Class of 1902
May, welcome May. And don't you wish you could be in Hanover during this month. Again it is my privilege to visit the College while it is in full operation, and to realize what an inheritance is ours.
Since last I wrote I have received a letter from Avery Lambert giving such a tribute to Maurice Duncklee that I am sure that you wish to read it.
"We speak of men being 'called' to theministry. This was certainly true of Duncklee. It was his nature to serve the needs ofothers, as it was his passion to work fortheir good. This was shown by the tributesto his ministry that came from the smallparish which he served while a student. Inone case an elderly woman had leanedupon him so heavily for help that when shedied it was found that she had left a smallproperty in Meriden to him, and that sheregarded this cottage as an inadequate return for the help that Maurice had beento her.
"The last year he was in the seminary,Duncklee served as assistant chaplain to theMassachusetts State Reformatory at Concord. I visited him there, and the chaplaintold me that they had never had a man inthat position that had won the confidenceof the inmates so that, in many cases, itamounted to a positive affection.
"Not all of those who are truly greathave their names blazoned on bronze tablets, or recorded in the scroll of history. Ican say this because it is possible that Iknew Maurice Duncklee better than anyother of his acquaintances. We have walkedtogether through the woodland pathways.We have paddled our canoes up the wilderness streams together. We have lain on thesands by the lake shore and talked 'of thestars and of the things beyond the stars.'And I know of few men who were trulygreat in the sense that he was great.Patiently ignoring his own burdens andsome of them were heavy: he once told methat never, since he could remember, hadhe been free from worry—he patientlybrought comfort, hope, and rehabilitationto others. For instance: a boy, in one of hisparishes, had his sight destroyed by the explosion of a gun carelessly handed by acompanion. For a year that boy's rebellionand despair were beyond description. ButDuncklee patiently applied himself to theProblem, brought the boy to a balancedcondition of mind, encouraged and helpedhim to and through college. Arid today thatboy is among the honored and successfulmen of the Boston bar. How many therewill be to rise up, in that last day, to callhim 'blessed' no one may know; but theywill be a multitude. One thing is true ofDuncklee which would not be true of manymen; he did not do his task as a ministerbecause he thought of a reward; but be-cause the very service which he renderedfulfilled something within himself whichmade his service imperative. Surely thespirit that was in him was like the spirit ofthe Master in whose name he served."
Roy Hatch showed his devotion to the class by taking the time during his many outside calls to give us a picture of his activities. Writing in the middle of February he says:
"These are the busy days! Our two greatest statesmen, 'George' and, 'Abe,' did notshow particularly good judgment in selecting the shortest month of the year for theirrespective birthdays. I lectured ten (10)times on 'Lincoln' last week—have severalmore ahead for this week, and before I cancatch my breath along comes 'George.' Igive these intimate chats before Rotary andKiwanis Clubs, schools, parent-teachers associations, and the like."
I should not interrupt, but the matter is not so easily disposed of as that indicates. Few of us realize just how much time and labor Roy has given to the study of some of his, and our, heroes. And as a result there are few men of our generation more qualified to speak about them.
"You know about our three children.Winslow ('3O) is well on his way to a Ph.D.in botany at Johns Hopkins. His Christmasgift to me was the reprint of his first articlein the scientific journal. David ('33) is duefor his A.M. in the field of social studiesfrom the New Jersey State Teachers Collegeat Montclair next June. Grace is studyingto be a kindergartner. However, this is notthe time one would select to have three incollege all at one fell swoop.
"The book, 'Our World Today,' by Stulland Hatch, is going very well, all thingsconsidered. You know I believe in combining these social studies materials, so thativhen we discuss any country we give youits geography, history, and civics all in onedose.
"Last week I completed an article forErnest Groves for the March issue of Education On 'How to Prepare Teachers toTeach the Social Studies.' I have also justcompleted an article on 'Citizenship Training' for a new publication by the W. F.Quarrie Cos. of Chicago.
"Incidentally I teach how and again hereat the college."
Under the circumstances, we are lucky to hear from you, Roy, but what on earth do you do in your spare time? However, the professor wasn't satisfied with his efforts at authorship, but had to dig out a picture which he says will give you as much pleasure as it does him. Really I don't know whether I ought to remark at all upon this scene. It is a lovely little lake up in the hills some fifty miles northwest of Montreal; you could see how beautiful it was if those disreputable ruffians had not stepped into the foreground.
The male figures portray individuals who may be respected and famous in their normal spheres of activity, but in a situation where types revert to nature you see them as the worst cook in Canada, the worst Gallic linguist in the territory, and the most silent fisherman in the world, but not respectively.
If you need further identification it is permissible to add that one of these specimens is a man nationally known in his field, a much-sought speaker for numerous public occasions, and the head of an important department of the New Jersey State Teachers College at Montclair. Another specimen, not so tall but wider, is a consulting pathologist with a wide reputation for skill and precision, as well known in his field as the other in his. The past history of both these individuals includes an association with the Rood House, late lamented (but not very much.)
The third individual is doubtless more difficult to recognize, although he wishes that you would do so, and write him of your success. All in all it is' a scene worth gazing upon, if only once again to remind yourself that after all men are but boys grown up.
Secretary, 130 Woodridge Place, Leonia, N. J.
