Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-08-28
Correspondence of the Herald.l
where to Obtain am Education
Madison University.

Madison University.
Even to the casual observer, it is evil
dent that a great wave of progress is
passing over the country. 1t reaches all
classes and embraces both rich and poor
in its influence. Advancing educational
interests, it affects the social status and
is working changes and improvements in
the condition of the people. A desire
for the higher forms of education is
awakened among the masses, and scores
are now fitting for college where recent
ly classical students were but few. Still,
with many, it is great question, h0ao
and ao1ere to obtain that mental training
found in college course.
In deciding this, several important
points present themselves. 1. Where
can one have the most thorough course
of instruction, gaining the best knowl-
edge of the branches pursued?
Now it is obvious that better instruc-
ton can be had by direct contact with
professors of maturity than is impaired
by undergraduates or tutors just out of
college, who have little or no knowledge
of the subject, independent of the text
book. This, then, is strong argument
in favor of smaller colleges as compared
with Yale and Harvard. While the re-
quirements of association and mental
friction are sufficiently met, (2) where
shall the real object of a college cduca-
ton be best attained
Many people, and students as well,
make a serious mistake in supposing the
primary idea in college course to be
the ACQUISITION of knowledge. The true
object is, not stock, but capital not
facts, but power: power to think, inves-
tigate, criticise, weigh, judge, and deter
mine. How, then, is this best obtained
i'm large classes where ones individu-
ality is almost lost sight of, and Oppor-
tunities for recitation are necessarily
few. or in medium classes where, under
the guidance of experienced teachers,
one may secure personal development
and push original inquiries? The ques-
ton suggests the answer.
One should consider the amount of
prestige any given college can afford him
at graduation. This is by no means
free pass over the ''royal road to sue
cess-tor there are no "dead-heads" on
that line-yet it is so much in addition
to his real outfit, and is worthy pass
ing thought.
Again, what institution presents the
best moral and social advantages? 1t is
well to remember that the beauty and
proportion so Justly admired in nature
are attained by symmetrical growth. SO
in n course of mental training, SYM
metrical developments necessary. Com
panionship with books alone, by exclud-
ing mutual and reciprocal sympathy,
narrows the mind and mars the unity of
growth.
But social culture should be sought in
a healthy moral atmosphere for, like
plants, character absOrbs and incOrpor-
ates elements from its surroundings, and
the moral and social influences to which
one is subject during the four years of
college life, must largely determine his
estimate of humanity and its after esti-
mate of him.
Such are some of the questions arising
in the mind of every aspirant for college
honors, and eXcellencies in all these re-
spects are among the advantages which
Madison University has to offer. With
her comprehensive and well arranged
curriculum, and her ample corps of pro-
fessors, who thoroughly understand and
are alive to their responsibilities, she is
prepared to meet and satisfactorily an
swer the first two questions. In regard
to the influence of prestige, the writer
knows whereof he affirms when saying
that a course of study at Madison Uni
versity is a recommend to the best
positions and society West, while East
her influence is becoming yearly more
felt and respected. Everywhere her
ministerial graduates are sought as sound,
able men, ana among her alumni are
many of the most successful members of
the bar.
With the large proportion of her stu
dents preparing for the ministry, the
culture and intelligence that prevail in
Hamilton, and the wise adjustment of
college rules relative to sociality, which
throws each student upon his own taste
and responsibility, the best points are
successfully met.
It is not the desire of the writer to
say one word in disparagement of our
Vermont colleges, but to ask of the sons
of Vermont fair consideration of the
claims of Madison University, and to
assure any who may decide to go there,
of hearty welcome from the already
large number of Green Mountain boys |
assembled there. ALPHA.