Bethany College - Bethanian Yearbook (Bethany, WV)

Page 16 text:

Champ Clark From the great mass of American statesmen there emerge a few who stand preeminent as leaders. One of the most statuesque of these prominent men has made his last contribution to this -world as his soul has passed into eternity. Champ Clark stood out in public affairs as a great man because he endeavored to fulfill the principles of his life. He seemed destined from his youth to become an outstanding figure in any of his undertakings. His massive frame gave him the necessary vitality which permitted him to perform the strenuous duties, not onlj ' of an able lawyer, but of a wide-awake and alert politician, statesman and man of religious worth. The principles of his life — loyalty, frankness and fair- ness — were manifested with sincerity in all of his endeavors. The opportunity to serve his country as a Congressman resulted from his adherence and faithfulness to the principles of the Democratic Party. His competence as a law-maker was recognized when he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. It is said that he was the most impartial of all the leaders of that legislative body. This honor resulted from the fulfillment of the principles of his life which were illustrated when he remarked: The worst enemies of our race are those who debauch public opinion. In religion Mr. Clark was a devout Christian. He once said: I am a Campbellite and a Democrat, and I expect to die in the faith of both. From these words, one can plainly see that Christianity was not a sham to this man, but that his convictions were rooted deep in the faith itself. One cannot help but admire such a man as Champ Clark for the splendid manner in which he endeavored to perform his obligations to the church. The principles of life expressed in the service of Champ Clark are recognized by all, but what means more to us as students of Bethany College is the pride he maintained in his relationships to his Alma Mater, since he stood so prominently in affairs of national importance. Champ Clark contributed at various times to Bethany ' s welfare. Those contribu- tions however are insignificant when compai-ed to that larger gift to his .Alma i Iater, a life of service to mankind.

Page 18 text:

Archibald McLean Forty-seven years ago Bethany College graduated from her halls Archibald McLean ; on the fifteenth of last December came the sad news of the final and immortal graduation of this former student and president of Bethany College. In his death Bethany lost a loyal and noted alumnus ; the missionaries of the home and foreign fields, a companion and friend ; the world, a great leader and scholarly prophet. It is indeed fitting that the BETIIANIAN should set aside some space for a proper appreciation of the life and work of one who has come to be recognized, intellectually and spiritually as one of the outstanding leaders of the day, who has so lived and died as to cause the halo of his reflected glory to adorn his beloved Alma Alater. One, who, by his long years of service in the cause of missions has done honor to the college that trained him. Yet who is capable to pen a tribute to one so righteous in principle and so noble in living? To a man whose life of prayer and sacrifice earned for him the title of best loved of the disciples. Best loved, because through his daily actions there shone the light of an inner glory; a glory, not of man but of God; the reflection of the ] Iaker in a great and noble soul. His was the glory that comes of conse- cration. ' ell might A. McLean be proclaimed the Apostle Paul of the Twentieth Century. His was a most powerful personality. Pastors and missionaries alike turned to him for guidance; children crept instinctively into his arms; the inhospitable welcomed him; for he was the friend of man, and his were glorified ministrations. Best loved, not merely because of his wonderful personality but loved for his achievements. Thirty-nine years of life devoted to one cause alone, that of foreign missions. To this man belongs the credit of well establishing that great agency for the betterment of man, the foreign missions work of the Disciples of Christ. A ' here once there was darkness, today there is light and the credit is A. McLean ' s. When a friend once asked him why Scotland had erected no monu- ment to John Knox, Mr. McLean smiled and replied: John Knox- needs no monument, Scotland is his monument. Just as truly might it be said of A. McLean that the missionaiy enterprise is his monument. But A. McLean is gone. His great and noble soul has passed away. Yet in the passing of one so saintly and so good, whose life has been spent in so consecrated a manner, there is a reflected glory that drives the shad- ows away. For A. McLean has gone to receive the great reward, and the lesson of his life remains, a great and shining example for those who are left behind.