College Literature by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 11, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 23.

College Literature.

By Editor

THE following from the Churchman we would commend to the consideration of the authors of a college production not a thousand miles from Oakland, as well as everywhere else. We are happy to state in this connection that the college papers of the Seventh-day Adventists are faithful exponents of the plan recommended. In proof of which we would call attention to the Students' Workshop of the Healdsburg College, Healdsburg, Cal.

“We notice with pleasure that the students in at least one of our great colleges are coming to be a little ashamed of the periodical literature which has heretofore been the chief literary exponent of collegiate life. They are beginning to see what their elders have seen with some impatience, that the triviality of college papers is of a dissipating character. No one objects to college fun, especially if it be the healthful outburst of animal life in momentary expression; but to print, week after week, the idle, foolish chatter of the college room, is to set before our fellows a very mean sort of literature. We do not expect collegians to be weighty in their wisdom, but they do themselves a wrong when they use the noble art of literature to give currency to twaddle, or, worse still, to feeble satire upon college officers. Why should not the thought of collegians try for a more honorable expression? Let them make their papers exponents of their best thought, not of their idlest. The practice in literature which a college paper affords is not to be despised. It is only the malpractice which right-minded people condemn. Make your papers as light as you will, we say to these literary youngsters, if lightness is your best, but remember that the most genuine light literature is that which gives light.”