Letters of Harry James Smith

ointing you ? so superficial and selfish; but there's a musical and pathetic value in his poems that makes you feel them truly. I wonder how much of this is due to the Scotch and how much is real inside worth that would bear an English dress. . . . The fellows are wanting me to take the leadership of the Senior Bible Class for next year and I am trying to decide just now what is right in the matter. I wish that I could talk it over with you, but as the election comes next Sunday I don't see how I can arrange it. I guess, though, that I shall make up my mind to do it. Rowland, who has just been elected President of the Y.M.C.A., had the same questions about accepting that place that I have in regard to this; but I don't believe one makes a mistake in taking a leading place in religious affairs if he acknowledges frankly to those who choose him that he's not very much settled in his own beliefs and could n't define where he does stand. I think, though, that I am gradually going over to what you might call extreme liberalism. Certainly I look at almost every subject differently from what I did Freshman year. . . . The meeting for the election of the new " Lit." board comes Saturday and the meeting for the next matter in mind comes, I suppose, Wednesday, so by the time I next write you I shall either be chairman and a candidate for the Gargoyle or I shall be still plain H. J. S. '02, with plenty of pride left to keep up appearances and to make people think...