Wesleyan College - Veterropt Yearbook (Macon, GA)

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attempt is being made to conduct society journalism on a broader and more elevated style. The college authorities gave to the Society a large room on the fifth floor of the college building. With a feeling that this was their very own, the girls eagerly went to work to beautify and adorn their hall in any way that taste skill, and ingenuity might direct. And truly, we girls of 1900 have a right to love for its l eauty and associa- tions the pink and white room where we hold our weekly love feasts and literary studies. At all times the quiet seclu- sion of the cozy corners and com- fortable seats are very inviting to the studiously inclined, or the mind heavily burdened with vitally important secrets that simply must be whispered into a sympathetic ear. In the first weeks of college occur fierce and hard-fought battles on the rushing ' fields. Later these conflicts end and peace is restored between the two societies in the usual and peculiar manner, in which each side comes off gloriously victorious and perfectly satisfied. For the remainder of the year the Adelpheans and Philomatheans work together in friendly emulation and in social intercourse. At one time it was the custom for the societies to alternate yearly in socially entertain- ing eich other. Now our yearly receptions have taken the form of Grand Meetings, to which our honorary members living in the city are invited. These are decidedly the most pleasant of all the sadly few social events of the college girl. One society or the other gives an annual exhibition at commencement of its musical and elocutionary talents. It is with a feeling of deep gratitude and sincere thankfulne.ss that the historian records the fact that this gracious year of 1900 the Philomatheans will not exhibit. .Vnother pleasant feature of the social life of the two societies is their friendly relations with the two literary societies at Mercer University. We Philomatheans feel a true “sisterly pride and interest (though we have heard some as skeptical about the appropriateness of that adjective) in the Ciceronians when we attend their yearly oratorical contests and debates with the Phi Delta Society. For many years there has been the pretty custom of the corresponding societies interchanging presents at commencement time. The Philomathean Hall shows ma y marks of the Ciceronians generosity and exquisite taste. Perhaps to the College girl one of the greatest charms of the Society is its wonderful and important secrets, the hidden mysteries of which thrill the mind with intense delight. Undoubt- edly if it were not for this one and all-powerful element the life of the society would be sorely weakened and enfeebled. It must easily be seen why we have such great love and loyalty for our societies. Around them cluster the dearest memories of our College life. 26

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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

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