| Summary: | PAGE 4 THE OONCORDIAN Friday, February 28, 194? College Of Destiny—-III We Need Christian Writers Modern literature is at a low level. The trend seems to be ' toward the cheap, licentious, and vulgar in books, plays, and magazines. We need not look far to see how popular are low grade publications of every type. A morally clean book among the best sellers is a novelty. Magazines and papers we once considered respectable have stooped to the use of profanity and emblazon their pages with obscenities. Contemporary writers say we must be realists and so they seek out the vilest evils in human lives and flaunt them before their readers. People being what they are, this creates a de-sire for more of the same type of reading, and thus a vicious circle drives present day literature and those who read it ever downward. Here lies a field for Christians; a field particularly for Con-cordia where English is such a popular department. At pres-ent, the best that has been written is studied in our classes, which is good. But only a couple of courses are devoted to creative writing. If we are to have decent literature, it apparently must come from Christian writers. Where is a more natural source of Christian writers than a Christian college? We would like to see more . courses in creative writing. Journalism, of course, is our immediate interest. We have only one course in journalism, 'and freshmen, who we think could make the most use of such an abbreviated course, are not per-mitted to enroll. We hope someday to see a journalism department at Con-cordia. The newspaper is a powerful influence in American lives. The profession could well stand more men with the •background and training of a Christian school. In addition, if Concordia is to have a good paper, more opportunity for training must be provided for those who publish it. Our dreams even include a print shop on the campus, where job printing and possibly even publications could be put out—but perfiaps that is only a dream. Other courses in writing should be offered in addition to journalism. It is certainly evident that America needs Chris-tian writers, who can write well, to raise our literature from its present low status. Our church, too, is beginning to realize that we need more Lutherans who can write well on religious topics. We think writers of books, articles, stories, and other forms of literature should and could be trained at Concordia. Publication of student literary talent is restricted to The Concordian and Cobber. The Cobber is mostly a pictorial re-view, though it does include written articles. The Concordian is largely given over to accounts of news events on the cam-pus. There should be some other medium. Some years ago a Cobber Classic was published. In it were printed the original writings of students. Several have sug-gested that its publication be resumed. We think it should, perhaps by Alpha Phi Gamma if no other group can be found to sponsor it. We go to school to learn. But too often the process of learning seems to become an end in itself. In school, partic-ularly a Christian school, we should learn how to serve. Writ-ing can be a means of great service to man; Christians should use it. Let's Make Democracy Work If the attitude of the Concordia student body is indicative of that of most Americans, we might wonder that our coun-try has not fallen into the hands of a dictator long ago. At the last two student body meetings, about one tenth of the stu-dent body has attended. The meetings were called, not for routine business, but for action on a proposal which would benefit, or at least affect, all students. Everyone seems to want self government, but when there is an opportunity to exercise it—to decide in matters of stu-dent affairs, only a fraction of the student body shows the least interest. Success of a democracy depends on the interest of the peo-ple. If only a small minority show concern about their gov-ernment, it is easy for a dictator to arise. This is your school; affairs of the student body are your affairs. If we believe in democracy let us try to make it work. God Provides Us With Foundation, Reward For Work By Lawrence Steen Any man has a right to ques-tion my ideas or any other man's ideas, but no man has a right to question the revelation of God, the Bible. Let us not prove the Bible >by the works of man, but rather let us prove the works of man by the Bible. God has wonderfully and mar-velously made this world so that man is rewarded for his work. In all fields of endeavor the greater effort one puts forth, the greater will 'be his reward. The farmer who prepares his seed and seed bed well is rewarded with a higher yield. The merchant, for his studies in better salesman-ship and for more attractive dis-plays, is rewarded -by greater sales. The scientist who pursues his task most diligently achieves success and thus may advance the comforts of all men. God has not only left us the re-ward for work, but He has also laid for us the foundation and the framework upon which we must build if our work and our reward shall be lasting. This foundation Is Jesus Christ. I Cor. 3:10-15. Whether our field of endeavor is natural science, social science, or any other, Christ must be the foundation of our labors. Our pur-pose and our goal must be to glorify Hfs name. Whatever is not in harmony with the Word of God, or whatever is not to the glory of His name is of error and its reward is an illusion, which will perish with this world. We must build with the best we have upon this sure foundation— not with wood, hay, or stubble but with^ spiritual gold, silver, or prec-ious stones, that our work will stand in the light of the Scrip-tures. If it will stand the test of this divine fire, it will also stand through all the fiery criticism which this world can level against it. "Set It In Troy," a three act drama, was presented Feb. 22 by the Campus Players. The usual tradition of having student direc-tors produce the plays was fol-lowed. LUTHER The concert band and men's chorus of Luther are on a 17-day tour of five states; A homecoming concert will toe presented March 3. The college paper has opened a campaign for a new student lounge to stimulate a fuller college social program. "Giants in the Earth," the sec-ond production of the year, will be presented March 6 and 7. AUGUSTANA "The Hasty Heart," one of the outstanding plays of the past ten years, was presented in a three-day run last week by the Augu-stana Theatre. Beginning new and fascinating experiences as a sophomore in an American college is Frances Teh I. Yin, an exchange student at Augustana from Soochow, China. Veterans who have allowed their National Service life insurance policies to lapse have until August 1, 1947, to renew them. Legislation recently passed allows policies which have been dropped at any time to be reinstated by payment of two monthly premiums, pro-vided the policyholders are in as good health as they were at the time of the lapse. Veterans who have lost the use of one or both legs at or above the ankle may be eligible for a specially-equipped automobile or other conveyance not exceeding $1600 in cost. Application should be made at the MSTC VA office. Lapsed National Service life in-surance totalling $365,000 was picked up by at least 40 veterans at Moorhead State Teachers col-lege and Concordia college during the last three days in January. The reinstatement averaged $9,000 each. The daily news quizzes, which are the delight of the department of journalism at the University of Indiana, often bring unusual an-swers. One professor asked his class, "What are the Big and Little Inches?" A student answered with, "The Big Inch is what John L. Lewis wants and the Little Inch is what the government is willing to give him/' The prof gave him full credit.—ACP. Prize Winning Editorial A Two-Some, We Hope . By THEODORE AMUNDSON I can visualize a reason for Russia's actions in her episodes with us, the United States. Russia is jealous. She did not gain direct control over as immense an area as a result of the war, For instance, together with France and England, we have control over much of western Germany and we have a great influence on the course France will take. We have gained control over the vast expanse of the Pacific from Alaska west to Japan and south to Australia. This area includes many strategically located islands and is a reservoir for huge quan-tities of raw materials. We have taken the lead in exploring the Arctic and the Antarctic. We are maintaining relatively friendly relations with all the South American countries. Moreover we have the atomic bom'b. In contrast Russia has acquired direct control over part of Germany, part of Rumania, and perhaps a port or two on the east coast of Asia. Russia does not have the atomic bomb. We each regard the other's form of government as inferior and we are suspicious of one another. This is evidenced by the radio time which has been devoted to an alleged Russian agent, Gerhart Eisler. These conspirators should be punished but there is no reason for going into a mild form of hysterics because some Communist is on trial. Russia has the same attitude toward a capitalist. Now is there any wonder relations are so strained between us and Russia? The smoothening of these relations is the job of congress and the United Nations. We must be more even-tempered and hope and pray that Russia will rid herself of her jealousy and that we can win her confidence. Cobbers Favor Student Union; Letters Urge Interest, Action Would you be willing to actively support a student sponsored student union building? Yes, 75.8% No, 16.1% Undecided, 8.1% This week's results prove that three-fourths of the student body are in favor of a student union building. Reasons given by those voting "no" were a fear that it would interfere with the present build-ing program or the possibility that the new gymnasium will include recreation facilities. Below are two letters received expressing views on the proposed building. To The Editor: It is my prayerful hope that the lack of interest displayed by the students in the last student body meeting is not indicative of the future attitude the students will have in constructive programs 1 that may come up in their respec-tive communities. If the school, your community, or our nation is to grow, it will only be by the individual, you and I, meeting issues as they come up, not in letting a few people decide everything for us. How long will any form of democracy last if this attitude is very prevalent ? When another student body meeting to discuss the student union is announced, come and give your view whether for or against the idea. The two lines of thought, one that characterizes the dream-er, "It would be nice," and the other, the perpetual pessimist, "We will never get anything like that," are not constructive thoughts. Let us make this our community project to investigate and act in the spirit that this is an important form of our educa-tion. John Jenson. To the Editor: A splendid idea has been placed before the student body of Con-cordia— that of a student union building. With the growing enroll-ment and the expansion of our college, it is becoming: more ap-parent that <a building for recrea-tional activities is a necessity. Think what a building of this type would mean to us and to the future students of Concordia lx Cob-bers could get together in their play as well as their work, mak-ing the ties of fellowship even stronger. What a wonderful addition to our college the student union building would make.' Perhaps the facilities might include ping pong tables, bowling alleys, a swimming pool, tables for chess and Chinese checkers, an arena for roller and ice skating, and rooms for the so-cieties and other organizations. A room for The Concordian, which plays such a vital part in school activities, might also be included. Let us work and pray for this important project. Let us unite now to make a student union building a reality on the Concor-dia campus soon.1 Clarice Undhjem. COPY EDITOR , SPORTS WRITERS: James Breton, Robert Anderson, Donna Pe-tenon. SPECIAL WRITERS: David Brown, Howard Quisberg. BUSINESS MANAGER Ralph Ryg* Published weekly during the school year except during vacation, holiday and examination periods, by the students of ConoordJa College, Moorhead. Entered as second class matter at the postoffiee of Moorhead, Minn., under
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