Monmouth College - Ravelings Yearbook (Monmouth, IL)

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Jt JOHN H. WILSON graduated from the Indiana State University in iS6o, with the degree of A. B. From the same institution he received the degree of A. M. in 1863. In 1861, he was tendered the Chair of Latin in Monmouth College, which he accepted and occupied for five years. He was then transferred to the Chair of Mathematics, in which he served for ten years. In 1S75, he was elected to the Chair of Greek which he still occupies. In all these different departments he rendered most efficient and acceptable service. In 1SS5, in recognition of his superior merit and ability. Parsons College conferred upon him the degree Ph. D. Professor Wilson is a man of solid worth, clear in discernment, sound in judgment, accurate in scholarship and thorough in teaching. He is the senior professor and may with propriety be called the dean of the faculty. He has just completed his thirtj ' -sixth year in connection with Monmouth College, and is highly esteemed and respected, not only b}- the students now in college, but also by a long list of graduates. Honor to whom honor. ' '

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PROF. J. H. WILSON. ' 0 '

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LITERARY SOCIETIES. .j JIonmouth College takes great interest in literary- matters in general and pardonable pride in its four literar}- societies in particular. These four societies are all well organized and afford the best of opportunities for mental culture and discipline. There are no fraternities here, and consequently the work of these societies is not hindered by those social organizations. Three of these societies are coeval with the college itself. The Aletheorian, the j ' oungest, was founded some five years later. The Philom.-vThean Society, the predecessor of the present A. B. L., was founded October, 1S57. This name, however, was retained but a few weeks, when, the organization remaining the same, it was changed to Amateurs des Bei.LES Lettres. This name, however, was too long for common use and so it was shortened, by common consent, to the initials . . B. L.. l v which name it is known today. The Aletheoriax SocieTv was founded somewhat later. The date of its organization is 1S62, and it first consisted of nine members. Soon after its organization the society received a chal- lenge to a contest from A. B. L. The challenge was accepted and this was the first of a series of annual contests which lasted same twenty 3-ears but which have now been discontinued. The first society to be organized in Monmouth College was The Erodelphi.an, and l oth Philadelphi.an and Eccritean look to this as their common origin. This society was founded the very month of the organization of the college itself. In January of the next year, however, alive to the fact that friendh- and generous rivalry is a mutual stimulus, the societ}- decided to divide and form two societies. Accordingh , Januarv ' 9, 1S57, two brothers, James R. Harris and Daniel Harris, were chosen to divide the members in two equal bands. This the}- did, alternately choosing names from the roll of members. Daniel Harris and his followers organized the Eccritean, while James R. Harris and his followers, retaining substantially the organization of the old Erodelphian Society- but changing the name, founded the Philadelphian Society. The name Philadelphian has, however, been shortened, and the society is now known as Philo. As thus constituted these two societies exist toda3 That their respective founders were Ijrothers, was trul)- sj-mbolical of the fraternal relations