The Swiss Cross Volume 1, No. 5 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 Excerpt: ...or pupils, persons of steady character and endurance, rather than those of vacillating and fitful disposition. Let property be acquired by the chapter as such. A library, a cabinet, a room, a building, all tend to stability. AgaiD, let there be such a system of enlisting desirable members from time to time, especially from the enter ing classes of schools and colleges, as shall render the chapter continually able to sustain the loss of any who may be obliged to withdraw. With regard to the third cause of loss, decreasing interest, the remedy is twofold. In the first place, by way of prevention, only such should be received into the society as give reasonable promise of perseverance. It is not usually those who are most easily roused to excited enthusiasm who make the most steadfast workers. Choose rather those who feel their need of knowledge, and are willing to work patiently and persistently 10 acquire it. Having then carefully organized, the utmost care should be taken to have the offices distributed with absolute fairness. Those who are most earnestly zealous for the prosperity of the work, commonly care least about the honors, but should be willing to accept them if offered. The next essential thing is to keep every member at work, not by compulsion, but by providing an abundance of congenial occupation, and by generously recognizing and applauding every faithful effort. It is also indispensable that every member be kept fully informed of the condition and progress of the Agassiz Association at large, and be led to take an active interest in its growth and prosperity. In the second place we must be prepared for inconstancy and defection, to a certain extent, in despite of our most conscientious efforts to maintain interest; and, when it comes, we must ...