DUE WEST, S.C. Ð The Rev. Dr. James Bell, until his recent retirement pastor of the Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, was back in his familiar pulpit Sunday as he spoke to a standing-room-only gathering of Erskine faculty, graduates, family, and friends at the annual Baccalaureate Service, preaching on the story of Jesus and Pilate found in St. Matthew's gospel.

"What shall I do with Jesus, which is called Christ?" asks Pilate in the account of Jesus' trial before the Roman governor. Bell called this question the most important one for graduates to ask themselves as they prepare to enter life after their college experience.

"I guess you all have given the right answers to your professors," said Bell with a smile, "since you will now be receiving your degrees."

Bell told of a promising young student who responded readily to his professor's queries about his future plans, which included law school, a series of difficult cases to ensure his fame and success, and a happy and honorable old age. The professor went on repeating the question "And then?" until the student finally replied, "Why, then I'll die!"

"And what then?" the professor asked once more, but the student was unable to answer.

Bell emphasized in his sermon the importance of asking such ultimate questions, which should take precedence over material ones.

Bell, a graduate of Erskine College and Erskine Theological Seminary, told the graduates that Pilate's question, "What shall I do with Jesus?" called for either one answer or the otherÑeither crown him or crucify him. The crowd shouting at Pilate voted for crucifixion, and we ourselves can opt to crucify Christ by our manner of living each day. But if we choose to crown Christ, then we can be the salt of which Jesus spoke, salt which helps preserve the good in the world around us.

"Your character and influence are determined by your answer. Your life, your influence, will help prevent corruption and give the person who is struggling a chance."

Bell urged the graduates to consider the claims of Christ and stressed that the central question, "What shall I do with Jesus?" is an eternal question that will not go away.

"As you choose in these days of opportunity, so shall your destiny be in the time to come," said Bell.

The Baccalaureate Service included music provided by the Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church choir, directed by Dr. John G. Brawley, Jr., Professor of Music at Erskine, augmented by talented faculty and students both in the choir and on instruments for the anthem "Laudate Jehovam, omnes gentes" by George Phillip Telemann.

The organist for the service was graduating senior and co-valedictorian Brooks Kuykendall of Due West, who in addition to accompanying the choir and congregation, played J.S. Bach's "Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue in C Major" as prelude, William Walton's "Crown Imperial" for the processional, and Bach's "Sinfonia in D Major" for the recessional.