Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-09-14
We find in the last number of the Western

We find in the last number of the Western
Chrisfian Adrocate the following appeal in be-
half of our University, an institution which
justly ranks first among the Colleges of the
West, and merits the generous support of all
friends of education
= THE ONO WESLEYAN USISEBsITY.-The
Ohio Wesleyan University. from small begin
nings, has rapidly risen to be one of the first
literary institutions in the country. 1t has
secured, as it has richly deserved, large cir
Gle af valuable friends throughout the patron
izinr conferences. Aud yet bat few compare
lively appreciate, as they ought, the value of
such an institution in tbrir midst. The hber-
al endowment os a sufficient number of first
grade colleges is one of the things indispen7a-
BILE to our permanency as religious denomi-
nation. God has given us the means to do it,.
and IL we fail Of our duty we shall reap the
reward of our want of enlightened Christian
enterprise and others will largely reap the
harvest whose seed has been sown by the hard
labor and toll of our fathers.
Such institutions should not be left to strug-
gle for bare existence, but they should be
enabled TO scatter their blessings far and
wide. When Christian Colleges cease TO ex-
ert controlling influence over the education
and the opinions of the masses. it will be a
sad day for religion. They will never educate
the masses; these must look to the common
schools of the country and it is right that
they should but the common schools will
rise or fall in the scale of usefulness and fit.
ness, just in proportion as our college rise and
fall The colleges must supply the schools OF
lower grade with teachers and textbooks
while these schools in turn supply the colleges
with students The two items-teachers and
textbooks control the subject of education.
The colleges under the patronage of our own
Church, are now doing a reasonable stare in
furnishing teachers for schools OF lower grade,
and beginning to be felt in their capacity to
furnish textbooks. But so scanty has been
the support hitherto afforded to our literary
institutions that those engaged in instruction
have not been able TO take that part in pre-
pairing textbooks to which they are entitled.
This may seem TO some small matter, but it
viii not be SO regarded by those who have
given proper attention to the subject. aiore-
over, there are grave questions, in which there
is struggle for precedence between Christ
ianity and iufidelity which viii be, to u great
extent, settled by the literary institutions Of
this and other countries, Christianity is IA
vorable to a nrofounder investigation of all
subjects than infide:ity is able to make and
it is due TO ali Christian colleges TO be pnt in
possession of the means to show that the
truths of science proceed from the same Au-
thor aud .rn In ,,a,.fcct harmony
The Ohio Wesleyan University is rapidly
rising to be power whose influence for good
is beyond all human estimation.
1t, however, needs additional buildings, cs-
peciaIly commodious chapel. It's permanent
fund should also be increased, and a small
debt has to be iiquidated. The Trustees, at
their late meeting. after mature delibcraiion,
determined to make az earnest effort to raise
from hundred 10 a hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars for these purposes. The plan for
raising the amount adopted by the Trustees,
requires the approval of the patronizinS con-
ferences, and if approved by them will, we
think, prove eminently efficient. Its success
undoubtedly is of the highest moment to the
University 1t has reached point in its his
tory when additional funds arc impcratively
required, ana must utiuluSucu VI It's Pt'o
pcrity be checked, if not reversed. 1t Is just
here the great practical error in the manage
ment of our literary Institutions has occurred.
They have "run we'll for a season." But the
novelty of the enterprise past, or some new
one undertaken, they have too often been left
to struggle, as hest they might, with debts. linz
tied facilities for instruction, and rival instr
tutions. No wonder many have died, and that
Others are nigh unto death. This policy must
inevitably prove fatal so long as continued.
Our higher institutions of learning must be
liberally endowed, and the true policy of the
Church undoubtedly is not to multiply them
unduly, but rather to concentrate its action
on few, giving to these all the required ia
cilities for a complete and thorough training
in all the departments OF liberal education.
We bespcak for this movement in behalf of
the Ohio. Wesleyan University united and
hearty cooperation on the part of its friends.
Let the plan be accepted by the conferences,
and proper appeal be made, and we can not
doubt that such a response will be made as
less greatly contribute to the permanent sue
cess of the institution.
We would suggest that all our colleges
avail themselves of the hint thrown out by
tbs Trustees of the Ohio Wesleyan University
and make the centenary Of American Method
ism the occasion of placing these literary in
situations on permanent basis. This would
be something worthy of the occasion and OF
the Church. We may have more to say here
after. ~s:s4--.-
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