PAGE TWO
THE PILOT
APEIL, 1952
GARDNER-WEBB PILOT
Member Intercollegiate Press
STAFF
EDITOEIAL
Editor-in-chief Gene Washburn
Associate Editor Martha Coffey
News Editor Grace Nielsen
Sports Editor Bob Myers
Feature Editor Glenn Pettyjohn
Reporters Carolyn Harless, Christine Hyde, Zeb Wright,
Joyce Hoover, Jim Trantham, Dorothy
Bell, Valeria Shearon, Martha Stone, Darrell Wilson
BUSINESS
Business Manager Peggy Jones
Assistant Businees Manager Alton Dover
Circulation Manager Martin Nichols
Typists Mary Suddreth, Rachel
Scroggs, Jonelle Teague
Difficulty of A Productive Hand
Why it is that we procrastinate and evade important is
sues until the last minute is a puzzling thing. College stu
dents, who are the hope of the nation, hamper themselves
in this way more than any other group in America. Why is
this? Well, it is probably the result of a number of things.
He has more different things to do, which is left up to his
own discretion and initiative as to when they will be done.
There are divergent attractions that woo and win him from
the tasks at hand. He feels incapable; he is too busy with the
things close at hand which have to be done. Even when his
efforts are finally launched, there is an intervention by meal
time, by mail call, or even by intruding friends who want to
swap a word or two.
These are all distracting reasons. But probably the great
est of all is an indecision as to what must be done. The in
valuable time we waste in hesitation is astonishing.
We have a term paper, for example, assigned six weeks
advance. Instead of getting it off immediately, we stammer,
we hesitate, we don’t have a topic, what to do? Then we
begin to procrastinate. One week grows into two; the third
week goes by and the next two rush on. Still remaining is the
full-size task. Five weeks have escaped the useful hand, and
the last moments are fleeting as the production awaits the
application of a determined hand.
The trouble here has not been the lack of ability to do
the work, but a lack of decision. Moreover, it wasn’t so much
the lack of initiative as it was in a dominating hesitation of
the mind.
Naturally, quick decisions are not to be desired; nor are
they healthy, but is that not exactly what evolves in the
end when we have whiled away the time trying to decide
instead of applying the time to something.
The crowning achievement is never the numerical grade
from the teacher, but it is the growth that takes place as a
result of the work. Development is possible only through work
and effort. We learn by doing, not by wondering what to do.
Do something even if it’s wrong. At least there will be time
to observe the mistakes, or even to make a second attempt.
Frustration develops when there is hesitation and the lack
of decision. Not knowing what course to take, not having a
response to the difficulties can be very detrimental to self
assurance and self confidence.
The first cannon in this situation is getting the person
ality integrated, laying firm hold to motivating purposes,
and strong goals. If we know where we’re going, it isn’t hard
to fit our activities to our purposes. The purpose itself gives
necessary perogative which support the ultimatum.
In this way the problem of indecision is conquered and
eradicated. The individual is suddenly mature, because he
is able to direct his activity, and make his own decisions.
— (G.P.)
and n
What Is Truth??
atest teacher of all was asked, “What is truth?’’
is not recorded, but he did say that he himself '
; learned the real truth unless that one came his
Men have tried for thousands of ;'ear
attempts have been futile and others 1
; conquests have tended to divide n
find the truth. Some of their
been fruitful. The fruits of
instead of to unify them.
In the field of religion, different opinions are offered on various doc-
nes. The opinions have given fuel and fervor to the endeavors to
find truth.
Religion is not the only field in which crusades for truth have been
conducted. The realm of science has succeeded in finding particles of
truth that religion had overlooked or had idly passed. Science has shed
light on many problems of life but has not reached the solution for all
of them. The veil of darkness still drapes over many areas in the scien-
ic pattern of knowledge.
The field of education also attempts to find the truth. Education’s pro
blem is different from the religious and scientific problems. The edu
cators must have the ability to divide the truth from error. Success is
ideal rather than an everpresent accomplishment. Many gems have
n uncovered but vast resources still remain untouched by the human
In revealing truth, error is also revealed. Error should be discarded and
truth should be stored with care. Truth shines to scatter error as light
scatters darkness. Truth, light, and knowledge should not succumb to
■or, darkness, and ignorance.
The problems of truth are not entirely solved. Results of research have
brought truth nearer than ever before. We must keep “plugging” until
we have surmounted the mount of falsehood and behold the beauty of
eternal truth. — ((C.W.H.)
"The Book of Life"
I suppose all of you have heard the expression “turning over a new
leaf,” but have you ever given it a thought? Have you ever really ap
plied it to yourself? Perhaps some of you have said, “well, I suppose that
expression means “starting over again’.” So it does, but when and why
does a person need to do this? In the “Book of Life" you write the pages
one by one. The leaves of the past have been filled and turned. Some of
them no doubt are covered with beautiful pictures, while others may
be marred by ugly blots. Today there is before each of you an unsoiled
page. Remember, one way to cover up a bad past is to build a big future
over it. Through the help of God and your own determination, you can
make the page that is before you contain largely what you want it to.
Will it be spread with careless talk or well chosen words, selfishness or
thoughtfulness for others, lazyness or energy, selfishness or courtesy, ly
ing or honesty, healthfulness or sickness, duty neglected or opportunities
well used, a dwelling on the mistakes of the past or a cheerful looking
to the future, and finally, neglect of God or faithful service to Him? Don’t
be afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living right and your believing
will help create the fact. God has given you a mind and you must make
your own choices, no one can make them for you. What you write on the
pages in the “Book of Life,” may set a good or bad example for others.
Remember, yours is the page; write well upon it today. — (A.D.)
A Parting "Thanks"
The members of the Pilot staff for 51-52 wish to express to each mem
ber of the student body and faculty a very sincere thanks for the co
operation they have received this year in the production of a campus
newspaper. There have been times when we felt like giving up, but en
couragement and help from various students have kept us going on. We
have had some very nice contributions to the paper from people who
haven’t received their due credit this year and we wish to offer a hearty
“Thank you” to them.
To the members of next year’s staff, who have been elected, and
who will be appointed, we want to say “mdre power to you.” The tasks
of meeting deadlines, setting up copy, and making headlines will not
always be easy, and you may have to give up some leisure time; but the
satisfaction of giving a picture of daily campus life to the other sudents,
and to many outsiders will more than repay you for your time and ef
forts. The campus offers a wide variety of activities to be covered. Each
student caimot hope to have a direct connection with all the activities
of the campus, and it is the duty of the campus paper to let all the people
know just what is going on at our school.
We hope that you will not take your job too lightly, and we also hope
that you have as much pleasure as we have had in covering the news.
If you have the cooperation and friendly help that we have had, we know
that next year will be a good Pilot year.