Who needs an Eldritch Horror when The College is run by a Cult
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The literary theme of Dark Academia + Horror was a recent topic of conversation in one of my social circles. Imagine a college with an eldritch horror lurking below and students who mysteriously disappear. I very nearly pointed out that you don’t need an eldritch horror to make students disappear, you need people with Devotion to a Cause, and I went to that college, only it was more cozy English village than hallowed halls of (Dark) Academia. I think Principia would be a logical location to set a horror story, and you could likely pick most any decade of the school’s 100+ years. As the reaping the sowing, and all that.
I attended Principia College, which sits on the bluffs, above the Mississippi River, in Elsah, Illinois. It was founded in 1912 by Mary Kimball Morgan with the purpose of “serving the Cause of Christian Science.” Morgan wrote in her book, Education at the Principia that, “Although the College is not affiliated with the Christian Science Church, the practice of Christian Science is the cornerstone of campus life.” (wikipedia)
What does this mean? It means that, per the now removed 2012-2013 catalogue that I referenced when I wrote the post Right Use of Temporary Means (this may have been updated, but it is similar to the restrictions I attended Principia) on p. 18, that “I” (in this case “I” is the student attending)
… understand the Principia community is here to help me as my expression of dominion expands. I am expected to strive for this dominion, and the members of this community will hold me accountable to my best, spiritual selfhood. This being the case, I understand there are some behaviors that could be grounds for discipline. Behaviors not in line with demonstrating spiritual dominion are: acts of hatred or bullying, sensual activity (including pre-marital or extra-marital sex, whether heterosexual or homosexual), dishonesty, and the use of material substances such as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and medicine. Discipline could lead to a situation in which I am asked to leave campus. (emphasis mine)
Unpacking the use of “dominion” could be a post all it’s own, and may be one at a later date, to say nothing of the sensual activity. I digress. Page 19 follows with the policy of Spiritual Reliance… which leads to radical reliance and often deadly results.
Spiritual Reliance
“Members of the faculty, staff, and student body are expected to rely on Christian Science for healing” (Education at The Principia: Policy number 4). In certain circumstances, temporary use of doctor-prescribed medicine is compassionately regarded (see Science and Health, page 444:7-10). Under such circumstances, the college will try to find a way to help a student complete as much of the current term’s academic work as possible, although remaining at Cox Cottage may not be an option. Students may contact their resident counselors to discuss options. Students who rely on medicine beyond one term will be asked to temporarily withdraw until such usage is discontinued. A withdrawal is not a suspension and does not negatively affect the student’s record.
For what it’s worth, Jesus wouldn’t be eligible to attend Prin either.
Former-Christian Scientist, and author, Linda Kramer, has already argued that Christian Science is a cult. I agree, and cults often feature in the horror genre, making a college founded to serve a cult’s mission a prime setting.
The location of Principia College could be considered “rural” at best. As of the 2020 census, the Village of Elsah boasts a population of just under 520 people, and the wikipedia page is mostly information from the census. Principia College is up a winding road from the village, and unless you have a car, or a friend with a car, you’re pretty much stuck on campus. Good news, the campus is quite walk-able, just be careful on the bluffs, there was a death.
If the main campus is not remote enough, there is Eliestoun house, which is even further removed. It is a home of questionable tales, including one told by a fellow former-student whose mother had been “banished” there for a quarter for openly disagreeing with the “wrong” person. There was not enough to disappear her entirely, but sending banishing her to Eliestoun was good enough.
During my time at Prin College, there was no cell coverage on campus, except for the edge of the bluffs. Rooms had individual phone lines that could be used to call others on-campus, off campus calling was possible as well. On at least one occasion during my four year experience, the phones simply stopped working, no dial tone, no nothing. Internet access was also limited and not always reliable. I suppose one could send smoke signals, but really, who would notice? I have been assured that the campus now does have “reliable cell service,” but having been through my share of mostly natural disasters, I know just how easily it can disappear.
So we have a small college in rural Illinois, set up to advance the agenda of a cult, with heavy emphasis on spiritual healing, what could possibly go wrong?
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