Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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Gbe Jmibgewater THGYWHI Climb- 1,1-11-11 ' THE AUTUMN of 1839 several students of the Bridge- water Academy formed themselves into a society called the Bridgewater Speaking Club, having for its object, as its name indicates, the improvement of its members in the exer- 'C L' cise of declamation. Soon debate was introduced as a regular exercise and much interest was manifested. In 1841 some students of the Normal School became members of the Club, a new constitution was formed and the society adopted the name of The Bridgewater Young lVIen's Lyceum. The meetings were held regularlyand with increasing interest. In 1844 the constitution was amended so as to have a standing President and Vice-President, and the name was changed to The Normal Lyceum. Its meetings were often crowded, a large part of the audience consisting of ladies. The Lyceum continued to hold its meetings for more than twenty-five years on Friday evenings during the terms of the school and then for twenty-Eve years more on alternate Friday evenings during the terms. The object of the Lyceum was mutual improvement, The By-Laws provided for the following order of Exercises 1 Calling of the Roll, Reading of the Journal, Appointments by the President, Transaction of business, Report of Prudential Committee g Declamations 5 Reading of Selections, or reading of THE NORMAL OFFERING, as the case may beg Debate, Critiscism by the President, at his option. Music shall be inserted in the order of exercises, at the discretion of the Presi- dent. THE NORMAL OFFERING shall be read once in four weeks, by a member appointed for the purpose. On evenings alternating with those on which THE OFFERING is read, there shall be declamation by two gentlemen, appointed four weeks previous. On the same evenings select pieces shall be read bytwo ladies appointed four weeks previous. At each regular meeting, the discussion of a question reported at a previous meet- ing, shall be in order, and shall close live minutes before the time of zz

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clfulln ls y qi. 5 .X ir ll, if retain for his share the classes that have more than all else made his pupils really know him. We are rejoiced that the loyalty of the son, which has led him to put aside flattering offers to places of high distinc- tion more than once proffered him, has kept for us the leader Whom we would have choosen above all others. He has our most cordial greetings as principal elect and our most heartfelt Wishes that his high ideals -for the future of the school may be attained. Q' No nobler thought can man observe, Than that which He did give, To serve, For service to God's poorest thing. Does make the lowliest a king. i 2I

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Clu :xg E mn 'Y Q-. B. -. -4 5. 5 ' v U . M., ,zc 3 ...z .n l ...C . uf, 'f'-3'!t sf 'L ' -31.-L , .1 ' 'A ina., -- - W n.--.,. f- !...,.. ....,,, I':S . ovgg . ...4. .,.., . 1 ...f B! '1 I xv ,ir 1 n 's , .. w,. adjournmentff QFrom alumni record I876 by. Mr. A. G. Boydenj The great variety of questions proposed for debate gave ample scope for dis- play of learning and skill not only to the regular disputants, but also to the other young men, for after the opening arguments the question was open for debate to all. Many a triumph was earned, many a defeat was stoically borne. Quite often those very defeats were the incentives to better efforts until the earlier disasters were turned to victories in later encounters. In 1895 the Normal Lyceum was changed to The Normal Con- gressf' a Constitution and Rules and Orders were adopted fashioned after those of the Congress of the United States. The officers were: A Speaker, Vice-Speaker, Clerk, Assistant Clerk, who shall also perform the duties of Treasurer, two Sergeant-at-Arms, an Executive Committee, an Editorial Board consisting, of an Editor-in-Chief with three or more assis- tants, a Business Manager with one or more assistants, and an Auditor. Rules and Orders: I. An entertainment from 7.30 to 8 p. m. 2. The regular order of procedure of the Congress as follows : I. Reading of the journal. 2. Introduction of Bills, Resolves and Orders of Inquiry. 3. Reports of Committees. 4. Miscellaneous Business. 5 Considera- tion of the Orders of the Day. The Rules of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts shall be the authority on all matters and questions not provided in these Rules. THE NoRMAL OFFERING was henceforth published monthly by the Editorial Board, Declamation and the Reading of Selections were discon- tinued. V . ' This Congress gave the young men a clear idea of how business is transacted by our lawmakers and lasting benefits were derived from the debates. Since the business of the Congress was nearly wholly transacted by the young men and since the young ladies, who form by far the larger part of the members of the school did not take a prominent part in the exer- cises, it was thought best, to devise some plan by which this state of affairs might be remedied and the original idea of mutual improvement could be carried out. Consequently a committee was appointed to pre- pare such a plan. This committee reported and on Nov. 4, 1898 the Nor- mal Congress was changed to The Normal Club. By-Laws which had been prepared by a committee previously appointed, were adopted. Mr. A. C. Boyden was unanimously elected the first President of the Club. The Club meets on alternate Friday evenings. ' The object of the Club shall be threefold, Musical, Literary and 23