Manhattan College - Manhattanite Yearbook (Riverdale, NY)

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Mission Fields in China

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Theme Four EYOND the large coastal cities of China, beyond the rice fields, beyond even the reaches of the realms of the crowded populace, lies a China unknown and unreal to many of us here at Manhattan 5 but so real to the missioners of the Catholic Church that they devote their whole lives to it, oyffer up their prayers for its conversion, and preach and write in order that they may have funds to support their work within it. A small portion of the very dearest part of China is pictured here clamoring about their Father, asking for more stories about Christ and Beth- lehem and the great Christian colleges beyond the vast Pa- cific that they hope will send more fathers, brothers and sisters so that they, too, may learn the proofs of the divinity of God, even as we at Manhattan. Suffer the little children to come unto me . . . For of such is the kingdom of God. These words ring in the ears of missioners today as they meet, all over China, smiling, destitute youngsters, starting out on the road to the future. Let us, the men of Manhattan, give a great deal of thought, prayers, and deeds towards the paving of that road for these children, who are also undergraduates, but for a de- gree in the kingdom of heaven.

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Class f 1947 HE present junior class is a link between the determined and grim Manhattan of World Wfar ll and the revitalized and highly spirited Man- hattan of these post war days. The past world conflict was felt very keenly by the Class of '47, just as it was felt by every other wartime class. But a small percentage of the members of the original class, who entered Iasperville in 1944, are still present on the Campus. More than half of that original group are still serving their country. During the first half of the group's stay in River- dale the activities and enrollment of the College reached their lowest ebb. This situation, however, was not without its advantages. WVith the pressing wartime schedule and the small classes most inti- mate friendships were made which prob- ably never would have occured in normal times. The class was small and every member of the class knew all the other members and thereby an indeiinable spirit permeated the class. The activities that were continued dur- ing these crucial times were solidly backed by the members of the Class of '47. Chief among them were Manhattan Blood Donor Days, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Student Mission Cru- sade, American Society of Civil Engi- neers, Student Council, and the Engi- neers' and Spring Dances. As far as sports is concerned, the intra- mural program was inaugurated to fill the gap caused by the discontinuance of varsity competition. In all of the three intramural sports, softball, football and basketball our '47'ers were always in the thick of the competition. ln the first soft- ball league in the Spring of 1944 the duels of the Frosh Engineers and the Juniors of that time will long be remem- bered by those that witnessed and parti- cipated in them. Additional exploits on the diamond include victories in the dia- mond tournaments last Spring and Sum- mer by -luly Section S, part of the Junior Class, andthe Seniors-juniors, a combin- ation of the present graduating and Jun- ior Classes. As. Sophomores our football team were winners of their Section in gridiron competition. On the basketball floor a year ago a portion of the third year group, known at that time as july Section C, captured the basketball crown. VV hen hostilities were nearing an end and former traditions and activities were in the process of revitalization, a look behind the scenes very often revealed members of the present Junior class hold- ing prominent positions in the procedure. The earliest revivals, those of the Quad- rangle and Guard of Honor, took place in our Freshman years, and were greatly aided by the cooperation of the men of '47, Two of the most valued traditions