Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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THE ACORN i very much amazed to see at its summit a modern ami beautitul home. Our guide explained that this was the largest orphan asylum in the world and that the founder and matron of it was ail American lady. Our curiosity getting the better of us, wo begged to be allowed to go ashore and visit the asylum. On approaching the grounds we saw everywhere children playing at various games and all seemed extremely happy. were ushered into the drawing room, where we found our illustrious lady seated at a piano, from which she called forth most beautiful strains ot music. Can you imagine my surprise on being introduced to Miss Ellen Swanson? I asked the secret of her success and what had suggested an orphan asylum. She told me of her love for music and the wonderful effects music had had upon human nature, and that she wanted to prove to the world that music had the magnetic power of developing the noblest and best characters. And for this reason she wished ;o give the poor orphaned children a fair chance, giving them the best environment and the best music the world could offer. 1 had no need of asking her if her plan had been a success for I had but .to behold the smiling faces .about her to see that it was only too apparent. My time being limited I was forced to hasten on, promising to some day return to learn more of Miss Swan-.son’s plans and philosophy. After an extended tour through Germany Ave took a flying trip to Paris, France. Safe in Paris our first thot was to visit the famous art galleries. We came to the largest gallery and sauntered up and down the aisles admiring the wonderful pieces of art. Just as we were about to leave, the guide told us that he had yet the most famous picture to show us. He led us to ‘•.Melissa”, but I scarcely saw the picture, for what attracted my attention was a man Avho stood intently gazing at the picture. His hair was snowy white, he wore large-broad-rimmed glasses and his face had a sad, careworn expression. Holding his high silk hat with one hand, the other rested on his gold-headed cane. The frown on his face seemed familiar. Where and when had I seen it? in answer to my questioning thoughts, a red speller and the reading room at Bethel flashed into my mind. What! Was it Mr. Person? I must have said his name aloud, for he turned around and looked at me squarely. It was Victor Person, or rather. Dr. Person himself! He had just come to Paris from Palestine, where, for so many years he had lived in quiet as a practising doctor. He said that he had always been interested in leprosy and had tried to find a cure for it. His success had come slow but sure and now the whole world was singing his praise. When we began to talk about dear old school days at Bethel he assured me that he had finally conquered that red speller, hut as a result he had always to carry that deep frown on his face. He was now taking a vacation in travel, and promising to meet me at the conference in Gothenburg, we parted. It was now the latter part of July, and wishing to visit places of interest in Sweden before attending the conference, we deemed it wise to set out for Stockholm. We left Paris in an aeroplane, thinking this means of travel more expedient. I had often heard of the famous University of Stodkholm and being anxious to see it, we turned our course thither. At the University we were received cordially and shown the different colleges. Having heard of the illustrious professor of astronomy who had discovered the other side of the moon, we asked the guide it' it would he possible for us to see her. He told us that she was then spending her vacation in Italy, but that we might see her portrait in the large hall. Ah! how majestic that picture hung on the wall, and

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No. 8 Tiie Acorn VOL. IV. S' MAY J 912 mcrar • A ''• . ■• •' . S: I'V.V?;- 4 MIL V ijAU 09 CLASS PROPHECY. Gunhild Hagsti'om, ’12. In my youth it had always been my ambition to travel abroad and to see and enjoy all the marvels of this world. Imagine my joy when last spring, April the seventh. 1931. I found myself on the mighty Atlantic ocean, bound for England. The time passed pleasantly, for on board was a large company of friends who expected to attend the Baptist World Conference in August in Gothenburg, Sweden. Soon the news spread abroad that the United States Ambassador to England was on hoard the ship. All were anxious to have the honor of meeting him. One day the opportunity was granted. I saw before me a tall, dark man with a kindly smile and was introduced to his highness Mr. Oscar Felth. Was it possible that this great man was the same that' I had once known so well at Bethel? Yes. strange to say, it was. for I saw that he was still wearing his 13. A. pin of 1912. Mr. Felth told me of the many hard struggles he'had bad in the political world and of his final success. On landing in Liverpool, we were royally entertained by Mr. Felth, who invited us to attend the most famous symphony orchestra in the world, which was then paying in Loudon. Who should not have been glad to be the guests of Mr. Felth and we were delighted to accept his invitation. The auditorium was the most magnificent I had ever beheld. After the first number had been rendered, the director turned around and made a graceful bow in response to the hearty applause. Immediately the thought came to me that I had seen that profound bow and sweet smile before. On asking Mr. Felth he smilingly explained that is was Mr. Henry Thunell. He had not told me before whom the director was, wishing to surprise me, and to be sure I was surprised. Mr. Henry Thunell! Yes, 1 had always known that he would make a. success in the musical world, but to find him here with a world wide fame—it fairly took my breath! After the entertainment we all had lunch together and naturally we talked about the good old days at Bethel. But we had to part and bidding farewell to dear old England we prepared for more adventures in Germany. Arriving in Germany we first visited Berlin, after which we planned to take a trip on the famous Rhine. On the river we passed one famous castle after the other, while our guide told us interesting stories connected with them. Soon we came to a very steep cliff and we were

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s T HE ACORN how proud of it we were, for we had been told that it was an American lady. 1 chanced, to glance at the inscription on it —what! did my eyes deceive me—there I saw the name of Mamie Lindblom. Strange indeed it was that I had not recognized her name, when 1 had seen it in the newspapers! But to see it here, and that perfect likeness of Miss Lindblom—I knew it was the same whom I had once known at Bethel! And now she was teaching astronomy! While at Bethel, however, t had noticed that the moon and stars had always fascinated her and on bright nights she would always go on long strolls, talking to the stars. Then, I thought it a mere girlish fancy, but now I saw its result. Full af expectations we left Stockholm for Gothenburg. Here we found people streaming in from all parts of the world. We were on our way to the great church when just in front of me I saw two men walking together in a most affectionate manner. On nearing them I heard the one remark: “Weil, it's just simply this way.” How often had I not heard that voice before in the geometry class at Bethel! I knew it at once to belong to Arthur Hcdberg. Yes! it was Arthur and his dear friend was none other than Doctor Person. Strange, that I should find Arthur at the conference, and yet It was not at all strange, for he told me that he had come as a representative from the biggest Baptist church of Japan, his native land. He told me of how lie had always planned on becoming a minister, and how living in Japan had always appealed to him. He claimed that this life was to him a paradise on earth, and he certainly did seem happy. That day Mr. Hedberg made a speech which thrilled every person in the audience, his subject being, “Bethel Academy, Twenty Years Ago, and Bethel University of Today.” He had the previous year visited Bethel and marvelled so at its progress that he felt he must tell the world of it. But here we parted, each his way, and at the close of my journey I did feel as tho I had seen every marvel of this world in having seen all my classmates of Bethel. “LO. I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS.” Harvey This is a scientific age and because 1 know that there are good people who fear the scientific spirit, 1 am anxious to remove from their minds their doubts in the soundness of the scientific spirit. I am sure that each reader all thru his life has noticed certain things, or has heard certain facts from which he drew conclusions. That is the natural process of thinking. You first see. then you think, and then conclude. That is the scientific spirit and men are now applying this method of thought to everything. A few days ago I was repairing a typewriter in the homo of a friend who has some very beautiful and natural children —as all children generally are. While I was looking over the machine to discover Stallard the trouble these children stood around and very often I could scarcely see the machine for the heads of the children. You say it is provoking, but I tell you, that if you have any love for humanity, if you have any understanding of the mental processes, you will welcome the children, the natural investigators. God gave them eyes with which to see. and they live in accordance with His Divine Will when they strive for a place to see the object pending investigation. Children are not silent watchers, like older people who try to hide their ignorance by keeping still. They are filled with questions of why and how. Now you ought not to be provoked when children give expression to their Divine Nature as they do in ask-