The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-05-05
THE STUDENTS AID FUND OF
WAKE FOREST COLLEGE.
From the Wa.e Forest student.l

has been thought that an article relaG-
ing to the his Tory of the fund might be
of interest to the readers of Toe Stu
dent.
The following facts, relative to its
origin and early history, are taken
from a letter written at the request of
DIR. Taylor, by Mr.. J. W. Denmark, of
Raleigh, N. c., who, more than any
other man, was the originator of the
idea which eliminated in the founda
ton OF the fund.
Mr.. Denmark came to Wake Forest
in the fall OF 1871 He had been at col
lege but q very short time before he
had concluded that it must be the best
place on the globe for a young man,
He wanted all the young men Of his
State to see aud realize the Importance
of education, and the blessings which
he and his fellows Wer5 enjoying, and
were likely to enj}y, all of which bless
ings those who were deprived Of these
opportunities could never hope for.
This wish grew into an earnest, longing
desire to see more students enrolled,
and to see every n then on the roll
return for the next session. At the
close OF his first session, he pleaded
with the boys in his society to be sure
to allow nothing to prevent their return
the next fall. He urged them not to
come back simply to watch the trains
coma in and leg" the new man, but to
bring at least one each with them, thus
helping themselves, their society, their
college, and the boys whom they had
induced TO come, Mr.. Denmark spent
much time during his first vacation
trying to convince young men that
they ought to return to college with
him, or attend some other college.
These efforts Of Mr.. ,nmark were not
without fruit, for at the end of his col
lege course he could count tuenty
three young men whom he had in
duced to spend at least one term
of five months at Wake Forest
Many of the number graduated with
distinction and are now making their
mark.
While trying to induce the young
men Of his acquaintance to educate
themselves es we'll as possible, and to
go to college if within their means, Nj.
Denmark found many a~bundantly able
but without the inclination. Others,
however. he met would weep. 50 great
was their anxiety. These generally
had not the means and did not know a
friend to whom they could apply for a
loan. He met one young man, in par
~ticuiar, in the vacation Of IS, VINO was
eager to g0to college. This yOungman
was anxious to prepare himself 20 be
Of seTviee to himself, as well as to his
community. He would borrow, il he
could, bus knew not where to apply.
Mr.. D3nmA ark hai graspei the meaning
Of the MOTTO, "InUeniam Uium dut
fIcian1, - aud did not leave the boy IN
I'll he had tried to impress upon his
mind that, If he was in earnest, he
would fai the way. After Mr.. Den
marks interview with this young man,
il occurred 20 him that there must be.
mewhere il the United States, an
organization or socit t. for the purDose
OF ~loaniDg funds to just euch men as
this, and that if there was not one
there oughE 10 b, and should Be, and
at Wake Forest College.
Immediately upon his return to col
lege in the fall cf 1875, he procur d a
college directory, e copy Of the Baptist
Year Book, and n hundred postal
cards. In q few days he had mailed a
postal card 10 every leading college in
this country, to every secretary of a
Baptist State Convention, and 10 the
secretaries of all the educational soci
ties and associations mentioned in the
Year Book, asking If there was in their
college, or connected with it, any loan
fund Or any way 10 help worthy young
men, other than students for the min,
istry. These questions brought some
very encouraging replies, but nowhere
could hefEd what was wanted-a fund
to be loaned to worthy, INDECENT yOung
men seeking higher education.
The following letter from Mr. G N.
Spratt, Philadelphia, Pa, mag be taken
as a fair sample of the many responses
that Mr.. Denmark received in answer
to his inquiries:
$3.50 ARCH STREET. PHILADELPHIA,
November 10 1875.
81. w. DESMARK-Dear BrOther:-
Your postal card received. Absence
from the city has prevented an earlier
reply.
ITO meet. in part. vour REQUEST. I