And there are the buildings whose beauty likewise exerts a subtle spiritual influence and acts as a stimulant14 to the development of the cadet’s ?sthetic tastes. His Barracks, his Recitation Halls, his Riding Academy, his Gymnasium, his Mess Hall, and especially his Chapel15, built as they all are from the natural rock of West Point’s hills, seem to grow right out of their surroundings as if God planted them there as a part of His natural design. Their presence is ever a reminder16 to the cadet that he has consecrated17 his life to an ideal, for on their exteriors18 are carved in conspicuous19 places the shields of his Alma Mater and of his country, bearing their motto of duty and honor. The walls of the interiors are hung with the portraits of famous sons of the Academy, whose devotion to their country and to an ideal serves as an inspiration to the cadet and makes him sensible to the value of moral qualities.
Hovering20 over both the grounds and the buildings 293 is the influence of the flag. As a cadet sees it floating from its tall white staff, somehow it has come to have a different meaning from the days when he was a care-free civilian21. It seems to him to possess a personality of which he never before was aware. He feels for it a real reverence22, because he is conscious of being in the presence of something big, as if beholding24 the whole power of a nation. He sees in it the emblem25 of the country’s sovereignty and the symbol to which he has pledged his life’s service. Mingled26 with his feeling of reverence is his personal affection. Day after day he has watched it silhouetted27 against the sky and has felt the thrill of patriotism28, when it was being lowered at retreat to the accompaniment of The Star Spangled Banner.
It is not to the beauty of Nature and to the flag alone that the cadet must turn for his spiritual refreshment29. The Chaplain, a man with a fine grip upon the Corps30, gathers together in classes those cadets who desire to come, and explains to them the word of God. His Bible classes today are a continuation of the famous classes that were held at West Point for so many years by Miss Anna Warner. During the summer encampment, she taught her boys in the old chapel after the morning services, where for one hour the cadets received from her sainted lips an interpretation31 of the Scriptures32, and were elevated by contact with her noble character. I can see her before me now, her quaint33 silk dress, her small delicate 294 body, her ethereal face framed in the neatest and whitest of curls that peeped from out of her charming poke34 bonnet35. Her whole presence radiated goodness and spirituality. Prior to the dismissal of the class she would regularly present to each cadet a fragrant36 little bouquet37 of flowers that she had that morning gathered from her modest garden, and arranged into the daintiest of nosegays. These few flowers were simple, like the donor38, but they brought into the life of the recipient39 a spiritual perfume that awakened40 his memories and took him back home to rose-scented gardens and neat graveled paths where another sainted woman was praying for the welfare of his soul. So he took the little nosegay back to camp with him and put it carefully in his tumblerful of water alongside of his tent, as a reminder of what he should be, and as a check on ignoble41 impulses. Here and there in his own company streets, he would see his comrades’ bouquets42, little dashes of color, the red of the petunia43, the blue of the cornflower, the yellow of the marigold, and as they caught his eye they seemed to be a part of Miss Warner still exerting her inspiring influence.
It is regrettable that the cadets of the future will never have the good fortune to know her, for last year (1916) she passed to her reward after ninety years in the service of God. Although it is rare that anyone outside the Academy is buried in the cemetery44 at West Point, her body was laid to rest there, near the bluff45 that overlooks the Hudson 295 and in sight of her home on Constitution Island across the river, that a short time before her death she generously gave to the Government. To the Corps of Cadets that she loved, she willed a magnificent original portrait of Washington by Gilbert Stuart, that now hangs in the library.
Her Bible class still goes on. Every Sunday when the weather is fair the Chaplain takes the cadets over to Constitution Island, where, under the trees that Miss Warner loved so well, he continues her work. If Miss Warner sees her “boys” studying the word of God in the shadow of the old Revolutionary House, hallowed by her presence, what pleasure she must feel!
If, however, neither the beauties of Nature nor the interest of the Bible class appeal to the cadet, he cannot help having his spiritual self stirred by the impressive service at the Cadet Chapel. All cadets are required to attend divine service. The large majority go to the Cadet Chapel because it is for all denominations46, the building never having been consecrated to any particular faith, but about ten per cent. of the cadets attend service at the Catholic Chapel.
The service at the Cadet Chapel is so impressive and interesting that the majority of the cadets look forward with pleasure to Sunday morning. I suppose that all former cadets will smile upon reading this statement, when they remember the reluctance47 with which they donned their dress coats and belts for the weekly service, at which 296 they had difficulty in keeping awake while the lessons and sermon were being read. But times have changed since then, due principally to the atmosphere of the new Chapel and the music of its splendid organ. Sir Roger de Coverly would rejoice to behold23 so model a congregation and to hear such excellent singing.
The interior of the Chapel is worthy48 of its beautiful service. “Storied windows richly dight” rise majestically49 to the high Gothic roof and throw upon the gray walls a myriad50 of delicate lights, pale blues51 and pinks, saffrons, and deep purples. Two parallel rows of silk flags, the scarlet52 of the artillery53, the somber54 blue of the infantry55, and the gold of the cavalry56, hang from the long covered galleries on either side of the nave57. The deep rich shades of the magnificent memorial window shroud58 the chancel in a “dim religious light.” Nor is the service lacking in military pomp. Company after company of gray-clad cadets, their brass59 buttons shining, file briskly into the Chapel. The tramping of hundreds of pairs of feet up the aisle60 and the rattling61 of their buttons against the pews as they take their seats reverberate62 through the vast hall. The officers, in their uniforms, and their families assemble in the seats along the sides.
The first note from the organ announces the commencement of the service. The choir63 of over a hundred voices, singing the processional hymn64, walk two by two in slow and solemn order up the 297 aisle to their places in the stalls. A wave of music sweeps through the church as the procession moves forward. Last of all comes the Chaplain, immaculate in fresh linen65 surplice, and conspicuous by his distinguished66 bearing.
The service proceeds. The Chaplain advances to the reading desk and reads the lessons for the day. Inspiring hymns67 are then sung, followed by an eloquent68 sermon upon subjects that touch the daily lives of the cadets. Once again the celebrated69 organ peals70 forth71, and during the offertory casts with its music a spell over the devout72 congregation. Two stalwart cadet officers then march quickly up the aisle to the chancel where awaits the Chaplain to receive the offerings. The organ’s music fills the church anew and the hall resounds73 to hundreds of strong voices singing “Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” followed immediately by the patriotic74 hymn,
My Country ’tis of thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty,
Of thee I sing—
Land where our Fathers died,
Land of the Pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring!
The Chaplain standing75 upon the steps of the altar pronounces the solemn benediction76, which is scarcely concluded when the choir begins to sing the “Amen” to the accompaniment of Holy 298 Grail motif77 from Parsifal. Faintly at first the singing arises from the stalls, then stronger and stronger, then diminishing in volume until it dies away with a final “Amen.”
Besides the service at the Chapel there is another service held on Sundays. It is the Y. M. C. A., a purely78 religious body among the cadets and not as in the cities a sort of club house where a swimming pool, assembly rooms, and gymnasium are the main attractions. These advantages are already a part of West Point’s equipment. The Y. M. C. A. at the Academy meets every Sunday evening after supper in a hall over one of the sally-ports, and here after a few prayers, a speaker makes a short address. On week days the hall is frequented by cadets only to read the papers or to play the victrola, and in Lent the Chaplain holds afternoon services. Formerly79 the Chaplain held these prayers immediately after breakfast, but once a cadet captain, wishing to remind the cadets that the services would take place immediately after the dismissal of the Battalion80, mixed up his verbs and announced very emphatically “cadets are cautioned about the ten-minute service in the Y. M. C. A.”! The Sunday service, however, is the reason for the existence of the organization. The prayers are not long and the addresses sometimes most interesting, especially when they relate to the work that the cadet will have to do as an officer. The meetings are usually terminated when the bugler81 blows the evening call to quarters 299 in the sally-port under the hall. Of all the sounds at West Point, Sunday evening “call to quarters” is the most doleful and depressing. It means that after the break of Saturday and Sunday, the cadet must once more turn to his books and dig out the problems for Monday. When he hears its melancholy82, long-drawn-out notes, he has the Sunday evening feeling, which is only a degree more cheerful than the blue Monday feeling, and he reluctantly goes back to his room to begin anew the weekly cycle.
The cadet is really never quite free from the spiritual influences of the Academy. Nature, his Chapel, traditions, precept83, and example so arouse and sharpen his insight into things and into himself that his day gradually assumes a new background. These are the influences that, when he is an officer, draw him back to his Alma Mater and make him speak of it always with undisguised affection.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
restrictions
|
|
| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
athletic
|
|
| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
extravagantly
|
|
| adv.挥霍无度地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
warped
|
|
| adj.反常的；乖戾的；（变）弯曲的；变形的v.弄弯，变歪( warp的过去式和过去分词 )；使（行为等）不合情理，使乖戾， | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
annoyances
|
|
| n.恼怒( annoyance的名词复数 )；烦恼；打扰；使人烦恼的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
cramped
|
|
| a.狭窄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
panorama
|
|
| n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
innate
|
|
| adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
soothes
|
|
| v.安慰( soothe的第三人称单数 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
awaken
|
|
| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
stimulant
|
|
| n.刺激物，兴奋剂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
chapel
|
|
| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
reminder
|
|
| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
consecrated
|
|
| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
exteriors
|
|
| n.外面( exterior的名词复数 )；外貌；户外景色图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
conspicuous
|
|
| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
hovering
|
|
| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
civilian
|
|
| adj.平民的，民用的，民众的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
beholding
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
emblem
|
|
| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
silhouetted
|
|
| 显出轮廓的，显示影像的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
patriotism
|
|
| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
refreshment
|
|
| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
corps
|
|
| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
interpretation
|
|
| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
scriptures
|
|
| 经文，圣典( scripture的名词复数 )； 经典 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
poke
|
|
| n.刺，戳，袋；vt.拨开，刺，戳；vi.戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
bonnet
|
|
| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
fragrant
|
|
| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
bouquet
|
|
| n.花束，酒香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
donor
|
|
| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
recipient
|
|
| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
ignoble
|
|
| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
bouquets
|
|
| n.花束( bouquet的名词复数 )；（酒的）芳香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
petunia
|
|
| n.矮牵牛花 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
cemetery
|
|
| n.坟墓，墓地，坟场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
bluff
|
|
| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
denominations
|
|
| n.宗派( denomination的名词复数 )；教派；面额；名称 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
reluctance
|
|
| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
majestically
|
|
| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
myriad
|
|
| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
blues
|
|
| n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
artillery
|
|
| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
somber
|
|
| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
infantry
|
|
| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
cavalry
|
|
| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
nave
|
|
| n.教堂的中部；本堂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
shroud
|
|
| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
aisle
|
|
| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
rattling
|
|
| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
reverberate
|
|
| v.使回响，使反响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
choir
|
|
| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
hymn
|
|
| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
linen
|
|
| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
hymns
|
|
| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
eloquent
|
|
| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
celebrated
|
|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
peals
|
|
| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
devout
|
|
| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
resounds
|
|
| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的第三人称单数 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
patriotic
|
|
| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
benediction
|
|
| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
motif
|
|
| n.(图案的)基本花纹，(衣服的)花边；主题 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
purely
|
|
| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
battalion
|
|
| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
bugler
|
|
| 喇叭手； 号兵； 吹鼓手； 司号员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
precept
|
|
| n.戒律；格言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |