Eastern Mennonite School - Shenandoah Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Page Six D. Ralph Hostetter Biology, Physical Science Can you see God as the Designer and Creator of Nature? Are, you able to in- terpret His message in the wild flowers, trees, insects, birds, and rocks? Do you know yourself? The psalmist said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Are you a stu- dent of nature? God asked Job “Hast thou entered into the treasure of the snow?” Jesus placed the glory of Solomon below the beauty of a lily. Why? Paul says, “Doth not even nature itself teach you?” To this question we would answer “Yes.” Many lessons may be learned by closely observing the various phases of plant, animal, and human life. Jesus was a keen observer of nature, and used many nature truths in His teaching. Should you do otherwise? Ernest G. Gehman German, Philosophy, English English composition is our first-year-college soiled-English laundry-course, per- force. Beyond this, it seeks to prepare young people for the faithful and able defense and promotion of New-Testament standards now held almost exclusively (and too exclusively) by the Mennonite Church. In Oral Expression the instructor got a yearful of good speeches, readings, ora- tions, etc. and learned so much from the thirty-some eager, hard-working students that he believes he might become a public speaker himself if he could take the course a second year. Of particular interest and value to Mennonites is German, in which most of us find ourselves more at home than in other foreign languages, for obvious reasons. Knowing German makes much of our earlier Church-literature available in the orig- inal. Finally, we like it for reasons of sentiment. Harry A. Brunk History and Social Science People are inclined to give all their attention to the present. The present way of living is absolutely the only way to live. Through a study of history we may find it necessary to throw our exalted nation of the present to the “moles and bats.” We may discover that our way of life is not the only way to live; that people of past ages were just as civilized and possibly more so than we are today. Men wax eloquent to accomplish lasting social reform. History would teach us that there is little progress (if any) apart from Christianity. Our modern problems, religious and otherwise, are considered new and vital. A study of history may reveal that similar problems existed before. A knowledge of history may help us to solve life’s most difficult problems. Sadie Hartzler English, Librarian To teach high-school students to have regard for our mother tongue, to use it effectively, and to pass it on unmarred should be the aim of every English teacher. The Christian teacher adds to these the desire that her students use the language effectively in Christian service. As she had visions of the fu ture usefulness of the boys and girls she meets in class, she knows their chief power will be given by the Spirit; but she believes too that the training they get will enable them to be better servants. If something is worth saying or writing, it is worth putting into language that is correct according to present usage. If a conviction is worth voicing, it is worthwhile making forceful by using well-chosen words and carefully constructed sentences. John R. Mumaw English, Bible I want to help my students learn to know God better and to live in daily fellow- ship with Him. I must do all I can to fortify their belief in the Bible as the revealed Word of God. It shall be my chief concern to have each one understand Jesus Christ and to accept Him as Saviour and Lord. I desire to see their lives enriched with ex- perience in the spiritual joys of the Christ-life. What I teach shall help them to become more conscious of their obligations to God and of the nobler ideals of stewardship. It is my hope to make a contribution to their understanding of the Church and its functtons so that they will actively participate in its worship, fellowship, and work. | |

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Page Five From the Faculty John L. Stauffer, President Bible The Bible Doctrine course gives the student a knowledge of the fundamentals of Christianity and stresses the certainties of Christian faith. The course in Bible Intro- duction acquaints the student with facts about our Bible, how it has come down through the ages; it takes note of the many evidences that confirm the truth of the Bible. The Church History course traces the rise and progress of the Christian Church throughout this age, noting its failures and successes, its endurance and its persecu- tions, as well as its influence upon paganism and skepticism. Every Christian needs the information which these courses provide in order to live an intelligent, stalwart Christian life; to understand the times and to resist the encroachments of world- influence that tend to draw the Christian away from his faith in Ged. Maurice T. Brackbill Mathematics, Physics, Speech Arts Since we are advised many times in the sacred Word that God created the mate- rial universe and ordained the laws that it obeys, it can hardly be very amiss to bestow some thought on God’s works and ways. Many of the Bible writers did that, and some study of Physical Science enables us to understand better the implications of their many allusions to nature. Indeed, it helps us to comprehend God Himself, and calls from us added praise of His power and glory. Dorothy C. Kemrer Greek, Latin, Typing Did you ever know that “Gospel” (euaggelion) means “good news”? “Comforter” (parakletos) means “one called to one’s side to help; a helper.” An “apostle” (apostolos) is “one sent with a mission.” A hypocrite (hupocrites) was originally a “stage-player.” To “repent” (metanoeo) is to “change one’s mind.” Does “forgiveness” mean any more to you when you know that the word aphiemi which means “to forgive” also means “‘to let go”? To be a “witness” means something more than the word ordinarily implies when we note that the Greek word martureo, translated “witness,” is the word from which we have our English word “martyr.” These are only a few of the many evidences of the light thrown on the Scriptures by an acquaintance with the original Greek. Chester K. Lehman, Dean and Registrar Bible Seniors enjoy putting the Faculty on the spot. Now they are asking, “How do your courses contribute to Christian living and to the welfare of the Church?” I shall answer in five words: defence, confirmation, interpretation, doctrine, and Christian living. Against attacks from every side Christianity is defended and the faith of the student is confirmed. Divine words require exact interpretation. Since the meaning given to Scripture may determine eternal destinies, this task becomes a science and an art of the first magnitude. The positive teaching of the Word constitutes doctrine, belief of which is binding upon the Christian. Finally, true doctrine lays the founda- tion for true Christian living and should lead to it. Daniel Lehman, Secretary Education, Physical Education 7 Dear Class of Nineteen Thirty-Eight, With toil and task begun, Get set for joys and cares and tests, Till toils and tests are done. And when you meet that last “Exam.,” No more thru life to roam, May “Passed” be heard, “Well done, Come in, Enjoy the Heav’nly Home.”

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Page Seven James Gross Agriculture, Commercial Arithmetic, Bookkeeping I cannot think of an occupation that offers better opportunities for living the Christian life than that of farming. On the farm one can live in daily and almost hourly contact with nature and is thus repeatedly reminded of God and His goodness to man. In Agriculture we consider helps and hints that will contribute to the success of the farmer, who has the great responsibility of working with God to produce the bulk of the world’s food supply. In the last two subjects named we try to keep in mind the relation of the Chris- tian to the business world, and consider how he can offer his testimony in his business contacts, and how he can and should support the Christian ideals and principles, in all his business relations. By understanding bookkeeping, any one, no matter what his business, is enabled to keep more efficient records of all business transactions, which cannot help but lend an aid to success. Especially do we try to consider the principles of integrity, fair play, the golden rule, and promptness in meeting one’s obligations, and thus have an unhindered testimony to all those contacted. Ruth Stoltzfus Home Economics, Art, Physical Education Art in Christian education? ——: ... because God made beauty; it is an expression of His thought, ... because God made man an intelligent creature of sensitive response, capable of understanding and of following after beauty, .. because the church long has emphasized ethics but has minimized aesthetics, .. because true beauty gives in visible form the principles of that which is good, ... because its principles are those of true life itself, . . because art provides an outlet for man’s creative urge, .. because it helps man to understand the spirit and quality of his material environment and their relationship to life itself, .. because a study of beauty leads to a life of thoughtful, cultured refine- ment, .. because God’s work of order and beauty is an example after which man should thoughtfully follow, .. . because its returns are rich spiritually, Therefore, art in Christian education. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; . . . to behold the beauty of the Lord...” Menno J. Brunk New Testament Greek, Bible The Divine Revelator said, “Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this: prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein” (Rev. 1:3). While this statement has reference to the book of Revelation, the principle has applica- tion to every portion of Scripture. In order to receive the promised blessing we must read, hear, and keep, and these involve an understanding of Scripture. In order to understand we must diligently study the Word. The Christian worker deals with souls who have an eternal destiny. There is therefore a tremendous responsibility resting upon each one of us and calling for our best efforts to handle aright the Word of Truth. A study of the Scriptures both directly and indirectly is necessary that we may be workmen who need not to be ashamed. Elsie Martin Supervisor in Training School People encountering various situations behave in a variety of ways. They may be prejudiced or open-minded, reach hasty conclusions based on unsound data, or evi- dence a scientific attitude, compete with each other for individual advantage or work co-operatively. As student teachers we try to aid the growth of boys and girls in the right direc- tion. Our concepts of living are interpreted as we contact and make family histories,