The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-02

One OF The leading problems OF Ile Gay
In mission work is the place 80 be ac-
corded to education. The true student
of human nature must. however, confess
that there exists 40 force more powerful
10 elevate the standards Of morality, TO
ennoble social aims and 80 promote liv-
ing for the highest ends, than a we'll
balanced Christian college education. IL
is The aim Of the American College for
Girls at Constantnoplc. to meet the
present demand for higher education for
women in Turkey.
This institution was founded in ISL.
not in the way Of an ordinary mission
SCHOOL but 10y funds collected by the
W0man's Board Of Missions for this
purpose aside from the ordinary c0ntu-
buttons 10 the board. Two years ago it
became ii regularly chartered American
college. and since that time its growth
hes been rapid.
Ii is q college for all classes. Many Of
the students come from rich families; but
the charges for tuition are purposely so
moderate that those in poorer circum-
stances may ENJOY its advantages. The
educatiOn Of teachers Is one object Of
the college. and graduates of the mission
schools in the interior Of Turkey are
often sent here for further education, TO
prepare them TO go back as teachers.
During the last academic year one hum
dred and fOrty-Onc students were en-
rolled. of the following nati0nalities: Ar
menian. Bulgarian. Greek, English
American, Israciitc, Turkish, French and
German OF these, eighty-iOur were
boarding Students who represented many
different countries of the East some
coming from Batum. in Russia, and dis
tant cities in Turkey, and others from
Rumania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and
Greece, besides many from COnstantl-
nople
The language Of the college is English;
but SPECIAL courses are given in Latin,
ancient and modern Armenian and
Greek, Slavic. Bulgarian, French and
German Each student is required TO
study her own yeinacular thoroughly.
The standard Of scholarship has been
gradually raised. as the internal growth
of the college permitted aud public sentl-
ment dcmcrled. During the last year
epecial progress in this respect has beel
made i'm the scientific department.
Much tfVght is given, however, tC
other than the Intellectual wants of the
students Effort is ma ,n No, pr2lYiisdse good
advantages for social ia phySlcal cur
ture Societies for phiauthrOpic effort
ere well sustained end the College MIS-
s;crary Society does very erthusla,tlc
work II contains sixty members. who,
drrinc tie last year, contributed over
SOD. which sum was wisely expended IN
home and foreign mission work.
We feel that this institution derives
much OF its strength from the aiumnae,
who now nunbcr cighty-siX. and are
scattered al over the land. from the
EuLhrateS to the Danube, while IN Al
bahia our one albanian graduate Ina
opened the first Christian school for girls
I'm that country. Many of our alumnae
occupy positions of great influence and
usefulness. and half of their number have
engaged i'm teaching. The hrst-class
graduates became the nucleus for an
Alnmnae Association. which has already
held two enthusiastic pubhc meetings.
possesses growing library, and bids
fair to become a power Tor gOOd III the
cause of Christian education.
The college buildings are two In mum
Der. and occupy a commanding site iii
Scutari. overlooking the city of Constan-
tinople. the BospOrus and the Marmora:
These buildings are very much crowded
since the great increase III the NUMBER
of students. and new building Is need
ed TO provide, not only enlarged accom-
modations. but to contain laboratories lor
the scientific department Ims college
has to compete with well-endoWed ma
tive schools, which are much stfehSth-
ened by the national preJudices that are
always IN their favor and against foreign
education.
A strong stand is taken by the college
In religious matters, ana ITS hrst ann y
well known to be to inculcate Simple
and practical Christianity. The. reputa-
tion that the institution has gained for
biob moral teaching carries great weight
with the more earnest and thoughtful IL
the surrounding communities, 1t IS most
important that this college should repre-
sent the best that American effort can
accomplish in mental and spiritual cur
ture i'm this land. where both are SO Inucu
needed. Mary Nj. Patrick, president ~
Independent