The Megaphone (Georgetown, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 28, Ed. 1 Friday, June 6, 1913 Page: 1 of 4
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S U Library
EZ3
MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION-MISSION BAND EDITION.
THE MEGAPHONE.
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR BY THE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.
Volume VI.
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, JUNE 6, 1913.
Number 28.
FROM THE LAYMAN'S STANDPOINT THE
YOUNG MINISTER AND
LITERARY SOCIETY
THE
'MS
Even the casual obs?rver of the
direction of the current of ecclesi-
astical opinion can hardly fail to
be struck by the increasing interest
of the layman in religion. This
growing interest may be due to the
fact that as the emphasis in re-
ligious discussion moves from the
theoretical toward the practical,
the layman becomes imbued with
the idea that perhaps, after all, he
can help. At any rate it is certain
tbat the layman's newly-found in-
terest has been marked rather by
missionary zeal than by desire to
dictate concerning the creeds and
doctrines of the church. Where a
decade or two ago it was pointed
out that the men were not attend-
ing church, or showing any real
interest in church enterprises, to-
day laymen of ability are givin' •
their time, their best energies,
and liberal endowment from
their means to the carrying
on of the work of the church,
and are displaying in their plan-
ning and administration the
daring, the ardor, and the mastery
of detail which characterize their
grasp of secular affairs. W. T.
Stead was crossing the Atlantic to
attend a layman's conference when
he met his untimely death in the
Titanic disaster: in the midst
of an exciting campaign Mr
Bryan stopped speech making and
caucus to be present at the same
meeting. These instances are quite
typical and might be multiplied
again and again.
Although so far the layman's in-
terest has been directed almost en-
tirely along lines of practical en-
deavor, still it is quite within the
bounds of posssibility that he
may gather confidence from juccess
in the practical work he has under-
taken, and eventually look about
for a new field of activity for his
long-latent energies. It is quite
possible that in the never ceasing
process of the determining of
policies *and the interpreting of
creed and doctrine, he may assume
a less deferential tone and give
more decided expression to opinions
which he has for a long time held
r*
without the assurance to insist
upon them. Should this come to
pass, what attitude will the layman
take in the religious discussion?
Prophecy is hazardous, but perhaps
it will be not unprofitable to con-
sider some positions he may take.
The attitude of the average lay-
man will probably be a more pro-
gressive attitude than the average
clergyman would imagine. Rev.
E. S. Waterhouse, writing under
the title, "The Theological Revolu-
tion and the Average Man," in a
recent issue of the Contemporary
Review (copied by the Living Age,
Apr,il 5, 1913), makes the state-
ment that English clergymen do
not realize how far their parishon-
ers have gone in their thinking;
and adds that it would be possi-
ble, and desirable, fpr the pulpit
to tak$ the, pew into confidence aqd
to (finuM boldly many points now
avoided. The aretfota seen?* , %
very timely one ini&ed. The con-
ditions described sqpm more, likely
09fioitD3in<:
It is very obvious that every
young man and young lady in col-
lege preparing for life's work, no
matter what that work may be,
needs the training afforded by the
college literary society; and any
student who fails to take an active
part in this phase of college life is
at. decided disadvantage, not only
while in college but even after he
leaves the college walls and enters
the realm of life's real struggles.
Many a man who has already com-
pleted his college course and is
pursuing his life's work h ts ex-
pressed a regret that he did not
take a more active {.art in the lit-
erary society work while in college.
He feels a sensa of incompleteness
and a sense of inefficiency, from
having failed to develop those very
traits in his life and character,
which it is the purpose of the lit-
erary society to develop.
This is conceded truth in the
case of any student preparing for
any phase of life's activities, but
more especially is it true in the
case of a young man preparing for
the ministry. If such a young man
will only consider for a moment the
nature of the work that he is to
pursue and the real aim and pur-
pose of the literary societ:, he will
readily see that this organization
will furnish him opportunities and
advantages that no other organiza-
tion in the college can furnish. If
one is to be a real minister he must
be a leader, a teacher, and an ad-
i visor. In order that he may do
the most effective work along these
variouB lines, it is not only neces-
sary that he have a knowledge of
and an insight into the various
matters that concern him in his re-
la iion to others a id that he have
definite ideas and convictions in
regard to the questions and prob-
lems in which he may become in-
volved; but it is aso essential that
he shall have learned the great art
of presenting these ideas and con-
victions in such a way as to con-
vince others. In this way he be
comes a leader, a teachers, and a
capable aovisor. Now it is the
very aim and purpose of the liter-
ary society to develop these charac-
teristics in the young man. He
not only gets a knowlege of the
most important questions of his
time, but he also learns, by care-
fully weighing and considering
both sides of a subject, to be acur-
ate and decided in h s judgments
and decisions. His mind is broad-
ened; his social nature is develop-
ed; his power for deliberation and
decision on important questions is
increased and in many ways he is
fitted for more efficient service in
life.
to qxist in America, where free-
dom of thought has qlways been
the avowed rule. Many facts lend
p|a,ua^bjjity tq this contention. A
study oi school statistics will show
th^t high schools ip surprising
numbers now b®ve excellent courses
in tM^iblogical^iences and possess
THE RELATION Of S. U. TO S.M.U.
Texas Methodism was greatly
agitated at the time when it was
j thought a rival institution at some
: place other than Georgetown was
to be established, Rumors that
: created unnecessary partisanships;
reports that proved beneficial to
I
none; and vague notions that de-
vastation of the rights and privi-
leges of one sect had been trampled
upon by another were afloat. The
fact was lost sight of that Texas
was large enough to well support
two ereat institutions of learning,
the seemingly forgetting that Texas
resources were sufficient to main-
tain a school located in what is per-
haps the metropolis of the State.
These are but opinions stated truth
fully and since the descrying of
what ought to be has resulted in
reality and in the establishment of
Southern Methodist University in
Dallas, it is now a much discussed
question as to exactly what rela-
tion will exist between the two
schools.
Already it is evident that the
main purpose to be achieved by
education in a superior adjustment
to life s drawing them closer to-
gether. By recent visitation upon
the part of the memebers of the
Southwestern Un'versity faculty to
occasions and educational assem-
blies held in Dallas there is notice-
ably a welding together of bonds
which should unite the two schools.
With the intent purpose of pur-
suing more thoroughly the univer-
| sity ideal it is a natural course for
j those who feel themselves allied to
their State's interest to get this
additional training within the
bounds of Texas and within the
walls of a school of Christian edu-
cation. The strength which the
present construction of buildings
lends to the idea that university
life may be soon found at Southern
Methodist University is indeed
hopeful suggestion that the union
of the two schools not only by tra-
ditions, affiliations and ideals, but
also through common interests in
the superior training of individuals
may soon be realized.
There should exist only a keen
rivalry which will arouse a friend-
ly competition between the two
schools. As soon as athletics are in
vogue at SouthNn Methodist Uni-
versity, rivalry between teams rep-
resenting two schools should serve
as a means for drawing the two
institutions together. Annual
events might be easily arranged
and occasions that would be looed
forward to with intense interest.
It is not encouraging to notice that
there is prevalent at S. U. a too
disinterestedness in college athle-
tics due doubtless to the fact that
the teams are supported merely by
the "Old Guard" with the few re-
cruits who are yearly added to the
preceding veterans. When a rela-
tion is established that will call
for a contest between affiliated
ql)V}r,cb institutions tftere is a very
hopeful indication that healthy ac-
tivity, in these lines would be
brought about. Numerous will be
7. - ."'ttp.'J
Continued on pqge 3
TO BE READ BY TEACHERS AND
PREACHERS ONLY
I
There is a paragraph in our dis-
cipline that reads like this: "Be-
fore the ballot for the license of an
< applicant is taken either in the
District Conference or Licensing
Committee, he shall be urged to
abstain from the use of tobacco for
reasons, at least, of ministerial
!prudence."
The General Conference* which
inserted that article in the 1910
; Discipline lacked only three votes of
'refusing to license the young man
i who persists in the use of tobacco,
j We are sorry that it was not done.
| There are young ministers in South-
western University today who use
tobacco, but who would not be us-
ing it if that article had gone into
effect, for they had rather serve
the Master than give themselves up
to self-gratification. Some of the
young preachers have been ap
proached in regard to this evil
habit who have frankly acknowl-
edged it immoral influence. But
almost every one, before he ha3
finished excusing himself has point-
ed out that some of the leading
members of the^Faculty and a few
of the strongest preachers of this
Conference are addicted to the use
of tobacco. We are glad to say,
however, that one young man who
went out from here last year to his
work had the grit to stand by h a
best judgment, or rather the good
judgment of some mothers on his
work who came to him and said,
"We love you, and like, your
preaching, but we DON'T wint
our boys to use tobacco." He re-
plied that "by the help of of God,
I WILL leave it off." The secret
of his success is that he had a
WILL.
We sometimes hear preachers
preach whose reputation for schol-
arship stands much higher than
his. They preach in the pulpit a
doctrine of freedom versus slavery,
and urge their congregation to "be
strong." Yet they go out from
the pi lpit among their parishioners
smoking or chewing the symbol of
slavery. They can urge the young
men until doomsday to be strong,
but the young men feel that the
strongest thing about such men is
the stout smell of filthy tobacco.
We only know of two passages of
Scripture which applies especially
to tobacco tiend. The first is:
"He that is filthy, let him be filthy
still" and the other: • "Who is
weak eateth herbs." There is one
other passage that the translators
could have slightly changed and
made it read very truthfully — :
"By their smell ye shall know
them."
The use of tobacco in public is
disgusting, and for one to puff
carelessly his vile nicotined-tainted
breath into the faces of clean men
is extremely selfiish and rude. But
"clownish" and "uncivil" ace
mild terms to apply to the man who
poses as a gentleman but abuses a
lady's presence by blowing clouds
of emoke into her face.
: We have observed the sons of
Continued on page 3
THE YOUNG PREACHER AND
ELSE
It is not our purpose to place the
j young preachers in S. U. on a
' "holier than thou" plane and to
J claim for them an ideal state of
i perfection, neither do we propose
! to discriminate against the "laity"
j even though the temptation be ever
; so great to do so, but we do believe
! that every person should have his
.
J just dues regardless of his profes-
sion. The preacher bring no ex-
ception,
That there has always been a ten-
dency to und:'rate the ability of a
preacher, and especially from the
standpoint of scholarship and busi-
ness, no one can doubt. Business
men often get the idea that their
pastor is unfit for the real and
practical things of life. Universi-
ty students are disposed to voice
the same sentiments. And thus
this general idea has become so
prevalent until it has come to be
considered as a.atter of fact, and
preachers as a whole have suffered
in the end from, its effects.
Now we come to enquire,are the
above accusations true. Knowing
more of conditions in S. U. than
anywhere else. We herewith set
forth a few facts as to how the
preachers compare in attainments
with his fellow students.
This year there were six inter-
collegiate debaters who represt nted
S. U. against Baylor, T. C. U. and
Trinity. Three out of the six were
young preachers. Of the intercom
legiate debaters chosen for next
year five out of six are preachers.
Two out of four Brooks' prize de-
baters are preachers. Eight out
of twelve intermediate debaters
were preachers. Southwestern was
represented in four State oratorical
contests this year and each of the
four representatives were young
preachers.
But you may say that its but
natural that a preacher should exr
cell in debating and oratory be-
cause that is in his regular line of
work, and we will grant you that
such is true to a certain extent.
We would remind you however,
that the teacher and lawyer will be
on the firing line with the preacher
and why should they not' develop
and excell in this great field of
work.
Aside from debating and oratory
the preachers in S. U. are • more
than holding their own. A - recent
investigations shows that the' aver-
age grades in scholarships in S*'U.
are above that of the laity and one
of our number has taken first honor
this year. The silver tongue, did
not bring about these results.
They were accomplished by the toil
of the hands and the sweat of the
brow. •
/.s evidence of the practical busi
ness ability of our young preachers
we will simply remind you of the
fact that the chairman and young
men representatives oft the Lyceum
Committee for next year are
preachcrs. This committee is one
of the most important in the Uni-
versity, transacting from one
Continued on page 3.
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Hill, Jr., Joe L. The Megaphone (Georgetown, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 28, Ed. 1 Friday, June 6, 1913, newspaper, June 6, 1913; Georgetown, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth401197/m1/1/: accessed July 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Southwestern University.