part in extending the system, if it can be shown

beneficial to mankind. If they include men who are public teachers, I ask them to teach the pub- lic on this question. The excuse of the socie- ties'being secret cannot be taken; for though a defense would abate something of their strict- ness, they could discuss many general principles. My present conviction, however, is that this is an abominable system ; could it be swept from every college campus and every community in the land, I believe there would be reason for great rejoicing. Would that some mighty blast could open all this secrecy and darkness to the free winds of thought and the sunshine of God's truth! But the question for those who op- pose the system which has been discussed is not whether it can be entirely abolished, in the first instance, desirable as they may think such a re- sult ; but whether matters cannot be so changed that it shall lose some of its objectionable fea- tures, or at least cease to be the system which is dominant over everything. There seems to be no reason why such a change may not be brought about; but there are difficulties to be met, and it might take time. It would be one step in the general progress of the colleges toward more true and manly ideas of college life.
no THE SECRET SOCIETY SYSTEM.
As the earth turns toward the sun in her course, and his kindly influences soften for all good seeds and growths the frost-bound soil, which no instrument of steel could make fer- tile, so may the minds of the young men of this generation turn toward the greater Sun of truth, and be made ready for larger and nobler and more generous thinking and living in the light of His coming day.
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