Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-09-22
OUR HOME COLLEGE.


" "Alumnus" in Reformed Church Messenger.
1t will not be denied that, in temporal
matters, at least, the condition of the COL
lege has greatly improved since the days
when the recitations were held in the old
academy on Limo street. Its property,
originally purchased at a low rate, has be-
come very valuable, and the campus has
grown to be the most beautiful spot in the
vicinity of Lancaster. In consequence of
several liberal bequests the endowment
has considerably increased. and it is
affirmed, by those who know, that not
single dollar of the invested funds have
been lost. That the students still preserve
their ancient spirit is proved by the fact
that, during this year, one of the society
halls was thoroughly repaired and refur-
nishcd by tho members of tho society,
aided by the contributions which they
personally solicited from the friends of the
institution.
The college, it should be remembered,
is classical institution, pure and simple.
1t has no scientific course, and no irregu
lar students. Though it might be posi-
bic to increase the number OF students by
introducing these "mOdern improve
ments," it is questionable whether, under
present circumstances, any good would
really result. If there were no other OBJ
jections, the means are not at hand to es-
tablish separate technical schools and
the faculty is not sufficiently numerous to
carry on special courses without seriously
manning the present regular order. It. is
better to do one thing we'll than to attempt
a half dozen and to fail in them all.
In its adopted curriculum the college
challenges comparison with other instu-
tions of a similar grade. In several in
stances, students belonging to other relig-
ious denomionations have preferred to
finish their studies in one of the old and
celebrated Eastern colleges, it was found
that they had no difficulty in taking an
equally advanced position in their course,
aud thus finishing it without an intermis
sion. 1t is pleasant to see that these facts
are coming to he more generally appre-
ciated and though there arc colleges in
the state which make Il greater show OF
graduates, it will generally be found, on
sitting the matter, that their numbers arc
swelled by scientific students, and that
the number of graduates in the regular
classical course is no greater than our own
We do not make these statements in a
vain-glorious spirit. There are plenty OF
things to humble u.s. There are pressing
requirements, which must be speedily met,
if our educational interests are to receive
the highest development of which they are
susceptible. To some of these require.
ments we may take occasion to refer here,
after. Our object in writing tho present
article has been to show that a foundation
has been laid, on which the friends of the
institution may safely build. Every dol
lar that is No " contributed will be made
to tell for the upbuilding of the college,
as it could never have done before. Oul
endowment is at best but q handful com
pared with that of several neighboring
institutions, and every year brings new
educational demands which it is now i'm
possible to meet. The time has come for
the friends of the college to decide
whether it is to be content to labor in q
comparatively limited circle, or whether
by their efficient aid, it is to seek to OK
tend it's influence to the state and the na
ton.