This is the fifth installment of an ongoing series investigating the Houghton Star archives.
If you would like to check out some old issues of the Star, they can be found in the periodicals stacks on the basement level of the Houghton Library. The full college archives, also located on the basement level, are open to the public from 1-4 p.m. every Friday afternoon.
Both articles included on this page were originally published forty years ago, in a March 1978 issue of the Houghton Star.
“Consistently inconsistent!”
“Who me?” “Oh, you mean those people.” “Who! not me?” “I go to prayer meeting, four Bible studies, and church three times on Sunday.” “I pray before each meal and I don’t hang around with those people.” “Who am I you say?” “Well, well, I’m…Who are you?”
Here at Houghton we have Christian outreach organizations, while we try to kick out the “freaks.” We have prayer before basketball games, while the players get technicals and the crowds boo the refs. We have great Christian fellowship, yet people are lonely, depressed, and dropping out. I sit here on a different side of the fence, yet, I find myself very much a part of the whole hojpoj. I guess I could communicate my feelings from a “Black perspective” but then again, I have been labeled not only “Black” but “rebellious,” one of the “undesirables.” “Cool?” and one of “those” people.
It saddens me to think that year after year students come and go feeling sorry for being here but afraid to leave. A myriad of time is spent in “approach-avoidance.” “I hate this place.” “Can’t wait till the weekend.” “Graduation is coming fast.” “I’m gonna miss this place and you people.”
Who are you? Where are we? Can you answer these questions for yourself? As I sat thinking about all the prejudice, piety, and inconsistency; the lack of preparation one leaves with to deal with the “real world;” the undeveloped relationships with people who need some love and understanding in this four-year experience, I looked again at myself and asked, who are you?
I am sure we all in some way or another can find something wrong with Houghton College. We can find loopholes. We can find inconsistency, but can we find ourselves and get in touch with who we are?
There is importance in who I am and who you are in light of our responsibility and relationship to an eternal God.
Look for a minute at Bible characters who knew the power of God and extended the potential in their life through a close loving relationship with the Father. Problems and circumstances were only a proving ground for the faith and closeness of their relationship.
Goliath fell, Pharoah let the people go, the blind saw, the lame walked and the grave lost its victory. Yet I hear that was for then, people are not like that now. So is it OK to label, complain, boo, draw technicals, and be prejudiced? Our actions and/or reactions have nothing to do with who we are here or wherever and “holiness” is a vague outdated term of the past.
A man from Nazareth named Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He also said “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” What is truth to you?
Sir, I’m in an Ohio prison. I’ve been in prison for two years. I have lost contact of family and so-called friends. Would you please help me find some friends?
Prison is a lonely place without someone to show any concern for you. The outside world doesn’t know the meaning of loneliness unless they too have been locked up.
The main man passes my cell; not even a letter indeed. I cry silent tears the world cannot see or feel. Would you please put my letter in your college newspaper or put it where someone could see it. Thank you for taking the time to print my letter.
Sincerely,
Mr. Alfred Sowell, 149-309
P.O. Box 45699
Lucasville, OH 45699
P.S. We are both in prison. Mr. Butler is my cellmate.
Mr. William Butler 145-621
P.O. Box 45699
Lucasville, OH 45699
P.S.S. When you write please put numbers on letters.
