THE DARTMOUTH CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Christian Association has, during the past year, continued its policy of assuming the function of the religious and social-service department of the College, and to this purpose has carried its work out from Bartliett Hall, its meetings all being held in A Dartmouth, and the most successful Bible class of recent years being conducted Sunday afternoons in the living room of College Hall.
The cabinet of fifteen men, including the graduate secretary and an assistant secretary, who has given part time to the Association, have directed the work of the various committees, as in the past. There has been formed, during the last year, an advisory committee of five members of the faculty, through which it is hoped to preserve a greater continuity in the plans of the Association from year to year.
The Association has especially emphasized deputation work, as this offers an excellent opportunity for service, and on the different trips to New Hampshire communities many men have received an inspiration through which they have redoubled their efforts for the Association in college. Approximately one hundred men have been used in this work, more than half being members of the twelve teams which gave four days or more to directly religious campaigns. With the aid of the state and county Y. M. C. A. secretaries, a plan similar to that of the Religious Forward Movement has been carried out, resulting in a widespread spirit of Christian service among the young men of the state.
An important interest in the social conditions of rural communities has resulted from these deputation trips, and during the spring a series of meetings were held to formulate a plan for intensive social service in the neighborhood about Hanover. As deputation work, which was first undertaken in the East at Dartmouth, has spread to nearly all of the eastern colleges and communities, so it is hoped that some comprehensive plan of rural social service may be developed, which will serve as a model for other college communities.
About the same number of Bible study groups as have been maintained in past years were led by students in the dormitories, and in addition the class in the Commons on "The Elements of the Christian Belief," was very successfully conducted by Prof. E. J.. Bartlett. Many men of the upper classes were present at the sessions of this class, and more than welcomed the Association's step in carrying its work into the quarters of the College Club.
Mission study, continues to be an important problem for the Association, for never have a sufficient number of men been enrolled in the study of this great movement of the church, nor has the College given her proportion of men and money to maintain the stations of the foreign field. Large audiences have been present at several lectures by noted missionaries during the past year, but their interest cannot be capitalized until Dartmouth maintains some form of work in the the mission field to which both graduates and members of the College can contribute. Under the leadership of Robbins W. Barstow, ex-'11, who returns from two years spent' in Turkey, great strides forward are anticipated in this phase of the work for the coming year.
The fact that many new men have participated in its activities during the past year, and that the College no longer regards the Christian Association as being confined to any one activity augurs well for its future, and the Christian Association should continue to grow as an important instrument for the unselfish service of Dartmouth men.
