Litereiry Society 3Sru.rn."toer
STUDENTS' PUBLICATION
csiu&m
OF STETSON UNIVERSITY.
Vol. xx.
DeLand, Fla., Thursday, November 14, 1907.
No. 5.
THE STETSON LITERARY SOCIETY
ITS PAST AND PRESENT
All things earthly, it seems, must
have a beginning and the Stetson
Literary Society was no exception
to the rule. It had a beginning
and that beginning, strange to say,
was in "Room 5."
Early in the fall of 1902 a few
enthusiastic students banded together to form a literary society
with Prof. Baldwin as critic and
advisory member in general. Enthusiasm and interest were high
and those first meetings were
strong. The little band of charter
members was zealous in the work.
New members were soon added to
the ranks and in a few weeks the
society had left its birthplace and
was comfortably settled in the
Association Hall.
The new surroundings seemed to
add greater zest. The members
were ready and willing to work and
the programs were interesting.
Then too there were at that time
one or two of especial ability in
each department of the work,
who served as an example and
incentive to the other members.
Prof. Baldwin's kindly criticism
and suggestion spurred the Society
on to better things.
In those days the constitution
provided for the levying of a fine
if any member failed to appear on
the program or was absent or even
tardy. So as the spring term
advanced, the treasurer found his
responsibility too great. Out of
sympathy for him and nothing else,
one and all agreed upon a picnic to
DeLeon Springs. The program,
however, was not omitted for that
evening.
moved again and took up its abode
in Science Hall, in the room opposite
Prof. Carson's office. That was an
important day in the history of the
"Lit," and the members felt duly
proud of their "own room," as they
tho't, tho' it was bare of furniture
and an exposed flue glared down
upon them in unsightly manner.
Everyone was eager to raise money
for furniture, and all went to work
with a will. Ways and means were
earnestly discussed at several business meetings and finally it was
decided to give a play. This was
done at the cost of much time and
faithful work but proved a great
success financially as well as otherwise. " The money, however, was
destined not to be spent on that
room.
It was found that probably in
the near future the room then
occupied by the "Lit" would be
needed as an additional class-room
for the Chemistry Department so
tne room just above was given to
the Society as a permanent possession. Mrs. Baldwin, a former mem
ber and always a^very enthusiastic
supporter of the "Lit," purchased
the rug for the room, while North
in the summer. The committee on
decoration devised an attractive
color scheme in green and so the
former class room was transformed
into what you see it today.
By the individual effort of some
of the members a platform was provided and when all the other furniture was arranged, Dr. Hulley presented the Society with a number
of attractive pictures, framed "and
ready for hanging. These added
ing of the walls. Other bits of
furniture are being added from
time to time.
Meanwhile the intellectual development was not neglected. Besides the regular weekly meetings
public programs were given from
time to time, and inter-society
debates were held. And yet there
were dark days—some very dark,
when it seemed as if the Society
must die out entirely. However
there were always enough interested ones to keep things together
till better days returned.
While things were still in a rather
struggling condition, Prof. Suhrie
came to the rescue and with kindly
suggestions and criticism, was a
great help to the society. The
year following, when his other
duties prevented him from continuing this work, Prof. Frost lent a
helping hand and in spite of very
busy days, gave valuable suggestions and criticism to the work of
the Society and has again this year
consented to be critic.
It was found necessary from
time to time to revise the constitution and by-laws of the Society, but
at last the members feel that the
constitution and other things are
permanently arranged and that
the Stetson Literary Society is a
permanent organization of the J. B.
S. U.
UNIVERSITY NICHT.
"What is it? How, when and
where is it?'
"Buy a Collegiate and come
see."
At seven sharp on this raemo-
£„11 -• —
