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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