The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-30

The collective annual income of these
colleges s156.193. This gives an average
annual income of s39,O4s for each of our
colleges. 1t gives an average of S540,7 ,75O
as the productive funds of each college.
But the average amount of productive
funds for all the colleges and universities
in the United States, is only s2O6,9S9,
and the average income is but s32 2SO,
Hence in productive funds and in an
nual income our four colleges are iu ad-
vance, on the average, of all the other
like institutions Of our country, notwith.
standing the immense State institutions
and rich and venerable universities are
counted into the competition. Our
fathers built stronger than they knew.
We have greater cause to rejoice than
we know. The wisdom and knowledge
of these prolific and benefcent institu-
tions shall be the stability of our
churches.
Neither do we introduce these compar-
isons to be odious. The courage and
self.respect which they should foster
ought to stimulate us not to be weary in
we'll doing. And friendly denominations
ought to rejoice that we have done as
well as we have, although, in proportion,
it is better than they have done them
selves. Good men everywhere are glad
for the increase of wisdom and knowl-
edge in the earth. by whosesoever instru-
mentality. The riches of our young in
stitutions of learning increase the COM
mon wealth. The stability of our insti.
tutions which are helpful to religion
and intelligence is source of public
Joy. So as to buildings in which our
people worship.
Although the churches OF the Univer-
salist denomination throughout the
land have cost an average Of s9,6s0 for
each, while the churches of all other
sects have cost but $4,765 as the aver
age for each -(Consult DR.. Carrolls Re-
ligious Forces of the United States,
page 392)-yet to the good man this
comparison is not odious. It is pleasur-
able. For substantial and beautiful
public buildings are an ornament to the
country. no less than a pledge to the
permanence Of Christian sect. Hence
we are not pleased that the Methodists
once worshiped in streets. in barns and
halls. But we are glad rather that they
are now housed in many beautiful tenn
pies OF their own. What though the cost
of our edifices, on the average, is about
three and half times more than their
own-yet the comparison is not odious,
because the number of the Methodist
churches is gladness to our Republic.
And whether wisdom and knowledge
shall flow to the people from comely
temples of praise, or be poured out from
grand halls of learning, yet the land
shall rejoice because wisdom and knowl-
edge run to and fro in the earth. For
they are the stability Of our times.
Now, therefore, as to Lombard Univer-
sity in particular. This is the oldest by
five years of our institutions of its kind
founded in 1851 at Galesburg, Ill.
Lombard does not take rank as one of
the larger institutions either among our
own or other denominations. But this
is an additional reason for its patronage.
The greater the masses of young people
together, the more active the elements
OF fermentation and corruption. AS in
the mobilization of an army, so in the
mobilization Of students. The greater
the mass the greater the temptations to
sin. Parents have reason to be alarmed
at the vices of our great colleges. Their
ambitions are far more Of the muscles
than of the brains. A gladiator is more
popular than scholar. Newspaper
notoriety in corrupting exhibitions, is
more sought than the glory of valedict-
ory. 1t makes one ashamed of his coun-
try when these great institutions are
run more in the nature Of amphitheaters
than of universities. The smaller college
is far the safer. It is more moral. 1t
is less expensive. 1t is more free from
temptations. 1t is quickened with
greater ambitions for substantial schol.
arship. 1t gives the pupil the advantage
of the society of college officials. 1t has
more the nature of family, and the
morals of student may be known and
looked after.
We say to our people therefore.-Pat-
ronize Lombard! 1t is our own institu-
tion. Its new President has been called
from one of Brooklyn's popular church
es. He is in the prime Of his years and
under the momentum of the flood tide
of his manhood. Lombard is bound to
rise. Every interest will be looked
after. The students will graduate
clean and strong for the glorious man.
hood of American citizens, and ripe for
the opening opportunities which every
where beset their pathway. Send the
youth to Lombardl Thy sons shall be
as plants grown up in their youth, and
thy daughters as corner stones polished
after the similitude of palace.
LA GRANGE. ILL.