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THE HESPERIAN.
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Mediaeval scholars regarded natural phenomena as foot
notes to explain biblical assertions: the world as supplementa
ry to the theological idea, Modern, regard natural phenom
ena as effects of causes which lie within their province, to
discover: the world not as explanatory, but as something to
be explained.
With different conceptions as to the ultimate aim of know
ledge, the progress of thought in both mediaeval and modern
times has been most rapid. With what awe and reverence
we contemplate that giant mind, that infinite zeal of the
great scholastic factor of the middle ages, St. Thomas Aqui
nas; mediaeval thought, mediaeval spirit, mediaeval scholas
ticism incarnate, whose breadth, subtlety and force of mind
were worthy of a nobler aim. Christian doctrines which
in primitive ages were adapted to the simple comprehension
of the multitudes, were by him reduced to a system. Religion
became the study of theology. With Aristotelian philosophy
as a guide, he only required a "few simple premises upon
which to build endless chains of infinite questions incompre
hensible distinctions. The energies and resources of an al
most inexhaustible mind wasted in metaphysical subtleties of
no practical moment and with no tangible results. His whole
life time, as it were, consumed in erecting and elaborating an
almost superhuman structure of aerial fabrics, only to be dc
molished. What a contrast is the energetic, practical Hum
boldt, that pillar of modern scientific research. With mind as
bright and strong, with resources no greater, he achieved re
sults which have formed the corner stone of our grand mod
ern scientific structure, and which paved the way for greater
future advancements in knowledge. With nature as a text
book he read in her every phase, lessons of wisdom, rare and
universally beneficial. Knowledge to him became the one
aim of his life and he climbed its dizzy heights with a fixed
ness of purpose and an unwavering zeal which secured him
tangible and useful results.
Aquinas and Humbolt! Idealist and practicalist; mediae
val philosopher modern scientist; representatives of the an
tipodes of thought, yet conspicuous for their oneness of pur
pose. Grappling, alike, with almost superhuman strength,
problems, profound and complex. Both animated by the
same zeal, the same spirit which acknowledges no limit and
is discouraged by no obstacle. Shining resplendent from
amidst the brilliant galaxy of scholars as the two most glorious
satellites, diffusing their beams of light and truth throughout
the boundless realms of thought.
HALL HAPPENINGS.
Exams!
Did you flunk?
What office did you get?
89 has loaded the following with honors for the coming
term: Earnest Eagleson, Pres.;T. A. Williams, V. P.; M. I.
Bigelow, Sec; J. R. McCance, Treas.; Roscoe Pound, Ilisto
ria. Palladian officers, spring term: Pres., W. S. Perrin; Vice
Pres., MissCordie Sherer; Critic, F. A. Manley; Sec, W. II.
Wagner; Cor. Sec, G. II. Tinker; Historian, T. H. Marsland;
Serg't at Arms, W. W. Robertson.
The Philodiceans will be governed by the following officers
next term: President, Miss Dell Stratton; Vice President,
May Roberts; Secretary, Mr. Stephens; Treasurer, Mr. Fritz
Westerman; Critic, Mr. J. R. McCance; Attorney, Mr. Geo.
Spurlock; Marshall, Mr. Theo. Westermann.
There is a rumor that wc arc next year to have a chair of
Philosophy established.
Miss Levi has returned to school after a throe weeks ah
sence at home in Nebraska City.
The pump has lost its handle and now the boys have an ex
cuse for, well wc won't say what.
Klcinc is learning to set type and says that his old farm ex
perience of setting hens comes in very handy.
Briggs thinks strongly of posing as Bill Nye. It is said
that he has shown marked ability as a funny man.
Wc had supposed that this was a University, but judging
from the way infantile diseases have raged, it must be a kin
dcrgarten.
Prorcssor Edgrcn was absent a few days last week attending
the wedding of his niece, Miss Julia Edgren, which took place
at Stromsburg.
Almost every one ought to go home for this vacation with
light hearts, whether they flunked or not, for there are few
who have not been elected to some office during the course of
the last two weeks.
Last week nearly all the Medics bloomed out in broadcloth
coats and blacked boots. We suppose they were trying to
get used to their new garb before commencement. How
stunning they were.
Wc would like to sec a tennis club organized next term
and know of nothing to prevent it. There is ample room for
the tennis court, the apparatus is inexpensive and it is a sport
in which the co-eds can take part.
Miss Lucy Braun spent Sunday under the parental roof at
Sutton. She brought a huge cake back with her and it is
needless to say that she had plenty of visitors and that not
a crumb remained within a hal f hour.
The poor Freshies were driven to despair when the chan
cellor announced their civil government exami
nation a week before it was expected. Some of their, were
scen wildly dashing to their rooms and have not been heard
of yet. Others, bravely faced the music but when they came
out, looked as if they had lost their last dollar.
The little folks have quarrelled. Their star of destiny,
which was to bind them together through their entire course,
seems to have lost its charm. The children met in the Union
Hall, in pursuance to a call and proceeded to nominate can
didates for president. A certain faction- who
should have had the chief officer, nominated
Master Gere, while an other faction, thinking that might
made right, nominated and elected Master Frankie H.
Woods. At this the aforesaid faction grew exceedingly wroth
and characterized the lattcr's action as "hoggish." Not con
tent with thus giving vent to :heir spleen, they persuaded
most of their adherents to retire and they retired forthwith.
This generous action was fully appreciated by the remaining
and all powerful faction, who quietly proceeded to elect the
remaining officers, with the following result: Vice Pres.,
Miss Linn; Secretary, Lucy Braun; Treasurer, Master Charlie
Nicodcmus; Historian, Sarah Schwab; Sergeant.Tommie Hall;
The baffled and anger smitten minority, who had withdrawn
ina body, gathered themselves together in the mathematics
room, and gave vent to their anger in groans, lamentations
and resolutions, while they proposed to follow the illustrious
example set by their oratorical friends of two years before, of
withdrawing permanently because they'd got beaten. Final
action, however, was delayed and a committee appointed to
right the wrongs of the down trodden minority of the class of
'90.
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