Palmer Institute Starkey Seminary - Echo Yearbook (Starkey, NY)

Page 41 text:

.4 Q r:::..-::1 - i' Z rv:-1 9 . , X X x ,W , , H 1 KJ, what wakes a well aah arson Today, as we look around us at the medley of reading matter, we see modern books, classic books, good books, bad books, books and pamphlets in shabby nondescript bindings covered with the dust of ages, books in blatant covers that scream the latest sensations, books of philosophy and science, books anti this and pro that, thousands of books of all types. kVe see magazines for home, magazines against home, magazines in quiet, conventional coverings speaking of pure literature, facts and life-countless mag- azines of every description. Then we see papers-papers that tell us the true facts of the nations and inform us of current events, papers that point and magnify with distorted colorings the mistakes, dishonesty, abnormalities and deformities of mankind-millions and millions of papers. With all this before our eyes, the question is born and grows, VVhat should we read? Wliat makes a well read person ? An educated man or woman should read various types of literature, such as modern books, older classics, magazines and newspapers, to acquire a wide understand- ing of all phases of life. Yet he should avoid the extreme, the distorted, the deformed and the morbid writings that cannot, in any way, add to his perceptions of humanity. Wliat is best: to be known as one who reads widely, as one who reads everything, as one who reads only the best, or as one who reads thoroughly and with discrimina- tion? To be known as one who reads widely, is not, as it stands alone, all that may be wished for. Though one reads the best books that the golden ages of literature can offer up, if one does not understand the beauty of them, if no lasting impression of these masterpieces affects one, then his reading has profited him nothing. , The one who reads everything is not necessarily a well read person. Too much coarse dross dulls the appreciation of the fine gold of high lite1'ature. Character, in a part, is formed by literary productions. Conversation reflects character, and some things read are better not mirrored in conversation. The person who reads only the best does l1Ot get a liberal and wide understanding of humanity. He knows only the pure idealistic half of life, while the ruder side is a mystery. Such a person cannot be called well read , for the well read are versed in all phases of life and living. Then is he who reads thoroughly and with discrimination to be considered well read ? Yes. He gains the essence of beauty, the force of the truth and the significance of the classics through his thorough search for them. He is able to pick the en- lightening from the mystifying, the gold from the dross, the good from the vulgar. He gains true knowledge from the scientific. He is able to separate the wheat from the chaff in philosophy. He gains the power to discourse with mankind intelligently, interestingly and sensibly. He has sympathy gained from much reading. He is a well read man. -Illnriettzz F. Ilfoulzl. Thirty-sefverz

Page 40 text:

5. Q A News ff! g 0 O O Q0 O The Y. XV. C. A. has occupied an important place in the school life of the girls for a number of years. It is an organization which has proved helpful and en- joyable in many ways. lweetings are held on Thursday nights, under the guidance of llfliss Long. Much of the credit for the things we have accomplished during the year is due to her interest in the Y. W. C. A. By keeping in touch with other Girl Reserve movements, she has maintained our meetings on a higher plane than we could have done alone. Aside from the few acts of charity which the Y. W. C. A. has carried out, the project for world friendship was probably the most interesting thing in which we have taken part. Last year the girls dressed dolls to be sent to Japan for this purpose. However, it was not until this fall that we received the letters and the return pre- sent, a folio of views and hand etchings. The second project, undertaken this winter, was the preparation of a school-bag for a Mexican child. Plans for a dance during the spring, are in progress. llffluch of the interest shown in the serious side of the Y. XV. C. A. may be traced to the fact that it has also a lighter and more social side. At any rate, the influence which it exerts on the girls is widely felt, and it has proved itself an exceedingly popular institution. -....4..T 19.1111 .. The Y. M. C. A. started off the year with great expectations fof having good times and interesting meetings. It seems that these expectations are to be fulfilled, for the meetings that we have had so far have proved very interesting. Professor Wa1'ren, whose interest has been the chief factor in building up the Y. M. C. A., has done a great deal toward making the meetings interesting. He has brought up discussions and encouraged debating. Through these debates a great deal of interest and enjoyment has been derived from the meetings. One of the greatest things which Professor VVarren has done is to procure speakers for the meetings. The addresses have been delivered by men in a position to advise the boys about their aims in life. Plans have been made by the Y. M. C. A. for a dance, a play, and camping trips. There is also to be a basketball team chosen from the fellows, which we think will turn out to be a good one. The play is to be given for the purpose of raising money for our dance. If all of these plans turn out well, we shall be able to call this year a success as far as the Y. M. C. A. is concerned. Thirty-six

Page 42 text:

fffyxx u S Clbrrhrztra Prof. Sutphen, Gicker, Boyce Bonner, vis Z1 D Corwith, Morris oorhees, J. Voorhees, oorhees, A. V H. V