We call the attention of the students to the first Vesper Service this afternoon in Appletion Chapel. There are no more attractive and inspiring services given in the University than these. But, although the Chapel is always filled and generally crowded, yet the proportion of college students is not as large as it should be. Harvard has given up the institution of compulsory chapel, not be living that the forcing of men to attend religious services is among the functions of a university. But the idea of college services was not abandoned. It was hoped that the students would attend the voluntary services in large numbers. These expectations, however, have not been realized. A large majority of the students never attend any services. This appalling state of affairs is one of the principal facts upon which outsiders base their judgment that Harvard men are non-religious. But, though this may seem to the casual observer the natural conclusion, we think that the true explanation of most of the absences from chapel is carelessness and unwillingness to sacrifice a few minutes. Many men have never taken the trouble to go inside the Chapel. It is not because they are atheists and devoid of all religious sentiment, but because they have a feeling that the Chapel must be a dull sort of a place.

Now, it is not our part to preach a sermon for religion, but we feel justified in saying that is but fair that such men should give the services a trial. They can not do better than begin with the Vespers this afternoon.