University of Western Ontario - Occidentalia Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

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WESTERN D GAZETTE 19 The Student Christian Movement in Western University 111 past years the Y. W. C. A. and Y. M. C. A. have been the usual channels through v.-hic ' h student interest in the direction of special Christian organization and effort have been expressed in the universities of Canada. But this year a movement to make this, as much as any other colleg. enterprise, a mattei! of student initiative, culminated at ' Guelph in the formation of a B ' aident Christian Movement of Can- ada ' ' by an assembly of delegates from practically all the universities of the Dominion. At this conference, Vvdiich was held in Christmas j vacation week. Miss Lois Black represented the College of Arts. Last June, at the summer conference at Cobourg, the women of Arts were well represented by Misses M. Mcintosh, Berdan, Granger, Davey and Davis, who, Ave understand, not only advanced in Bible Stud} , but startled the university world there assembled by an amazing feat in dramatics. With the support of these and a few others. Miss Margaret Gemmell, president of the association, was success- ful in forming two groups for Bible Study, These comprise the local movement, which has about thirty members, and which is a jiart of the national federation. The study course chosen is the life of Jesus Christ, and, as a basis of study, the groups are using Sharman ' s Jesus and the Rec- ords. • This book is in no sense a com- mentary ; it is in the form of a question- All during this university year the girls of ' the Arts Faculty have been hold- ing two Bible discussion groups, and for some time past there has been an agita- tion among the boys to organize similar groups in the faculties of Arts and Meds, and also in Huron College. As a result the last week of Mr. Clark, of the United Student Movement, to the city, a meeting was held of different students from these three bodies in which it was decided to go ahead and organize discussion groups amongst the boys. It was thought that although we as students are coming con- tinually in contact with one another in our different student clubs and societies, v.-e have practically no opportunity of meeting for a discussion of the deeper things of life. Those who intend to put their talents and education to the best use in later life feel that now is the time to get together and discuss the true principles of Christian life and service. Several of aire, and is a force in stimulating inde- pendent thinking. The degree of interest that is being taken is shown in the fact that the study hour is being kept up till the very eve of examinations. Professor Dorland and Col. W. J. Brown have been most generous in de- voting their time to leadership. Col. Brown ' s group of Sophomores and Fresh- men have been meeting on Sunday after- noons ?4id Proi. Dorland ' s Juniors and Seniors on Wednesday evenings following the tea hour, which they spend togethe: At a recent meeting of this group, som- i of the men of Aris and Medicine as well as the i resident of the junior group of v ' Omen, were j resent to meet Mr. Clarke, of Toronto, secretary of the National movement. Those who are going out from Western this year, who were present wiil remember that evening as among the hajv piest hours oi ' their university career. We were on the camj us ; the birds were singing in the trees, and the sun was about to set over our lovely river valley. As wc drank tea and discussed future plans there was an atmosphere of accord that prom- ised bigger things for next year in ihc Student Christian Movement of Western. If you are curious about this new uni- versity enterprise, why not go to Elgin House, Muskoka, September 20-27, enjo;. ' a combination of study, sport and leisure, and become acquainted with the S. C. lAi. of Canada? the boys at the meering held with Mr. Clark, including Messrs. James, Bartlet- and Pack, from the Arts; Mr. Quinn and Leekie, from the Meds, and Mr. Dobson from ?Iuron, stated their intention of at- tending the conference to be held at Elgin House in Muskoka from September 19th to September 26ih. It was decided that those A ho go shall ])ay their own exjiense?, which amount to about thirty dollars. We are anxious to have as large a repre- sentation from Western as possible and vrould urge all who are interested .in this movement to hand their name and address in to any of the men mentioned above and attend the conference. Groups will be formed in October and leaders selected. It was thought wise to organize several small groups which could each study the same text and meet togetlier monthly in a body to share different ideas. All stu- dents who can possibly manage it at all are urged to get into these groups and help.

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WESTERN U GAZETTE 21 Western University Literary Society During the year that is past and gone, Avhat clianges have the rolling seasons seen! When applied to Western in the past year these time-honored lines have a significance of fact which almost justifies their use. Western is at present in the midst of a period of unprecedented growth. Growth means progress. Pro- gress necessitates change, and in the case of W estern it is, we are sure, change for the better. z Nowhere in the university has this spirit of progress worked to better effect than in the Literary Society. Whether the decided success of the Literary Society this year owes more to the executive who framed its program or the student body whose co-operation made it possible, would be difficult to decide. At the beginning of the year the executive unanimously agreed upon a rather ambitious program, Avhieh has been carried out almost to the last detail. This program was the crys- talization of the progressive ideas of Wes- tern and was formed in the determination of the executive to make this year ' s Lit a real Literary Society, to lay the founda- tion for a society in the future which will be all its name implies. The program of the society as planned, and executed during the year, included lectures, debates, dramatic skits, musical numbers and readings. It was carried almost entirely by people connected with the university. Indeed it is the chief aim of the Literary Society to draw out hidden talent, and to afford the students a very valuable training in appearing in public. There must be a number of literary and other lights about the university, and the Lit intends to remove from these vari- ous lights their resi:)ective bushels. Along this line the year ' s work has been very suceessiul, and as a result, the executive found excellent debators, who had never debated before, and actors who did not know they could act. An astonishing number of students of musical ability were also discovered. As a rule, however, these discoveries were only made as a result of assiduous search. It is hoped that, as the tradition of this sort of thing becomes more firmly established, these lights will shine forch of their own volition. The co- operatio]! of the Faculty and Alumnae in the Lit. has also been greatly appreciat- ed. Their presence and active participa- tion have indeed added materially to its success this year. Another very important part of this year ' s program was the system of definite year responsibility. Each year was to furnish one dramatic skit and its share in a series of three debates. Unfortun- ately, owing to unavoidable delay and the near approach of exams, the last Lit. meeting, as scheduled, did not materalize, and in consequence the Freshmen did not have the opportunity of displaying their dramatic talent. The debates, however, were all carried out according to program. The cup which the Literary Society had offered as a reward to the winners of the series, was duly presented to the Senior years. So much for the past. The year ' s work over, and we must turn to the future. After all this year ' s Lit. is but a founda- tion on which the Literary Society may continue to build. Continued growth will bring with it constant change. This must be, and it is right that it should be. Let us hope then that all change will be as truly progressive of that of the last year.