The Crescent" Student Newspaper Archives and Museum
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Digital Commons @ George Fox University "The Crescent" Student Newspaper Archives and Museum 6-1-1913 The Crescent - June 1913 George Fox University Archives Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/the_crescent Recommended Citation George Fox University Archives, "The Crescent - June 1913" (1913). "The Crescent" Student Newspaper. 119. https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/the_crescent/119 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Archives and Museum at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in "The Crescent" Student Newspaper by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE CRESCENT VOL. XXIV. JUNE, 1913 NO. 9 31o’ (tua1tnIn Joe Thompson was seated at his desk at school as he had been doing day after day and year after year as a matter of course and not because he had put himself there thru his own volition but because he had been sent there. He was dreaming as he was accustomed to do a good share of the time. His mind was wandering and he was pondering over whatever topic of interest was suggested to him by pictures on the wall, by things seen thru the window, or by the faces of his playmates. Mr. Todd has just begun to conduct the opening exercises and he now takes from his desk a copy of the Bible and begins reading. Joe is saying to himself, ‘0 I am so tired of hearing him read from that dry old Book; it is all so solemn and meaningless to me; it was not meant f’r boys like me who like fun and mischief and who do not ever expect to be preachers or saints.’ But listen! What is that he is reading: “But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given 3 2 THE CRESCENT THE CRESCENT him.” ‘If any of you lacketh wisdom!’ does not that he had formed of idle dreaming and of failing to con concern me? Here I am nearly at the foot of my class centrate his attention upon his work. And then too I know that it is awful and I know that my folks are some of his studies were so distasteful to him and for discouraged with me; I am disgusted with myself and grammar he had an extreme abhorrence. But thru the everybody thinks that I am absolutely worthless. Time whole day he put forth a determined arid an honest ef and again I have resolved to do better and have failed fort, and that evening as he returned home he felt bet and I have thoroly made up my mind that I haven’t the ter than he had done for a long time for he had gained ability that others have and that I cannot learn as new faith and new encouragement and he had the satis others do.’ faction of having worked hard. He could see already These thots passed swiftly thru his mind and he that he could advance in his studies as well as not. He realized as he had often done how worthless he was and felt now for the first time the joy and satisfaction there of what little account to himself and everybody else. is in knowing that you are accomplishing something. But now as he was burdened with this conviction a new He is beginning now to realize that the reward of noble idea was dawning upon him—he began to realize as he effort is far ovei and above more than enough to jutfy had never done before that it was unnecessary for him the effort. to continue as he was, so worthless and so dull in his In his prayers that night he did not follow empty studies. It was a new truth to him that if he used all forms or resort to meaningless phrases—he made an the wisdom and ability he had that he might pray for earnest entreaty that he might have the wisdom and more and that according to the promise of God it would power to do his work as he ought to do and as he wished be given him. ‘If any of you lack wisdom let him ask to do. He asked that after his own efforts had been of God who giveth to all liberally.’ That is almost too put forth to their extremity that his ability might be good to be true, he thot, why did I not find it out before. augmented and increased to meet the need, and he re How fine it would be and how glad it would make my membered continually the promise he had heard read. parents feel for me to become a good student or perhaps No one knew how it happened but himself but to lead my class! And now I know that it is within my eerybody who knew Joe Thompson knew that he was power to do so if I will. I am determined now that I now different than he used to be. The change was will begin today. somewhat gradual and perhaps no one thot very much The school year was more than half spent and Joe about it when it was taking place but one thing is sure was in the seventh grade. He began to put forth a that by the end of the school year everyone had a differ new kind of effort—an effort backed up by hope and ent idea of him than they had had at the beginning, faith and by an assurance that success was certain to and whether they fully realized it or not, to them he come. It was of course extremely hard for him to get was a different person. His classmates, his teacher, his lessons well at first because he had so little confi his parents and his friends had now come to regard him dence in himself and because of the strong habits which as being, instead of the worthless dullard that they had THE CRESCENT 5 4 THE CRESCENT previously knowxi him, a good student and among the When Joe Thompson graduated from Fairfield High brightest and most promising of his class. School but little was thot of his being the validictorian Was there a great difference between his life now of his class—nothing less was expected by those who and what it had been before? Indeed, instead of being knew him—even tho he had started in on his Senior nothing and worse than nothing, a burden to parents year with the handicap of having to make up two and teachers, a corrupting influence upon his comrades, month’s work of the year before when it had been nec and a nuisance and annoyance to himself he had become essary for him to drop out to help his father with the a comfort and encouragement to his parents and teach farm work. However, this was to Joe a great event be ers, a good and positive influence over his classmates cause he was thinking of what his record might have and friends; he had gained pride and self-respect; he been had he continued as he had been doing before his had gained new joy and new satisfaction and it seemed awakening. It was a great moment to him when he to him then to be as easy for him to be at or near the realized what he had done and there came to him a new head of his class as it had formerly been for him to be and still greater joy when one of the leading men of the at the foot. Indeed, I am not sure but that it was just city said to him: “Joe, we are expecting great things as easy or easier for him because he had formed his from you.” habits of applying himself and of taking joy in doing As he knelt in prayer that night he did not forget his work well and habits when well formed are largely to thank God for that Bible reading which he had heard automatic and to a great extent take care of themselves so long before, which had meant so much to him. He and now they seemed to almost compel him to do his thanked Him with a sincere heart that there was so best as they once had compelled him to be a dullard and much else in that great Book and he determined that he a fool. would learn to appreciate and to place the proper value That morning, when Joe heard those words from the upon it all. A. G. ‘13 first chapter of James, was a great occasion in his life and one that he must never forget. It was that great event in his life when he was awakened, as many of us &t 3nffuente in QoUege must be, and how many, alas not until it is too late, to the possibilities of the life that takes advantage of the In a small denominational school there are numerous things intrusted to it. It was merely an awakening to influences which build up and make the individual bet the facts of the case and as he put forth his efforts he ter. One which should be mentioned among the first is gained greater confidence and new hope. He saw new the help which the student receives from the personal and greater possibilities.