The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-10
BROWNS FUTURE.

Inc bOSlOn OlOOc HHs iouuu oSSasloh
TO allude to Brown university as de-
nomina tional institution. This comment
was called forth by an editorial In the
Providence -Ionrnal, ,-which- remarked
that "the possibility Of expanding Brown
university into great institution like
Harvard or Yale will be graveiy doubted.
There are certain Limitations in its pecu-
liar organization and surroundings
which will be found to prescribe its
growth"
These limitations the Globe takes to be
Baptist denominationalism and goes on
to remark that institutions aspiring TO
the full proportions # universities must
stand on level with the times and to-
tallv unschackle venerable limitations.
While the comment of the Globe Is in
measure pertinent, yct neither 1t nor tie
author of the quotation is at all cogniz-
ant Of the true condition OF affairs at
Brown university.
The people who believe in the develop
ment OF Brown. presuppose the absolute
liberty OF teaching In the faculty and the
utmost liberality In administration.
And moreover, they presuppose that any
thing that may appear to the public, or
be understood as being inconsistent and
obstructing that development. will be
done away with.
At the first the college charter was not
drawn on doctrinal OF creedal lines, but
WAS intended to be representative, and
in its day no other college charter was so
large and liberal in its conceptions.
Ii in the past the thought of that
charter has not been carried out to its
liberal extent, the fault was with the
administration of one or few men and
not with the college charter or the cor
poration as n whole.
In the corporation the four highest ard
most powerful places. with the exception
OF the president. are open to ali comers,
and might be filled by Jew or Gentle,
Protestant or Catholic. There never has
been in the memory Of the present board
"A single vote cart in the corpor ,tion that
turned on denominational considera-
tions.
When that body was first or rganizet IL
was made up of all denominations, pro-
portionate TO the population. In order
to secure the aid and interest OF the then
chief denomination in this state the Bop
lists were given bare majority in the
In the election of men to the vacancie
in the administration of the college the
greatest liberality Is shown in instru-
ing the qualification OF denomination
aud doctrine. This is seen in such men
as Judge Durfee, who is on this board as
4 Baptist. bnt who merely is inclined
that way and attends the Baptist church.
In similar way Baptist places are filled
by Arnold Green, John Carter Brown
Woods, w. V. Kellen Of Jamaica Plain,
md so on among the places of the board
allotted to other denominations.
No man who has ever graduated from
Brown ever knew that it was conducted
IN denominational lines
There Is but one thing that stands in
ho way OF Browns development, aud
hat is lack OF funds.
Since DIR. Andrews advent into the
Brown has made gigantic
tribes toward the university standard
mentioned by the Journal as au impossi-
bility, The number of elective studies
las been Increased from one or two to as
many as the finar cial condition of the
allows, SO that now there are
,ut one or two colleges in the country in
which the elective system is broader than
It Brown. The standard of scholarship
las risen in marked degree, and the |
lumber of students from some 200 or 800 |
o over 500.
The faculty has been greatly enlarged
md now has among its members some of |
he most famous scholars and teachers
n the country. New courses have been |
In science. languages. phi |
osophy, manual training. aud ali de- |
'artments, and the enthusiasm among |
10Th students and faculty, who firnly |
'elieve In a grand future for their alma |
mater, is a matter OF public knowledge.
Brown is at crisis. Either IJ will go |
inward TO the full development planned
" its president or relapse back into the
tagnant dead-and-alive condition out OF |
which Dr. Andrews lifted it.
The college has rich and influential
lumnL With them rests the future of |
he institution which laid the founda-
ion Of their present prosp .rity.