This is an excerpt from the first edition of the Scholium, which was published in 1888. It describes the mission of the Scholium.
For the first time, the boys of the Episcopal Academy have a paper devoted to their especial interest. It remains to be seen whether they will appreciate its advantage, and whether they deserve one. We are confident that they do. We shall endeavor to make the Scholium of such general interest, that its circulation will spread beyond the Academy. We expect to present to our readers an accurate account of what is going on in the Academy, and in other schools of the city. From time to time original articles on topics of timely interest will appear. As our subscription list increases, we expect to enlarge the paper. The price has been placed as low as possible, in order to place the paper within the reach of all. We ask the boys of the Academy not only to subscribe themselves, but to get as many of their friends to do as they can. We appeal to all friends of the Academy, and especially to her former pupils, to encourage the editors by a prompt remittance of their subscriptions.
The Scholium desires to be placed on the exchange list of every school and college paper. Publishers will please send copy to D. H. Miller, 1309 Pine street, Philadelphia, and will return the favor.
We wish the pupils of the Academy to remember that this is their paper, and that one of its main objects is to bring them into closer contact with one another. Everyone, therefore, should feel himself under obligation, not only to subscribe, but also to send us contributions from time to time. Let no one think that the editors only are to contribute to the columns of the Scholium. It is their duty to see that the paper is issued regularly every month, but it is the duty of every one to see that it is filled with interesting matter, so that the Scholium may not be a disgrace, but an honor to our dear Alma Mater.
Do not shrink before this task, nor think it too heavy and great. We are confident of our ability to make the Scholium a great success, and – possumus, quia posse videmur.