It appears from a recent balloting

of the student body that a very considerable majority—646 against 507—favored the retention of a compulsory chapel service, merely indicating certain wishedfor changes as to the hour and length of the exercise and a greater lenity as to the number of attendances required. It is also announced that 281 favored the retention of the present system. The net result appears to us to be that compulsory chapel will be more considerately regarded by undergraduates if it doesn't begin until 8.15 and doesn't last beyond 8.35, or thereabouts.

We have read with attention the arguments pro and con as presented by the Daily Dartmouth. There is comparatively little in either that can be called novel. The really extraordinary thing is that the majority of men, directly interested for their own ease and not of mature age and experience, should have preferred the retention of an exercise which is admittedly "religious" to a very limited extent, and which certainly does involve an obligation very often sadly at variance with personal comfort.

To what extent it is either proper or desirable to be guided by undergraduate opinion in such matters it would be very rash for us to attempt to say. One must admit the propriety of limiting the undergraduate function in matters of college management, and the tendency of greater age is possibly to limit it too straitly. Youth will be served, and it is by no means bashful as a rule in outlining the avenues whereby it desires the service to come. One hears much of "rights," and comparatively little of any duties — save those of the elders — in these days of revolutionary thought. Nevertheless here is the solid evidence that 646 Dartmouth undergraduates deliberately prefer a compulsory chapel requirement, under certain conditions, where only 507 confess a desire to have chapel abolished outright save as a voluntary morning assemblage. This is obviously not a full vote of the entire college, but it is large enough to give a dependable cross-section. On the whole, and with certain reservations as to how much it implies as to the weight to be accorded to student judgments, we incline to be glad the ballot was taken.

It would be dangerous to attempt any statement as to what the result would have been had such a ballot been taken among the students of the 'Bos, or '9os. Those of us who are alumni now but who were students then will easily recall a certain restiveness under the Spartan requirements of a January morning, which we might have been glad to mitigate, if not to pretermit entirely. It is hardly to be believed, however, that many of us regret that requirement in retrospect; and we incline to think that the present undergraduates, given the advantage of some thirty years of alumni existence, will look back with feelings entirely similar to our own at present. One does learn something, even after graduation—especially about oneself and one's judgments in sophomore and junior year. But there must ever be the just allowance for a discrepancy of view between crabbed age and youth. The former is too likely to deny any worth to the opinions of the latter—and viceversa. But age in this instance must perforce doff its battered hat to the moderation revealed by this straw ballot, whereby 646 students approve compulsory chapel while only 507 advocate doing it away. There's a reason, of course. Young men do not deliberately discommode themselves without some adequate reason. But just which of the arguments for compulsory chapel were regarded as effective does not presently appear.

Curiously enough the argument which seems to us most valid of all is the one which both sides appear to have treated as rather immaterial — to wit, that the compulsory chapel service tends to get all the students out of bed betimes in the morning and assemble them as a compact body before starting the day. We continue to believe this to be an argument of worth. Having had some little experience with other institutions of learning where no such chapel requirement exists, it may be we appreciate more acutely than do present Dartmouth students the importance of routing a collegeful of young men out of their downy couches at the first call of incensebreathing Morn. Those still under the bonds of discipline seldom appreciate disciplinary virtues to the full, compared with those who are freed therefrom but who look back with gratification on the fact that the discipline was not withheld. Morning chapel is a stern but efficacious antidote to the sloth which doth so easily beset us.

That profound and poetical philosopher who indited the sentiment that "it's nice to get up in the morning, but it's nicer to stay in bed" said what we have heard vulgarly denominated a mouthful. It is so very comfortable on a cold winter morning to postpone the rising to a day's activities that we are all prone to delay. It takes something — be it the call of the 8.15 train, the factory whistle, or the chapel bell — to enforce the needful resolution. One with no chapel to attend and no recitation or lecture before 11 o'clock will be more than human if he rises at 7.30 or even 9 o'clock. With all due respect to the contemptuous debaters who so lightly dismissed this argument, it will be found to have merits by the time one is married and possessed of ease-loving progeny. It will be more thoroughly understood at that time that there are virtues in discipline, qua discipline. "Orders is orders," remarked the drill sergeant to the raw recruit, "And you can depend upon 'em to be disagreeable." It is, however, of some virtue to be compelled to recognize certain unwelcome requirements; to be constrained to do at least a few things that one doesn't greatly relish doing — even when the constraint seems to the constrained to have but little reason behind it. One doesn't always know.

As for the importance of having practically the whole college assembled once a day, we believe that is too obvious to require stress here. The occasions for making use of such an opportunity may be rare, like those for using the fire alarm, but they are no less pressing when they occur. On the whole we regard the early arousing and assembling of all the students as among the practical reasons for retaining compulsory chapel — far more so than an empty respect for old custom, and probably more so than for any argument as to the religious effects, of which more in a moment.

That the attitude of morning chapel audiences is reverential or disposed toward a seemly piety would be asburd to claim. It was not so a generation ago, and it is not so now. It is rather surprising, however, to read that only "a few sing the hymn" — for that would seem to be a part of the exercises which might be thoroughly enjoyed. If Dartmouth congregations take no pleasure in singing familiar hymns they differ from those of a slightly older day and really miss something needlessly which is worth while. That many take this opportunity hastily to peruse the Daily Dartmouth, or cram feverishly for an academic exercise immediately to follow, is quite easy to believe. It is what was done long before these present students were born. Nevertheless there is something not to be despised in even a momentary and half-hearted contact with things spiritual. To hear the Bible read — and too few appreciate the importance of Bible reading as a part of the training of cultivated gentlemen — is one of the very real privileges. It's all the Bible most students ever get. One may or may not give attention to and be uplifted by the formal prayer — one suspects it is seldom enough that either thing happens; but the quarter-hour's contact with the spiritual has more virtues than one usually admits.

This is an age increasingly indifferent to formalism in worship, although not necessarily one given to downright irreligion. As we see it, the modern man reads less virtue into formal services and much more into the Christian ethic — very probably gravitating to the opposite extreme from that -of the fathers, and very possibly with as little justification.

The MAGAZINE has said before, and must say once again, that while it recognizes the changed times and altered attitudes of men, it would seriously regret to see compulsory chapel abolished at Dartmouth. Voluntary chapel would allure but few, and those few would doubtless obtain more spiritual benefit. Nevertheless we believe in keeping to the old institution, partly for its by-product of spiritual essences and partly for its salutary effects as a discipline and mode of regular assemblage. The suggested change in the hours and length of service we are not disposed to make the subject of controversy. They seem not entirely unreasonable. They do let down the bars a trifle to later rising — but not enough for criticism. An academic day beginning at 8.37, as suggested, conforms better to modern requirements than one beginning some 20 minutes earlier. Besides one recalls that in far older times Dartmouth chapel services began at some unearthly hour of the dark—so that when the present schedule was first adopted it was doubtless bewailed by the ancient alumni as a concession to the Sybarites.

Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur inillis.

As a closing word, we note the Sunday afternoon chapel services are referred to with universal approval by all commentators on this controversy as something appreciated by all. No one wants those abandoned. It was always so. Just what makes the subtle difference between the week-day morning exercise and the Sunday vespers is not clear — but who of us has ever willingly missed the chapel service 011 Sunday afternoon? Possibly it was the brief and usually very pertinent practical talk which the leader of it gave. Pungent old Dr. Bartlett was inimitable at those services. Professor John K. Lord, in his interregnum prior to the advent of Dr. Tucker, was always well worth hearing. Dr. Tucker, of course, was the unsurpassed prince of homilists — adored by his students and listened to with a reverence which one hopes has been extended to his successors. Of course no one dreams of questioning the spiritual uses of the Sunday vespers; and if one questions the weekday devotional exercises on that side it is a situation which one cannot well avoid. None the less it is gratifying to feel that the retention of'week-day chapel in a slightly amended form is approved by the effective majority of the students. It strikes us that the vote does them high credit — and we are glad, in consequence, that it was taken, although by no means approving in equal measure all the arguments urged against the prevailing custom. Right there lay the one element for a reasonable question — a certain cocksureness, savoring of sophomoric self-sufficiency, which, unless we greatly mistake, the exponents thereof will live to marvel at themselves. Announcement that the lecturers this year on the Guernsey Centre Moore foundation will be Professor Graham Wallas of London and Professor Paul Shorey of Chicago indicates that this novel course, especially intended for alumni who can arrange to remain in Hanover after Commencement, is to be kept at its present commendably high level of interest and scale of ability in the men called to deliver the series. Professor Wallas is widely known as a progressive thinker in the realm of political science. He will take as his subject "Leadership," seeking to analyze in a course of eight daily talks the essential qualities of intellectual leaders and to discuss the process of training for original thought. Professor Shorey, on the other hand, will consider the influence of ancient thought on modern civilization — a topic for which his well-known attainments in the study of the Greek language and literature peculiarly fit him to speak as one having authority.

It is especially gratifying to those of us who esteem the "humanities" to be an essential part of the cultivated man's studies to have so eminent a philological authority as Dr. Shorey included in these lectures; and it is perhaps unusually fitting to make his topic the counterfoil for the progressivism of Dr. Wallas. The latter has been a noteworthy liberal, intellectually speaking, long connected with the Fabian Society and remembered as having delivered a series of Lowell Institute lectures in Boston in 1914. He has also lectured at Yale and his place in the educational work of Great Britain is important. He is at present professor of political science at the University of London. Professor Shorey, of the Greek department at the University of Chicago, is among the leading scholars of our day in classical lines.

These lectures are given on the eight days immediately following Commencement and each speaker delivers one lecture a day.

As is its annual custom, the MAGAZINE commends to the attention of all alumni the meeting of class secretaries at Hanover, which should this year as in other years prove of immense practical benefit as a link between the college at Hanover and its thousands of individual outposts, existing wherever a Dartmouth man abides. The secretary of a class is its most enduringly and constantly important member, from the college standpoint and from that of the class as an entity. On his unremitting interest and industry much depends. These annual gatherings of as many class secretaries as can reach Hanover in April serve a manifold purpose, but chiefly that of linking up the alumni to the College, and the College to the alumni.

Discussions in recent years have concerned themselves very importantly with the proper exercise of the secretarial functions. Opinions differ widely as to means, but not at all as to ends. It is admitted on all hands that the aim is to keep the class spirit alive, to make sure of the interest and loyalty of the members, to maintain a comprehensive body of data as to the whereabouts, employment, family and general circumstances of each alumnus, and to act as go-between for both the class and the College. Through the secretary the College can always get home whatever thoughts it wishes to the scattered components of its fellowship; and through him also the College draws a valuable inspiration and knowledge of what alumni think and feel.

Whether the secretary should be a permanent officer, serving throughout his life, or whether he should be subject to the idea of rotation in office, is a moot question always more or less discussed at these meetings. It is a question hardly admitting of dogmatic answer, and it is to be suspected that the proper decision differs with the particular case, or perhaps with the peculiar circumstances of a given class. When just the right man becomes secretary of a class it always seems a pity to displace him — and, per contra, when the wrong man is drafted he can usually not be displaced too soon. The frequency of class reports is also a topic commonly discussed — and the result is quite similar, in that thus far uniformity of practice has not been found to be attainable, or even practical, if indeed it be desirable. One hesitates over the last extensions of the current passion for standardization. It suits some classes better than others to do things in a given way, and those who are suited by their own system generally burn to have it universally adopted. It is submitted that the topic should be earnestly considered. No doubt it is possible to attempt published class reports too often, and it is even easier to see the possibility of not doing it often enough. To strike the happy average and do what will best hold the class interest and attention is the appropriate aim.

Naturally the principal contribution to be made from the classes to the College through the mouths of alert and energetic secretaries will have to do with class affairs. But at these meetings the College also contributes information the other way, which is no less valuable and usually more valuable, in enlightening the men who have the ears of all their classmates as to the development of the plant at Hanover, the various problems besetting the faculty, trustees and students, and the offering of suggestions for alumni co-operation.

It is the MAGAZINE'S sincere belief that this annual congeries of secretaries is among the most important meetings of the year. It is eminently desirable that every secretary attend who can by any possibility do so, and no one who has ever attended will willingly miss this gathering. It is invariably a mingling of pleasure with business in proportions which greatly advantage all concerned. New problems always arise — and this year's meeting certainly has enough in sight to make for voluble discussion, all the way from methods of electing alumni trustees to the vexed matter of required chapel attendances.

Reference is made elsewhere to the approaching meeting of the Secretaries Association happily removed from the dismal days of March thaws to the hopeful period of April's close. The current month will also find in the hands of alumni voters, that is, of all graduates of more than three year's standing, the ballots for alumni trustee, and for alumni councilors. As the method of trustee nomination will come before the secretaries we refrain from discussing it here. Their deliberations will be reported in May issue of the MAGAZINE.

Whatever the final decision may be, it is hoped that the alumni will very generally exercise their franchise this year even though one candidate only is presented. Aside from showing interest in the current affairs of the College a ballot returned gives a valuable opportunity to control the address lists of the graduates. Address changes are daily recorded in the office of Alumni Records but continuous information is necessary if the lists are to be kept in a satisfactory condition.

It has been decided, and it seems to the editors wisely, to discontinue the appeal for funds to support the alumni work that has usually accompanied the ballot. With solicitation for such major amounts as are needed for the Alumni Fund and the Memorial Field constantly before the alumni a further appeal for a comparatively small amount can well be dispensed with. The response of the classes to- the annual call for the Fund is gratifying though it is too early as yet to forecast the, final amount that will be raised. A tabulation of the contributions to March 20 will be found on a later page in this issue.

A winter scene on the Golf Links