THE PH'O ENIX ' - - - - - o f ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA----....J MRs. WM. 路 HoLM ES M ARTIN, Editor VoLUM E V.
NOVEMBER, 1918
NuMB ER 2
TH E PHOENIX is published in Oct!)ber, November, December , February, March, April, May and June. Subscription is not open. Entry as second-class matter pending.
DIRECTORY NATIONAL COUNCIL President- Mrs. Wm. Holmes Martin, N, 5 Cobden St., Roxbury, Mass. Vice President- Ida A. Jewett, AB, 500 Turner St., Columbia, Mo. Secretary- Margaret Veil, AG, Scalp Level, Penn. Treasurer- Ruth Duffey, AA, South Charleston, Ohio. Registrar-Naom i Caldwell, DD, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. ' Historian-Mrs. Charles M. Chenery, A, 311 S. Jefferson St., Petersburg, Va. Librarian-Mrs. Carl T. Brunson, 21 1 North 路w eber St., Colorado Springs, Col. Ritualist-Minnie Shockley, GG, Alva, Okla. BOARD OF ADVISERS Alpha-Miss Mary E. Peck, High St., Farmville, Va. Alpha Alpha-Miss Martha Molyneaux, Oxford, Ohio. Alpha Beta- Miss Rosamond Root, Kirksville, Mo. Alpha Gamma- -Miss Jean R. McElhaney, Indiana, Penn. Beta Beta-Miss Helen Payne, Greeley, Colo. Gamma Gamma-Miss Minnie Shockley, Alva, Okla. Delta Delta- Miss Elizabeth Garber, Athens, Ohio. Epsilon Epsilon- Miss Catherine E. Strouse, Emporia, Kans. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Alumnae-Helen Boggess, AA, 1347 Elm St., Youngstown, Ohio. Art-Grace E. Lyle, AB, Memphis, Mo. Examinations-Grace E . Fultz, DD, 3445 Trimble Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio. Extension-Edith E. Ramsey, BB, 122 East 8th Ave., Twin Falls, Ida. Music-Maude Barrigar, EE, 849 Balboa, Box 756, Ancon, Canal Zone. Paraphernalia-Ruth Dempsey, AG, 1002 Linton St., Johnstown, Penn. Scholarship-Frances Robertson, A, Blackstone, Va. Sorority Study-Mrs. Leroy Cole, GG, Fowler, Kans.
ALUMNAE SECRETARIES Alpha-Inza Lea, Danville, Va. Alpha Alpha-Ethel E. Pfeiffer, 3194 Hillside Ave., Cincinnati, 0 . Alpha Beta-Claire D. McCalli ster, Milan, Mo. Alpha Gamma-Martha Hill, 730 Horner St., Johnstown, Pa. Beta Beta-Ada A. Baker, 503 11th Ave., Greeley, Colo. Gamma Gamma-Mrs. Frank G. Munson, College Hill, Alva, Okla. Delta Delta-Naomi Caldwell, 88 University Terrace, Athens, 0. Epsilon Epsilon-Nell Grant, 1102 Commercial St., Emporia, Kans. ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS Cincinnati, OhioJohnstown, Penn.-Margaret Vei l, Scalp Level, Penn. Kirksville, Mo.-Mrs. Hoyt I ves, Kirksville, Mo. Norfolk, Va.-Sallie Rawlings, 430 Redgate Ave. Pittsburgh, Penn.-Beatrice Jeffries, Avalon, Penn. Springfield, OhioUnionville, Mo.-q-ladys Howey, Unionville, Mo. Washington, D. C.-Daisy Rankin, 1529 Eye St., N. W., Washington, D. C. CHAPTER EDITORS State Normal School Elvira Jones Alpha Farmville, Va.
Alice Ottman
Miami University
Alpha Alpha
Oxford, Ohio.
State Normal School
Alpha Beta
Helen Gardner
Kirksville, Mo.
Alpha Gamma
Leona Maley
State Normal Schooi Indiana, Penn.
Beta Beta
State Teachers College
Vera Weidman
Alpha Sigma Alpha House, Greeley, Colo.
Gamma Gamma
State Normal School
Lydia V. Rank
Alva, Okla.
Delta Delta
Ohio University
Helen Hoffert
Alpha Sigma Alpha H ouse, Athens, Ohio.
Epsilon Epsilon
State Normal School
Hazel Harris
Alpha Sigma Alpha H ouse, Emporia, Kans.
ASSOCIATION OF PEDAGOGICAL SORORITIES President-Mrs. A. J. Hathaway, SSS, Welland, Ont. Secretary-Miss Ida A. Jewett, ASA, University of Missouri. Treasurer-Miss Helen Cook, PKS, 307 Adams St., Ypsilanti, Mich. Adv.iser to Panhellenics-Miss Maud Morris, DSE, State Normal School, Alva, Okla.
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THE PHOENIX of Alpha Sigma Alpha November, 1918 VICTORY As these words are being written, the bells and sirens of old Boston are jubilantly proclaiming peace through the cessation of hostilities, the peace for which we have so earnestly prayed and so g ladly sacrificed, the "peace with victory." It is right that we should be g lad at a time like this, that we should exult, as did Israel of old, in the mighty works of the Lord God of Righteousness, but it is also well to remember, even amid our rejoicing, that the War is not yet ended. The signing of peace treaties may put an end to it technically, but the fight against national crime must go on until every vestige of it is driven from the. earth. The mere signing -of peace treaties will not put an end to injustice. The crimes perpetrated during the last four years can not be excused on the ground that the criminals did not know any better. It is almost two thousand years since the Star of Bethlehem rose over the hills of Judea, since the angels proclaimed peace and good will unto all maknind, yet the world has been witness during four long years to horrors unspeakable. The man whose heart has been revelling in wrong will not becom~ a saint over night. The nation that has wilfully plunged the world into the fiery crater of war can not be made over in a day by the mere stroke of 路a pen. Back of the written law there must b~ power, the power of money expressed in well-equipped battalions, eternally vigilant to see that justice is done to the weak and the oppressed. Other powerful agencies, all requiring the expenditure of immense sums of money, must be kept in operation, until the decisions of a just peace shall become assured facts. This means that every pledge made to the "Fighting Fourth" must be redeemed, at whatever cost of personal sacrifice, for, otherwise, our government wiH not be able to carry out its program, or do its full share of constructive work in the Old World . Alpha Sigma Alpha, therefore, must stand back of its pledge to take $4,000 worth of bonds of the "Fighting Fourth" issue. Alpha Sigma Alpha will stand back
THE PHOENIX
7
of its promise, even if the keeping of that pledge takes every cent of the Sorority's working capital, even if it means the suspension of the magazine. Alpha Sigma Alpha has already to its credit $2,000 worth of bonds of the "Fighting Fourth." A third $1,000 bond is in sight. A glance at the Honor Page will show the names of those who have helped to make this possible by large contributions, but that list is only a small part of those who have loyally answered the appeal of the "PHOE NIX" . Scores sent in the $10 contribution, the same to be interpreted as a Quarter-Life subscription to the magazine and dues for three years, but many similar contributions are needed if we are not to cripple the Sorority's work by using current funds to make good the pledge. An early issue of the "PHOENIX" will contain the names of those who have helped in this way, so that Alpha Sigma Alpha might make gocid in "full measure." It is to Gamma 'Gamma that the honor comes this month as second over the top in our Bond Drive. Gamma Gamma has distinguished itself in more than one way, for you will notice that it has twice as many Honor Roll members as any other Chapter, and twice as many Life Members as well. Word has been received that Gamma Gamma has many promises of Life subscriptions, so it is very evident that the Chapter has set for itself quite another goal than that placed by the Sorority in its original appeal. They never do things by halves out in Oklahoma. Watch Gamma Gamma and see what account she will give of herself next month. To Beta Beta has come the distinction of fourth place on the Chapter Honor Roll. It attained this position in a unique way. When asking its alumnae for strong support of the Sorority Drive, the undergraduates put in a plea for actual gifts of mopey to the Chapter so that Beta Beta might stand near the top of the list. The alumnae came forward with gifts amounting to more than $100, so not only is Beta Beta on the Honor Page, but its Advisership is well on the way to similar enrollment. Epsilon Epsilon has also been active and reports that it expects soon to be able to send in $200 to endow the Chapter and the Advisership. Meanwhile Alpha Beta, which was the first to attain the goal, is winning new laurels for itself through its numerous $10 contributions.
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THE PHOENIX
OUR FOURTH THANKSGIVING ANNIVERSARY Four years ago at Thanksgiving, the new Alpha Sigma Alpha came into being officially at the Miami Convention. The twentyeight present on that occasion may have sensed in some slight degree that the future of the Sorority was assured, for there is always a glamour about such gatherings and hopes run high, but it is doubtful if any of the delegates or visitors even dreamed of the achievements that today stand to the credit of Alpha Sigma Alpha. The Convention of 1914 opened with but two chapters on the roll, Virginia and Miami. It closed with .four, as the visitors from Missouri and Pennsylvania had come empowered to affiliate their groups, if the proposition proved on closed acquaintance as good as appearances and promises had led them to believe it was. None know better than those who were at that Convention how well Alpha Sigma Alpha has fulfilled its pledges of that clay. In the fo ur years since that time the Sorority has again doubled its chapter roll. This was in itself a notable achievement, in view of the rather wide-spread opposition to the fraternity idea in the pedagogical field. But far more important than this expansion was the internal strengthening that -has made Alpha Sigma Alpha a power, both nationally and locally. The past year has been especially fruitful in this regard, as rushing returns and college records have proved most conclusively. One of the most tangible evidences of tlie internal strength of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and the .one that has called forth the most enthusiastic expressions of delight, is the growth of our fledging "PHOENix" from a simple mimeographed sheet into a bound and illustrated magazine. How much he is loved is shown, not only by the many letters that have been written in praise of him, but also by the substantial checks that are making his future assured. There is but one fly in the clear amber of this fourth Thanksgtvmg anniversary. We have accomplished all that we set our hands to do save one thing. We have not yet kept our pledge to Uncle Sam. There may be offered in excuse the epidemic that ravaged the country and closed the college~, but it no longer exists. Surely we can fill our quota by our next clay of consecration, the one we celebrate in th.e name of the Christ Child, whose Star we wear, and in whose name we do all things.
THE PHOENIX
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OUR CHAPTERS VIRGINIA Alpha returned six girls, Martha Fitzgerald, Elvira Jones, Virginia Smith, Susie Snead, Marie Wyatt and Imogen Wright. Marie Wyatt is serving as President and Virginia Smith as Secretary. Alpha returned more than any other sorority on the campus. The enrollment this year is very small, owing to the many opportunities for women in business or in Government work. Rushing is therefore more of a problem than it has been for some years, but Alpha was so fortunate as to secure four splendid girls at once, Ann Elizabeth Lewis of Lynchburg, Mary Barnard Lewis of ' Farmville, Mary Jordan Moore of Pulaski and Charlotte Ammon Wolfe of Roanoke. These girls were in school last year, so the .u sual preliminaries were unnecessary. We had hoped to have them members in very truth by now, but the epidemic upset all our plans. The school was quarantined for several weeks and practically all activities were ended for the time. " Miss Peck is with us again this winter much to our joy, but we have lost our Patroness, Miss London. In her place we have Miss Warwick. Our girls of last year will understand how fortunate we were to secure so charming a woman as a friend for the Chapter. MARIE VYYATT, P1'esident. Dr. and Mrs. G. P . Dillard, Jr., (Mildred Booker) have announced the birth of their son, George Penn Dillard, 3d, on October 3, 1918.
MIAMI Alpha Alpha returned six girls, Lorna Duke, Anne Roberts, Georgeana Robinson, Marjorie Stier, Dorothy Yelton and Iva Starr. Lorna, however, was with us only a few clays, as she had a splendid positioi1 offered her in Brookville, 0. An affiliate from Delta Delta, Alice Ottman, was warmly welcomed. Georgeana Robinson is serving as President and Anne Roberts as Secretary. Very soon after the university opened, Alpha Alpha pledged
10
THE PHOENIX
eight fine .girls, but they had hardly donned their attractive pins when the epidemic put an end to college work. Many of the students were stricken and eight of them finally died. As the outlook was so very serious, the authorities clo.sed the university and sent the well students home. 路 College has just op~ned after five weeks' vacation. Two of our pledges and one of our sophomores are still too ill to return, but we hope that they will soon be back with us. It will be some time before things are moving along in their normal chaqnels, but Alpha Alpha is hoping to be able to carry out its plan for an initiation at Thanksgiving with a large representation from the Alumnae. GEORGEANA RoBI NSON, President. H ortense Berkheimer died at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, on October 20. She had gone there for a slight operation, but contracted influenza, which developed into pn~umonia. Catherine Prudent is in the department of bacteriology of th e School of Med icine of the University of P ittsburgh. This appointme=tt followed her service in the Elizabeth Steele Magee Hospital, to which she went at the time that the epidemic was raging. Th hospital was taken over by the Government for the use of soldiers in neighboring camps. Catherine writes that she will always be glad of the experience she got during those five ter ri ble weeks, when there we'r e 700 5oldi ers ill and when everybody ha路d to work far into the night. Catherine has announced her engagement to Walter \V. Simons, now a cadet at Columbia University, where he is in the Radio Officers' Training School. Mr. Simons comes from Butte, Mont., and is a graduate E ngineer of the Electrical School of the University of Minnesota.
KIRKSVILLE
Alpha Beta returned fourteen girls, Nettie Dickerson, Eliza. beth Frazee, Mary Friday, Helen Gardner, Mabel Holcomb, Grace Jones, Jean McKinley, Clara Mudra, Dora Murphy, Esther Robinson, Virginia Robinson. Mary Shouse, Anna Fowler Swartz and Mabel Wlsion. Esther Robinson is serving as President and Elizabeth Frazee as Secretary. College opened on September 11 with a larger enrollment than had been expected. The greater part of the increase was due to the establishment of the Student Army Training Corps, which brought about 200 men to the school. The townspeople say that it seems like old times to see so many men at the Normal. We have been a little anxious these last few days when 路 there has been so much talk of peace lest the Corps might be abandoned, but we have now fair assurance that the men will be continued in the School. The State is in need of men teachers
'
THE PHOENIX
11
and it is hoped that the present large enrollment of men will le!ld to more interest in the profession on the part of high school boys. College was in session but a week when the Science Building was burned. A large part of the furnishing and equipment was lost, but it is expected that much of the loss will be covered by the $143,000 insurance that was carried. Two other normal schools in the State have suffered serious fire losses in the past. In both cases splendid buildings were erected to take the place of the old, so we hope that Kirksville is to be similarly favored. As in the case of most fires, many things of little importance were saved, while the really valuable things were destroyed. We are glad to announce, however, that the famous Bull Dog Banner was rescued. We are taking this as a portent that old Kirksville is to score many another victory, and we are bending our energies to the task of making this portent a reality through serious work in athletics . It really seems as though there must be an incendiary at work in town, for there has been a regular succession of fires. Several stores .have been burned. By far the largest fire in the business district was the one that destroyed the Opera House. It was empty at the time, so there was no loss of life, but for a while it looked as though many of the surrounding structures were also doomed, for many of them caught fire. Another fire was that which destroyed the home of Mrs . Doyle, mother of Elva Doyle Reed. Another source of great anxiety was the epidemic. Every precaution was taken, and it is believed that Kirksville did not suffer so severely as did many other places of the same size, but there were many homes plunged into mourning. By far the saddest case in the Sorority was the sudden death of Harry Allen, husband of our Louise Reckord Allen. He was one of Kirksville most promising young men. Mr. Allen died on October tenth, and two days later his little son was born. Louise's life was despaired of for a time, but we are glad to say that she is o(lt of danger now. Rushing was sadly interfered with during the weeks of excitement, and there were many postponements of social affairs. Alpha Beta had in mind always the importance of conserving food, so all its parties were simple, but we tried to make every
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THE PHOENIX
one of them novel. There were hikes together in the evenings, a "Kid" party at which most of the ASA's took the part of boys, a slumber party in a cabin on the river, a week end party at the home of Esther and Virginia Robinson, sixteen miles out of town, a barn party, a progressive dinner at the home of our patronesses, followed by a dance at the home of Mabel Wilson. Our rushees must have enjoyed themselves, for we got everybody we wanted, and incidentally all of the SSS rushees but one, whom we had never considered. It was a landslide for us, but we are not going to let our success blind us to the fact that there is plenty of work ahead if we are to keep up our reputation for getting whom we want. HELEN" G t\RD N ER, Historian. Yanda Mitchell is taking a stenographic course in a girls' private school in Memphis, Tenn. Ione Fields is assistant cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Frankford. " Julia and Maurine Sparks have the sympathy of the Sorority in the sad death of their mother. This leaves the girls without either parent. Their two brothers are in training camps. Jessica Stephens Walker is with the Grolier Society of St. Louis. Frances Aylette Brown took a course at the University of Chicago during the summer. The marriage has been announced on October 9 of Esther Klein to P. L. Sidwell of Queen City. W. E. Coffey, husband of Julia Lewis Coffey, has entered the army. Julia will make her home during her husband's absence with her father in LaBelle. A daughter, Velva Jean, was born on April 路 25, 1918, to Mr. and Mrs. Earl 0. Osborn (Zola Christy) . Kirksville alumnae will be interested in the marriage of Miss Alice D. Mann of the Department of English to Mr. H. C. McKean, head of the Department of Manual Arts.
PENNSYLVANIA Alpha Gamma returned eight girls, Gladys Alter, Pauline Baldwin, Sara Campbell, Eileen Cronin, Daisy Goldsmith, Leona Maley, Marjory Nix and Edith Spencer. Edith Spencer is serving as President and Pauline Baldwin as Secretary. The enrollment is much smaller, at least three hundred less boarding students. At present no one is living in the cottages. Even the teachers have been transferred to the main dormitory. There are many new faces on the faculty. "Indiana" has taken on a new appearance owing to the establishment of a Students' Army Training Corps. It was an impressive sight when the boys were sworn in before 路 the student body. The presence of the uniform has added a new dignity to
THE PHOENIX
13
everything that we do, for we are feeling ourselves a very vital part of the big vvorld movements since these young lads have brought us in such close touch with the War. "Indiana" was not very seriously affected by the epidemic we are glad to report, but the School was quarantined for several weeks. Work went on just the same as usual, so we shall not have to make up for lost time, and we are glad of that, but it was considerable of a hardship to be unable to go home even when we were needed there. We recognized the importance of the ruling however, and made the best of the situation. We held several parties during October, one of them being a Hallowe'en affair. We like some of the new girls very much indeed, but unfortunately every other sorority on the campus seems to like the same girls we do. The small enrollment mirrowed down the number of attractive freshmen, so it is going to be rather more difficult than usual to get the girls we want. There are nine sororities in the building, most of them established when the School had hundreds of students and when material was a-plenty. None, of course, can offer a rushee what we can, so we ought to get every girl we want. We are doing everything in our power toward that end. LEONA MALEY, Histo1'ian . Ruth Dempsey has the sympathy of the entire Sorority in the death of her brother, Lieut. Ira Dempsey, who died of pneumonia at E"agle Pass, Texas, where he was in service on the Mexican border with the 35th Infantry. Lieut. Dempsey was a graduate of Williams College and a ;member of Phi D elta Theta fraternity. Another brother, Lieut. Frank Dempsey, is with the Machine Gun Company, 58th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, France.
GREELEY Beta Beta has returned eight girls, Nora Cutting, Genevieve Dupuy, Neoma Ericson, Maria Inge, Margaret Phelps, Frances Scott, Florence Spalding and Vera Weidman. Frances Scott is serving as President and Genevieve Dupuy as Secretary. Colorado opened with an enrollment somewhat lower than usual. There are several changes in the faculty . One of particular interest to members of Beta Beta was the resignation of Dr. Harrison Towne, one of our patronesses. Prof. Isaac's place has been taken by Miss Baker. Mr. Johnson's successor is Mr. Ackerman. One new feature of the college that must be mentioned is
14
THE PHOENIX
the organization of a Students' Army Training Corps. Formerly the enrollment of men was very small, but this year more than 100 men have been inducted 路into service. It is an inspiring sight to se路e so many khaki clad lads in our midst. The establishment of the S. A. T. C. caused many changes in the curriculum of the college, as most of the course s had to be modified to suit the needs of the men in uniform, who are being fitted to fight for their country. The old gymnasium has been turned into a mess hall for the boys, and three large houses near the campus have been taken for the barracks. To say that Teachers' College is in full swing would hardly be correct, for after the first week of school we were put under the strictest of quarantines, to prevent the spread of the epidemic. All schools, clubs and churches in the city were closed, but since the college is under Government regulation, it was decided to continue classroom wo rk, but only under strict medical supervision. All other meetings of every sort were forbidden. In place of chapel, however, military training for the girls was installed, but this could be held out of doors nearly always. It is proving very popular with the college women. The "Big Sister" movement, inaugurated by the Y. W. C. A. last year, proved to be so very successful that it has been tried again this year, and promises to be an even greater benefit to the girls . On October 5th the Y. W. gave 1ts annual "Freshman Frisk." At this the new students are the guests of the old, and everything is done to make the newcomers have a good time and feel at home. Beta Beta is enjoying its new home at 1629 Twelfth Avenue. '0/ e also have the loveliest kind of a housemother, Mrs. Tisdal. W ith such a charming setting we had looked forward to rushing with a good deal of pleasure. Under the rushing rules there could be but two parties, both to be held in one week, with $15 as the maximum expense. As there are five sororities on the campus, each one drew for one evening. The second party could be held on any afternoon of the week, including Saturday, but such afternoon parties had to be over in time to allow rushees to attend any evening party to which they might be invited. Beta Beta drew Monday night, and we considered ourselves rather fortunate, in view of the fact that the very next morning the school was quarantined. The affair was a beautifully ap-
THE PHOENIX
15
pointed dinner party. The tables, decorated with autumn leaves and berries, were lighted with reel candles. The place cards were white with the Sorority letters in reel on one side, and on the other the winged sandal. The nut cups of red crepe paper were most attractive. The thirty-two guests all seemed to enjoy themselves. Beta Beta has sustained a great loss in the death of Beulah Flowers, who died of typhoid in Montrose, where she was teaching. Her death seemed particularly sad as she was an only child. Four members of Beta Beta attended the funeral in Fort Collins. Among the many beautiful flowers sent by hosts of friends was a lovely spray of pink carnations and white roses tied with a white satin ribbon bearing in gold the letters "A. S. A." Their daintiness and fre shness were symbolic of the pure, lovely life that had winged its way to the stars. VERA \iVElDMAN,
Historian.
Beta Beta graduates of 1918 are teaching as follows: Helen Brice, Paonia; Lilian Criswell, Gilcrest; Helen Hay, Denver; Alice Mason, Fort Collins; Lena Mayer, Norwood; Grace Paden, Sug,a r City; Miriam Pomeroy, E gbert, Wyo.; and Fern White, Norwood. Edith Ramsay is doing demonstration work for th e United States Food Administration in Sheridan County, Wyo. E sther and Fern White have the sy mpathy of the whole Sorority in the loss of their brother, who died ot the influenza.
ALVA Gamma Gamma has returned seven girls, Elinor Abernathy, Minnie Calvin, Luceile Chew, Eugenia Huddleston, Hattie Knight, L ydia Rank and Elsie SolÂŁ. Lydia Rank is serving as President and Lucelle Chew as Secretary. School opened later than usual, owing to the decision to have recitations on six days of the week instead of five. Enrollment would have been much lower than usual had it not been for the establishment of the Students' Army Training Corps. The old dormitory has been turned into barracks for the boys. They are to receive regular army training, board, room, uniform and the pay of a private. The Government has sent us such a fine commanding officer in Lieut. Cook from Wilmington, Del. He has had four years' active service in the regular army, so he is unusually well .qualified to drill and to interpret military affairs. He is every inch a man, live, full of humor and good common sense, and a very earnest Christian gentleman. His wife is most charming and womanly.
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THE PHOENIX
Just as things were getting nicely started, the epidemic came like a bolt out of the clear sky, but, unlike the flash of lightning, it remained for weeks to devastate the country. Everything had to be closed to check the spread of the disease. Alva felt that it was most fortunate in having the lads in khaki to depend upon as special police. They patrolled the streets, sent people home who seemed to have no special business on hand, broke up conversations on the street corners and kept a sharp lookout over everything. At the very beginning of the epidemic, the death angel enter:ed our midst and took our Goldie Foster. Goldie was pledged to A. S. A. at the time the Chapter was installed. Before the national pedagogical sororities entered "Northwestern," it was . customary to pledge girl s in the high school department. Thi s custom was abolished with the coming of the nationals, but such pledges as we had at the time of installation we were permitted to keep. Goldie was one of these. We had expected to make her a full member at our first initiation this year, so our sense of personal loss is very keen . Her death has thrown a pall over the Chapter. All rushing had to be postponed when the epidemic came, and it is uncertain when the social .affairs can be resumed. When health conditions are normal again, it will be necessary for us to put a great deal of time and thought o~ our academic work, in order to cover the ground demanded of this Fall Quarter, and social affairs will have to take a secondary place for a while at least. Gamma Gamma does not plan to extend many invitations anyway. It prefers to take small delegations, so that the individual girls may get intimately acquainted and in this way establish a friendship between them that shall stand the test of years. LYDIA RANK, P1'esident. Irene Rebber Quinlan has a daughter, Norma Lee. Byrdi e Hyde, a pl edge of installation time, was married recently to Fred B. Fisher. Mrs. Munson is serving as County Chairman of the Women's Suffrage Party, which hopes to win the ballot for the women of Oklahoma at the coming State electi on.
ATHENS Delta Delta returned nine girls, Naomi Caldwell, Thelma Groome, Ada Hard, Ruth Hartman, Helen Hoffert, Helen Hudson, Sara Long, Marie Richter and Bernice Tebay. Sara Long is serving as President and Thelma Groome as Secretary. We
THE PHOENIX
17
were more than sorry not to have Alice Ottman come back to us, but we feel sure that Alpha Alpha has been the gainer through her affiliation. The Students' Army Training Corps has brought about many changes in the University. There are about 300 men in uniform already, and it is rumored that we are to have a naval unit as well. Howard Hall, formerly a dormitory for girls, has been turned into barracks, and another building for the. same purpose is being constructed on the campus. It is a novel sight for us to have soldier lads in classes in such large numbers, but it has brought home to us more clearly the far-reaching effects of the great War, and it made us all feel deeply the responsibility for our part in the struggle. Dean Voight has asked every university girl who finds it at all possible to give two hours on Wednesday evening to Red Cross work. Delta Delta is more largely represented in the class than any other sorority on the campus. \i\Tith the exception of Marie Richter all the girls are living at the Chapter House. We were certainly happy to get together again, and especially glad to have onr house once more. There is a measure of pride in that happiness too, for this is the first .time in the history of Ohio University that any sorority house was run two years in succession. The idea was tried out before, several years ago, but it was not a complete success. We feel that the authorities must be pretty well satisfied with the record of Delta Delta. Our chaperone, Mrs. Morrison, is a very charming woman, and we are anticipating a wonderful year under her kindly and gracious guidance. Panhellenic ruling forbade all rushing the first week of college. We were heartily in favor of this decision, as it not only gave returning students a chance to get adjusted to university life again, but also enabled them to meet the new girls under fairly normal conditions. SSS broke rules, but Delta Delta kept them in spirit as well as in letter. It is not an unusual thing for SSS to break rules, but we have never found that it gained anything by doing so. On the contrary it lost much. The sororities drew lots for the elates of their largest functions. Ours fell on October fourth, and took the form of a sixcourse progressive dinner at the home of our patronesses. The party was taken from one home to another in automobiles fur~ nished by two of the patronesses. At each home there was a bit
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of entertainment, but the final good time was a dance at the chapter house. Delta Delta considers itself most fortunate in having such lovely women interested in it, and it is determined to show its appreciation in no uncertain way. As a prelminary to this decision it has ruled that every girl in the Chapter shall call on at least one patroness a week. Failure to do this means a ten cent fine for the first two omissions and fifty cents for every one afterwards. Delta Delta bid and won three girls right after the party, Margaret Larkin, a cousin of the Carey twins, Ethel GDddard and Ruth Sawyer. They are all charming girls and will make splendid ASA's. They can all be initiated soon, as they have sufficient credits under panhellenic ruling. 路 An even greater good fortune is theirs, for they are permitted to live in the house prior to initiation in view of the fact that all our rooms are not filled. \Ve are right glad of this concession ourselves, as it will give us unusual opportunity to know our girls and to imbue them with the Delta Delta spirit. Four days after our party the University was closed on account of the epidemic. It did not seem so serious a matter at the time, but six weeks have passed and as yet no word has come that college will open. Pledge Day was to have been on October 19, but we can not tell when it will be now. We are continuing our rushing, however, by mail, and to judge from the letters written by the rushees, we are meeting with pretty good success. Letters from our own girls show that about half of them have been ill with the influenza, but not very seriously except in the case of Sara Long, who developed a case of appendicitis and who, it was feared for a time, could not return. Such a prospect as that was enough to strike a chill to every Delta Delta heart, for we just can't seem to think of carrying on without Sara. Later word is more favorable, so we are beginning to feel a bit less anxious. HELE N HoFFERT, Histo1'ian. EMPORIA Epsilon Epsilon returned three graduate students, Erma Brown, Hazel Brown and Hazel Harris, in addition to its eight undergraduates, Helen Anderson, Madge Brown, Vesta Gross, Mary Haynes, Avis Jenkins, L ois Koontz, Frances Potter and Gladys Pratt. Our graduates on the faculty are Rosalie Brigham,
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Nell Grant and Georgia Snyder. Lois Koontz is serving as Chapter President, Gladys Pratt as Secretary, and Rosalie Brigham as House President. The war with its pressing and depressing demands did not seem to rob Epsilon Epsilon of any of its enthusiasm or spirit. There were any number of things that contributed to this state. In the first place our home was rejuvenated. It has been rcpapered, revarnished, recurtained and partially refurnished. For a time we had that uncanny feeling of being almost too successful. Later events showed our presentiments were not unfounded, but for the first weeks we were gloriously happy. Our rushing season was shortened to four weeks this year. In that time we were allowed but three parties. We were a bit disappointed over that decision, but with three carefully planned parties and a great deal of individual rushing we feel that we suffered no special hardships. Our first affair was an informal dance at the house,' the second a breakfast cooked down by the river. Our big formal was a dinner in the ballroom of a clown 路 town hotel with dancing and music at the house afterwards. Plates were laid for twenty-eight, twenty-six of them ASA's, including alumnae, and the others rushees. The color scheme was red and white, the flowers red and white asters. On our return to the house Ada Shearer sang for us and Gladys Pratt played the ukelele. Ada has a wonderful voice and Gladys is an accomplished musician, so the musical part of the program was a very finished production. We miss several of our splendid singers of last year, but we are going to begin systematic training in ensemble singing, for we can not allow ou;路 reputation for being the singing bunch of the campus to lose any of its lustre. Our alumnae will be greatly interested in our new method o f bidding, which was brought to us from Wisconsin by our Miss Strouse. Under this plan each sorority handed in its list of bids to the Dean of Women. The Dean then called each girl to her office and asked her to make a list of the sororities she would join, in the order of h~r preference. VI/hen the two lists were on hand, the Dean called the rushees to her office and gave theni the bid nearest their preference. On the whole we believe that the plan is a very good one. Th sorority that has not done very well in the spike is spared the humiliation of refusals, while the freshman is
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not spoiled by the importance of getting more than one bid and the opportunity of turning down a group with which she would later be on very cordial terms, if she is to get all she should out of her college life. Epsilon Epsilon takes great pleasure in announcing the following eight pledges, Harriet Adela Anderson, Wellington; Muriel Elva Crans, Wichita; Wilhelmina Gufler, Emporia; Evc!yn Hollingsworth, Atchison; Magdlyn Logeman, Atchison; Sarah Henry Martin, Bartlesville, Okla.; Bessie Elizabeth Weaver, Dunlap; and Marion Welch, Emporia. Sarah Martin is Editnr of the Bulletin this year. She came here as a junior from Warrensburg. Wilhelmina Gufler is already a very able musician. She is specializing in piano and harp. Marion Welch has not yet decided whether she will stay with us another year, or go to some other school. vVe hope that (\. S. A. will prove so strong an incentive that she will find it a hardship to leave us. Our five other pledges are all specializing in kindergarten work. Just as we were about to settle down to the usual routine again, Kansas was swept by the epidemic. Its first victim in Emporia was our patroness, Mrs. Edgar Forde, sister-in-law of our Mary ¡ Forde. Mrs. Forde had been to Pittsburgh to attend a Council Meeting of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, of which she was Vice Presideqt. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family, which has been so cruelly bereaved within a few short months. College was closed just as soon as the outlook became serious. A few of us were too far from home to seemingly justify a return, but most of the girls lived near enough to get home easily. It was thought at first that the enforced vacation would not last more than a week, but the days are rapidly passing with little diminution in the threatening aspect of the disease, so our unwelcome leisure will be prolonged for some time yet. The congenial bunch at the house would not ordinarily find time hanging heavily on its hands, but the many restrictions on freedom of action imposed by the authorities have interfered greatly with • many normal pleasures. HAZEL HARRIS, H isto1'ian.
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THE GREEK PRESS I
A GOOD CHAPTER 1-Recognizes that it is not a local organization but a part of a national fraternity having definite aims and purposes. 2-Rccognizes that those aims and purposes have precedence over any purely local customs or desires. 3-Strives through its individual members to exalt those aims and to fulfill those purposes. 4-Tries through its local administration to respond promptly and efficiently to the demands made upon it by the officials of the fraternity. 5-Does not tolerate, on the part of its individual members, open violations of the laws of the fraternity or plain transgres.s ions of the spirit of Beta Theta Pi . 6-Seeks to elevate standards of scholarship, aims to develop strong ties of human friendship among its members, manifests loyalty to the institution in which it is located, and g ives hearty support to the faculty in measures which look toward the improvement of individual character. 7-Joins in every movement for better relationships among fraternity men in its institution, championing the local interfraternity conference as a desirable help toward comity and wider college friendship. 8-Keeps its chapter house and grounds in good condition, inside and out, regulates life in the house by such sensible laws as to make it as nearly as possible a real college home, and trains its members to respect the rights of one another as well as the obligation s toward neighbors in a college community. 9-Pays its debts promptly and trains its members to reg ular and systematic habits in personal financial matters. 10-Cherishes the sentiment of the fraternity through its songs and through faithful adherence to its ritual on occasions of initiation. 11-Remembers that it is an institution designed to exist for many years and whose future success will be largely due to the reputation and character it sustains at any one time.
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12-Teaches its individual members to understand that each has distinct responsibility and that each must maintain his character as one of its worthy members.-Beta Theta Pi.
GRADUATE INTEREST "If a chapter is to enjoy the splendid support which comes from an interested and enthusiastic body of alumni it must take active steps to keep in touch with them. Not only should reunions be planned from time to time, but at stated intervals d letter or report of the doings of the active men should be sent to each alumnus. November and May are suggested as appropriate times to send such letters. Every effort should be made at' all times to k~ep the list of alumni addresses up to date. The measure of support which the chapter receives from' its alumni is in proportion to the interest the chapter displCJ.ys toward them."The Palm of Alpha Tau Omega. PRESERVATION OF CHAPTER RECORDS "We wish that we should sufficiently impress upon the fraternity, and especially upon the young men in the active chapters, the vital importance of safely and securely guarding the precious records which are bound to accum ulate in an organization such as ours. "In no other department of activity is there so much need for r eform as here. The books of a chapter containing its minutes are beyond. price. They are its best asset. A chapter house is a small affair in comparison. The Gettyshurg house, devoured by flames, is restored to us, but its minutes, redolent with the story of the fraternity's early days in the N Cirth, are gone forever. ''There is, of course, some excuse for the loss of records, through their destruction by the elements. But for the loss of most of the records we are now seeking there is no excuse. They have simply been lost. Someone misplaced them. Someone thought them to be of no value. Someone consigned them to the fire-wanton, heartless, senseless! " \iVhenever we speak of these things-and we do it frequently enough-we imagine that our young men suppose we are talking
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of another generation. It so happens that right now we are intensely interested in finding the old records. But just the same we are speaking to and for men of today. The men of yesterday were negligent enough; yet those of today have little right to censure them. The record made today will be just as precious fifty years from today as that made fifty years ago. Let us ease the path of him who fifty years from now is commissioned to write our history by carefully preserving our records. "Some men say, 'What's the use of preserving our minutes; we never write what happened anyway.' Which is probably true enough, and this brings us to another question. The minutes of a chapter are its most important record, and a chapter that permits sloven work in this department should be compelled to give up its charter. A chapter with meagre minutes is usually a chapter that does so very little that its place on our rolls would better be vacant.''-The Pal1n of Alpha Tau Omega. THE NEW WOMAN "When the man at the front gets back and stands again before the cottage, rose-bowered in the 路English clowns, red-roofed in France and Italy, or white-porched off Ma in Street in America, he shall see there The New 1/Voman. This is not the woman he left behind when he marched away to the great world war. Something profound has happened to her since. It is Woman's coming of age."-The C1'escent of Gamma Phi Beta. ONE FRATERNITY PLEDGE Phi Gamma Delta pledged $10,000 to each Liberty Bond issue and $5,000 a year for food relief for Belgium, France, Serbia, Armenia, as the committee in charge directs. It has adopted 200 French orphans, and has promised to carry through college fifty-seven French orphan boys who wish to continue their educational work but whose hopes have been shattered by the losses of the war. Phi Gamma Delta has obligated itself to see that the education of these fifty-seven boys is continued as far as they desire in any college they may elect. 1
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THE S YRINX The Chicago Convention provided for the publication of an esoteric magazine to be known as the "SYRINx", in honor of its inventor, Hermes, patron god of the Sorority. There are several reasons why it has been impossible to carry out that plan. The most important was a ruling by the vVar Industries Board that no new periodical should be called into being during the progress of the War. The Government's great need of the chemicals, the coal and the labor used in the manufacture of paper, was the cause of this restriction. The signing of the armistice has quite naturally put an end路 to the manufacture of munitions, in which the chemicals were needed, but there is still the shortage of coal and labor, a shortage that can not be relieved for another twelve months at least, so there is little hope that the restriction will be lifted during the present college year. THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIA TIO N Twelve Alpha Beta girls have formed the Washington Alumnae Association. The first meeting was held at the home of Cornelia and Margaret Lloyd, at 1466 Rhode Island Ave., N . \11/., on September 23, and arrangements were made to hold gatherings every three weeks. All the members are in the employ of the Government, but they are hoping to do some definite work in the name of A. S. A., in addition 路 to their part in the Victory Drive. If there are any other Alpha Sigs in \11/ashington, they should get in touch at once with the Secretary of the Association, Miss Floy \Volfenbarger, 1436 "P" St., N. W., Washington, D. C. They will be royally welcomed by those now on the roll, Gertrude Doyle Benson, Gladys Foster, Sallie Jo Grigsby, Cornelia and Margaret Lloyd, Daisy Rankin, Leo Rachford, Marie Simmons, Bess Smith, Beulah \Veils, Helen Withers and Floy Wolfenbarger. The Doyles, parents of Elva Doyle Reed, who have bought a home in Washington at 1208 Lamont St., N . W., extend to all A. S. A.'s a most cordial invitation to call and see "Our Bobbie." ALUMNAE RECORDS Quite a few of the alumnae have not yet sent in their records, as requested in the October letter of the National President. It is understood that some have delayed, because they have forgotten
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their initiation dates or numbers. These facts are carried in the "PHOENIX" records and can be supplied easily from that quarter, so alumnae need not delay another day, if they have done so for this reason. THE RECOGNITION PIN The recognition pin is now on sale. It may be had in either sterling silver at $1, or in gold at $3. To tho se desiring to use the recognition pin as a guard, there is an extra charge of $1 for the chain and attachment. In this case pins must be r eturned with the order for the guard. Send all money and all orders to the N a tiona! President.
STANDARD STATIONERY The stationery adopted as official by the Chicago Convention is now on sale, and may be purchased by any member. It comes in one size only, the sheet being 80 x 11 and the envelope 6% . It is exactly like that used by the National Officers except that in the place of the office there is the legend ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA. It is sold in quantity only, no order being taken for less than 100 sheets and envelopes. The price is $2: All orders should be sent to the National President. OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Clarence J. Brown, husband of Ethel McKinney Brown of Alpha Alpha, has been elected Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. Brother Brown is the youngest man to whom that honor has ever come, but he has been a power in the State for the past two years, during which time he served as editor-in-chief of a newspaper in Adams County. His editorials attracted such widespread attention that his friends were not surp rised when he won in the August primaries over seven other Republican nominees. His greatest honor, however, came when he carried his State in November, for in that same election the Republican candidate for the Governorship was defeated. The Browns are to take up their residence shortly in Columbus, the State capitol. We wish them all success and happiness in the new role and in the new home. OUR VICTORY BABY A most cordial welcome is extended to little Lois Howard, who timed her coming to the ringing of the victory bells, and who filled all A. S. A. specifications as to beauty and weight, this !at-
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ter being eight pounds. It was a glad clay for her mother, Helen Lincoln Howard, AA, who has had many anxious hours since her soldier husband was ordered to France. ALUMNAE PERSONALS The most interesting part of the "PHOENIX" to alumnae is that portion given over to facts about the girls whom they knew as undergraduates. The magazine is anxious to get hold of personal data about ex-collegiate members, and it is holding the Class Secretaries responsible for thi s material, but it would be glad to have alumnae send in facts about themselves. It is particularly important that the dates of marriages and births should • come directly from the persons most concerned, because then there will be no inaccuracies. The "PHOENIX" is always sorry when it has to announce a birth or a marriage without giving dates, but it is helpless, unless these are supplied. ALPHA ALPHA PLEDGES Alpha Alpha announces the following November pleclg~s: Eloise Alice Cunningham, L ima; Helen Belle Fix, Cridersville; Alice Loretta Good, cousin of Pauline Good, Cleveland; Mary Lucy Harlan, Connersville, Ind.; Genevieve Hoy, Marysville; Mary Alice McClelland, Utica; Martha Catherine Rosebrook, Delaware, and Marjorie Stranahan, Painesville. ALPHA BETA PLEDGES Alpha Beta announces the following November pledges: E sther R. Clark, Unionville; Ruth Crookshank, Browning; Goldie Marie Dierling, Queen City; Mary J o Harris, Kirksville; Helen Ruth Johnson, Hannibal; Mae Evelyn Middleton, Unionville; Mary Swain Paxton, Clarksville; Eva R uth Riggins, Green City; Mary Katherine Sens, Edina; Lola Muril Webber, La Crosse, and Mary Evangeline Webber, La Crosse. GAMMA GAMMA PLEDGES Gamma Gamma announces the following November pledges: Mary Dunnivant, Jet; Margaret Fraulty, Waynoka; and Lora Paterson, Alva.
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THE PALM There is no tree that is so useful to man as the Palm. All primitive peoples venerated it, for the palm supplied them with fuel, food, shelter, oil and wine, besides making possible many arts. Pliny says that the orientals ascribed three hundred and sixty uses to which it could be applied. Quite one thousand varieties are known. There is in consequence quite a variety of leaves, but the two commonest are those that have a main stem from which spring leaflets and those that form one large leaf, subdivided at the edge. The former resemble fern leaves, and are found in the date palm. The latter kind is familiar through the introduction into this country of the palm leaf fan. This type alone is indigenous to the United States, being found in great quantities in South Carolina and Florida, the former State being known as the Palmetto State, and bearing on its coat-ofarms a palm tree and a serpent. The association of the serpent with the palm tree is no doubt due to the legend that this tree was the Tree of Life mentioned in the Book of Genesis. It is said that when Adam and Eve were banished from Eden, the former took a staff out from the Tree of Life to cheer him on his way. This staff was passed on to his descendants and finally came into the hands of Jethro, a priest of the Midianites. The Talmudists say that Moses became possessed of it in a very extraordinary manner. Walking one day in the garden of Jethro and conversing with him about the misery of the children of Israel in Egypt, from which he himself had been forced to flee because of his known sympathy for the suffering people, Moses noticed a peculiar staff which was set up in the garden seemingly to no purpose. It was four-sided, and on each of the four sides was inscribed the ineffable name of the Hebrew Jehovah. Jethro toid Moses that he might have the staff, if he would pull it up. This Moses did with the greatest ease, although no other person had ever been able to do so. It was this incident that showed Jethro that the deliverer of the Hebrews had come, all in God's god time, and he told Moses the history of its preservation since the days of Adam, explaining that with this rod in his hands all things would be possible, for the Almighty had decreed that the very instrument of the
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fall of man should one day compass his redemption. This rod was changed into a serpent three different times, first at Horeb, again in the land of Goshen before the congregation of the Elders, and lastly at the court of Ph0:roah. It was the sign of divine authority, and a visible demonstration of God's power, used to confound the pretended skill of the Egyptian magicians, to show the omnipotence of the Hebrew God, and to humble the pride of Pharoah, when he beheld mighty wonders wrought by so apparently contemptible an agency as a shepherd's staff. This was the rod that parted the waters of the Red Sea, and it was this same rod that blossomed in the hands of Aaron, when the people in the wilderness demanded a sign of their leader. It was this rod, changed into a serpent, that Moses lifted up in the wilderness that as many as looked upon might be healed of the grievous wounds made by the fiery serpents sent upon the people of Israel because of their disobedience. This act on the part of Moses foreshadowed the great Redemption, for as, by a serpent, death came il'lto the world, so later, by the Crucifixion was Satan fully vanquished and trodden under foot. The English name of the tree is from the Latin "palma," meaning the " hand," because of the fancied resemblance of the leaf to the human hand. The Greek name for the tree was "phoenix," which is probably traceable to the Phoenicians, in whose land the tree was found in great profusion. The Hebrew name, "tamar," was also given to women, signifying their grace and uprightness. This word has been carried over into English in the word "tamarind," or in other words, the " palm of India." The palm has always been greatly beloved by all people in whose lands it grew, and each has endeavored to account for it in some miraculous manner. The Mohammedans believe that it was Mahomet who called it into being. The Greeks ascribe its creation to Hermes . The Tamaquas of Mexico regard the date palm as the founder of the human race after the flood. In our own Southwest, there is a palm that grows in the desert, from the fibres of which the Indians make their baskets, ropes and roofs, and from which they get sweetening for their simple food. The tribe, the Cahuilas, used to carry every male child soon after birth to a palm grove and there allot to him a particular tree. 路 It was his to care for and to worship at, and
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when he died it was burned. The Caribs, like certain Mexican tribes, connect the tree with the Deluge and the preservation of the race. According to their legends, when the floods came, a great many people tried to save their lives by climbing to the tops of the palms, for their upper branches were supposed to touch the very floor of heaven. One wicked old woman grew so terrified as she climbed that she became petrified, as did all those who followed her and tried to pass her. All who climbed the komoo palm, however, were saved. Among the Hebrews the palm is a sacred tree. It had been their greatest friend in the desert during their forty years of wandering, for its presence had marked the place of cooling springs, and its fruit had assuaged their hunger. In commemoration of what this tree meant to them during those years of difficulty and sorrow, and in obedience to God's own command, the Hebrew people t0 this day celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacles in the Fall of the year, when they are expected to dwell 路 for seven days in tents made of palm branches. The synagogues arrange a semblance of a tent, and in northern countries, where out-door celebrations are impossible, an arbor of palm branches is erected within the home, and under this the family sits for its meals during the week that the feast is kept. The name "Palestine" is said to have been given to the promised land in n)emory of the saving palms, and the tree was used as the seal of Judea on the Roman coins, after the nation came under the sway of the Caesars. With the 'Hebrews its leaves had always been a token of triumph, to be carried in processions and waved before conquerors. That is why palms used at the time of Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, a circumstance commemorated by Christians on Palm Sunday. The Christian Church has many interesting legends of the Palm. The Virgin Mother is said to have commanded the palms along the roads, as she fled from the wrath of Herod, to bow their heads, in order that the Babe might have shade. According to another legend, the Virgin was thirsty, but there were no means at hand to get the cocoanuts from the tall trees. The Infant Jesus ordered them to bow their heads, so that His Mother might pick the nuts and get milk with which to refresh herself. Because of its obedience, the Child blessed the palm,
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saying that, since it had saved the life of His Mother and therefore His own life, it should henceforth be the symbol of the salvation of the dying, and He promised that when He should enter Jerusalem in triumph it should be with a palm in His hand. It is the palm of the "fronded leaf" that is the true palm of Scripture, and not the palm of the palmate leaf. The use of the latter, therefore, in the church on . Palm Sunday is not historically correct. Churches, however, are under the necessity of securing the kind that is commercially available. It was not possible in the Middle Ages to get even the palmated leaf for Church use, and the priest in any Northern clime had to content himself with something that his locality produced. Both Shakespeare and Tennyson refer to the early willow as the "palm," because its tender green and its pretty golden catkins were used as a substitute for the real palm. The willow is so called in Northern Germany. It was Goethe who wrote,"In Rome upon Palm Sunday they bear true palms ; The Cardinals bow reverently and sing old Psalms; Elsewhere those P salms are sung 'mid olive branches, The holly branch supplies the place 路among the avalanches; More northern climes must be content with the sad willow." Even Yews were sometimes called into service for the same purpose, and so there are several poems in the English language that refer to the yews as palms. They are still so called in certain parts of Ireland, and there is a 路church record of a "yew, or palm tree" that was "planted in the churchyard" in 1775. A poet of the Elizabethan Age thus refers to the willow as a palm: "Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day, The Palms and May make country houses gay, And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay,Cuckoo, jug-jug, pee-wee, to-witta-woo ." Among the Madonna legends is one that tells how the Virgin Mother was comforted after the Crucifixion. In the midst of her terrible grief, there came an angel from Heaven, who said, "Hail, Mary, blessed of God! I bring a palm that has grown in Paradise. Let it be carried before your bier on your death, for in three days you shall join your son." The angel then took his
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departure, leaving the palm on the ground where it sparkled gloriously. When the friends and disciples were come from the mount of sorrow, Mary gave the palm to John and asked him to bear it at her burial. That very night, amid the sound of singing and a gush of strange perfume, the Virgin died with angels around her bed. Such a blaze of glory arose from her body that those who prepared it for burial were almost blinded. 路w hen the palm was carried to her tomb, another miracle occurred, for the Virgin was borne to Heaven in the flesh, welcomed by chairing angels and harpists beyond number for multitude. It was because of these various legends that the palm eventually acquired a wonderful efficacy. The Crusaders brought back bits of palms and these were treasured for years in the homes of the pious, because a family possessing even a small section of the blessed leaf was immune from diseases and calamity according to popular conception. Moreover, a bit of palm had the power to subdue the water devils that lie in wait for ships. It could prevent sunstroke, and avert lightning, if a cross of its leaves were laid on a table during a storm. It would cure fever, if bits of the leaf were swallowed. It was also supposed to have the power to drive away mice, if placed near granaries, and if one would be rid of fleas for a whole year, one needed only to place a palm leaf behind the Virgin's picture on Easter morning at the first stroke of the resurrection bell, saying, "Depart all animals without bones !" There is another legend that might well be mentioned in this connection. It concerns the pagan Offero, who was in the habit of carrying the weak and small across a raging river. One time Christ stood on the bank and asked to be taken across. Offero gladly consented, but every moment as he walked the burden on his shoulders became heavier and heavier, until he all but sank beneath the load. As the giant stood marvelling that so small a body could weigh so much, Christ bade him thrust his staff in the ground, where it would blossom in token of the service that had been rendered. When the staff burst at once into flower and fruit, bearing in just a few moments the most delicious dates, Offero's mind was enlightened, and he forthwith became a Christian, as he had not been willing to do before, in spite of the efforts of holy people. . Offero thereupon was known as Chris-
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tofere, or the Christ-Bearer. He did many wonderful things during hi'S life, winning many souls for the Church, -and at his death was canonized as St. Christopher. While we are on the subject of the palm, it may be well to call attention to the fact that the rod of Hermes was made from a palm and that it was in early Hellenic art represented with two entwined serpents, which later gave way to the floating ribbons of the herald's staff. One explanation of the use of the _serpents in this connection is the well-known story of Hermes seeing one day two serpents fighting. Hermes promptly. threw his rod at them, and they at once ceased their warring and twined themselves lovingly about the staff. It was because of this episode that Hermes was considered the particular guardian of friendship . Many students of antiquity, however, are inclined to the belief that the use of the serpents in connection with the Hermes rod was merely an Hellenic adaptation of the Hebrew story of Adam's staff cut from the Tree of Life. Some maintain even that Hermes was none other than the patriarch Enoch, who was translated to heaven without dying at the age of 365 years, the same of whom it was said, "he walked with God and he was not, for God took him." Still other antiquarians assert that Hermes was the renowned J ciseph, who was sold to the Egyptians by his brothers, jealous of his coat of many colors and of the love that his father bare him . They produce as proof that in Joseph's time the use of the palm in decorative art was introduced into Egypt, a significant circumstance in view of the fact that the palm had been for ages the emblem of the Hebrews. However that may be, it is not surprising that the palm was the symbol of life and beauty among both Hebrews and Hellenes from the earliest times, for it was found "beside the still waters" in waste places and desert tracts. It was but natural that these ideas should be carried over into the Christian Church and that the palm should become the symbol of victory over death. In early Church art angels carry palms in their hands, as do all martyred saints.