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THE HILLTOP, MARS HILL COLLEGE, MARS HILL, NORTH CAROLINA
THE HILLTOP
A Gem in the Emerald Ring of the Hills.—Battle.
Entered at the Postoffice. Mars Hill, N. C.. as Second Class Matter.
February 20. 1926.
.MEMBER NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGIATE PRESS ASSOCIATION
AND SOUTHERN JUNIOR COLLEGE PRESS ASSOCIATION.
J. NELSON JARRETT.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FRANCES BARNES.
Associate editor
B. G. LEONARD.
Associate Editor
MAYMEE "kelly
Religious Editor
BOYD BROWN.
Society editor
MANAGERIAL
ROY F. FISHER, business Manager HOYLE LEE. Circulation manager
W. O. ROSSER, exchange Manager
HOWARD CAMNITZ
athletic editor
HAROLD HENDRICKS.
Assistant athletic editor
D. L. STEWART.
poetry editor
CONWAY SAMS.
Alumni Editor
CHARLES LAMLEY. asuajl
CHARLOTTE HOOPER
DAVID MASHBURN
REPORTORIAL
ELIZABETH WELBURN
LOUISE SMITH
MARION JUSTICE
MARGARET ALLEN
MARTHA STACK
VOL. V.
MARS HILL, N. C., NOVEMBER 29, 1930.
NO. 6.
The Spirit of Thanksgiving
There is a quality of the human soul so beautiful that it
mocks the descriptive power of word or pen. It is the spirit of
thanksgiving—a sense of gratitude and appreciation. It is this
sense that keeps man always humble before God. Across the
page of memories in the volume of our own life there sweeps
ever and anon a vision of the spirit as it was manifested by those
to whom we owe the birth of our nation. As high as the breaking
waves on the bleak New England shore rose and surged the faith
of the grim-visaged pilgrim father as he cast anchor by an un
known sea. As staunch as the rock-bound coast was his indom
itable courage as his eagle eye pierced the horizon beyond a wil.
derness which was his to conquer. True was his purpose as the
blue of the ocean waves which bore him thus far in search of
the undeniable rights of religious freedom. As glorious as the
strength of the man himself was his manifestation of the spirit
of thanksgiving in that far-off time.
A home within a wilderness was sufficient to bring the pil
grim father to his knees in ardent gratitude. The union of civil
ized white man with the untamed Red in this first Thanksgiving
set free the spirit of Thanksgiving in our yet unborn nation and
established as the foundation a grateful acknowledgment of a
debt of gratitude fo One from whom comes every good and per
fect gift.
Across the years man in America has maintained the obser
vance of Thanksgiving Day. From generation to generation has
descended the wondrous spirit that keeps man ever grateful to
the Author of this beautiful custom. It is the custom of our na
tion to dedicate one day of each autumn to the keeping of a
Thanksgiving Day. On this day there is no one excluded from
its blessings. The beauty of the spirit is that it is all-inclusive.
There is no slave so humble, no monarch so powerful that he does
not glory in its significance. The modern Scrooge sits before a
cornucopia of worldly treasures and is stunned by the realiza
tion that he is common debtor with the poorest peasant who
cringes before his scorn. The spirit of Thanksgiving hovers over
the crudest but as well the most stately mansion and unites the
slave with his lord, the peasant with his monarch in gratitude
and reverence for the God of slaves and kings.
The Spirit of Thanksgiving is the spirit of prayer and sacri
fice. Prayer is the verbal expression of gratitude and sacrifice
is the active expression. If we would keep the spirit glowing
in our hearts, we shall not fail, to utter a prayer on Thanksgiv
ing Day. If we would impart to others the spirit that is ours,
we should do it through sacrifice. By some deed of our own we
may cause Thanksgiving to bear a more blessed significance to
someone else. From its abode in the recess of the American heart
let the Spirit of Thanksgiving arise and manifest itself in word
and deed. Down the corridors of time let the spirit of the pil
grim Father come to us who follow in his train. In gratitude
for the realization of a dream as old as the nation, in custom
with our forefathers, and in acknowledgment of personal appre
ciation, let every head be bowed in humility and every heart
be lifted up with the Spirit of Thanksgiving. F. B.
(A CRITICISM)
Those who were fortunate enough
to see the first production of the Mars
Hill College Dramatic Club, on Nov
ember 16, probably said something
like this after having seen the per
formance; “Well, I didn’t think that
they could do it.’’ Those who were
previously less optimistic over its out
come left with a feeling of profound
appreciation for these youthful play
ers who simply outdid themselves in
presenting this diflicult play by W. S.
Gilbert.
Miss Frances Barnes, playing the
animated statue of Galatea, undoubt
edly gave the best individual perform
ance of the entire evening. Hers was
a difficult role to play. Yet she play
ed it with a grace that was worthy of
the commendation of the gods who
breathed life into that beautiful sta
tue that Pygmalion had just carved
out of stone. Her enunciation was
practically perfect, her ease on the
stage extraordinary, and her ability
to represent the stone statue of Pyg
malion was almost flawless and wor
thy of the highest praise.
Following close to Miss Barnes was
Tom Moore, playing the difficult title
role of Pygmalion. Mr. Moore han
dled his first title role in a manner
that was pleasing, and he well de
serves a vast amount of praise. Mr.
Moore’s manly appearance on the
floor commanded attention, and not
once did he lose the attention of his
audience. He, at times, seemed a bit
conscious of his actions. Good luck,
Tom; we are proud of you. .
Miss Sibyl Pace, playing third lead
as the wife of Pymalion, maintained
her excellent standard of playing.
Miss Pace’s previous experience in
playing made her stand out that night
and to continue to hold her audience
and to command their praise. A dom
inating pleasing, and beautiful per
sonality such as was shown by Miss
Pace that evening is worthy of the
highest praise of any critic.
Miss Marguerite Green, playing the
role of Myrine, Pygmalion’s sister.
and Mr. Wade Baker, playing the
role of Leuiceppe, a soldier, carried
out the part of the lovers extremely
well. Their lack of stagefright was
noteworthy.
Mr. W. F. McLester, playing the
role of Chrysos, an art patron, gave
an excellent performance. His ease
on the floor was noteworthy, and he
played to his audience well. At times
he seemed to have slightly overacted
his part. The role of his wife was
played by Miss Helen Beckwith. She
gave a creditable performance. At
times she seemed somewhat consci
ous of her actions. However, the part
that she played was no easy one, and
it was worthy of the talent of one
much more experienced in playing.
Messrs. Mjlton Hamiby and Robert
Layne played the roles of the two
Greek slaves with a perfect harmony
of setting. They added much to the
success of the play.
Miss Bonnie Wengert who directed
the players deserves a vast amount
of praise for the success of the pro
duction. She seems to have instilled
into her players that personal feeling
for each role which is necessary for
the success of a production of any
kind.
The play itself .was no easy one to
present. Yet these young dramatics
handled it with an ability that was
worthy of the attention of many pro
fessionals. The costumes were beau
tiful and added much to the pleasing
appearance of the stage setting. The
make-up artist seemed to have for
gotten to complete the make-up of
the arms of Galatea. This was very
noticeable from the front. The enun
ciation of the entire cast was good.
Many of the players seemed to have
been a hit forced. The comedy of the
play was rich and good. The one big
thing that was characteristic of the
entire cast was their failure to get
out of the forcedness of their asides.
The failure on the part of the aud
ience to appreciate much of the com
edy and the efforts of the players
were very noticeable. Maybe we shall
grow up some day! J. N. J.
To Mother Millstead
A Lost Poem
One day while wandering ’mongst the
rustling com.
Within my pondering mind a poem
was hom;
No pen and paper had I with me
then.
That I might Avrite, and pass it on to
men.
My soul implored the phantom poem
to stay.
But quickly as it came it fled away:
But oh, how sweet it was, and strong
and bright.
The whilst it stayed! Like some cel
estial light
That flashes once from off a distant
shore,
-A moment beams, then fades to shine
no more.
And now through all the days and
years that flee
I strive to call the phantom back to
me,—
In vain, in vain!—
The poem that came amongst the
whispering corn
Will in my wandering, yearning soul
be hom
No more again!
—D. L. Stewart.
SOMETHING
FOR EVERYBODY
By the Editor
(The Editor of this department as
sumes responsibility for the use of
this poem.)
If I could write as fluently
As poets of my time
I’d try to write for Mother, dear,
A truly worthy rhyme.
But since my pen is not equipped
With either tongue or art
I’ll just put down the words I feel
As coming from my heart.
When I recall your loving care
Your love, and goodness too,
I wonder why God didn’t make
All mothers just like you.
You are my only counsellor;
You are my guiding star;
I think I love you even for
The mother that you are.
I fear I don’t appreciate
Your value here on earth.
But I will try, and how I hope
To realize your worth.
Words can’t express my love for you;
I guess to do it right
I’d have to see you every day
And try with all my might
To be what you would have me be;
Persistent, honest, true;
But try that hard, I couldn’t be
One-half as good as you.
I’m ’way down here, you’re ’way up
there—
There’s miles between us two—
But all the distance in the world
Can’t keep my mind from you.
“I am a dreamer, but aren’t we
all?’’ How many times have you read
and heard those lines? Did you ever
stop to realize the full significance
of those eight words? What a boun
tiful source of consolation to self
they contain! The idle fancies of
many men have materialized into re
alities that surpassed by far the fond
est dreams of the dreamer. Every no
ble life has been backed by some pow
erful and noble ideal. Back of that
ideal was a dream, and back of that
dream a dreamer. The air-castles that
one builds while alone often bring
comfort and extreme satisfaction to
the individual. Have high erected
hopes; have noble ideals; think much
and drea moften. It will afford you
food for thought and make you hap
py in your own self.
Ittotijer’d ©ortt^r
By Mother Millstead.
I will praise thee, O Lord,
my whole heart.”—Psalm 9;lJ
“Eternal Father, help us^
think wise thoughts, to speak
words, and to do good de >|
through all the hours of this .
day of our lives. Help us to '
things as they are and also as :
ought to be. We would hai
hand in making the world a
ter place in which to live; ani p
the nearer duties are the i
pressing, we would begin at h( g
To the beloved beings in t
households, therefore, we will .
secrate our ability to be checjt
and helpful. Enable us to lift g
burdens of the weary, and to h;
happiness to those about us,'. ,e
then as our strength and wig ,o
are increased, to impart then j
others, far and near. How ful;
the possiblities of usefulne.ss i j
single day! How sweet to t d
that in a single moment of a sii.n
hour of this one we may rei m
some service that will increase ,p
sum of human virtue and has
ness. I
Help us O Lord, to do it. ia
‘Mother’s Cornel”
By Mother Bigger*.
“Mother’s Comer.” Why?
that we as “mothers” at Mara
College might express to each of
girls and boys our love and intei
th
you? Please give us a chance t(
you personally in any way thi
Mars Hill may well be proud of her
literary societies. They are not only
exceedingly active, but all the mem
bers are evincing a wholesome inter
est in the work.
The fortieth anniversary of the
Philomathian Society was a most
creditable undertaking, and all who
took part acquitted themselves well.
It is refreshing to note that hero
at Mars Hill we have a very live
retinue of societies and clubs involv
ing student activities, each doing its
part to make life at Mars Hill not
only interesting but profitable as well.
Besides the four literary societies,
if the student wishes diversion there
are a number of other societies and
clubs, all aimed at but one purpose,
to supply the means for building up
a groundwork that will be of inesti
mable value later on in life.
“Pigeon” Brown acquired a new
name while visiting in Charlotte re
cently. It is TWO and ONE. Come
on, “Pigeon,” and confess.
I made this little rhyme for you
In stilted, stumbling style,
And now I’ll end it with a kiss
That spans each lonely mile.
—Maude Kinslan.
Class of ’30.
ORGANIZE ORCHESTRA AT
CULLOWHEE
Cullowhee, N. C., November 17.—
Recently an orchestra was organized
at Western Carolina Teachers Col
lege, composed of the following; Hil
da Smathers, pianist; Jeffrie Free
man, clarinet and trumpet; Minor
Wilson, Louie Medford, and Mary
Dare Haithcock, violins; Jessie Hig
don and Lola Ramsey, guitars; Caro
lina Ransdall and Jessie Ramsay, uk
uleles; and Pearle Justice, drums.
—Prom W. C. T. C. News Letter.
“But there is nothing half so sweet
in life as love’s young dream.”
—Moore.
We understand that one of Prof.
Huff’s English students is thinking
of writing a term paper on the fol
lowing subject; “If I were a woman,
what a sad man I would be.”
We realize that miniature golf
courses were popular last summer,
but at the next world series it’s gon
na be “Miniature Joe.”
Marshillism; A spontaneous out
burst of suppressed titters by wary
onlookers before the facade of Spil-
man on Sunday afternoons.
Critical comment oftentimes is di
rected at the staff responsible for
producing a college newspaper. Some
of it is constructive; others not so
complimentary. We wonder how many
students keep in mind the thought
that a college newspaper is represent
ative of the entire student body, and
that to make a really fine paper it is
necessary for everyone to lend his or
her support by way of contributing
articles and really helping to cover
school activities.
can. We want to share your jo
well as your sorrows. We thani
for you and the privilege of ht
in this formative period to in
on your minds and hearts the
ciples of Jesus Christ, who i
Head of our school; but you mu
member what Kate Douglass Wi
says; “Most of all the other bea
thigns in life come by twos and tl
by dozens and hundreds — plen
Roses, Stars, Sunsets, Rain
Brothers and Sisters, Aunts and
sins—but only One Mother in a
wide world.” To her you mu
true whether she is at home Pi)
for you or in her Heavenly
waiting for you.
Let me apologize to Edgd
Guest for changing the title o
poem, “Father Thought” to “M
Thought,” as it expresses my fei
for you. '
‘I would not at your laughter f
Nor try to cry your jilcasure i
Nor hint that mirth is wrong
But as you laugh and as you c
Against life’s every circumsta
I hope to have you strong.
“This pleasure which you lo\
much
Will vanish at the slightest tc
Of shame or loss or pain.
When come life’s sterner tests 1
It will not stay to see you thn
Or at your side remain.
■‘So fine the line twixt wron|
right.
So great the cost of follies sli{
So cruel is the throng
That all who would outlast
mirth
And end in x>eace their days on
Must build foundations stro
“Be happy every hour you can.
But play the woman and the
Hold fast to all that’s hesi
My prayer is this; When coim
strain
You will have courage for you:
And strength for every tes1
SEVEN FROM MARS HILL
ATTEND STATE CONVE^
(Continued from Page 1)
Wingate and Boiling Spring
leges, though still Baptist institi
are no longer under the cont
the Baptist State Convention b
independent institutions.
The convention went on reci
approving the plans for the o
ance of the Diamond Annivers;
Mars Hill and the, attempt to
$250,000. The college was give
mission to solicit contributions
individuals and former student;
The representatives from Mai
were Dr. R. L. Moore, Dr. O. E.
Professor R. M. Lee, Rev. J. E
en. Professor J. B. Huff, Mrs.
Moore, and Mrs. O. E. Sams.
Rev. J. R. Owen of Mars Hi
elected president of the State !
terial Conference.