The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-25
GRADED SCHOOL SYSTEM.
a QUESTION THAT SOUTHERN METH
oDIsrs WILL CONSIDER.
Prof Tillett, Of the Vanderbilt Univer-
sity, Makes Proposition Which the
Rev. DR.. W. @. Johnson, of This City,
Protests Against.

Gently presented in the Christian Advocate
his views in favor of organizing Southern
Methodist institutions OF learning into a
graded system, embracing primary schools,
preparatory schools, colleges, and a uni
ycrsity proper--i. c., one land only onc)
university to be set apart unto the highest
learning exclusively. For the furtherance
OF his views Prof. Tillett advocates the
holding Of conference of the Southern
Methodist educators aud the bishops, at
Nashville, in May next. This subject,
thus presented, has received some, but not
sufficient, attention in our bounds The
interests involved, and in jeopardy posi-
bly,, are Of incalculable value, and the sub
ject in its various bearings deserves and
should have the careful attention Of all
who are alive TO the educational work Of
Southern Mcthodism. Prof. Tillett in the
course OF bis argument, leaves primary
schools out Of his program, and advocates
the holding Of conference in behalf of the
three other "well-defned grades OF institu-
tons"
Commenting on this proposition, the
Rev. DIR. w. G. johnson, OF this city, who
occupies distinguished position in the
esteem and confidence OF American Meth
odists, and particularly those in the south,
says, in the Christian Advocate OF today;
II would not have been unwise, perhaps,
II he had left out also the highest grade Ia
university properly, and advocated a
conference in regard topreparatory schools
and colleges, which, II held, would have
for consideration topics OF great practical
importance, and very timely. In thateyent
1t would have been the best plan-and
Prof. Tillett would no doubt have so ad-
vised-to have not one conference for the
Connection, but number OF conferences
-one for each college and the preparatory
schools within its official bounds. But II is
easy to see that while Prof. Tillett is deep
ly interested in preparatory schools and
colleges, the leading feature OF his program
for conference is university proper"
Pardon here petition TO the 'powers,"
and its utterance in language warranted by
the professors Just and well deserved crit
icism OF lone horse" colleges. May South
ern Methodism be spared the humiliation
of zone horse" university 'proper'-to
be known as such by the scholars OF
America and Europei
IL is cheeriully conceded that Prof. Til
let's theory OF a system OF education is
well nigh II not quite perfect-that is, as a
theory-without regard TO existing condi-
tons. II is a system very suitable for an
old, enlightened, and cultivated people,
under monarchial government taking en-.
tire control OF the work OF education. IL
would be very suitable in great free
country, full Of people far advanced to-
ward that state OF perfection In knowledge
II ,,. r.ltufnu aud a1nRaiinn
which will be the fulfllment OF prophecy
and promise and the fruition OF hope.
Southern Methodism in the good time
coming-fiity years hence or more when
existing conditions have passed away, and
have been followed by conditions very diff
fercnt, might with propricty begin TO con.
slider the question OF university proper.
Meanwhile let Vanderbilt university con.
tnue 10 improve Its several departments,
aud let II have, M now, its classes com.
posed Of the few who are qualified and
willing 10 pursue the highest learning In
the academic department.; but let not ia
doors be closed against our young men
needing and desiring collegiate education,
Southern Methodism Is doing some good
work IN behalf OF education, but little
alas, in the primary grade, much more in
the university grade, most by FAR in the
preparatory and college grades. But o.
the deficiencies In their intermediate
grades, and particularly as II regards tho
number and character Of the preparatory
schools. the loudcst complaints, and they
ara rot unioundcd, are heard from uniyer
atty men. They are the men whose tcsti
mony riviis the conviction that Southern
Nlethodsm Is far from being ready Tor
university ''proper"-that existing condi
tons" as we have politely expressed Il
absolutely forbid this adventure. IL
Main that Southern Methodism has no
reached the highest position In American
education, and this too, II II had done ~
In twenty yeau-that IL, since the war
for. let Il be marked, Prof. Tillett empha
sizes 'the chaotic state OF education In tn
south immediately after the war" Ar
Southern Meihodistsint the matter educa
ton advanced beyond Observation-Disclosures
But the latter have not n uniyerit
proper" Are we In advance OF Prcsby
terians, north aud south7 Of Congregation
alisis7 Of Uniiariails? But not one OF these
or Of any other religious denomination !
America, have been wise enough or otheI
wise 10 essay the opening OF univcrsit
s'propcr." Prof. Tillett, with his accui
toned cnndor. says CAS- matter OF fac
the literary and academic departments {
ali American uni\ titles Ularyard, Val.
Princeton, and even Johns Hopkinsl,
college work rs well as higher universal
work. Indeed there has been hitherto u
tie strictly university work done In the II
erary departments Of American univers
tics" Tho wonder Is that the matter
fact" here given, ~ stated by Prof. 1illct
was not fatal 10 his plan while u was Torn
ing In his strong, earnest and candid min'
.liarynrl, Yale, Princeton. and eve
Johns Hopkins" -goodly company 4
Vanderbilt university.
Vanderbilt university has hlstol
which antcdaies It's name. In It's inco
ton Il was Central university, and a. sui
Il was intended for collegiate education
well M university, under the patronage
certain annual conferences within u
bounds Of which there was not and Is n
10 this day n Methodist college except
name. This university was enicrpris'
by these annual conferences through
convention Of delegates appointed by the
and acting for them. An organixau'
was effected, board Of trust appoints
and charter obtained from the state
Tennessee. All this action Of the board
delegates was approved and confirmed
these annual conferences, together vi
the appointment Of agents 10 solicit Fun
for the university including mn endo
ment Of 100000 at least These agci
made some little progress, but In the mis