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UNIVERSITY COURIER
THE BENEFITS OF THE LITERARY SOCIETY.
As we glance back over the history of the literary organizations connected with our institution, one fact becomes patent—that in the literary society is to be found the elite of the University. Here are to be found those who are in earnest in their struggle for an education and who are willing to exert every energy and make use of every instrumentality for its attainment. And it is reasonable that such should be the case, for they afford advantages which are not always to be found in the class-room. In the society the student is enabled to make a practical use of the knowledge he has acquired. Of what advantage indeed is an education if we are unable to tell what we know. How many a student has gone through College and graduated with the highest honors, but whose knowledge has proven to him entirely useless in a practical sense simply because of his inability to communicate it to others. And is this not due, to a great extent, to an utter neglect of society work. It is here that we learn to express our thoughts, whether in written or extempore language. Facility in writing is acquired in the composition of essays, orations and papers. This, indeed, constitutes an important factor in one's education. To the editor, the author and the lecturer, fluency in composition is almost indispensable. But to the great mass of public speakers, especially to the lawyer, the statesman and the preacher, there is needed skill in spontaneous speaking. Written pleas, orations and sermons are all very nice if only committed and spoken in an easy, natural and graceful manner. But what preacher is able to write and commit two sermons a week without injury to his health. And on the other hand, if he reads his sermon, though the language may be superb and the thought grand, he utterly fails to accomplish his object. We do not need, in this age, elegance of expression and high-wrought rhetoric, so much as a plain, straightforward, earnest presentation of the truth. The great object of oratory is to persuade men, and this cannot be accomplished by any dry rehearsal from the manuscript.
Would we then be successful public speakers,let us emulate the example of such men as Luther,Burke,Patrick Henry, Clay, Wesley,Spurgeon,Beecher,Simpson and Gladstone. These are some of the noted extempore speakers of the past and present,and their success in life is due to their mastery of this art of arts.To be sure this is an accomplishment which can be acquired only by intense application and hard study. Yet all can gain some degree of proficiency by sufficient practice; and what better field for practice is there than the literary society.Here,many an orator,who has risen to distinction in the world,has taken his first lesson in extempore speaking.
Another advantage derived from this source is a knowledge of the laws and usages of deliberative bodies. Such a knowledge is almost indispensable this day when public organizations are so common. At any hour one is liable to be made a presiding officer, and without any acquaintance with parliamentary rules and customs he would be placed in a very awkward position.
But the greatest benefit derived from a literary society is the mental discipline which results from bringing mind in contact with mind. In the society debates the mental powers of one member are brought in direct contact and comparison with those of his opponent. By this attrition of mind
with mind the power of argumentation is increased, and one is enabled to form a true estimate of his own strength. And what a splendid preparation is thus gained for the active duties of the world. Life indeed is a series of struggles. Every day questions are presented for our decision which concern our own actions and affect our prosperity and happiness. But there are other questions of great moment which arise from time to time and affect the weal or woe of society. Upon such questions every citizen should have some settled convictions. And if these convictions come from an honest heart and enlightened understanding, he should be willing to exert every power to stamp them upon his fellow men. There is a tendency in these days for men to follow the multitude in regard to the great moral, social and political questions which are agitating society. There is a large class in every community who are continually tossed about on the waves of public sentiment and who follow the mass of the people in all their actions. But the world needs men of an entirely different stamp. It needs men who have the moral courage to face an opposing multitude, and who are not afraid to antagonize with other men in the interests of virtue and humanity. Such are the men who have made an impression upon society in the past, and whose names are household words in every grade and condition of life to day. But, on the other hand, those who have pursued a contrary course, allowing themselves to be drifted hither and thither by every tide of public opinion without regard to judgment, principle or conscience—these are the men who have remained a "cipher in society," whose names have passed away "silent, unseen, unnoticed, unlamented." W.O.,'77.
DIRECTNESS.
It is a fact conceded by all, that he who aims at the mark will come nearer hitting it than he who aims not at all, and so we claim that he who labors with an end in view, with a fixed purpose or plan, will be more likely to realize something for his painstakings which is worth the striving after, than he who moves on from day to day, year in and year out, waiting for something to "turn up," and never having any definite purpose in view. "Uselessly, aimlessly, drifting through life." And again, he who settles this purpose early in life, will doubtless realize more fruits from his labor than he who waits and waits for a more favorable opportunity, until the early morning sun has grown into the full noon, or it may be has commenced descending toward the western horizon. And especially should this be the case with that class of students who intend entering some profession. Determine as early as possible your vocation in life, and then, with a resolute and unconquerable will, move toward the goal, ever keeping in view your high ideal, comparing your work, not with your inferiors, or even your equals, but with your superiors, and by their successes and failures be admonished.
That student who intends making the legal profession his life work, does not want to spend years in informing himself in those studies which he will probably never use in his profession. His first and great business is to prepare himself directly in that line in which he proposes to devote his life. After he has mastered all that directly pertains to his profession, then let him devote some time, if opportunity permits, to the other vocations in life. The age demands thorough men, more than simply generally informed ones. Men who can use the armor manfully that has been fastened upon them. By