lithmond~olltgt 1'10
RICHMOND,VA., DECEMBER,1884.
Vol. X.
EDI'fORS.-M
gian,
s. W.
HUFF,
No.3.
,u· Sigma Rho, A. N. BOWERS, W. A. HARRIS; , PhiloldJ, B. LEMON.
BUSINESS ' MANAGER.-W.
A. B0Rli'ri1.
'l'HE TWO HOPES . . [ThEJfollowing poem was written by the late iev. MERRIWETHER WINSTON, once a sttldeht of tliis 'College. It was penned while he was yet a mere 'boy; but it .shows· tlie genius which he afterwards displayed.]
Earthy hdpe is but a flower, That blossoms for the tomb; Anoh 'tis watered ·by a shower, .A'.ndfor a while doth bloom. It rerirs its head upon its grave, And drinks in waters orightfo dew it bathes i'ts smiling face, Nor dreams of withering bliglit; 'l'he Christian's hope, a flowret fair, F1rnned by the win)t.qof'love,' Breathes odor 'midst the purest air, Wai-med by the sun above. its holy stem 'shall ne'er ·decay, Its fragrance ·uever die, Sooo tiou.rish in eternal day, '..L'ransplantedto the ·sky.
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Richrnond College Messengei·.
PROCRASTINATION.
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After promising for several times to write "an article" for the M essengc1·,and as oft en failing- to do so, I · de em my subject one worthy of my -consideration, at least, i-f not of my readers'. But I suspect that there is not a single _person who will be so unfortunate as to read this who ]rn,H not had at some time cause to regret his or her procrastination more than once in life. lf yon have not, . my fellow-student, I feel no hesitation in saying you will have ample cause to do so before yon complete your college course. And, for that reason, you shou1'1 deem the subject one worthy of your own consideration. Perhaps it may be when yon have spent a very p1easant vacation and returned to college only to receive intelligence of the marriage of some fp,ir damsel who always cause-1 a-~what shall I call it ?--peculiar fluttering sensation while you were in her presence. Yet you delayed in pressing your suit. Or perhaps it may be at the close of the ~ession, when you see your comrades who have not procrastinated as much as you have in the matter of reviewing, going up to get their honors as a reward for their faithfulness. ' Procrastination may at first be indulged in to a very lim_ ited extent, but it will, like all other habits, grow upon a man very rapidly. Men get into the habit of procrastinating by failing to perform very trivial duties at the proper time, but it grows upon them so that in a short while they will be astonished at them selves. Some make such delays from time to time ; about entering college, that when they come, their powers of grasping an idea are so obtuse that · it is impossible for them to go pa1·ipassu with those who came to college earlier in life. Perhaps some of the greatest disasters the world lias ever known we1:e caused by procrastinatidn. And on the other hand, some of the greatest
Procrastination.
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victories and . most renowned successes the worl9 has ever seen were gained by strict punctuality. There are several reasons why a college student should avoid the growing habit of procrastination. Of course we do not mean to say that college students are the only class of people who should avoid this habit, but they are the class whom we address. One reason is, because when a boy enters college under normal circumstances, his mind is fresh and bouyant ; he is fired with all the ambition of a Napoleon or an ' Alexander. His mind is flexible and pliant, and can: be trained and cultivated as the tender vine. He matriculates with liigh aspirations; his mind is filled with air-castles; his soul is fired to .the very core w.ith ambitious designs. He begins his session's work with firm resolutions and a fixed determination to be victorious- - to have the highest honors the college can bestow upon him. But, alas ! before the session has ended, he finds him:=;elf procras t'inating in his most imperative duties; he finds hirnself doing, or rather neglecting to do, things that woulc1 have shocked llim when he entered college. Yet, to his own surprise, he goes on, and does not even make an effort to regain his former energy. In fact, he appears to himself' as one sliding down some gradually sloping hill, and yet all effort on his part to check himself is vain. Procrastination has got the best of him, and Ifo is pbligecl to make a new start, form new resolutions in his toils for fame and glory. But again, young men seldom realize the . rapidity .¡of time, especially those at college. Our college days, at long~ est, can only last for a short while, and for that reason, if •for no other ; we should endeavor to make the most of them . Students begin to form a slight idea of the preciousness of time when they are•informed of some important examination only a day or so previous, and have all of their reviewing to do in that time. But their kh~,wledge of its true value is not so comprehensive then as it is .when his
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college days are drawing to a close. Then he realizes, as never before, those solemn and truthful words:
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"Oh, the wasted hours of Tife '.L'hat h ;n-e swiftly drifted by I Oh, the g·ooll [ might have done! Gone! lost without a sigh.''
That which seemed at first nothing more t:han passing the timeawaypleasantly,willcome before him then asamighty monster, and will stare him in the face, and harass and discomfort him by its ever~piercing glance. There are special times for prepana,tion, sowing, cultivating, and reaping, in the humam life, just as there are in vegetable life. Ancl while young men are , at college, it is . a special time for . their preparation f9r after ljfe. . When he leaves his alma rnuter he wilL have to go out into the cold and unsympathizing wor.lcl, which will be only too gfao. of the chance to point. its long, bony fingers at him, and dub him with the appellation "a . failure ." If every preparation should be weig ,ed and value.d according to ifa worth and profit in the final reimlt, college ilays should know of no such word as procrastination. But . every college student should have indelibly stamned upon his mind that ":frocrastination is t)le thief of time." MAXWELL.
WOMAN; · The love of beauty is one of the most instinctive qualities of' the human mind, and only those who are them• selves morally or mentally defective fail to admire it. There is no temple on earth so beautiful as that in which t'he soul' of woman is enshrined. All noble architecture relates to and has had its origin in her fo_rm, and no structure of stone or brass that hunianity lias been able to devise is so splendid as that proud and shapely form, that, leaping out of the will of God, first gazes abroad amidst the gathered -wonders of Paradise.
Woman.
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There is no sight undor the vast canopy of Heaven more gloriously beautiful than woman. Seas may be vast; rivers may be wide; mountains may be wild and lofty -~rearing their snow-capped pinnacles alott to the thund~r's home; vales may blossom with eternal summer; , but there are none of these natural beauties tlmt can move the heart of man so deeply as one glimpse of the grttce and perfectness of a beau tifnl woman There w,e find all the splendor of the earth concentrated. In her face we find the blending harmonies of beauty, casting a light over all, a divine light, before which th~sunsets of the west and auroral fires of the north fade into dim twilight. Show me the country in which woman has not her influence and is not held in the highest reverence, and I'll show you a land without a hero, a rabble without a law, a people without a God. We recognize woman as a grand exemplar in all moral works, and always feel honored by her refreshing presence; in fact, no joy is complete, and no happiness without her. Whatever political tlieorists may say, the destiny of the human race is in the hands of the women, and their citadel and throne is home. No place on earth deserves the name of home where woman is not seated in her pure and lovely character. And wherever she dwells in her honest and chaste relations, she is fa1¡ in advance of all those around her in whatsoeYer is noble and of good report. Woman's character and influence is the perfection of man's nature. And whenever man and woman agree in the efforts to make home pure and happy, the inmates of that household l1ave a protection than ¡which the world can afford no better. If you place her among the flowers or foster lier as a tender plant, she is a thing of fancy. She is timid, annoyed by a dew-drop, fretted by the touch of a butterfly's wing, ready to faint at the sound of a beetle or the rattling of a window-pane at night, she is overpowered by the perfume of a roseb¾d. But )et real calamity come, arouse lier affections, enldndle tile fires of her heart, and watch her then! How st .rang is her heart! (You know a woman's strength 2
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lies in her heart) Pl.a,ce her in t110 front of the battle-give her a pet, a bird, oe anything to pr6tect:--ancl see her in a relative instance, lifting her "·bite arm as a shield, and her own blood crimsons he1; fore]rnad, while looking heaven-\vard, praying for life to .protect the helpless. Transplant her npon some far-off ·isle, where the poor, benighted heathen group in nature'.s darkness. Call forth he1· energies into action, and lier breath becomes a healing, her presence, a blessing. Sl1e contends for the right, through adversity as well as prosperity, when man, the strong and brave, pale and affrightecl, shrinks away. In · • waiting but for the prosperity she is a bud full of oclors, winds of adversity to s<:att r tltem abroa,d, Oh, happy woman! A. spectacle tl1an which the world affords no happier! Thou art contending in thy sphere, ready at all times to benefit the world by thy exertions, and transforming the briars and thorns of life into roses of Paradise by the magic of thy touch! Yes, there are those ,vho are thus happy because they c1;1,n'thelp it. It seems as though no clouds ever brood their sky; no misfortunes dampen their sweet smiles, and they diffuse a cheerful glow around them as they pursue the even tenor of their way. Ah! they have the secret of contentment, the value of wJ1ich is far above the :philosopher's stone. For without seeking the baser exchange of gold, which may buy some sorts of pleasure, they convert everything they touch . into joy. What may be their condition in life makes no difference. They may be rich or poor, high or low, admired or forsaken by the fickle world, but the sparkling fountain of happiness bubbles up in their hearts and makes them radiantly beatitiful. Tho1w:h they may live in a log cabin, they make it shine with a lustre that kings and queens may covet. My mind often carries me baclr to some little cottage under the sl1adow of Rappahannock's forest, in which .some of the fairest and loveliest c1aughters of Virginia reside. Oh, woman, blessed is thy memory! .It floats to us like the beautiful perfume from · some wooded 0
The Satellite.~.
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blossoms. The music of other voices may be lost, but the entrancing memory of thine will echo in our souls forever anci. ever, in notes sweeter than Vesper hymns, or akin to that music which floats through the vault of ¡Heaven'. Other faces may f~de away and be buried in the shade of forgetfulness, bnt thine is indelibly engraved with a chisel of iron upon the tablets of our memory. Woman, sweet woman, lovely woma.n, the tinge upon thy cheek has caused even the roses to blush; tl10u art the fairest and sweetest flower in the .garden of humanity! Thou art the morning star of glorious beauty, the loveliest bud of perfection's group, the inimitable God-polished monument of grace at;1d goodness! Wield thy ecepter prondly, for it js under tJie grand old gospel banner you are marching. Peace, joy and happiness be thy lot! And when you have done all the good you can, and when you have rmnoved the last briar from life's thorny road, and placP-d thereon roses oE im~ mortality-when you have achieved your last victory, and when you have, as it were upon the wings of a dove, S~Jared the last hill of the old, ever-green rnquntain, may you then be borne away on the snowy wings of angels, to Jasper's golden gate and there wield the palm of victory. G.G.R.
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THE SATELL[TES. Mr. Cleveland is elected. Who will be his cabinet? Who will qe the satellites around the g-oveming planet? A new era has dawned upon. ns. The Republican solar system has become unbalanced by little deviations from time to time of some of its largest planets. They deviated a few degrees from the planes of their orbits. And now, af~ ter a threatening storm for several weeks, the thunderclouds are breaking away, the angry winds are ceasing, and the dislocated fragments lie still beneath our feet. The nights have .been dark, the times exciting; but the moon is not turned to blood, though the sun of Republicanism is
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darkened for a while. Has the end come? End of Republican rule, we mean. Like a stranger comet, it may be turned from its parabolic course by some attractive obsta- . cle like Prohibition anc1 Gl'eenback.s into a :figure of such shape as to return again in our generati<m. Present investigation cannot tell. It will take the mathematical power ¡ of a deity to determine the curve that the shattered system will now describe. Only one thing we know with certainty in regard to the poiiticai iss11es of to-day. We know that this political universe must shortly pass away. The astronomer has already pointed his telescope to the coming sky' and the propl1et foretells from )the current flow of events who are to be the great luminaries in the coming administration. The Latin sentence, Dciis mimdiim r¡egit, shows that God 'is tho great sun around wliic11 all the political transactions revolve, like darkened planets away off in space. And we are concerned uow only in gazing upon the forming satellites around our Rphere of action. A great mind is a shining light; and it is now considered a privilege to be a satellite to reflect its brilliancy. Borrmved thoughts, borrowed expressions, borrowed essays. and bo11rowed sermons are so plentiful now-a -days, that the most far-reachlng chemist cannot distinguish between the false and the true, the moon and the sun, by the effect produced from the light shed forth. Is there any originality to-day? Is there nothing new under the sun? Students go forth from college as the mouth-piece of their professors. Parrots are as common in the human form everywhere as they are among the fowls of their . native land. In our Society halls are satellites which shine by reflected oratory. Their pale moonlight;like that of Luna, a splendid balm to quiet down the thinking mind to sleep. In our church choirs the moonlight shines almost as bright as d3:y. We are all satellites; Let us examine ourselves, our styles, our deportment and our conversation. Let us cultivate originality, or adapt other men's thoughts, manners, and delivery to our own peculiarities. \
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CANTO.
JC,::;,
i Beauty ancl B ehav.ior.
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BEAUTY AND BEHAVIOR.
It is natural to desire the gift of beauty. But this is not the dower of all, and for those who have it not, it is the height of folly to cherish discontent. Many a girl who is ¡ merely plain, makes herself repellant by being conspicuously envious of her more fortunate companions. Beauty is a dangerous gift. While poets have sung its praises, and artists have become immortalized by perpetuating its charms, yet it has brought .ruin to thousands of its possessors. She to whom nature has been moderate in her gift of beauty has not so hard a contest against pride and vanity. Moreover she has encouragement to strive for those charms which, after all, are the more pot ent and enduring. 1
' For "beauty is a fading flower," but merit and bel1avior increases and strengthens in age and use. True is the expression, "Beauty charms the eye, but merit wins the soul;,, for when a man of sense comes to choose a companion for life. he looks for one who can comfort and counsel him ; one who can reason and reflect; one who can soothe his sorrows, purify his joys, and strengthen his principles. And the beauty of it is, this character can be acquired by an, the acquisition of which make the plainest, favorites . among worthy people; the acquisition of which winneth the heart of man, subdueth him to love, and reigneth in his breast. There are many girls who have such sweetness in their spirit, such gracious gentleness in their manner, Such decisive candor, such thorough self-respect on the one hand, and on the other such perfect regard for the judgment of others, that one cannot help loving them, though they may ~ot be as beautiful as others who are less esteemed. The true and prevalent sentiment makes behavior predominant, and then beauty, if convenient. 3
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Richmond College Messenger.
One of the very important components sincerity in all of our transactions:
of behavior
is
"Oh! what a tangled web we weaw, Whe,n first we practiee to deceive ! "
Therefore be in reality all you would have others sider you. Another important feature is genuine ness, which is "to do and say the kindest things kindest way." When a person has all of the many uents of behavior well blended together, th~n it is will shed abroad the pure atmosphere of gentility. I close with the words of the poet :
to conpolitein the constitthat he ,
"His life is long whose work is well, And be his station low or high, He who th e most good works can tell, Lives longest, though he soonest die."
F. B. R.
GREECE. There is an insignificant-looking spot upon the surface of the globe, jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea. This, the smallest of the peninsulas on the south of Europe, is called Greece. There, rough and rugged mountains lift their snowcapped heads towards the sky, having their bases bathed by the gentle ripples of the ocean. There the rough and hardy mountaineer has but a few miles to traverse before he stands upon ocean's beach and breathes its bracing atmosphere. Down in the fertile valleys many fields are seen yellow with their ripened grain, and flocks of sheep and goats brouse here and there upon the rugged mountainsides. Small rivers come rushing down the mountains into the plains below, Ringing their merry songs as they move . on to pay their tribute to the sea . . rts :coast, washed and worn by the ocean's ceaseless roll, is rough and rugged. Numerous inlets, extending !1,lmostto
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Greece.
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its centre, furnish protection from the ruthless storm to the fleets of its numerous states . Then, are we surprised that this little spot of earth should become so renowned? Wherever learning and the fine arts hold sway, there Greece is praised. Nor shall it ever be blotted from history so long as illustrious nations occupy a place upon .its pages. Where else could we find a country so well fitted for the development and improvement of man? The sea, with its commei:ce shedding its softening and refining influence; the mountains, with their wild and picturesque scenery, not only giving strength and vigor to the body, but vivifying and strengthening the imagination by their picturesque presentations of th8 beautiful, the awful, and the sublime. Mt. Helicon stands forth in its beauty as the seat of the Muses. Its beautiful valleys and sides covered with verdant green, its balmy air enkindles the poetic flame within the breast of man. Parnassus, that awe-inspiring place, was known throughout the world. TI1e temple that stood upon its summit at the foot of two tall and massive rocks, was visited by men from all parts of the globe, seeking knowledge of the future from its auricular responses. I ts influence, so wide-spread, continued throughout many ages, whilst . others, like the night-blooming cereus, flourished for a night and then sank down, being forgotten forever. Then, can we ever forget the men that such a country as this has produced? Would Greece ever have been famous if it was not for her men of g~nius? Homer, the prin re of poets, will ever be spoken of in words of praise so long as language is left to man. In fancy we see him at the entertainments of the chieves singing his immortal epics. Little thinks he that in after ages the world will resound with his praises. His Iliad and Odyssey was the Grecian's bible. What would poetry be to-day if they had nqt been ? ¡ At Sparta, the Iliad was especially prized. The recounting of warlike deeds and daring acts of heroes touched a
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responsive chord in the Spartan's breast. and brave the noble three-hundred stood Thermopylre, fearing neither danger nor determination to do their duty for their does their epitaph contain these words:
How beautiful at the pass of death i.n their country. Well
Go. kll tlie Spartan~, thon pa sse r-by ¡, 'fhat here, Ob<:'die nt to th <:'ir law,, we liP.
The Spartans could be overpowered, but they would never yield. Their highe st aspiration was to .die upon a field of battle. But not Sparta alone made Greece famous. Athens held the highest place for intellectual cultivation of any city of it s time. Nor has any other city ever produced, in the same len gth of time, so many eminent men. To this city the whole world flocked to drink from its fountains of knowledge. At Athens the populace was delighted by mu sical, poetical, and oratorical contests, where mind claslied with mind; while at Rome, her rival and final conqueror, vast sums were expended on gladiatorial combats and the clashing of man with man. A thens conquered nations with her learning and her art, lifting them from the dark shades of barbarism into the sunHght of civilization. Rome, encircling them with the iron bands of slavery, robbed and ply.ndered them in order to enrich herself. The one towered above all other cities in the magnificence of its art and the perfection of its literature; while the other was .known throughout , the world by its arms and powerful legions. Greece, wearied and weakened by internal commotions, fell an easy prey to avaricious Rome, who was only waiting for;a suitable opportunity to bring her under its sway. Her principal citi ,es were razed to the ground in order to make Rome the first city in the world. And Roman governors so<.lncompleted the entire subjection of Greece, taking away from her inhabitants, by their heavy taxation, even their daily bread. Thus perished the grandest country that ever flourislied. HAW.
Utilitarianism.
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UTILITARIANISM. A doctrine so m~ch spoken of, and so often advanced as this, deserves at least our notice, if not our . careful consideration. Especially so far as that branch of our subject which 'pertains to education extends, we should investigate its merit. What is education for? And what kind is best suited to us ¡? Tlle popular idea is that every one should have a collegiate education of a thorough academic course. Is this popular sentiment tenable? If not, then in what is our syste.m of education deficient? The utilitarian attempts to answer the question, and his answer is not altogether a failare. The educator says that he teaches Latin a~d Greek not only to train the mind, but to increase the student's knowledge of languages as to their formation and merit, and to increase and widen his vocabulary of English by acquainting himself with the original forms and meaning of words. This is, indeed, plausible argument for every one to pursue these branches of study. But cannot we adopt some other plan by which the student may obtain these very results and at the same time fill his mind with more material for usefulness? The great surprise to our thinking m¡en of today is that many of our highly accomplished and highest honored graduates go out in the world with but little practical attainments and less ability to apply them. They are compelled to grind off what they call the "wire-edge of college" before they become serviceable to any great degree. So far as vocabulary is concerned, the utilitarian asks whether this could not be more accurately obtained if students were given exercises in high-toned English to be reproduced in simpler wbrds, and moriosyllabic, dissyllabic and trisyllabic sentences to be reproduced in polysyllabic ones, or as nearly eo as possible, instead of his .Latin into English and his English into Latin. And . further, it is 4
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thought tl1at this system would remedy the lamented fact that so few, even fine students, know good English. The educator replies that the dead languages give the stu~nt so much in.sight to the fanciful fables, the customs, &c., of these departed nations, and that no English words can express the full force of their sentences or translate their poems without the loss of half the meaning and beauty. But does not our _classical dictionaries give us in one volume all the interesting facts and fables which scattered over a multitude of books could hardly be reached by any but specfalists? Would not the study of that book alone give us the cream of all the splendid information found among the classics, and thereby give us the material for comprehending the fullest force of the poets' allusions, who have woven these mythological heroes .into the scenery of their rhythm? And as to the force of the original words being lost, may it not be claimed that the gains in the acquirement of English by the one system, equals the losses by not studying the original in the other? The utilitarian does not claim that the study of these languages is useless, but that the same power of education may be obtained in a different way, less difficult and more practical. For instance, suppose a student gets the same mental training in Senior Mathematics that he does in Philosophy, if he means to make a minister, would he not be wiser to take the course in philosophy in preference to mathematics? For the one would not only give him the same mental training as the other, but would, at the same time, fill his mind with serviceable facts) from which store he could always get articles useful to his vocation, while if he had spent that time on mathematics, he would have had the mental training, but not a store of such merchandise as his vocation calls for. But were the student to be a surveyor, would not the opposite course be the one for llim to pursue for the very same reasons ? What, then, is the utilitarian view? It is, young man, that you should decide early in life what avocation nature
Ulilitarianism.
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has fitted and intended you for. Ahd after you ha~e decided, pursue just such a course as will give you mental training, and at the same time open to your use, by the obtaining of such knowledge as is incident to the acquire -' ment of this mental training, a reservoir of serviceable facts that will never go dry. In this day of progress and civilization, no one may hope to become great who is not a specialist. And even not then unless his lifetime study is, as it were, in cutting highways only to those junctions whic p. would rush trade into his market and enliven his city. But some one will say, let a man cultivate his bodily strength, and after his muscles are fully developed, 110 may go at whatever he pleases 1 and his strength will always be useful to him; and that like~ wise an educat;d man will find use for all his powers, matters not how lie acquired them, or what branches he studied. That is true; but a man who is made strong by exercise in a gymnasium does not know how to weld iron or mend the broken steel, while the blacksmith, in getting the same muscular strength, has also learned to shoe his horse and iron a wagon. Likewise the mind in getting strong will learn the art of applying the material which gave it strength; and it is therefore important to seek that course of study which will adapt itself to our wants in coming life.
In this article, I do not mean to take aught from the importance of studying all the branches taught in our schools, both the sciences and the languages, if age and circumstances will admit. Mathematic s teaches us to think closely , and philosophy deeply, so tllat this combination is, indeed, desirable, and thus other combinations are formed by uni ting other ¡ schools, which we all will do well to obtain. But the great object of education seems to be comprehended in the answer that it is to learn how to gird up the strength of the mind and focus all its powers on any desired subject presented for our consideration . My purpose is to only
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throw out these few suggestions that we may all think about what is the best plan for us to accomplish the most concentration of thought, and at the same time prepare ourselves for the -most usefulness. For to be useful is better than to be great. A:MICUS.
'rIME. Backward, tmn ba.ckwarcl, oh 'fi,ne in thy fligl,t, Make me a child again just for to-night; P,,11-;:" e for a moment in thy wild career, And bl'ing ba<:k to me those times once so dear. 路 Smifo now upon mP, left here all alonP; Carry me h~ck o'er the years that have goneYears that 路have robbe,l me of moments so dear, And are bearing me on to my grave so near. Carry me back to my 011cPchilrlhoorl's homP. And thro' its old halls once more let me roam; Bring back the loved ones who lived with me there: Ah, canst thou be deaf to my piteous prayer? Only Jt.路tme live in those ~cenes once more, 'l'hen bPtter can I bear my lot, I'm ~ure; Will nothing make thee to stop for awhile, And bring bac~ the days when I was a child? }Jow fa$t thou art going-deaf
to my cry ;
Oh, stop in thy mad course, and backward fly; Pame one moment, look at what thou hast done, At my lifo now wrecked-so brightly begun.
l'J give ,;orlds if I coul.1 just now spend oue day old times when I was young and gay; Whpn all around. the world seemed bright and fair, And I wail stranger to trouble and care.
路or those
Ah, me, 'ti, bitter to look at the past, And then at me now; oh, what a contrast. Jn tho,e happy days little did I know What I so very soon was coming to.
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Tr·ue Ediwation. Ah, those were pr, cious old times to me then, And am I never to see them agt1in? But my cry is in vain, 'l'ime hears not, Bnt on He goes with the rnme steady trot. .My chances are gone, my fate is now sealed, And I henceforth to cruel time muot yield; He is the great monarch, he reigns supremt>, And men, do what tht>y ,vill,must follow him, MAL, 'E.
•
SCRIPTUM.
TRUE EDUCATION. In entering upon the discussion -ofa subject like this, one is reminded very consciously of his feeble ability to grapple with the broad expanse of territory like the boundless ocean, that spreads itself oµt before his imagination. But what is a true education? It is a proper development of those mental faculties that uature has.so abundantly bestowed upon the htilllan family. And as this refers directly to the mind, let us pause a moment to consider briefly some of its special attributes. A child two years old has tte sai:uecapacity for an education as one of maturer age-that is, the development of his capacity lies not so much in age as in culture. What are the principal constituents of the mind? Are they not intell~ct, sensibility and will? And does not the mind of a young child possess these attributes as much as an older person ? I think so. In considering the mind of a child, it is like looking in upon an empty room that is not furnished, yet it contains the space for the furniture; so the mind of a child has all the attributes necessary for an education; but like the empty room, it has the capacity, though it is unfurnished, uncultivated. And does not a true education consist in a proper development of these respective functions of the mind? Certainly it does. One of the necessary constituents of an educated mind is its capacity flr thinking. 5
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Richmond College:Messenger.
· Some one has said that a mind is educated that can be brought to a {ocus, by the will of the ruau, and centered upon some subject under •consideration, although he may not know a letter. in the alphabet. And by proper training this power of the mind ean be greatly developed. Some one has said equally as forcibly that the thinking of one man, who produced the steam engine as the re~ult of his concentrated thoughts, has done more to benefit 'the world than ·all the slavery that ever existed. How important, then, that we should strive to acquire a true education. And if man be originally blessed with the capacity for an education, and if its acquisition be so important, is not man responsible to God for an omission of duty when he fails· to acquire it? · Now, let us notice some of the benefits accruing from a true education. It qualifieR man to grapple more successfully with the stern realities of life. For education, when it works upon an ingenious mind, brings out every latent talent which, without such help, would never _be able to make its appearance. As the pearl-diver must go deep down under the briny billows for the hidden treasures, so the man who desires the fruits of an education must explore its fundemental principles, and grapple with its foundation works, that he may acquire its inexhaustible but hidden treasures of pearly value. When men have acquired this education, they may be able to accomplish some noble and triumphant success in un(;lxplored fields of human invention; and thus inscribe their names npon the roll of fame, that will be lost to the world only' when men cease to read. If it had not been for the able historian, we would have no knowledge of the past; could neve.r have known that Alexander the Great conquered the world. And but for this aid, those ancient heroes would have been concealed in obscure darkness ; but now, they stand re_ vealed by this link which makes the past visible to the present, and their bright examples serve to stimulate the aspiring youth in his efforts for an education. And in closing, let us remember that as th e mind becomes expanded by education, we learn and admire more of nature, and learn and admire more of nature's God. WASHINGTON.
Edito1·ial Depal'iment.
THE POE'l'IZER'S
SOLILOQUY.
Though I would fain believe 'r.hat I was born a poet, I'm thought ~o rnnch about it, That I'm inclined to.doubt it, And say I do not know it. We have so many young • And shrewd poetic writers, Who$e thoughts are so sublime, That all my lal;>ored rhyme Is tnrned to candle lighters.
If ev'ry one of us Continues to compose, rrhen certain as we live, Our conntle , s songs will g-ive No room on earth to prose. Soi will say adieu 'J'o my poetic muse, And beg her to retire, Or fewer hearts inspire, And luckless me excuse.
· P. L.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT. Our Reading Room has proved a great success.
It is true, it is tather uncomfortable standing at the desks to read, yet this prevents the papers from being monopolized by a few. As it is, the students stop on their way to and from lectures, and in the time which they would not otherwise occupy profitably, they inform themselves upon t~e general topics of the day. A few weeks ago the Faculty had a mail-box put up in the main hall of the college building, and appointed a postrriast()r,who was to open ~he box at certain hours of the day. This · system met with fierce opposition from some of the students, and a few mornings after, the box was found in several pieces, one of which was
20
Ric!~mond CollegeMessengei¡.
hanging on the gas-jet. We hear the chairman intends dealing severely with the one who committed this piece of violence upon the mail-box, if he catches him. The offender most probably was conscious of the fact ' that the frail timber of which the box was composed was all that ¡hindered him from smiling (or it might be just the opposite) over a letter from --(it is needless to say who), and how, under these circumstances, could he resist the temptation to tear away this frail hindrance? We hope the chairman, considering the circumstances, will deal leniently with the erring one. We . understand that the Institnte Gazette,which for some time has been compiled by the Philomathic Literary Society of the Richmoml Female Institute, . yet not printed, is soon to be printed. We had the pleasnre of hearing the' Gazetteread at a public session of this literary society. We were much pleased with its matter. In our humble opinion, some of the essays it contained, as well as several others read on that occasion, were far above, in point of merit, the ordinary school essay. We look forward with heightened expectations to the time when we will be allowed to welcome the Gazetteamong our Exchanges. Dr. Ryland told us some time ago, if we would let him know when
we were goiug to have public exercises of our literary societies, he would have the Jeter Memorial Hall illuminated. The Philologian Society has decided to havl:la public debate the second Friday evening in December ; and we hope the friends of the college will avail themselves of this opportunity for seeing this magnificent hall, anq. being with this literary society. The "college boys,'' as might be expected, have shared the excitement which has pervaded the whole country. The college halls have been made to resound with "Hurrah! for Cleveland." The first night after they were confident of Cleveland's victory, a number of horns were brought forth from places where the chairman would not accidently fall upon them, it being well known that he has .such a love for the ,music of these instrumants, and thereby for
Editovial Department.
21
the instruments themselves, that he cannot resist the temptation to gather them up wherever he finds them. These musical instruments had been allowed to quietly rest since they were used to serenade the "new students" at the beginning of the session, but judging from the noise made, their season of rest had not diminished thei~ capacity for making this solace of college life. Professors w~re serenaded-that is, all that could be reached without coming in contact with the police. Several of the boys made speeches. One of them found, not much to ~is comfort, that his audience was not composed wholly of students, but that the chairman was listening very attentively; who afterwards addressed them on the subject of horns. Their enthusiasm reached its height when they were invited to take part in the parade which was to be Âľiade in the city. Several days before the time appointed for this display, officers were elected, transparencies were painted, and various other arrangements were made for joining the procession. A committee was sent to request the chairman to lead them on his '' noble grey." The <;hairmansaid he appreciated the honor th~ had confered upon him,' but his charger not being sure-foot~d, he was afraid to attempt it. The night of the parade was very disagreeable, being rainy and cold. It took a large amount of patriotism to induce one to "turn out" in such a night. Some found theirs amply sufficient, while others founa theirs woefully deficient.
There were one hundred and forty-four, visitors recorded in the Library and Museum Register from October the 20th to November the 20th. It is interesting to notice how many visitors of note there are registered. There is also another class of distinguished (?)gen- . tlemen who persist in recording their names. It is those of our fellow-students, who suddenly becoming illustrious (in their own estimation) forthwith record themselves, with many imaginary titles, in the Rt1gister. We would advise these gentlemen to abolish this practice, as it is very annoying to the librarian, and besides, they might have their desire for notoriety satisfied by their names being put in a more public place, even, than the Register. 6
22
Richmond College Messenger,
The Librarian informs us that there has been an average of onehundred and twenty-five books per month let out to students since the Library has opened. We are gratified to see that our fellow~ students are cultivating this department. It rivals "Calico." The young ladies of Richmond mustlook to their laurels, or "Alice," "The Fair Maid of Perth," and the "Women of the South," will cut them out. A few of our fellow-students are sick, and it is beautiful to see the deference and kindness shown them. There is no kinder heart than that which beats beneath the uncouth exterior of the average "college boy," hidde:q. though it may be by his impulsive manner. Besides, our officers and professors do. all in their power to cheer and relieve the sufferers.
We have received a book entitled "Students' Songs," published by Moses King, Cambridge, Mass. We hope the students will get up a glee club. There is sufficient talent here to form a club which would reflect credit upon its members; it would also be an important factor in the public exercises of the college. We noticed one song in this book which, while it may not be as popular as some others, is especially adapted .to the <: Chetnistry Fiend," as one . of our predecessors called those g.entlemen who in conversation use the nomenclature of chemistry, so far as it will go. It is entitled H S 0. .
2
4
Surely the addition of music to the mode of expression of these gentlemen would re11dertheir conversation more ag1¡eeable,if such a thing is possible.
LOCALS . Were you in the par~de? Did you ,get wet ? l got soaking ! Going home Christmas .? . How long you goit1g to stay?
Prof. of Chem. : "Mr. D., ho\V do you fo1d tbe p1essti.1e of' th~ atmosphere ? " 1\fr. D. : "Well ~aftei•some moments' thought), you first find the diameter of the earth.'' · · 1
Mr. B.> while in lady on the mantel, by her beauty, that to his friend, asked
1
the room of a friend, sa,v the picture of n )'01111Q'. and while gazing at it became so mucli enslaved he forgot it was "only a picture/' and turning whether he had a picture of that young lady?
Mr. H., feeling the necessity of being shaved, (although he was the only one who thought it necessary,) requested Mr. G. to shave him. Mr. G. first lathered his eyes, so that his curiosity might not interfere with the operation, and the11proceeded with due cel'emony · to shave him with the back of the razor. H. remal'ked several times during the performance upon the sharpness of the razor. His personal appearance was greatly improved by the operntioh, and he now well merits the name "Little Dude," by which he is known here. · A dish of salsify was btought on one of the mess-hall tables, :md several of the "boys" wanted to know what i.t was, when Mr. G. spoke up, " O, that is sassafras ! ''
24
Richmond College J!Ies.~enger.
Mr .. P. was visiting some young ladie8 in the city, an<l the conversation turning upon an ash-eake as a subject, Mr. P. expressed . his desire to see one of those curious commodities. Soon afterwards he rec~ived a neat bundle, in which was the object of his curio~ity. We hear he has been feasting ever smce. We feel slighted, P., that you did not give us a bid.
Mr. S., finding in ·Mr. F.'s room a swab with which F. had been cleaning his clarioriet, wanted to know what it was for. He was told it was used to mop the throat, and after examining it for some time, went in and told his room-mate that F. "certainly did have a good thing for sore throat." ' Mr. K : had gotten to a place in his philosophy lesson where he could "curl," and was anxious to gG on; so, while the Professor was looking down his roll for another man, he continued thus : •' Man differs from other animals in another respect: he has a chin, and other animals haven't, and the author thinks a deficiency in chin is a sign of deficiency in the upper story." Prot~ (looking over his book): "What if a man has too much chin, Mr. K. ? " Mr. K., seeing the force of the Professor's question, stopped 1' chinning."
Two of the students undertook to break a mule colt. We are not positive as to how they succeeded, but judging from the quantity of .court-plaster that adorns their faces, we would suppose the breaking was .the other way.
One of our ministerial students was on his way to fill an appointment. Taking the street-car, and not having any money; when the conductor called for the fare, he told him he had no money, but he was going to preach, and would pay him when he came back. The conductor had no idea of allowing any one· to play such a trick as
Locals.
25
that on him, and made the divine step off. He said the only thing he minded, was the smiles of several young ladies on the car. This same gentleman called at the Westmoreland Club house and was very anxious to sell· "Mrs. vV estmoreland". some books.
Prof.: "Mr. L., give an example of centrifugal force?" Mr. L. : "The hands of a clock, for instance."
The Seniors have their tro1~bles,'yet they are not the on\y ones who are oppressed with a burden of work. See how a student of Cresar addresses the great Julius : Oh ! ~hould some power the giftie gie Y\>U, 'l'o see ~·ourBelf as we do see you; From many a vain conceit 'twould free you, An? make you melancholy, We mourn that ever you did see Helvet1,ane, Gauls, or Aedui; Oh ! we should all so happy be If you had staid at home. Of all the heroos known to fame, Brntus the noble&t place may clai::n; Yet there's a blot e'en on· his name, He st10uld have killed you sooner.
Mr. B. wanted to know how many were going to play on the football elevenf Mr. L. says he has been suffering very much from an ulster on ; his tongue. We have heard of putting a bridle upon the tongue, but we think Mr. L. is introducing something new when he muffles his tongue · with an ulster. We hope, however, his experiment may prove successful, as the bridling process is found to be insufficient · in many cases.
7
Richmond College Messengm¡.
One of the students was passing a place where he had been visiting a young lady, when a little boy, who was standing on the porch, recognizing him, ~alled out, "you needn't come in here, Patsy is gone." ¡ Prof.: "Mr. W., what is a cr-tmk ?" Mr. W.: "It is a wheel that performs revolutions when you turn it around." Prof.: "Mr. C., what does de bonne heure mean?" Mr. C. hesitates. Prof.: "Literally, it means a good hour. Now, Mr. C., what is a good hour?" Mr. C.: "Oh! dinner-hour, sir." Good for you, "Jersey."
PERSONALS.
W. P. Malone, session '83-'84, is now attending the Virgi11fa Agricultural and Mechanical College at Blacksburg. We hear he is helping to organize an entertainment soon to be given by the "college boys" for the amusement of" ye fair daughters." I
J. T. Lynch, session '82-'83, is now located near ,vilson, N. C., preaching very acceptably to those good people of the Old Novth State. The Biblical Rworder gives us most favorable reports of him. They tell us he is calling a Virginia lady to the ministry.
Mr. J. L. King, of Halifax, session '83-'84, is spending a long vacation. Why don't you come back, Rex? ,v e have been ex~ pecting you.
Exchanges.
27
Mr. ,J. R. Daniel, session '83-'84, is pi路eaching in Cumberland county. We miss your argumentative powers, Jud,qe. Mr. W. C. Tyree, of Nelson, has left us on account of the sickne,Qs of his father. We are sorry to lose ,him. 路 Mr. W. C. Dorset, session '83-'84, is preaching m Powhatan. How are the girls, Wat? Mr. F. L. Wilson, session '83-'84, is teaching school 'in Giles. . How do you like spanking the childre路n, " Tug"?
EXUHANGES. lt is with genuh1e pleasure we peruse the pages of the Alma Matc1-. It is undoubtedly a fine paper, and does credit to its fair editors. Besides other pieces, we were struck by the minute and vivid description displayed in the piece titled, "Envy of Brides.'' Willsome one please inform us why it is that the minds of young ladies. so vividly picture such scenes? The Wake Forest Student is a fine paper, and the largest that comes to us, but we can truly say its size detracts nothing from its value. In it we have information and thought united. We are glad to state we have a guodly number of the Wake Forest students this session, and hope they will aid us in lifting high the banner of the Richmond CollegeMessenger. 路 We think The Collegianwould add to its interest by elirninating ,a portion of the smaller matter and lengthening the literary department. A small space for literary matter and much room for " News nnd Notes," shows a lack of interest in the paper. The Roanoke Collegiancomes to us in. excellent style; but what we know and have heard of Roanoke College, we think the paper can he improved.
28
Richmond CollegeMesse:ng er.
For want of time and space, we can only mention the reception of '' College Chips," the " College Speculum," the " Alamo and Sau Jacinto Monthly," the "Var sity," the '' Indiana Student," and · many others. We will state that our exchange list has been very . good during the past month, and hope it will continue. We have been looking in vain among our exchanges for some news from the R. F. I. Can any one inform us of the reason? Are the young ladies of R. F. I. not smart enough to publish a paper, or is it because they are too poor? We hope some one will give us.Abe desired information.
W. W, FOSTER,
C, O. CAMPBELL,
B, S. CAMPBELL,
Artist _and late M'g'r Davis' Art Gal'ry . Artistic Photog'r . Chief Op'r, late Davis' Art Gal'ry.
CAMPBELL
FOSTEH.
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