Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-24
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
DIR. Rankin Says Ii Belongs 10 M
Denomination.

To the Editor OF The Evening Star:
am sure your correspondent, "A A. W."
would rot Intentionally misleaj ally one.
He is only surprised" Bat he has not
studied the facts of the case. 4 turn to the
catalogue and find that of the twenty-four
trustees Of Howard University, a majority
of whom, hs said, We're Congres liionaltsts
81 of whom are WORCESTERSHIRE or
that denomination; that of the five on the
executive committee, two are Copgregl-
tionalists: that of the instruct ors in the
theological department, five cut of eleven
are Congreg it.onalists; of the college, two
out Of six; of the preparatory. Two out OF
three; that the dean of the medical depart
rlent and the large majority of that de-
.. rtment are act tongieGa tlonalistS though
their UNCONVENTIONAL preference is not
known to the writer; that the dean OF the
law department is not a CoEgre9a ;ionalist,
and, SO far the writer knows, not one OF
the other regular instructors is 4 congrega-
tionaliSt; that the dell and large part OF
the tea ching force of the normal depart
nent are rot Congreg ationaliStS. BIT this
is all trivial. There is not OH. intelligent
person who has ever been connected with
Howard University or knows nything per-
sonally, about its work, who has ever re-
galded it as denoTnatlonal.
The question of what is the personal de-
nomnational preference of trustee or
teacher does not affect the denomin ltional
character of an institution The real ques-
ton is. What is its Iolicy?' And so far as
have known Howard University, from its
inception, 1t was the purpose of the found
erS to avoid all denomnational distinctions.
believe this has bean conscientiously
done. No man or woman, L believe. has
ever been chosen or rejected here on nero
UNCONVENTIONAL grounds. No denomina-
tional views are impress I'd upon the stu
dents. That the American Missionary AS
ISOLATION supports our theological depart
ment is true, but it is with the expressed
understand. ng on the part of all concerned
that we teach no denomnational views.
If "A. A. w" would kindly refer to the
World almanac, to the o1Srega tional year
book, to the Congrega tionalist and the ad-
vance manuals, he would see that Howard
University is not in the list of Conarega-
tional Institutions. Its UNCONVENTIONAL
character is denied in all the catalogues
He wonders why just at this time this
question should be raised. 1t IS because Of
the inadv.rteat, and. doubtless. innocent
mistake of those who regard themselves
qualified to speak with authority on the
subject. The truth is important, always,
and especially when it is questioned. And
Consregationa!ists have proud record
when they claim only the truth. They ars
hot running Howard University.
What makes a UNCONVENTIONAL school?
Not the particular denomination of Its
trustees, or its teachers. Nor again, the
origin Of its endowE.ents. But il IS the de-
nominational use Of the school for denomi-
national purposes. The most critical exami-
nation of Howard University i'm all its his
tory cannot fring this charge against her.
such character is hers. 1t would BE TO stul-
tify the guardians and the teachers ho
represent so many different denominations:
1t would be inconsistent. with the presence
and close affinity of King Hall, the theo-
logical school of the Ep.scopalian Church
established here by her distinguished bish-
ops and whose students avail thems elves
OF all the privileges Of the university al d
especially woIll it be inconsistent with the
appropriations TO her secular departments
annually made by the United States gov
eminent, representative of each legisla-
tive branch of which is a member of our
honorary board of trustees.
Al1usion is made by "A. A. W" to NV
fifteen years pastorate Of the Consreca-
tonal Church in this city. When | stood
there, stood there TO defend and propagate
the denomination of which 1 was a minis
ter. 1t was my duty. / was a radical Con-
grcgati5nalst. L occupy no such position
here. have no platform of my own. am
here as the guardian of a great institution
whose character is unique, whose work is
dif1lcult. i try TO he consistent with this
position. My titHy is to teach and practice
Christianity in its largest and broadest
sense, as the hope of all races and OF a
great nation; to do it, as far as possible,
without giving offense to denomination or
party. This l have tried to do, and this I
mean to do 10 the end. j. Z. RANKIN,
Howard University. President
February ID 1Sl6