Taylor University - Ilium / Gem Yearbook (Upland, IN)

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A History of the Class Of 1919 The year 1919 is a fitting climax to four years so large with meaning as those of 1915-1919. To the entire world those years are weighty with great events; yet to the College Seniors they are doubly so. By each member, 1915-1919 will be remembered as a period of struggle and success; of endeavor and achievement; of the realization of hopes breaking forth into fruition. Always about the class of 1919 of Taylor University will be the solemn silence of a world ' s background. It is not our purpose to fet forth the individual records of the fifteen members of the class. Suffice it to say that Truth Without Fear has been the great mo- tivating force of those who are now completing their collegiate career at Taylor Uni- versity. They have not blazoned their path in bombastic fashion; their pursuance of a life purpose has bespoken their ideals and ambitions. It was not for all who entered as Freshm.an in 1915 to finish as Seniors of the class of ' 19. Possibly a few were unqualified and fell out of the struggle. Some have entered other institutions of learning. Some of the best have gone into other kinds of service and there they have made good. There are those who were not privileged to finish because of larger responsibilities; those who since entered the active min- istry to present to the people the challenge of the age and the call of their God. To many came that irresistible soul-stirring call To the Colors. In the U. S. Navy and the U. S . Ai-my were found those of the class of ' 19. Such has been the passing of the class. With a retrospective thought we would be led to say, history has wrought changes — or more truly, the changes in life have wrought history. Intei-woven with the affairs of the class are the larger activities of the University. The spirit of the school is there. Its noble mission has been caught and cherished. For the fulfilment of a purpose they have striven to make themselves fit. Because of this they have been found doing a part in all phases of college life. Differing in tem- perament, ideals, and abilities they have been sharers in the full program of the school. For some it has been the quiet role of the achieving scholai for others col- lege life has meant the commingling of the strict academic course with a pure society. Each Senior has found a place and nobly filled it. We may speak without boasting: Each Senior has found a place and nobly filled it. We may speak without boasting, in the making of the history of Taylor University will be the history of the Class of ' 19. For in the life of each member of that class there has been ane dominating force, to do the best — others can do no more. Robert McCutchen. 25

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Prophecy Of Senior Class In the spring of 1919, with our impei-fect knowledge of the present activities, inclinations and desires of the members of the class of ' 19 we could hardly hope to claim any marked degree of certainty as to their future. But in the year 1930, as we look back over the intervening years we could see that those tendencies had led to certain inevitable conclusions. Malcom B. Wilcox, strong charactered and inspired doctor, had fulfilled our hopes with a life spent as a Medical Missionary in China. In that same distant country he occasionally met the gentle and modest teacher. Miss Martha McCutchen, whose life work had brought her likewise to the Chinese. Asa Climenhaga in a calm and quiet manner moved among the scholars of the day. His summers he spent in lecturing and travels; ofttimes those travels led him to the old Canadian home. Mrs. Mary Jones in a few years ' time had revolutionized the gi-eat librai-y sys- tems of the leading colleges. Then, her work complete in the home land, immediately following the graduation of her husband, Leroy, they sailed for forei,gn fields as Missionaries. Russell Fenstermacher won a place in the hearts of his parisoners — for he had gone out to preach the Gospel — by his earnest, humble, yet dignified manner. A passing thought would lead us to believe that he labored not alone. In the year 1919, Miss Elizabeth Dancey went from the halls of Taylor to do a noble work for her Christ; most of her time being spent in sacrificial labor in slum districts. Her philosophical unpretentiousness and genuine sincerity of effort proved not in vain. Ever a consistent leader, Joseph Imler distinguished himself in the Conferences of Indiana, after a few years in Boston Seminary. Time after time his churcih led the district in the great Centenary Movement. Yet it would seem that his success was not due to single efforts. Miss Ruth Maston, after a brief and brilliant career of teaching, forsook the schoolroom for the parsonage. There her entertaining ways and her dignified grace lent a charm to whatever she did. Robert S. McCutchen returned to his home state to take up a work in the North- west Nebraska Conference. There he labored in the same fashion as characterized his actions wherever he might be. Joy Stephenson found her place in the Sunny Southland. In the warm clime of Florida she spent some years as a teacher. But the call of the North became ir- resistible and she returned to be a real Joy in her native State. Out on the rolling plains of North Dakota, Axel Ekblad proved himself to be a worthy educator and a strong-handed man at any honest task. Corey Stephens gi-aced the parsonage of an Indiana Confei-ence by her kind- ness and devotion to Christian service. She always had a goodly disposition toward the Alumni of her Alma Mater. Ira J. Roberts went forth from Boston Seminary to preach the Truth. In an honest fashion he was interested in politics — especially Woman ' s Suffrage, He had a gi ' eat passion for the cause of the Black Man. E. E. Crabtree was urged by a strong call to the great open Northwest. He pioneered among the Conferences of Canadian settlers. There he emphasized the practicability of the Gospel in an earnest, business-like manner. The unassuming Olive E. Emerson could be satisfied only with a life spent in Christian work. She worthily fulfilled the hopes of her classmates by her ' quiet- ness of demeanor. 24

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Senior Class Poem When we began to grope Up the educational slope, Away back there in childish days of yore, We would often idly dream. How delightful it would seem To never have to study any more. But our fond dreams quickly passed; And in High School we were classed. Now forsooth ' twas a diploma that we sought. And our vision was so small That we tho ' t we ' d know it all And should never need henceforth to be taught. Once again the vain dreams fled; Higher aims came in their stead. Till was born a secret longing in the soul To spend some time in college And delve deeper into knowledge. A liberal education was the goal. So we entered Taylor ' s portal Seeking destinies immortal. For we surely should be sages by and by. We would shake the world ' s foundation With our ponderous education. To be recognized with honor, was our cry. To the tasks to us assigned We bowed humbly; nor repined When we saw the star of honor fade away. For dawn ushered into being A new vision, pure, far-seeing. As we gathered pearls of truth along our way. Now college days are ending And life ' s problems o ' er us pending. We will meet them with an unreluctant soul. Unknown truth herself allures us; And her wondrous voice assures us Love, not self, shall make of life a perfect whole. Ruth Maston. 26