more the fools were whirling down the steep incline and. Why should Oberlin College, which in the past toward the river. All day they passed through scenery has taken the lead in establishing Christian princivaried and picturesque, beyond my power of descrip- ples, refuse to lend a helping hand in this glorious tion; between banks of clay, and emerging, the view | work? would widen, hills upon hills, valley after valley, As it is, without this much needed organization the clear streams wandering off as far as the eye could young women are hampered in their Christian work by reach. Anon the cars would glide around some pre-a lack of system. They have no adequate way of decipitous mountain, then over a bridge whose height was so great that the head whirled; and a traveler now and then pointed out historical points. That small elevation yonder marked where a hundred brave boys fell in defense of their birthrights, at the hands of their country's despoilers; and again, there stood Pilot-Knob, rendered famous by a battle between the Blue and Grey. In its bosom is sufficient iron to build a thousand railroads, and energetic men with brains and capital are delving into its bowels after its iron treasures. termining who are Christians and who are not. The result is that many who would be willing and glad to do the work, are inactive simply because they do not know where to direct their energies. And, as a consequence, many a young girl, after studying here a year or more, has left our halls without ever having come face to face with the momentous question, "Are you a Christian?" This ought not to be so, and would not if each Christian had a definite knowledge for whom to work. Perhaps it is true that such an organization is not The train and the fools crossed the State line at 6 p.necessary for the college classes, but those who m. and were nearing their destination, but the curtain will be lifted and the scene changed anon. THE NEED OF A Y. W. C. A. $$. have had the slightest connection with either the Conservatory or English Preparatory Department, will see that the need here is especially great. The argument that we are already over-burdened with organizations, has no force and no vitality. We Some humane philosopher has said, "There is a way all realize that in order to be successful in our secular to have all one wants, by simply wanting all one has.' work, we must do it systematically, and the same rule Such a philosophy as this may be very pleasing to the applies to spiritual work. There is always more danhumane's mind, or those who are noted for their inac-ger of working without aystem than of being overtivity. But in the midst of this eager, energetic and burdened with it. Surely this is a question which deenthusiastic age, there are few who would make it the mands our earnest attention, our efforts and our motto of their lives. And it is an evidence of our progress that we are ever cherishing new desires and striving for new attainments. prayers. MUSICAL AT WARNER HÅLL. This principle was no doubt recognized when our college curriculum was enlarged, about a year ago. In An impromptu musical was given last Monday evenlooking over that curriculum we find a course of studying by teachers and pupils of the Conservatory, in honor in Language, Mathematics, Science, Philosophy and of Dr. and Mrs. Warner, who were on their way west. Literature, adequate to broaden the most narrow and A few friends were invited to Warner Hall and a very prejudiced minds. There is, however, one thing pleasant evening, both musical and social, was spent. needed to make this course of study an ideal one: the The program contained many numbers which bad been addition of an organization for the promotion of heard before in rehearsals. Miss Hoskins played Christian work among the young women connected Chopin's G minor Ballade for the first time with great with the college. This is a need which has been felt brilliancy and finish. This is one of the most musical by all, and a need which has been manifested more and of Chopin's compositions. The program was as follows: more within the last few years. The question now arises, why can we not form such an organization here in Oberlin? Surely we can find here all the requisites for such an association. There are in college women amply qualified to fill the most responsible positions that would arise with the foundation of a Y. W. C. A., and no one can say that the work to be done is not plenty. At present such organizations are to be found in connection with many colleges of importance in the United States. There are now about two hundred Y. W. C. A.'s with memberships varying from twenty to two hundred, and a total membership of seven thous Raff. Landler. Henselt. Cradle Song. Jensen. Murmuring Zephyrs.) Donizetti. Duet from "Maria Padilla," Chopin. .MISS EGBERT. MISSES WRIGHT AND FULLER. MISSS HEGMANN. MR. C. P. DOOLITTLE. Etude in E minor. Ballade in G minor.. "Euch Luftchen," from Lohengrin. MISS MATTHEWS. Miss TUCKER and the strings. Rheinberger. Two movements of quartet, MR. BRECKENRIDGE. JUNIOR EXHIBITION. and politician is not to promote public prosperity but to increase private interests. (2) "The use of public work On the morning of April 27th the banners of '89 were for acquiring private fortunes." (3) "The great and sudfloating in the breeze, announcing to the students and den increase of territory and wealth." (4) "Foreign imcitizens of Oberlin, that the "Great Day" had arrived. migration." The second main division would be more Owing to certain external conditions, a great deal of properly stated as a sub-division of the first. If the interest was developed early in the morning. But, Mr. gentleman's premises be granted we should say that Editor, inasmuch as you have asked me only to give my his conclusion naturally follows. But we must question impressions of the mental achievements, and not of the accuracy of some of his statements. We do not bephysical prowess, I pass immediately to the task assign-lieve that public office is sought for the sake of financial ed me, only pausing to say that the decorations were gain. Large fortunes are not amassed in this country extensive, beautiful and artistically arranged. The music, clear through the program-even the class song, was very much appreciated. If anything is to be mentioned as superior to the rest of the music, we would select "The Carnovale," which was sung by the class quartet, Misses Wright and Benedict Messrs. G. L. Smith and P. H. Metcalf. from the emoluments of office. The gentleman claims that the day has come to us when Mammon rules and Americans are honored not because of "birth or ability," but on account of "wealth." We should say that but little distinction is made because of either of these conditions. True, some glory in their ancestry, others in their intellectual achievements, while the, only recom After prayer by Prof. Ellis, W. J. Knight, the Presi-mendation which a third class have is their wealth. dent, introduced F. W. Buchholz, whose subject was But the average American citizen pays not the highest "America's Unifier." The oration brought out two honor to either of these. We repose our confidence in prominent facts, (1) The aid Hamilton rendered in those who possess moral integrity. If there is any securing a strong central government, (2) His financial Hero Worship" in this country it is to give honor to policy as Secretary of the Treasury. The production lacked personal merit, and not to external conditions. The the charm of graphic description, antithetical arrange- gentleman's strongest points were the last two, and he ment and sweeping climax. The fault was more in the sub-made much of them. The impression of the oration as ject chosen than in the orator. A biographical cration, a whole was good. The production shows careful study as a rule, in order to be very effective, must deal with and rice arrangement. some person who represented a great moral issue. We Mr. F. L. Allen next came upon the rostrum to admire Hamilton as a statesman. We repose cur con-answer the question, "Will History Repeat Itself?” fidence in the principles of his sound financial policy. The oration is indefinitely and unfortunately named. We trust him. Yet we do not love him as we do Landlordism in America, is the theme which the genthe persecuted Huguenots or the Scottish Covenant- tleman discussed from the beginning to the end, the ers, who sacrificed their lives rather than surrender their theme from which he did not wander for a minute. It religious convictions. The gentleman's delivery was has been suggested by some that Mr. Allen set up his well suited to his oration. The measurement of ges- man of straw" and then proceeded to overthrow him. tures was not very accurate and too much circumflex But the judgment of your writer says most emphatically and prolongation of vowels was noticed on one or two no! In arguing the question we should probably take occasions. the opposite side to Mr. Allen. But no matter. The The next speaker was the Latin orator, J. B. Smiley, gentleman was not at all visionary. He dealt with who spoke about "Roma et America.' Mr. Smiley's facts. Those facts he produced and upon them built a pronunciation of Latin was very noticeably good, strong argument. The oration was a good one from although his use of the Roman method of pronunciation beginning to end. The language is simple, direct and -for which we commend him-made it seem just a lit- forcible. Perspicuity--the first and chief element of tle odd to those of us who had been taught another good style, is everywhere apparent. No sentence is used method. His enunciation was full, distinct and im-simply because it is "pretty," but because it means pressive. His gestures appropriate and well timed, something. We feel sure that the audience was The delivery throughout was very earnest and strong. inclined to say "Yes," when near the close Mr. Allen The animation of the gentleman would impress one, said that we must "have an absolute homestead law." though not able to understand a word the speaker was While we can truly say that the gentleman gave a good, saying, that he was uttering something that challenged strong delivery for his oration, yet we feel that the merattention. The main points of the production are its of the production demanded a more earnest and enclearly defined and forcibly stated. The object of the ergetic presentation. In pronunciation Mr. Allen used oration is to show that the germs of those evils which a little too much circumflex and prolonged vowel sounds overthrew the Roman Republic, are present in our to an unnatural extent. His gestures were somewhat country. Four principal causes are noted. (1) Indif- stiff and mechanical. ference to public welfare." The aim of both citizen The Greek oration, " 'Αρα Σπάρτη ἢ Πλαταιαί, was delivered by F. E. Leonard. We have not been able to secure the gentleman's manuscript, and as we could not understand the meaning of the oration by simply hearing the author deliver it, we can give no opinion on the merits of the production. We cannot say that Mr. Leonard "forgot his piece," but there was enough hesitation on several occasions to give the impression that he was thinking hard of what came next. The delivery was weak because it seemed so mechanical. G. L. Smith next spoke on "The Opportunity of the Republican Party." We do not believe that much improvement could be made in the delivery of the oration. Mr. Smith has a rich, musical voice. He was entirely without self-consciousness and stood easily on both feet, while his gestures were appropriate, free and graceful. The purpose of the oration was to show that the Republican party should declare itself in favor of National Prohibition. The gentle. man maintained that there is enough temperance sentiment in the United States to carry temperance measures, but it is divided. This sentiment cannot be united in the Democratic party. It is "conservative" and "opposed to sumptuary legislation." The Prohibition party is unsafe because "its leaders lack practical wisdom." The Republican party is "the party of reform." The gentleman claims-what Prohibitionists would deny-that "through the Republican party, Kansas, Iowa, Rhode Island and Maine have State Prohibition." Mr. Smith merited all the applause he received. Miss M. L. Marsh delivered the French oration. Her subject was "L'Homme des Deux Mondes." This "Man of two worlds" was, of course, Lafayette. Miss Marsh asked and answered the question, "What was the motive of his life?" It was, "Love of liberty." The key to the production may be given in these words: "To love something beyond one's self is the secret of everything that is noble." Miss Marsh recited her production very nicely, but without much energy and animation. F. W. Wood spoke on the "Hidden Man." The principal thought contained in the oration is something as follows: The mere outward manifestation of goodness is no sure index of a pure heart. Conformity to law and the rules of propriety may proceed from a selfish motive, and consequently such acts are not praiseworthy. The true man is the "Hidden Man." The man that thinks, that feels, that suffers. Men are placed in very different circumstances. One is born in a Christian home and nurtured by godly parents, while another first sees the light in the midst of vice. For the former man it is easy to do right; for the latter, very difficult. We should men by what they suffer, by the obstacles they over come. measure Whether or not God looks with more favor upon a virtuous act that is put forth in opposition to some great temptation, than upon one that is exerted in the face of but very little opposition, is a question which Theologians have not yet settled. But true it is, that judged by human standards, we instinctively pay the highest honor to him that has sufferel some great temptation and come out of the contest victorious. There is in this thought a fine opportunity for an oration. Mr. Wood did not confine himself closely enough to his theme. The gentleman is a beautiful writer, and gave some very graphic descriptions, bat they were not always apposite to the purpose of the oration. The production failed in bing a complete whole. The debate of the question, "Should the Government Own the Telegraph," was supportǝl by Mr. Thwing and denied by J. E. Pershing. It was very unfortunate that the sickness of Mr. Pershing made it necessary for his paper to be read by another person We offer no criticism on the gentlem in who did real, but Mr. Pershing's own interpretation and presentation of what he prepared, was what we wanted to hear. Both papers present good strong arguments, and the gentlemen who prepared them deserve credit for their careful and painstaking work. To say more of the debate, we should be compelled to compare the two gentlemen somewhat. This we cannot do, justly, because Mr. Pershing was unable to appear. The poem was real by Miss Amy B. Richards. Th subject, "The Sacrifice at Aulis," is a beautiful and pathetic story. Though but a Grecian myth, the narrative is more touching and noble than that of Abraham offering up Isaac. Abraham's faith was unshaken. But he was a man of age and experience. He had learned to trust Gol. He had reluctantly consented to the exile of Hagar ani Ishim vel when consoled by the promise that Ishmael should become a great nation. Not so with Iphigenia. Hers was the simple faith of an innocent maiden which laid hold of those things that are eternal. It was her own life that she was to sacrifice, to appease the wrath of Diana. That life she was ready to offer at the call of duty. But here comes a temptation, for the poem reads: "Then to tempt her into weakness Amphrodite sent unto her Sweet-voiced Fancy to betray her. And she threw about the maiden Beauteous visions of the future." But she yielded not. For "When the twilight in gray garments As the angel of Jehovah stayed the uplifted arm of Not the maid in crimson garments, The story is closed by saying that the sacrifice at Aulis, For it taught them 'twas God's message And the world has caught the music Yes, the whole world loves the story Of the sacrifice at Aulis." The quotations given will show the metre of the poem. It is that of Longfellow's "Hiawatha." The reading was animated and effective. These, Mr. Elitor, are my honest impressions of '89's Junior Ex. If the least injustice has been done to any one, you may hold me responsible for the offense. B. II. Burtt. CONCERT OF AMERICAN COMPOSITIONS. The Central Musical Association of Cleveland, on Thursday evening, April 19th, offered something of a novelty in a concert program composed entirely of works of living American composers. We are glad to notice the growing interest in all parts of the country taken in works of our own musicians. And some of those selected for the Cleveland program, both in their proportions and the character of the material used, show that this interest is not in vain. We have space only to mention a few of the thirteen compositions given. The "Finale and Fugue from the 18th Psalm" by S. N. Penfield, well known in Oberlin, has been heard here and is a very fine composition. There were two numbers for strings of some pretension, one a string quartet in a minor by F. X. Arens, of Cleveland, was the more enjoyable. Two movements of a sextette for strings by Mr. J. H. Beck, also of Cleveland, showed excellent musicianship, though the subjects used were not as fresh and original as in some of his other compositions. There were a number of songs on the program which have been heard here. A work which took equal rank with any was the violin and piano sonata by Mr. G. W. Andrews of the Conservatory. Mr. Yunck, of Detroit, played the violin part and Mr. Andrews the piano. The work has already been noticed by us. It received the highest praise from the musicians present and those best able to judge of its character. The ideas worked out in it are fresh and very melodious with one or two climaxes in the first movement that were as effective as anything we heard. we hope the step taken by the Central Musical Associa· tion which must have been very encouraging to those whose compositions were accepted, will be followed by others. DE REBUS TEMPORIS. Who will get the old gavel? Eighty dollars were the profits of the George W. Cable lecture. Prof. Ellis gave a very interesting lecture last Thursday, on "The Novelties of Travel in Europe." In sending your subscriptions for the REVIEW, you may write on both sides of the piper, if you want to. necessitate her absence from Commencement. She exMrs. Johnston's contemplated European trip will pects to sail June 13th. The gentlemen of the Senior class who come on at Commencement have felt it incumbent on them to invest in glossy silk hats. Mr. F. C. Ober, International Y. M. C. A. Secretary, led the Sunday evening prayer meeting. There was a large attendance at this meeting. By request, C. S. Patton gave his contest oration on "Robert Burns" before Phi Delta society, week before last ...O. A. Prince, of '89, was voted in. The Seniors are taking their art lectures this week in Bradley Auditorium, where Prof. Fairchild illustrates his remarks on Sculpture by stereoscopic views. Professors Ellis, Rice, Shurtleff and Ballantine were at the reception tendered Dr. Francis Patton, President-elect of Princeton, in Cleveland, Monday before last. The favorite pastime of several irreverent Preps is to quietly steal up the stairs of the Peters Hall tower and catch some lovesick couple, which is sure to be there. All the solos in the Commencement concert are to be sung by musicians from abroad. The Union are already beginning to meet twice a week to practice the choruses. Prof. A. A. Wright is having a number of boulders taken from his old home, corner of Forest and Professor streets, and deposited about his grounds for ornamentation. Thursday before last Prof. Churchill lectured on the subject of Student Life at Dartmouth." The lecture was filled with interesting and amusing reminiscences of the college when he was a student there. A petition requesting a Thursday lecture from Mrs. Johnston has been widely circulated recently among the several classes, and it is most earnestly hoped that she will see fit to comply with the request. Student (to Professor who is running over the hour): "Professor, this is our time for class prayer meeting. Professor: "Well, I guess you better have a prayer meeting; you haven't got this lesson." We have a distinct recollection of a Thursday lecture given over a year ago, in which the students were requested not to "cut 'cross lots" on the campus, yet it The concert as a whole was a very enjoyable one and was only a few days ago that four Professors were seen to take a short cut from the Chapel to the Library within one-half hour. The tennis tournament is exciting considerable interest among the players. Twelve couples are to contest for the prize, each choosing and wearing its own color. The games commenced last Saturday, and are to be played on Saturdays and Wednesdays, each couple playing three sets with every other one. The Sophomore ladies present quite an array in their new uniforms Their dresses match the Sophomore coats and are all made much alike-with plain skirts and waists, trimmed in scarlet. It was intended to make them from the class colors, but they were obliged to substitute light tan for ashes of roses. We think the Junior class took a sensible view of the situation in not attempting to keep the Junior Ex. program a secret, and in distributing copies of it after chapel prayers last Wednesday. Why there should be any secrecy about any part of the exercises, exceeds our comprehension. It is a precedent that might well be followed by succeeding classes. A Minstrel Aggregation of which the Right Honorable Cardinal Gibbons regaled the inhabitants of the town on the night before Junior Ex, with sweet strains from five guitars, a banjo, a mandoline and two mouth organs. The troupe, although newly organized, reflects great credit on its eminent leader. Special rates to dances and evening parties. The elections for Junior exhibition were held last Saturday, and resulted as follows: First orator, Al fred Arnold; second, George C. Jameson; third, W. B. Crittenden. First debater, F. J. Van Horn; second, C. A. Kofoid. Greek orator, E. H. Harper. Latin orator, Miss C. P. Winter. Poet, F. C. Huston. The Sophomore Phils, elected Miss A. E. Town. English orator, a id Miss E. M. Moll, German orator. Our Prep editor, H. P. Klyver, preached in the Baptist Church Sunday before last. "Our reporter was on the spot," and was highly edified by the excellent discourse. The gentleman expressed his thoughts in clear, forcible language, which was due no doubt to his experience as a REVIEW editor. Mr. Klyver is not a member of the institution this term, on account of his pastorate in North Amherst, which demands so much of his time. The Inter-State Oratorical Contest will be held May 3. at De Pauw University, Greencastle, Ind. The States represented are Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, MinneNearly all the states have held their contests, and will sota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. send delegates to Greencastle to cheer their men on to victory. The prizes to be contested for are $75 first and $50 second. The president of the association is P. C. Campbell, Baker University, Baldwin, Kan.; vice president, W. J. Beckett, De Pauw University, Greencastle, Ind.; secretary and treasurer, Irwing A. Ewing, Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ill. The Ohio representative, as decided in the State contest, will be Mr. Charles Bosler, Dennison University, Granville, 0. The universal verdict seems to be, that the recital of "Grand Pointe" by its author, was a decided success. We could not but wonder, at first, at the appearance of foot lights on the rostrum of the First Church. Bat the riddle was solved when we discovered that the speaker intended not to read, but to impersonate the different characters. This he did admirably. The blank look of Crebiche when asked to spell “hoss;" the drunken words of Catou; the negro brogue; the passionate love of the school-master; the insipid words of Tarbox, were all given with powerful effect. The first ringing of the school bell was very artistically rendered, while the passionate Bonaventure in his mad pursuit of Claude, reminded us somewhat of the frenzied Othello, when he smothered the chaste but suspected Desdemona. The story we can not believe deserves so much praise as some article is certainly very beautifully written. But the have been disposed to give it. There was a Wednesday morning was a fairer test of the Water The burning of W. J. Fuller's livery barn last Works than the gasoline fire of two weeks ago, and strong pressure on hand the moment the hose was at the Works scored a perfect success. tached to the hydrants. The four streams soon extinguished the fire and prevented the destruction of the surrounding buildings, which would surely have caught had there been only the old fire engine and the cisterns. The loss to Mr. Fuller is very small, the most of his property having been rescued. Mr. Favel had $1,500 insurance on the building, which nearly covers his loss. The cause of the fire is not known. It started in a load of hay which had just been drawn into the barn. The hay might have caught from a gas We have serious doubts as to the possibility of get-jet which was kept burning near by, but Mr. Favel deting up a mock program which shall be both decent and witty. Certainly the two mock programs which appeared last week are far from the ideal. No. 1, which came out Thursday morning, was perfectly insipid and harmless. No. 2 simply added the characteristic of vileness to the insipidity of No. 1. Both of them were modeled after the one which appeared two years ago, and the scenes which followed the appear ance of the latter will probably be re-enacted. ་་ Librarian Root, who teaches the Junior Rhetorical class, intends to secure original work from the class if choice of subjects will do it. A few of the assigned subjects for essays and debates are given below: "College Offices From the Standpoint of Experience,` "Co-operation in Housework. "Sense and Nonsense, "Class Rhetoricals vs. Society," "Talcott Hall vs. the Private Family for Boarding," and "Orations vs. Debates," besides numerous original poems. The idea is a good one, and we hope that it will succeed. The crying evil in Oberlin literary work is the custom of making the essay or oration a mirror of some great writer's thoughts. clares that the gas was turned off at the time, and it might have caught from the pipe of the teamsters, but the man says he never smokes. Early Friday morning the citizens of Oberlin were aroused by sounds resembling those which emanate from Warner Hall when that institution is in full blast. The cause of the noise was a dispute between a handful of Juniors and nearly the whole Sophomore class as to who should have the Junior flag. The Sophs made a rush, but it was premature, and they only succeeded in cutting the rope. The trouble was caused in the first place by the unwise action of some of the Juniors. It seems that at the close of the great Sherman meeting, last fall term, a number of Juniors seized upon the Sophomores' flag which they had draped over the pipe organ in the First Church, and had forgotten all about in their eagerness to be the first to greet Sherman at the reception in Peters Hall. The Sophs soon discovered who took it and were naturally desirous of securing the Junior flag in return. Last Friday evening a Soph discovered the long lost flag in his room. All trouble is |