IN DEFENSE OF THE COMPULSORY CHAPEL

Boston, Mass., November 15, 1920.

Editor of DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE :

Dear Sir:

The November number of THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE is filled with matter intensely interesting to the graduates of the College and I wish every alumnus might have an opportunity to read it. The President's address at the opening of college this fall, the picture of the remodelled Tuck Building, the photograph of "Uncle Ben," and the many references to alumni who have passed on, as well as the communications from many of the classes,—all make the number most attractive and interesting.

But I was especially interested in the two editorials; one concerning chapel at Dartmouth and the second on the "elective system." While the article on chapel perhaps does not invite opinions from the alumni, I am nevertheless going to venture to express mine.

The reasons why chapel should be continued at Dartmouth are so clearly set forth in this editorial that it is not necessary for me to repeat them, except to say that they seem to me to be most convincing. Of course we would like a chapel large enough to accommodate all the students under one roof each morning, but is there not some advantage in having the freshmen go to chapel by themselves, as they are required to go to the Commons for their meals? Does not this give another opportunity for them to get a little better acquainted with each other than they would if they went at first with the entire college? We have a freshman football team and a university team. Why not have also a freshman chapel and a university chapel? I like to think of Dartmouth as waking up and going to work in the morning. I have not much faith in an afternoon college, and if for no other reason than this I should hope that morning chapel, which has always been such a marked feature of the college, might never be discontinued.

The other editorial which especially caught my attention was the one on the "elective system", which I am glad to see is apparently now to receive that careful attention which its importance merits, to the end, I hope, that it may be somewhat more restricted than has been the case heretofore. I have always felt that when a young man goes to Dartmouth College, or any other college, there ought to be those on the ground who, through their experience in dealing with young men of similar ability and preparation, would know better than the boy himself what would probably be best for him to study for a time, at least, and I have been very glad to observe that the Committee on Instruction has decided that every student who graduates from Dartmouth must at least have had two courses; one, the "Problems of Citizenship", and the other a course which is styled in the catalogue "Elementary Evolution"—a somewhat misleading title—which is intended to give a brief and elementary course in all the physical and natural sciences and which would include a knowledge of discoveries and inventions and their influence on intellectual and social life,—a good preparation for the practical problems which are sure to come. It is possible that other courses which every educated man ought to have an opportunity to take while in college may hereafter be required.

I write this not as a trustee of the college but as an alumnus.

Sincerely yours, (Signed)

Southbridge, Mass., Nov. 12, 1920.

Editor of DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE:

Dear Sir:

Responding to your call for opinions regarding the discontinuance of chapel service on a compulsory basis, I can't make a constructive suggestion for a method of carrying on. But I do question whether the importance of acquaintance as a source of education is fully recognized in the matter. I always believed that Dartmouth's strength in this respect was due not merely to the absence of city distractions, but to compulsory daily contacts with one another at chapel, at evening mail arrival and at meals! I understand that mail is now delivered. If chapel should be discontinued, wouldn't the college become too dependent upon the practice of daily dining remaining compulsory?

Doubtless the compulsory feature of chapel, and the necessity of devoting part of one's attention during service to lacing shoes or buttoning collars are not inspirational. But in four years of daily attendance, none of us can help absorb into character, however unconsciously, something of the spiritual. We men seldom volunteer for solemn things, but that does not mean that we do not appreciate them later if obliged to participate. And if we had to do four years without it, I am sure all of us would miss it later.

Discipline also is an element of education and of democracy which the country as a whole is valuing more and more highly. Compulsory chapel is one of the opportunities for the college to make use of, for training of that sort. In a word, education by enforced association with all college-mates, is just as useful in later life toward sound thinking as is the curriculum. It is much too important to sacrifice. Compulsory chapel is certainly a cornerstone of this form of college service to its men. I urge that it be continued permanently, and that on that basis alone the building accommodations be considered.

Very truly yours, (Signed)