0 C T 0 B E R 1 9 ' 4 8
The MESSENGER
"Sugar" and "Little Lump"
INTO THE BOAT-after a 40-minute battle. This blue-and-silver beauty measured seven feet ten inches. It's another handsome catch for Mrs. Hammer an enthusiastic angler for several seasons.
Noted angler ANDREA L. HAMMER agrees: 11 1n fishing-and in cigarettes tooEXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER! 11
WITH smoker after smoker who has tried different brands of cigarettes -and compared them for mildness, rnolness, and flavorCamels are the "choice of experience" I And no wonder! For Camels are made from choice tobaccos, properly aged and expertly blended. Try Camels yourself. Make your own comparison -in your "T-Zone" -that's T for Taste and T for Throat. Let your taste give you the good news on Camel's rich, full flavor. Let your throat report on Camel's cool-smoking mildness. See if Camels don't suit your "'f-Zone" to a "T."
Let your''T-Zone''tellyou why ! T for Taste ... T for Throat ••• that's your proving ground for any cigarette. See if Camels don't suit your "T-%one" to a ''T.1.1
Off PALM BEACH -Andrea Hammer has hooked a big one . , • and the battle begins. Here she gives him line as he jumps and tailwalks.
SMILE OF VICTO UBack on shore, Mrs. Hammer lights a Camel and poses with her trophy, Like so many smokers, Mrs. Ha mmer has tri ,ed several d ifferent brands of ciga rettes -and compared , Camels suit her best!
R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Winston-S alem, N. C.
COVER: Co-Captain Sugar Ralston and Son STAFF
Editor-in-Chief
PEGGY HARRIS
TJVesthampton College Editor JOYCE PARRISH
Law School Editor HAROLD FLAX
Richmond College F.ditor NELSON WEBER
Photography Editor BILL WILLS
Contact Editor
ELIZABETH PAHNELAS
Exchange Editor WALLY McGRAW
Poetry Editor
GEORGIA KILPATRICK
Feature Editors JEAN BISHOP, WALT MAHON
Fiction Editors BETTY CATHER, DoN WILSON
Publicity Manager WALT PRESTON
Contact Staff BARBARA CovINGTON , MIMI ANDERSON, HARRIET LAMM
Art Staff ANN WILEY
LOUISE TRIPLETT, BILL SCHEERER
Editorial Staff BOBBY RODEWALD, ANNE BREHME
Published in October, December, February, April and May by University of Richmond Publications, Incorporated. Right is reserved to alter contributions to meet publication requirements. All communications should be addressed to THE MESSENGER, Box 335, Westhampton College, University of Richmond, Virginia.
Member Virginia Intercollegi ate Press Association
It's Your Magazine
WHEN the skeleton of THE MESSENGER was planned, there was a unanimous vote for the first editorial to be written on "spirit," but now there is no need for one. (We might add, "praise be.") Everyone seems to be saturated with the "stuff"-thanks to the City of Richmond for such demonstrations as the Loew's Pep Rally-thanks to our Cheerleadersto The Collegian-to our School Leaders-to the Senior Class and their spirit "sings." There's just nothing left to say about spirit except now that we have it, let's keep it-now that we're well again, let's not sit back on our haunches, but work instead to keep healthy. Expect spirit is a lot like liberty in that you 'sho have to keep a constant vigilance. Don't think we have to worry though, judging from the wholehearted support that so many projects have had so far.
Not to be outdone, THE MESSENGERhas tried to get in on the good fellowship. There's the fraternity article which we hope will prove a service both to the Freshmen and the Fraternities; y-.;e plan to be good fellows and enrich one of yQur pockets, at least ( sorry it can't be all), by $5.00 ( see Poll); and we're helping the newly born Camera Club by printing their chosen best.
Now how about a helping hand from you in the form of material-lots and lots of it so that we may pick and choose and give you a truly worthwhile magazine. What do you say? If you' re timid about turning material in, just slip it under the door of THE MESSENGERoffice, and we'll contact you and work out any defects together. Your article might not get in, but we'H all gain something. Now don't just think you're going to help us out, ACT, for "good thoughts are no better than good dreams."
It's your magazine. Why don't you do something about it?
-P.H. [ 1 ]
~CTUREOFTHEMONTH
THE OLD WORLD AND THE NEW LOOK TO THE FUTURE
The above picture, submitted by Joyce Parrish, was chosen by the new Camera Club as their " Picture of the Month. " The Messenger hopes to continue this policy of helping the Camera Club because we feel that they are doing a worthwhile work in equipping a long-needed darkroom for use by their members and all publications. Entries to the picture contests are not limited to members of the club, but may be submitted by any student on the campu s interested in photography.
[ 2]
You Meet Th Queerest People
- I/ is such a big word
]C
KE I WUZ TELLIN my Maggie th other day, it takes all kindsa people to make a world. An I meets em too, takin my grocries aroun in th mornins. Thet' s one of the reasons I quit th milk route after all them years. I likes people, an y.r don't see so many at five in th mornin much. But since I tuk on this grocrey deliverin', I been hevin th time of me life. Like I said, you do meet th queerest people. There's one woman bout tickles th fool outa me. Lives way over on th west side of town where all them doctors an lawyers an such lives. Doctor's wife, she is, close on ta forty I'd judge, only some days she looks younger and some days she looks older, dependin.
If she wouldn't be so skinny an hev such circles under her eyes all the time she wouldn't be so turrble bad lookia. Got ,blonde hair, kinda, and ' where th blonde's beginnin to fade she touches it up. One mornin it was th yellerest yeller you ever seen. She jus giggled an said, "Been hittin th bottle agin, Charley!" Like as not when I git there-I hit her place round ten, leven-she still got it up or else it's all down on her shoulders like a little girl's.
\Vhat I like bout her is she's so friendly, laughin an talkin an all. Not like th rest of them wimmin. Sorta acts like we went ta th same school together or somethin. One day last winter it was an oncommon cold day an she ast me if I'd like a cupa coffee. Ever since then we has one most ever mornm.
She don't keep a reglar maid an she ain't particular bout th house neither. It beats all th way she got her place all cluttered up. When I git there th dishes is most never done, not even th night before's dishes. She's jus asittin at th breakfast table drinkin black coffee an readin - portry an stuff, an she always got th victroller on, playin thet high falootin classic music. "Good Lord, Charley, it ain't time fer you yit," she sez, and then she kinda giggles an sez, "Put em down wherever there's room, Charley." So I mostly puts th grocry box' on th floor. Then we hev our cupa coffee and she talks. Lord, how thet woman talks! Sometimes she reads me her kids' letters. She got two little boys an they go ta boardin school.
[ 3 ]
They don't call her Mother, they call her Pete. Strikes me as funny like, but then she ain't th kinda woman you'd call Mother either.
She don't seem like th doctor's wife much. Can't understand why she ever married 'im. An I don't think she kin either, times. He jes ain't her type. Told me oncet she wuz kina married to a pi-anist. He wuz a genius, she said, but he didn't hev no money-them kind never do. An I reckon thet's why she left 'im. This doctor, now, he's got money.
One mornin I got there an she wuz jus typin away an there wuz papers all over th room. I ast her what she wuz adoin and she said she wuz awritin a novel. Thet kept up fer about a week an then I went back an she wuz areadin as usual. She got a crooked iook ta her mouth an jes said it wuz too late ta write now. Reckon it jus wuzn't good enuff. Anyways, she ain't done no more writin since.
One night there wuz a big concert in townsome pi-anist or somethin like thet-an all them west end people went all diked out in their evenin clothes. Me an Maggie took in a show thet night and as we wuz comin home we passed by th theatre where this big shindig wuz bein held at, an there she wuz. She looked perfectly beautiful, no morn thenl about twenty. Long green gown kinda low cut and it wuz thet purty shade like grass in th spring. It matched her eyes an they wuz adancin an asparklin like she wuz awful happy. Funny thing, but I'd never noticed her eyes before. An her hair wuz all on top her head like they do in them magazines Mag's always agittin. She had on a real snorty look' in white fur thing an a diamond necklace too. (This doctor, now, he's. got money.) I'll swear ta th good Lord, she shore did look like a dream astandin there all by herself like she wuz awaitin on somebody. When she seen us she hollered real friendly like an smiled real purty ta me an Mag. And all them big wigs wuz aroun too.
Th next day I remember when I got there she had her victroller goin full blast so's she had ta turn it down fore she could talk "It drowns out
(Continued on page 15)
Hail Freshmen!
Alpha Beta Gamma Psi
Fifteen prospects gathered I.
Hail these men-treat them right. We'll pledge all before the night!
George has five and Pete's got two, (We'll get them all before we' re through) . Pledge 'em big and pledge 'em small, The tall and thin; pledge 'em all!
Spread aloud the glorious news: "Athletes don't pay no dues."
Show them all the campus scenery; Feed them in the college beanery? !!
Yell it loud-our greatest boast: "Each morn we have buttered toast. Sit down and drink our wholesome milk, (Them chairs you're in is lined with silk.")
Grab the rest-don't let 'em flee! Them other men is just for me. They'll listen to the words I say, I know the gals across the way.
"Sit down fellows; have a chair, We're the boys who treat you fair. Take it easy; doff your hat. We want you in our swell frat."
I
Just a minute. I hear the bell. ( It seems that things are going well.) "You'll be sure to get the score, But Joe's here now with fifty more!" -PRESTON.
[ 4]
Our Greeks
THE ELEVEN social fraternities at Richmond College are representative of the best in the nation. Although their future has appeared dim at times, they have survived many difficulties, such as those which war years and college boards present, and have come out with flying colors. The following write-ups were given to THE MESSENGERby representatives of the eleven fraternities.
KAPPAALPHA
Eta Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order is the oldest social fraternity on the University of Richmond campus, having been founded here in the year 1870. Kappa Alpha was founded in December, 1865, at Washington College (now known as Washington and Lee University). Its high ideals are based upon the character of Robert E. Lee. Kappa Alpha was founded as a social fraternity and offers wholesome social life, intimate association with the highest type of young men, and participation in a noble heritage of tradition.
Eta is led by Charlie Mattox, of Lynchburg, and has a membership of 32 actives and 7 pledges and is battling to regain its prewar prominence here on the campus.
You are cordially invited to drop into room A-2, Jeter Hall for a good old Southern welcome.
KAPPASIGMA
Beta Beta Chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity was founded in 1898, at the University of Richmond, and it has grown and progressed through the years to its present position as one of the outstanding and leading fraternities on the campus. At present, Kappa Sigma has 114 chapters at schools situated throughout the states, with a total membership of over 50,000. The founding of Kappa Sigma fraternity goes back to 1869, at the University of Virginia.
Kappa Sigma has well maintained its position and well-rounded personality throughout the years, and now has men active in both sports and Student Government activities. In social life Kappa Sigma climaxes its year with the spring formal.
LAMBDACHI ALPHA
Evidently, all fraternities were founded-either in "Phil's" or some other prominent establish-
ment. Most of them were founded along with Adam and Eve, or so it seems. But so what? Isn't it the men in the fraternity and what the fraternity does in attaining its ideals and goals that count? That's where Lambda Chi comes in.
Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the youngest fraternities in the nation, but it has risen to be one of the few international fraternities in the world and the largest in chapter strength ( 128 total).
Prominent Lambda Chi's on the Richmond campus are Dean Pinchbeck, Dean Muse, Professor Hackley, Dr. Stevenson, Professor Wagoner, plu,s our academic brothers.
This year will be outstanding in the campus career of Lambda Chi, leading off with a. Costume Ball at the Mosque on October 30, 1948.
PHI ALPHA
Phi Alpha fraternity was founded at George Washington University in 1914, and eleven years later Rho Chapter was established at the University of Richmond.
Men of Phi Alpha are to be found in many campus activities. The school publications, the literary societies, varsity debate team, and social organizations all have their representatives from Phi Alpha. Although our intramural teams have not always been victorious, we have gained more important riches in the experience that working together as a team gives.
As February draws near, the main topic of campus conversation is the impending "Rho Tau," one of the biggest dances of the school year. Fall, on the campus, is identified by the thud of toe against pigskin, winter by leather tattooing a crescendo on hardwood floor, spring by horsehide against ash, and Phi Alpha by friendly spirit, strong grip, and warm laughter.
PHI DELTA THETA
Phi Delta Theta fraternity was founded at Miami University in 1848. Today this national fraternity has 110 active chapters located in the U. S. and Canada, and a membership of over 65,000. The Virginia Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta was established at Richmond College in 1875.
The present-day membership on the campus is 53 actives and 5 pledges. The Phi Delt room is [ 5}
located in A-1, Jeter Hall. Phi Delta Theta celebrated its Centennial Anniversary last April with a gala banquet and ball ,at the John Marshall Hotel. We plan to start the building of our lodge as soon as the school permits.
PHI GAMMA DELTA
The national fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta was founded in 1848 at Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. During its first century, Phi Gamma Delta has grown to embrace 79 active chapters in the United States and Canada. The Rho Chi Chapter, now having 46 active members and pledges, was established at Richmond College in 1890. The "Fijis" came in first in the scholarship race to win the coveted scholarship cup last year, and were second in the intramural athletic standings.
Prominent in every field of campus endeavor, "Fijis" count within their ranks the president of Student Government, two senators, editor-in-chief of the Web, head cheerleader, managing editor of the Collegian, student representative to the Board of Publications, president of the Baptist Student Union, two members of the Honor Council, and 5 members of the varsity football squad.
PHI KAPP A SIGMA
Phi Kappa Sigma was the second fraternity to appear on the Richmond College campus. Phi Chapter looks back to 75 years of participation in campus life, broken only by the intervening years of World War II.
An outstanding social season was highlighted last year by an Apache Party in the Skull House, in November, and the Spring Barn Dance held at Stratford Hills Country Club, in April.
Phi Kap is represented in such campus activities as the Honor Council, basketball and tennis teams, Student Government, college publications, literary and religious groups, and the Camera Club.
Faculty members of Phi Kap include Dr. F. W. Boatwright, Dr. R. F. Smart, Dr. T. E. Lavender, and Mr. Wm. Maner.
Phi Chapter invites all good men interes,ted in a top-notch fraternity to visit Phi Kap Sig House. Yes, this includes party men!
PI KAPP A ALPHA
Pi Kappa Alpha was founded in 1868, at the University of Virginia, and Omicron Chapter was
(6]
established at the University of Richmond in 1891. Pi Kappa Alpha is now national in scope, having 91 chapters throughout the country.
Each year Omicron Chapter is host to the other Virginia chapters at the annual Pika Ball, given in the fall. Other major social activities are the Founders' Day Banquet, each spring, and the house party which closes each school year.
During the 1947-48 session Pi Kappa Alpha won the league championship in their intramural football and softball leagues. Pi Kappa Alpha is affiliated with the Student Party, and has several men who are prominent in Student Government and in Pi Delta Epsilon.
SIGMA
ALPHA EPSILON
Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded a:t the University of Alabama in 1856. Today there are 119 active chapters with over 70,000 members. Virginia Tau Chapter was established in 1884, and at the present has 55 actives.
S. A. E. is well represented in the various college activities, having men on the varsity football, basketball, and baseball squads, on the staffs of all the publications, and in Student Government. Also, there are those who are active members of the Camera Club, Chemistry Club, S. C. Mitchell Literary Society, Glee Club, Forensic Council, Omicron Delta Kappa, Pi Delta Epsilon, and Tau Kappa Alpha.
The social events include picnics, informal dances, smokers, an annual Founders' Day banquet and dance, and a house party which climaxes the year.
You are always welcome in C-3, Jeter Hall, and don't forget our Thursday night smokers, to which everyone is invited. ·
SIGMA PHI EPSILON
Sigma Phi Epsilon is the only national fraternity which was founded at the University of Richmond. This was in 1901. Today there are 84 chapters t,hroughout the United States, comprising more than 29,000 members. Wearers of the Golden Heart on the U. of R. campus number 33.
Prominent members of S.P.E. include: Governor William Tuck, General Leonard T. Gerow, Secretary of Defense James V. Forrestal, Senator Harry Flood Byrd, Congressman J.Vaughan Gary, an alumnus of Virginia Alpha, and Senator Arthur Vandenburg.
(Continued on page 12)
JAZZA LA CARTE
NOT VERY many years ago, in the city of New Orleans, there was born the gay, turbulent, rhythmical problem child jazz, which claimed as its parents, the Negro "Spiritual" and ragtime. It seemed to surge from the soul of the carefree Negro and, once set free, to flow through the veins of all who heard it, giving a strange new feeling of effervescence, of warmth, of mixed emotion, which none could explain. Along with the twangy aromas of delicious French dishes, which floated out into the feverish atmosphere from the smoke-filled little cafes , there drifted the scintillating strains of this mysterious new syncopated rhythm.
This music embodied the ecstatic , vivacious character of the New Orleans ' French , the sensuous, racy temperament of the Creole, and the moody emotionalism of the Negro. In a word, its effect was electric-giving vitality to and stimulating all its listeners . It was no time before jazz spread like contagion over the entire country. Critics were vehemently denouncing it, and the people were loving it.
Out of jazz sprang the blues and modern swing. Such pieces as Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue " and Alter's " Manhattan Serenade" have al-
ready become immortal among the Americans and will doubtless be added to the world's repertoire of great music.
Paul Whiteman, the "King of Jazz," and later orchestras, such as that of Vincent Lopez, did much toward the promotion and development of this new captivating music. This was accomplished primarily through skillful orchestral coloring and blending and through brilliant, modern instrumenta.t:ion. The artistry of such composers as Kern, Gershwin, Berlin, and Porter has translated this " fascinatin' rhythm" into such masterful form as to make it inevitable that it should reach the stages of great halls of classical music , inevitable that it should now receive high acclaim from the world's most capable critics. This was the music that not very long before had been rejected by the "long hair" group.
Thus it is that out of the souls of an ardent and passionate people has grown what is ref erred to by many as the American folk music. It has captured the spirit of vitality, of brilliance, of newness, which belongs only to the American people.
-JOYCE A. PARRISH.
Drawn by Ann Wiley
FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS!
EDITOR'S NOTE
This summer Miss Margaret Ross, Professor of English at Westhampton, took a course in the Writer's Work Shop, Chautauqua, New York , under John Holmes, Professor of English at Tufts College and a poet in his own name.
It was Mr. Holmes' idea that the mind refuses to live in chaos~that it must ~ake sense. Therefore, if given a jumble of meaningless words to use as the last words of lines of a poem, it is surprising what the outcome will be . It seems that some poets try this exercise not with the idea that they are being inspired, but to discipline themselves to think toward a definite end.
So Miss Ross decided to try it in her Creative Writing Classes as a lesson in discipline, to break fixed habits of thinking, to drag up new images, and to freshen meanings of words.
The following poems are samples of the results. All have ended the first thirteen lines with the same word , and have made the fourteenth and fifteenth lines rhyme with "own " and the sixteenth wirh the thirteenth.
For the answer to "Campus Riddle," turn to page 15.
Campus~ddle
I watched as it took on shape
And again as it was filled with living Beings full of spirit and noisy sound . I heard it try to escape
The too heavy burden of moving Trunks dragged across the ground.
I looked, and by chance I began to view and measure
Those girls who now are called "Symbols of extravagance. "
Then came the happy seizure
Of all the spaces that had been walled.
Following , blocks of light
Through the long dark shone.
Still I stood --silent, alone, Wakeful --admiring the new built height. -JOYHULL.
[ 10}
SomewhereIn The Night
A starved, deformed, inhuman shape Lies prostrate here. Between the dead and living He hovers. From gaping lips no sound Emerges. The innocent did not escape War's aftermath. Hardly moving Are his tired lungs. For many days this ground Has been his resting place. By cruel chance Tortures of mind and body without measure His lot. - - - - We are called From selfish extravagance
To help him and his fellows. Death's seizure Is all he waits and hopes for, being walled In by circumstance from that fair world of light That we, more fortunate, have always known. Shall we leave him, unaided and alone, To die, hungry and sh1vering in the night?
-LUCY DEARING.
Sounds
The rumbling starts to take on shape, Defying all that's living. So proud it seems of power in sound, Denying all desired escape. It tears away from bonds. Moving Too close now to the ground, With roars and snarls tha,t leave no chance Of capture into beat and measure, It comes, 'though it has not been called, And with extravagance, Accompanied by cruel seizure, It quits domains of walled Confusion, led by fire and light Into the vast unknown.
It marvels now how i,thas grown, This thunder that has reached its height. .
-JOYCE PARRISH.
LamentOf A Person
A skeleton shape To become all living; An unrhymed sound Which tries to escape, Leaps up, and moving, Is caught - - first, ground, Then dashed in minute measure, Victim of unhappy chance.
"A Poem," this shape is called. But yet, for such extravagance Enclosed within this seizure, Misfits, no cadence, wrong words are walled.
Oh, for a light, A light of my own Leading me onward, me alone To a poetic height.
-ELLEN LARGENT.
Our Greeks
(Continued from page 6)
Each year Sigma Phi Epsilon holds its Golden Heart Ball at the Country Club of Virginia. This event is a highlight of the social season at the University. Last semester Sig Eps subscribed 125 per cent to aiding in getting uniforms for the band. Virginia Alpha Chapter publishes its own alumni bulletin, Spider Speil.
THETA CHI
Omicron Chapter of Theta Chi fraternity was founded at the University of Richmond in 1915 and, since its installation, has become one of the largest and finest fraternities on the campus. The "White House on Roselawn Road" has been completely redecorated and refurnished, the new furnishings being obt ,ained through the combined efforts of the active members, Mothers' Club, and Alumni Corporation.
Last year the chapter won many honors in intramural activities, and also received the Plaque for Homecoming Decorations. The men are active in such campus activities as Mu Sigma Rho Literary Society, Student Government, all the campus publications, and the varsity football, basketball, tennis, and track teams.
The social life of Theta Chi is widely known to the campus by virtue of many parties during the year, and an annual Christmas party for underprivileged children, climaxed by the Mason-Dixon Jubilee and the house party at the beach.
Each year the fraternities do much toward building school spirit and prestige. The first major event on the frat calendar is "Openings." This is the first of a set of three dances that are held each year. The music for these dances is f~rnished by name bands. Milhiser Gym, which usually presents a very drab appearance, is converted into a well decorated ballroom through the combined efforts of the fraternities. The dances are planned and executed by the Interf rnternity Dance Committee.
Th~ campus always presents a colorful appearance on Homecoming Day. The returning alumni are greeted by gay signs and posters, welcoming them back. All frat men look toward Homecom-
ing as a day to gather with old friends and also to vie in friendly rivalry for the "Best Decoration Award."
The intramural program of the fraternities is a great factor in building sportsmanship and teamwork. The different groups compete in football, basketball, softball, tennis, ping-pong, and golf. The trophies that are presented to the winners always lend an air of distinction to the walls of the meeting places.
In addition to the above, all the fraternities have their own dances and parties which fill in the gaps between the big events. Through these and many other activities, too numerous to name, the fraternities make the College a better place in which to live and work.
-Compiled by WM. M. WILLS.
Note: THE MESSENGERwishes to thank each Fraternity for its cooperation in these writ;-ups, and regrets that, due to lack of space, it was necessary to edit them to a small extent.-ED.
FOOTBALL
FANFARE
Audrey Bradford wears a suit of softest imported Heatherton tweed in colors that literally defy description. Muted tones of red, yellow, blue, brown, and others are all interwoven to give a very lovely, very "autumnal" effect. The skirt is smartly slimmed with knife pleats at the kneeline for easy walking. Her coat is a college girl's favorite ... warm and woolly mouton dyed lamb. Doug Lipscomb wears the popular grey flannel slacks, sport coat of brown and.white checks with brown leather buttons, and a pure wool tie from California with wild ducks embroidered on it.
All are fashions by Miller & Rhoads.
[ 12 J
The Amsterdam Conference
From notes given by Theodore F. Adams, Pastor of the First Baptist Church
]FOR a fortnight in the latter part of August and the early days of September, the greatest church meeting since the time of the Reformation met in Amsterdam. The scene was at -the Wester Kerk . . . 3 52 official delegates from about 150 separate church denominations gathered from 47 different countries extending to the ends of the earth. The mixture was colorful. There were those in the strange dress of the Orient, in the formal ruffs and blacks of Northern Europe, in business suits, in India's sweeping robes, and in the cassocks and stoles of Europe's old-world Orthodox religions. In language, it was confusing, having as it did representatives and delegates speaking every known major tongue of the world. At its plenary sessions, however, the Conference did follow the ideas of the United Natjons and provided headphone sets for the three principal languages of French, German, and English. For all its colorful confusion and diversity, there was-above everything else-one great unifying quality. That was its hopefulness.
The Conference was the result of years of planning, looking toward the formation of a World Council of Churches. More than ten years ago, England's Archbishop William Temple had stated the principle by which the denominations might unite in a Church of God; it was by " . . . coming closer to Him " that the churches " can come nearer to one another." It was for the purpose of this plan and this fundamental groundwork in the organization of the World Council of Churches that the Conference at Amsterdam met.
Prior to World War II, there had been a number of conferences of great church bodies. Throughout the course of several of them, a Constitution had been drawn, and provisional committees had been set up and charged with bringing the World Council into being. The World War, of course, was the monstrous obliterator of practically all this difficult work. But, in spite of the set-back of the war, the provisional committee remained in existence. It set up a skeleton organization and also made a good beginning at
Christian cooperation on a world basis.
The primary objective of the Amsterdam Conference was to actually bring into existence the World Council of Churches. It was to discuss the constitution as previously drawn, to re-shape it according to subsequent needs, and to adopt it if possible. The constitution was adopted. It was to chart its future course, and this, too, has been done. I,t agreed verbally with the decisions the delegates arrived at among themselves. It did accomplish to a degree the union of Protestantism in that it formed a Federation of the Christian churches of the Orthodox and Protestant branches. For the future, the Council will be headquartered at Geneva. It will have six Co-Presidents, a Central Committee of ninety members, and an Executive Committee, all of whom will manage affairs between the regular five-year sessions of the World Council.
But what of the work of this first Assembly of the World Council of Churches? Aside from the ponderous problems of organization and the considerations for the perpetuity of the Council, the Amsterdam Conference aspired to, and attained, one other great function: the furtherance of Christian Fellowship and Understanding. Representatives were there from countries which had been, but a few years ago, at war with one another. There were delegates present from occupied countries, from lands where Christianity was old and from missionary countries where it was new. There were representatives from both s-tate and free churches. With all this, there arose a remarkable "spirit of Brotherhood and an underlying Unity that impressed all who were present." In it, there was found "a basis of Fellowship in our common faith in Jesus Christ as God and Saviour.'-'
Still one other important result of this first Assembly was the division of the official delegates into four sections to study better the common concerns of the churches throughout the world. One such division was to deal with what was called "Faith and Order" . . the beliefs of the several and various churches which are, or will be, mem[ 14}
bers of the World Council. Another division was to occupy itself primarily with the study of evangelical and missionary work and needs of the member churches. A third division was to deal with world social problems from the standpoint of church concerns, and the fourth was to work on the study of the church and international relations. Each of these divisions had a statement prepared in advance. These were for study. At the close of their work, the divisions issued more detailed statements or pronouncements-the fruit of their two weeks ' labor-and these were submitted for study by all the participating churches of the World Council.
In addition to this larger phase of the work of the Conference, there were numerous other smaller committees eagerly and energetically attacking questions or concerns of churches organized on the basis of a World Federation. One such committee dealt with the work of laymen and women in churches; still another , with the relationships of Christians and Jews.
The foregoing paragraphs are an all-too-inadequate picture of what may well prove to be the greatest religious revolution of all tim~ . . certainly the greatest since the Reformation . The Assembly proved itself to be not only purposeful but also dynamtc. The cry for some kind of Christian cooperation, and the recognition on so general a basis of the urgent need for this cooperation represent the beginning of a possible World Council of limitless influence.
At this Conference, there were only two major branches of Christianity not represented-the Russian Orthodox Church and Roman Catholicism . The Russian Orthodox group did not accept the invitation to attend because of a feeling that the Assembly might prove more political than religious. The Roman Catholics had declined in advance. Both groups, however, had numerous observers in attendance; other observers and visitors , numbering into the hundreds, indicate the vast interest created by the impulses and expressions for Christian unity.
Now that this great new step in Christian cooperation ·is organized and under way, the significance of its process and progress will reveal itself at the subsequent assemblies of the World Council of Churches. What may develop from this large and unusual effort will be of continuing interest.
-NELSON WEBER.
You Meet Th Queerest People
(Continued from page 3)
life when it plays so loud," she said.
Her eyes wuz all tired lookin like she'd been up late readin T. S. Eliot-some poet she's always ravin about-th night before. Only this mornin she wuzn't readin atall. Jus sittin there stirrin her coffee roun an roun an roun. She looked lots older than she shoulda, an she didn't hev much to say, jus poured me out a cup. Finally jus to make conversation I ast her about th concert. Her eyes light1ed all up an she sez real soft like "Oh he wuz wonderful, Charley, wonderful."
Then she buried her head in her hands an I thought she wuz acryin, but when she looked up I seen she wuzn ' t. Her eyes wuz just dull and she wuz turrble old loo kin. ':If, if, if, if-Oh God, it's such a big, big word." And my heart ached fer her, she seemed so beat.
She poured me another cupa coffee and pus_hed it acrost th table at me with a kinda funny little laugh. "You understand me, doncha Charley?"
Like I always say, you meet th queerest people.
-BETTY B CATHER
HIGHER WATER
(Written by Shores of Ditchy Gloomy)
He killed the noble Billigoatski , Of the fur he made him mittens , Made them with ,the fur side inside, Made them with the skin side outside, He , to get the warm side inside Put the inside skin side outside, He, to get the cold side outside, Put the warm side fur side inside, That ' s why he put the fur side inside, Why he put the skin side outside Why he turned it inside outside.
-D.D. McB. ('31).
-Script s ' n Pranks
ANSWER TO CAMPUS RIDDLE
The new South Court Dormitory at Westhampton. ( 15 )
POLL
WOULD YOU like to win $5 00? If so, all you have to do is to fill in the blanks , tear out the page , and slip it under THE MESSENGER door in the Playhouse. (That's the first step, anyway.) For the convenience of the girls, a box will be placed in the North Court Classroom Section. If you ' d like to keep your copy of THE MESSENGERintact, just list your choices from 1 to 25 on a blank piece of paper, making sure that your numbers coincide with your choices. The 50 winners (25 girls and 25 boys) will be asked to pose for a group picture which will appear in rhe next issue of THE MESSENGER. Then-step 2-match tpe faces with the phrases, and the one who guesses the most may pocket the $5 00 Any questions? If so, ask us about them in your favorite newspaper, The Collegian. Know Morton will cooperate.
1. Most collegiate
2. Wittiest
3. Best natured
5. Best lookin
Best all-around
Most popular
8. Best dressed,____________
9. Does most for the college._______
Most respected
Most likely to succeed mmarnage
Most thoughtful
Most sincere
Cutest
Most talented
Most poised
Best matched couple
Best dancer
Most courteous
Most vivacious
Best figure-best physique
22 . Prettiest hair
23. Prettiest eyes
25. With whom would you like to be stranded on an island?
Un~.?.~~:!?.::1! .. , t ,~ my smoking superiority. veal )
In a lettc;r sequence, I'm twenty-five, When you add a man. I come alive. Look sharply, Mac, and find a pin To join two pieces, and you may win.
ANSWERS WILL APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF YOUR MAGAZINE
CHESTERFIELD
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RULES FOR
HUMOR MAGAZINE CONTEST
1. Identify the 3 subjects in back cover ad. All clues are in ad.
2. Submit answers on Chesterfield wrapper or reasonable fac• simile to this publication office.
3. First ten correct answers win one carton of Chesterfield Cigarettes each.
4. Enter as many as you like, but one Chesterfield wrapper or facsimile must accompany each entry.
5. Contest closes midnight; one week after this issue's publica- tion date. New contest next issue.
6. Answers and names of winners will appear in the next issue.
7. All answers become the property of Chesterfield.
8. Decision of judges will be final.
WATCH FOR THE WINNERS IN NEXT ISSUE
"F-e-e-t, what does that spell?" Johnny did not know.
"What is it that the cow has four of and I have only two?" persisted the lady.
The commotion which resulted when Johnny gave his answer broke up the class and left the teacher a nervous wreck.
-Gamet.
SLAVE: "There is a girl outside without food or clothing."
SULTAN: "Feed her and bring her in."
-Yellow Jacket.
DUMB: "We're gomg to give the bride . a shower."
CLUCK: "Count me in, I'll bring the soap."
-The Sp,-i11f!.fieldArmo,-y Neu·s.
ABSENT-MINDEDSALESGIRL ( as her date kissed her good-night): "Will that be all?"
-Y el/ow /ctcket.
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