Hiram College - Spider Web Yearbook (Hiram, OH)

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he violates the great principle of prosperity, for such subjects as ‘‘Woman’s Rights” and “Man’s Neglect,” create much speech,which is of course silver, whereas, if single blessedness had settled on the mind of that individual like dew on a pumpkin, silence would have reigned supreme, and silence is golden. Gold is better than silver, therefore singles are better than doubles, which was to be proved. k k 3|s 5k sjc I pause with reverential awe before undertaking the prodigious task of speaking upon the subject of matrimonial bliss. I pause, pause with reverential awe before undertaking the most blissful subject of all blissful subjects. Many others have paused upon the blissful brink of this chasm, and alas, some have fallen in, and remain there still. Some have retraced their blissful steps and are retrac¬ ing them still. Others have fallen in and have fallen out again, and they remain fallen out still. After the above mentioned pause I seized my pen that I might exhort you with a few well chosen and powerful words concerning the many advantages of married student life. The young man who has been wise enough to take unto himself his better half while in school, will find that, after his graduation day, every door will be opened unto him. It matters not what position he expects to fill, the fact that he has been successful in one attempt in his life will add ten points in his favor. Then too, the young woman who is fortunate enough to be the wife of a student, O that I had the power of pen to picture to you even in a limited degree the one thousand and one advantages which are hers! But time forbids and I cannot mention even one of them. But in my own weak way I would exhort you, brethren, not to enjoy your college life alone. 5k From a long and interesting table of statistics, covering the period from the advent of Adam to the present time, it has been re- centlv discovered that the marriage question has been intensely inter¬ esting to both men and women, in all ages. And as the student 21

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orinor Greek roots for several hours. Look! do vou not see your- O O w self at night, meekly lighting the lamps and sitting down, with a darned sock to darn a little more, while the lord of creation picks up his book and says vou will have to keep very quiet as he has an extra hard lesson? Finally your head is in a whirl, tears come to your eyes, and, once asleep, you dream you are a girl again, romp¬ ing, light-hearted and free, through old Bowler Hall. 5c Of course it is better for a student to be married while he or she is pursuing a college course. If it is proper to be married at all, why not begin that coveted state of divine bliss before finishing college work? The members of the faculty are all students—they have to study—and they are married or wish they were. There come to the married students advantages and privileges which the single student is forbidden to enjoy. In class-room they are favored; substitutions are granted to them; and credits are given when no statement of work done is shown. The married students, as a rule, stand at the head of their classes. They are not disturbed, while preparing a lesson, with strange and troublesome thoughts. The married man does not have to pause with reverential awe as he contemplates the prodigious task of asking some lady to permit him—. Nor does the married girl worry about company for the lectures or other entertainments. The pages of their books are not covered with the smiling faces of their dear friends. There is also a financial gain, “for scanty fare for one makes a royal feast for two.” And he needs to make no donations, for his wife carries the purse. “Speech is silver, Silence is golden.” Every enterprising individual is seeking for the best things. If in the course of human events this individual takes unto himself one who solemnly promises to build the fires and write the sermons, 20

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looks back at this history of joys and sorrows, happiness and heart¬ aches, it is not strange that he becomes very thoughtful. Yet there is more sunlight than shadow in the picture of the past. Love has been the greatest influence in the world. It has given us our happy homes and made our lives full of gladness. And perchance, as the student dreams of the joys which have made the lives of others so blessed, his heart has a secret yearning toward that blissful state of which the poets sing. The history of the college proves that many have made their dreams real, and the question comes whether it is an advantage to the student. This is a problem requiring years of experience to solve. Each must decide for himself and then abide by the conse¬ quences. Whatever may be the condition of the student now, or in the future, it is certain that the world needs a loving life of service. 22