The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-21
AKRoNELETTER.
COLLEGE MATTERS.

movement and all ihe lights of educa.
tion are kept trimmed and burning. Tie
delectable Thanksgiving turkey called
home number of the students who live
conveniently near enough for the pur-
pose. and the College was consequently
in state of suspended animation for
few days. But the absentees have now
returned and while there is doubtless
some signing for "the flesh pots of
Egypt yet the lessons have been taken
up with renewed zest.
THE FAITHFUL TEACHER.
Teaching, as profession, has never
had any fascination for me; for l have
always considered it the most over
worked, underpaid. and unappreciated
OF the professions. But I have always
bad unqualified admiration for tie ele-
ments that go to make up the faithful
teacher, whether in the upper or lower
grades. 1t requires fine endowment
of noble qualities and necessitates con.
siderable heroism as we'll as unlimited
patience. His work is of the kind that
does not show immediate visible results;
he cannot tabulate its effects and enter
them into ledgere; his work makes no
noise and has no dramatic features. It is
just steady, persistent and continuous
toll. The teacher is sculptor Of the
most hidden and secret work, and his
daily touches are SO delicate that they
barely chisel away speck of dust here
and there. Neither he nor the student
are encouraged by large present gains.
Little by little the mental powers
come into bolder relief under his forming
hand. and the noble figure of character
which he fashions, grows slowly and
silently into the finished form. There is
no haste and no rest. Yet this still and
mostly unappreciated work has to be
carried on year after year, and it de-
mands some sturdy heroism, plus some
patience, to do it.
And perhape, in the great summing
up of things, the teachers humble name
will lead and outshine many that are
now hallowed by the fame of success or
death in battle. 1t would do no harm
to sometimes include in our prayer the
unobtrusive saints of the class room.
PERSONAL.
Rev. Mr.. Couden, who has Just been
elected as Chaplain of the House o. 4sep-
resentatives, has a son in the College.
who is very popular among the students
and also active in the Young Peoples
Union. =. sis very capable young man
and has set high mark in life which his
friends do not doubt he will reach in
due time.
MR. ROCKEFELLER'S GIFT
Apropos of Mr.. Rockefeller's magnif-
icent gift to the University of Chicago,
it would be interesting to know Just
what motives impell SO many rich men
OF our times to make colleges the trustees
OF their surplus wealth. The fact is
obvious that they are SO doing and to an
extent never before known. 1t seems
certain that an increasing number of
persons are using this method of benev
olence in preference to any other. OF
the ten million dollars given to beneyo-
lent purposes Of all kinds during the
first six months of the present year :.
nearly one-half was donated to colleges
and universities. More was given to
this end than to churches, libraries and
hospitals combined.
suppose the motives in this instance.
like those usually governing conduct are
mixed and varied.
Some have felt the need of college
education themselves. Some are infiu-
enced by the example of others. Some tax
themselves in this way because the State
has never taxed them proportionally for
the support Of the common schools. The
benefits that accrue to the country and
umanity at large is doubtless another
reason. And there are others. But the
central motive believe is we'll expressed
by President Thwing of Adelbert when
he says THE way in which money, be it
ten thousand dollars or ten million, does
the most good, to the greatest number,
during the longest time and in the wild
est realms, is to give it to colleges and
universities" 1t is this belief, that
m oney given to the higher education. is
the safest and best investment. and best
serves the interests of mankind that
compels these large gifts. The donors
feel sure that the money thus bestowed
is more likely to be wisely used and di-
rected, produce better results, and con-
tiuue longer in operation. than money
invested in any other form of benevo.
lence.
And is it not so? At any rate l wish
more of our wealthy Universalists accepts
ed the belief more thoroughly than they
seem to do. Buchtel would then get
some drops Of the shower of benevolence
which is refreshing other institutions
around her.
THE CHURCH.
The annual fair is just now in opera.
tion az bids fair to be very successful.
The ladies have woI Iked like bees in
flower time and hope to clear a neat little
sum for the three days exhibition and