The morning call., 1893-10-19
A CHURCH EVENT.
The New Divinity School
at San Mateo.
-UN0STENTATIoUs OPENING.
II Marks Step Forward, However,
-. in the History of the Prot
estant Diocese.

An important event in the history Of the
Protestant Episcopal church on this coast
took place yesterday at San MateO. when
the new Divinity School was opened to
The use of students by Bishop Nichols.
:: The ceremonies were uDostentatlOus.
Indeed, they were a beginning of things
,rathsr than formal opening. There was
n celebration of the holy communion at
1870 o'clock in the temporary chapel, at
which the Bishop was the celebrant, as
sisted By Rev. j. @. Lincoln and Rev. w.
]. Kip. A few clergymen and other Epis-
cOpalians particularly Interested In the
school were the only people present.
:: 1t had been hoped to have formal open
Ing of the Divinity School during the
presence of the Missionary Council in this
city. The visit of that body having been
deferred. however, yesterdays opening
was preliminary to formal one. which
may not perhaps, be held until next year.
In his address the Bishop said:
1--WE had hoped for more considerable
public marking of the significance Of the
event. We may remember that hopeful
and happy as it would have been for us to
have h gathered here the distinguishe
body of clergy and laity that by necessity
have been kept away, still there would
than TO Identify it with the holy enchar-
istie celebration"
The Bishop went on to speak of the hope
for the future, saying: 1.-The need OF a
divinity school has been in the heart and
prayers of our clergy and laity from the
very start Of our church ltfe."
He then referred to various occasions
: when the hope had been publicly expressed,
even at the time when mot square foot
of land nor even dollar was actually in
sight for it,"
Speaking of the present financial con-
dition OF the school the Bishop said that it
was most indebted to the munificence of
George w. Gibbs and of a large-hearted
Iayfnan in the East, adding:
From what we have to what we hope to
have is a natural step, and the first i'm
pulse would be to take that step and tell of
our absorbing aims and views. But the
second thought checks IL. 1t is enough to-
day to speak of the present"
After touching upon the noble career
which lies before the young men who are
to become laborerS in our next Pacific
harvest field, and upon the call to God s
ministry, which touches all the tender side
of human nature, the Bishop concluded
with the hope that, ''in all our curriculum
and in all our ideals we may keep to the
one ambition which we embody in the le-
gend chosen for this divinity school
Jesus. tie way and the truth and the
life"
!: It has been cause for deep rejoicing to
those interested that the long hoped-for
school has at last become an actual fact.
As stated in the Bishops address. this is
partly owing to the munificence of George
. w.. Gibbs. The house and grounds are his
: gift 1t would have been impossible to
choose q better site for the school.
. 1t is chaTmingly situated in large grounds
:. about three-quarters of mile from San
Mateo station. The perfect quiet of its
surroundings is admirably conducive to
study. ard there are number of Episco-
palian cleTgymen residing in the neigh bor-
in the various duties at the school, and in
Che daily services which will be held there.
The building at present has more the ap-
pearance of pretty dwelling than COL
lege. AS time goes on, however, II is hoped
TO add greatly to IL, until the structure
assumes the form of a regular quadrangle.
Until that time arrives the handsome
library will be used as temporary chapel.
The large lecture-roOm is complete, as are
the diniDg-roOm and bedrooms.
a number of applications have been re-
eeved from students, and as many as there
are accommodations for will enter. into
residence Immediately.
Although the school is beginning in an
unOstentatious way The intention is to build
it up. and to conduct it from the very first
on plan similar to that on which large
seminaries in the East are conducted. The
Dean of the school, Bishop Mich OILS. has its
interests very much at heart, and will visit
it frequently. Rev. W. 1. Kip will also
spend some days of every week there.
Rev. j. o. Lincoln has been appointed
resident professor.
The working of the school will be upon
a strictly professional basis. Students de-
sirous of obtaining entrance will be re-
quired to pass-a preliminary examination
on general subjects or else to show equiva-
lent diplomas from sone college or univer-
sity. The school course, although a very
extensive one. will be entirely theological,
and the three years study which will be
required from students before graduation
is said not to be at all too long time for
covering the wide field which has been
arnnad