Goshen College - Maple Leaf Yearbook (Goshen, IN)

Page 21 text:

GOSHEN COLLEGE RECORD. 17 ward the thought and activity of the age J! It is constructive or destructive? Will it maintain itself or end in disas- ter? And finally shall l ally myself with it or shall l hold myself aloof? We need but look about us to find those who look on the present state of affairs as portending a most disastcrous outcome. They reject everything new, hold tenaciously to the old, and absolutely refuse to keep company with the untried. They lack vision, per- spective and the ability of comprehen- sion. For them things exist only in the present, bearing relation neither to the past nor to the future. They are only acquainted with local condi- tions, they see only one thing at a time because they do not have the capacity to see things in the large and discern the relatedness of the parts. They are the extreme conservatives. Among them you will find the pessemist, and the reactionary. The progress of whole nations has been arrested be- cause of such an extreme reverence for the old. India., and China are classical illustrations. lndia has for centuries been steeped in ignorance and supersti- tio11, and is just slowly awakening. History gives no record of the beginning of C'hina's slavery to custom and tradi- tion, making her impervious to the in- fluence of tl1e rest of the world. She is just arousing from her lethargy. Such an attitude toward the thought and ac- tivity of the world is depressing, fos- ters a dejection of spirits, and is wholly unsatisfactory. There are others who take an en- tirely different attitude toward the restlessness of the present age. They are the extreme liberals, imtpractible optimists, the advocates of revolution and Sedition. To them the present age of unrest is one of stupendous achieve- ment, announcing the approach of ideal conditions. Through their fanciful, chimerical, thinking they construct a lltopia soon to be realized. Among them you will find the advocates of the impracticable reforms, and those who look forward to an impossible state of perfection in society. They reject everything that bears thc stamp of oldness, seize eagerly everything that is new, and gladly accept every pro- duct of the modern age whether it be tried or untried. They make no contri- bution to the world 's progress. Either they are too tickle to complete a11y un- dertaking or else the project becomes top heavy and tumbles of its own ill proportions. We are no more tolerant toward the extreme liberal than to- ward him who dogmatically abides by the old. These are the extreme attitudes which the individual may take toward the larger group. But man seems to be inclined to extremes. lt is a difficult task to think independently o11 a sub- ject and be entirely free from the in- iiuence of the radical views. Careful deflnitition and a. proper use of rela- tives terms requires effort. It is al- ways easier to accept or reject the whole than select the good from the bad. The individual finds that he must apply himself strenuously and be willing to expend energy if he is to select the elements from his environ- ment, which he wishes to make his own, hence he is inclined lazily to pass judgment on things collectively, and thus takes an extreme attitude toward life rather tha11 investigate. The individual does not develope his powers by calmly allowing himself to drift with one or two extremes, but by exercising his capacity on compre- hension, descernment, discrimination

Page 20 text:

lli GOSHEN COLLEGE RECORD. indifference toward them, he may isolate himself from what is going on about him, but even then he is taking an attitude. These are but ways of expressing disapproval, contempt and condemnation. There is no neutral ground. It is impossible to react nega- tively toward one's environment. When you reject one thing you accept another. lf a man disbelieves one theory he gives evidence that he be- lieves some other theory. lt is one of the marks of a human being to pass judgment on the things about him. Unconsciously a man will decide for himself whether the motives of others are worthy or unworthy, whether their opinions ought to be accepted or re- jected, whether their conduct is good or bad. Besides such fragmantary, and instinctive judgments, he may, if he is inclined to reflect, attempt to answer such questions, as, What is the ultimate meaning of life? What are the things in life that have real value? If he formulates some theory by which he proposes to explain the scattered, chao- tic and contradictory elements of his daily experience we give him the digni- fied appellation of philosopherl', and call his theory his 'tphilosophy of life . Most individuals, however, do comparatively little reflecting, but every one is impressed with the com- plexity of life and has formed a more or less fixed manner of reacting toward its problems. The characteristic man- ner vvhich anyone adopts of reacting toward the thought and activity of the rest of mankind we may modestly call his attitude toward life. ' With each successive age life be- comes more complex. The activities of life become more numerous and thoroughgoing. We are living in an age of unparalled activity. Radical changes are taking place in every de- partment of life. A rapid succession of discoveries and inventions has trans- formed social, economic, and industrial conditions. Some have suddenly at- tained to positions of wealth and leis- ure. Others have been reduced to poverty and drudgery. The govern- ments of the world are not today what they were yesterday. Absolutism no longer exists. The ideas of political freedom ' 7, 4 4 responsible governments ' ', and 'cpopular sovereigntyw, have found lodgment in the hearts of all peoples. The few monarchies which re- main are being diverted of their pow- er. Government everywhere is becom- ing more democratic. This is a time of intense interest in education. Schools are springing up everywhere. The curriculum is constantly being modifi- ed. The edueational ideal is continual- ly being revised. Through the efforts put forth to dissminate learning, il- literacy is gradually decreasing. Even morals and religion have not escaped the influence of the dominant spirit of the age. Men have entered the realm of the spiritual and are boldly making inquiry in regard to their superhuman relations. The grounds of men 's faith is being critically examined. A thing is no longer tolerated simply because it is old. lnstitutions which have lived for centuries are being put to practical tests. Traditions and customs can claim no merit in themselves. The only excuse for their existing is that they contribute to modern life. Other wise they are cast aside. The fact of this unremitting activity is everywhere evident. flt domes not require any great capacity of comprehension to perceive the intense restlessness of the age. We hear the question asked every- where, What attitude shall I take to-

Page 22 text:

FRED N. BURKEY, A.B. Major. English Ohio, Ill. Some have guiding stars. Mr. Burkey has many, for his sympathies are innumerableg has taken a whiff from the flower of lifeg always ready to share his ripe Wisdom. This adjustability is due to his knowledge and thorough acquaintance with men and Women. From such a background burst forth melodies of music and occasional ori- ginal sketches of poetry. In short there is a serious nature hidden within the jovial. JOHN J. FISHER, AB. Major. Philosophy Kalona, lswa. John Fisher, an Iowan, somewhat adven- turous. The details of his youth are num- erous and complicated, but they have mould- ed in him such a character of which the class of 1913 may Well be proud. His life while in school has been discussed from many standpoints and, although being hard to fathom, he wears. His noble efforts in the various activities of the College are worthy of note. He has stood out as president of the Y. M. C. A., a leader in thought and a marvel in origin- ality. He has become a scientist of no lit- tle note and promises to become a star in his chosen iield. His past achievements and successes form a sure foundation for a bril- liant future. SILAS HERTZLER, A.B. Major. Bible Glenarm, Md. Mr. Hertzler is apparently the most quiet and unassuming of our number, neverthe- less he heartily appreciates the various phases of College life. His integrity and success as a student bear evidence that Where there is a Will there is a Way . He has caught the vision of the need of the World and We bespeak for him a successful career as a medical missionary.