The Gavelyte, September 1911

• OED.ARV ILLE COLLBGE. IGO assure us that they haven't a thing to say, then take up at least fifteen minutes saying it. The sensation I experienced this year was one of be– wilderment. Nathaniel Hawthorne assures us that any one can make a postprandial speech if he is willing to talk on without saying anything. With such authority, I was not troubled so much about what to say as what tochoose to say. Mr. Wm. Dean Howells, our American novelist, tells a story of an old farmer whom he met on a summer vacation in the country. As the acquaint– ance grew, Mr. Howells discovered that the farmer was a man above the aver– age in his interests and ventured to loan him a copy of Plato. When it was re– turned Mr. Howells asked, "Well, how did you like it?" "Fust rate," re– plied the farmer, "I see he has some of my ideas." During the past year I have felt very much like that old farmer as I have heard and read the splendid ideas of other members of the association. And to-night I feel just a little be– wildered as to what more I can say that may be of value in working out the mission of our college. One year ago most of us left these banqueting halls feeling that never be– fore had the spirit of our Alma Mater brooded over us so pleadingly. From time to time this year articles have appeared in the "Gavelytt1" showing that the pleadings of the spirit were not for one night only. We, as alumni, have Leen reminded, in most plainly spoken words, of our neglect of this institution; the denomination that fosters this ~ollege should be stung to the quick by the accusations of apathy that have been hurkd at it by the very children whom it has educated; the community itself has; been summoned before this most august tribunal, has been weighed in the balance and found wanting. To-night, I do not care to speak of the reciprocal relation between the collge and the alumni, or be– tween the college and the denomination that controls it, but of the reciprocity between the college and the town. Between Cedarville and Cedarville college a most peculiar relation exists. rhis college came here uninvited; not one red penny did the town donate to Jring this institution into its midst. About three years ago this vicinity raised >100,000 to bring a manufacturing plant here. In the former case financial in– lifference, in the latter financial ~nthusiasm; toward the former distrust, to– .vard the latter confidence. I am sure I do not care to discuss the reason for mch an attitude on the part of the town, but I believe it may be of profit to ·onsider, for a little while, some of the things the college is doing in the com– nunity, not what she is doing for herself, but what she is doing for the town. Ne realize that time is a factor in the big things the college can do for Cedar– rille, but tact is a factor in the little things she can do. What are we doing to ·ultivate the confidence of the town? Consider first what the college is doing intellectually. I am truly thankful hat such an institution is in our midst making college education so cheap that ew are deprived of it, but in fifteen years has this education made itself in eJIPctually felt in the town? 'Tis true the town had never demanded much