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STANDARD OIL STATION
April 2ft, 1967 « THE MERCER CLUSTER • 6
The place where
discriminating automobiles
HERMAN
TALMA06E
trade ....
1605 Montpoliar Ava. Across from Morcor
7414111
To Consider
—Bobby Phillips—
I Is Christianity relevant today? This is a question that I
[ lhave considered many times before, but it seems much more
pertinent now in view of the events of the past two weeks.
Jam sure that all of you are aware of what took place during
that period of time; there was a sermon and there was a re-
iponae. The tension that followed generally centered around
one or two points: Either could Dr. Otto use such a word
(i.e., freedom of speech) or is Mercer going to allow herself
to be run by outsiders (i.e., freedom of an academic institu
tion)? At the time these were the issues involved — or so it
laemed. • •
Many of you may consider that the situation is closed,
what with the Trustees’ meeting and all; but it is not over yet.
Only the first battle has been waged. It seems that there are
among us students who will continue the assault on Dr. Otto,
and some have even extended it to take issue at some of the
urn arks made by our good Dean Trimble. These students,
who may or may not have been the ones who took a tape to
Mr Waters and WBML, have sent letters to such people as
the Reverend Louie B. Newton, the Editor of The Christian
Index, and the Editor of the Baptist Index among others. My
purpose here is not to condemn these students (though they
may be attempting “tyranny of the minority”) but rather to
point out that there may be a far more important issue at
itake here; and this will lead me back to my first question:
“In Christianity relevant today?”
Reflect upon this for a minute. How many of you can
truthfully say that your pastor at home speaks to you each
Sunday morning? Does your pastor really try to get at the
meat of the matter or does he preach around those awful
“•ins” of drinking, smoking, dancing, and so forth? Does he
nelly seem to tell you anything? I am afraid that in most
eases the answer would have to be “No, Christianity does not
really seem relevant.” Shocking perhaps, but true in a sense.
It seems that today we as Christians have a religion that
■ delicate rather than sturdy; reticent rather than forthright;
withdrawn rather than outgoing. The main concern today
appears to be in outward conformity. For instance I suppose
that those good and pioua judges of Dr. Otto would have at
that moment pointed at any other person who had not pub-
Ically used such a word and said, “Here is a Christian, yonder
the pagan.” But then they are in a position to judge because
they are the righteous. But not let me digress so close to the
«d of my article.
There have been many letters written, many editorials
composed, and many statements issued. Some proclaim “free
dom of speech”, some have demanded Otto’s dismissal. Some
have shouted out to “let Mercer run her own affairs”, some
hive said “get rid of Otto”. Some have said “I am offended”,
come have replied, “you must be kidding". Few have really
considered “was this relevant?”
Christianity is in no position to stop up her ears, nor
dose her eyes, nor tum her back on earthly matters. The truth
cornea in many, many forms.
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With the arrival of wanner weather, we begin to hear increasing
talk of the poasibility of more rioting and violence in the streeta. such
aa that which hit Los Angeles. Chicago. Cleveland, and a host of other
cities in recent years.
And unfortunately, experience has shown that just about every
time there have been warnings that rioting would occur unless demands
for this or that were met. or unless militant elements were somehow
appeased, rioting did in fact take place. It is time for these riots to
It is almost aa if people were told that if they are poor, unemployed,
or live in substandard housing, they have a right to go into the streeta
and smash windows, set fires, loot and run amuck, and that this is
virtually even expected of them, particularly when the weather is hot.
And somehow all this falls under the heeding of so-called civil dis
obedience.
At a recent conference in Washington of social workers aod psy
chologists one of the s|ieakers warned against "a state of national
emergency" unless action is taken to reduce domestic tensions.
He called for a $5 billion federal crash program to prevent what he
said is the likelihood of "war in the streeta." and for the creation ol
vaat programs "to relieve physical and social distress "
This is of course an admirable goal, but money and big new spend
ing programs are not the answer. Billions of dollars have been poured
into cities for health programs, education, manpower training, and anti-
poverty programs, and this has not prevented rioting and mob action.
In fact, some of the rioting has occurred in localities which have re
ceived a lion's share of federal assistance.
As I see it. the problem runs much deeper than just the expendi
ture of more money
To my way of thinking, it goes to a matter of individual responsi
bility and respect for law and order and the rights of others. There
has been mounting evidence lately of an appalling lack of these qualities.
In a nation as free and prosperous as ours where opportunity
abounds. I can think of no condition, neither poverty nor anything
else, that justifies rioting and taking the law into one's own hands.
In a Republic such as ours every citizen is expected to recognize
his individual responsibilities and comply with and support the law
Unfortunately, in recent years a cult has risen in America that ad
vocates taking the law into one’s own hands, if one thinks that law is
immoral or unjust
A philosophy such as that can and does create anarchy and we
have had too much anarchy in America in recent years. It is my
judgment that every official in positions of high authority, from the 1
President on down, ought to sound out loud and clear that come what
may. law and order shall prevail in these United States of America.
Valuable Summer Experience May Be
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Are you a girl interested in a career that involves working with
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summer waiting for you that will also benefit you beyond measure in
preparation for your career.
Camp Betty Hastings, owned by the YWCA in Winston-Salem.
N. C., is considering applications from college girls for counselor posi
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It is located near Walkertown. in the beautiful wooded hills of Piedmont
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Camp Betty Hastings is a member of the American Camping As
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Mature girls with skills in one or more program areas will he tho Papfti
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For an application write today to YWCA Camp Betty Hastings.
1201 Glade 8t., Winston-Salem. N. C. 27104.
(ACP) — A Colorado State Uni
versity professor has his own ideas
about grading — he would like to
give his students a choice of re
ceiving a guaranteed C or trying
to achieve* 1 a higher grade, the
Collegian reports.
Edward B Reed, assistant pro
feasor of zoology, said he first
proposed the system to his classes
last quarter "partly in fun ami
partly because a number of stu
dents had <-omplaine<| they were
too busy trying to make grades to
learn anything "
The proposal met with mixer!
reactions from students in hi*
limnology ami freshwater inverte
brates claises
The arbitrary grade is based on
Reed's impression, over the years,
that a grade of C is about average
for his classes. “1 don't plan the
grade distribution this way," he
said "That’s just the way it hap
pens." He added, however, that C
is not a popular grade
Reed pointed out that his pro
posal would imply a kind of honor
system on the part of students
NBMTCLUB
Do not forget the NBMT Club.
The original point of poor food and
poor food choices has been made.
Less than fifteen per cent of the
Mercer students eat in the meal
ticket cafeteria line this quarter.
Support the SGA in its efforts to
secure basic changes in the cafe
teria.
No longer does one see the long
lines of fall and winter quarters
pictured at the left. No longer are
Mercer students willing to pay
more for poor food. No longer will
the cafeteria serve as a social hour
No longer can the conditions re
main stagnant. Please reply to the
Cluster office if you heiaare a
change to a food service would im
prove conditions. We have informa
tion on several food services and
need to sound student opinion on
this matter.
Join the munch for lunch hunch,
join the NBMT Club
GEORGIA T-BONE
with Rosin Baked Potato
$1 39
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