Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-15

John Fletcher Hurst was born little more
than ffty-hve years ago in Dorchester county
Maryland. He graduated at Dickinson College
at the age of nineteen and then remained there
teaching for two years. He went abroad and
studied theology at the German universities oil
Halle and Heidelberg. On his return home in
1853 he at once entered on the work of the
ministry in the Newark conference. In 1866 he
returned to Germany. where he remained for
three years teacher of theology in the Metho-
dist mission institute at Bremen. After ex-
tenslve travels in Europe, Syria and Egypt he
returned to this country in 1871 to fill the chair
Of historical theology in the Drew theo-
logical seminary at Madison. NY. In 1879
he was made president of that institution and
served with great success, entirely freeing the
seminary from all the financial embarrassment
Caused by the business failure of Mr.. Drew
and by his own executive ability placed the in
stitution on a successful basis. At the general
conference OF the Methodist church, held in
Cincinnati in 1880. he was elected and ordained
bishop. Bishop Hurst, while an able and
brilliant pulpit orator, is still better known as
student and for his wonderful abilities as an Or
ganizer.
TALK ABOUT THE PROJECT.
When asked by the reporter if there was any
thing new in the condition of affairs Bishop
Hurst said: ''We are more than pleased by the
enthusiasm that has been aroused everywhere
over the project. 1t is the greatest encourage
ment possible to US. The matter seems to be
discussed freely ali over the country. and the
idea is meeting with most hospitable recep-
ton everywhere. As yet, of course, all our
plans are too indefinite to make it possible to
give out much information, but when there is
more 1t will be forthcoming, you may be sure
L may say. though, that we have met with
much encouragement from members of all de-
nominations and sects. They seem to realize
hat saharf 10
We mean to erect an institution of which the
whole country shall be proud and in which
every one will be glad to take an interest;
CONTRIBUTIONS.
"Have many contributions been received as
YETI" asked the reporter.
''Yes. more than l could have expected ur der
the circumstances. We have not issued gen.
eral appeal for funds yet and do not expect
much until that is DONE 1t is our wish to pur-
chase the ground for the site before we make
any public appeal. We prefer to have the
$1,000 for the land subscribed in Washington
and the immediate vicinity, so that when we
come before the people we can show something
that has been done by the near neighbors of
the proposed institution. You readily see that
this would be a far better plan than to make a
public appeal before We have accomplished
anything ourselves. l can say that there is
scarcely any doubt that this plan will
De Iedully carried into effect. L have
already received numbers of letters from people
In every section of the country expressing their
interest in the project and their desire to con-
tribute. had one letter from a man in a re-
mote village IN Aentucky saying that he wished
to do what he could although that was not
much. and asking me how small contribution
We would be willing to receive. Another was
from woman in a small town in Connecticut
telling OF her interest in the matter and saving
that she hoped clubs would be formed in every
church IN the country for the purpose of rails
ing funds to aid the proposed university. These
two sample letters give an idea of how rapidly
the news of our plan has flown and how gem
eral Is the enthusiasm that it has excited"
NO PLAN YET ADOPTED.
"Have you adopted any plan or method of
raising funds for the endowment"
mo, not yet" said Bishop Hurst. Gan Or
ganized effort will of course be made, but of
just what kind we have not decided. The
question will probably not be brought officially
to the attention of the church until the spring
conference. when it will evoke general discus
sion and something definite is likely to be done
then. The next general conference of the
church will be held in 1892. but we hope long
before then to have some organized scheme OF
raising the necessary endowment. Such an in
stitution as we propose will need very large
endowment TO make it a success. 1t would be
almost fatal to its proper development were we
to feel cramped for means. We want to make
1t a truly great institution of the whole church
IL Will not be Ill the control OF any section or
locality. 1t viii be too broad and general for
that"