Wesleyan College - Veterropt Yearbook (Macon, GA)

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l)i$tory of the Pbilomatbean Society ;NE of the most unique characteristics of the Wesleyan College is the nature of its literary societies. It is not strange that, in this first college which heraMed a broader life and culture for woman, there should have been established the first clubs for women in Georgia. In • the founding of the two literary societies at Wesleyan our broad-minded mothers made one mighty stride from the ancient and classic quilting and sewing societies toward the modem clubs of culture and power. Ye women of Georgia, we beg to direct your attention to the source whence emanated the powerful influence that is now the all-pervading spirit of your social life. The Philomathean Society was organized with the aid of Pres. Smith, in the year 1852. It began with a membership of five young girls. In founding the Society it was the purpose of the girls drawn together by the bonds of friendship and love to foster at»d cherish a healthy growth of original thought, and to develop, pleasantly and socially, the powers of the mind. The great aim of the Philomathean Society is to cultivate the taste of its members for the best and highest literature of our age. The rather small but carefully selected library is one of the most attractive features of the society hall. In .®ome of the earliest minutes are recorded the orders for magazines of the highest literary merit, and in the beginning the “faithful sisters began collecting pictures and pieces of statuary for the ornamet.tation of the hall. Very soon after the organization it was decided that, by all means, the Society should publish a paper which, while encouraging essay writing among the members, should reflect the college life and work. Such a paper, called weekly by the members. On large sheets the articles were neatly written with most imposing headlines by the editors. Most of the paper was devoted to essays, poetry, and editorials; but much interest centered around the column of “College New s, in which was presented the bright and interest- ing side of college life. The news contributors seemed hard pressed in making their articles more interesting than those of the bright wits and humorists. There are jokes and jokes; but we of today are inclined to think that time has wrought many changes in the nature of some jokes, and all that were once jokes can be called such no more. However, if jokes are jokes at the desired time, that suffices. This work which was begun in 1857 w ' as carried on for thirty-three years. In the last few years the publication of the papers has been discontinued. But in the “‘I . M. an “The Gazette, was prepared and issued 25