University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 20 text:

12 THE INDEX. It would not be well to close this communication without leaving an earnest injunction to under classmen to keep up the college spirit; strive to render the Index broader and more representative in character; encourage and support all means of literary improvement; cherish and preserve all the incidents and reminiscences of college life and they will be sources of pleasure and profit to you in after years; strive to develop manliness of character, independence of spirit and obedience to law and God. s.

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y rNHE time has come when we must offer ovir fourth and v last contribution to the Index. We have often had to note changes in our number, so that the valedictory will be written in behalf of but a remnant of the entering class. With no less sorrow do we perform these last duties of stu- dent life. In looking over the three years past, many unexpected events have occurred, many false impressions been removed, and much that is useful and enduring has been added to the character of the actors. We have begun to appreciate our own ignorance. Unsenior-like as this may seem, it is a primal and neces- sary step in the pursuit of knowledge. Tedious and slow though the taking account of stock is, still the merchant deems it one of the first necessities of his business. Equally important is it for the student to know his capacity and his attainments. Yet the lesson is never learned by the majority of college students. Seniors have gone forth with the pre- sumption and self-assertion worthy of Sophomores. In proof, note the tone and style of graduation essays. Subjects are there treated and disposed of, which doctors and philoso- phers would hardly dare to pass judgment upon. Then we would still wish to be considered Freshme7i. so far as that in- dicates m.odest demeanor and a due regard for the rights of others. We have been sorry to note a gradual decline in col- lege administration. This is manifested not only by the pub- lic voice throughout the state, but also in the curriculum and faculty. There has been a curtailing- of facilities for study and a doubling up of professorships, and finally, the trustees have concluded, in view of our straightened circumstances, that we can dispense with a Head.

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»» Mil to gradually do the seasons change that we scarcely real- ize the passing away of summer until it is gone and we are startled by the first chill breeze of autumn. While engaged in the performance of our Sophomore duties, we dreamt not of the progress we were making ; but now, as we awake to the stern realities — and sterner ab- stractions — of Physics and Dutch, we know that we have changed. We have arrived at the golden season of our col- lege course, when the fruits of our endeavors will begin to assume the forms in which they are to appear before the world. And we hope that, at the final dissipation of the storm raised by the too serious consideration of a harmless, practical joke, a prosperous sun may continue to shine upon our class, ripening its members into worthy representatives of the dear old Aggie Farm. The past year has been an eventful one for the college, and many are the changes that have taken place. While we rejoice to learn that the condition and prospects of the institution were never better than at present, we can- not but mourn the loss it has sustained by the resignation of a President, who, working always for the good of the college, commanded the respect and won the heart of every student who knew him. One of our professors also, has left us, to enter upon a new and broader field of labor. Our best wishes for them both are that they may be as highly appreciated in the future as they have been in the past by the class of ' 8i. Although, as yet, we hardly know our new President, we welcome him, trusting that he may succeed not only to the office of the old, but also to his high place in our regard.