Columbia University - Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 13 text:

Gln the 'iiilitnra nf thv Qlnlnmhiam E hear from time to time voices on the Campus bewailing vdmafci- v the lack of a Columbia spirit. But is it non-existent? x ln reference to your undertaking, two things may be C, noted. There is the fact that year after year the COLUM- ULAN appears in its elaborate form, finding men enthu- siastic in the difficult task of producing it: and there is also the fact that the publication of so costly an annual j i-1 ' is warranted by the sales. This means the presence of a strong and en- during spirit from which such a work proceeds and to which it can make confident appeal. But there is a characteristic Columbia spirit of wider scope and of such elusive form that it may escape the notice of the man on the Campus. Situated as our University is in the great metropolis of the VVestern Viforld, it is inevitable that its spirit cannot be that of the College in a small town which the College men seem to themselves to own, nor that of a University in some lesser city, which the University domin.ates. Columbia is after all, however great it is, or may become, but one element in a vast and mighty life. From that immense and varied social life, in which it is well nigh submerged, it draws its own peculiar inspiration, takes on a quality of men- tal attitude, which the Faculty and student body of no other institution can acquire. There ought thus to be with us a more many-sided attitude, a larger grasp on life, a better adjustment of the elements of life to each other, a better sense of proportion, because of the manifold life that en- velops us. This inevitable bro.ader type of -mind, in which the student tends to become something other than a mere college man, may come to be recog- nized as the characteristic Columbia spirit. To gain this, pilgrims will be seen coming from afar, seeking a thing at once so unusual and invaluable, and to be acquired better here than elsewhere.

Page 15 text:

Ein the Ginza uf 1914 QQ -,fan NCR upon a time, there lay in its cradle a tiny babe, sleep- , 1 ing. L. pon the Coverlet the mother saw a sparkling gem. How came this here 5 said she. Q And one standing near, who was in such matters .Gan knowing,vreplied. lis the gift of the good fairies to 5991- 90 thy son: tis the pebble Wisdomg his shall be the power to see those things that are hidden, to dream the dream that is true, to know the vision of certainty. But what then means this other, this smooth dark green crystal? asked the mother. And the knowing one answered once again: Alas, 'tis the curse of the wicked fairy. 'Tis the punishnrent of all XfVisdom: for though thy sion shall live, and tell of the vision of truth, yet shall men not hearken to it.' The babe lived, and passed into age. And he went forth to a place where grew many plants. All these he plucked up and did destroyg until of all but two single blades of grass remained. And of these yet one he did destroy. But the last he turned and tended with skill and with art so that it was a thing of beauty and of grace, and many came to wonder and enjoy. But the wise man gifted of the fairies said to them: Forget not, l am he who made one fairest blade of grass to grow where two blades of grass grew before gg yet is the world the richer for this art. The people hearkened not. lt was forgotten.