The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-09-20
CLARK UNIVERSITY.

|
who have followed the course Of education
III lhls country during the past fifteen
years viii admit at once the profound in
nuence exercised by Johns Hopkins Uni
versity. This University made necessary
the Graduate departments at Harvard.
ale and Columbia. And j. is periaDs
not too much to say thai these long -estab-
llshed and noted institutions have Il sense
OF increasing insecurity in this rivalry.
With the advantage of being established
was the disadvantage OF being old Ira
dltlon Is power that will assert itself in
an institution. Aud the traditions of
Yale are with Yale College not Ialo
University. Johns Hopkins has had a
clear advantage in being free to put itself
into the hands of the spirit of the age. To
say nothing of its undoubted influence
upon education is general, it has reused
| up these mother institutions to a new and
larger life and has lead them from the be
ginning. Johns Hopkins chose its sphere
and has centred its powers. It's success
was assured from the beginning
The work Of Johns Hopkins has do4bt-
! less had much to do with the founding Of
Clark University at Worcester, Mass.
recent visit to this institution and
conversation with its President, Dr.. q. :.
Hall, impressed me so wildly that | feel
| inclined TO write of it TO our North Caro-
INA educators Like Johns Hopkins,
Clark University is established by I. bust
ness man Mr.. Clark is a business man
| III Worcester, Mass He is inclined to
| give ten million dollars to the founding of
this Institution, if SO much is needed
Like Johns Hopkins, Clark University is
not devoted to the interests of any sect or
creed. Mr. Clark has given this money
| TO promote the highest possible results in
American scholarship. No restrictions
are placed upon the President and bis
| colleagues but they are given a small
| board Of advisers.
Two buildings have been erected.
There are laboratories, chemical and
psychological, and lecture rooms. The
buildings are PLAIN from the outside-but
| models from within.
The President, DR.. G. s. Hall. comes
| from Johns Hopkins. Thcre he made his
reputation as an Investigator in Psychoo-
gy. AT Worcester he proposes to carry
his students of Psychology into the labora-
tory. And I think it is not too much TO
say that we may expect original and highly
valuable results from that laboratory Dr..
Hall is not only learned and trave- 4
man; he is magnetic He is an enthusiast
and he imparts bis enthusia m \ short
conversation with him rousc1 rae so !. Il
1t required several days 10 ca'm down.
lie knows the history of ucaciou ~,
knows what is being done il the world to-
day. He is quite as familiar with the
methods of English and rman eduoa-
| ting rs he is with America. lie is thus
larger than the idea embodied in the pur-
pose of Clark University II sees its work
ana he sees the larger work Of the general
field. He ought to direct the institution
to its highest possible success.
Johns Hopkins emphasizes one aspect Of
education. 1t chose deliberately its sphere
and has, in the main, done It's work in this
sphere. Clark University embojies one
idea 1t has primary puI pose 1t has
deliberately chosen its sphere. 1t is
university of laboratories 1t will empha-
size not the historical, bu, the scientific
side of educating. It's spirit is expert
mental.
1t seems that never before in this coun-
| try have the theoretical and the practical
come so near sitting down together. Pres
ident Hall will consider any theory; but
the question is always rising: what is it
worth to the country? From this point Of
view the University is an experiment. 1t
will undoubtedly make valuable contrbu-
tions to the store of knowledge. Its large
work and profound influence are already
granted. But We must wait to see what
its ultimate influence will be upon tho
| spirit of the nation.
When one considers the equipment of
| this university, the enthusiasm of It's Pres
| ldent and his colleagues, the spirit Of the
institution and its chosen sphere of work,
it seems as if the times is upon us when
American students are original and crca-
| tive The purpose of President Hall j. spt
to have {. large number Of students h1t
rather the best students in the country.
These students are not to be stimulated by
lectures and books, but rather hy work
lnv with ipStru NV f.,r,-t,,.
consultation with him. Each Instructor
Is to have few chosen men about him.
He will be their friend and guide
AS indicating the grade of Stulcots
already being drawn to the sblrat1iiea |
mention the names OF few who VIII a9y
III them the coming year: DR.. J. Francis
Williams, Of New York, is university
fellow in chemistry and mincraloev. He
was graduated in 1888, and has studied in
Lepsc and Berlin. He has taken his
doctorate degree from Leipsic University
Mr. Charles W Marsh, OF New York is a
university fellow in chemistry He is a
PHI. ID. of Columbia. He has spent one
year with Hoffman in Berlin. aaI for the
past two years has been an instructor in
Lehlgh University.
With students like these there seems TO
be no reason why this new university
should not accomplish most valuable re-
suits. We believe it Will and that il must
have most satisfactory influence upon
American scholarship and be q profound
factor in education. 1t seems 10 offer lust
what the young man, who is IN love WUh
his chosen field of work, needs and desires.
The University has already received the
consideration of the German students Of
education. They claim to see in it most
significant movement and predict for it
large, profound and creative work
l quote from the letter inviting Or.
Hall to become the President They
nhe creators) desire to impose on you no
trammes; they have no friends Tor whom
they wish to provide at the expense of the
interests of the institution; no pet theo-
ries to press upon you in derogation Of
your judgment; no Sectarian tests to APP
ply; no guarantee to require save such as
are implied by your acceptance Of this
trust. Their single desire is to fit men
for the highest duties of life &C.
The National Zeitung of July 18, 1889,
published in Berlin, has long article on
this University. Among many other
things it says: ave have then here an
interesting attempt to found foster home
. of knowledge in its ideal purity and Dig
nifty. Every one who has science at heart
can greet this no less magnificent than
unique undertaking only with Joy and
admiration, with a hearty WHAT, cREst AT,