The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-17
HIGHER EDUCATION.
The Subject Is Discussed by the
Unitarian Club.
Ez-President Davis Of the State University
Makes a Strong Argument il Favor
Of Special Branches.

About one hundred members of the Uni
tartan Club gathered last evening at the
California Hotel, the occasion being the
regular quarterly meeting of the organiza-
ton, which embraces in its roll of men,
bership many prominent educators and
business men of this and adjacent cities.
Frank J. Symmes presided and announced
the subject under discussion to be one of
great Importance, not only to those engaged
in the advancement of higher branches Of
learning, but 10 all who are convinced that
a college education is indispensable to a
man who expects to follow successful
career, either in business or professional
line. namely: Methods Of Education"
Professor David S. Jordan of Stanford
University was introduced and read an ex-
haustye paper On the subject under discus
sion, in which lie compared the educational
institutes of the Old World with the New,
and followed the student through the sew
eral stages Of thought and development in
cident 10 a collegiate course.
THE AMERICAN SYSTEM.
"There is" said he, "a general American
system of higher education being developed,
which will prove vastly superior to any now
in vogue. Its growth is necessarily slow,
but always appreciable, and while years
will be required for its perfection and full
Development the time will come when the
older nations will take pattern after sys-
tenn of education which has hal its founda-
ton in America"
Professor Jordan was followed by Pro-
feSSor Moses Of the State University, who
considered the same subject, though in q
different line OF thought. BE reviewed the
history OF higher education in Europe, re-
ferring particularly to the period when the
educators of Europe sought TO lead thought
from religion to a study of nature. He
spoke of the time when all learning was
confined within the walls of universities
and the general masses were densely igno-
rant OF the wonderful change wrought by
the invention of the printing! press, when
books became the property of all, and
learning could be obtained by the black
smith at the forge, and the cobbler in his
stall, as well as by the college man. This
general dissemination of knowledge, said
he, discouraged higher education, and re-
duced the roll Of universities all over the
world. But within the past few years an
other change has taken place, and now
everything points to the revival Of univer-
slty education.
FAvoRs sPECIALTIEs.
EX-President Horace Davis of the State
University spoke of ''Specialties" in college
Work. He thinks that the recen: inven-
tlons and discoveries OF science have reYo-
lntioniZed the old methods of education
The world, said he, wants Special men,
and too much time should not be given to
rOhOA ~ Sulluic III one respect the c0nQi-
tion which has made special education ne
cessity Is to be deplored. for we all know
how work in certain line of thought and
development tends to narrow the mind. But
on the other hand we shall produce men
more proficient in the line which they have
chosen for a life work. There should also
be place for those vino have no speciality.
As rule boys are allowed to choose a pro-
fession too young, and rush into a certain
course OF work without the adaptablity
which is the only sure guarantee of success
CLIMATIC EFFECTS.
Professor Haskell spoke of "Climatic
Effect on Mental and Moral Development"
and was followed by Professor Anderson,
who considered the same subject briefly
Among those present We're: Mark Shell
don, Rev DR.. Stebbins, DR.. McNutt, j. S.
Bunnell, II. f. uoughton, William Norris,
A. l.. Moody, Warren Alncy, b. +. Dun
ham, C.: A; Murdock. Sheldon Kellogg,
George II. Buckingham, W. T. CrossmaD,
J.. Van Orden, Charles G. Hooker, n. w.
Spauldin g, w. II. Mills. A. q. Eells, John
McMullen. Lowell White and Others.