Newspaper Page Text
APRIL, 1945
THE PANTHER
PAGE 3
Can Education
Distract From
Our Religion?
By Thelma L. Barnhart
Some Elders’ ’and Youths’
Vague Beliefs
Much is heard today about
the growth of modern man’s for
mal training, and the shrinkage
of his religion. The truth or
falsity of various creeds and sys
tems of religion is not under dis
cussion. I refer only to the
Christian Religion that involves
relationship between human be
ings and our Supreme Being,
God.
The belief of many elderly
church people — that man’s
Christian reliance is weakening
as he becomes more highly edu
cated and the idea, of many
young people who feel they will
become more religious or devel
op better relationship between
themselves and God when they
grow old are two absurd
thoughts distractfully profound
in the reasoning of any Chris
tian. Both ideas of the elders
and youths were carelessly con
ceived with unsound reasoning.
The Relation Between Education
and Religion
These trivial ideas cause me
to wonder what do people mean
when they say education dis
tracts our religion? Really, how
can it? We have heard the state
ment before, and no doubt, with
out reasoning, accepted it—but
how can it be true ?
To me, the two words are very
closely related. Religion and
many theories and practices of
education, mainly the sciences,
physical, biological, social and
even the exact ones develop out
of the same postulate.
I think of our formal educa
tion as being instruction which
furthers the development of in
dividuals physically, mentally
and morally. At the same time
I see religion as consisting sole
ly of man’s thoughts, feelings,
and doings. When thought and
feeling are prominently Ex
pressed you have religion. When
a man thinks truly and clearly
with deep gratitude for most
eminent values including God
and man in his conception of
appreciation he is most highly
religious. My belief of religion
is in harmony with that of the
gentleman who said, “Religion
is love, knowledge, serve of God,
with all that is involved in that,
and all that follows directly
from it.”
Education does not affect our
religion destructively; it rather
affects it constructively. I can
not say there are not people
who attend educational institu
tions who diminish in their faith
in—God, our Father, while go
ing through this process of
learning; yet, I cannot truly say
education is the cause. This for
mal training does not produce
infidels. Such people who enter
colleges and universities become
atheists are being MISEDU-
CATED. Sometimes three per
sons can read the same piece of
poetry, the first one learns it
thoroughly and interprets it
beautifully; the second person
does likewise, having a different
interpretation from the former;
but nevertheless, it presents
good understanding. A third
person reads the same poem,
learns it equally as well as the
former two but MISINTER
PRETS it, and his reading is in
vain. One cannot say that the
dramatist’s misinterpretation
was due to his learning, but
rather to his lack of an inward
feeling of understanding the
beauty of the poem.
Unless young people are be
coming miseducated, or unless
we are misinterpreting our edu
cation, our formal training
should help us to be better
Christians now and not when
our minds wax old. Lest we ac
quire the spirit of Christianity
while young with more recep
tive minds than we will have in
Delta Sigma Theta
Sigma chapter of Delta Sig
ma Theta Sorority presented its
annual Charm School program
March 8-9, 1945, in Davage au
ditorium. The program was in
keeping with charm, the theme
being “Charm in Everyday
Life.”
In the first program, charm
was expressed by Soror Jose
phine Washington through skits
of “do’s”’ and “don’ts” in which
the Pyramids and T.I.D.’s were
presented.
The speaker on the second
program was Mrs. Burney, a
graduate of Clark College and a
lover of youth, gave a very
touching and inspiring address
on charm, emphasizing every
phase and angle of charm in
everyday life.
Future plans for May Day
Week Celebration are under
way.
Soror Eppie M. Johnson,
Reporter.
Zeta Phi Beta
Sorority
The annual observance of Fin
er Womanhood Week by the
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority held spe
cial significance to many stu
dents of Clark College.
The various activities of the
organization during the week,
two of which being held at
Clark, culminated in the re-es
tablishment of Psi Chapter. This
Chapter became inactive several
years ago because of the gradu
ation of its members. Under the
dynamic leadership of Soror
Sadye Watson, Associate Re
gional Director, the Chapter was
re-established.
The roster is as follows: So-
rors Mae Harris, Basileus; Ruth
Harris, Anti Basileus and Dean
of Pledgees; Mary Dorsey,
Crammatus; Margaret Adkins,
Ta’mais Grammateus; De Lois
Coleman, Ta’mais; Martha John
son, Epistolen; Ernestine Daven
port, Parliamentarian; Morrell
Johnson, Antikroptis; Gertrude
Chaney, Chaplain.
Soror Morrell Johnson,
Reporter.
future decades, I’m afraid we
won’t have it when old.
Religion, an Incessant Factor—
Even in Pleasures
We do not utilize our educa
tion just certain days it is per
petually in use. So should be
our religion. We can see it ex
hibited in our instructors’ teach
ings. We should see it on display
at home, at work at school when
confronted with examinations—
at such a time we can decide
whether we shall be true to our
selves.
Lest we forget, this ever pres
ent faith is shown in our social
activities including certain spots
—do we play the game fair or
do we client? I term pleasures—
received from social activities—
blessings if they can be pleas
antly thought of in the future.
The only pleasures that are
questionable are those at-the-
moment-pleasures that only
bring joy at its time and un-
nleasant memories later.
Education Leads Man to God
As an individual becomes edu
cated it seems to me that he has
greater chance to better appre
ciate the works of God. Cannot
the horticulturist see God bet
ter as.he studies the plant? The
musician in his melodious ex
pressions? The dramatist and
poet when expressing their in
ner thoughts in poetry and
prose? With assurance I can say
that it takes Divine Guidance to
exhibit these gifts. It takes con
tinuous prayer to present one’s
talents successfully.
God gives man these native
gifts. Man’s natural powers help
him to better appreciate God.
Education helps to develop
men”s gifts. I wonder, can edu
cation distract our faith in Him ?
If so, how can it? Education
promotes knowledge and charac
ter; religion is knowledge and
love. Neither distracts the other
—they are natural complements.
Pyramid Club
The Pyramid Club of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority sponsored
its annual dance on Friday,
April 20, 1945. They entertained
as their guests the members of
the Delta Sigma Theta Sorori
ty, the Ivy Leaf Club of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority and the
T. I. D. Club of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority.
The Recreation Center was
very elaborately decorated 'in
the Pyramid colors of Red and
White. The hostesses looked
around graciously to see that
everyone had an evening daz
zling with excitement.
Immediately after intermis
sion, the M. C. of the occasion,
that jovial personality, J. Al
ton Adams II, introduced Sig
ma Chapter dancing to the tune
of “I Love You Truly”; the Ivy
Leafs of Alpha Kappa Alpha,
danced to the tune of “My Bucl-
'V’; the T. I. D. Club had as
their song, "Don’t You Know
1 Care”; last, but by no means
least, “I’m Beginning to See the
Light,” was played for the host
esses of the evening.
The gowns worn by the
charming young ladies were a
decided attraction to the event.
Among the dancers seen floating
graciously over the floor were
Misses Gloria L. Current in
black and white lace and net;
Sadie Rutledge displaying an ex
quisite gown of white; Ella
Stewart wearing blue net; Cyn
thia Perry in a beautiful white
and flowered gown which en
hanced her loveliness; Ora Ma
rie Williams in a charming
gown of black net; Marcella
James in a beautiful gown of
the outstanding colors of the
evening, and Rosa L. Eberhardt
displaying that angelic person
ality in a gorgeous gown of
white.
As the strains of “Good-Night
Ladies” were heard, the dancers
strolled leisurely home and an
“vening of fun was well spent.
Ivy Leaf Club
The I vy Leaf Club of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Pi
Chapter, entertained the Pyra
mids of Delta Sigma Theta So
rority, March 17. The affair was
■n informal one. The young la
dies of both pledge clubs played
gomes and. cards. Those winning
nrizes from the card games were
Mrs. Genevieve F. Byne, dean
of the Pyramids Club; Miss
Irene Whitfield and Miss Leviv-
ian McDaniel, both members of
the Pyramid Club.
Willie Farmer, President
Irene Adams, Reporter
Clark College
Faculty Guest of
Fres. Brawley
Members of the Clark College
faculty were guests of President
and Mrs. James P. Brawley at
luncheon Tuesday, April 3d, at
the noon hour in the Ida H.
Goode Home Economics Depart
ment. The affair is traditional
and is always quite novel and
well appointed. The Mexican mo
tif was carried out in table dec
orations and in the dress of the
waiters and waitresses who
served the delicious meal. Be
cause of the informality and the
general air of camaraderie which
marks these annual luncheons,
faculty members anticipate with
much pleasure their occurrence
during each school year.
Mr. Amando 0. Bustamante,
a member of the faculty who in
herits bv birth the Spanish cul
ture and who has lived much of
his life in Cuba and Panama,
entertained quite delightfully at
the end of the meal with sever
al songs in Spanish and selec
tions on the Auto-harp.
At the end of this hour of
genuine fellowship, the guests
received gifts of dainty bits of
Mexican candy which added a
delicate touch of finesse and
made the occasion one that will
be pleasantly remembered.
The Biology Club
The Biological Science Club of
’45 has started the year off in
full bloom. Yes, we are budding
out in the field of Taxidermy,
and the mounting of rare speci
mens. Our seeds are planted for
our trip to Stone Mountain, and
other scenic places, where we
will do our field research.
The Aquarium, when finished,
will go unsurpassed, unexcelled,
and understood by all to be the
beauty spot of our school. As for
the Biology Garden it will speak
for itself.
We owe our splendid success
to our magnificent officers, the
cooperation of our members, and
our faithful adviser, Mrs. Joyce
Carver.
George James, President; Kel
ly Henry, Vice-President; Car
rie Kynds, Secretary; Clara
Lewis, Assistant Secretary, and
Mrs. Joyce Carver, Adviser.
Naomi Wofford, Reporter.
Home Economics
Club
_ A unique Scholarship Tea was
given in recognition of the
achievements of the students of
the college and faculty in Thayer
Hall, March 28, at 4:30 o’clock.
The tea was quite enjoyable.
The hostesses for the affair were
Miss Jolly and Mrs. Griffin. They
expressed their heartiest con
gratulations and hoped that this
would encourage better scholar
ship.
On Monday, March 22, 1945,
the Home Economics Club pre
sented its second chapel pro
gram for the school year “’44-
45.” The theme of the program
was “Correct Attire and Man
ners at Meals.” Much helpful in
formation was received for this
program.
We are continuing to hold our
high objectives, that is, to do
all necessary and possible good
things that a Home Economics
Club should do.
Elephant Club
The Elephant Club presented
'Is initial program April 00,
1945, at which time they intro
duced their club members and
made a presentation to Mr. A.
B. Wright on the drive for the
beautification of our campus.
The Programme is as follc^vs:
Devotions—William Trammell.
Solo—Mae Simpson.
Introduction of Speaker—Ogust
Delaney.
Initial Introductory Remarks—
Ruth Riley.
Solo—Reginald Haynes.
Introduction of Members—Clara
Belle Lewis.
Violin Selection—Johnny Col
quitt.
Club Song—“Jumbo.”
Music by—Ogust Delaney.
Lyrics—Mae Simpson and Clara
B. Lewis.
The club colors are Gray and
White, and the motto is “Ever
Loyal.”
Dragin Club
The Dragon Club of Clark
College had its initial program
April 16, in Davage Auditori
um. This distinguished group of
voung men banded themselves
together to continue to uphold
the standards and ideals that
the men of Clark stand for.
Rev. Cannon led the devo
tions. Don Juan Smalls gave the
Durposes and aims of the club.
Dean A. O. Bustemante gave
introductory remarks. From this
group a quintet was developed
These men rendered several se<
lections which were enjoyed by
all. At the end of the program
BOOK REVIEW
(Continued From Page Two)
expenses for his last years of
school at Lincoln University.
After he finished school she kept
him on her allowance so that he
would have time to develop his
art. When he finished the book
he was working on and slack
ened up in his writing the gen
erous wealthy woman became
displeased with him; their
friendship and his allowance
ended. That experience left a bit
ter taste in his writing for phil
anthropists.
Hughes’ first book of poems,
The Weary Blues, was published
in 1926. It is a panorama of farm
and city life; black men and yel
low women, syncopation and
blues.
Fine Clothes to the Jews, his
second book, followed in 1927.
It was met by strong protest
from Negro reviewers for hang
ing out the soiled souls of black
folk for white folk to look at.
His first novel, Not Without
Laughter, 1930, written while
he was attending Lincoln* is
about life of a small boy grow
ing up in Kansas. There are
some interesting episodes in the
book but the writing is imma
ture. Then comes the Dreamer
Keeper, Scottsboro Limited,
Ways of the White Folks, and
Shakespeare in Harlem. In 1940
he finished his autobiography
The Big Sea.
“Life is a big sea full of many
fish
I let down my net and pull.”
His writing is, clear and en
chanting without emotional or
scripture lesson; it is not art for
art’s sake, rather it tends to
wake the dreams, and. anxieties
of the reader. ;
Since World War II he has
been traveling around the coun
try making appearances at
camps and schools. Most of his
recent writing is journalistic iff
nature. ;
He is one of the contributors!
to What the Negro Wants, in
which he states that the south
is the major obstacle to democ
racy; thus the question is,,
“What Shall We Do With the;
South?” He goes on to suggest
an immediate intensive govern
ment directed program for pro-
democratic education to be put
into the schools of the south,
from the first grade of the gram
mar school to the University.
His present home is in N. YJ
He is one of the foremost Ne
groes of America in writing and
lecturing. ;,,n Hi
HAW LADIES DAY
(Continued From Page One)
The idea of a Ladies’ Day was
conceived by these seven men
of our college and definite plans :
for the occasion went into the
making. They wanted a whole-
day set aside for the Ladies
which would include a chapel
program, flowers in each dormi
tory and the administration
building, a formal banquet and
a dance. However, they were s
only a small percentage of the
total male enrollment of the col
lege, so the rest of the men had
to be called in. The plan was set
before them and was heartily
accepted. Full cooperation was
given to the committee and the
plans set forth by them.
Thus, Ladies’ Day at Clark
College was born. It is to be ob
served annually every Tuesday
after Easter.
May the fine spirit of the men
be perpetuated and may the la
dies forever be deservant of
such a fine gesture.
the Dragon Club presented a
contribution to the Beautifica
tion Drive. a !
Keep ’em Flying
War Bonds and Stamps
Will Help Do HI