Ontario Agricultural College - OAC Bulletin Yearbook (Guelph, Ontario Canada)

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NTAHQHO oieiciluifrtiiitac Coimoe 9 MR. JOHN ALEXANDER FLOCK 1885 - l929 Let each obey his own commandment is the penetrating phrase which Sir Gilbert Parker fittingly associates with the adventurous life of one of his heroes. Only those who were privileged to know Mr. Flock most intimately understocd that some such motto ruled behind that almost restless spirit and intense nature which character- ized his life. He was a man under constraint, the constraint of obedience to his own commandment, The exact nature of the command which so dominated his heart and soul and mind he alone knew, but the definite direction which it gave to his life was an open secret to all. Killing time, the chief occupation of some slothful souls, was to him a high offence of the same general order as blasphemy. Time, the most precious gift, could not be spent on things trival, but must be used to the greatest advantage, which he conceived to be the acquisition of knowledge, especially pertain- ing to science, religion and literature. Hours were spent daily in such reading, and with a very definite purpose in View-the intellectual and moral development of the mind that as a Fine instrument it might execute a worthy work upon the hearts and minds of men. This deep desire had some fulfilment in the lecture room. where students felt that they had received more than a technical introduction to the vast subject of biology. Something of the marvel, and mystery, and worth of all life, was caught from this one who experienced it so deeply. A source of great joy to him- self and benefit to the students was his weekly Bible Class, attended regularly by many students. His life-long desire to be a minister of the Gospel was realized in a most unusual way, when not manv months before his fatal illness, he was asked by oiiicials cf the United Church to consider ordination for tire ministry. The offer was accepted with great joy, and also a grave sense of the responsibility of the task, The goal, ol his life was reached, but not entered, for death overtook him. Here was a man who found life hard, because he refused to surrender his soul to its vanities. But death, with a body racked by terrible pain, was possessed of a strange peace, for he had listened to the whisperings of God within and obeyed his- own command. IQ-i six

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Nraiiaio oiiaiiciiiiijiatiiiiaait Coiiotaoa EDITORS PAGE A page for perusal by staff and students alike, but t'or graduating students in particular. Within these pictured pages there lurks a magic spell. Which Time and Care assuages and sounds dull Sadness' knell: For they who thumb thefin over, although their eyes be dim, Shall niomently recover their youthful strength of limbg The Spring of Nineteen Thirty lives evermore for them, As we turn to these pages in future years may we associate with them only the most pleasant recollections of our days together at the Ontario Agricultural College. ln presenting this volume we modestly call your attention to a few facts of consequence. While following the general plan of previous volumes we have endeavoured to secure originality with sincerity in write-ups, especially in the longer articles, We are grateful to those who have so willingly and generously assisted toward this end. The work of the Associate Editor deserves special mention. To her careful and conscientious efforts are due the editorial precision and litera1'y quality of the Macdonald Institute section. So rapidly are changes on our campus taking place that observations made at this time would soon be out of date. lt is, however, ot' historical interest. especially to the present graduating classes. to note that this year marks the removal of Johnston 1-lall, a portion of which formed the original building of 187-l. The fine new building which is being erected to replace Johnston llall will meet the greater demands upon this growing institution. The 0.A.L'. is being called upon to support an ever increasing service for agriculture. This places upon every student the responsibility of vindicating to the people of this Province that as graduates we are properly equipped to become leaders among them. As leaders we shall lie faced with the qiiestionglliw can l prove lnyself worthy of this days opportunity? Hou can I live and work so that I may be able to say, Whatever has been, whatever may he. I have done my best? The Moving Finger writes: and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your I-'iety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line. Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it. The moving finger, that writes, is the finger of time. Having written the story of our lives, it moves on, and nothing shall lure it back to cancel halt' a line. We cannot avoid the fact that we are masters of our fa-tes. the captains of our souls THE EDITOR. i-:iw it win A 'V