Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-29

scliolarly attaimnents, disseminating every
where love of learning.
Cherished by patriots and philanthro-
pists, it will disseminate that lofty spiritof
liberty and nationality which was more the
Characteristic Of Ou- fathers than ourselves.
And dedicated 10 the living God, it will
send forth an army Of evaneelistss drilled.
disciplined, and armed to meet and over
throw the swelling bonds of infidelity.
God grant that these hopes and expecta-
tions may find speedy fruitiOa, and that the
influence of this institution may be as
boundless as the Christian charity that
nantes II, and its existence co-eAten-
sive with American liberty.
Gentlemen of the Board Of Trust: In be-
half of the people of Tennessee, let me
congratulate you upon this suspicious oc-
casion. Let me express the hope that it
may prove but one of a series of Universi-
ties in the SOuth-that it may become one
Of a glorious galaxy, and the focus Of sci
ence, learning, literature and art. tI'ro-
Hinged applAuse.i
CHANCELLOR Il. J. MORG AN
was then introduced by Bishop Net yeire
The Chancellor said that the present was
proud day for the Commonwealth Of Ten
nessee. He predicted that the establish
ment of this Institution would Lead TO the
building of others, and spoke in high terms
Of the generosity Of Commodore Wander
bilt in making his muniticent donation in
the interests Of education and religion. At
the conclusion of kis address,
BISHOP PAINE,
the oldest Bishop in the conference, ad-
vanced and laid the cornerstone, assisted
by the architect. VIM. G.. Smith.
The following articles were deposited in
a large copper box, fixed In the cornerstone,
by DIR. Young;
a copy of the Holy Bible, Hymn book Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, Minutes Ofthe Annual Con-
ference, Journal of the Annual Conference,
copy of the Ndd.UWe ChristidR AdrOcate,
Western Methodist, Southern Chratidn
AdrOcdte, Richmond Christian AdvOcdte,
NelU Orleans Christian AdrOcdte,
81. Louis Christian AdUocGte, Teras Chris
tiGn AdcOcdie, E5i'imO-e Episcopal Meth
odist, Central Methodist, Raleigh Chris
tidH AdUOcdte, HOlstOn Methodist, Nash
rifle Sunday School Magazine, Oar Little
People, Sunday School Visitor, Lesson Pa
perS, Nashville Union and Americdl, Mesh
UiHe Banner, NdShrule Journal Of Com
merce, copy of Mr.. VandeFbilt's original do
nation paper for the 100000, pictures of
Commodore Vanderbilt and Bishops
Paine, Pierce, Whitman, Doggett,
klvanaugh, Early, McTyeire, Mar
win and Keener; copy of charter of the
University, with names Of members Of the
Board of Trust; Annual Report Of the
Board of Missions; Annual Exhibit Of the
Southern Publishing House; list of officers
of the Government of the United States
and of the State of Tennessee, with names
of Judges of Supreme Courts; names Of
Mayor of Nashville and members Of the
City Council; map Of city Of Nashville for
1874, presented by Wheeler, Marshall
Il Bruce; name of the architect Of
the building, VIM. c. Smith, engraved on
copper plate; specimens Of the coal and iron
of Tennessee; copy Of the weekly Religious
Herald; copy of Pacific Methodist; Gaia
logue of the Southern Methodist Publishing
House; constitution of Tennessee Confer
ence Ministerial Educational Aid Society;
circular of Culleoka Institute; specimen Of
Job printing by J. T. 5. Fall; card of Mich
olson House, with names of distinguished
guests; Annual Report OF the Board Of Edu-
cation OF the city Of Nashville; sentiment
from the HOlstern Conference in prose and
poetry; card Of Swan & Brown, contractors
for stOne-work on the University; envel-
ope containing United States fractional
currency and a postage stamp; programme
of the exercises of tie cornerstone ceremo-
MES; silver half dollar and a coin Of an
cient date.
The choir sang the ode composed for the
occasion BY Dr.. T. o. Summers, entitled
"Our Vanderbilt" and the ceremonies
were brought to a close with the behedic-
ton pronounced by Rev. DIR. Summers.
At Night
the exercises were brought to final close
BIZ the delivery, at McKendree Church, OF
the following interesting address by Bishop
Wightman:
BISHOP WIGHTSIAN'S ADDRESS.
The Methodist Church of the South had
gone through some dark days in the past
DAYS Of eventfIIl omen. battle-days. Dur
inc the last decade Of her history, there had
been no little talk. if not hope, of ''disin-
tegration and absorption" Keen eyes had
seemed to see quite plainly the evidences
of decline and dilapidaliOn-the retreat OF
the waters after the turn of the tide, the
driving up of vital juices, the feebleneSs OF
ouick-coming decIepitude. He should not
wonder if. in pure good will, compliments
~ Obituary notices had long been prepared,
Informing the world with how much tran
ouH dignity she had sung her Runc d.
1,itfiS. and gone to her place on some scanty
page Of the ecclesiastical annalist!
This was a bright day;-a day of auspici
ous omen.-a day that marked an epoch in
our history, and starts new period. II
was the beginning of new momentum
turned upon the existing machinery OF the
Church. Ii was the inauguration OF the
highest sphere of forces merely human, as
VET known TO our COMMUNICATIONS all
powerful to affect mind, to influence char
acter. would opinion, shape and temper in
strtlmentalitieS for the carrying forward OF
the sublime ends for which all Churches
exist. for which the wheels of providence
roll. for which all time was born, on which
all destiny hangs.
They had laid this day the cornerstone
of the principal structure Of maSnlhcent
suite of buildings for a university. Inc
edifice which is to rise on those massive
foundations will be worthy of the breezy,
unsurpassed loneliness Of the grounds ana
the panorama which surround 1t. Nhen
completed il will he the embodiment OF the
finest architectural taste and skill afforded
by the country in that line of things
There existed stronghold necessity
for an institution of learning OF the higher
grade to meet tie wants OF that portion OF
the Church whose annual conference ter
ritories reach from the Appalachian chain to
the borders of tie Indian territory, below
Kentucky and Missouri aud above Loul-
siana. These six annual conferences
magnificent section of the ''great valley =
embracing a membership Of some l3O,OOO
souls. took action on the subject at their
sessions year before last, and adopted meas
ures for the establishment of a university
where the young men of the Church and
country might prosecute theological, liter
erarv, scientific and professional studies, to
an extent as great, and in manner as thor
ough. as their wants might demand.
In pursuance of this action of the Confer
enees a charter was obtained, granting the
amplest powers, rights and privileges.
There soon appeared good and sufficient
reason for the change of the original style
and title from Central to ''Nanderbilt
University" The princely munilicence OF
tine gentleman whose name the University
will carry down to pOsterity, in association
with the names of Peabody, WOfiord, How
ard. Yale-illustriOus on the bead-ro.l OF
the worlds benefactOrs-supplied the hall