St Olaf College - Viking Yearbook (Northfield, MN)

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PRESIDENT Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 Twenty-two years ago I took the above words as text for the fore- word of the Victory Viking, which was published at the end of World War I. Little did anyone of us at that time think that we would live long enough to see another world strug- gle. We were still walking in the midst of the exaltation of war-time and in the spirit of Armistice Day, 1918, with all its hopes and expecta- tions. Many things have happened since. We went from the high exal- tation of war into the financial frenzy of the Twenties and the deep de- pression of the Thirties. If it really is possible for humanity to learn from past experience, we should have learned much. It is doubtful If any other chapter in history has been so crowded with momentous events as these years. We were to end all war and planned to usher in a long period of peace and plenty. And now we Q ' e confronted with a war more terrible than any history can show. Something has gone wrong. It is up to all of us to study the situation to find out where our calculations and plans were wrong. We have got- ten out of the years what we did not expect and what no one wants. Just blaming those who may not have agreed with us leads to no solution. The factors lie deeper than what any individual or group may have planned or done. As I view it, we have not followed the precept giv- en as text above. Instead of seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, we went out with all the ingenuity that an age of science could give us, to seek these things first, and the result is that we are fast getting where they will be taken away from us. Experience is demon- strating the futility of setting the possession of material things as a primary objective. Christ says: Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first, and then these other things, which we need and must have, will be added as a gift. St. Olaf has set Its face steadfast- ly these years against a secularized view of existence. Can we continue to stand fast as witnesses for Christ ' s way of life? Can we stand the hard- est test of all and not become mere witnesses of doom, but positive lead- ers for the better day that God, our Father, wants to give to all? 26

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DEAN OF MEN J. J0RGEN THOMPSON Dean To the Men Students: In times like these when upheavals of world-wide cataclysmic portions are threat- ening the very foundations of political, social and religious structures much is being said and done about emergency measures and morale. We must and we will meet the present crisis with all the strength and power at our command. It is needed also that we prepare now for the building up of a national morale that shall be ready to meet the critical situations of the future whatever their nature may be. The leadership for such a long range program must come from the college men of our country. I would challenge you men of St. Olaf to consider seriously what your part and your responsibility in such a program shall be. The days of your preparation will determine the success of your participation in the solution of future problems which our nation will face. The mastery over any field of learning where your interest may lie is extremely important. The future will need leaders in government, in industry, in agriculture, in business, in school and in church. May I, however, be permitted to stress especially the need of future leaders in one particular field which is so strongly emphasized at pres- ent, the field of recreational service. With the increase of leisure hours made avail- able to the American people it is important that these hours shall not be frittered away in mere amusement in place of morale upbuilding recreation. Men will be needed, men of ability, but espe- cially men whose understanding of human problems and needs is based on the principles revealed by the Master as He dealt with humans; men whose vision has been made clear and strong by the light of God ' s truth. Men of St. Olaf, the challenge is yours! Will you accept it.? ANSGAR SO ' IK Assistant Dean of Men Sincerely, e.41. k 28