THE P. B. H. REPORT

The glory of the Phillips Brooks House, the annual report of which is contained in this issue, lies in its practicality. One need be neither athletic, pessimistic, or radical to safely say that the spiritual contributions of such an organization to the life of the bulk of undergraduates are dubitable. Religion, both in and out of college, is coming to be recognized as a matter for the individual conscience and any effort to force it on the public is likely to result in the annihilation of its aim. Be it to the credit of the Phillips Brooks House that the delicacy of the situation is clearly realized; and that, as a result, practical philanthropy is emphasized rather than evangelical propaganda.

This report, covering the multitudinous activities of the society, indicates several tendencies, the most significant of which is the decrease of interest in social service work. It is questionable whether, as the report states, athletes are responsible for this condition; athletics, although a convenient sinner, cannot bear the brunt of every failure. Undergraduate sentiment is a more likely cause.

The work done by the social service committee and its aim is no less necessary than the Phillips Brooks House Library, the opportunities afforded for the gathering of various sects, or the holiday meetings for those students away from home. To read over the report and to analyze, the actual benefits of social service, should arouse a desire for the continuation of the institution. Such continuation, however, is impossible without undergraduate cooperation Unless the present figures are to be taken as certainly a temporary relapse, the Phillips Brooks House has reached a cul 'de' sac in one important field.