Milligan College - Buffalo Yearbook (Elizabethton, TN)

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a Hi tni If IF Z Eo (D) ill a tenement of clay. An energetic and enterprising fellow must discover also that it pays to remain out of Hardin Hall district unless especially invited to entei there by Mrs. Hopwood. Suspecting none of this discipline, peril, struggle and pleasure which beset our path, the class of 1916 entered Milligan College on or about September 10, 1912. It was one of those days when the sluggish breezes were sighing plaintive requiems over the dying summer; and as the shades of evening fell the waning moon cast weird shadows over the sleeping world, while the glimmering stars awakened a longing for the invisible as it did in the souls of ancient shepherds while wandering over the Judean Hills. Some of us were strangers at Milligan, while others were familiar with the college premises, having been known as preps. In the Sophomoie, or year of observation, the class through persistant and con- sistant effort of every individual member, co ' ered itself with glory. It ■as dur- ing this term, the faculty became so alarmed at the lapid growth of the class, that in order to retain us as students they raised the college curricullum. In our junior year we settled down to work in real earnest. Our class devel- oped several athletes, orators, musicians and vocalists. It developed philosophers who will search the bottom and expound the mysterious theories of the age; ora- tors who will avert the statement that oratory is dying out, and by their power of eloquence will raise it to its heights; poets who will raise to heights of eminence and fall in rank with the grand old masters; physicians who with their skill and loving sympathy will administer the soothing balm, not only to the physical needs but to the spiritual; musicians whose strains of music will touch the immortal soul of man and have a powerful influence for good, and with these it is sending forth those who have chosen the highest and noblest calling of all, who by their serene earnestness and tender pleading shall direct the world toward its Maker and thus fulfill His purpose. With the coming of the Autumn of 191.5 the same body of students, with some additions, and, sad to say, with some subtractions from our original class which entered college four years since, having endured, and in a way triumphed through the three years of grueling conflict, now entered school. Heartily, eagerly, and we ma3 say, almost joyfully we entered into our last series of battles, and before such cheerful, and at the same time, earnest strife, failure is impossible- In con- clusion I may say that the future success of the Senior Class is sure, for History repeats itself.

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Hi mi If 5 cS %, [g] ntor Class litstory I OR t x) college generations at least, a written history ofllie class of 1916 would be unnecessary. The classes from ' 13 to ' 19 have seen us in action, and they will not soon forget us. Alumni have heard of our activities, and tradition will pass on our fame to future Milliganders now painfully laboring in the graded schools. We dislike to talk about ourselves, and would be pleased to let our achievements tell the story, but the faculty insists upon a formal statement of some kind. Even the most complete history must omit many facts of importance, however, and this sketch, theiefore, must be fragmentar - in the ex- treme. AH things must have an end, even college days. We stand on the threshold of graduation and look buck down the vista of time with a retrospecti -e eye over the events of the last foui ' years. The days spent here have been pleasant, and our work as a whole, a success. As class historian I am ordained to chronicle, in brief manner, the events of the four year ' s course, ami to mention just a few of the hardships and pleasures of that illustiious body known as Seniors. But before beginning the history proper, let me, in a minimum measure, numerate the requirement initiative to admission into the order of ' 16. First the applicant must complete a good high school course or its equivalent. Upon reaching college, all the tortues of science. literature, mathematics, philosophy, religion, languages, both modern and ancient. Besides all these, the male candidates, in particular, must undergo the most nerve racking and heart-rending tortures while taking a shoit course in society. ' ery fortunate it is indeed, that the above mentioned courses administered in broken doses, for so thorough must the reaction of the application be, that a few words in Latin will ividly poitray the sites of ancient Rome, with it legions, temples, and bloody arenas: a sentence in French presents a vision of verdant fields and vine clad hills, while Paris, the throne of gaiety, and mother of fashion, stands out resplendani because of the slightest French accent. Mathematics must be so well mastered that great pleasures accTue from sohing the difficult problems Calcidus and Spheiical Triganometry. The boys must be intimately ac(iuainted with the study of Fthics, P.sychology and Logic, and must be ready on all occasions to (luote from Professor James. F.specially must they keep before them always his views on housekeeping

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When we leave these college halls, let us not foigel the happiness in the ulti- mate object of all human activity, and that hope and love are the angels that lead us on toward the mighty summit of the future. There was never a victory won in the world that did not come through human suffering. There was never a pearl of truth that was not the price of agony. Societes taught the immortality of the soul and a cup of hemlock was the reward of his dreams. Paul preached it and was paid with the dungeon and death. Christ demonstrated it and perished on the cioss that our fallen race might taste the sweets of eternal life and eternal happiness. All of the blessings that we may enjoy have come to us through toil and through tears. The wisdom and experience, the philosophy and learning of every land and every clime are ours. Every library is a treasure house of wisdom and experience and every book is a volume of dreams. W ' e open them and turn the leaves and the shadows of vanished years pass before our eyes. Now, fellow Seniors, in forming your ideal of your individual duty, honor, and happiness, should you concur with these views and principles, you will carry with you, in all the private or public walks of life, an influence most benignant and beautiful. You will guide the less favored of mankind because they cannot but look up to you. You will thus form theii views, guide their aims and elicit their support, on every question you advocate, for the public interest, honor and happiness, and that you may do so — be blessed in blessing, be elevated in elevat- ing, be honored in honoring, — is not only the wish of your humble historian, but doubtless of every one who takes an ' real interest in your true and real happiness, in that of your nation and race. If ignoiance be a repi ' oach to any people and if intelligence and righteousness exalt a nation to the highest rank and dignity among the nations of the earth, then under such auspices, we as a nation and people shall stand among the nations great and happy and powerful — fail ' as an evening without clouds, bright as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. To the Senior Class of 1916, may the gates of honor, plenty and happiness be ever open unto you. May no sorrow distmb vour days nor grief distract your nights; may the pillow of peace kiss your cheeks, and the pleasures of ini.iginati(in attend your dreams; and when length of years shall make you tired of earth ' s joys, and the curtain of death gently closes around the last sleep of your mortal exist- ence, may the angels of heaven attend your couch, and take care that the inspir- ing lamp of life receives no rude blast to hasten its extinction, J, RUCKRR Todd, jk. 29 lllSTOKI. N.