Shippensburg University - Cumberland Yearbook (Shippensburg, PA)

Page 24 text:

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

Page 26 text:

A joint meeting of the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. was held in the large Chapel on the first Sunday of each month. These meetings were well attended and the programs rendered were spirited and edifying. Our regular Sunday evening meetings were as a rule well attended and the music and talks were spirited. The male quartet which was voluntarily organized for tl1e benefit of the Association rendered fine music. A Bible Study Class was organized with Prof. Roth as instructor. The class used the Normal Lessons, by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, D. D. The Association observed the Week of Prayer by holding special prayer services each evening. These meetings were well attended and a general interest in spiritual work was awakened. The Association was represented by delegates at the District Conven- tion held at Shippensburg. Cumberland county, Pa., December 2-4, 1898. Among the principal participants in the discussions of the convention, were Hon. H. M. Hinkley, Mr. Lewis, Profs. Hoffman and Billet, H. W. Gibson, E. D. Soper and State Secretary S. M. Bard. One ofthe special features of the convention was the College Men's Conference which was held in the Normal School Chapel on Saturday afternoon. The conference was in charge of Secretary Soper and proved to be a pro- litable as well as interesting meeting. Dr. G. M. D. Eckels addressed the conference in words of welcome, and encouraged the young men to' con- tinue in the noble work they have undertaken. May the Young Men's Christian Association prove even more suc- cessful in the future than it has in the past and may it accomplish much good in the direction for which it was established. 21