New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-02
COLLEGIATE AND THEOLOGICAL EDU-
CATION AT THE WEST

The eleventh anniversary of The Society for the Pro-
motion OF Collegiate and theological Education at
the West is held this week at Poughkeepsis. The an
nuL discourse was delivered on Sunday evening by
the Rev. A. u. EDDY, DID,, Of Newark, N. j. Tho
annual meeting of the Board of Directors commenced
on Tuesday afternoon, and the public anniversary
exercises were held last evening.
This Society, from its establishment in 1913, has
steadily proved itself be of the most beneficial
in the United States Although its funds
are received mainly from Congregational and New
School Presbyterian churches, its hberaty OF action
has shown that ii Is not influenced by sectaan mo-
tives Its object Is fully expressed by its corporate
name The history of its origin is thus briefly stated;
During the prosperous period immediately preceding
the revulson of 1897 there was remarkable interest
in all projects connected with the Western States,
and among these extensive educational enterprises
were conspicuous. 1t seemed Is II the East IN the
outpourpg penitude of its hbeality, was ready to
undertake he founding of any institutions for which
"sectsran or local interests, or cupdity specializing
on benevo lence, or the uppermost whimsey OF the
a." hour could devise plausible plea" When general
bankruptcy succeeded, many of these colleges and
seminaries were overwhelmed by the sudden and dis
astro1s reverses. They could not collect their old
subscriptions nor obtain ones and were equally
seemed necessary to abandon these institutions, an
unexpected relief was afforded by the organization
of this Society In June, lsis, q Convention of
Western Churches was held at Cincinnati, and the
condition Of these reminares was one principal topic
of IFS consideration. Subsequent discussion OF the
subject in private circles and at meetings OF religious
Associations led to meeting in March, lsis, OF deie-
gates from Illinois, Wabash and Marietta Colleges
and Lane theological Seminary who unanimously
concluded that an Association should be formed to
promote their mutual interests. On May 10, follow
ing the Presidents of these institutions me. In New
York and concurrediD this plan DR.. Lyman Beccher,
the President of Lane Seminary with Others then ad-
dressed various public ecclesisstcal bodies In the
Eastern States and the result was that on the 3oth
June IsI3 delegates met in this City and organized
the presen Society The Directors held their st meet
ing on the 2jth September ensuing, andresolved to a.
sist each Of the institutions already MENTIONED and
Western Reserve College. with It's Theological De-
partment but confined this aid to meeting OF defcieo-
ces in the annual expenses Of the several colleges each
Of which should provide for Its own debts. Their ag
gregae Indebtedness over 800, ooo and their com
bned valuation was estimated at about sfoo,ooo.
Before the close Of It's first year, Sept. IS, ls4,
the Society raised Ell, 900 which was encouraging
beyond all expectation, and zach college had made
vigorous and successful efforts in paying part Of It's
debts These favorable results decided tho useful
ness and permanenee of the Society. At the end Of
the second year, the Society had paid 900 on
current expenses and the colleges had hquidsted
more than an equal amount of their liabilities. In
succeeding years and up to the present time aid has
been afforded to six other colleges, viz: Knox, Wit
tenberg, Belot Iowa, the German Seminary near
Tenure Usage, Mo-, and Tualatin College, Oregon.
During the single year Of 1919, over 10000 were
raised for seven Of these institutions in the Western
States alone. Several of them were favored with
special subscriptions In particular eastern Churches
among the largest Of which were that OF $4,000
from Plymouth Church III. W. Beecher's), Brooklyn,
for Wabash College, and that Of s77io for Western
Reserve College subscribed in the Church Of the
Pilgrims the Rev. s. Storrs, Jr pastor, In the same
city. in ls4s, the college at Beloit, Wis, received
sl2 900 from the citizens Of that place; $40 900 lin
land from the Hon. 7. w. Williams of New-Loudon,
Conn and 81 900 ,aso in land from the Rev. Henry
Barber of Dutchess County, N. Y. In is4s, West
ern Reserve College became able TO support itself,
and in 1850 Lane Seminary took the same position.
A comparatively small subscription would nov bring
Marietta and Witenberg Colleges to similar point,
making four institutions placed beyond the need Of
aid.
The aggregate results, therefore, Of this Society
are highly gratifying. The total Of ts ordinary col
econs from the Eastern States since its organizes alton
amounts to some si7o 900; and the special contribu
tons for endowment Of particular colleges has been
over CSC, 900, making its combined receipts not les
than $3.50 00o still larger amount has been rssed
at the West BY these united exetions, eleven very
important institutions Of learning have been brought
from state of feebleness and despair into ina"
vigorous and permanent existence. Beyond fnn ha,
maicd expression Of the absolute achievement. ~
this Society, one can better conceive than de'cnoe
the benefeence Of its operations.
For wear or more, IT has been propoeeo " ani'o
~, So, 18th the American Education Society
"a ~. ,or. gill be fully discussed ct me present
-. III. nro;ect has probably resulted from the
.;,~nar,v ~ their interests, and from t partial busi-
mes. connection for four or hve years ~sn tne Cen
"a Western Education Societies, which are chiefly
devoted 70 aiding theological studeos
The receipts for the past year have not e1cesded
,hose ofIs53 The Presidency has been held since oce
1sIs by Hon. j. C. Hornslo wer, LII d., oil New
- " / and the Office of Corresponding Secretary
nv the Rev Theron Baldwin from ts organic son BE-
,de the usual reports and addresses, II has issued
var;ous publications Of high merit, such
"a DR. Todd pamphlet entitled Colleges Essential
90 10 the church Of God Prof Porer's plea for La
81 brar;es and his premium Essay on The Eduesson-
Al sy.,enl Of the Purtans compared with that OF
" the Jesuits:" Prof Park address '0n the Uhldy%
Collegiate and Professional Schools" ETC. The PREF
en-: number Of life members leach constituted oy aD'
nation Of ESQ., IL over 500. At this meeting spp"'
tops fcr aJ 70 TWO more colleges will be cons3sf-.