Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-05
PROTESTANT EDUCATION.
Methodist Plans For Founding Rival OF
the Catholic University at the National
Capital-The Needs and Prospects. OF
the Proposed School
TFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4. The "Wordis Con
gress of Methodism," which will meet
in this city next Wednesday and continue
in session until the Goth of the month, will
be the greatest gathering of Methodists eve1
held In this country, and it will undoubt
edly give great impetus to the project for
an American University to be established
at Washington which was originated sew.
eral years ago by Bishop Hurst, now resi-
dent here .--.
This congress will attract Methodist di-
vines from every country where Methodism
has foothold, and will also arouse the in
terest of all other Protestant people. The
Catholics will look upon it with concern to
see its effect upon the movement to estab-
iish Protestant rival OF the great Catholic
institutions which are attended by so large
a portion of the youth bent upon gaining
the higher academic education here, and
whose patrons exercise so vast an influence
on the thought and society of the National
Capital.
The Need Of Protestant Competition.
While the expressions of the Protestants to-
ward the Catholics have been in the main
generous, 1t is hardly concealed that the
movement to establish this Protestant
school, to be called "The American Uni.
versity," is to equalize the situation by
Offering fair and open opposition to the tre-
mendous inroads made here in the educa-
tional field and in society by the Catholics.
This was frankly avowed by DIR. Newman in
speech made at a meeting held about two
years ago to further the university project.
His remarks, which were loudly applauded,
were reported by me for The DISPATCH at
the time
The most conspicuous pile in ancient
Georgetown is the old Jesuit University, al
ways attended by youth Of the most influen-
tial Catholic families of the country.
Around it and in other parts of the city are
acres upon acres of buildings, convent and
other schools, for the education of the young
women of the church, though they always
have numerous attendance from outside
of the membership, thus constantly extend
ing the church influence,
Near the northeast entrance to the Sol
diers' Home and connected with the city by
electric cars is the new Catholic University,
initiated by a gift of $5OO.0OO from Miss
Gwendolen Caldwell. At present there is
but one great building, but the site is spa
cious and buildings will be added as
needed.
Non-Catholic Schools in Washington.
Opposed to these great schools, or rather
outside of them, there is only the Columbian
University, wholly secular, and the colored
higher schools, Howard University and
Wayland Seminary. 1t is little wonder the
Protestant people of the country became
aroused when they saw the thorough man.
ner in which the Catholics were providing
for the education of all corners.
While it is Bishop Hurst's idea that the
"American University" shall be controlled
by representatives of the Methodist Church,
in its spirit it will be broadly Protestant
and not denominational. In an address just
written by him on the subject he names
$lO,0 600, 600 as the sum needed to carry out the
project.
The site is already purchased. 1t is a
beautiful one of 100 acres, on the line of
Massachusetts avenue extension, near
a Ia1r
than was paid for it.
Doubtless few of the readers Of THE DIS
PATCH have seen any part of this address of
the Bishop, and as the project is really one
OF absorbing interest to the whole country,
L am impelled to quote from its most
practical portions. In regard to the reasons
for selecting Washington as the place, the
Bishop says:
The Reasons for Its Location.
"Why in Washington? Because of the un,
eqaled facilities of the national capital as q
center for great intellectual
and moral forces, and because of the incom-
parable advantages for scientific and liter
ary investigation presented by the general
American university life is
and technical libraries, the
Smithsonian Institution, the National Mu-
scum, the Army and Navy Medical Museum,
the great naval observatory, the Depart
ments of Agriculture and Labor, the patent
office, the geological survey, the bureau or
the botanical garden, the mu-
scum of hygiene, the department of educa-
tion and the many subdivisions of scientific
under the direct patronage
Of the Government, are gratuitously fur
nished and constantly multiplying. Money
given for education here must go farther
than anywhere else in the country, because
the American University will find outside
Its walls another university and constantly
within reach.
After explaining that the institution pro-
poses to receive young men and women as
students who have completed academical
studies at other colleges, and to afford them
for the broadest culture in post
graduate and professional studies, the
Bishop proceeds:
"The Institution we propose is of no erdi-
nary magnitude. 1t is designed to represent
the highest form of Christian education, to
be an exponent of the best forces of Chris
tian thought and activity and to express, at
this center of our civil and political infiu-
snce, the firm faith of our people and their
devotion to Christ and His kingdom. We
cannot afford to make it inferior to the
strongest in the Union. That which we
otfer Him should be the best.
What Will Be Required.
'1n addition to the money for the endow-
nent of fprofessorships, 1ecturerships, fellow
hips and studentships, funds will be re-
luired for halls of science, philosophy, Ian
,uages and literature, history, law and med
cine besides dormitories and professors
louses. For this purpose we estimate that
TO- 900, 900 must be dedicated to God and hu-
nanity.
"For this sum-" the bishop goes on, 1--WE
Ippeal to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
With it's 2,225, 600 communicates, with its 15 600
and with its Epworth Leagues OF
80 900 members soon to become 800 900. In
me month, if the sympathy and will are
quail to the providential occasion and ne
essity, this entire sum can be given. By
uch an act the Methodist Episcopal Church
an add another rich benefaction to the
American people for all time to come. We
must do our part to enforce and perpetuate
he example of our immortal founders.
ITO all the Methodist bodies in America,
4,SS7, 900 members we appeal for
!elp in aiding. to establish the American
which, we hope, shall prove a
bond for our Methodist churches
n every part of the country, and shall pro-
ect into the future the piety of our COM
non Epworth and the learning of our COM
non Oxford.
'To all friends of Christian education un-
er whatever denominational banner, and
o all lovers of Protestant America, we ap-
eal for cooperation in the great work of
hall conserve and promote all the interests
f our country and our common Christian
~"
The Demand VIII Be Met.
Ten million dollars is, of course, more |
asily asked for than gotten, but there is !!
reat enthusiasm in regard to the project, |
9th within and without the Methodist |
hurch, and there is hardly doubt that |
lere will be grand response.
The site was bought by the Protestants of |
Washington. That was suggested as their |
lare of the burden and they assumed it |
romptly and raised the money with little
'ouble. 1t is probable that at the Pan
Conference which will begin next |
eek the foreign representatives may be in |
uced to pledge foreign help for the great |
-Ork, and it will certainly be given q |
lightly and general boom in America.
w. L.
BRICE ON THE ISSUES.