Page 118 - YB1899

lr~ing [it~rary SOCi~ty. t: HE social desires of man are innate. He realizes that he is a dependent of life, the association and the . creature, and that he needs, in all conditions and encouragement of his fellows in order that he himself may succeed progress. With this fact in view, societies and associations are organized and supported by the old and by the young, by the intelligent and by the ignorant. The College world forms no exception to this rule, and it is represented by its fra- ternities, its literary societies, and its athletic associations. In conformity with this general tendency, and with the truth in mind that in the union of the many who seek intellectual improvement lies the trength of. the individual, Irving Society was organized. From this first society have sprung, directly or indirectly, three other literary societies. To say that Irving Society is the best one among the four would be bigotry, but we can safely and modestly say that we are excelled by none. We offer to. our members a large library and anum ber of good monthly magazines which discuss all the leading questions of the day. The mineralogist and the antiquary will find among our collection of stones and of relics many interesting and valuable things. Our Society has attempted at all times to stand as a representative literary organization in which the varied talents of its members can best be cultivated. How well we have succeeded in the past is shown by the positions now occupied by some of OUf former members, who are found in the pulpit and at the bar, in the world of medicine and on the floor of Legislatures. They represent the earnest workers, the determined students, the faithful members of the Society. As much work as they have given to Irving, so much good they have received in return, for after all, the work of the organized body depends upon the well-trained efforts and the earnest endeavors of the individual member. Our main object is to cultivate the art of ready speaking on the floor, to develop the oratorical and debating abilities of our members, and to bring out their literary talents by original essays and papers. 1£ we succeed in developing a man along these lines, we consider that the essential characteristics of Irving Society have been fully emphasized. 108