Goshen College - Maple Leaf Yearbook (Goshen, IN)

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THE BIBLE SCHOOL ' I ' HE Bible Department has always been a part of the Goshen College. It aims to give the student a better ■ knoweledge of the Bible and assist him in working out its underlying principles into concrete experiences of daily life. The complete Christian character which is so essential at present in all spheres of activity is constantly emphasized. In addition to this the student is constantly trained to do various kinds of religious work. The best meth- ods for personal work, the use of different parts of the scriptures for the peculiar needs of different individuals, Foriegn Missions, Home Missions, Church work, etc., all recieve their proper share of attention. J. S. Hartzler has always had charge of the Bible work. At first there was no regular outlined course of study and it was not until 1898 that the Department was carefully organized. A short course was then offered and this was extended to two years work. The Department at present requires the student to make a thorough study of both the Old and New Testaments together with such other subjects as will prepare one for his highest useful- ness. The interest and atttendance in this department is constantly growing and its future prospects have never been brighter. ORATORY. ' I J HE School of Oratory has had a frequent change of teachers but notwithstanding this fact it has enjoyed a A gradual and steady progress. During the past year the students have been unusually enthusiastic in ac- quiring the art of interpetation and expression under the instruction of Miss Kartryn Carter. The school has been added with the idea of promoting the literary and aesthetic tastes of all the students as well as offering a complete course in oratory for special students. It aims to teach the art rather as a manifesta- tion of a real inner life force than a mere superficial culture. Hence, great pains are taken to have the student build up a strong character and personality as a foundation for the art. He is also given physical culture in order to develop grace of manner, beauty in form, and ease in movement. In a complete course in oratory he is sup- posed to acquire distinct pronunciation, a flexible and resonant voice, a taste for and interpretation of the best lit- erature, and power to hold and please an audience.

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PHILOSOPHY. ' I f Hr] course in philosophy was introduced in 1903 by Pres. N. E. Byers, who has charge of the department. ■ ■ Besides a brief introduction into the field of general philosophy the department includes the special disci- plines of psychology, logic, ethics, education and religion. The aim of the course is to satisfy in part the student ' s curiosity as to the nature of ultimate reality, to give him a practical and stable foundation and frame- work for his knowledge, to cultivate in him the habit of looking at things from a broad point of view and seeing an intelligible relationship between things which ordinarily seem seperate and exclusive, and to have him devel- op a unified personality in which all his departments of thought and activity are organically related. Prof. James would call Pres. Byers a tender-minded philosopher for he closes his courses with some form of idealistic theism and he convinces you that it is as gocd and as true a system as any and much more practical than most others. SCIENCE. THE loftiest aim of Science is to know the truth. With all the intricacies connected with such a high purpose, there have been individuals in every age who have given their time and means toward its realization. The early progress was slow, but recently the achievements have been so far-reaching that this is frequently called the scientific age. The multitude of varied phenomena that are constantly making their appeal to the human mind, are the ob- jects of thorough-going research. Men want to know their real natures ; their relations and inter-dependencies ; their causes and effects. Such a careful study of Nature reveals the close connections between Science and other fields of investiga- tion. It goes hand in hand with Mathematics, not only verifying its theories and laws, but also opening up larger and richer fields of investigation. It makes the richest contribution to philosophy, so that the progress of the former has to a very large extent determined that of the latter. To the ordinary mind, however, Science has nowhere made greater achievements than in the practical af- fairs of mankind, and its triumphs in this sphere have been a marvel to the age. But the individual who desires to experience the enjoyment of contributing to this growing fund of knowl- edge must lay a good foundation. He must start at the beginning. And the Department of Science at Goshen College presents such an opportunity. Beginning courses are offered in Botany, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry, Ge- ology, and Astronomy, in which foundations are laid for more extensive future work.

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MUSIC. ' I ' HP] development of the aesthetic side of one ' s nature has become recognized as one of the essential elements • of a complete education. The art of music which appeals both to the emotions and the intellect, assists a person in creating a desire for the good, the true, and the beautiful, and is a potent factor in establishing a balance of character which not only increases one ' s enjoyment but makes it possible to enter more sympathetic- ally into the lives and purposes of others. The Music Department of Goshen College has always aimed to give to its students the very best kind of training. While its early history appears as a mere germ it has finally, by a slow process, developed into a regu- lar organized department. The courses that are offered are similar to those of any recognized School of Music. The bright prospects for the further growth of the department are due almost wholly to its present head, Prof. J. D. Brunk. He has made himself and his work felt throughout the entire institution and has created a new interest in music. A very gratifying feature is the fact that the most of the music students at present are planning to finish the regular outlined course. THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. TyTTlEN the Elkhart Institute was organized it was primarily a business school. Gradually however the Aca- demic department was developed until the commercial department became a secondary part of the institu- tion. But at the same time it has always held its own on account of the able men who had charge of the work. The following persons have been heads of the department: T. P. Lhamon, ' !(4- ' 97 ; N. S. Gingerich, ' 97- ' 98 ; W. K. Jacobs, ' 98- ' 0(i; H. L. Rickert, ' Ofi ; F. S. Ebersole, ' 07. At first, instructions were given in a Six Months ' Commercial Course, Shorthand and Typewriting. Later on as the needs of the department increased, a Two Years ' Commercial Course was offered. Year after year this course was modified until it has become one of the most efficient courses in the College. One of the most unique features, at present, is the Actual Business Department, which was introduced by Mr. Jacobs. The student, after taking a thorough course in book-keeping, enters into regular business relations with his fellow-students. He is given a certain amount of college currency and is instructed to buy and sell just as though he were employed by some commercial establishment. When this work is completed, he enters the Senior or Office Department. These offices consist of a regularly organized National Bank, Wholesale Dry Goods, Commission, Freight and Real Estate Offices, and a Postoffice. All the business is done according to the latest and best methods so that when the stu- dent leaves the department, he is thoroughly familiar with any kind of work in which he may wish to engage.