Qacl RM My J/efll‘ Across the troubled waters of life’s sea, God reached His loving hand and beckoned me; He beckoned to a life of joy and peace, A life where sorrows all would somehow cease. Across the disappointments of the day, God’s W’ord shone out and seemed to light the way, And so led by... Show moreQacl RM My J/efll‘ Across the troubled waters of life’s sea, God reached His loving hand and beckoned me; He beckoned to a life of joy and peace, A life where sorrows all would somehow cease. Across the disappointments of the day, God’s W’ord shone out and seemed to light the way, And so led by His wondrous guiding light, My soul was made more strong to do what’s right. Across the trials that God sends to test, His hand is stretched to help us do what’s best, That we may prove our faith sincere and true, For only God can help us this to do. And so, God’s Hand is stretched across to me, To strengthen and to help so I may see, That every trial has been planned with care, That I may meet and love my Saviour there. MILDRED RYAN, ’40. fififik I am just one tiny thought Of the eternal mind, And as I live, this thought becomes A poem, full, refined. MARGARET CHRISLOCK, ’40. DIAL Show less
71¢ Swim SLOWLY but steadily from the hazy depths of the nodding sage emerged the form of a solitary rider. As the figure approached the crest of a rocky foot-hill and came to a halt, its features be- came silhouetted against the orange hue of the fading sun. White lines of perspiration on the... Show more71¢ Swim SLOWLY but steadily from the hazy depths of the nodding sage emerged the form of a solitary rider. As the figure approached the crest of a rocky foot-hill and came to a halt, its features be- came silhouetted against the orange hue of the fading sun. White lines of perspiration on the drooping neck of the mustang gave evidence of a long and difficult journey; the rider, in harmony with the mount, silently bent his head. Two braids of black hair fell across his bronze chest; a quiver of flint—pointed arrows hung loosely from his side, while the graceful span of the bow lay balanced across the horse. Beaded buckskins protected the lithesome body as he sat motionless, mysteriously surveying with his dark eyes the expanse of prairie which lay before him. Then, suddenly the horseman drew the rein, reeled the steed, and quiet— ly disappeared below the bend of the ridge. RALPH SLET‘I‘EN, ’40. airtk‘fir 7a Mat/1M You’re not like shadows cast by winter’s tree, That throws its whiplike form upon the snow, That I should live in fear since I must grow Within the bounds of shadows cast by thee. You’re like the shades that fall on summer’s lea. The lacy shadows of your leaves give flow To fuller freedom that where’re I go Your soothing shade will cool and cover me. I will not feel the toil and pain of day Since you do shade me from the burning sun Lest I should wither long before I’d grown Quite tall enough to cast shades of my own, That I may take your place when you are done, And cast your shadow when you’re called away. MARGARET CHRISLOCK, ’40. DIAL Show less
JLHMY lived with his grandfather in the beautiful golden gate region of Yellowstone Park. But Jimmy never thought of refer- ring to the place where he lived as a park, for this was years before the United States govemment had ever heard of this wonderland of fantastic beauty. The word "park" was... Show moreJLHMY lived with his grandfather in the beautiful golden gate region of Yellowstone Park. But Jimmy never thought of refer- ring to the place where he lived as a park, for this was years before the United States govemment had ever heard of this wonderland of fantastic beauty. The word "park" was entirely foreign to Jimmy's vocabulary. It was simply "home" to him. And how he loved it! The majesty and strength of the eternal hills, the towering cliffs with all their panorama of color. the crystal streams that wound their way in the valley, tumbling boisterously over the jagged rocks that lay in their path—all this was a delight and an inspiration to the lad. for child that he was, the splendor around him never ceased to create a strange thrill of joy in his youthful heart. Jimmy loved to spend hours out of doors, and no wonder, for the crude cabin that was his home could scarcely begin to com- pare with the grandeur of nature. Having no playmates, he made friends with the animals and birds of this region. The little squirrels who scurried about in the tree tops were very friendly, and several of the songbirds would come and eat seeds from his hand. Jimmy was very fond of his feathered friends, but more than anything else, he coveted the friendship of the pair of giant eagles who made their home every year in a huge nest on an overhanging cliff. He would watch them excitedly as they circled above him. How he longed to soar as the eagles-up, up and away—to a land where it was always warm and sunny and where food was plentiful. Then grandfather would not have to work anymore in the corn patch when the sun's rays were scorching hot, nor go out to tend his traps when the wind was cold and the snow lay deep on the mountain side. But children never soared. Strange to say, neither did young eagles, for every year the inquisitive young birds would venture too c10se to the edge of the nest, and losing their balance, would flounder help- lessly as they fell, only to be dashed on the rocks below. One day in late summer as Jimmy was watching the eagles soaring about in the evening sky, he jumped up with a cry of surprise and ran eagerly to the door of the cabin. DIAL i4 Show less
71.. G»:de "MY GOD How \Vonderful Thou Art!" These words broke forth in all fervency and richness of har— mony from hearts that were filled with the splendor of God’s handiwork. Choir members forgot their weariness from riding over miles of dusty roads and across parched plaim. for here were the... Show more71.. G»:de "MY GOD How \Vonderful Thou Art!" These words broke forth in all fervency and richness of har— mony from hearts that were filled with the splendor of God’s handiwork. Choir members forgot their weariness from riding over miles of dusty roads and across parched plaim. for here were the mountains gloriously stretching heavenward. declaring God as their Creator. And justly so. for only He could produce such marvels. Everyone was alert, stretching. turning, exclaiming. Someone saw the first clear stream tumbling down the mountain side. Another saw a jagged peak-—a ruggedness beautiful only in na- ture. A rise of exclamations told of a wooded glade and a clear but rapid stream winding its way through the valleys. Such was a fishennan‘s delight or a poet’s paradise. And thus it continued. Each spot proved a little more breath-taking. a little more in- spiring than the last. But then came the Great Divide. The motor droned steadily as it pulled the heavy bus higher and higher into the very heav- ens. At times the road seemed to hang on the side of the moun- tain. Breathless ecstasy awaited us at every bend. Looking down- ward on the one side, we could see patches of the highway like giant steps as it wound down the mountain side and disappeared in the distant valley. Looking upward on the other, the moun- tain rose still higher, up and up into gray, filmy clouds drifting along, wrapping themselves about the peaks and then floating silently away, leaving the snow caps bared to the afternoon sun. Lower clouds spread their haze gently over the tree tops, and as we drew closer, that haze covered us just as gently. All eyes were strained for the first break in the film and what it would reveal. A quick breath—and then a hush! The tall pines, so straight and towering close by, were indiscernable in the green maze way down there. Fields of grain became tiny shaded pieces in a patchwork quilt. The wide, white highway became a thread that grew smaller and smaller and then disappeared far below. “My God how Wonderful Thou Art!" DIAL 18 Show less
75.8% 0 Lord. today I wondered why My burden seemed to pres: upon me to; It was so very hard to bear, And I grew weary. for I did not know That has Thy love that placed it there, That I might stronger grow. Lord God, no one but Thou alone Canst fully understand how long the way, How dark the... Show more75.8% 0 Lord. today I wondered why My burden seemed to pres: upon me to; It was so very hard to bear, And I grew weary. for I did not know That has Thy love that placed it there, That I might stronger grow. Lord God, no one but Thou alone Canst fully understand how long the way, How dark the lonely road did seem. How heavy was the load I bore today; But now I kneel and at Thy feet, My burden I do lay. Forgive me, Lord, I did not see Thy hand which caused the shadow thus to fall, I thought that I could walk alone, And when I failed, ’twas then I heard Thy call; Repemant now I turn to Thee, And I surrender all. My Iesus, I have learned today That I am weal: unless at Thy dear side I walk, for Thou art all my strength, And I shall fail unless I hide My life in Thine; 0' grant me grace, In Thee, Lord, to abide! MILDRED RYAN, ’40. DIAL 26 Show less
MIT/6414’!“ I GOT l.\', reluctantly, quaking inside, but much too brave to ad- mit it. In front of me were two rather screamish girk. and be- hind me, I remember quite distinctly. although my vision wasn't very steady or reassuring. were two amused fellows—unused at my discomfort. Behind were... Show moreMIT/6414’!“ I GOT l.\', reluctantly, quaking inside, but much too brave to ad- mit it. In front of me were two rather screamish girk. and be- hind me, I remember quite distinctly. although my vision wasn't very steady or reassuring. were two amused fellows—unused at my discomfort. Behind were more folks, but they faded from my blurred memory. Up, up, then down again! And up the other side! My feet were strapped and l was tied down to the seat. I grasped the closest to hold on to. It happened to be a steel rod alongside of the seat. Heads. faces, lights, towers, buildings, water, stars, and sky appeared before my eyes in one jumble; while shouts, cries, scream, laughs, and terrified phrases assailed my ears like sharp hail-stones. \Vhere was I. where was I going, where would I end. and when? All of my past formed pictures in my bemuddled head. The wind whistled through my hair, mussing it up to make me a more frightful, mad looking person than ever. The earth was beneath me, and the next thing I knew, the black sky and bright stars were in their place. I was right-side up one second; the next I didn’t know where l was, whether falling to earth on my head, or landing on one of the silent stars with a bang. Slowly, slowly, I seemed to be coming to my senses once more with a sickening, dizzy feeling. Then. when the earth seemed quite steady and where it ought to be, I loosened my grip on the rod, my hands stiff and numb from the pressure. Someone rushed to steady me and brought me out to safety. Such was my first and only ride on the Rocket at the Fair. LUCILLE MANLEY, ’40. fi‘flz‘k Some people are like houses—unsightly without. but beautiful within. — MARC-IE ENEMARK, ’40. DIAL 31 a...“ a. Show less
0a .\l\‘ Fmsr encounter with scorpions took place one summer day when l was trying my skill at scaling an old brick wall which surrounded our garden. Accidentally l dislodged a big piece of plaster which crashed to the ground and “posed a fissure in the wall. Glancing into the hole. I saw to my... Show more0a .\l\‘ Fmsr encounter with scorpions took place one summer day when l was trying my skill at scaling an old brick wall which surrounded our garden. Accidentally l dislodged a big piece of plaster which crashed to the ground and “posed a fissure in the wall. Glancing into the hole. I saw to my astonishment several scor- pions crawling about, with their segmented tails curled up like that of a happy dog. My proximity to the arachnids, however. led me to the conclusion that it was wiser for me to bring my fortuitous Visit to a speedy termination. ‘ ' During the years that followed. my fear of and aversion to scorpions decreased. I learned that there is little danger from this small but vicious looking creature. except when one contacts the sting at the end of his tail. I learned, too, that it was quite unnecessary to flee in terror, whenever one of them hove in sight; for scorpions are somewhat near-sighted, and are also com- paratively slow of movement—that is, I could easily out-distance them in the event of a chase. One day I saw some ants tackle a full-grown scorpion. They crawled all over his body, bit him sharply here and there and injected a powerful toxin, which gradually deadened and para- lyzed him. When the ten-minute struggle was over, the ants hauled their victim, piece by piece. to their subterranean store- rooms. I was surprised at the audacity and daring of the little insects; if such insignificant creatures could attack successfully an enemy which was many times their size, why should not I be able to, who am several thousand times as large as a scorpion? Thereafter my policy towards scorpions was aggressive. On summer evenings, when the air was still and sultry, I Would go out with one of my friends scorpion hunting; for on such evenings all insects and other creatures are abundant. One of us would carry a jug; the other a small teapot-like lamp. Both of DIAL l() Show less
pmadWMJaly (In Memory . . . G. S.) Bewildered by the scent of strife Caused by man's daily fight for life. I left this world that round me sighs. For fairer worlds . . . a land or shore Where man is not who strives for more Than God deemed well for him to own; Where God at ev'n walks alone Mid... Show morepmadWMJaly (In Memory . . . G. S.) Bewildered by the scent of strife Caused by man's daily fight for life. I left this world that round me sighs. For fairer worlds . . . a land or shore Where man is not who strives for more Than God deemed well for him to own; Where God at ev'n walks alone Mid forest home to ponder new The things that made His Son sigh sore. “Father! forgive them what they do!" Here . . . alone . . . in this wooded ball; Here . . . away . . . from man‘s piercing call. “Give me more or else I die!" Urrmindful that it makes God sigh; Reminds Him of that far off Fall. Here I roam . . . restored to all My faith by breath that made these plants In the beginning when God‘s chants H’hispered across the new made world And placed them here . . . one and all To smooth man’s brow so burden furled. Slowly I tread the untrod trails That lead among the forest vales Of whispering trees and swaying vines Where only some have seen the lines Of violets. . . . Like tears of love Half hidden . . . lifting heads that they May ease the void that darkly moves And lingers in the heart’s hurt grooves Of sorrow. Here the thoughts of man Reach not to jar but rise above The flames of greed of woeful man. DIAL 3o Show less
JohnWaynewsbegilmingtotirewhenhebeganthelsthp ofhhpilgrhmggbutdiechdkltggmigetmwthanever. drove him upward. As he continued he realized that the andmountainsweregnduallytnkingtheirpositionsbelowhinL Yabefdtcmfidentdtathewouldsomreachthemuch coveted goal. But would he? Snow was to hamper h'n... Show moreJohnWaynewsbegilmingtotirewhenhebeganthelsthp ofhhpilgrhmggbutdiechdkltggmigetmwthanever. drove him upward. As he continued he realized that the andmountainsweregnduallytnkingtheirpositionsbelowhinL Yabefdtcmfidentdtathewouldsomreachthemuch coveted goal. But would he? Snow was to hamper h'n progres and the wall w nearly Almost ex- hausted and with bleeding hands he clung to the wind—hm pockets and looked down. As far as he could see, all the moun- tains seemed bowed in awful solemnity; directly below. the organ-like spires were silent, so terribly silent. A mysterious chill passed over his body as he looked up. The cloud had risen and in the warm glow of the setting sun John Wayne saw silhouetted against the virgin snow the outline of a rugged cross. a cross designed by the ages. The knowledge that he could never attain the goal struck him with a sense of futility and finality. But even in his weariness and seeming failure. he felt the flush of triumph. He had seen the great stone cross—no one had even laid eyes on such a thing before. RALPH Smn, ‘40. use: flaw This bondage is strange, These fetter: are odd: There is freedom to live F07 I’m tied to God. MARGARET CHRISLOCK. '40. DIAL 28 Show less
Look to the East MARIT filled her apron with grain. She must hurry if the chickens were to be fed before the sun went down. Loudly she called the White flock, her flock, as she scat- tered the kernels over the stubbly grass. As she walked along, the chickens crowding around her, Marit looked far to... Show moreLook to the East MARIT filled her apron with grain. She must hurry if the chickens were to be fed before the sun went down. Loudly she called the White flock, her flock, as she scat- tered the kernels over the stubbly grass. As she walked along, the chickens crowding around her, Marit looked far to the East with a strange look of mingled love and sorrow. There, in the grain appearing over-ripe in the evening light, she saw her younger brother working to set the sheaves into shocks. They seemed to huddle to- gether, and to whisper as they were put into place by Rudy’s hands. Soon he would be home, Marit thought, to share with her the evening meal of browned potatoes, milk, and coarse bread. She thought again of her chickens. How carefully she tended them. More than once last spring she had dared to face the soured brood hen to rescue a downy ball from the wet grass. More than once she had put her huge straw hat on her head and gone out to bring fresh water to them as they lay in the shade of the gooseberry bushes to escape from the heat of noonday. And now, except for the few that she had mournfully laid to rest, she had them all with her, With visions .I._ for the future that would " a ‘ her labors. For Marit,” like any girl of eighteen, ' saw great plans before ‘= J her, plans that were made more dawn-like by the light of her own youthful efforts. Show less
have Jean, Don, and Ruby over that afternoon—yes. quite happy, even though she did give her usual “last minute" instructions. This time they were about the current and gooseberry bushes in grandmother's back yard. Auntie had sprayed them for bugs three or four days before, so it would be safest... Show morehave Jean, Don, and Ruby over that afternoon—yes. quite happy, even though she did give her usual “last minute" instructions. This time they were about the current and gooseberry bushes in grandmother's back yard. Auntie had sprayed them for bugs three or four days before, so it would be safest to leave them alone. she said. Yes, of course, Lynn would tell his friends about it. Auntie was satisfied. The play began in the front yard so Lynn decided to postpone telling about the bushes until they came to the back yard; it would be rather odd to mention such things when no one would think of eating berries anyway. When the play did go to the backyard, Lynn decided to wait until mention would be made of the bushes—his friends would probably never think of them at all. Now they were having contests in tumbling. Don suggested that the winners should take gooseberries and currents for prizes; the others approved. Lynn said nothing—there had been a little rain, in fact, quite a lot. he thought, so there could be no danger. Auntie was just funny anyway. Lynn romped boistrously; he ate currents and goose- berries “like everything”—he didn't want to stop to think. When he did think, only one command rang through his mind, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." This warning had impressed him strongly when Auntie had read it from his Bible Story book. Now it returned to him with crushing force. He longed to run and hide. At last his friends were going, but of course they must say goodbye to Auntie. Jean was always so great on the “thank you’s"—her mother was that way too—if only she would forget the currents and gooseberries. But no, there it came: she had enjoyed them so much. The friends went home. Lynn might go and lie down on the couch, Auntie said. If only she wouldn't look so hurt, Lynn thought. 4 [Dial] Show less
The Organ With heavy throbs and swelling tones, Like tumbling down of heartless stones, Thunder Rolls from the depths of the organ In a/wful harmony, Echoing the terror of God. With breathing beats and silver light, Like silent rain that falls at night, Weeping Sobs from the heart of the organ In... Show moreThe Organ With heavy throbs and swelling tones, Like tumbling down of heartless stones, Thunder Rolls from the depths of the organ In a/wful harmony, Echoing the terror of God. With breathing beats and silver light, Like silent rain that falls at night, Weeping Sobs from the heart of the organ In sacred symphony, Revealing the sorrow of God. Like angel voices lifted high, Unfolding chorales from the sky, Singing Pours from the soul of the organ In joyful melody, Proclaiming the mercy of God. MARGARET CHRISLOCK, ’40. [Dial] 29 Show less
People hat ravel “Mc—CLUSKEE”—, sang out the conductor. With a shriek of brakes, and a bone-rattling jolt, the little local train stopped. The only passenger to board was a young lady. She came in slowly, greeted several of the passengers, and let her bags fall heavily to the floor. As she came... Show morePeople hat ravel “Mc—CLUSKEE”—, sang out the conductor. With a shriek of brakes, and a bone-rattling jolt, the little local train stopped. The only passenger to board was a young lady. She came in slowly, greeted several of the passengers, and let her bags fall heavily to the floor. As she came into the end of the car, a young man greeted her. They evidently had traveled home on the same train. “Hello. Where’s your companion?” he asked. “She’s still at home. Lucky kid. Doesn’t have to go back to work yet. Ho—hum. Wonder when this gallop- ing goose will start moving. Mind if I sit down here?” “Not at all.” “Let’s see, you’re from Minneapolis, aren’t you?” “No, I’m from Decorah, Iowa.” “Isn’t there a college there—what’s the name of it again?” “Luther College.” “Do you go to school there?” “No.” Awkward silence. The lady yawned. “I wouldn’t be traveling on New Year’s Day if I didn’t have to. This is too early in the morning when you’ve been to a dance. They had one here last night. Hall was jammed full. I didn’t know half the kids. Some got tight. Oh, they were a scream. I didn’t though. All I had was a little port. Makes yuh feel good. I got to bed early, just the same. Two o’clock.” » “Where do you work?” “I teach thirty miles south of Mankato. Home Ec. Say, probably we take the same bus. You go near Fair- mont on the way to Decorah, don’t you ?" > “Yes. The 10:15.” “Sure, that’s the same one. Be nice to have some company that far. Traveling can sure be tiresome other- [Dial] 7 Show less
