The Reformed Presbyterian Standard and also 0\ir ... - Rparchives.org

tjecember 2, 1914.
A FAMILY PAPER.
A MEETING OP GENEVA ALUMNl in speaking about recent improve- attempt a brief analysis of the Ge- work among the students. Lacking
AND FRIENDS. ments at Geneva College lest I might neva spirit. equipment, we are not always able
A most enjoyable and successful redect upon those who have gone be- First of all, it is a spirit of broad to get the quality of scholarship that
meeting was held at Hotel Walton ^°.''^- ^^^^'^ ""^'^ ^^^^ labored, con- and liberal culture. is sometimes obtained in a universins-
Nov 17th ThP "^"'^^^^S the very best they had, sac- Geneva has never tried to become a ity. Every college activity must be
Tuesday evemng, inov. ti . rificing their life's blood, and we have university; she has always been con- supported by every student so that
gathering was a dinner and reunion entered into their labors. I 'cannot tent to remain a college. Perhaps you there is less time for close applicaUon
of Geneva College Alumni and friends cease to marvel at the faith, the cour- have heard the story of a frog which to study than in a university, where
ia and around Philadelhia and a re- ^S*5, the zeal, and the love of the tried to blow itself up to an ox. It a man isolates himself from everyception
to President George. founders of Geneva College—the blew and blew and blew, each time thing but his specialty. He gets that
A most bountiful repast was served Johnstons, Milligan, Sloane, 'McCart- swelling out a bit. But of a sudden done; but he leaves much undone.
which was very enjoyable but which ^^"^^ and I must needs put my lament- there was an explosion. The first and But even so, I remember making
made one almost ashamed when you ^^ father in the same class—men of original blow-out had taken place and some mental comparisons between
thought of the many who are with- large vision, men who laid the foun- the frog's inner tube and outer tube some Harvard seniors whom I had
out home and food. dations broad and deep and solid, who collapsed. Some colleges try to blow under direct observation and our own
Kev. M. M. Pearce was the pleasing ^^^^^ ^°^ for a day but for all time, themselves up to universities, tech- seniors, and while I was not an unand
capable toastmaster. '^^'^ ^^^t effort of our administra- nical schools, or graduate schools, and biased judge I suppose, I concluded
The principal speeches were given ^^°^ "^as directed toward recasting they blow and blow and blow, but that in power of analysis, in power
by Provost Smith of the University of ^^^ curriculum. We gave a larger when they explode there is nothing of constructive thinking, and in ma-
Pennsylvania and President George. Place to the study of English, Mod- left but the remains. Geneva is con- turity of judgment our seniors had
Provost Smith struck a cord in most s Language and Science, so that tent to lay the broad and deep foun- the advantage. All of us remember
hearts when he said that what he ^°^ °^^ '^oi'k in science satisfies the dations of liberal culture on which how Robert Blair, who graduated at
needed today was a broad, solid foundation
as given in the small college. out by the Pennsylvania Bureau aims to develop in men and women a the debating team at Princeton, and
requirements of per-medical as made later specialization is to rest. She Geneva with the Class of 1901, made
He said that he was a graduate of a Professional Education. Our next certain amount of free power which how the Princeton team defeated Harcan
be applied in this direction or vard that year for the first time in
small Denominational 'College and he step was to add a Department of Eduwas
proud of it and that the small cation in which instruction in the that. And her graduates show that eight years. There was a small-colcollege
was what he would want for history, institutes, and principles of they have free power which under lat. lege man bowling over the best Harhis
children. He also said that it education might be offered. Our work er specialization becomes highly ef- vard had to offer like a set of nine
was a mistake to give the A. B. for now in Psychology, Logic, Ethics and fective. To change the figure, she pins. And Blair was enjoying himanything
but the old Classical Course Education meets the requirements of gives the broad education; while oth- self immensely while he was doing It,
and that the movement would soon ^^^ Pennsylvania School Code. Our ers sharpen it to a point. You can- too. So while we are mindful of our
be back to the small college as the third step was to abandon the Pre- not sharpen a point to a point. Back limitations, of our lack of equipment,
foundation the University giving the paratory Department and stand forth of the point there must be substance of our lack of scholars of national and
soecialization afterwards. He relat- as college and only a college. With and breadth. world reputation, we do try to do good
ed a number of interesting instances the passing of the Preps we found our Second, the Geneva spirit is a spirit work within our own sphere.
of the help the old Classical course scholarship and discipline greatly im- of personal interest between teacher Fourth, the Geneva spirit is a spirit
was even to men who devoted their proved. Our entire institution took and student. It used to be said at of the fear of God.
lives to Science. These were from °n a new tone of dignity and sobri- Harvard that the only time in the We are not hampered by students
his own experience. All folt grate- ^ty. Another step was to make the year when the Faculty and students ot all religious faiths and of no roful
to Dr Smith for his presence and library more serviceable by opening got together was after the Harvard- ligious faith. We are small enough
his words.
it at 7:45 a. m. and keeping it open Yale football game, when all had to to be a unit. There is a great aduntil
4:00 p. m. and placing it in crowd over a narrow wooden bridge vantage in being able to gather all
President George's speech was re
quested for publication. It was great. charge of a competent librarian. Fin- on the way home from Soldiers Field, your students into one room each day
ly enjoyed by all.
ally, we placed the gymnasium and There and there only the Faculty and and there read to them a portion of
InterestiUE-' and helpful talks were all athletic sports under the care of students rubbed elbows. In a small the Divine Word and offer prayer and
e-iven h Dr Laird Dr Sterrett a trained Physical Director. Former- college, like Geneva, there is a com- perhaps address them on some subly
we employed a football coach for munity of personal interest between ject. Our Chapel service often seems
Metheny, Dr. Ed. Went, who came all
the way from Washington to be pres three months, another man for the teachers and students every day in perfunctory but I am convinced that
ent Rev Mr McArthur Mr Joseph gymnasium, and nobody for track. All the school year. Of course, I know four years of contact with the Word
Steele, Dr. Ellis, Dr. Wilson and Rev. is now under the direction of Mr. the retort that is at once made to this of God each day cannot fail to leave
Robert Clarke. Numerous letters and Brainerd 'Metheny, and a cleaner, alleged advantage of the small col- an impress for good on the mind and
telegrams were read by Doctor Macartney
from graduates who found it
more manly man, more helpful to the lege, namely, that after all your Pac- heart of each student. Sub-consciously
college authorities, has never served ulty is not worth knowing. "It is bet- if no other way the truths of the Word
impossible to be present.
in that capacity.
ter to sit twenty feet from a world- are lodged in the heart and work out
A telegram was also read from Doctor
Johnston, who was expected to be
Geneva is one of the small colleges famous specialist and drink in his for purity and nobility of life. Genof
the country, but while she is small voluminous learning although you nev- eva graduates have a certain moral
present. It was resolved to send the
she is not mediocre. You can pack er know him intimately than to rub fibre and backbone that stand the
Doctor a letter of greeting that night,
enough high explosives in a small elbows with a nobody." I grant that wear and tear of life. A general who
as he was greatly missed.
compass to send a battleship to the there is some force in this retort. But was very small was asked how much
Great credit is due to the Reverend
bottom of the sea in a very few min- if you can have on your Faculty men he weighed. He said, "I weigh one hun-
Clarence Macartney who although utes. And for some reason the men of solid worth, men of scholarship, dred pounds, but ninety-five of it is
not a student of Geneva, yet suggested
the meeting and who was the efand
women who go forth from Gen- culture and character, even though backbone.'' Our school Is not large,
eva College are able to do things and not famous as investigators, their in- but ninety-five per cent of it is backfi'cient
t • rvln out all to stand the wear and tear of life, fluence will be doubled by the close bone. Our students come to know
the arrangements. Dr. Macartney received
the degree of D.D., from Gen­
They are men and women of scholar- and intimate relation existing between duty as the "stern daughter of the
ship culture and character. Further- Faculty and students. Furthermore, voice of God" and the moral imperamore,
Geneva is a growing institution, the men and women who were on the tive "Thou shalt" as an expression
eva last Spring and showed the work.
ing effect of that which is received Since 1907 the attendance has in
Geneva
,
Faculty
, , ,
in
,
the
,
days
, ,
gone
.
by of the
,,,,,„
will ol God. We go further and
i„ . , . „ • .„ „„ creased 132 per cent, df some of the were above the level of nobodies, set before them a social gospel, the
Cy grace as against works by nis ac-