LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 108, 8 May 1913, Page 2

LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB

At the fourth meeting of the V.M.C.A. Literary and Debating Club Mr. W. M. Ponder delivered a paper on "Some Conflicting Ideals in Life." Mr. R. Brown presided. The essayist contended that it was better to strive after good than to rail at the ill, and he carefully contrasted pessimistic and optimistic ideals. He dealt with ideals of character which, he stated, were infinitely religious and he also dealt with the ideals of Courage, determination, ambition and the Epicurean ideal of getting the most enjoyment' possible out of life, which, in his opinion, was very prevalent at the present time. The ideal of young people should be to succeed in business or learning, and the great secret of success was work. The essayist dealt at length with social ideals, and concluded by declaring that the men who stood highest in the world were those who had effected some social reform, raised the standard of living, and left the world better than they had found it. A discussion followed, no fewer than 15 members taking part. Some of the essayist's contentions were challenged, I but all agreed that the paper was an i excellent one. A vote of thanks to Mr. Ponder concluded the evening. Next week three short papers, entitled respectively "Lloyd George," i "Milton's Unorthodoxies," and "Real Success," are to be given by members of the club. , , —^_