The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-12-08
For the Central Presbyterian.
Rev. John H. Rice, d. D.
In Richmond 18l2-1923.
The University of Virginia.

The University of Virginia
Returning from the Synod of Virginia
at Staunton, in October, 1878, Mr.. Rice
crossed the Blue Ridge at Rockfsh Gap
and proceeded to Charlottesville. He
paused at the place marked out as the
seat of the University of Virginia, and
stood in front of the buildings already
erected. His soliloquY on this occasion
Country" of which several passages have
already beeu printed in these sketches
He commends the plan of the buildings
as judicious and creditable to its author
and would give the praise to, the friends
OF the institution which they deserve /;
but he gives expression to his deep con-
Germ, shared by many Of his Christian
contemporaries, as to the influence of the
institution. "This University is to be
either a radiant point from which will
flow streams of genial light into all parts
of our country; or it will glare on the
land with baleful and malignant fires; or,
to change the figure, it will be either
fountain Of living waters diffusing health
and vigor, or poisoned spring spreading
disease and death" verify, there is
an awful responsibility resting on those
to whom this great affair is entrusted
But what will they do in relation to
the delicate and important subject OF re-
ligion? Will an attempt be made to ex-
clude it's influences This is impossible.
Man can as soon pull the moon from its
orbit, as alter the fundamental and orig
inal principles of his nature as to free
himself from the influence of religion in
some form or other And so surely as
the University of Virginia shall be es-
tablished, it will, in short time, asspme
a decided character in this respect; it
will be either DeiStjcaJ, or Socimian, or
Christian
These few passages which might be
greatly extended by quotations from this
piece, and other writings that proceeded
from the same pen, reveal the state OF
public sentiment at that time In Virginia,
and may serve to show that Mr.. Rice and
others who experienced his pious solici-
tude. on this occasion, contributed to the
fulflment of his prophetical words by
the issue which they SO ardently desired.
But while Mr.. Rice was so Jealous for
religion, his views were liberal to de-
gree that commended them to all who
were not absolute Deists; and were such
as might be regarded, even at the pre-.
sent day, as proceeding to the extreme
verge of federation for his plan was to
allow Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Epis-
copaians, Methodists, Baptists, any and
ali sects, if they shall choose to exercise
the privilege, to endow professorships
and nominate their respective professors. ."
Though Mr.. Rice and Mr.. Jefferson
were as wide asunder as the poles, in
their views of the Christian religion, it is
due to the latter to insert the following
from letter to DR.. Cooper written No.
vember ID, 1922: "In our University
you know there is no professorship Of di-
vinity. A handle has been made of this,
to disseminate an idea that this is an in.
stituton, not merely of no religion but
against all religion. Occasion was taken
at the last meeting OF the Visitors, to
bring forward an idea that might silence
this calumny, which weighed on the
minds of some honest friends Of the insti.
tuition. In our annual report to the Leg
islature, after stating the constitutional
reasons against public establishment oil
any religious instruction, we suggest the
expediency of encouraging the different
religious sects to establish, each for itself
a professorship Of their own tenets, on
the confines of the University, so near az
that their students may attend the lee.
lures there, and have the free use of our
library, and every other accommodation
we can give them preserving their in.
dependence OF us, and of each other. This
fills the chasm objected to ours, as de-
feet in an institution protesting to give
instruction in all useful sciences. think
the invitation will be accepted, by some
sects from candid intentions, and BY