Newspaper Page Text
CAMPUS M I R R O R
3
St. \ alentine's Day, Then
and Now
Many of our present-day customs used
in observing St. Valentine’s Day and the
sentiments expressed in these customs
are either survivals or revivals of other
days.
The origin of these peculiar observ
ances of St. Valentine’s Day is a subject
of some obscurity. The name of the day
lias no connection with the meaning of
the celebration, because it was by mere
chance that the day of the death of St.
Valentine fell on the day for the celebra
tion of the Roman Lupercal.
One of the Roman customs of celebrat
ing this day was for the male or female to
choose a mate and likewise he or she
would wear a cupid, a symbol of love,
upon bis breast until the celebrated day
ended. The lottery of drawing names is
an old Roman custom and still prevails.
On this day mates were chosen for life
time.
A favorite form of Roman valentine
was this: on the front page of a single
sheet of post paper one would probably
see a figure of a male or female with very
burlesque verses below; this practice still
exists.
One of the customs of the days of
Shakespeare’s time—he or she who first
said “Good morning, this is St. Valen
tine’s Day,” on meeting a person of the
other sex, was given a present.
However, the immortal Shakespeare
would probably have written on bis val
entine :
“0 mistress mine, where are you roam
ing?
0 stay and hear; you true love’s coming,
That can sing both high and low:
Try no further pretty sweeting;
Journeys end in lover’s meeting,
Every wise man’s son doth know.
What is love? ’Tis not hereafter;
Present mirth has present laughter;
What’s to come, is still unsure.
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, sweet-and-twenty.
Youth's a stuff will not endure.”
From Pepys’ diary one custom has been
revealed to us—on Valentine’s Day. 1667.
Pepys wrote: “This morning came up to
my wife’s bedside (I being dressing my
self I little Will Mercer to be my valen
tine. and brought her name written on
blue paper, in gold letters, done by him
self. very pretty, and we both were well
pleased with it.”
Kindness, love, devotion and sincerity
should be the significance of tin* symbol
of “cupid.”
A few sentiments which are carried in
the meaning of the St. Valentine Celebra
tion. as we know it. mark the time when a
degree of normal restraint is let go for
the brief chance of a frank expression of
love.
Impressions
The Christian Mission Leaders came
on this campus with one objective, but
despite the unity of their aims, each per
son was a distinctive individual and each
left a definite impression of his or her
personality.
How t many could you recognize from the
following descriptions and quotations?
1. There was one member of the team
who made her personality felt from the
very beginning; she was dignified, dra
matic, alert, and had a way with words,
some of her favorite ones being, “poise,”
“whole personality,” and “dignity”; she
was quiet in a group, but she could be
come physically and mentally active im
mediately when faced by a challenge.
One must not forget, however, that she
was popular, too, because of students’
interest in her chosen field—“Christian
Marriage and the Home.”
2. With a deep sense of humor, a per
petually pleasant expression, another
member of the team spoke rapidly and
was never at a loss for words. One could
always tell his reaction to a statement or
situation because if it were positive, he
showed it by a frequent nod of the head.
3. Unassuming, quiet, with a dignity all
his own, and an enunciation and accent
different from any other members of the
team, this person maintained his indi
viduality, even in a group as individual
as this one, by means of his apparel.
4. This team member was definitely in
favor of student initiative and expression;
he was always on the lookout for “radi
cals” and was one of the most witty mem
bers of the entire mission. He enjoyed
himself at a basketball game in Atlanta
as much as his colleagues enjoyed them
selves at a prayer meeting; he liked to
talk about his better “nine-tenths” and his
twins, “Pete and Repete.”
5. This distinguished person is talk
ative and quick to express bis opinions.
Favorite expression: “Let the students
answer this one”; remembered for his
quotation, “You should have seen it when
God had it by Himself.” He was inter
ested in everyone; presidents, mission
team, students.
6.
A person
that
seldom spea
ks except
when spoken
to, b
ut one who
posse
ssed
the
modesty
that
accompanies
ach
ieve-
ment was this
miss
;ion leader.
He is
i, by
the
way, one o
f the
most eminen
t “Fc
Mils
in tl
le country
7.
Back to
the
feminine sit
le of
the
miss
ion: this 1
ady.
pleasant, smi
ding.
gra
cion
s. and sy
mpathetic, could
put
ffito
tech
nical sen
■n t i fit-
terms the
siriq
plest
Chri
stian belli
nlor.
a
This visitor had a kindly
sens
e of
humor, a frien
idly d
lignity. and a
n a pi
Deal-
ing
humility.
He ,
xissesses the
“Power"
that
makes o
ne a
Christian gentle
man
and
a mighty
leade
r.
9.
This member
of tile Miss
ion I
earn
wa-
kindly, mild
of word ami
1 gesl
lure.
Changes in Atlanta Univer
sity Faculty and Staff for
the Second Semester
New r appointments have been made to
the faculty and staff of Atlanta University
to fill the vacancies created by the grant
ing of three leaves of absence.
Mr. Ira De A. Reid has gone to engage
in research in the Caribbean Islands and
to study in the London School of Eco
nomics.
M rs. Melvin D. Kennedy, assistant die
titian at the University Dining Hall, has
joined her husband in France, where he
is engaged in research on the question of
French slavery. Her place is being filled
by Miss Maggie Williams, a graduate of
Spelman in 1933, who formerly taught
home economics at Fort Valley Normal
and Industrial School.
Mrs. Juanita Pierce, a graduate of Fisk
University, is teaching physical education
at the Laboratory School during the ab
sence of Miss Constance Dupuy, who is
studying at Columbia University.
Mr. John Hope, Jr., has returned to
resume his duties as manager of the Uni
versity Book Store and instructor in eco
nomics.
He enjoyed talking to students and watch
ing their reaction to what he said. He
often confessed that he got as much out
of these talks as the students did or more.
His challenge: Make your vocation a
calling to do Christian service.
10. The last member of the group is
approachable and sympathetic, modest
and retiring. He possesses a deep per
sonal and social religion which inclines
him to be idealistic, but to practice every
type of behavior that he advocates. He
is to be remembered for proving that even
the modern mind can pray. May we have
more like him.
Did you recognize these people? They
lived with us for a week, and when they
left, we parted with so many friends. If
you didn’t recognize them, turn to page 6.
ARTISTIC BARBER AND
BEAUTY SHOP
53-55 Decatur Street JAckson 9347
YOUNG’S BARBER AND
BEAUTY SHOP
925 \V. Hunter Street RAymond 9431
YOUNG’S UNIVERSITY
BARBER AND REALTY SHOP
666 Fair Street. SAV. JAckson 8661
GET THE YOUNG IDEA
DIAMONDS
FOUNTAIN PENS
WATCHES
SILVERWARE
JEWELRY
CLOCKS
Engravi
ng and Repair Work
James
L. Holloway
Jeweler
Phone: WAlnut
2772- 172 Auburn Ave., N.F.