The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-05-31
! CHURCH UNIVERSITY.
DISCUSSION OF THAT PRESBYTERIAN
y UNIVERSITY SCHEME.
The Report Of the Plan as Sent Over ths
Associated Press Wires Brings an
Austin Gentleman to the Front
Who Positively Asserts That
It Will Not Be.

The Associated Press report in
Thursday mornings STATESMAN with
reference to the prospective founding
OF great Presbyterian university in
this state is founded, according to a
gentleman seen on the matter yester
DAY, upon a proposition sent out in
circular form. The gentleman in guess
tou assured the reporter that there is
no movement upon the part of the
Presbyterian church, either North or
South, 10 project any such an enter
prise. The Rev. W. H. Clagitt, a
Presbyterian minister of s.. Louis.
but in no way connected with either
branch of the Presbyterian church 10
Texas, originated the plan. He has
been travelling in the state as an evan
gelist, doing work whenever opportu-
nifty offered.
He wrote to the gentlemen above
mentioned, submitting his plan and
asking his views of the project. Mr..
Clagitt claims that there is nearly
$4,000 which must be raised before
his proposed university can claim a 10.
cal habitation or name. The plan is
not considered feasible or advisable by
the gentlemen who Mr.. Clagitt wrote
10 here, and he declined to give his CO.
operation. Neither the Southern or
Northern synods have given their APP
prevail to the enterprise. The North
ern synod, according to the reporters
informant, has abandoned all IDEAS for
the present of starting an educational
institution of any kind in Texas. In
deed, the one started by that synod
some time ago at Brownwood, Tex, has
been abandoned. This gentleman is
positive in his assertions that
the Northern and Southern
synods of the Presbyterian church in
Texas are not working together in any
enterprises. The division between the
two churches is so great that it is not
possible to have union or co.opera-
ton. Several times committees have
met from the two synods to see if
something could be done, and each
time they have found the differences
so great and the churches so wide
apart in doctrine, government, dis.
cipline and ecclesiastical matters that
they cannot harmonic. The gentle
man interviewed argued that they
are distinct denominations as much so
as the Baptist and the Christion
churches, and il is a foregone conclu-
sion there will be no university of the
kind spoken of.
THE PLAN.
Part of the circular plan as issued
reads as follows, the copy having been
furnished the reporter by the gentle.
man that received it: |
1t is proposed to establish in the
state of Texas, at some point hereafter
to be decided upon, great Presbyte-
rian institution, which. from, the be.
ginning, shall take its place beside
Princeton and the other leading col
leges of the East For this purpose it
is proposed to raise an endowment of
$2000,00 of which the people of
Texas will provide 100000, and ask
the church at large to contribute d
like amount.
An outline of the school as planned
"details of which, of course, are vet to
be worked OUT is as follows:
/. 1t shall be:
First-Known as The Texas Presby>
terrain University.
Second-A school for both sexes,
each admitted on the same terms.
Third - Prominently Christian
school, the Bible to have the first
place among its text books. The
student beginning with Genesis shall,
during the course, be taken regularly
through it, ending at his graduation
with the Revelation.
Fourth-A Presbyterian school, the
Catechism, Confession of Faith, Form |
of Government, Book of Discipline,
and History of the Presbyterian church |
being regular text books and exami-
nation in the knowledge of them nee
essary for graduation, the same as in |
Latin and Greek.
Second-With the above distinctive
features, it shall be second to none in
the thoroughness of its classical, scen |
tific, literary, fine art and musical de-
partments.
Third-The physical and athletic
shall be under the imme- [,
diate control and direction of the fac !
ulty, member of which will give reg |
ular instruction in physical culture
and have control of all the athletic ex-
ercises of the students. The object of
this department being to develop
sound mind in a sound body, con-
troled by a christian spirit. This will
drevent the serious abuses of students
10 this regard, so prevalent in so many
and will commend itself to
parents as a protection against the
physical injury of their children.
Fourth-lf not at the opening of the
school, as soon thereafter as possible,
it is proposed to establish a labor de-
partment, in which students who have
not the means to pay their way. may,
by working certain number OF hours
each day, assist themselves to an edu~
cation. This department, however,
will not be supported out of the genr
eral endowment, but will be a special
feature, for the maintenance of which
special provision may be made.
The plans also add that both synods
in Texas shall have voice in the
movement.
Prominent Railroad Man Dead
to CtotncrnaO