Monmouth College - Ravelings Yearbook (Monmouth, IL)

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that have ever existed between these two societies. They have e -er l)e2n rivals, but friandly ones; not as enemies, but as brothers. Not the least factor in the successful w-ork of the societies hitherto have been the literary con- tests. For years the two ladies ' societies held contests but ha -e now given up the plan. The Philo- Eccritean contest, however, has come down to the present time. This contest alwa -s brings out the best literary ability in college and is considered the literary event of the year. Prehminarv contest, at which Monmouth ' s representative in oratory at the state meet of colleges is chosen, also arouses much enthusiasm in Philo and Eccritean. While in this there is no direct contest between these two societies, yet each society desires to represent the college at Inter-Collegiate. Besides these, there are numerous other contests given by the different societies to arouse interest in ' literarv work. Mon- mouth ' s en -iable record in oratory is almost alone attributable to its four efficient literarv S3cieties.

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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

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PHILADELPHIAN SOCIETY.. Organized September, 1856. Beveridge, George, Brownlee, R. H., Carnahan, Frank, Carringer, Harry, Cavin, Roy. Chalfant, Frank, Cox, J. W., Ferrell, Dudley H., Poland, Ray, Gallowa}-, Hugh, Garrett, Mortimer, GilHs, John, Gilmer, H. R., Glass, A. W., Graham, Richard, Henderson, Arthur, Hanna, Alonzo, Harris, Thos., Jamieson, Howard, ■ ' Vincit qui se vincit . Johnson, C. L. , Johnson, Lee, Liyingston, Ralph, Luther, Ferd, Mahaffey, John, Main, Oscar, Mehaffy, James H., McAllister, V. F., McBride, D. L., McC leery, H., McClintock, Edwin, McKinnie, L. H., McMichael, James, McOuiston, Mel, McQuown, Scott, McStrayick, C. E., Milne, James, Mitchell, George, Morrow, A. H., Members 51. Montgomerj ' , Delbar, Norcross, Hiram, Phelps, Kenneth, Pollard, Lacev, Pollock, Kirk, Randies, A., Robinson, Lee, Robinson, Wm., Ronald, W. R., Sharp, D. S., Smith, Fred, Speer, Hugh, Speer, R. M., Thompson, M. J., Tripp, Clarence, Turner, J. H., Wallace, P., Wilson, George, Wylie, C. A.,