• • • * *' Page two COLUMNS December 17, 1943 COliUMM VOLUME III i im NUMBER 3 Published by Louisburo Coixet.e Students eight times during the collegiate year STAFF Composing Editor-In-Chief (in absentia) Eaton Hoi.dkn Acting editor^n-chief Mary Emzabetii Midyette Associate editor Ciiari.otte Usnra Managing editor Bakrara Tiiorso.n Assistant managing editor Mariam Siiearis News editor Mii.drw Parks Assistant news editors MARCf:i.u: Kino, Ronrar Wiixiford lAterary editor Edna Move Feature editors Vivian Crefxii, Arneta Joyner Hxchange editor SJi.izahetii Harris Sports reporters Lucy Lee Braxton, Fred Davis Itellgious reporter Margaret Ann Htoiies Horial reporter Viroima Ann Goi^ton Assistant social reporter Tiixy Eakes BUBINFJiB Itusiness manager Biixy Lewis Makeup manager Ruth Pe(ira.\( Assistant make-up managers Mary Lee Howies, Joyce Mkekins Photonraphic manager Boii Brown Circulation manager Dorni.As Bryant Copy readers, Daimine Winhtkak, Mary Strowd Ward Proof readers OoitoTiiY IIarrir, Anne Whitehead Edmond Harrison Typists Cei.ia Barrett, Marouerite Ciement, Beatrice Fui.ciirai, Doris Suits, Shiki.ey Carver Subsciiptioii rates for non-residents: for collegiate year, $1; single copy, 15c f>icf Votf Go? “Do not read this: I will go to Sunday school De cember 5. “Xow I must go or—V’ Did you read Mr. Kilby’s announcement ? Did you go? If you didn’t why don’t you try going—at least once? Surely those who have been attending Sunday school have really gained something both from the worshij) services and the lessons. The percentage of boys’ attendance has been con siderably letter than girls! The question of why more girls do not go has been the subject of much discus sion. Some say they need sleep. Well, perhaps they do; but sleej) at some other time would do them just as much good, perhaps more, for late rising some times makes for a sluggish day. During a Sunday school hour in the auditorium it ia disturbing to hear footsteps overhead; the noise interferes witli concentration on the lesson, and that Hame noise bi trays the absence of persons that are wanted at Sunday school. As long as these foot steps are heard, there will be proof that, even though the ninety and nine are there, there is yet the hundredth. Whoever knows a really good reason for not going to Sunday school .should make that reason known. The information gathered on the camj)us so far is surelj' in suj)])ort of its being worthwhile to go. Yet some still say, “To go or not to go; tliat is the question.” Student Interludes ff HAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAI\ TO YOU? Do you always think of gifts, par ties, and the fun you are planning to have? Christmas has a deeper meaning. The first Chri.stmas God gave to man his greatest gift. Now at Christ mas time, remembering that first Christmas, we should offer something of our best in being truly thoughtful. especially of the poor and the needy, and in trying to help them to be happy at Christmas-time. How are we going to spend Christ mas this year? Might we not try to see what a real Christmas we can have by trying to live it in the spirit of that first Christmas! —Josephine Lassiter. CHRIST IS REIGISIISG CHRISTMAS MORN Scru'Tchk: And xmldenly llirre was irilJt fhe angel a 7mtl- lilnde of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (llory to (rod in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. —Luke 2 :13,14. ffofie sail Shines Today in a world of chaos—a world trembling as never before under the heavy blows of war Christ mas should bring deepened meaning and broadened rciilizjitioii. T)ic ccnti-al iiicHiiing tliat Oliristinas signifies “J’eace on earth, good will towai’d men seems strangely denied in a world at war. 1 here is no peace in the more widespread sense*, for there exists war in almost all of the nations of the world; and, with war, there cannot be a strong good will toward men. But there is hope for the world—a greater hope probably than ever before. As the Christmas season approaches, the very minds and beings of all mankind stem to fill with the Christmas sjiirit. Even Scrooge- like souls Rcem to ex]>and to the joyous inspiration that was given to the world nearly two thousand years ago, when in a lowly manger in Bethlehem, the Christ Child was Imrn. As that star shone from the East that night, the Sheijherds knew that a wonder of heaven had come to earth—just as the world today knows that wonder that was given to live on and on in the ag!8 to come. Christmas this year will be different in many ways. The American soldiers on the battlefield will still be at work fighting for the freedoms that, are so dear. Elaborate and expensive gifts will not be so numerous as in years of j>eace; the jollity of the occasion will be le.ssened, for thoughts will travel far away to camps and battlefield where loved ones are. Yes, true realization of the Christmas spirit will perhaps !)(• experienced more keenly and widely than ever before. Hope for grace and good will are not dead; they are j>erhaps far more alive than ever before, in licarts that more earnestly watch and pray. Btizpah Oscar Fuller and Billy Lewis have recently joined that gradually increasing group of Tvouisburg boys in service. Their going represents a loss to campus life. Since the war started, students of the campus have had to meet such losses many times and have seemed to realize that they must be met with courage and with determination to carry on in campus life while the boys carry on in camp life. “Heart must be keener, courage the hardier, ]?older our mood so our band diminisheth.” Eaton Holden and Steve Cresswell also had left for service. Eaton is at Alabama Polytechnic, and Steve Cresswell is in the naval liospital at Bainbridge having bt^en scheduled for extended treatment. Along with an assurance to Oscar, Billy, Eaton and Steve—now all four in the Navy—of kind thoughts goes also a special wish for them in words familiar to many a youth of today: “The Lord bless thee and keep thee.” A Christmas story by Alariam Shearin was to have appeared in this issue of Columns, but space did not permit. If Christmas should last all the year, as surely it should, the next issue will not be too late. 2>ea^ l)(‘ar Mom, > .lust think! It’s only day.s now before I’ll be at home with you for the holidays. Christmas is here at last. You know. Mom, I used to think college folks would be grown-up alxnit Christmas, but I’m afraid I’m not. I’m trying to make myself think I’m willing to give u]> getting presents this year, when so many jieople in the world don’t have enough food or clothes; then I get really ashamed of myself when I start thinking how I’d just love to have a new suit, though my old one would Ik; luxury to thousands in war zones. What makes me like that, Mom ? I begin to feel myself no good s])ort at all. I’d better talk about soinetliing else though. We boys divided into two teams, an Army and a Navy team. We played basketball, and what a game! It! ended 10 to 10; so wo i>layed until it finally ended 111 to 18 in favor of the Navy. I don’t think I have i ever played in such a thriller before. j In chapel the other day a program was given to; show us how to eat correctly. Miss Stipe certainly | kiiew' how to put the idea over. After 1 saw that j j)rograni, T l)egan to wonder liow I looked fo otlier; |)eo])le wliile I was eating. Since I don’t want anyone ' t,i think you taught me to do the wrong way, Mom, I've decided to be more careful. Miss Stipe had some students do a skit that surely showed us what poor manners looked like. For example, leaning on elbows, ^ coining to the table half dressed, talking across to | those at other tables, eomi)laining about food, and, to toi) it all, asking the waitress to do this or that instead of letting the host or hostess ask. Dizzy with do’s and don’ts at the table, .1 believe I’d better close. Your now jierfect gentleman, Willie. Once again His star is shining; Its light doth alt the earth en shrine. M'e .see the Il’we Men from afar; H'e hear the Angels’ songs of peace; We meet to honor the Saviovr of men; Ife sing His praise, proclaim His lore, For it is Christma.‘ tide, And Christ, the Lord, is reigning O’er the peoples of the earth. “O Holy Star of Bethlehem, Thy fair enshrining light /.s giving hope to all the world And peace to all manl'ind. And (Jhrist. the Lord, is reigning O’er the peoples of the earth.” —Maky Oaklkv. SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS The Sjnrit of Christmas has come my way; I'he might is .'ftill and the clouds are gray; Carols sing from the village choir. Telling the peace that .wnls desire; I’he chill winds heavenly music bring. The carols the angels once did sing. They sing of the night when Christ ii'as horn, When a- radiant sl'y gave earth its morn. In “Silent Night” their voices hlend With the message that only God can send! That men were to learn the way of of love From the great gift sent from the Father above. And now starry nights and beautiful snow On the scenes of nature seem to shotv That God is supreme and his spirit tonight Will watch over us until morning light. ll’c botu in reverence and thariks again For God’s gift of peace and good will to men. —Edna Move. (Exchange Column) Something for us to k'ar in mind as young Christian students: “We believe that Methodist students in common with other Christian students are debtors of the ages and trustees of the future.” —Christian Education Magazine. Let us try to show our awareness of this fact from day to day: “Of all the people in the world today, we in college are a small minority; and because of that simple fact we should be full of gratitude to those who are making it possible for us to attend a Christian school.” —The Twig, Meredith College. I’erhaps this has also been your thought at times! “Oh Time in your flight Please make the bell ring Before I recite.” —The Torch, Pfeiffer Junior College. A wise bit of advice! live up to it. “Live for something! having a purpose, a goal, and strive to achieve that goal.” —The Torch, Pfeiffer Junior College. Friendship! What would we do without it? “Cultivate friendships. You will find here many stu dents can definitely make your life richer through your associations with them, if you will only become their friend. There are many benefits from a college education, but one of the greatest is the enrichment of your life through knowing others.” —Campus Comments, Mitchell College. “Often it’s wise to swallow your pride and conserve your capital.” —Campus Comments, Mitchell College. SISOW Y CHRISTMAS As I peered out the wihdow, I saw flutfy little snowflakes feathering their way to the ground. They were not choice about where they fell; they were just making a Christmas blanket for Mother Nature. They first lodged on the tree tops, high buildings, and large fields, but after that they began to fall more thickly in other places. They wove their way between boughs and under roofs of the barn yard. These cushiony flakes gave me the real spirit of Christmas. God was making the out door world beautiful for the occa sion. Green furs were trimmed in w'hite snow, and black birds were flying everywhere. The setting sun gave the snow a brilliant tint of pink—a wonder of color that only God can paint or express. I remembered, too, that only God could give so bounteously; our Christmas snow does not go around and decorate just the ground of the wealthy, but it beautifies he ground of the poor as well. The little child of poverty may not have his stock ing filled so full as that of the little child of riches, but the poorest child’s little cedar God trims with the same love and care that he expends upon upon the forest tree seen by the eyes of the most wealthy. These are just a few thoughts that rushed through my mind as I watched God’s work go on in a world becoming more beautiful beneath my The curnulous clouds were bended loiv. Circling the hill as mantles of snow. Darkness and 'silence were resting there; The shadows of night ivere deep, pro found, Casting a sable curtain around. Hushing the world with its pain and care. Then, piercing the depths of gloom afar, There flashed the light of a brilliant star. Gilding the mountains and valleys ivith light. There in the Eastern sky ’twas burn- ing! The. shepherds saw ivithout dis cerning The deeper meaning of the ivondrous sight. Their hearts were filled with un- knou'n dread Till the Angel drew near and softly said: “Fear not, good tidings of joy I bring.” 1 hen o’er Judea’s plains were rina- ing Heavenly songs that fhe hosts were singing ' Glory to God, praise the new-born King.” Glad tidings blest! yea, the Christ was born Unto his world that Christmas morn. As a little child he came to earth. Clothed as we, but a God concealing, Drawing so near. His love reveal- ing— Oh, glad the day of the Saviour’s birth ! He came to guide our feet in a way That shineth unto the perfect day— Immaculale one, all holy and good, Leaving his home in yon bright Heaven, To lead us there with, sins forgiven. Can ever'such love be understood? Hail the blest day, let His praise abound; Roll over this earth a joyful sound. For unto us a Saviour is born. Oh, may His love with peace de scending. Softly, as angels’ songs are blending. Abide ivith us this glorious morn. —Alice Bullock. THE STAR STILL SHIISES gaze. —^Maey Lloyd Sutton. Sirens still dread alarms impart; Fright doth prevail in each human heart. Then fearful eyes look toward the sky. And there hangs the star like a watchful eye. It gives then its signal by twinkling its light Through this cloudy, ghostly, and darkened night. ’Tis the star that led Wise Men on their way To the Christ child lying upon the hay. It is God’s signal for us to see That nations and people will yet he free. The 'star shines on o’er every land Showing there will always he light for man. It shines not only on Christmas night. But it mil always shed its light. —Eobebt Willifokd.