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The Christmas Spirit
By EVELYN JORDAN
There must have been sorrow, hatred, trou
ble, and sin then too, just as there is today. Peo
ple must have been going about their busy ways
not knowing or caring that the Savior was soon
to be born. Even on that memorable night when
the Christ Child was born, thero was so little
love in the hearts of the people of Bethlehem
that He had to be born in a stable where cattle
slept.
The world today has grown just as cold and
selfish. I wonder if we would have opened our
doors to Mary and Joseph if they had come
to us on that Christmas Eve so long ago. In a
world seemingly so devoid of good will, these
words from Christ's teachings seem appropriate:
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these brethren, ye have done it un
to me.” This is my idea of the true spirit of
Christmas. The little things we do for our
neighbors, the desire to make other people hap
py: these are responsible for the cheerful atmos
phere which characterizes the Christmas season.
How wonderful it would be if all people kept
the real Christmas spirit in their hearts through
out the year! So many of ou rproblems would be
solved; we would not be a world nervously cling
ing between war and peace. Then we could know
the real meaning of the beautiful words from
th eChristmas story, “Peace on earth, good will
to men.” '
Fear Not
By PAT FLORENCE
“Fear not; for behold I bring you good
tidings of great joy which shall be to all
people: for unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Sevior which is Christ the
Lord." Luke 2:10-11
These were the glorious tidings of Christmas
time on that first holy Christmas when the
eastern star of hope shone from heaven to the
world below. Words of comfort, peace and im
mortal strength which have withstood the long
succeeding years of hatred, denial and greed.
Words, that in spite of their antiquity are just
as profound and awe-inspiring as when they
were first spoken by the Angel of God to those
humble Judian shepherds.
“Fear not!” If only we could feel the im
pact and meaning of those words deep within our
hearts and couls this Christmas season. In this
time of suspicion, prejudice, and unrest, we
might do well to heed these simple words of
comforting peace. But, we say, “how can we
fear not?” When corrupt leaders of our nations
and of our enterprizes are working toward an
international dilemma? How can we be sure and
unafarid when the threat of war and master
weapons of war hangs heavily on the thin
threads of the decisions and undecisons of a
handful of political leaders, some interested only
furthering their own cause and satisfying their
own lust for power instead of working for world
peace and understanding among nations? Can
we be calm and tranquil when children cry out
in a hundred tongues for the same universal
need?
But still the Angel’s voice comes down
through the long corridor of the ages with the
same message. The glad tidings were not only
to those wonder-struck shepherds on that rocky
hill near Bethlehem. They were for you and me
and all who will let their souls listen and under
stand. Why? Because on a certain night in a little
vilnlage called Bethlehem there was born a
child, a child destined to become the Savior of
mankind in all its despair and hopelessness.
Christ Jesus Wants to solve the world’s pro
blems today. He wants to lead his children
through the catacombs of fear and darkness and
uncertainty safely into the light of his love and
understanding. In the tender hand of the Christ
child is balm for the wounds of mankind and
in his eyes is the light of hope eternal.
WEST GEORGIAN STAFF
KIM TOR Bobbie Goen
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Max Prince
NEWS EDITOR Holland Jaekoon
FEATURE EDITOR Pat Florence
SPOTLIGHT EDITOR . Carl Haywood
FASHION EDITOR Lucrete Marshall
WOMEN’S SPORTS Judy Crowder
MEN’S SPORTS : Harmon Smith
BUSINESS MANAGER. Evelyn Jordon
CIRCULATION MANAGER Doris Alexander
TYPISTS ..Meredith Wright, Doris Cobb
FACULTY ADVISOR Miss Marie Campbell
REPORTERS:
Elizabeth Ross, Fleta Crews, Guenter Swartz, Margaret
Ann Brooks, .Jos Ann Buford, Wiila Jane Teel,
Peggy Jones, Ross Shackleford, Julian
Amos, Tom Payne.
Member
Phso dated Golle6iate Press
TO THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF W. G. C.
Believe me when I tell you that the current year has been one of
the most successful in the history of West Georgia College.
At this season of the year our thoughts turn to the expressions
of thanksgiving and merriment, as well as praise and adoration.
In the spirit of Christmas, may I wish for you every good thing
and express to you my best wishes for anew year. You have made
West Georgia College a good place to live and I shall look forward
to this continued association of constructive work and good will.
Cordially yours,
IRVINE S. INGRAM
CHRISTMAS DAY OR LIFE
By ELIZABETH ROSS
Did you ever think what the world would be like if hate and
greed were to suddenly disappear? Did you ever think what the re
sults would be if we had that, “Christmas feeling” all year round?
Wouldn’t it be nice always to think kindly of our fellowman and
let our motto be, “Peace on earth, goodwill to all men,” instead of
“Do them before they do you?”
Christmas Day and the entire holiday season beginning with
Thanksgiving and going on to the New Year, is a time when we feel
compassion for everyone and we are a little tolerant and sympathetic
toward our daily associates.
Naturally you can’t give gifts and have a Christmas tree all year,
nor do you send Christmas cards to give to the Salvation Army Lassie
on the corner every day, but you could remember the greatest com
mandment of the earth’s Savior—“Do unto other as you would have
them do unto you.” You would give a smile or a little word of en
couragement or comfort. You can give no gift, no matter what the
cost, that can equal the value of a loving and generous heart. No
Christmas tree ornament could ever match the glow of joy found on
a person’s face who feels that he is at peace with the world and his
fellowman.
No, Christmas doesn’t last all year. According to the calendar it is
only one day, yet on that day over a thousand years ago the Savior
and Redeemer of this universe was born. Not on a palace, nor a house
of great beauty and value, but in a lowly manager—among the sheep
and oxen. Such a humble birth and yet the results of his short bul
powerful life will live forever. One day that changed this earth from
a place full of sin and corruption into a place capable of being reborn.
This Christ, born so lowly, lived so highly and divinely as tc
set the perfect example for all men to follow. He gave his life in order
that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Can we allow
such a sacrifice to go unnoticed and without seemingly making any
attempt to repay or show our appreciation for such a blessing?
No person lives alone, without other people and without using
the fruits of another’s efforts and labors. So why should we try to
keep such a beautiful and meaningful day as Christmas confined to
December 25? Why not let the “Christmas feeling” be our usual feel
ing—Peace on earth and good will to all men! all the time.
Christmas is here now. May its spirit stay forever.
May be feel kindly toward all people regardless of race, color, or
creed—knowing that in so doing that we are all following that divi
nely set example of the humble Galliean.
With the world in its chaotic condition and nations at each other’s
tnroats there is a great need for better and deeper understanding
of other people, their conditions and their outlooks on life.
No person or nation lives to itself alone. No one person can bring
about world peace, but with individuals combining their efforts and
working for better world understanding, great things can be done.
That “Christmas feeling” will bring about these things when all
other things have failed.
Instead of saying Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, make
it Merry Christmas and a peaceful World.
THE WEST GEORGIAN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13. 1949
CAMPUS SPOTLIGHT
KENNETH CADENHEAD
“This is my ambition,” Kenneth was saying,
“to listen to and seek to understand the prob
lems of any person any time, any plaee, and do
all that is in my power to make that person
happy!” But we were all thinking, Ken
neth, that is not only your ambition, it’s your
history, too!”
The extraordinary person of whom we
speak so respectfully was born in LaGrange,
Georgia, on January 14, 1932. He attended ele
mentary school, although that formality really
wasn’t necessary, because we can t imagine Ken
neth not knowing most things! He attended high
school at Chipley High, where he studied piano,
(which he plays masterfully) sang in the quartet,
winning first place in district meet, and was
pianist for the Community Church, and gra
duated in May, 1948 as valedictorian of his class.
He entered WGC in the summer of 1948.
West Georgia is a tradition in the Caden
head family, as is accomplishment and honor.
Two of Kenneth’s brothers, Paul and Clarence
are alumni of W. G. C., and while they were
here both participated in exactly the same things
Kenneth now does—all three worked in the
Post Office, all worked in the dining hall, and
each one has been a good bass in the choir.
During his freshman year Kenneth was pre
sident of the choir, a member of Le Cercle Fran
cais, the Press Forum, and the VRA Council.
Besides all this, he made sufficiently good grades
to be chosen as a color-bearer at graduation—
a singular honor for a freshman. He worked here
in the summer, and is this year president of
Le Cercle Francias and music chairman of VRA.
Kenneth is taking an education course, and plans
to teach next year. He recently starred in the
dramatics class presentation of the Broadway
play, “Acidentally Yours.”
KEYHOLE SKETCH:
Likes: Beauty, Fran, children, music, people,
talking, acting.
Dislikes: Childish pranks in college, spinach!
Hobby: Talking and listening to people.
Favorite Food: Fried Chicken.
Favorite Movie Actress: Olivia de Havilland.
Favorite Sport: Football.
Favorite Song: “Wanting You” (Oh! Fran!)
HELEN SUE BETTIS
“Beauty plus brains”—that was one of her
political slogans of last spring, and it pretty well
describes Helen Bettis. The world was wholly
unprepared on an Indian summer day in 1931
when our atomic bombshell of pulchritude and
intellect (even then) made her initial appear
ance. It soon became conditioned to her impact,
however, but not before Helen had established
herself in Marietta High School, from which
school she walked away with first honors upon
graduating in 1948. Not only was she valedictor
ian of her class, but she somehow found the
time and energy to participate in the National
Beta Club, work as office assistant for two years,
and serve as treasurer of the Junior Civitan
Club, vice-president of the Tri-Hi-Y, a member
of the annual staff, treasurer of the D. E. C.
Club. She studied commercial work in high
school.
By this time she was ready to make another
triumphal entry, and West Georgia College serv
ed as the scene for it in September, 1948. Why
else were all those men bounding over the cam
pus with that gleam in their eyes? During a jam
packed freshman year Helen Sue was a member
of the V. R. A. Council and Business Manager
ofthe Chieftain. She also ran Gene Strickland a
close race for President of the Freshman Class.
In the spring quarter she was elected by the en
tire student body to serve as editor of the 1949-50
Chieftain. Properly broadening her interests,
Helen has joined Zeta Sigma Pin in her sopho
more year.
KEYHOLE SKETCH:
Favorite Movie Star—Gail Russell.
Favorite Food—Fried chicken, strawberry
shortcake.
Favorite Sport—Football.
Favorite Song—“ Twelfth St. Rag.”
Likes: Dixieland Jazz, reading, animals,
“I Can Dream, Can’t I,” (Ed: Note: also that
Manly Man!)
Hobby: Collecting Records.