The New York herald., 1922-03-26
Bv FREDERICK c. FERRY,
President of Hamilton College.

r II is many years since thoughtful
person wrote "There is no place
i like a college for visions and
ideals" Few who have watched the
conduct Of American college men dur
ing the last half dozen years will dues-
ton the present day fitness of that
characterize ton. Faith in high ideals
and readiness to serve under their
banner even unto death have been
proved the possessions of the typical
modern college man, undergraduate
and young alumnus alike.
But what can be said of religion in
the colleges? Has faith in God kept
pace with faith in high ideals? Re-
sponding more and more quickly to
the generous promptings of his Eeart,
has the college man become less atten-
tive 10 the spiritual demands OF MS
soul?
If one compares the present with
the past of thirty or forty years ago
il is found that daily required chapel
still continues in most colleges. That
ii Is less a religious service now than
then is not evident. At both times IL
is in the words of most undergrad
mates. "an alarm clock" "a roll call,
"a developer of esprit de corps, or
the sole instance of military discip-.
line" in the college in the time OF peace.
The undergraduate who misbehaves
AT chapel will amend his conduct u
reminded that the chapel service Is
one OF the very oldest OF the college
exercises, is required by the laws OK
the institution to be continued forever.
and that IL will become an unpleasant
and distasteful occasion Tor all II ~ ls
allowed to grow disorderly; the desired
response will seldom attend a repri-
mand based on the fact that IL Is
religious service in the house or Cod
ana therefore worthy of the most
sacred observance.
Not Popular with students.
ii * almost matter OF good form
in the college community 10 complain
or the requirement. Still X Is true
ttat serious opposition to the enforce
ment Of attendance at chapel can sell
dom be aroused among the under
graduates themselves: they seem
rather al heart to regard Il q highly
desirable part OF every students
schedule. This feeling Of the value of
the chapel service appears more deep
seated and more widespread IN the
college community than was the case
earlier. although youthful voices were
willing to express that feeling more
freely In public then than now. IN
some colleges there is evidence that,
with increase of reticence, has come
great increase of devotion. II IS dur
ing this period OF years that IN one
college at least a new value has come
to be earnestly and reverently placed
on this exercise. III that college the
last event OF the graduation days is q
chapel service. After the public com
mencement affairs are over and the
guests have MI departed. the members
OF the graduating class hold their
finai supper which lasts long into the
night. Their after dinner speeches
done they march in body about the
campus serenading the college build
ings and favorite professor or two.
Then, as tho dawn OF another day is
approaching, the chapel bell rings as
II has done every morning OF the four
years, all gather In familiar seats in
the chapel and there they hold TO-
gether . service in every detail Ike
that which they have been required
to attend 50 many many tines. The