The Golden age. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1906-1915, September 20, 1906, Page 3, Image 3

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Ideal Democracy In Education. _ (Continued from page 2.) of the war seemed to indicate that for a time the future of the college hung in the balance. But even during the period of the war the friends of the school had not forgotten its needs and even though burdened with debts and difficulties the institution was opened in 1565 and work was conducted there under the direction of Rev. W. C. Wilkes who had labored long and faithfully for the school. In 1879 the entire college building, containing valuable lab oratories, libraries and genera] equipment, were de stroyed by fire and for a time the college was en tirely suspended. But after several years of inactiv ity, again energetic friends came forward and with the small insurance fund of four thousand dollars as a. nucleus the inspiring efforts of the Ladies’ College Aid Association together with liberal private donations enabled the college to again resume work with Prof. R. T. Asbury at its head. After this Rev. J. E. Powell and Dr. M. 11. Love stood at the helm. College Tendered to the Baptist Convention. But the financial struggles were too heavy to be’ borne by any individuals and at the Georgia Bap tist Convention held in Augusta in April, 1898, the college was offered to the convention, and by special effort on the part of the citizens of Forsyth and the Trustees of the institution it was free of debt. Although there was at first much opposition to the acceptance of Monroe College by the Baptists of Georgia, it was finally accepted by the convention and a board of trustees elected for its management. Several splendid institutions, private or local in ownership, had been called Baptist schools, but Mon roe was the first college to be owned by the denom ination as a whole. In the light of late events it may be said that this acceptance of this institution by the Baptists was as notable an event as ever happened in the history of that denomination. While the college is a Bap tist institution and the best efforts of that denomi nation are constantly put forward to the mainte nance and encouragement of an institution which would do honor to any civil or religious organization in the 'world, girls of all denominations are. attracted there by the excellence of the work that is done. The New Monroe. In glancing at the stately buildings, picturesque campus, the complete interior arrangements of the college as it is today there is little evidence of the tempestuous history which the institution has had in .the past. It would seem, also, that every problem which it has had to solve had been met and mas tered. But there is a new and possibly an unfore seen condition which not even- its most sanguine friends had ever anticipated. I refer to the problem of caring for the vast numbers who flock to the gates of Monroe just as eagerly as did the pilgrims of old to the shrine of Mecca or to the Fount of Lethe. New buildings for dormitories, class rooms, practice rooms, chapel room, library room, etc., etc., etc., have been added, but still other buildings are greatly needed, and their erection is in prospect. Beautiful Location and Buildings. Situated as the college is in the very center of “The Empire State of the South” it attracts stu dents from every direction, not only from Georgia but from other states. Forty-eight acres of land which surround the college are cultivated both for purposes of usefulness and pleasure. The handsome buildings are joined one to the other by long cov ered corridors. In the center is the Walton Hunter Wiggs Hall, while on the left is the Bessie W. Tift Hall, which only recently received a generous dona tion of $37,000 from Col. 11. H. Tift and Mrs. Bes sie Tift—this hall provides more than eighty bed rooms, drawing rooms, and practice rooms, while the dining room, with a seating capacity of more than four hundred, is on the first floor of this building. On the right is the Addie Upshaw Hall containing more than a hundred bed rooms as well as handsome reception rooms and practice rooms. This hall was named by Wm. I). Upshaw, in honor of his mother. It was proposed to call it the Wm. I). Upshaw Hall, The Golden Age for September 20, 1906. on account of Mr. Upshaw’s unsalaried and unselfish efforts in raising funds for its erection, but Mr. Up shaw preferred, the present name for a “son’s reasons” which he gave in his brief address deliv ered at the dedication of the building in 1904. Artistic Interior of the Building. The interior of the buildings is of so complete a character that they need a special word of com mendation. Every possible device is had for the comfort and convenience of the students, and some of the rooms -are really models of college furnish ings and finishing. The class rooms are provided with every possible appliance for the requisite study of the various collegiate branches, and in addition to these, there is a special building for the study of domestic science, known as the Alsie-Imor Cham bless Hall. Here dressmaking and cooking are taught and a graduate of Monroe College is required to be as proficient in these essential domestic arts as she is in those of advanced modern science and lit erature. Literary Societies. The college spirit is most largely in evidence at Monroe, especially at the opening, and one of the forms which it assumes is the enthusiasm displayed in the literary societies, of which there are two— The Clionian and the Kappa Delta. Both of these have handsome meeting or reception rooms and their members are engaged in a friendly but none the less wholesome and stimulating rivalry. College Discipline—A “Self-Governed School.’’ It seems almost an anachronism to speak of “col lege discipline” for it is so often claimed that col lege girls need no discipline. This is a serious error, for we know there is no walk in life where discipline is non-essential, and the halls of a college prove no exception to this rule. But at Monroe the dis cipline is distinctly of a character building quality. The student body itself supplies the material of which the socalled “self-governed set’’ is composed. Students who receive no demerits for a month and whose general bearing and standard of scholarship meet certain requirements, are voted on by the en tire school first for places on the Honor Roll and then, after another month, for the distinction of membership in the. ranks of the “self-governed.” These girls, in turn, are trusted with the discipline of the other students, and names of fellow students who are known to be violating college rules are listed in secret session and are given to the facul ty. This method relieves the individual student from all personal unpleasantness, but it is a method so effectual and so unusual that it seems to pre serve college discipline almost without the knowl edge of the students themselves. On entering the campus each girl’s chief ambition seems to be to become “a self-governed girl,” and then to stay one throughout her college course. Preparatory Students. In Monroe College, as in many similar institutions, it was found exceedingly difficult to find all students fitted to enter the college classes, and so it was de cided to establish a preparatory department/ This department is largely patronized and as the general tone of the college is so high and its influence so far-reaching these preparatory pupils find only helpful inspiration from the contact with the more advanced students. Standard of Scholarship. True to the original plan of the founders of the College the standard of scholarship at Monroe Col lege is of the highest—its graduates rank with those of any other college in the country and the B.A. degree conferred by Monroe is a distinction equal to any won by other male or female colleges in the South. Mention has been made in the foregoing of the interest which the students seem to feel in the work—there is wonderfully little “shirking” at Monroe—students are discouraged from attending who have any other object except to acquire knowledge for wider usefulness and it is a fact that a higher personal standard is maintained here than in many similar institutions. The President and Faculty. Monroe College has been singularly fortunate in having had men of unusual ability at its head. The brief glance at its history will show that such were ever needed, and the need has not grown less with the passing of the years. The presence of Bros. C. 11. S. Jackson as the president of Monroe College is, to (he initiated, almost a personal guarantee of the work done there. In addition to President Jackson’s ability as an instructor he has a marvel ous power of business management which is in con stant demand to meet the growing needs of the in stitution which he governs with his many-sided gen ius. His corps of assistants is chosen with a spe cial view to efficiency in the various lines of college work and the students at Monroe may feel entirely assured that the instruction offered them is of the most approved and practical sort. While all the departments deserve mention, special emphasis is placed on the Conservatory of Music, under the famous director, Dr. Chas. J. Wallace, who, as a pianist and composer, has an international reputa tion. Opening Exercises. The recent opening of (his college was marked by a charming faculty recital, the instructors of vocal and instrumental music and expression contributing to the program delightful songs, readings and in strumental selections. The morning of Sept, 13th was marked by the formal opening of the college and Dr. J. L. White, President of the Board of Trustees and pystor of the First Baptist Church at Macon, Ga., delivered a stirring sermon from the words, “Arise and let us go hence,’’ which was indeed a “commencement ” call to the assembled students as well as to the nu merous visitors from the town of Forsyth and other portions of the state. The year about to begin promises much for the future of the institution as (he enrollment of stu dents taxes the capacity of the buildings and others yet are knocking at the door. In a sketch of this h ngth it is almost impossible to fully portray the work of a great institution, but it is hoped that what Ims been written here may at least indicate the presence of a great force for intellectual and spiritual good which is centered in Monroe College, as well as to show the public what may be accomplished by consecrated and determined effort. Surely it were success indeed to triumph over such difficulties as have beset the path of this institution and yet to he able to offer at last to its earnest students the great gift of perfect mental training coupled with that far greater achievement, a full and vital spiritual growth. S. T. Dalsheimer. The Cold Shoulder. In France in the days of long ago, it was custom ary for a host to place a shoulder of cold mutton upon a. table before a guest who had stayed until he had worn out his welcome. The guest at once understood ami took his depart lire. Prom this cus tom originated the saying to “give the cold shoul der.”—The King's Own. An incident worthy of serious attention recently occurred in New York City ami its mere recital thrills the American heart with pride of its peo ple. A wagon, loaded with coin, was being driven through the streets to the Sub-Treasury when a bag containing a thousand nickels fell to the ground. The coins were scattered in every ■■ irectum and were eagerly scrambled for ami gathered up by the crowd. An officer from the Treasury Depar: meat who had accompanied the vehicle explu "d to the people that the money belonged to th 1 nited States gov eminent and that he would be grateful lor a return of the nickels. Slowly at first ami then more rapidly every one of the scattered coins was handed back until the whole thousand were counted! It is good to think of an incident like this where mere hon esty prevailed, for it would have been impossible to trace those who might easily have made away with the widely scattered money. 3