April, 1927
THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT
Page Seven
EDUCATION A
LIFE
By H. L. Foster, ’28
(An Oration) , .
Master of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gen
tlemen :
The innumerable drops of water which
together form the mighty Atlantic are each
possible of identity if one could but isolate
them from the mass. But taken in their
totality, rising, falling, mingling and in
termingling they form a solid front of
strength irresistible in its force. They may
floaot battleships and commercial craft of
every description or furnish hydro-electric
power for millions of cities. Even to a
great extent practical applications have
been made of education. Its process is like
Tennyson’s brook and forever flows the
stream of human material that leads to
literary heights. Ever since those far-dis
tant days of the fifth century men of great
intellect and deep thought, who, without
education, climbed to the topmost rung of
the ladder of achievement have realized
that the complexity of modern life, the
ramifications of accumulated intelligence
of the civilized world and the tremendous
competitions in modern times make it dif
ficult for one to overcome the handicaps
imposed hy the failure to secure an educa
tional training.
What is the purpose of education? The
primary purpose of education is to give
knowledge. What is the essential impor
tance of knowledge ? It is knowledge that
has made possible the stream of discovery:
all our modern methods of wrestling from
the soil nature’s resources; and has enabled
men to soar above the clouds on magic
wings. It has unraveled the mysterious
laws of nature; and one barrier after an
other has given away to intellect until the
mind, majestic in its strength has mounted
step by step up the ladder of success.
But knowledge, however practical its
value, is not the sole aim of education.
Not only should we seek personal devel-
opment, but, as citizens of a democracy
we must consider our value to our coun
try. The most fundamental need of any
country is the need of good citizenship. So
vital to a nation’s strength is a high order
of citizenship that we may term the follow
ing proposition self-evident: No nation can
stand permanently higher than the level of
its citizenship; a nation can not enjoy more
security than that which the quality of its
citizenship affords.
And if these truths are so evident that
we accept them without hesitation; it is
equally true that the greatest nation must
eventually sink to any level to which the
citizenship descends. The fate of our na
tion and the fate of iiosterity rests in the
hands of American citizens. The ideals and
principles of the future geperatiqn of
America are in the hands, of her citizens.
The hour has come when the fundamental
principles and basic ideas must be in the
minds of our boys and girls, for they are
the leaders of unborn generations.
Every seed that falls upon fertile soil
now will blossom at some future time.
What a garden of useful citizens, what a
harvest of noble deeds would be the result
if youth would but take advantage of then-
impressionable years. The noble deeds and
principles will not only stimulate future pos
terity, but will spur them to higher accom
plishments and give them more happiness
in life. They will receive more respect
from their contemporaries without which
no individual can be contented. ,
But even with these accomplishments
there is one element without which oui
progress would stand condemned before the
great and Omniscient Educator. We must
develop values that are infinite and etei -
nal. Education has a manifold aim as com
plicated as life itself. To unfold the prop
er spiritual values in the boys and girls is
absolutely essential to the solution of oui
problems.
Since, then, intellectual attainments are
so precious, and wisdom so grand in its
achievements, oh! youth! drink deep from
the ocean of knowledge. While fleets might
sink, storehouses crumble, and riches fade
away, the intellectual store and the Chris
tian principles gathered will be permanent
and enduring and as unfailing as the con
stant flow of the Niagara. Fro mthe banks
of education dividends are perpetual, wealth
undiminished.
Education means peace, prosperity, in
spiration to the- youth and comfort and ed
ification for the old. The Christian prin
ciples stand’ like the granite rock of Gibral
tar; the silent and permanent progress we
make in spite of all obstacles will tower
beyond the blue secrets of the heavens and
spread all it trophies at our feet.
Go forward, oh, youth! Take your pen
of knowledge, dip it into the ink of oppor
tunity and write on the skies of success,
seal it with education and religious prin
ciples.
WITH THE ALUMNI
By C. Henry White
The old “Grads” of our beloved University
as well as the former stars of the team
are doubtless thinking about our Annual
Easter Monday game. On Easter Monday
the thoughts of many are very likely to
reflect upon our old stars. Paul Richard
son, “Biggie” McCrorey, and “Wing”
have passed off the stage of action. Yet
the boys are determined to maintain the
record of winning. We have won all the
games that we have played this season.
The Easter Monday game will be played
at Wearn Field as usual. It is hoped that
the next Easter Monday game will be
played at the University Park. The stu
dents of Smith are longing to see and are
waiting the construction of a stadium.
Let the loyal members of the Alumni As
sociation come to the next meeting of the
Association with formulated plans by
which means this stadium may be built. I
wonder how long will the Alumni of this
institution permit the students to pay three
hundred and fifty dollars for the use of
Wearn Field!
Attorney R. W. Williamson, class of 90,
of New Bern, N. C., is an asset to the
Negroes of Eastern North Carolina.
Dr. C. H. Shute, the head of the Depart
ment of English Bible, Johnson G. Smith
University, is a Commissioner of Catawba
Presbytery to the General Assembly,
which will convene at San Francisco, Cali
fornia.
Rev. H. W. Cooper, D. D., class ’06, is a
spiritual uplift to the people of Columbus,
Ohio.
Drs. J. A. Pethel, class of ’96, and F.
L. Landers. Jr., class of ’20, are holding
their own in the city of Charlotte, N. C.
Dr. W. L. Metz, class of ’95, is better
known as “Uncle Billie.” He is a great in
fluence for good at Edisto Island, South
Carolina. The results of his influence have
reached the campus. He believes in stu
dent activities. He is a subscriber for “The
University Student.” The students of J.
C. S. University would like to have a large
number of the loyal sons of Smith to be
come subscribers for “The University Stu
dent.” The yearly subscription rate is only
one dollar. Make money order payable to
The Secretary of the “University Student.”
Dr. G. W. Long, class of ’05, is a Com
missioner of Fairfield Presbytery to The
General Assembly at San Francisco, Cal-
ifornia.
Members of the Missionary Quartette:
Mr. I. M. Martin, class of ’98; Prof. A. A.
Adair, class of ’07; and Rev. S. Q. Mitch
ell, class ’ll, have recently returned from
a very successful Northern tour on which
they sang. This tour was made under the
auspices of the Board of National Mis
sions. Mr. Martin is a Sunday school Mis
sionary and is located at Charlotte, N. C.
Prof. Adair is also a Sunday school Mis
sionary and is located at Chester, S. C.
Rev. S. Q. Mitchell is the Principal of Sel-
den Institute, Brunswick, Ga.
The “Biddle Spirit,” which has been
lately transformed into the “Smith Spirit,
is upheld by the Downing Brothers. Dr.
L. C. Downing, class of ’07, is a noteworthy
physician of Roanoke, Va. Prof. L. K.
Downing, class of ’16, is a professor of
Civil Engineering, Howard University,
Washington, D. C. Drs. E. D. Downing,
class of ’10, and G. P. Downing, class of
’18, are two of the leading dentists of Ro
anoke, Y’a.
Dr. W. P. Walker, class of ’13, is a suc
cessful dentist at Anniston, Alabama.
Dr. H. S. Johnson, class of ’15, is the
leading dentist at Charleston, S. C.
Rev. J. E. McMillan, class of ’15, and
Dr. C. N. McMillan, class of ’18, are do
ing splendid work at Sanford, N. C.
Rev. 0. E. Sanders, class of ’15, has been
chosen pastor of Brandon Presbyterian
church, Charlotte, N. C.
Prof. L. S. Cozart, class of ’16, is re
flecting credit upon himself and his Alma
Mater. He is the Principal of Washington
High School, Raleigh, North Carolina. For
a number of years he was a Professor at
Mary Potter Memorial School, Oxford.
Professors L. D. Taylor, class of ’20,
and J. H. Gunn, class of ’22, are success
ful musicians in the city of Charlotte, N.
Car.
Mr. F. M. Morton, class of ’20, is the
Florida State Manager of The Standard
Life Insurance Company of Atlanta, Ga.
He is located at Jacksonville.
It is to be regretted that the death of
Rev. F. L. Brodie, D. D., called home Mr.
A. A. Brodie, class of ’20; Dr. F. L. Brodie,
class of ’20; and Mr. M. T. Brodie, class
of ”22. Dr. A. A. Brodie is located in the
City of New York. Dr. F. L. Brodie is
practicing dentistry in Philadelphia. Mr.
M. T. Brodie is a senior at Meharry Medi
cal College.
Mr. R. B. Dungee, class of ’26, is in
Charlotte waiting on the Easter Monday
game. He is a Professor of English at
Booker Washington High School, Norfolk,
Va.
Mr. W. A. (“Wing”) Mclver, class of
’26, an old sure and slugging batter of
Smith’s nine, is teaching in Cleveland
County Training School, Shelby, N. C. He
is also coaching the baseball team there,
seemed quite natural to see him among the
boys.
Mr. Geo. L. Allen, the poet of the class
of ’26, is continuing his poetic work. His
poetic productions have won prizes for him.
A poem that is published in this issue of
“The University Student,” was composed
by him and published in “The Lyric West,”
a white poetry composition magazine, of
Los Angeles, California. The title of this
poem is “Vision.”
Countee Cullen is using two of Mr. Al
len’s productions in his “Anthology of Ne
gro Poets” which will be published next
Fall. Mr. Cullen has written Mr. Allen
encouraging him to continue in his literary
endeavors. We wish him much success in
this work.
POEMS
VISION
By George Leonard Allen
Suddenly I stopped entranced, and breath
less stood
The loveliest vision I have ever seen
Before me lay, amid the trees’ dark green.
Deep,in the shadowy stillness of the wood!
A sylvan pool.—A slender dark-eyed maid
Poised like a bronze Diana on its brim,—
A very naiad, brown and straight and slim,
A perfect poem ’neath the forest’s shade!
I stood there but a moment’s space, or less
While branches, wind-caressed, swayed
overhead.
Scarce breathing, lest this dream of love
liness
Should flee before my vandal, pagan tread!
But—hist!—the gleam of bare brown arms
upthrown,—
A flash,—a plash!—and lo! the nymph was
gone
Cultivate high ambitions. Never be sat-
fied with yourself. Don’t be satisfied be
cause you are getting by as well as or bet
ter than your classmates. Pick out some
one who is doing better than you and
strive to beat his record.
NEW QUESTIONS.
1. Was Dred Scott ever set free?
2. Which are the five largest States of
America ?
3. Who was the first Negro to hold a
federal office ?
4. Was Massachusetts the only Colonial
State that had laws against witchcraft?
5. Did any Speaker of the House ever
succeed to the Presidency?
ANSWERS TO LAST QUESTIONS
1. An American woman does not lose
her citizenship on marrying an alien.
2. The reputable English language con
tains approximately 700,000 words.
3. The abbreviation, S. 0. S., is a sim
ple, unmistakable, wireless message of di».
tress at sea substituted for earlier. Come]
quickly, distress.”
4. Porto Rico as a protectorate of thaj
United States, has the prohibition lawi.
5. The navy fires 21 guns as an intama-
tional salute.
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