The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-08-26

LETTERS FROM EAST TENN
EssEE.
BY Rsv. Samuel Sawyer. 70 the New
York evangelist.
Maryville, Tenn, July 18th, 1891.
EDITOR EvANGELIsT=-I came
over to Maryville from Clinton on
last Friday. 1t has been twenty
five years since I was here, With
Prof. Lamar I had purchased the
grounds upon which are located the
present college buildings, and as my
work in recognizing our church.
es in East Tennessee was nearly
completed, the Synod pressed me
into the service Of raising funds for
re-establishing the institution.
William Thaw, Of Pittsburg, from a
circular I handed him and from a
few remarks I made in his hearing,
became interested in the object.
He invited me to his home, and
gave me $4,000 as the Arst INSTALL
ment of the $4,000 he gave to the
College. He liked the idea that
colored students Bhould not be de-
barred, but should have equal OPP
portunities and advantages with
the whites. He gave every dollar
with the distinct understanding and
condition, that no color line should
exclude them.
In my hrst interview with him,
he spoke of Rev. Alexander Bart
lett, whom he knew well and COM
mended highly as a man he would
like to see chosen as a professor in
the College. Tell the Trustees"
he added, "that they will find him
competent, unselfish, indefatigable,
and in every way trustworthy and
reliable" l wrote this to Professor
Lamar, and he was chosen profess
or and confirmed the endorsement
of Mr.. Thaw to the day Of his death|
1t is very pleasant to hear the uni,
versal testimony as to his fidelity
and efficiency.
1 have been over the beautiful
College grounds of $50 acres, have
been through the Lamar Memorial
Library, and the handsome new res
idence of President Boardman, who
is spending his Summer vacation
with friends in Fairmount. I took
tea with Professor Cate, who gave
me much information with regard
to the College, and the gratifying
report that they had 1856 students
this year. This is the largest en-
rollment they have ever reached,
and the Faculty and Trustees are
greatly encouraged. There is no
doubt but that they will continue
to prosper more aad more, 80 long
as they adhere to the principle upon
which the institution was resusci.
tated and started upon its new ca
reer.
There are perhaps two or three
DESTROYS of movement that might
induce some of the colored people
to request that part of the $780,
600 endowment fund be set apart
for them to found a separate college
on the colored line, but they are dis
inclined to make any such request,
which could not be granted even If
they desired it. Besides, 1t would
be q betrayal Of the trust commit.
ted to the hands Of the Trustees,
and q perversion Of the funds alto
gether unworthy and discreditable.
Any attempt to bring about such .
perversion, might create temporary
uneasiness and some confusion, but
it will and must of necessity fail of
it's object. The sentiment @Let we'll
enough Alone" and maintain hon
or with the doners living and dead
will prevail.
1 had a very pleasant call upon
Mrs. Lamar. On Sabbath morning
/ preached to the colored Presbyte-
rian Church, and at night In the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev.
Robert Bartlett, son of Prof. Alex
ander Bartlett, deceased, summon
ed here to bury his mother, preach.
ed in the other Presbyterian Church.
The pastor of the colored church,
Rev. Mr.. Drayton, is from South
Carolina. He is greatly respected,
and an able minister Of the Word.
Rev. P. NJ. Bartlett former Presi-
dent of the College, is genial and
cordial as ever. He has Almost in
teresting companion In Mrs. Bart.
lett, and two growing boys. He is
President OF the Bank, and is called
away somewhere on almost every
Sabbath to preach.
Professor Crawford, highly es-
<oov,ood of oil diod durinu tho voor