Mississippi College - Tribesman Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

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f The Cradle of the College Representative Alumni A TREE is known by its fruits. A man is judged by his works. The standard of an institution of learning, so far as the outside world is concerned, is set by the men who leave its halls and enter the contest for existence, pre- ferment, and honors. Therein lies the greatness of Mississippi College. For nearly a century she has been sending out a continual and ever increasing stream of worthy and illustrious sons. True, somewere vanquished in the struggle, but what a glorious multitude have survived and made their influence felt around the world. Many have climbed the dizzy heights of fame. Some have been contented with a life devoted to God and humanity. Since her inception, Mississippi College has stood for manhood and honor. When a hostile army dared to invade her beloved and sacred Southland, she willingly gave her sons — her all — to check its onward march. F rom her lecture- rooms the fearless young Lewis led forth a company of fifty-three heroes: only eight returned to tell where the others had fallen. What words can add to their glory! And in that peace which followed, with its terrors even more frightful than war, her sons were ever in the vanguard, fighting undauntedly to restore their native land from its utter waste and desolation. There is neither need nor space to enumerate the distinguished list of statesmen, teachers, preachers, judges, lawyers, doctors, missionaries, and, in fact, men high in every legitimate occupation, who owe their inspiration and education to this, their beloved alma mater. Y e find them on every hand, ever contending for purity and truth. The uninformed might ask why are all these things true ? Certainly they are notdue to any material advantages over other institutions. ou will find the reason in her motto: For truth and virtue. y In 1850 the school came under the control of the Baptist denomination. Although never a theological school, Christian 12

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Editorial I N THE compilation gf the 1908 edition gf L’ Allegro we have attempted to represent and portray Mississippi College life as it really is. We have done our best. To those who have assisted us, and to the student body at large for their loyal support, we desire to express our sincere gratitude. We believe that L’ Allegro has a place in Mississippi College. Call it, as you will undoubtedly if you have any connection with it, a nuisance, an expense, the de- pository if much time and labor that might be better spent otherwise. What harm? For where else is preserved the matter embraced in its pages ? What else can take its place as the memory book gf a man’s college course ? Answers are footless. The fellows want it ; they buy it, and cherish it. Long may it live and prosper.

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principles have always ruled supreme. A spirit of true democracy has always pre- vailed, yet there was always an aristocracy most exclusive. An aristocracy based on merit, character, and brain, and not on birth or privilege. A new era of prosper- ity and progress has dawned on the old alma mater: yet may she still stand in her purity, and glory, and strength, and live to bless untold generations to come. I N NO other activity of life is the power and influence of Mississippi College men so felt as in the ministerial profession. Among the most notable examples of this fact is the subject of this sketch. George Boardman Eager was born near Rodney, Jefferson County, Mississippi, on? February 22 d, 1847. He is one of the five sonsW the Reverend E. C. Eager. His family has been connected with Mississippi College for many years indirectly, and directly through his brother, our own beloved “ Pat, ” and, consequently, we take great interest and pride in the great work which he has done for the j enlightenment and betterment of humanity. At the early age of sixteen years he entered the Confederate Army and served gallantly under “Marse Robert,” in the Army of North- ern Virginia. He entered Oakland College, Mississippi, in 1869, and later came to Missis- sippi College, from which he graduated with highest honors in 1871. In the same year he was ordained a minister of the Baptist denomination by the church at Clinton. In 1876, he was graduated in the Elective Course from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which was then located at Greenville, South Carolina. His first pastorate was in the famous old university town of Lexington, Virginia, where he took a postgraduate course in Washington and Lee University. On the twen- tieth day of February, 1879, he was married to Miss Annie Coor Pender, the gifted daughter of Doctor and Mrs. William Coor Pender, of Clinton, Mississippi. Doctor Eager has served churches in Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama, with preeminent success. As a preacher he combines that intellectual vigor, oratorical grace, and spiritual fervor which have made him among the foremost in his profession. He has been a power for civic righteousness wherever he has been pastor, and the courage of the soldier has repeated itself in this greater war, from which there is no discharge. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him in 1880 by the University of Tennes- see, later by Howard College, Alabama, and in 1906 Georgetown College, Kentucky, honored him with an LL.D. At the close of eight years in the pastorate of the First Church, Montgomery, Alabama, Doctor Eager was elected the professor of biblical introduction and pastoral theology in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, which chair he fills at the present time. George B. Eager, ’71 3