Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-12-03

annual offering was adopted by the Trus-
tees at the meeting OF last year, and soon
after commended to you by the ten Bish-
ops, (who are ex-officio Trusteesl, in q
Pastoral Letter. For various reasons but
few Parishes responded, and very little was
gwen: The hope is earnestly cherished
that this may not be the case again.
brief statement of the condition, wants
and claims of the University" must suffice
for our present purpose. The Junior De-
partment was opened in September, 1868.
The close of the first year found the num-
Der OF students, (nearly one huadred), too
large for the accommodations provided.
In view of the state of things-a measure
Of success almost unexampled in any SINH
lar undertaking-the Board, at its late
meeting, appointed special agent, the
Rev. .. z. Thackara of Florida, to raise,
by personal effort in our Parishes, at least
twenty-five thousand dollars for the erec-
tion Of additional boarding houses, and o
building for tho Grammar School, to be
ready. II possible. by the opening of tho
Lent Ierm IN February next Mr.. Thack-
ara has consented, though at much sacri-
flee, to undertake the work. uo is emi-
nontly fitted for it, and earnestly COM
mended to you in its prosecution. The
object CT his mission, however, is entirely
distinct from the annual University Offer
ing" which is to continue from year to
year, to assist in the gradual development
| Of this central educational School of the
| Church IN our midst. Through Mis, the
channel OF Our paroohiGl offerings in every
place, it Is designed to give all our people
all opportunity for systematic contribution
to an object which ought to be dear TO
| their hearts; and Ill this way, as we'll as by
information thus annually impaired, to
interest them tho more in its progress.
! self-supporting point has been reach
eG as to the salaries of the Professors
Beyond this the receipts from tuition can
scarcely be expected to go. To provide
for permanent College buildings, the ne
cessery apparatus in every department of
instruction, and the purchase Of books for
the Library, (now numbering over 1000
volumes,) funds must be raised from other
sources. Munifcent endowments and be-
quests by individuals will doubtless come
in the course of time to the aid of the
| "University." But upon these we can not
rely to meet the pressing necessities of its
early growth which have been mentioned.
1t IS rather to steady stream of cOntri-
button from the members and friends of
the Church throughout our borders that
we must look, and on this we hopefully
i
plan Of the "Advent Offering" was pro-
posed and adopted. Whether large or
small in any place, it will nevertheless
help to swell the general amount which is
now, and viii continue to be, SO much
needed. OF the original subscription OF
about four hundred thousand dollars, but
little wo fear, can now be collected. No
State endowment can come to our aid
Our brethren in other portions of the land
have their own Church work to encourage
and support. We must therefore Of ne
cessity rely to Il great extent upon our
selves. And as We ought to do this, so we
believe with the rapidly returning pros
perity Of our people, their common Obli-
cation in this important behalf will be
met in annually increasing measure.
The general plan Of tho University as
embodied in the Constitution and Statutes,
was intended to combine the best features
of those great Schools of Learning in the
old world which have so long tlourished, as
we'll as of the best in our own county,
And in its religious aspect at least, as it is
developed with time and ample endow-
ments, it will doubtless mark O new era Ill
the history of American University educa-
ton. Though now in its infancy, the Fac
ulty is believed to be equal to that of any
other Institution Of corresponding age and
determined to reach the highest possible
standard of scholarship in teachers and pu-
pills alike. ANY existing defects growing
out of our limited means and the rapidity
with which the School has filled up, will be
remedied as speedily as possible. The
character of the Board of Trustees, COM
posed as it is of the Bishops, and of one
Clergyman and two Laymen, elected tri-
ennially by the Conventions Of the several
Dioceses, should inspire confidence, as fur
nishing every reasonable guaranty of etfi-
cienS oversight, and spirit of devotion to
| the advancement of the Church In It's in
tegrity and the best interests of theyoung,
Every facility possible, as our means
permit, will be extended to the sons of the
Clergy. They are now received at half
tho usual rates Of tuition, and much more
will be done for them hereafter. In the
Theological Department, as it is built up
in the future, will be found orc Of the
most important aids to the growth of the
Church in our widely extended field. But
we cannot dwell on these points at further
length. The cause of the "Universitv" is
the cause Of all the Dioceses interested in
the work. Of its importance to the Church
and the rising generation, too much cannot
be said. Catholic In spirit, comprehen-
| sivo IN scope, and elevated III it's aims, 1t
IS worthy OF inc CuufCl, QCb'5hCIl W AICGL
the highest educational wants Of our
people, and is one of the first necessities
of the times. It has survived state of
things which not only suspended all effort,
but seemed for time to threaten its ex
tinction. And now if our people, who are
or ought TO be most deeply interested in
it, have faith in themselves, in those to
whom the work is moro Immediately com
mitted, and in the blessing Of God upon
our efforts, final success, such as was at
first anticipated by the Fathers who led
the way, but are fallen asleep-Polk, and
Elliott, and Otey, and Cobbs, and Rut-
ledge-fnal success, such as they antici-
pated, will be placed beyond all peradven-
turo. It may not be seen to the full, and
will not in our day ; but our children and
our children's children will gather there in
the time to come to rejoice in the light
thereof, and bless the memories Of those
who laid its foundations.
The foresight which selected for tho
"University" the beautiful plateau of the
Cumberland range, will be appreciated
more and more as its unsurpassed advan-