Columbia University - Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

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JOHN HOWARD VAN AMRINGE, PH.D., LL.D

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Ulu the Glass of 1911 0 respond to the invitation of the Editors of the Columbian to send a few words of greeting to the Class under whose auspices it will be issued, is a sincere pleasure. Each year, in accordance with our Columbia tradition, we depend upon the Junior Class to bring 'forward this annual volume, with all of the inter- esting information and records that it contains. Even one who knows Columbia well cannot fail to bc astonished at the variety, the extent, and the interesting character of the student activities here. It may well be a matter of serious study for the Faculty of Columbia College to find some way in which to give added recognition to the educational importance which these student activities have. One gets many things in college that are not found in books. He gets an eX- perience of life which, if restricted, is nevertheless repre- sentative. He has opportunity for relations with his fellows of various types and interests, and he is brought in touch With their affairs and his, Which, while not colossal in magnitude, are yet important and interesting. The case for the educational value of student life and student activities might wellvbe allowed to rest upon the contents of the Columbian alone. With good Wishes to every member of the Class, I am, Faithfully yours, 'oc-.16-. Avw- 'ffl'-Q' 5

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u the lass nt 1911 T this midway station of your journey through College, you have a favorable oppor- tunity to ntake account of stock, to compute the proits that have so far accrued to you, estimate the losses, if any, that you have sustained, and seek to determine the relative values of the many promises of advantage which the future holds out to you. At the beginning of your course you were told that training was the principal aim of college life -not knowledge, as you had generally supposed, for that was secondary, but 'ftraining, primarily, and then the knowledge and its adjuncts acquired in the process. This statement was pressed upon you from time to time and, becoming impatient and somewhat resentful at the frequent repetition, some of you asked, and very properly, 'K VVhat is this training that we hear so much about and who gives it ? You have lea1'ned by this time that the training referred to consists in cultivatingthe habit of attention and so acquiring the power of concentration, the ability to fix your mind upon a given subject at a given time and to hold it there at will. You must appreciate at this stage of your progress that, intellectually speaking, there is no power comparable to it, and that just in so far as one has it, he is intellectually free, and just in so far as he has it not, he is intellectuallya bondman. And appreciating this, you believe what at first you doubted and were disposed to scorn, that training is first and, getting that well, knowledge and the ability to use it effectively are added unto you. Put that among your 6' profitsf' 'fTraining', can, of course, be gained elsewhere than in college. But an advantage of getting it in college rather than elsewhere is that the attention is directed to studies in life, letters and science, that enlarge the intellectual and moral view, widen the sympathies, heighten the altruistic sense and sense of obligation, impart a knowledge of the rights of others, and the respect due to them, and of the claims of the community upon every indi- vidual in itg and that discourage the acquirement of too exclusive a wisdom for one,s self, '6 the wisdom of crocodiles that shed tears when they would devour. And you have further learned that each one of you gives this priceless training to himself. All that the teaching staff can do, however learned and zealous they may be, is to show you the way and to induce you, so far as may be possible for them, to follow it. rlI'11.tat1's mrzz.fandz's, intellectual training is effected as physical training is. The best coach in the world can not make an oarsman. He can show a man how to rule his life and practice his exercises so as to become strong and physically fit, how to sit in a boat, handle his oar and use his strength and skill to the best advantage - but he can do no more, the man himself must do his own training by following with intelligent persistence and unfailing regularity, the instructions of the coach. Ask lVIr. Rice. There are other gains that you have made or you would have fallen by the way before this - as, a clearer and keener mental vision, a better insight into the real value of what college life offers you, a more discriminating judgment as to what to do and what to leave undone, a juster view of your duties as Well as of your privileges, the value of time and the vital importance of its proper distribution and use, and a deeper sense of obligation as to personal service. VVhatever your losses may have been, among them is not, I hope, the loss or impair- ment of that virtue which is so often derided in youth and which they frequently strive to conceal - the genius of sincerity, enthusiasm. Enthusiasm may be unduly exhibited - better so than not shown at all - it may be ill directed - the college has it in charge to guide it aright-but without it, there is little or no effective indwelling driving force. For the remainder of your time here, I hope you will seek to improve and confirm the training to which I have alluded, multiply the proits which I have indicated, and on the same general lines, avoid too early specialization, strengthen the bonds of college brotherhood, uphold and advance, by precept and example, the good name of your Alma M'ater, study diligently to become safe pilots of the barques that carry all your fortunes in the voyage of life, and grow good steersmenn before 'fthe vessel's crankf' IVith affectionate regard and all good wishes, I am, Sincerely yours, X