Mercer University - Cauldron Yearbook (Macon, GA)

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Nineteen-Seventecn THE CAULDRON Senior Citerarv Glass Dfistor? O acquire even limited recognition as an historian one must, it appears, abandon the straight and narrow paths of veracity and plunge headlong into the heavily curtained and intangible practice of theorizing. The historian of the nineteen hundred and seventeen class wishes at the very outset to assure the readers that no matter what conclusions may be drawn, that the nucleus whereon these conclusions are formed is authentic to the most minute detail. I he intellectual force that radiates to and through the under-graduate is due largely to the intellectual accomplishments of the Senior. Although this force may not have expressed itself in actual manifestation, it has been the earnest desire of each member of the present graduating class to raise the standard to such a degree that in future years other Seniors may glance backward over the roll call of this class and find not a few heroes, but a body of men marching ever onward as one man doing, seeing, being, accomplishing. I here is little doubt that a good intention takes for its immaculate coat, power of accomplishment, therefore there comes to us the knowledge of the fact, that it good intentions linked with perseverance may prove an asset to the future classmen, then indeed our four years of continuous labor have not been in vain. The keynote of this class has been through four years of close companionship that of harmonious unity. It must be ad- mitted that in many previous instances there has existed a feeling among class-mates bordering closely on the lines of animosity, but we may justly boast of the fact that since our first class meeting tour years ago no issue has ever arisen strong enough to break that unexplainable bond of human brotherhood. At Mercer University the Freshman year has been and will continue to be linked closely with two highly tangible articles, one cold and steely, the other almost human, the bath tub and the sphinx-like Sophomore. To es- cape the raids of the heartless Sophs, a Freshman must be an enthusiastic ad- herent of Preparedness—Preparedness in dress, for a Freshman who dares haunt the Dorm with body encumbered with more than Father Adam's proverbial raiment, fig leaves, will find himself, hat, shoes, clothing, every- thing, making a hurried, but damp exit from the bath tub. During this

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THE CAULDRON Nineteen-Seventeen Robert Harmon Ranter. A.B. Mineral Bluff, Ga. Bob Rhi Delta Literary Society; Non-Fra- ternity Organization; Class Baseball, 1916; Treasurer of Teachers' Association, 1913- 14: German Club, 1913-14; Treasurer of V. M C. A.. 1916-17; President of History Club. 1916-17; Tennis Club, 1916-17; Clas- sical Club. 1916-17: North Georgia Club. 1916-17; Alembic Club. 1917: Assistant in History. 1916-17; Dramatic Club. 1916: Associate Editor of Merccrian,” 1916-17: Editor-in-Chicf of Cauldron.” An honest wan. close-hut toned to the chin ; Broadcloth without, and a warm heart uithin. Otis Gray Rawls, A.B. Williamson. Ga. ‘o. gr French Club; History Club; L. G. I. Club: Secretary of Prohibition Associa- tion. 1916-17. Gentle of speech, beneficent of wind. Eugene Earl Steele. A.B. Lexington, Ga. Pious president of Y. M. C. A.; President of Ministerial Association: Treasurer of Non- Fraternity Organization: Treasurer of Ciceronian Literary Society: Class Foot- ball and Baseball; Teachers’ Association: Original Freshman Club: Winner of Faust Sunday-School Medal. 1915 and 1916. He held his seat.—a friend to human race.

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THE CAULDRON Nineteen-Seventeen stormy period of college life, unmindful of precedent, we fared forth and held the first Freshman Reception ever given at Mercer. I nder the leadership of Daisy Churchwell we, too, suffered all the due hardships gladly for we arose one year later Sophs, arose in one accord repeating “Revenge is sweet.” The cycles of time passed almost, it seemed, too hurriedly, for we were ushered out of the state of revengeful Sophomore into that more conservative and philosophical state termed Junior. Space demands that we eliminate many joyous occasions, many hap- penings of much interest, but this history would he tar more incomplete should we neglect to mention our tour presidents, Churchwell as a I resh- man, Dowis as a Soph, Morgan as a Junior, Guillcbcau the Senior, all men of tremendous purpose, men whose vision is unlimited, whose ideas and ideals reach ever forward. Of all human relations friendship is perhaps the finest. For four years we have been friends—true, many who, at the outset, answered to the class roll call have gone, some to other institutions, some into the world of business, even some have answered the higher roll call, but their going has tended only to strengthen and draw more closely about the heart the golden bond of loving friendship. By such friendship the very soul is stirred to action; ambitions and great desires arc born. In future days the memory of friends and Mercer's spires shall, like a flash of phos- phorescent flame, like a shooting star trailing its brilliancy across the canopy of night, rise before our vision instilling vigor, strength to combat the ironies of life. And then we shall know, shall more fully comprehend the greatness of college friendships. To the future Seniors let us say that our very hearts go out to you— go out to you because you are they who are destined to take our present place. To the faculty and to Mercer let us say, although we are nearing the close of our college career, our hearts, our hopes are with you all and so shall they remain. In the I loly of 1 lolies of each heart that leaves this grand old Mercer with its great accomplishments and traditions there will always be that spark of celestial fire, the love of Alma Mater. .And should one in future years call the roll of Mercer's illustrious graduates and should omit the class of nineteen-seventeen the list would be thread- bare and poverty-stricken. W. T. Callaway, Historian.