Reception to New Members.

The reception to new members of the University held in Sanders Theatre last evening was an unqualified success. The attendance was large, and the speeches were noticeably able and to the point.

Professor Shaler, as chairman of the committee on reception, presided. He introduced as the first speaker, President Eliot.

It was an official duty, President Eliot said, but a personal joy for him to welcome as recruits to the old University a body of such young and vigorous men. Certain ideals had been fostered by Harvard men in the past and these ideals he expected the new men to foster in their turn. Chief among them he should name truth-seeking, independence of thought, moderation, gentlemanliness and dutifulness.

The cultivation of these qualities makes a man capable of giving a judgment that is entitled to weight, it brings out the best qualities of his individuality, it teaches him to avoid bluster and gives him the gentleness that springs, not from feebleness, but from vigor, and it inspires him to do what he ought under all conditions. If the new men were to escape the selfishness into which college men so easily fall, they would best do it by co-operating with the old men in work for these old ideals.

Dr. Walcott, of the Corporation, spoke of the excellent opportunities offered both by Cambridge and the University for maintenance and upholding of good health. It was for the students to make personal use of these opportunities.

For the Board of Overseers, Mr. More-field Storey spoke. The four years in college, he said, are the fitting time for a young man to discover and develop his tastes. His own happiness, his desirability in society, and his usefulness in the community alike depend, in great measure, on the way the four years are spent.

Professor Peabody said that Harvard had faith in young men that they would respond to a wholesome and rational religion, and did not drive them to the worship of God, but rather trusted in their manliness to aid spontaneously what was best in college life.

He was followed by Professor Taussig. The needs of democratic government, he thought, were constantly growing greater. Two things the discipline of college ought to give a student,-the ability to think soberly and capably on public problems, and a higher appreciation of honesty in both public and private life.

Then Mayor Bancroft was introduced, and he extended the welcome of the municipality to the new students. They needed to learn the meaning of two words, discrimination and responsibility. Every many could take only his own share of the good things offered, and must be ready to do his part for the fair name of Harvard.

Maynard Ladd '94, said that the true aim of the student was to obtain, not high marks or an accumulation of facts, but an ability to grasp and wrestle successfully with the problems of life. The liberal education on made a liberal man. The different college activities were worth as serious support as the studies themselves.

B. Waters '94, said that the best thing a man learns in athletics is the spirit of co-operation, the devotion of individual action to a common end. Ninety-seven was a part of the great university and ought to aid all good things in it.

After the speaking was over light refreshments were served in Memorial Hall.