Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-04-13
UTILITY OF COLLEGES.

OF an argument iot CoIeSes, c"oooo"
in the form Of an inaugural address by
Br~JAMIN Hale, ID. ID. President Of
Geneva College; and tho time devoted
to it has been well employed, on the
score of pleasure as well as. of instrnc-
tion. We quote the following passages,
on the utility Of colleges, with the most
unqualified appreciation of their correct
ness and applicnbility.-[.N Y Com.
.4dr.
"We are trying the experiment, which
a large scale, Of throwing the govern
ment into the hands of the people, aud
we are daring its utmost hazards, by
calling upon them to give their opinion,
not only mediutely, through their repre-
sentatves, but directly and to their rep
esentatives, upon all the most difficult
subjects Of finance, and the abstrusest
points Of constitutional law. What hope
can there be Of success if our population
is not educated Justly and as extensively
as the nature Of things will permit? DO
we not need all that colleges and schools
can do, to train our citizens to the high
est intelligence and the soundest cxer-
else of reason' The majority must al
ways he content with limited education;
but while all are taught the more neces-
sary rudimcnis of learning, must there
not be thoroughly educated men so fire.
quent, so diffuscd through and mingled
with the community, that their attain
ments shall be available to all, and that,
by the intercourse of society and the
commerce Of life, the knowledge they
have acquired and the habits of exact
reasoning they may have formed, may
be so worked into the mass Of thought,
as to elevate it, and to supply materials
and starting points, and principles, from
which minds active and vigorous, but un-
taught, may work safe conclusions!
L "Intercourse with men of abundant
knowledge, gives rise to knowledge
with men of enlarged views, produces
enlargement. The attainments OF mar
of real learning and well-balanced mind
no mixes freely with the world, canno
fail To be valuable to the community II
which he lives. And ] must be permit
ted to add, it is much more to the beneh
of all, that some should be thoroughly
and with great care, educated, with
! whom the rest, wcll-grounded in the
: most useful elements Of knowledge, may
I have free intercourse, than for all to be,
as some would have them, halftaught in
every thing, and well taught in nothing
/ Nothing, then, can be more republican
! in tendency, or promote more directly
! the advancement of our country than IN
stiulons Of learning and of these none,
I am persuaded, are more entirely IN ac-
corGance with our free institutions or aid
more eflectna!!y the progress OF improve
mcnt, than colleges.
! "In our colleges, under the existing
arrane ements the rich and the poor NEE
together. Tho rich can command NJ
=, better means OF educ ating their sons,an'
they are equally free to the sons of TIT
poor. The enlightened liberalitv oi stai'
legislatures, and of private citizens has
in many instances so far endowed them
that they are able to offer their advanta
f yes TO all mt moderate charges and !
has been the effort of trustees, and OF col
lppc faculties, to make such arrangements
for the reduction of the necessary per-
sonal expenses, that n college education
is now within the reach of any one, who
,hirsts for knowledge, and has energy
enough to make the effort to obtain 1t.
! "And no where, even in our free coun,
try, ! will venture to affirm, do rich and
poor meet together on terms so perfectly
equal, as in colleges. No where are
the artificial distinctions of society so ut
tie felt. No where do young men &"
different conditions in life, come so dl
rectly into collision, and measure strength
so iairly. The contest is for ntelle ctua
rank, and il is on equal terms.
"Among the members Of college FAC
ullics, so far as my acquaintance extends
f no preference is given to the favored "
b., fortune among their Pupils-"nd those
/ who avail themselves OF every assistance
: offered by the benevolent, and prac,ice
a rig id economy, do not find themselves
treated with any less respect. College
officers have in too many instances, ,ra's-
cd themselves To consideration by similar
efforts. 10 look otherwise than kindly up
, on those who are willing to submit tt
priyation in their zeal for knowledge. -
And they too frequently sec the young
man whose own engcrncss for learning
has brought him to college, in spite o
poverty, outstripping the richer, to fee
any official respect for mere superiorlt,
of wealth. Nay, it is so much case
and more delightful tn teach those, wh'
are willing and eager to learn, than 9th
ers-ihat ncne are so welcome, ms those
: whatever their circumstances, who are
;u,,,ileJ hy , love oc study and nte ben