The Washington times., 1895-06-23
american University
No Longer an llIusion
Construction Of an Ideal Institution Of Learning
Soon to Be Commenced-Beautiful Site
Northwest of the City.

The American University, so soon to adorn
v tn its megnificence a northwest suburb
or Washington, VIII be the product OF vol
Ultary offerings; viii be constructed under
the auspices OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church AID Remain practically under us
control but viii not be a sectarian institu-
ton, aEd, Ia tee exercise of 2 broad and lib
rral policy, viii receive as students all
7, pec;alsls appiicauts OF either sex and any
color, regardless OF religious belief, who
may be prepared upon examination to enter
upon The COCTse.
The Institution will be has,d on the gen
eTal likes laid down in the great German
universities, requiring d tLoroughness Of
preparation. and supplying every advanced
facility for the acquisition Of the higher ed
UCatIon IN every branch OF learning. II
VII ii.olUde no collrglate coarse, but VIII
Sex rather to open the portals OF original
research in every line OF professional work.
II Is not lutoHdUd as theological school
aI0na While Including religious training
and the study OF theology as a part OF Its
J. an II viii also make quite az prominent
the equipment of the student III law medi-
cine, the languages and literature, and
furnish tie facilities for investigation INTO
the mysteries Of science through all the
various channels.
SCOPE OF TEE INSTITUTION.
The scope viii extend 10 the arts aud
sciences, the philosophers, the economics,
and learners VIII be brought into contact
with the most advanced ideas upon which
such an institution may be founded.
TLe higher branches in which the student
may have eXcelled in his college course VIII
-. ..Na..
physics. biology. metaphysics, arCha cOlogy,
t..eism, comparative religion, psychology,
logic and ethics. sociology, civics, aud, in
language and literature, the Oriental,
Semitic, Greek, Latin, Roma ace, Germanic
and English VIII be paced within the grasp
OF the searcher after knowledge, aud tech
nology in all the higher grades, especially
IL the equipment Of teachers, VIII be
conspicuous feature ln the curriculum.
The selection OF Washington as the site
o. this great university seemed naturally
& he a requisite 10 its greater success
6ud usefulness. The capital OF tie ma
ton Is proper place, according TO the
eternal fitness of ihiI IS, for such an
tablishment. but there Were other weighty
reasons ia tie scale when the choice was
made.
Washington is the center OF political
and scientific thought, and is rapidly
becoming, II II Is Lot 6lready, the foun-
tain source from which the continent derives
It's b,St ideas in Literature. Its central
location and ready accessibility were not
overlooked. nor were the advantages al
forded the aspiring student by TIE pres
ence here OF the national halls OF Ieeis-
Iation. the national temple or Justice. tie
executive depa riments. and the supe-
rioT Congressional Library and spicndid
galleries or at Were rot least Of the CON
Eiderations IL It's favor.
ORIGIN OF THE IDEA.
Halt a century ago the leading divinei
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church dis
cussed among themselves the necessity
for such an establishment. Bishops Simp-
son and Ames, DR.. J. P. Newman, now
Z bishop, Dr. Alfred Wheeler, and Rev.
william Arthur. 81. A, OF England, were
among its earliest advocates, and, al
though 81 times lost sight OF III tie con-
siderati1n OF matters more pressing,
the project was never for a single mo-
nlent abandoned.
Colleges aud theological seminaries ther,
are aud have been generally nUInerDu;
enough for the needs Of the Methodist
Church aud all others There are aS-SreS
eut under the control of the single de
Domiuatjos-uamed over 2DO such Institu-
tious. OF more or less importance, with al
aggregate endowment anu property iutcreS
Of the value 0f So coo coo.
These are all above the grade Of the com
mOn schools and each has its particular
field aud missiun They are and hav,
been well sustained aud carry upon IN,
alumni rolls Tie names Of many who have
since graduation distinguished the annals
Of America and American SielhDdisgn-
THIS class uf schools did not however
IN the minds Of thinkers meet the require
ments Of the ideal institution which tn
university of The future was to czemplify
There WAS a more elevated plane to b.
reaClsed aud a broader field 10 cover
There was need of a higher education ant
an institution Of greater scope---a schoo
where scholars might receive instruction
aud thoughts be added TO the store of think
ers-a school so complete as TO furnsl
perfect equipment To men and wOmel
10 all the professions.
Such an institution. thus briefly outlined
viii be the American University. II i:
not yet fashioned by the handicTaft Of man
its Cornerstone is yet 10 be laid and III
foundation, walls, and Toof are still To be
wrought into shape 10y The skill of thC
builder; hut the preliminary work. succeed
jug the agitation OF so many years, las ad
vanced far beyond the doubtful stage.
SIX SECTS REPRESENTED.
There is d hoard OF trustees in charge
in the constitution OF which SIX religious