RECEPTION TO NEW STUDENTS.

The annual reception to new students took place last night in Sander Theatre. A number of invited guests were present, chiefly members of the Faculty and men prominent in the various College activities. Professor Wendell, as Chairman of the Reception Committee, presided, and introduced the five speakers. In a brief introductory speech he enumerated the organized lines of activity at Harvard, through which new members of the University can meet other men with similar tastes.

President Eliot, who spoke first, said in part: The men who have come here for the first time have joined a body of men, twenty thousand strong, some living, some dead, but all making themselves equally heard. Yet in joining the College, they incidentally become members of one of its smaller groups; in fact the group, in the choice of subjects, rather than the particular class joined, is largely to determine the kind of men with whom they become most intimate. By this principle of subdivision the large college is distinguished from the small college. President Garfield once remarked that the log with Mark Hopkins on one end and himself on the other was a good enough college for him. But the difficulty comes in the fact that there are not enough Mark Hopkinses to go round. Here, however, as many acquaintances with helpful members of the Faculty may be formed as in a small college. With care and caution, there may also be formed as many good, solid, life-long friendships.

The first duty of the student is to take proper care of his health. How to give prolonged intellectual training to the mind without harm to the body is a problem that colleges are still trying to solve. The training of the mind should become a steady effort. There also exists a third essential: the cultivation of the ideal, of love, of duty, and of personal service.

Speaking of the religious life, Dr. Peabody said that the young man, on coming here, is apt to be somewhat puzzled by the ways that are used to promote Christian work. Here, where all beliefs are represented, where religious expression is reserved, reticent and unemotional, he may not discover until later the strong under-current working for good. Religion indeed, is neither an obligation nor a duty, but the most solemn privilege of a mature man's life. This year, the new comer, if he accepts the privilege, may hear five distinguished men of five different denominations. They come to him not only as preachers but as wise, trustworthy friends, rewarded simply by the consciousness of their usefulness. He is here also at a time when the work of all the religious societies is for the first time united in the Phillips Brooks House. There is wanted only the applications of the new men's energy to the common good.

Professor Baker then spoke briefly on the literary activities of the College. He warned the new men, on the one hand, against impatience in writing and neglect of technique; and on the other hand, against feeling discouraged over temporary failure. His closing remarks dealt with the value of debating as a help to men desirous of forming intellectual friendships.

Professor Hollis addressed the meeting on the athletic life of the College. He spoke of the great advantages of regular exercise to mind and body. The incoming class, he said, should be mindful of its obligation to come out for the University teams, and to uphold pure athletics.

W. A. M. Burden '00, the last speaker, called attention to the advantage of starting out broadly, of getting interested in more than one branch of College life.

The meeting closed with the singing of "Fair Harvard," led by the Glee Club.