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would ever be occasion to levy it. The treasurer of the association should disburse no money except on the order of the executive committee.

The idea which the LIT. wishes to convey is that of the necessity of concentrated organization. The suggestions made as to plan of organization are thrown out merely as intimations of what might be deemed advisable. Should these suggestions be considered worthy of forming the groundwork of a constitution and set of by-laws of an organization, they will have served more than their principal purpose. If the matter can be brought to the attention of the students so that it will receive candid discussion, we believe all will be in favor of some marked alteration in the present chaotic apology for a system.

Let a college meeting be called and, if the sentiment so order, let there be a committee appointed to prepare constitution and by-laws for an association; let such a committee be composed, in part, of members of the Faculty; let class and social preferences, personal prejudices and all sorts of "peanut politics” be cast aside; let a constitution be prepared in detail-it is no small amount of work; let it be adopted at a future college meeting, and let the affairs of the students of Hamilton College be henceforth conducted upon some plan of reason and common sense. It is possible to gain many advantages by organization. Who knows that, were a substantial organization formed, some alumnus might not see fit to place a fund at its disposal?

A VISITOR to a morning chapel might be led to believe that the students were not very deeply impressed with the significance and solemnity of this religious exercise. A little care and thoughtfulness on the part of the students in regard to decorum would prevent adverse criticism.

It is a fact well known to every person acquainted with the workings of the college, that there is at present less than the usual amount of writing being done on the prize work. The brisk competition of former years seems to be leaving us.

We, as a college, possess as good, if not a better style of expression than that of the past, but we feel that this must also go if competition is allowed to grow slack. It is by competition in our collegiate course that our best powers are brought out and developed. We see daily illustrations of this in our several class-rooms. Comparison and competition are each a stimulus to good work, and experience has shown that these give a training and a power. We have repeatedly seen that only by the closest and most severe competition do our athletes become able to excel to any degree. If this be true of general training, it certainly is true of our literary work.

As the representatives of college thought, we will endeavor to call the attention of those upon whomsoever the responsibility rests, to the fact that something must be done to keep our literary standard high. If it be the students of the college who have become disinterested, now is the time to correct the tendency. To be prize essayist is an honor worthy of as much notice as that of prize declaimer, and to excel in writing very often gives us a far better idea of one's practical ability than any group" honor can possibly give. Let us be as zealous to advance Hamilton's fame for "logical thought and expression" as we are

proud to speak of her as the home of oratory and classics. However, if the student finds it impossible, as many of them certainly do, to accomplish anything outside of the regular class-room work, the fault lies at the door of some one else. The change in regard to Kellog prize is destined to accomplish much in our already celebrated chapel rhetorical exercises. Cannot something be done to increase interest in prize essay work and render it possible for one to compete for a literary prize without forfeiting all rights to a high class-room record?

IT has long been the complaint of Hamilton College students that compulsory Sunday chapels is an institution that is both unwise and detrimental. But to make such assertions avails nothing unless they be supported by strong and convincing proofs as to their verity. It is not possible here to advance and enter into all the arguments which could and should be produced in favor of abolishing this system, but a brief reference to some of them may show, in a measure, whether or not the complaints are well founded. In speaking of this subject, all reference to the theory of compulsory church going in general shall be carefully guarded against. This theory is being thoroughly discussed at present throughout the collegiate world and many strong arguments have been advanced showing the great injustice and unwise character of such a principle. Compulsion has never yet won a man to Christianity, and all laws of nature forbid that it ever will.

But though this system may, as a rule, be most inefficacious, it still remains to show that such is true in Hamilton. Can this be done? Without presuming, we think it can. In the first place let it be asked, what is the main object that impels two-thirds of the men to attend chapel to-day? The answer is evident to save a "cut." This very fact should be enough to condemn the whole system, for when a man attends a religious exercise merely to save a cut" he can receive neither religious nor spiritual instruction. His heart is not open to receive the truth nor does he care to have it so. He is prejudiced against everything that is said from the pulpit and even though the service be a remarkably fine one he is not impressed with it as he should be. And why? Simply because he is human and his very nature rebels against receiving that which he is forced to take. This is not an overdrawn representation of the state of affairs in college to-day. Many and many a time men have left the chapel on Sunday and scoffed at the whole proceedings of the service and for no other reasons than those given above.

But if this were the only evil resulting from compulsory church going, there would not rise such a complaint against it as there is at present. A far greater condemnation lies in the fact that men not wishing to hear the service read novels in the chapel, visit with their nearest friend, re-peruse the letters they have received during the past week, and disgrace the sanctuary service in general. By so doing they not only receive no benefit themselves but occupy the attention of others around them and thus deprive them of any instruction they might have received. Where is he who can be spiritually or even morally instructed when a man sitting near him is vociferously reading and swearing over a novel? Yet such is not unfrequently the case, and it is certainly to be regretted. Would not such men be far better off in their rooms, where, if they receive no good

themselves, they at least may not prevent others from doing so? But, it is argued that if two-thirds of the men go to chapel merely to save a “cut,” and if chapels were not compulsory there would then be so few men to attend as to render the attendance disgraceful. This looks reasonable, perhaps, still it can not be considered as true. Were Sunday chapels not compulsory, it is believed that there would be exactly as large an attendance as at present, and not only as large but there would be an audience of men assembled to hear a sermon and to worship, and not to save a "cut." Those who are bitterly opposed to divine service would doubtless read their book in their room, and thus interfere with no one. Though even these, we trust, would instinctively be drawn to the chapel at times and, conscious that they were there of their own free will, would pay reverence due the place.

It is very true that, in order to attract young men to church, the services must be interesting and instructive. Men come to college with the intent to learn. If they learn from a sermon on Sunday then they are ready to go and hear it. Nothing is more natural than for a man to want to go to church on Sabbath morning if he is not compelled to go, and college men are of that age and standing when they know what their own instincts prompt them to do and what is best for their own instruction and welfare. Should the compulsory chapels be abolished now, there would doubtless be a strong reaction for a little time, and the attendance on Sunday would be small, but it would not be for long. The numbers present would gradually increase and soon there would be a large congregation of college men, all intent on listening to the service and active in worship.

We have tried to give a fair view of this question, and have shown how detrimental the present system is in its workings at Hamilton. The only thing in the way of a remedy is to do away with compulsion. It might be far better than the present system. It certainly could be no worse.

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DESPITE the storm, a large audience gathered at Scollard Opera House, on the evening of Feb. 8th, to listen to the opening concert of the Glee and Banjo Club. The college turned out in force; the seminaries were there, and everyone seemed bent on enjoying the occasion. The personnel of the clubs is much the same as last year, and, as was to be expected, the experience thus gained has had its effect. Frequent applause attested the appreciation of the audience, and the following programme was increased to twice its length by repeated encores: 1. "To the Bravest," Mohring, Glee Club; 2. Hamilton" Quickstep, Banjo Club; 3. "In the Forest," Kucken, Glee Club: 4. Selection from "Kirmess," Banjo Club; 5. Sponge and Oyster,' ·Church in the Wildwood," Glee Club; 6. "Ein Herz, Ein Sinn," Polka, Strauss, Banjo Club. Intermission. 7, All Alone," Pfeil, "If—" Glee Club; 8. Medley, Mixed Quartette; 9. Mary's Little Wise Man," Glee Club; 10. Selections from Nadjy" and "Brigands," Banjo Club; 11. "Little Green Peach," Glee Club; 12. "Invincible Guard" March, Banjo Club; 13. "Cheer, Boys, Cheer," Glee and Banjo Club.

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Within a few days the clubs are to start on a week's trip, giving concerts at Oneida, Syracuse, Rochester, Cazenovia and Norwich; while later in the season

those towns nearer home will be visited. This is a move in the right direction, and great credit is due the management for its zeal and energy in the enterprise. We hope that it may be in every way successful. We are sure that success is merited. It must also be remembered that such a trip would be impossible were it not for the kindness of the Faculty. Individually and collectively they are doing all in their power to further the enterprise, and they may be sure that such interest is fully appreciated by the students.

THERE is a subject, at present, which concerns Hamilton, and, also other colleges. We present our grievance:

Last year, at Albany, Hamilton won the inter-collegiate athletic cup. We ask, where is it?

In the spring of '87, the inter-collegiate was held at Syracuse. During that athletic exhibition, one of the events-a hundred yard dash-was claimed to be won by Cornell, but on a counter claim of foul her victory was disputed. The referee, duly appointed, on that occasion, decided to make the athletes run the race again. Cornell protested and peremptorily refused to comply with the referee's decision. Her victory on that field-day was conditioned upon the decision of this protested event in her favor. It was not so decided. Thereupon she refused to give up the silver cup which, the year previous, she had lawfully Upon her refusal to deliver the cup she was expelled from the association. The cup still remains in Cornell's possession though it has been subsequently won, by Syracuse in '88 and last year by Hamilton. By a legal process, it seems, the silver cup can not be recovered, for the Inter-collegiate Athletic Association is not an incorporate body. But is there, under the existing circumstances, any propriety in Cornell retaining possessior. of this cup? We would suggest that some action be taken for its recovery. As this silver cup is the pennant won by us, we want it.

won.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE CLASS OF 1892.

In the all-wise providence of God, our classmate, Edward H. McMaster, has been called to his heavenly reward while yet eager in the flush of dawning manhood to enter upon earth's labor of love; therefore be it

Resolved, That we, his classmates, knowing his kindly nature, his manly spirit and his pure Christian character, and having learned in the term he was with us to respect, honor and love him, extend to his sorrowing family and friends our sincere and heartfelt sympathy; and be it further

Resolved, That, while we thus extend our sympathy, we commend the mourning ones for consolation to Him who doth not willingly afflict, knowing that our classmate has left only tender and happy memories, and that his Christian influence will ever widen in the stream of time.

GEO. S. BUDD,

JOHN B. HOOKER, JR.,
GEORGE F. Woor,

Committee for the Class of 1892.

Hamilton College, Feb. 8, 1890.

LAST term the LIT. offered two prizes for original poems; competition to be open to all subscribers. It was hoped that, in this manner, whatever latent talent there might be among the students, would be roused to activity. Alas! either there is very little of that talent, or else the incentives offered were not sufficient. The competition was slight; and this is the more to be regretted because the character of some of the poems received was such as to indicate that Hamilton men might do good work in this line, if they were to try. The result of the competition is as follows: First prize, S. H. Adams, '91; second prize, John M. Curran, '92.

AROUND COLLEGE.

--Thursday 23d, chapel rush.

-H. O. Short, Dartmouth, '88, has been visiting with Stevens, '90.

-J. T. Badgley. '89, of Madison, spent Saturday, January 25, on the Hill. —A. R. Serven, '87, of Waterloo, has been renewing acquaintances in college.

-Prof. Hoyt, Feb. 2, preached in the chapel a very eloquent and impressive

sermon.

-Albert Evans, '89, of Princeton Theological Seminary, has called upon friends.

-E. J. Wager, '85, of Philadelphia, Penn., spent Feb. 3 and 4 at the 4. Y. House.

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-A dainty Sem. defines blind man's buff as a fellow feeling for a fellow creature."

-Subjects this term for Seniors in debate have reference to constitutional law. Grind!

-Feb. 9, Dr. Terrett gave a very able discourse in the chapel which was well appreciated.

-Feb. 4, Seniors marched out of chapel, after the morning exercises, in a very dignified manner.

-Prof. Fred L. Garnage, Brown, '83, of Oxford, N. Y., made a short visit with Lee, '91, Feb. 1.

-Edward S. King, '87, while on his way to Harvard Observatory, stopped in Clinton for a few days.

-C. W. E. Chapin, '89, of Union Theological Seminary, has been quite ill at his parents' home in Clinton.

-The Sophomore delegation of the Sigma Phi fraternity entertained a number of the class of '93 at a spread in South College, Jan. 31.

-A Fresh. who sleeps in North College was recently heard to murmur, in the peaceful arms of Morpheus,-"Mamma! Oh, Mamma!"

—A Freshman received a letter, upon one corner of which was inscribed,— "Please return, if not called for in five days, to Miss Ida.”

-The Committee of the Faculty on the Math. prizes announced the following successful men: 1st prize, Stewart; 2d, Feltus; medal, Wilkes.

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