Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-16
GREAT BAPTIST UNIVERSITY.
Millions for Such an Institution from j. ID.
Rockefeller.
New York Tribune.

For more than half a century there has
beer an earnest desire on the part OF the
friends OF higher education TO have true
university established in this CITY,. Inc
University of the City OF New York was
founded to meet the demand that was be-
ginning TO be felt sixty years ago. 1t was
intended that the new institution should
have as students only those who had already
received college degree, but 1t was soon
discovered that theidea of the founders was
far in advance of the age, and an academic
department was added. At various times
since then the university idea has found
able advocates. the friends OF Columbia
have tried TO secure an endowment that
would Justify that college IN adding post;
graduate departments to the several
schools. and the friends OF the University
have been no less active.
Just now, however. there is movement
on foot which, If carried out on the lines
proposed, will eclipse all former plans and
give TO New York an institution without a
rival in this country. The scheme IL
nothing less than the establishment OF
a national university in this city, with nm
endowment at the outset OF so ,OU0,-
QUO. John ID. Rockefeller. president OF the
Standard-Oil Trust Company, aud the Rev.
DIR. Ii. S. Macarthur. pastor OF the Calvary
Baptist church III this city, the two men
most Interested IN the project, are both
out of town. hut from a friend OF one OF
them it was learned yesterday that DR..
MaoArthur's dream of great baptist
University IN this city seems about TO be
realized.
THE PLAN NOT WHOLLY NEW ONE.
Two wears ago Dr. Macarthur in an adj
dress before the Manhattan Social Union
urged the Baptist denomination to take
the step which II Is said is now under con
sideration. He presented the need OF
BAPTIST university. its relation TO the exist
ing academies and colleges OF the denomi-
nation and itslocatiou. After tracing with
considerable fulness Of detail the origin
and growth OF university education. he
said that in the true understanding OF
the word there was not university IN
America. He admitted that there were
"manv institutions of learning which are
remarkable only for paucity of knowledge
and poverty of resources which bear the
name of universities but added that
many of them are nothing more than
first-class academies" Neither lalc, mar
ward. Princeton, nor Columbia is uniyer-
sity. according TO his standard; Johns
Hopkins Of Baltimore comes nearer than
any other institution in lAmerlcato right
ful possession of this great name.
The university which DIR. Macarthur de-
sires the Baptist denomination to have IN
this city is one into which no one shall be
matrlculated who has not already been
graduated from some reputable college;
He consdarsit unfortunate religlously and
periodically that so many young Ameri-
cans have been obliged to 60 10 Germany,
Austria. France, and other foreign conn
tries. The smaller colleges he believes
would be stimulated by the new insttu-
ton. as young meu would be induced to
enter the academies and he graduated from
the colleges in order to matriculate IL tue
university.
WHERE SHOULD THE UNIVERSITY BE
UJp to this point Baptists in all parts OF
the country applaud DR.. Macarthur. but
his next point-that the national univer-
sitv should be in New lork-has not met
with the same hearty approval; western
men want 1t in Chicago, and consldeGa-
bic number favor Washington. The needs
of the West and the advantages OF the ma
tional capital are both admitted by the New
York pastor, but the needs of the denoml-
nation, the welfare Of the students, and
the advantages of New York more than
outweigh in his mind all the arguments
that are presented IN favor of the smaller
cities. President yelling, of the Column
ban University of Washington, has been
actively at work in behalf OF his institu-
ton and has enlisted the powerful support
of DIR. George Dana Boardman, of Phila-
delphia. 80,
Mr. Rockefeller, it is said, agrees with
DR.. Macarthur that New York Is the pro-
per place for national university. Whle
the details are not perfected, il Is said that
the promoters have agreed that the man
who should be their president is Professor
Harper, of Yale. who has already. been
selected 70 guide the affairs OF the
Chicago University. It is proposed 10
have the ablest professors IN every
department that can be obtained IN
this country and in Europe. The
ripest scholars in science and art and the
ablest professors in theology Will be Sc
cured If possible. IL is the purpose Of
those interested in the undertaking. to
make the attractions so, numerous that
college graduates from New England, from
the West and South, and from Europe and
Asia Will come here TO perfect themselves
i'll the studies to which they propose TO
devote their lives.
MR.. RoCKEFELLER's OTHER GIFTS TO EDUCA-
TON.
For many years Mr.. Rockefeller has
been a generous friend of educational in
situations. Not long ago he sent 100000
to the American Baptist Educational So
ciety. OF this amount $4,000 was distri-
buted among thirteen colleges and acade-
mics on condition that specified sum
should be raised by each institution. The
$50, 900 brought in S427,625 additional,
which pleased Mr. Rockefeller so much
that he soon after handed the secre-
tary of the society 100000 toward the
million-dollar endowment fund for col
lege in Chicago, and since then has sent
him another 100000 for the soeiety's
work. Brown University has also been re-
mem ered by him recently, but his friends
say that the idea of a new university in
New York is receiving his careful coDside-
ration. and as soon as the details can be
perfected his favorable decision will be
announced.
A Eoa, al .IusiIca In Wxnmin1-