Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-06-21

cists, who acknowledges that when ply
sical science reigns exclusively. the intel
lect becomes poor in ideas, the fancy IN
images, the soul In sensibility, and the re-
suit is narrow, hard and dry disposition,
forsaken of the muses. and graces, and not
only 30, but physical science leads down by
imPerceptible gradations from the high
efforts OF human intellect to mere mechani-
cal work that looks at nothing beyond
gain" The truth is that here, as in other
spheres of action, We must aim high TO
strike any mark worthy the effort. We
can avoid narrowness by cultivating
breadth. The institution that would
send forth practical men must aim
to produce cultivated men. The col
leee that would fit men for a
speciality must aim to make them at
home in the whole field, only a part OF
which they propose TO cultivate In the
words of Mr.. +. ID. Maurice used by him
doubtless, in another connection, but
worthy OF place here: "All Experience is
against the notion that the means to pro-
duee supply Of good ordinary men is to
attempt nothing higher. know that nine
tenths of those whom the university sends
out must be hewers of wood and drawers
of water, but il train the ten-tenths to be
SO, depend upon it they will be badly cut
and the water will be split. Aim ut some
thing noble, make your system such that
a great man may be formed by 1t, and
there will be manhood in your little men
of which you do not dream"
From these considerations | concluded:
First, that while the demand for practical
education, a system that will prepare
for what we may term the industrial pro-
fession and produce educated mechanics,
chemists, engineers, farmers, and men cap
able of conducting large business
enterprises, should be needed, yet
it is not wise to endeaver 10
meet this demand by establishing more
technical schools in which the mental DIS.
cipline and broad culture deemed needful
for preparation for the so-called liberal
professions, are neglected or cast aside.
From an educational point of view the re,
suit must soon prove to be disastrous. AND
secondly, that in the college, as at present
modified and still adapting itself to new re-
ouirements, that demand is better met
met in a way that is better for the cause OF
higher education and better for the COM
mercial and manufacturing interests OF our
country. With the rapid development OF
our resources, the demand for new forms OF
improved machinery and the inexoraoie
exactlons of close competition, there Is
pressing need of men of extraordinary men
tai powers of great familiarity with the
whole realm of the physical sciences. What
branches of human knowledge may be use.
full to commercial interests it would
be difficult to specify, and feel
sure all were included. A botanist may
some day revolutionize the manufacture OF
steel. A metaphysician may introduce
new forms OF trade that the commercial
world will soon regard as indispensable.
We must remember that practical men may
have laughed at Franklin for fooling away
his time with a boys kite. If there be
time and means, let young men take the
full college course and then pursue their
specialties in technical schools, or post
graduate courses, or machine shops. or
they may find all they need in the college
course as modified by its elective system.
With two years devoted to mental disci-
pline and general culture, they will be
prepared to choose directly in their chosen
yocations, and two years of special study
should go far toward preparing. them to
enter in their work as educated, practical
men of the world.
This then is my idea OF the Christian COL
leee is Christian; it has Christian aims,
Christian duties, and Christian blessings.
But it is college striving to discipline by
long approved and strongly tried methods,
the powers OF the mind most needed for
the ACQUISITION and effective use OF knowl-
edge, and laying foundations for honorable
and serviceable life in the broadcast culture
and the most extended view of ascertained
truth. attaiDable within the limited time.
Icannot close my address on this occa-
sion without adding that | am entering the
presidency of this college profoundly con-
WINGED that it is worthy of better support
and larger gifts than it has received in the
past eighty years, and that we have reached
q stage in our history when we have better
grounds than ever before for expecting the
friends Of Christian education in our Sec
ton OF the country to respond to our aP-
peals and aid us IN the heart OF the land,
and in the stronghold of the church.
With these convictions l enter upon the
duties of my office, and hope that with the
blessing of God when we strive to serve &C
ceptably and the practical aid Of our friends
and alumni, our cherished expectations
may be fully realized