University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-04-05
The Students Summer Conference

VIDE.
The speakers of the conference deal
with things of vital interest and mer
must go there with the intention of
thinking and studying. But there is
another great aim in view all through
the cOnference-everybO is expected
TO have good time. truly good time.
There are lessons to be learned 5y
study and there are lessons to be
learned by play. In the afternoon
delegates are given every opportunity
TO find pleasure and amusement
There are baseball games, track and
field meets, tennis. boating and SWIM
ming. All these when there is am
manner of competition, SAVIOR of the
best college spirit and friendly rivalry.
The plan of the day shows that the
conference means to furnish all that Is
necessary 10 make an ideal religious
and educational assembly and at the
same time an ideal outing. The day
begins with a quiet half-hour devoted
TO meditation and prayer. Immediately
after breakfast the Bible and mission
classes commence These continue un-
I'll eleven when an address is made b.
ONE prominent speaker. The whole
afternoon is given over to sports and
.la
other address. The day is complete
within itself. Ii furnishes food and
exercises for the threefold man.
The delegates at these summer con-
ferences are representative men from
every department OF the college and
univer tiles. There are honor men.
athletes, men prominent in student
activities of every kind, and others
VINO never make much stir about any
thing. Taking them altogether, they
have been spoken of as the cream of
the undergraduates of our American
colleges" These men of all classes
and kinds meet in an informal, heart
to-heart way. Such a meeting is most
favorable 10 bring men TO feel that
there is only one aim in life worth
while-that is TO elevate humanity.
Lake Geneva, the home Of the sum-
mer conference for this district fur
nlshes en- attractive place Tor a CAMP.
Ii is about ninety miles from Chicago.
There are thirty-four acres of wooded
land on the shores of the lake where
the tents are pitched There are a few
permanent houses and large hotel. |
Ii IS quiet, up-tO-nature spot and
has all the setting of an ideal outing
place.
1t is too much the case that non-coi- |
lege people get the wrong idea of our |
higher educational institutions be- |
cause the worst elements of the col |
lege make themselves conspicuous, Iii |
the home community and the best |
elements remain so modest as to be |
almost apathetic Moreover. non
college people are too willing to ac-
cept the worse element as the typical. |
Ii isn't fair. The strongest men owe |
ii 10 society TO be leaders to keep |
the weaker men from dominating.
Not only this, but very often it hap
pen that the influences OF college |
the right lines. Men who have been
regular in church attendance and who |
have been interested in the activities
Of the church before going to college
return home for vacation with Il
about these things.
Friend, and associates notice these
things more quickly than many OF LIS
suspect. They see a change and they
begin forming opinions of the cause.
It's not altogether fair to our inst-
luton nor TO our companions in
school. There's no use trying TO con-
sole oneself that one has subs;i-
ute for religion. No substitute en-
SITS. II
In cases such as these, Of men un-
awakened TO their responsibilities to
he students and to the boys AMI
'oung men back home, the students
summer conference plays its most sig
lificant part. That it does inspire
men with such ideas is manifest in
he increased interest in Bible study
shown at school the year after that
school has mad a delegation at some
summer conference.
This movement, universal in Its
deal, is also universal in its prac-
ice. 1t is rapidly spreading all over
he heather nations. There have been
summer conferences in parts
# China and India for several years
.ast year one was held for the Chi
lese students in Tokyo and another
or the students of Korea. The work