Shippensburg University - Cumberland Yearbook (Shippensburg, PA)

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q. M- A. 42,5 ,V 4 . -aw- QQJ I A' v fx, SK, and it shall be given youg seek, and ye shall findg 'f Alla 5 t knock and it shall be opened unto you: St. Matt. 7 : 7. ' p In these words we have found comfort in our school work as well as in our Christian duties. God is ever willing to fave 'X give unto those who ask in faith. He is also at the gate of mercy ready to open u11to those who seeking for wis- dom and understanding knock. The preceding passage of scripture directs our attention to the change which has taken place in the lives of students of colleges and boarding schools during the last twenty years. The thoughts that for- merly confronted a young man wl1o contemplated taking a course at some institution, and the experiences through which he had to pass upon enter- ing the school until he was thoroughly initiated and became a full mem- ber: of the orders instituted by the members of the school, are known to- day only as stories told us by our fathers. Those who, upon entering school, were laughed and sneered at and left to find their way and take care of themselves as best they could, are to-day greeted with hearty wel- comes and are cared for by those who were at the school before. This change in the lives of students has rebuked many of the vices and evil influences that were once common among the students. Especially is this true of Normal Schools. These changes in the lives of students are largely due to the increased attention paid to moral and religious training. People realize that the man wl1o is most successful in preparing him- self for the faithful discharge of the duties of life is the one who receives moral and religious as well as intellectual and physical training. This is especially true of the young man preparing to teach 5 for it is he wl1o has charge of the child while character is in its formative state, when every chord that is struck in a tender mind vibrates at the throne of God. This being true, it is of tl1e utmost importance that the highest moral principles should be inculcated in the hearts and minds of those who are 19

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Now if we love God, will we not have him for our companion, and will we not become more like him? After all is not the chief aim in life to be good. ' This characteristic of love for God is very necessary for one who wishes to teach. For the influence which the teacher throws around her has a great effect on the formation of the characters of her pupils. It is in our Young Woman's Christian Association that we are strengthened. Early in the fall we had a visit from our State Secretary, Mrs. Lowry, who was an inspiration to us, giving ns many useful hints as to the method of our work, and reviving us spiritually. During the latter part of the winter term she paid us another visit. Saturday evening, March fourth, she met the ladies in the school parlor, where the girls circled around the room in comfortable positions, while Mrs. Lowry talked to them about the State Convention which was l1eld at Pittsburg. Both her visits were profitable ones. The Association did not send delegates to the convention as has been the custom, on account of the distance. In the course of our work we had a series of meetings. We cannot tell how much we enjoyed these gatherings. It was there that we talked with God, asking his blessings upon us and praying for those in our midst who were so anxious to be one with us in Christ. Our efforts were not in vain for we had many happy conversions, and those who went felt stronger for the day's work which was to follow. The Y. W. C. A. gave a reception at the opening of each term. These were given to bring the new girls in touch with the Association work, and were fair examples of the social part of our efforts. May the spirit for Christ's work, which we have received as members and workers of the Y. W. C. A. of this Normal School follow us as we leave the school, and may it go out with us into life to battle with the world. May we always be filled with this love for Christ, so that when we are about to depart from this life we may be able to say: So live that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan that moves To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not like the quarry slave at night, Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. 0 18

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preparing for the teacher's profession. It has been justly said, that our schools need, at their head, honest men, truthful men, men who respect themselves and their neighbors, men who love to work for the upbuilding of character. If the work of the teacher is of such importance he should enter upon his duties with a harmonious development of all his faculties and with the purest motives that can actuate human conduct. Much has been done to bring about a change, in tl1e lives of students, which tends to raise the morals and character to a higher standard 3 but nothing has been so effectual as the organization of the Young Men's Christian Association. The special aim of the Association in the interest of new students is two fold ': First, to lead Christian young men entering school to become at once intelligent and earnest members of the Associa- tion, and to associate themselves with some regular church in the com- munity : secondly, to lead the young men entering, who are not yet avowed followers of Christ, to join the Association, to become followers of Christ, and to identify themselves with His church. . Thus the Associa- tion endeavors ,to elevate moral and religious character. The Association at this institution has accomplished its aim in many respects. Our success has been no doubt due to the fact that.we did not hope to attain it by chance or by miracles, but by perseverance, by whole hearted service, and by the help of Him in whose cause we are enlisted. During the year our Association joined with the Young Woman's Christian Association in giving two receptions for the benefit of new stu- dents. The first was held on Saturday evening, September lo, 1898. It was a pleasant affair. The success of the entertainment was due to the well laid plans by the chairman and the whole-hearted co-operation of the membe1's of the committees and those who were not committeenien. After the formal reception all assembled in the Chapel, where a short pro- gram of music, recitations and other entertaining features were given. Miss Barnum, our able music instructor, sang The Switzer's Dream of Home, and the enthusiasm with which she was recalled was an evidence of the pleasure she gave to her hearers. Refreshments were served in the dining-room, which was beautifully decorated with flags, flowers, etc. Small tables were beautifully decorated and scattered through the room and the students gathered in groups of fours to enjoy tl1e delicacies served' them. The second reception was held April 8, . 1899, and was equally successful. The Association distributed the Student's Hand-book, compiled by the oliicers, which contains valuable information concerning the school and the town, and serves as a useful guide to new students. - 'L 20 wi W