Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-02
@t#laal 4apets,
USIvERsIrY OF NoRTH CAROLINA,
Chapel Hill, Feb. 18th, 1859.

UNIvERsITY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Chapel Hill, Feb. 18th, 1859.
To the Editor Of The Spirit Of the Age;
The misconception and misrepresenta-
tons prevalent to some extent, in relation
to the organization of the Trustees and
Faculty Of the University, will probably
justify, if in your opinion, they do not i'm
peratively require, the publication Of the
following statement:
was appointed President Of the Uni
yersity at the annual meeting Of the Board
Of Trustees on lac 5th December, 1885. |
was not present, but gentleman who at
tended the meeting for the purpose Of pre-
senting the name of an Episcopal clergy
man Of high character and unusual attain
ments, informed me shortly afterwards,
that he declined doing so, on hearing Judge
Cameron express the opinion that while
the clergy ought to be freely represented
in the faculty, the head Of it should always
be ayman. That he would not vote for
a clergyman of any denomination for the
Presidency, or for any layman who resided
north Of Mason's and Dixon's line. The
nomination of the present incumbent, was
made by him and seconded by Judge
CASTOR.
When | entered upon the discharge of
my duties in January 1886, the Faculty
consisted Of Professors Mitchell, Phillips,
Hooper aud Burgeyiu, and Tutors McAIlis-
ter and Owen. The two first named were
Presbyterian clergymen, though neither
was a member Of the Presbyterian church
AT the date Of his appointment, and Prof
Phillips not clergyman until some years
afterwards. DIR. Hooper was Baptist
clergyman and Mr.. Burgevin Romanist /;
one Of the Tutors Presbyterian, the 9TH
er member of Methodist family. The
religious services in the Chapel on the Sab
bath, were conducted by Professors Mitch
ell and Dr. Hooper alternately, until the
latter removed to South Carolina, early in
February, 1888, to take charge OF the Fur
man Theological Institute, near Wins
borough. About the middle Of 1887, DIR
Hooper gave notice Of his intention to re
tire from his professorship az the close o
the year, and it became necessary to secure
the services of a suitable successor in th'
department Of Ancient Languages, and t
make proper provision for the maintenanc,
of religious worship. In the month of An
gust was able to congratulate the Trus
tees upon the acceptance by the Rev. Ed
ward Wadsworth, with the concurrence o
his Presiding Elder the Rev. Hezekiah G
Leigh, subject, nevertheless to the approva
of the Bishop, Of the appointment Of Chap
lain 10 the University.
The following correspondence exhibit
the causes which produced the failure c
this scheme and the ultimate adoption c
different plan:
"UNrvGsrry or NoRru CAROLINA, !
Chapel Hill, Jan. 9th, 1888.
DGAn SIR The Trustees of this Inst
tuition have determined to establish Chap
laiucv, very similar in its character to thu
instituted some years since by the Unive
sity Of Virgiuia viz that the chaplai
shall be appointed annually, aud that h
shall be taken alternately from the for
leading grcIigious denominations Of the Stat
the Methodists, Episcopalians, Baptists an
PresbyteIiaus.
1t has been made my duty to obtain,
practicable, the concurrence of these Sc
eral denominations of christians in this q
rangement, and it affords me much plea
ure to state, that thus far the propositic
has been most favorably received.
In the month Of August last, and We
shortly after the determination of the Tru
tees upon this subject was announced, Il
Faculty agreed to tender the situation,
the Rev. Mr.. Wadsworth of your churC
His engagements in Raleigh, precluded
ammcdiate acceptance of the office, and
was therefore declined Mr.. W., advis
zoe nevertheless, that he would be will
to accept the office and enter upon the
ties Of it early in the present year. pro
ded yoar sanction coald be obtained, a
tha, the Presiding Elder Of his Distri
the Rev Mr.. Leigh, entertained the op
ion that it would not be refused.
Upon this assurance the Faculty decic
that the Chaplaincy would remain vaca
until your determination with respect t,
could be ascertaincd. In the month
September addressed communication
you at Cincinnati, upon this subject wh
preSurle did not reach YOU, as no re
has been received.
Myprescut object ia to secure the cour
nance and aid Of your church in the pl
ecutiou Of our purpose, and TO this end
request that Mr.. Wadsworth may be
toned, during the present year, in this
lage, in which event, am AUTHORISED
guarantee o competent provision for
support 1t is perhaps proper, that she
state as IN additional reason in favor of
adoption of this measure, that the Me-
dists are the most numerous denomina
81 christians in the village and the im
diate neighborhood.
! am Sir, very respectfully,
IoU1 obedient servant,
A . 4