The evening times., 1899-09-30
COLLEGE WORK RESUMED.
Pennsylvania University Begins Its
II1th Year.

15Dth Year.
PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 3G-With shouts
of enthusiasm such as only rival classes
of college boys could utter. the fall term
of the college department of the University
of PENNSYLVANIA was opened in the college
chapel yesterday.
The auditorium was filed with howl
ing. yelling mob a half hour before the
exercises opened, and there were class slo-
gans galore. The presidents of the vari-
Gus classes gave the magic signals, and
from scores of youthful throats the lusti-
est of 'hoorays" shook the paintings of
the dead provosts and Ben Franklin, from
his stained glass retreat above the chapel
organ, smiled his welcome to the formida-
BILE array of youngsters of the class of 1908,
which by the way, begins its career with
the 159th year of the institution. On the
raised seats at the west end of the chapel
members of the faculty were seated, anx-
iously inspecting the new men.
At 10 O'Clock the door opened and Jo-
siah Harmer Penniman. dean of the col
lege. walked into the chapel, followed by
Provost c. c. Harrison. In an instant
there was a wild uproar. and the students
yelled until the chapel sounded like a
menagerie at mealtime, and the dean and
the provost were busy nodding their
thanks for the enthusiastic greeting.
Dean Penniman finally arose and sim
ply said: I'VE shall now hear from our
provost but he first heard lusty cheers.
Provost Harrison said: Whatever may
have been your history during vacation
time. there has been no rest at the uni
versity. Constant progress, ceaseiess work,
and constant preparation, have been the
story Of the passing days. Perhaps there
has never been a time so rich in prepara-
ton, through the thoughtful provision of
bountiful women and men. Let ME ask
each one of you what he is going to do
with his opportunities. When you are at
your own home yor protect your own house
hold and it's fair name under all circum-
stances When you are at the university
you have no less d responsibility. perhaps
a greater one. Are you to be blot on
the fair fame CT this benign mother, or
are you to be her loyal. devoted SON, whose
name she will always cherish2
What you honorably bind yourselves to
do when you came here and what every
one has the right to expect OF you is hon.
esty Of work and honesty Of personal con-
duct and where. can any greater stimula-
ton lead to such purposes than at uni
versity? You are here in a city, in the
company of host of masters and schol-
ars; if not all with the same special end,
at least with the same general aim, act
ing upon and reacting each upon the other,
and the very atmosphere here is full Of en-
couragement and stimulation.
You do not come here for the selfish
purpose of preparing yourselves to look
out for yourselves. You come here for
the distinct purpose >of fitting yourselves
all the better to be of service to humani-
ty. and there is one direction in which that
service opens itself Just now in the largest
way of duty and usefulness / mean the
political service, in the best sense OF that
word, which every university man should
prepare himself to render. Begin early
to take part in every movement which
concerns our civic condition, and to do SO
intelligently.
Begin early and hammer away at it
hard, always courteously, and after care
full study, and desiring not to have truth
On your side as much as yourselves to be
on the side of truth. There are many
who have tried and have attained to just
such a standard Of the student life May
each one Of you be in this group! And
in such standards we are to discern the
real elements of greatness in humanity, as
apart from the artificial and accidental
conditions by which the world is too often
dazzled and misled-'