, including the tragic
death of his daughter, Bethany, the editor and president of Biblical
Recorder told the graduates that while few of them would go out and
change the world; all of them can strive to make their part of the world
a better place.
“It grows out of a simple, but focused, effort to do
what God expects us to do and to be what God expects us to be,” he said.
“God expects us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly in
his spirit.”
Describing his own graduation from a school that was not
integrated, Cartledge urged the students to be aware of the injustices
around them.
“Unknowingly, I had become a participant in a system
that was unjust,” he said. “I hope your college experience has helped
you to confront some of the easy biases that we grow up with.”
Cartledge pointed to the life of the late Fred Rogers of
the television program “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” as an explanation of
what spirituality really means. Responding to a note Cartledge wrote to
Rogers after the death of his young daughter, Rogers telephoned
Cartledge. The call led to a friendship that endured until Rogers’ death
in 2003.
“Fred Rogers’ life is the best example of steadfast love
and kindness that I have ever seen,” he said. “He could have simply had
an assistant write to us or send us a form letter, but he took the time
to call. I learned from Fred Rogers that when you show people respect,
they are more apt to feel worthy of respect; when you show them love,
they are more likely to feel worthy of love; and when you show them
kindness, they are more likely to display kindness in return.”
Most important is to rely on faith, hope, and trust in
God, Cartledge said.
“I’ve discovered the older I get the less I know. The
mysteries of God are beyond our comprehension, but if we live justly,
love kindly, and have respect for others, we’re living the life God
called us to live,” he said.
The Campbell University Choir performed special music
for the service and graduating senior Paulette Walker performed a solo.
William Clay Cashwell, pastor of Benson Grove Baptist Church in Benson,
NC, and father of graduate Rebecca Cashwell, delivered the invocation.
Jeffrey With, interim pastor at Northwest Presbyterian Church in
Kinston, NC, and father of graduate David With, delivered the scripture
reading. And Jerry W. Parsons, pastor of Holly Springs Baptist Church in
Broadway, NC, and father of graduate Patrick Parsons, gave the
benediction.
Founded in 1887, Campbell University is North Carolina’s
second largest private institution of higher education and the second
largest Baptist university in the world. Located in Buies Creek, NC,
just east of the center of the state, Campbell combines academic
excellence and Christian commitment.
Bulletin 0138 |
