Mississippi College - Tribesman Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

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Algernon Jasper Aven, B. A., M. A. Professor of Latin |3l0j|AD he been horn in the time when the ancient bards sang their lays, accom- I Si! P an ed y x e ty re he wou l d have sung sweeter than them all. Had he lived PJliyi in the daVS Catuilus or or Ovid, to the poetry of the Latins would have been added rich gems of thought and rhythm. Had he lived when the blood of of our savage ancestors moved to wild and passionate poetry and yet wilder, more daring deeds, his voice would have been heard above the din, gentle and restraining, its ring of truth and sincerity calling men back to the good, the beautiful, the true. For Algernon Jasper Aven rises above time and place and age; he would have been what he is any time, anywhere. Yet are we immeasurably glad that his lot has been cast, not in the past, but in the present, when the world, surfeited with song and poetry and daring deeds, stands in sore need of something infinitely better — pure, noble, unselfish, manly lives. However, there had to be a time and place — August 25, 1858, near Graysport, Grenada County, Mississippi, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Aven. His early education was in the rural schools of that county, and in 1880 he entered the University of Mississippi, from which he was graduated in 1884 with B. A. degree, fourth in a class of sixteen, and was member of the Delta Psi fraternity. He then immediately began teaching. From 1884 to 1885 he was principal of Cole’s Creek Academy; principal Winona Male Academy 1885-89; came to Mississippi College in 1889, where he filled the chair of English till 1890, when, at his own request, he was transferred to the chair of Latin. He was also instructor in French during this time. A year’s work in the University of Chicago, 1894-95, gave him his Master’s degree. February 24, 1887, he was married to Miss Mary Catherine Bailey, of Winona, Mississippi, to whom he owes the inspiration and happiness of his service in all his work. Professor Aven fulfills the measure of a man. True, he is neither so rich nor so famous as he deserves to be. An aspirant for fame of any sort he is not. But there are many who know him and wish that others did, and all who know him are better for the acquaintance. If it be the measure of a man to know a noble purpose, to pursue it, to embody it, and so inspire others with it, this is he. Not many aims, but one he holds, that other lives may be richer, better, fuller, gladder by his own. Ask the hoys for a model of courtly kindness, and where the treasure-house of friendship is, and you will hear a chorus that sounds like “Ajax!” Ask many of them who gave them a word of greeting at a critical time, who came to them when their souls were in the throes of travail and they needed someone to guide them to the real meaning of life and how to join this life to the next and make them one, who led them to the light when they were in darkness and brought brightness out of confusion, and memory kindles a new sense of gratitude, and with voice subdued to be the vehicle of most sacred experience they refer you to Prof. Aven. Tall enough to command attention anywhere, handsome enough to make a favorable impression, unselfish enough to preserve it, conscientious enough to make good use of it and faithful in the performance of the duties of friendship and his office, may his character be reproduced in many brought into the circle of his influence. Already having the record of the longest continuous service in the College, may he continue all his days “the noblest Roman cf them all”! “Poet, more poet for beauty than for fame; Sage for the sake of being not for seeming wise; Preacher of truth, and not of praise nor blame; Critic, whose law inspires as well as tries— You, who have deepened and enlarged your day, You shall remain when it has passed away.” 21