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

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B e ti t t a t t n To the Hills and the Meadows surrounding our beloved Alma Mater, those constant and ever beautiful Helpers to all that is best within us, we of Old Mass ' chusetts gladly and feelingly dedicate this book

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% t im ant) £peaiDotD2 urrountitng €)ur Belotieti mma £ ater n li li N THE ENDLESS DRAMA of Man ' s development, Nature has ever been a mighty actor. Man ' s natural environment, the mountains rising far into the skies, the frozen, glistening cliffs of berg and glacier, the green, luxuriant valleys, the restless ocean, the aj sun-parched desert, the broad expanse of field and prairie, the cold of eternal winter, the II heat of never-ending summer — all these have influenced and ever will influence his physical characteristics. Because of them and their peculiar, inevitable power, Man has consciously or unconsciously moulded himself into types and branches; and these in turn have expanded into races great and powerful, yet each distinct from the other. And not only the physical characteristics but also the mental characteristics have been thus moulded and modified. The Soul, the immortal Man, the invisible Spirit, greater even than Nature and outliving the very rocks themselves, this, too, is wonderfully influenced by natural environment. Man has always looked to Nature, has always depended on her for the help she freely offers in the upbuilding and the maintaining of great and noble qualities. Patriotism bows to Nature and gives ceaseless thanks for a nation ' s hills and valleys; knowledge knocks at Nature ' s door and countless secrets stand revealed ; religion sings of Nature ' s work in promoting purity, faith, godliness. God himself stands before mankind. For Nature is God ' s handiwork. Let it not be said of us, fortunate members of the most virile type of civilized man, and what is more, fortunate and privileged seekers after God ' s Truth, that we thoughtlessly or thanklessly receive what Nature offers us. Let it be known, on the contrary, that we look upon Nature — upon the hills and the valleys, the clouds, the sunrises, and the sunsets — with full and heartfelt appreciation of their wonderful value, their wonderful influence.