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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1915)
i FREE, FREE! ! o -a- ■& & •a- •s- o -a- & •a- «- •H- i> •a- S3- •a- -a- •a- Kodak Films Developed Free. Kodak Films for Sale. Kadoks for Sale. Kodak Finishing Every Day. —3c, 4c, 5c Bring Them Today, Get Them Tomorrow That’s All. CARTER’S STUDIO Bryan, Texas High Grade Photographs at College Rates College Agent, 17 Pfeuffer Hall, Box 156 ARE CLERGYMEN THE ENEMY OF COUNTRY TOWNS? dam and the checker club at the corner drug store. That is where his When pastor of a country church, I looked upon the saloon keeper as our enemy. When I saw an ad in our local paper of dances, theatres, intoxi cating liquors, etc., I even went so far as to remark in prayer meeting once upon a time that our editor was doing more harm thereby than I could coun teract through the services of the church. Even more pernicious was the drug store “hang-out” with its subtle gambling machines, running all day Sunday, while the open, above board places of pastime for young men were closed by law. But not until I got away from the rural pastorate and became associated with leading business men of a great cosmopilitan city, did I ever hear it suggested that the clergyman was the enemy of the country town. It was at a meeting of an organization of business men, including railro^J presidents, head officers of implement manufacturers, clothing manufactur ers and various other leading repre sentatives of the industrial world, who for purely business reasons look upon the decline of country towns with alarm. I had just made my address, out lining what I considered necessary to check the lamentable drift of city ward young men from rural com munities and suggested a program which I considered most practical- one in which the various business in terests could co-operate with the lo cal communities. The meeting was then thrown open for discussion and then and there I was given a neAv suggestion to contemplate. For the first time I realized what the business world sometimes thinks of certain clergymen. The following was taken down in shorthand: “What the retired farmer leaves undone in country town burial serv ices, is completed by the country clerpryman, who sees in every amuse ment or pastime where there may be a gathering of young people, a rival for his church. He cannot under stand why his sermons do not attract the young, and he assumes that the reason must be the wasteful sin of the attraction which is operating in opposition to his prayer meetings. Out of this situation originates his antipathy toward the picture show, the billiard table, the baseball game and everything else between the mill zeal for the cause distorts his vision. He thinks he can legislate the young folk into his church, but he only suc ceeds in extinguishing a few addi tional street lamps, of which there are none too many, and when his pet hobby has been ridden to the limit of his capacity, he may wake up to the discovery that the boys and girls left town when the lights went out, that the church needs a coat of paint and that his congregation is smaller than ever. His activity in creating anta gonism only adds to te impetus of the remorseless Juggernaut, which has ground already beneath its wheels, during the short space of my recollection, many of the prerogatives of his former power. “Yesterday the Presbyterian Church published the announcement that they has lost a membership of 250,000 in five years—16 per cent of their total lost, and the world’s population rapid ly increasing. The country clergy are unknowingly depopulating the country towns by driving the young people to the city, thereby destroying the very best we have in American youth, stultifying and dwarfing the growth of our civilization and adding to the countless wrecks of suffering manhood, contributed to city life from homes where health and joy might have otherwise ruled.” Whether or not the above opinion is an exaggeration, it is significant that in a discussion among men represent ing diversified business interests of such calibre, the lack of amusements should have been given such promi nence as the contributing cause of the decline of country towns. To say the least, here is a tip to the wise pastor from the “inside” of a business men's meeting, which no business man would ever think of saying directly to the pastor. Whether or not it is of value, of course, depends upon whether the pastor is one of those who are not too wise to learn and for whom every event is a teacher pointing out the way to greater efficiency in his “calling.” Certainly it is high time that every pas tor realized that play, like hunger or religion itself, is an irresistable in stinct; and that when deprived of his favorite pastimes in wholesome sur roundings, exuberant youth will seek ,the places and the means of his recre ation esewhere. Yours should be correct in style and fabric. You are invited to inspect my line of Flannels, Palm Beach and Tropical Silk Suiting before placing your order. SATISFACTION IS THE THING. CHARLEY NITCH The Campus Tailor A LITTLE STORY OF COLLEGE LIFE. At 10 o’clock p. m. the “fish” got out his suit case, put on his civilian clothes, set the suit case down beside him j and sat down to wait for some other inquisitive “fish” to come in and ask questions. But it so happened that an “old boy” was the first to some in. “Where are you going, ‘fish?’” he inquired. The Freshman assumed a solemn air and said, “I am going home.” “What are you going home for?” “Well, you see, it was this way,” the Freshman began. “Some of the boys bet me $1.50 that I couldn’t steal a chicken out of ‘Prexy’s’ back yard, and I took them up. But when I tried it I got caught, and I am going home on the night train to keep from being ‘canned.’ ” “Ah, there is no use in your doing that,” the “old boy” replied^ “ ‘Prexy’ won't ‘can’ you for a little thing like that.” “But I am not going to take any chances on it.” The “old boy” was getting serious. He went to the captain’s room, waked him, and brought him in to the “fish’s” room. He related what the Freshman had told him and closed with the infor mation, “And the ‘fish’ says he is go ing home on the night train.” “Now, see here, ‘fish ’ ” began the captain, “there is no use in your doing a fool thing like this,” and the two gave him an earnest and lengthy dis course on the value of the education that he was about to throw away. “I can’t help that,” was the stubborn reply, “I think I had better go home.” “Well, if you go you will have to run over me,” one of the “old boys” said. The two then divided the re mainder of the night up into reliefs of an hour and a half each, and told the “fish” that they were going to sit up all night and see that he didn’t leave. “I don’t mean to leave,” said the “fish;” “I just wanted to have some fun with some other ‘fish,’ but you fel lows came in first.” “You can’t get rid of us that easy,” said the “old boys,” “we are going to see that you don’t leave.” In vain the “fish” argued that he was merely joking, but they refuesed to be lieve that his statements were any thing but a ruse to get away. The “fish,” therefore, went to bed and left his misguided friends to watch out the night. In the morning, when he awoke, they were nowhere to be seen. PERSONALS. Mrs. W. C. Procter of Greenwood, Miss., is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Procter. Mrs. Wooten was hostess to the Five Hundred Club Friday, April 30. Delicious refreshments were served. Miss Ina Hale of Gatesville, after a pleasant visit to Mrs. Wert Boyett, has returned home. Mrs. J. R. Hill has invited the Five Hundred Club to meet with her Fri day, May 7. Madge—So you feel better since you gave up dancing and devoted yourself to Red Cross work? Marjorie—Indeed I do, dear. I’ve had my name in the papers nine times.—Puck. Wise is the woman who can keep appearances up and expenses down. —Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph. “Why did you say ‘the late Mr. Bims?’ Bims isn’t dead.” “I know he isn’t.” “Then why do you speak of him as your late friend?” “Because he’s never on time.”—- Baltimore American. “Then you have given up the idea of taking singing lessons?” “Yes; I find it would take me three years to learn to sing as well as I thought I sang already.”—Boston Transcript. He who coincides with God’s plan succeeds; he who does not is crush ed.—A. F. Schauffler. TO MY SON. Do you know that your soul is of my soul, such part That you seem to be fibre and core of my heart? None other can pain me as you, dear, can do; None other can please me or praise me as you. Remember the world will be quick with its blame, If shadow or shame ever darken your name. “Like mother, like son,” is a saying so true, The world will judge largely of “mother” by you. Be yours then the task, if task it shall be, To force the proud world to do hom age to me. Be sure it will say, when its verdict you’ve won, “She reaped as she sowed. Lo! this is her son.” —Anonymous. WANTED—Farm and Ranch Land, for Colonization purposes. No tract too large or too small. If you want to sell your property at your own price, on your own terms, witout payment of commission, write European Mutual Colonization Co.,: Ltd., 633 Kress Bldg., Houston, Tex., ! for listing blanks and full informa tion. I VICTOR I Talking Machines Haswell's Book Store Bryan, Texas We Invite Your Patronage Eastman Kodaks And Athletic Goods 33333333330333333333^3^^33 —Anonymous.