Muhlenberg College - Ciarla Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

Page 12 text:

Apologia de Ciarla. T HE Ciarla is a better book than its name indicates. It contains much more than youthful mirth. A great deal of time, thought, literary effort and artistic skill have been devoted to it to make it a success and a credit to the class of ' 09, which wishes to make its mark in the annals of our college. Ciarla means “ gossip,” and ” char- latan ” is derived from it, words which are not complimentary to the book and to its editors. There is little hope that the present title will ever be changed, for college students are ultra-conservative with respect to their traditions, whilst in other and more essential things they are inclined to radicalism. In most cases a Junior is not only better looking but also wiser looking than a Freshman — no offence being meant to the latter, who will readily agree to it when he is a Junior himself. As long as the Ciarla is ” ciarla ” the funny element will be much in evidence. It rarely becomes too per- sonal. A good laugh is conducive to good health, the doctors say. Whether this year ' s Ciarla will surpass its predecessors in merry-making, remains to be seen. College ” gossip ” indulges in slang but not in slander, is humor- ous but not sarcastic, gives the fellows a friendly punch but not a vicious kick, and is sometimes an effective remedy for moral or social distemper. The general character of our student-body is such, than one can expect decent things of them. Muhlenberg boys are winning for themselves an enviable reputation in athletics ; why should it be impossible for them to gain a high place in literature and art even on its funny side ? Let us wish them success in everything that is worthy of praise. 6

Page 11 text:

O N September 25, 1838, at Basel on the Rhine, Switzerland, Rev. William Wackernagel, D. D., Professor of the Modern Languages and Literature was first seen. Sprung from a scholarly lineage, he has not lost any of his ancestors’ characteristics. His father, Wilhelm Wackernagel, Ph. D., L-L- D., was a professor at the Univer- sity of Basel, and his mother was a sister of Dr. Casper Bluntochly, Professor of Political Science at Munich and Heidelberg. Dr. Wackernagel received his education at Basel where he also attended the university. In 1859, Dr. Wackernagel left Germany for the Holy Land where he was a missionary for eleven years. In 1870 he came to America and for six years was the assistant editor of “ Der Pilger,” Reading, Pa. In 1876, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States. In June 1876, he was ordained a Lutheran clergyman and accepted a call to St. John’s Church, Mauch Chunk, which he served until 1881. In 1880, he founded St. John ' s Church in East Mauch Chunk. Since 1881 he has filled his present position of Professor of the Modern Languages and Literature at Muhlen- berg College. In 1881, the College conferred upon him the degree of A. M. Two years later he received the degree of D. D. from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1882, he was elected German Secretary of the Ministerium of Penn- sylvania and filled that office for five years. From 1884, to 1887, in connection with his duties as Professor at Muhl- enberg College, he served as Pastor of St. Thomas Church, Altoona, Pa. From November 1903 to June 1904, he served as Acting-President of Muhlenberg College. In 1905 the graduating class presented him with a loving-cup in honor of the completion of his twenty-fifth year as a professor at Muhlenberg College. Though his duties as a professor were enough to require his full time, yet he found opportunity to do even more work. He compiled “ Die Liedergeschichten, ” wrote two volumes of “ Dr. Martin Luther,” “ Hans Egede,” and other valuable books. At the present time he is the editor both of ” Der Jugend Freund ” and of the German Sunday School Lessons, besides being a regular contributor to the “ Lutheran ” and other church periodicals. 5

Page 13 text:

PROEM. I ' HE Class of N ineteen-nine in this, its C IARLA, salute you Giving you Sights and Scenes of Days which are bright and happy Diversions of College Life, theTricks and Foibles of Scholars Who are spending the Year so gay in the W alls of their A lma M ater. How studiousThey have been, how wearisome to their Teachers! Thu; from our Hands we give forth this Book of sterling Merit Upon which we all have spent long Hours of P reparation. In order to make it a Work worthy of all Acceptation By those who wish to indulge their aesthetic T astes for Pleasure. M ay you in it e ' er find, the noblest and purest Enjoyment — A Book to cure all Ills, for sad and wearisome Hours, — As this is our final Farewell as Juniors of Muhlenberg College, For soon we shall ascend to higher and nobler Honors May you by this! oken of ours ne ' er forget the Ones who have labored To make it a Tribute of love to the Mem’ry of Junior Achievements — A nd the D ays that pleasantest were in the Halls of our Alma Mater.