Eastern Mennonite School - Shenandoah Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Harry A. Brunk History Daniel W. Lehman Education Elsie Marlin Supervisor in Training School Ada M. Zimmerman Education Dean of College Women Harold D. Lehman Physical Education The Social Sciences and Teacher Training In the development of the relatively new social sciences, such as history, sociology, and economics, each group of social scientists was eager to segregate its own particular field of investigation. This approach to the study of the social sciences meant much for the development of each separate social science. But such a narrow approach also meant that all the available facts relative to human society were not being used by each group. To correct this deficiency social scientists today, in the interests of accuracy and more valuable interpretations of social phenomena, are recognizing and utilizing the findings of the related social studies in their work. —Harry A. Brunk. A teacher is a voice. He is a voice to re-echo truth from one generation to another, not as he speaks it, but as he lives it. In the art of teaching it is the truth that counts, and not the teacher. In the ultimate, truth to be possessed must be experienced. And so he that teaches can hope only to make clear a path and to communicate a passion. To lead a pupil into oneness with a truth and have him forget who led him there is a tribute to a teacher’s art. In this he shares the immortality of the truth he lives and passes on. This is the essence of the service that Christ would have us give. It is the art of Christ Himself. It is the true teacher’s goal. —Ada M. Zimmerman. [17]

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Maurice T. Brackbill Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy D. Ralph Hostetter Biology, Chemistry Grace B. Lefever Chemistry, Laboratory Assistant Ethel Showalter (Mrs.) Strite Home Economics The Natural Sciences God has written His natural laws in the great book of nature. This book is worthy of study and perusal. “The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. . . . He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered” (Psalm 111). ‘‘Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands” (Psalm 92). It is true, I believe, that there is no hint of salvation in nature to one not already con- scious of it. That theme comes revealed in words and not in matter or energy or any of their phenomena. But nature is a necessary complement to the theme of our religion. It enables us to know God better, to understand better His unlimited attributes of wisdom and energy. Nature sits in the amen corner of God’s cathedral and testifies to the teaching of His Word. All through the Bible we have references to nature in figure of speech and illustra- tion, and she can always be a most useful servant in teaching anything. There is a flower by the roadside. God planted it. Why? For you to see. It is just a chickweed, but the magnifying glass makes it glorious. There’s a bird on wing. God sent it. Why? For you to wonder where it goes. It’s just a warbler, but it’s on a long journey if the season is just right for it. There’s a pretty blue dress. God gave man the ability to synthesize the dye from the molecules of coal tar. Why? That men may say: “Marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139). There's a star in the sky. God put it there. Why? For you to name. “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names” (Psalm 147). It is said that on one occasion when one of God's natural laws was shaping in Newton’s mind, he exclaimed: “O God, I think Thy thoughts after Thee!” That is what the earnest and devout student really does when he studies natural science. —M. T. Brackbill. [ 16 1

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John L. Stauffer Bible Ruth S. Stauffer Business Education Homer Mumaw Industrial Arts, Mathematics A. Grace Wenger English High School If the principles of the Mennonite Church are to be preserved for the future, it is necessary that the youth of the church be established in a faith that is founded upon the Word of God, led to a sincere appreciation of their unique heritage, guided into dynamic Christian living, and challenged to dedicate their lives to the service of Christ. It is the aim of the high-school department of Eastern Mennonite College to provide for Mennonite young people a program of secondary education which will realize these objectives. In the wide variety of Bible courses offered, an effort is made to lead the student, not only to a factual knowledge of the Scriptures, but also to an appreciation of the Bible as the Word of God and to a complete acceptance of its doctrines. The study of the history and work of the church stresses the cost of our faith and the distinctive contribution which our church can make to the modern world. Emphasis is placed upon the enrichment of Christian personality and the application of Biblical principles to everyday life. Through a consideration of world needs, young people are challenged to a sense of responsibility to the world, and provision is made for training in definite types of Christian service. In secular courses, as well, the emphasis is primarily Christian. The consecrated student regards the facts that he learns, the skills that he masters, and the appreciations which he develops, not as ends in themselves, but as aids to a beautiful and useful life. In literature he observes the forces which strengthen or weaken character; in history he profits by the [ 18]