New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-12
YALE'S NEW PRESIDENT.
INAUGURATION OF NOAH PORTER.

SOR.
NEw-H HAVEN, Oct. 1.-THE Inauguration OF
Prof Noah Porter President of Yale College brought
together very large number Of the graduates, giving
the town the appearance OF Commencement day. The
rain not welcome concOmitant OF tho exercises
part Of which suffered severely by It, The add sses Of
President wOosey and his successor were OF course
the events Of the day. and with the procession umina
ton and reception made up the principal parts OF the
programme.
ADDRESS OF EX-PRESIDENT WOOLSEY.
happy that give thanks to God for his blFss
ing upon this College, and upon the administration OF n
affairs during the last quarter OF century Never were
lite prospects and hopes brighter than at this present
moment. And rejoice that can commit the Office
which formally resign, into the hands OF one who
Is perfectly well acquainted with the affairs Of the Col
ege, who has been tested by official connection with
II OF years, who has honOred 1t by his writings, who
commands, as believe the respect and confidence Of
a-of the public, the trustees the graduates, and tho
faculties.
Toyou, Sir, according to formaity OF ancient date,
commit this charter and this seal; charter which
Us simplicity and hberaty has long provided enlght
ened and efficient the institution and
which, as hope and believe by the recent change
one OF its provisions, will efectuaIy pledge the
$500 living graduates to active its pros
perity; and seal, which has been affixed with
moderation 70 questionable degrees and which, augur'
will be the certificate Of true scholarship as well as
high scientific and literary reputation, hereafter.
GOVERNING POWER OF THE COLLEGE
In laying down my office do intend to set forth or
to defend the principles upon which I, together my
colleagues have endeavored to exercise the power
mted to by the corporation in instrucng and gov
erning the College. cannot however, forbear TO
oA three points in which the faculties have been greatly
favoredso greatly indeed, that they have been
successful the fault must lie laid not at the door Of the
corporation but somewhere else One Of these is the
confidence which the corporation has reposed in them
With scarcely exception, law has been passed.
officer appointed, unless after full consultation and eN
change views between the Boards Of Control and q
Instruction And hence, II there defects In our syf-
tem the faculties are they ought to be, mainly
sponsble; IL inefficient or unfahful officer comes
into chair Of instruction, the faculties who know him
best and not corporation to bear whatever cen.
sure isjusty due.
And growing out Of this wise liberty conceded 10 the
officers there another favorable point in the position OF
the college ocers-that while the general tradition OF
what college ought to be is tolerably fxed changes
have constantly taken place with the enlargement OF the
corps Of instructors with the raising Of the standard Of
scholarship and with the demand for higher education
in the country The best thing about the changes ia that
they have been made in all quetness, without flourish Of
trumpets each its tme and not all at once, dictated
by the desire Of scientific and literary Improvement and
not by that adding the ecat Of the institution Thus
in the academic department, the Senior year is worth
vastly the student than was 25 years ago;
the methods Of instruction have been greatly I'M
proved; several OF the modern languages have
been introduced; the system Of examinations IL
on q wholly basis; the students are CLASSIFIED
according to their attanments and optional studies arc
allowed without at all overhrowng the old curriculum
SO also the Scientific School the acquisitions Tor en-
trance have been made more severe at the risk OF De
terrng many candidates and the means OF instruction
have been by the sefdenal and zeal Of the
professors until the SCHOOL, in its sphere takes the high
e.r rant N 6e idamenf Of the whole country. And
rk M
largemen of the course graduates In phology ono
science brought about by the professors
most hopeful indication Of the future usefulness and IN
fuence Of the university SO may 1t ever be- may te
sprit OF true science ever ready to duse itself, and
acting on we'll conceived plan, be more and more the
spirit Of Yale College emanating from the teaching aen
ties and encouraged by the corporation.
There is q third particular to which wish TO call AZ
tention in which are as think, greatly iaV0red
is that the President tradition and in conformity wild
right view prevailing here, takes an active part " "a
instruction. 1880
CHRISTIANITY TIE TRUE BASIS
I trust then, that amid all the changes Whch Will
come these advantages, they seem to me to be- VIII
be retained in the institution. And there IL ahotheh
thing which hope will always he present here, with the
consideration Of which will close this brief address,
hone that as long the College lasts it will be the abode
of religion Of teachers who believe in Christ ana ead
religious fe and Of scholars who feel that noble cnar
acer something infinitely more precious than learning
am happy to quote Mr.. Huxley's opinion that some
form Of religion morality is essential TO true educa
ton and his acknowledgement OF what religious innu-
nce has done in this good work May not say the nthat
the question Of religious education answered for us In
the affirmative by the judgments OF those TlQ pave NO
fixed belief in the supernatural origin Of religion cap
those then who do believe that 1t is from beaveD nes
tate about advancing further STILL or be afraid to say
that not only the benevolent, purifying tendencies OF
Christianity, but its truths and authority also
II
bue their pupils in the common faith Parents,
that Is the great majority OF then expect this and
rather blame the colleges for the neglect OF religious
training than for going too far In that direction. In
fact the training Of educated Christian men now,
brought they under the influences Of Church his
tory of an improved exegess and OF growing Of
the common brotherhood Of Christians, brings them TO
tbe RSowedge of the Son OF God" For instance when
that noble man, DR.. Waylsnd was alive, one who was
guide Of young minds pure and lofty Christianity.
Bnt some one Will present another dicultythc atii
trnes OF modern scienee-for science has its dogmas
some Of them half proved pew.Ianged which Is q.
is for some schools OF philosophers deny the pos
Dy q %n only hs In ad to es
not yet received hut is knocking for admission at tho
SeS truth that sf the sciences built on
nature and those built on the primary convictions Of man
that the Christian mind must be a skep
teal which stands in dread Of discovery
As for the rest must rely on those devout in
scientific chairs who are ever ready avow their faith
rash scientists which are more TO 10 feared
for the spirit they they show, than for the facts al
FAREWELL WORDS.
And now close this my last Official act with the
prayer TO God that this may be Christian College
in the highest and best sense. May Its graduates
forth to bless the world Of principle and they
advance In life they retain just and fond a.
INN Nafa ifa iiana