The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-05
THE AsBURY ENDOWMENT.

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plane far above that which, up to this time,
it has occupied. The matter is of such i'm
portance to the educational interests of the
State at large that it exceeds sectarian lines
and becomes an enterprise that all would
wish to succeed. 1t is possible that many
lie under a misapprehension of the present
status of the enterprise of endowing Asbury.
During last October-nearly year ago now
Mr. w. G. DePauw entered into written
agreement to give 100000 to the university,
on two conditions: First, that the people OF
the State raise fund of $3.50, 900, to be added
to the present endowment; and, second, that
the people of Greencastle and Putnam county
subscribe enough to buy the necessary
campuses for the new buildings, the amount
being 100000. The time given for the con-
summation of these enterprises expired on
the 4th of August last. When the officials
met on that day 20 report, it
was found that while Greencastle
had about met its share of the obligations,
the State at large had evinced remarkable
apathy, having subscribed but half of the
sum allotted to it, and much of that condi-
tional that it should become due only when
the entire amount was secured. The condi-
tons not having been met, Mr.. DePauw, of
course, was relieved of his part of the pledge
He stated then that had anything like the
desired amount been raised he would
have felt obliged to proceed, but that
with such a marked shortage, and such alist-
less spirit evinced, he did not feel like going
on. The board of trustees asked an extern
sion of time in which to meet the conditions
but this was not gran ted. Being urged not
to wholly Withdraw his offer, Mr.. DePauw
agreed that new canvass of the State should
be made, and that if, on the 4th of next
month, reasonably good showing could be
made, he would give literally to the endow
ment of the university, but he does
not undertake to say what the
donation shall be. The present
effort, therefore, is to make as good show
ing as possible thirty days hence. Those
who have subscribed condtionally are being
urged to make their contributions without
conditions, and others are being solicited to
help in the matter.
That Mr.. DePauw means to do something
in this connection that will be a lasting
honor to him there can be no doubt. But
that is not enough. The people of Indiana
owe il to him and to themselves to take ad-
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1t is no credit to the 100000 and more
Methodists of Indiana that they cannot or
rather do not give one dollar to the cause of
advanced learning to where one man offers
to give two. As above stated, the PROPOSE
ton made by Mr.. DePauw was of such pro-
portions that it rose above all sectarian lines
and became public matter. With such an
endowment as ne proposed giving, Asbury
would receive an impetus that would last for
an age. 1t would have given Indiana
university in fact as we'll as
in name. and the benefits there
from to the State in general would have
been incalculable. For, while Asbury Uni
versity is a Methodist institution, governed
by the four conferences of that church, it
has always been liberal in its spirit, and
preachers of every denomination have re-
ceived their education there on an equality
with students who were members of the
patron church. Had Mr. DePauw been sus-
tanned, the institution at Greencastle would
have at once become the Cornell of the
West, and the educational fame of Indiana
would have been enhanced 100 per cent.
1t now remains to do the best possible
under the new conditions. He who offered
a million on specified conditions now YER
bally offers to donate literally the only re-
quirement being that the Methodists and
friends of education i'll general throughout
the State show some reasonable appreciation
of the value and importance of having a
first-clasa university for the education of fu-
ture generations 1t is altogether safe to say
that he will not give niggardly. His former
muuifcent offer precludes such a posi-
bility. 1t is the duty, therefore, of all
who gave conditionally to give as
much without reserve, and those who
gave none should come to the aid of the
common enterprise A well-endowed uni
versty at Greencastle means one at Craw-
louisville, at Lafayette, at Irvington, and at
Hanover. The rivalry excited in this direc-
ton would be healthful, and the benefits de-
rived beyond computation. The $15G, 900
should be raised, in which event there
could be little doubt that the original
offer of Mr.. DePauw would be
made good. 1t would be public loss to let
this great opportunity go by unimproved.