The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-12-25
COLLEGE COLUMN.
EDITED BY THE ADELpHIAs SOCIETY.
This is a world of progress and every sue

This is world of progress and every sue.
ceeding age brings it's discoveries, inven-
tions and reforms. Many vicissitudes have
marked the progress of the human race in
its march down the ages. At times it has
sped forward under the accelerating infu.
ence of some great reform; and again it has
been checked and thrown back in its course
by the blighting influence of war and vice.
At the burning of the Alexandrian library
"a. D. 640), the great storehouse of knowl-
edge at that age, the labored compilations of
centuries We're lost. During the Roman
and Grecian period more near approach to
perfection was attained in the fine arts and
literature than we can boast of at the pres
ent days; but through luxury and vice, and
the inroads Of the Barbarians during the
Dark Ages another formidable barrier was
placed in ci. iization's path, which not only
checked its advancement but gave to learn
ing such stunning blow that the world
has not yet recovered from ITS effects
The fourteenth century ushered in another
era in which the civilized agents have
moved on, with few Interruptions to the
present time. More especially has the nine.
teenth century been marked for its general
advancement in civilization, and as the age
of speculative thought and scientific re-
| research. Specialists have branched off in
various directions and developed great sys-
TENS of philosophy and science. In the
religious world different sects have sprung
| up and scattered their advocates over the
length and breadth of the land; and they,
especially, have been instrumental in found
ing and encouraging educational institu-
tions.
With the universities and colleges. liter
ary societies have been developed rs very
essential Department.; and thus have become
to be considered of such Importance that
much of the reputation of any school de-
pepends upon the condition of its liter
ary society.
The reputation of a literary society, like
that of any other institution, depends upon
the progress it is making, for to keep
abreast of the times in this fast age requires
earnest and viglant action. To remain in
actis is to retrograde.
Accordingly the Adelphian Literary So
ciety of the State Agricultural college of
Oregon, alive to it's interests, and realizing
! the progressive tendency of the age has
made another, and very important step
in advancement. This being its first ap-
pearance before the public, perhaps short
sketch of the society as it now stands would
not be uninteresting. At the commence
ment of the session 1SS3-S4 the active mem-
bers numbered scarcely a dozen, and at the
close of the session forty-fve names were
ON the roll. At present the society hall is
crowded at every meeting On March 9th
1885, amendments to the constitution and
bylaws were adopted, providing for the pub
lication of paper, 1.-The Adelphian Re-
view" which is read before the society every
two weeks. On Nov. l3, 1885, other
amendments were adopted in accordance
with which was added an Grafton to be de-
livered every two weeks to alternate with
the Review" and a composition to be read
weekly. In addition to these the literary
exercises consist Of an impromptu speech, a
reading, defamation All debate by four
persons appointed two weeks previous for
the purpose. After the decision of three
judges appointed the question is open for
general debate in which any member can
t participate. On Dec. is, 1855 another
amendment was adopted which called for
the appointment of a standing committee to
edit the space in the city papers which,
through the generosity and kindness of the
v editors, has been offered for the use of the
society. The public, therefore, may expect
hereafter an account of the doings of the
society and the cnrrent news of the college.