The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-05-26
LETTER F FROM TOPEKA.
THE LADIES' COLLEGE.

itor. Bishop Vail is fine specimen of
a we'll preserved, vigorous manhood-a
good frame well cushioned with flesh,
an open, frank, cheerful eountenance /;
looks as though he would rather make
ChristiGns than mere Episcopalians.
He is q model christian gentleman.
AS Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal
church, he profoundly believes the
doctrines, and is ardently attached to
the usages of that church, but he is
neither bigot nor sectarian in the
offensive sense. He is abundant in
travels, in labors, in preaching, in or
ganizing, in building up the church in
the "faith once delivered to the saints -
most of all, the care of all the churches
in this large diocese. In addition to
all his herculean labors, in all things
appertaining to the Office of Bishop,
he has not neglected the educational
interests of his diocese-his ''monu-
ment" stands in q twenty acre tract
d estined at no very distant day to be
in the centre of teeming population
OF this growing city. The buildings
are of stone; the main college build
ing is 1OOx74 feet, and average height
IS feet-a gem of architectural beauty
"a model of adaptedn0ss to the ends
proposed. The very impress of the
Bishop is seen upon the building from
cellar to attic; from the Two air chan
nels through which good supply OF
fresh air is secured to the whole build
ing, from bottom to top, to the water
tank In the garnet of forty barrels ca
pacity, supplied from two wells by q
force pump propelled by the cheapest
of all forces in kansas-wind. Every
floor is supplied with hot and cold wa
ter, and Babcock fire eXtinguisher,
ready for use at any moment. In
deed, there is completeness that, fer
good taste, utility and comfort, is
equaled by few and surpassed by no
institutions ia the State. The chapel
is fine auditorium, finished with wal
nut, ash and pine, in oil-not a spoon
full of paint in its finish. The windows
are of fine stained glass, with symbols
just enough for place of Protestant
worship, exhibiting the good taste of
the designer. The scholarly and pol
ished Rev. Mr.. Butler, is Chaplain to
the College, and conduc is the services
in this beautiful place of worship. The
College has an excellent corps of teach
ers, good class of students,a and is do
ing a noble work. The College has its
matron and mother, its baker and its
cook, as well as faculty and students,
all within its walls, with Bishop Vail
at the head of all. He is as economi-
cal as Luther, who would not waste a
straw, as it might serve to thicken the
thatch of some poor mans cottage;
yet he attaches no Importance to
money or possessions, further than that
they may be made to serve the purpose
of perfecting this great enterprise, and
thereby bless students and glOrify God.
81 know" says the Bishop, ''that not
one dollar of the money given to this
Institution has been squandered, and
that no poor man has worked day
upon the buildings or grounds without
receiving his wages" The whole prop
erty has cost $S5, 1000.
The school was first called the Epis-
copal Female Seminary of Topeka. In
1872 the name was changed to that of
the College of the Sisters of Bethany.
There is some little objection to the
new name from some, as they think it
savOrs little of Romanism-the very
thing this college proposes to defeat
in its purposes of educating the future
mothers of this commonwealth, and
thereby Romanizing the generations
to come. We will let the Bishop speak
for himself in regard to the new, and
as he thinks, better and more appro-
pirate name. "This name was select
ed for the purpose of Indicating the
design of the institution-a christian
school for wemen. we aim to make
this institution like that sweet home
in Bethany, where Jesus visited and so
hallowed by His frequent presence and
of which it is written: "Now Jesus
loved Mary and her sister and Laza-
rus" sThat home where the younger
Mary sat at Jesus feet, while the elder
Martha, not forgetful of His divine
teachings, but occupied with her house
hold cares, ministered to His temporal
comfort; that home which contained
the representative women of the two
great classes of womanhood, the con-
templative and the active, the devo-
tional and the energetic, the women OF
studious and prayerful influence, and
the women of strong, busy christian
life-each class equally, in quietness
or in activity, loving and being loved
by Jesus"
By this name the Bishop would in.
dictate the family character of the in
stitution, and the endearing sisterly
relation which all its inmates should
Sustain toward each other.
The college is not receiving all thu
patronage its merits deserve, though
well attended. Ir has a bright future
before it. 1 believe this is the only
4 college in the State exclusively, fol
women. 1t ought to be well sustained
The Rev. Mr.. Holmes, the popular
Pastor of the NJ. E. Church, placed III
under great obligations for his many
courtesies. The evening spent viii
his excellent christian family, is re
membered with pleasure. Our visi
was short, but in every way delight
full one. A. H. w.
EVERYRODY'S BUSINESS.