The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-10-19
Academy Column
PROF. RITTER's CHAPEL
SPEECHES

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umn feel that the two-part" chapel
talk delivered by Prof. Ritter in the
Departmental Chapel gatherings on
Tuesday and Wednesday Of last
week are worthy Of mention in this
column, which may serve TO give
his ideas an emphasis which they
might not otherwise have.
Professor Ritter presented in his
first speech what he termed the
negative" side of scholarship
grades. He pointed out that IL is
weakness in many Of us TO be con-
tent with merely getting by" in
'our studies. Too often we are salts
fled with a &c" grade, when we
might, by greater effort and dill
gence, attain 10 a "B' or an "A"
He deprecated the necessity of hold
ing TO mere marks which in them
selves mean nothing, but he point
Ell out that they were often an
index not only TO the kind Of work
we do in our studies but also OF
our characters. A &c" in Mathe-
mates, or Latin, or English means
in itself practically nothing. But
the habit Of c." in our lives does
mean a great deal TO us. II means
that we are content with a third
best or a second-best, when we
might have, by trying a little hard
er, a real BEST. This habit Of c. ="
is easily acquired, but when il
comes to the problem of throwing il
off, of losing il because il is a bad
habit, il is by no means an easy task
Too many of us delude ourselves
into believing that we may keep
right on just getting by" in the
Academy and then, when we reach
College, put forth real efforts and
obtain higher grades and do better
work. Some Of us postpone that
resolution until we reach graduate
school. some do not make il until
they are actually ''out in life" But,
the speaker pointed out we often
find that when we start upon our
real life work." or when we enter
graduate school, or even when we
begin our college work, il is too late.
The habit OF c." which we Gull
tivated SO diligently and thought
lessly while in the Academy is so
deeply iugrained that we cannot
throw il of. Professor Ritter then
quoted statistics compiled by Pres
ident Foster Of Reed College, which
show conclusively that students who
are content with merely getting
by" while IN their academy years,
have far less chance for success in
college, or graduate school or "life"
than have those who in their early
years, cultivate TIE habit Of always
doing their best.
The second part OF the talk dealt
with what the speaker was pleased
to call the positive side. In pre-
luding his remarks he read the pas
sage of Scripture which enjoins us
to travel Of our own accord,
the second mile" when we are
compelled. often against our will,
to go the first. II is the second
mile, he said, which unfolds the
real beauties and joys Of work. II
is the second mile which leads TO
friendships. as contrasted with
mere acquaintance. II is the second
mile travelled willingly, that in
sures a degree of success far great
er than can ever be attained by him
who must continually be prodded
and pushed along the first mile. IL
is the second mile which the speak
or said, he hoped all the students
Of Berea Academy would learn 10
travel.
Professor Ritter's remarks were
in line with the purpose Of the
Academy faculty 10 strive this year
for higher scholarship standards
than ever before.