Cedarville University - Miracle / Cedrus Yearbook (Cedarville, OH)

Page 13 text:

This problem resolves itself into the relative advisability of a policy of laissez- faire or one of mercantilism. Shall the gov- ernment keep out of business altogether, or shall it enter into the economic life when- ever it deems it necessary? The former leads to an anarchical state; the latter, car- ried to its logical conclusion, ends in Social- ism. Obviously, the trend in the United States is toward a modified Socialization of economics; the Interstate Commerce Com- mission, the present banking reforms, gov- ernment subsidizing of marine and air transportation, government regulation of power, light, and gas rates, all point strong- ly to a decreased fear of executive and legis- lative powers. Whether this be good or bad, it is fully in accord with our previously-de- scribed cycle of government. From this study, then, of the science of government — its origin, its forms, its rights and powers—we draw three con- clusions. In the words of Woodrow Wilson, “The end of government is the facilitation o mental action is necessary cooperation. The tive adaptation, shaping old habits into new new ends.” oi.n MAIN the objects of society. The rule of govern- method of political development is conserva- ones, modifying old means to accomplish —Walter S. Kilpatrick. History Agitation for a Reformed Presbyterian College was inaugurated at the General Synod of the Church, May, 1879, by the Rev. J. F. Morton, D. D. Upon the acceptance of ROItKRT KICHAltDS Cedarville. Ohio Student llody l’re . 4: Cliu Officer I; Y. M. C. A. Cabinet 2: Mixed Chorun I: Min.trel I; 3: Hand 1. 2: Uternry 1, 2. 3: Football 1. 2. 3. 4: IlaxVetbntl 3. 4: Cloaa Flay 4: OJru. Flay 2. 4 : Ccdru Stall 2. 3. I. JOSKril FREE Clayton. Ohio Mnwbih Bible College. Grantham. Fa.. 1. 2:Cla«« F renident 4: Y. SI. C. A. Cabinet 4 : Mixed Chorus 4 ; Minstrel 3: Quartet 3. 4: l.iterary Fresident 4 : Debate 3. 4: lllble Bonding Content Winner 3: Cla » Flay 4: Ccdrux Flay 3. I: Cedrus Staff 4. ROBERT WHITE Yellow Springe. Ohio Fo«t Graduate a motion to this effect, a com- mittee. with Dr. Morton as chairman, was appointed to carry out the project. At vari- ous subsequent meetings of the General Synod, further action was taken, but the lack of funds prevented the immediate opening of such an institution. A committee was appointed in 1885 to secure a site for the college at or near Cedarville. Ohio. Seven years later, several large donations made possible further consideration of the project, and in September, 1894, Cedarville College was opened with a faculty of 6 and a student body of thirty-six. I’aet .Vine

Page 12 text:

therefore as superior to the State. Dante tried to coordinate the views; Macchiavelli insisted upon complete severence of State and Church. Spinoza said might makes right; not until 1918 was the world convinced of the falsity of this notion. The Analycists ascribed to the words of the legal statutes themselves a certain inherent right to rule—a certain “legal fibre.” Rousseau’s Social- Contract theory, of French Revolutionary times regarded the individual as the possessor of cer- tain inalienable rights which can be surrendered only upon the guaranty of other beneficial duties to be performed by the State. Today, we believe that the basis of sovereignty rests not upon any artificial compact, but upon the solidarity which characterizes the common consciousness of men. “This forms a natural foundation, and its expres- sion in sovereign law is a natural manifestation.” Twenty-two centuries ago, the first great political scientist, Aristotle, classifed the forms of government by the numerical relation between those in power and their constituency. The gov- ernment may be a monarchy, governed by one; an aristocracy governed by a very few in proportion to the whole population; or a democracy, governed by many. In general, t his classifiction still holds good today. Aristotle further divided governments according to an ethical concept, asking the question, does the governing power seek to its own advantage, or to the advantage of the whole people? The answer to this question gives us not three, but six varieties of govern- ment, for each perfect form has a corresponding depraved form. The good government of one (Monarchy) is contrasted with the depraved form (Ty- ranny) ; The good government of a few (Aristocracy) is contrasted with the depraved form (Oligarchy) ; The good government of many (Democracy) is contrasted with the depraved form (Anarchy). Human frailties have permitted the establishment of a veritable law concerning the recurrent cycle of changes through which a normal government passes. First, it is Mon- archy, under a single strong man with sovereign power. Handed down to his children, it in time degenerates to Tyranny, as they forget his wise precepts. At some Runnymede, revolt occurs, and a princely few, public-spirited in their aims, set up an Aristrocracy. This early justness in an Aristrocracy always declines in the years of its dotage into selfish Olig- archy. Oligarchy, fatal to civil liberty, goads the people to revolution, with a Democracy as its almost inevitable result. Even Democracy has its old age of degeneracy—an old age in which it loses its early respect for law,and its first amiability of mutual concession. License and Anarchy break out, and only a Caesar can bring it back to reason and order. Thus the cycle is completed, and the state is once more back at the job of cutting its legis- lative teeth. Our brief study here can only mention the problem that is perhaps the most fascinating of all: what shall be the sphere of government? To what limits shall the government’s powers extend? Vast Eight

Page 14 text:

The college was first housed in the fine old mansion formerly belonging to Dr. Hugh McMillan, the first pas- tor of the Main Street Reformed Presbyterian congrega- tion of Cedarville. Half a century earlier. Dr. McMillan had taught an academy in this same building. These quarters proving too limited, construction of the new building on the main campus was begun, and its dedica- tion occurred during the meeting of Synod, 1896. Rev. David McKinney, D. D., chosen as the first President, served in this capacity until 1915, a period of twenty-one years. Upon his resignation, Dr. McChesney was elected as his successor. In 1913, the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church was moved to Cedarville from Philadelphia. It is one of the oldest instiutions in the United States for the professional training of young men for the Gospel ministry. It has been in operation now for nearly a century and a quarter, with two brief intermis- sions. In 1928, the General Synod by a unanimous vote gave full ownership and control of Cedarville College to the Board of Trustees of the College; however, the Seminary has been continued in affiliation with the Col- lege proper. Five hundred graduates have passed from Cedar- ville’s halls of learning and no more fitting testimonial to the value of the school could be imagined than their useful Christian lives in all parts of the United States and the world. Cedarville College's supreme ideal is to guide its students into the truth in all matters; and with a goal like this, the institution promises an even more brilliant future than has been its past. K. A. JURKAT Tro» uw: l rofe tor of LantrunsH- «nil History: A. It. Franklin Collette; A. M. Franklin Collette: U- ! . Franklin Collette: A. M. Wiltcriberv CollcKe: Ohio State University. Dr. McChesney For nearly two-score years, Cedarville College has been a living and growing monu- ment to the sacrificing faithfulness of that band of men and women who have made it possible. Very, very close to the head of that list comes the name of the man who has been aftiiliated with the institution from its birth, whose life-work and hopes are so tied up in the work and hopes of the College that mention of the one automatically calls to mind the other—President W. R. McChesney. Dr. McChesney is known throughout much of the United States as an inspirational teacher and minister and a wonderful orator. Every student in the College’s history has come under his influence in such vital courses as psychology, philosophy, logic, ethics, and so forth. One desiring to pursue the study of Greek in another school could give no higher reference than a transcript of Greek credits under Dr. McChesney. Dr. Mac’s personality and prestige does much toward keeping the enrollment of the college up to its normal size—even to the extent of housing an annual collection of Illinois relatives in his home. t'aae Ten