New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-09
.GREAT OR SMALL COLLEGES
CONTINUING THE SUBJECT
VARYING VIEWS OF PROMINENT CLERGY
MEN


LUCID OPINIONS FROM THE REV. DEs CROSBY
HENRY NJ. MAcCRAcKEN. SAMUEL H. VIRr
GIN. GEORGE ALEXANDER HENRY
VAN DYKE AND CHARLES
H.. PARKHURST
The interviews with prominent educators and
theologians on the subject Of Colleges and UNI
vcrsties in Their Relation 20 the Church. which
were recently published by The Tribune, have
aroused widespread interest and 1t has been evident
that the educational problems presented therein
demand the earnest consideration and practical
attention of both those who contribute largely to
the moulding Of public thought and of phian-
thropists who seek opportunities for wise en-
penditure of their wealth. Every year men OF
abundant means are importuned TO give Of their
wealth 10 various institutions of learning; and 10
them il becomes a matter OF much moment to de-
termine through what channels their generosity
may accomplish the most good. The discussion
of the question referred to involves the claims Of
large and small, new and old, sectarian and non
sectarian colleges, the restrictions which should be
placed upon the management Of educational in
stitutions the general control and the possible
uttcrances on religious subjects of the various
professors who are engaged to guide the students
in their efforts TO obtain liberal education Eli
Outraged by the interest displayed and the approval
OF educators and churchmen Of all denominations,
Tribune reporters have again laid the matter be-
fore men prominent in the lines of thought indi-
Gated and have secured other expressions OF
opinion, which are given herewith.
THE REV. DR. CRosBY's VIEWS.
The Rev. DR.. Howard Crosby who was for years
chancellor of the University of the City OF New
York, and is now vice-president OF the council of
that institution, and whose long and successful
career educator well theolOgan, has
e1-f lf,.1l,
his views in substance as follows
We will take up your questions in order. but In the
first place wish TO enter my most emphatic protest
against what seems to be a popular opinion, and
that immense buildings, large PARKS large libraries,
OF even hundred thousand volumes, a full and com
scopes, or any scopes" you please do not necessa
lS constitute really great university, ana too often
accessories. together with supply
OF money, enable an educational institution to grow
draws la1gef and larger Numbers Of Students people
saying, = must send my son there because IT. IS one
really being substantial reason, in my opinion for
H. No. truly great college or university made up
OF men OF sound learning keen Intellect ana strong
character, whose very contact inspires the stI'.
cultivation Of an 'Af intellect granted Dc to him
o old 100 os c % on sToa nssv aC1s
ago than In some so-caed foremost institutions now
a doR MT, sP they had any at @
which may give for my statement now that the small
a Us ad Is IS u and q e cI em Ss a meet I
educational needs of the times Just great have
been graduates from what considered institutions
OF less note as from the more imposing ones.
AS TO the bestowal of money upon colleges circum
stances must often determine the wisest expenditure
but don't give to college Of great reputation simply
because OF that reputation. 1t may have more stu
that the money Will do the most good there As TO
supporting UNCONVENTIONAL colleges, wnat have just
s&ld Will pretty nearly cover the ground don't say
give To Presbyterian college Just because II is a
wealthy man be- guided by the msnasemet and anlm
OF the various Institutions in making his choice.
simply because they are considered The great colleges
II does not follow that he cannot do just as well at
smaller and would not send him to a Presby e-
ran college only for the that it under Pres
deIcnf i5It ond nr fuS' no otbrr
things being equal, 10 do 50, bat would want him
strong religious influence, and those would be
the points would take into consideration A college
is the place teach Presbyterian. Baptist
Episcopslian doctrines. We must leave that TO our
But we come 10 another branch of the subject
Shall men who may say daring things be allowed to
Within than without? Ii you mean BY daring things
aiheiseal pterances and include in that term unbe
] don't believe in the retention Of those men for an
uterance 10 their ideas, indirectly Otherwise
whether they are teaching mathematics or what not
III they don't they are not men, And their influence
would be exered upon young men at time when their
minds are In the most plastic condition To that
age when they college would be parallel to
ne case of putting poison in front Of snail baby
with the remark that II ought 10 know enough not 10
taste IT, And even did these professors, and not
learning; not mention the subject of religion, which
dont believe possible the effect On the mind of the
student, who would certainly be cOgniZaGt OF the
professors unbelief, would be harmful No, belief
IN God stands first of all and that principle must be
by " daring things was meant INVITING else as for
without regard TO the fundamental truths Christian
y,,ail right; let him go ahead. You ask me again
viii there not be rebound after such restrictions in
lines of religious thought and expression. OF course
S any ao ors aan ra Of Sc %a s e his s
lou are, are proseEoed from those, You must keep
60 wherever he desires and natural laws will bring
him all right in the end say emphaucaily You
como. under that head Home training viii nor be-
iHsiilied in Seductive manner ''' '''i ''' f0'S0"
colleges, / believe IN The dcnomnationa idea being
strictly maintained, if The college has been founded
national character Let It be Presbyterian or
Episcopalian or Methodist or Lnhear Ny opinion
voud be that the ecclesiastic machinery should
cn;er far into its control that 1t should 10 abc
TO put It's We Q upon the Introduction of professor
As / said before don't try to inc6catc strongly
Presbyterian College lei that church say no or yes
about IT. conduct. don't think it viii hamper its
columbia are just as dercmral:onai . they ever
were and Princeton csrt4inly is Nine-ten'hs a:
PIincet0n's students Pre- 10y an. And "a -
Columbia It is strongly and positively Er'scopai Ian
OF education IS the first object Of an educational
institution, bui should De strongly impressed with
relcionihat is, its broad fundamental truths with
on, regard TO sertarianism- and by that religion 1
do1'f mean cold forms, but the religion that embodcs
morally well.
DIR. MAcCRACKEN OUTLINES a STANDARD COL
LEGE
The Rev Dr. Henry W. MacCracsen has d.
voted lifetime 10 educational pursuits and the
study Of educational problems Formerly the
chancellor Of the Western University Of PennSyl-
Nania at Allegheny, and now the vice-chanceloT
OF the University Of the City Of Ncw-iork, DR.
MacCraclcn cX3rC sses herewith the result OF his
observation and experience, follows:
am al llls mOmcnl inclined 20 lhnA better Of IaIge