The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-01
SPECIAL ARTICLE. |

ing is, alasl not abolished vet in Ger
many, and duels in after life, then
generally executed with more deadly
weapons, are natural as long as such
views are held as honorable by the
young men at the universities.
Student Associations.
The student who reaches the uni-
verslty will have to decide himself,
whether he enters "corps" or "Bur-
schenschaft" or remains for himself.
vi course there are always students
who avoid these associations, but
then they hardly take part in stu
dents life. Their academical trien-
MUM is thus very little different
from other parts of life, with the ex-
ceptlon of the great freedom and the
longssvacations. For those who Join
the "corps" this time is one where
friendships are made.
The corps" are very different
some of them, like, for instance, the
Borussla at Bonn, the Saxo- -Borussia
at Heidelberg, are considered especi
ally elegant.l The cream of the no.
bility flock to them. At Bonn gen
orally the royal princes of Prussia
also take part. .r ~ The corps have their
colors, which are worn in a ribbon
and the cap. The costume mentioned
above with the small cap is worn upon
solemn occasions, while the cap worn
in ordinary life has the same shape
asathe caps worn by other men. Of
course every member is highly proud
OF these colors. A young man, who
after his conversion thought it his
duty to leave the corps, recently told
the writer of these lines how hard he
mad found it to give up his colors. It
is IN these corps that the drinking of
beer and dueling are most at home.
The "Burschenschaftes" represent a
social class little inferior. They
labored formerly under the suspicion
OF being political clubs. This was
hardly founded, but it is true that
the German unity had a place in the
songs of the German students long
before Bismarck accomplished it
through the sword. Among the
students of divinity there is a corps
which does not allow dueling, as of
course future ministers cannot in
dulge in this habit. This corps,
"alled "Wingolf," is therefore hardly
recognized as such by the others.
The "Wingolf" still forms among
clergymen who belonged to it a bond
OF friendship. The members of the
"Wingolf" publicly profess Christian
ity and engage themselves to lead a
moral life. The value of this corps
must therefore not be moderated.
though often the Christianity of it's
members is more a public one than
one designating the full state of their
inward life.
Outside Work Not Favored.
A few years ago the Association
of German Students" was formed.
which seeks to promote patriotism.
1t would be altogether unfair to DENY
that our institutions have done
great deal to raise the patriotic feel
ing in the nation. When in 1917
Prussia, the greatest State of divided
Germany, lay crushed under the
heels of the great Napoleon, Freder-
lex William Ill, King of Prussia,
founded the Berlin University in or
der to raise the moral powers of the
nation.
For live years past every summer
students conference has been held
for the deepening of spiritual life,
and is being assisted by increased
numbers. The mission has a special
secretary now. The members are
not chiefly students of divinity, but
come from all branches of study.
The science of the professors is as
free as the life of the students, and
therefore our young theologians must
go through much "higher criticism"
and are often more disturbed than
strengthened in the faith they bring
from a Christian home.
A reform of our association, if it
ever takes place, will be a very diff
cult task. The free life of the uni
versity is rooted too deeply in the
German nation, and after all, num-
Der of men, eminent in science and
in practical life. have come from our
universities. We would not curtail
the liberty of the students, who but
too soon feel afterward the yoke of
official life with hard work, scanty
salaries and limited vacations. But
we wish that impulses might be given
to uses this liberty better-that pub
lie opinion might change on the value
of dueling and on the excessive con
sumption of beer, that more ideal
tendencies might take hold of the
young men at our universities.
BERLIN, GERMANY.