Page Two
THE HILLTOP. MARS HILL COLLEGE. MARS HILL. N. C.
DecenD' I960
Campus Atmosphere
Distinguishes MHC
Students Desire Changes
Lately there has been voiced by some students a desire for cer
tain changes. If a poll were taken of the students who really have
definite grievances it would possibly reveal a small percentage.
Certainly all of us find it easy to criticize and advocate changes,
but few of us allow our thoughts to dwell on these things enough
to make us unhappy. But here is an opportunity to point out
certain facts.
All conscientious students should have become aware of the
standards upheld here so that when they signed their application
blanks they were agreeing to accept these requirements as their
own during their stay here. Also, any student who expresses the
idea that he is not here by choice, but because of poor grades in
high school owes the college a debt of gratitude above all others
and has no right to complain if the institution that affords him
the opportunity of a higher education. Think seriously about it.
Would you go to live with grandparents for the short span of
two years, and try to change their way of living and doing things?
Would you pretend to know more than those who have had years
of experience in the “school of life?” Then what right do we have
to spend two — all too short years at MHC and in this time try
to revolutionize the school? There must be thousands of colleges
that allows smoking, dancing, dating without restrictions, and such.
Would it not be more simple and more considerate for the students
who want this kind of college life to apply to one of these institu
tions and leave Mars Hill as it is, unique in high standards, for
those of us who came here for just this atmosphere?
Smoking Among the Girls
Last week the student council held a meeting concerning the
breaking of certain rules. Smoking among the girls was the par
ticular offense involved. Several girls had been reported for smok
ing downtown. When approached, some of the girls stated that
they thought the area was “off limits”. It is not necessary to
pursue this line of argument further — a little reasoning would
surely tell anyone that we are representatives of our school, wher
ever we may be, during our two years here. And certainly it
would have been better for the girls to have broken rules in their
respective dorms, student center, or somewhere on campus rather
than to allow the townspeople to witness their defiance.
When called to account, the girls exhibited an understanding
attitude and a cooperative spirit that pleased the council. They
seemed to realize (as we hope all inclined to criticize our decisions
will) that the revoking of their privileges is for their protection.
PLAIN LIVING AND HIGH THINKING
Published by the Students of Mars Hill College
CThe Hilltop
Second-Class mail privileges authorized at Mars Hill,
N. C., February 20, 1926. Published semi-monthly during
the college year.
Volume XXXV
December 10. 1960
Number 6
STAFF
Editor-in-Chief Bobbie Shiplett
Sports Editor Morris Mason
Assistant Sports Editor Dave Beck
Girls’ Sports Editor Jean Yoder
Advertising Manager ._. Mayon Weeks
Co-Circulation Managers Lillian Robinson, Ron Carpenter
Assistants Ken Huneycutt, C. W. Moss, Cathryn Crocker
Typists Judy Stewart, Faye Milstead, Joyce Craft,
Joyce Hinson, Linda Melton
CONTRIBUTORS—Marsha Ezell, Garnette Jones, John D. McGee,
Janice Eiland, Johnny Grier, Mary Beth Brundage, Faye Stone, Pauline
Gibson, Sherry Greene, Dave Diggers, Jessica Boyette, Nancy Jo
Hannah, and Nancy Balentine.
The HILLTOP wishes to take this opportunity to wish you and
yours a very Merry Christmas. We hope that each of you will have
a very pleasant and safe holiday.
Socielij News Christmas Observance.
Among African People
Eu and You
Every visitor, faculty member, and student that has witnessed
the friendly attitude and the overflowing Christian spirit of Mars
Hill College has been impressed by it. Even those among our
student body who would rather be somewhere else agree that they
could never hope to find a more amiable ^oup of young people
than are found here. Does the general spirit mean that we as in
dividuals possess something that makes us different from students
in other colleges? Does it mean that when the present sophomores
or even the present freshmen class has departed, the spirit which
characterizes the student body will be nil? We think not.
In other words, the student body of MHC could be dispersed
into almost any other school, but the closeness that we now feel
for our fellow-students would probably be lost. So it is quite
obvious that the spirit of Mars Hill is chiefly due to the atmosphere
which surrounds the college. Of what does this atmosphere con
sist? Mainly the high ideals of our schools are responsible for the
brotherly love here manifested in actions.
Rhea Fletcher presided at the
Dec. 9th meeting of the Eu-
thalian Literary Society. Eu
elections will be held immedi
ately after Christmas.
By John David McGee
Each Non and Eu is to be
congratulated for the well-done
job on Anniversary and Recep-
Strange as it may seem in this modern age, there (
places in the world where civilization has not penetrs
tom which we take for granted, such as the celebratW
mas, are unknown.
Africa, a continent four times the size of the Uniteil
a population of 180 million people, may in some ^
called the “Dark Continent.” There are people even—
tion.
Clio Chatter
and Phi Lights
Now that all the excitement
of Anniversary-Reception Term
is over Clio and Phi are begin
ning to get back into the reg
ular swing of society. On De
cember 2, a joint meeting was
held in the College Auditorium.
Jean Yoder presided, and Sandy
Ragsdale and Wesley Boling
were in charge of the program,
which was “The Sound of Mu
sic” with Martha Compton, Bob
Carter, Jayne Stephenson, Ray
Luther, Richard Bennett, Feriel
Forbus and the Clio-Phi chorus.
Sandy Ragsdale, Literary vice-
president, presided at the regular
meeting of Clio on Dec. 8. Wes
ley Boling, Literary vice-presi
dent, presided at the Dec. 9th
Philomathia meeting.
civilized nations of Africa who
live in almost the same maner
as their forefathers did two hun
dred or more years ago. For
years the three great obstacles
that kept the white man from
entering and developing Africa
were the Sahara Desert in the
north, the rugged seacoast and
breakers on the west, and the
diseases that infected the con
tinent. However, we can be
thankful that at last Africa is ris
ing to take its place among other
continents.
Elections will be held the first
meeting following the Christmas
holidays. Each Clio and Phi is
urged to be thinking about For
ensics Term officers. Also every
one is reminded of the forensics
contests which will be coming up
soon.
Non News
Connie Edwards, Literary vice-
president, will preside at the reg
ular meeting of Nonpareil on
Dec. 15. Emily Sodergren will
be in charge of the program.
Nonpareil elections will be held
on January 5.
Each Non wishes to thank her
Euthalian brothers for such a
wonderful and cherished An
niversary.
Human Sacrifices
In contrast to the giving of
thanks by the Christians of Ni
geria, the offering of human
sacrifices is still observed in cer
tain parts of the nation. Several
years ago a two-year old girl was
sacrificed in the town where the
writer’s parents are now living.
Three native kings were hanged
by the British government be
cause of the deed; however, sev
eral attempts to kidnap children
have since been made.
As before mentioned, Christ
mas is not widelv celebrated in
Africa. The only people who
celebrate the season to any de
gree are the Christians; and they
are relatively few in number.
The only other exposure that
most of the people have to
rather than intended as arbitrary punishment. Whether the girls
are old enough to smoke, or whether smofling is necessarily “taboo”,
is not the question at hand. The fact is that smoking is against
the rules and will not be condoned!
We all look forward to receiving a diploma from Mars Hill be
cause we know that it will be respected and recognized by any
senior college. We know that it will represent us as graduates of
probably the finest Christian college in the nation. And we must
realize that each rule is geared to make Mars Hill what it is.
—Contributed
Integration and the Future
During the Baptist State Convention held in Asheville recently
a discussion on integration among the Baptist colleges in North
Carolina was held. Several years ago it was decided by the con
vention to leave the question up to the individual schools if such
an occasion arose. The seminaries have been accepting a few
Negroes, but as yet no Negro has attended a Baptist College.
Ever since the Supreme Court made its decision in 1954 con
cerning segregation much trouble has been stirred up in various
parts of the United States by both Negroes and whites. As time
goes on the issue will become more and more prominent in national
affairs, and it will be up to us, the present college students, to
make the decisions. It is up to us as American citizens to read and
listen to different views on the integration question. How is the
issue going to affect national affairs? How will it affect foreign
affairs, especially in countries where the Negroes are the most promi
nent race? How will integration affect the social life of the Ameri
cans. How will it affect you as a private American citizen? These
are all important questions to be considered, and there are many
more. Read newspapers, magazines, editorials, listen to news reports,
news commentators and decide what your stand will be.
Christmas is throuj
tising campaigns c(
nuallv bv many wE i IC
nually by many
stores and business j
impression of Chtj^j^j,
to the people throuj earl\
paigns often leave,
the idea that Chris^jjQ,, £,.qj
casion on which to
friends bottles Qyg,,
The season of Christmas and
the significance of the occasion
are unknown to the majority of
Africans. Instead, in Nigeria
the year is saturated with sea
sons and days during which pa
gan rituals, ceremonial feasts,
and sacrifices are held in honor
of the four hundred or more
gods worshipped in that country
alone.
wrapped up in fam-p^Q
Though the Ind one a
Christmas is often itaineers
ed or misunderstyear. T^
Christian people lincan, wi
honored and celdrs Hill,
truest and purestrove troul
Christmas Day thedy on th
in their church aiWesley E
ices, which often!orth Gre
Christmas plays abasts a t
The giving of gifts t led by f
is not very cominh the fin;
the children and )but fell 1
do go from house tag forwar
ing people and reftechnical
ever refreshments leave the
them. losition u
Needless to say, known
exert every effort ^st time f
Christmas in our t
have made some^i is also
Christmas trees on Barbee
of palm branches. three
the Nigerians hav
stare at the decorath*®™^ tre
wondered aloud
have gone crazy. »-JLAl
give gifts to the season
work in and aroui^l awards
thus making these'^rfonnan
that Christmas w*Ford Pari
nual event. ™ Carol!
Christmas and (^^'^dle wa
self is still a feeble'^ to u
in a dark land. ^endei
to extend its beam * ^gh
>m Loudo
of recogn
, j >ther boys
Lounctl -football t
:e; yet fo
New ''
»(ig backs r
During the ChP this year,
thoughts turn to ^.^^^ds, wi
one will be exci^^foy the
changing gifts withfomr to ri
One of the best vJ;t-onferen
can express himselfosent a cl
is by giving towar^^—
sion buggy.” Tch Hend
gives will truly ,
his generous gift. regret
to remember tha^^^'orn he;
blessed to give . Lveryc
The Mission ^du
real need of a n^'
gon because the p( Pi
just about run ^ing to n
Church members, ? , •
on,, hospital, anJ c!"
zations are anxious^uai schoc
people to bring ^lore pu
sage of Christ. I'ne likes bt
Council does not ‘
of transportation ^
people learn of ^ DUnQU
love for them? \ Athletic
brighten your ^>ck. This
others by giving ‘ktes are en
sion buggy? Woman’s ;
The Mission ^ Hart. T
everyone a Merry uf the awt
a Happy New Ycjtg to atter
her to keep
Christmas.