Bethany College - Bethanian Yearbook (Bethany, WV)

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OCTOBER. 1940 The Bison Grows New Horns By Saiifonl Sti ' iuwan In the early ' 20 ' s Bethany College boasted a football team capable of standing up to the best in the country. The Bisons of that day had a hard fighting, enthusiastic bunch of athletes who played--and mayhap were paid-- to win. With a spirited student body behind them, the Bison trampled such teams as Ohio U., Detroit U., Rutgers, and Carnegie Tech. Even Army, Navy, and Georgetown clashed with the Bison. The gridders had everything required for a smooth, well-oiled machine. Yet year after year, no matter how spotless the record might be, one flaw blotted it. Bethany College football teams were unable to take the measure of Washington and Jeff- erson. Not since 1910 had the Bisons gored the Presidents. It was then that Bud Bishop, from Wellsburg, drop kicked a field goal at Washington to give Bethany a slim 3-0 vic- tory. In the following years, the Bisons were tough, for in 1921 W. and J. went on to the Rose Bowl, after defeating Bethany only 14-0. But the Bisons were not tough enough. By 1924 the lean years set in, and along (vith the perennial failure to beat W. and J. the Bisons began to slip into gridiron oblivion. Large enrollment colleges began to put out the topnotch teams, and with the decline of the Bison record, the bottom fell from beneath student moral support. Attendance at games slumped drastically, any attempt at a rally was a fiasco, and the average student was in- different to Bethany ' s gridiron efforts. Apa- thy shriveled up the teams, and where only larger schools once beat Bethany, the Bison became a pushover for Marshall, Grove City, Thiel, and West Virginia Wesleyan. A de- horned Bison, like its Wild West prototype, seemed on the way out. Top: hi the Gletnille opener Hart drives through hole made by Myers, on ground, and Kuhns, at right- Middle: Left to right, Hesser, Gordon, White, Donics, and Cicco ready to battle W- . Bottom: Stitt auay for a long run against Salem- TS . PAGE FIVE

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OCTOBER. 1940 PACIFISM . An Assault on Not an objector to the present war only but an objector to the whole military system and theory of life now prevailing in the world is Dwight E. Stevenson, minister of the Beth- any Memorial Church and instructor in phil- osophy at the college. It is generally conceded that war is evil, says Mr. Stevenson, and it seems obvious to me that nations will never repudiate war un- til individuals do so. That repudiation of war is something more than idly sitting by while others fight Mr. Stevenson well realizes. Pacifism should never be confused with passivism, he points out. Pacifism does not make a claim that there is never a cause for resistance. Nor am I of the ' peace at any price ' opinion. My stand is that war as a means of resistance is obsolete and useless, and I think history will bear me out. As a pacifist I believe in an of- fensive of love. The life of Christ is an ex- ample of this offensive put into everyday liv- ing. His sermon on the Mount is His state- ment of the principle. When a man does turn the other cheek, walk the second mile, or give his cloak when only his coat is asked, he seizes moral control of the situation. One of the fundamental beliefs necessary to be a true pacifist, in Mr. Stevenson ' s opin- ion, is the unswerving belief in the ultimate victory of moral forces over physical forces. Without a religious foundation that is firm enough to enable him to pay the price of his convictions — with his life if necessary — no person can be a real conscientous objector. Realizing that his stand is viewed by some as unpatriotic, Mr. Stevenson pointedly says: I see no reason why the militarists should have a monopoly when it comes to defining patriotism. I too love America. My definition of patriotism includes the idea that those things that contribute to the good, the ad- vancement, or the stabilization of my country are patriotic, while those things that contri- bute to its insecurity or downfall are unpat- riotic. Since war causes the death of my fel- low citizens, loss of property and wealth, and leads to economic and moral chaos, I believe it is my patriotic duty to dissociate myself from the war system. PAGE FOUR War STEVENSON PRESENTS A STRONG CASE FOR NON-VIOLENCE IN INTERVIEW WITH LEWIS DEER Having been an active pacifist , for ten years, Mr. Stevenson, who dislikes the term pacifist , is prepared to show cases in history where non-violent, non-militaristic defense was successful. In 1867 a Catholic landowner named Francis Deak led the Hungarians in such a campaign aganist the invasion of the Austrian Emperor Franz-Josef. By refusing to pay taxes, take seats in the legislature, buy Austrian products, or in any way cooperating with the Austrian invader, the people of Hungary made it economically impossible for Franz-Josef to maintain his domination of their country. Mr. Stevenson believes that by such methods any of the small countries of Europe could have resisted the German inva- sion. In their case, he says, military resist- ance was suicide, whereas non-violent resist- ance could have saved them. Another example of the success of the non- violent resister is that of India, where under the leadership of Gandhi, the common people have forced the British officials to acknow- ledge their rights. Non-military and non-co- operative, Gandhi ' s resistance to British con- trol has won surprising victories. Mr. Stevenson points out that Gandhi has formulated two rules which must govern the lives of all persons who attempt to use the pacifist method of resistance. The rules are: 1. Never permit yourself to anger or fear. 2. Tell the absolute truth at all times. The militarist adopts the second part of the first rule and instills in the soldiers the rule of never showing fear. The second rule is in contrast to the militarist rule of favorable propaganda during war times. The whole plan of pacifism as Mr. Stevenson explains it hinges on the belief that every man will react favorably to an appeal to his better nature. If men can now be taught to hate the enemy by pointing out that the enemy hates him, it should be possible to teach men to love each other because they are loveo. I believe in Christianity, concludes Mr. Stevenson, and to my way of thinking, at least, the principles of Christ must certainly repudiate war and point to a better way.

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OCTOBER. 1940 Ajlcrnidth: Prfsiilci: Crumhlft ami Grvcil anil While hailj lead tittor ttarailc along Main strctt. When the 1939 season rolled around, and the team started out by beating Westminster, a few students — freshmen — blinked their eyes and almost became excited. At the homecoming game against W. and J., the players showed plenty of pep, and were rewarded by a good turnout at the gate. But the Bison was not quite ready. W. and J. was outfought, but in two momentary Bison lapses the Presidents scored to win, 12-0. Worst effect of this game was that it tucked in the already sleeping student body. When the Bison finished the season with a .500 aver- age, public opinion felt that this was pretty good — for a Bethany team. This year there is a new spirit on the cam- pus. It is as admirable as it is surprising. And a new team of Knightmen has hit its stride. Currently, the Bethany squad is a veteran one. On the ends of the line are two seniors, Walter Bud Kuhns and Chet Gordon. Newcomers George Brady and Jack Cicco are waiting to jump into the regular end shoes. At the tackle positions, which caused Coach John Knight considerable worry last year, are two big men, John Tiny Morrill, and Walter Dode Myers. Both weigh 230 pounds, as does reserve tackle Dick Roberts. Freshman Clayton Pletz is developing into a workmanlike tackle. Little need be said about Alan Dowler and Bill Wells, senior guards. Both are experienced battlers. Center, supposedly the weakest spot in pre-season analyses, has developed into a stronghold manned by Jim Duif and Frank Donics, with Martin Reiter and Don Kramer awaiting the call. Returned for their last season with the Green and White are Tom CuUison and Dick Jackson. Cullison, one of the smartest players in the conference will be sporting his fourth grid letter this year. Other veterans are Archie Conn, steady blocker, tough Ed Har- ris, and knee action Stan Stitt. Best of the new backs is Chuck Hart, burly triple threat who has blasted student apathy with an ox- Hanging in the troj ' hy room in hi ' in Gynrnasinni is this pic- tnrr of the only of ny Bison JurJ to heat W ■ . The player who kicked the fndd goal that gate Bethany the 3-0 lietory three decades ago was Bishop ' sixth from the left in t te second row- This early team, coached by one ■ M- Tounsend , is remembered for two other things: the niinihcr ■ f loll score games played, and the accidental death of a West Virginia player in -Bethany ' s second game with W-VV- thai year- Scores that year included Gen.-ia 8. Bethany 0; W- Si. ]■ 0. Bethany 3; W- ' -U- 0. Betli- imy 0; West Virginia Wesleyan II. Bethany 0: W V U ■ 8. Beth- any 0. Mccby Wens ShuFHlewsrkh Riws Umfcenhower 2 lGsrJTOb ' Rudy Bowers Henley . Bishop Saundermdn E.Harmon t Ei-retfc SmJtA Bradfbrd Rltte Merryman J. chapman Wdtson Konp T Stanley r. GE SIX