Pusey Emphasizes Religion At Baccalaureate Address

President Pusey's first Baccalaureate Address at Harvard rang with the note of religions fervor yesterday afternoon as he spoke to a capacity audience gathered in Memorial Church.

Several hundred seniors, clad in the traditional cap and gown, listened while Pusey advised them to "keep an open mind on the subject of religion, and as time goes on, given it an increasing place in your lives."

The President made it clear that he considered "that attitude of reverence" the College's most valuable contribution to its students. "This relationship to God--the attitude of reverence--this is the paramount thing," said Pusey.

He also observed that there has been a growing trend towards irrationality in the United States, "nourished and exploited by illiberal, scheming minds . . . with patriotic pretensions." Pusey indicated that he felt the current atmosphere of irrationality may provide the new generation with "a more convincing incentive to act rationally."

"By and large," he said, "there has been far too little that one might look up to as exemplary" for today's youth to observe. "Indeed," Pusey continued, "we seem to require a varsity increased number of tainted minds if we are to purify our reputedly free way of life."

"Close to Religion"

Reflecting on Harvard education's contribution to improving American standards of value, Pusey said, "It seems to me quite unlikely that anyone could be at Harvard very long and fail to acquire, along with knowledge and increased intellectual skill, a resolve to shape his life worthily." "When this happens," he continued, "the individual's experience is at least beginning to come close to religion."

Pusey emphasized that he considers religion the center of University life, and said that he hoped the Class of '54 would count among its prized memories the memory of Memorial Church. Pusey admitted that it had taken him several years after his graduation to recognize Memorial Church's importance, and did not think many of this year's graduates would make it their "symbol of Harvard" either. But, he added, he earnestly hoped "it might be."

"Aim High'

"What is required," said the President, "is a inner capacity to rise above self-seeking, to aim high and to persist in the face of discouragement--to keep one's heart set on truth and love. Harvard seeks to prepare men for this kind of life."

"Reverence and duty are indispensable parts of a whole life," he concluded. "Without them we must always remain something less than whole men."

The Class of '54 will hold its Senior Spread tonight, in the Lowell House courtyard. Festivities will include a formal dance starting about 10 p.m., scheduled to come to a halt at 3 a.m., with a "midnight" dinner for an interlude.