CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES

The following is extracted from a recent report of Charlie Butler, Graduate Secretary of the Christian Association:

A dozen students were "whooping it up" in the D. C. A. office. Yes, they were. Their exuberant spirits were enjoying Christmas party preparations, including the wrapping of presents, the filling of candy bags, the planning of entertainment programs, and the selection of Santa Claus. During the fall groups of students have conducted programs including religious and social activities in four rural schools in Vermont, in Beaver Meadow, Turnpike, Goodrich Corner, and New Boston, which work has provoked a healthy interest in the children of the countryside and the problems of rural folk. Christmas parties were held in each schoolhouse with useful articles for some and happiness for all. Other opportunities for expression, leadership, and service have been provided for a few students in deputations sent to four communities, one preparatory school and to the State Y. M. C. A. Older Boy's Conference held at Keene. This program will go forward during February and March rendering an increasing service to nearby communities and enlisting the active interest of a number of students.

When people of the Hanover community need assistance of any kind the employment service makes possible the securing of some student help and furthermore adds a few shekels to the exchequer of a needy student. Yes, there are calls of all kinds; a man to take care of the baby during the evening, someone to wash windows, a strong fellow to help take care of a D. T. patient for a night at the hospital, one who can do typewriting, another to take care of ashes and do other odd jobs around the house, and so on. The D. C. A. office in College Hall has a strategic location and is generally a busy place. Besides the employment service, information of all kinds may be secured. The lost and found bureau, book exchange, reading table, serve many. Members of the D. C. A. and the graduate secretary are able to render service and counsel to many students, and these valuable contacts become the starting points of many helpful fellowships.

Religion generally becomes a topic for discussion in any bull-session ""around college if the session lasts long enough. Through small groups in ways natural to students members of the D. C. A. endeavor to carry ideas of religion which are helpful and suggestive. A number of groups meeting at different times during the fall have had the inspiration and experience of some faculty member or visiting chapel preacher to draw upon. During February and March a series of informal meetings will be projected with some of our best faculty members bringing the contribution of their field of thought and endeavor to the religious life and experience.

A few letters from H. W. Robinson '10 give an optimistic report on conditions in the Tung Jen Middle School at Paotingfu, China. There are nearly three hundred boys in the school this year and under the able leadership of Mr. Yang, the principal, the educational work is progressing smoothly. Our Dartmouth-in- China project ties up with interests in other lands similar to our own. The dormitory, completed last year partly through contributions from Dartmouth, is serving well and has been named Dartmouth Hall. Mr. Yang has recently sent a copy of the Chinese classics, the writings of Confucius and Mencius in the original, for the new college library.