New-York tribune., 1896-06-21

49,. .o.,,ors tho sami-mOnastc character OF
rho college was implicitly, II not exphcitiy'
recognized 1t was a little haven or reIgion
ond Ienrninp for n few choice souls VINO de
sired to escape from the great secular hurry
burlv of the world Those who entered us por-
falls were told that they separated themselves
from many of the ordinary activities OF the
world HencefOrth they were TO give UP 'hcir
lives TO the pursuits of scholarship or 10 the
propagation of the Christian religion as uh-
derstood by the denomination to when they
belonged They were to be segregated from
the world and its ideals. Their highest ana
noblest object should be to enter one OF the
learned professions preferably the ministry
or TO retire TO their study and spend their lives
in obst,use learning far removed from the dis
tracting questions and problems OF the day.
Perhaps it might be their distinction some DAY
TO write book on systematic theology or
treatise on philosophy as interpreted by the
Church. SO much the better their names
would then be handed down TO posterlty as
men who had wrought well in their day ana
generation Their duty was not to 90 back
into the world and get in close touch with Nv
ing men and women, but TO hold themselves
above It, and deliver messages to 1t i'll grand
and learned way. while standing on pinnacle
of the temple Of learning or a rampant OF the
walls Of Zion.
How different In It's spirit is the advice OF
the modern baccalaureate address 1he col
lege Is no longer portrayed as an asylum OF
refuge from the world. While 1t Is Sui re-
ligious In the broad sense Of the word ana IS
governed by religious men, 1t Is, with teW
exceptions no longer denominatonal. ana mas
largely ceased to be under clerical government.
We speak here of course. of the great so-call"d
secular colleges nearly ali of which have been
evolved from denominatonal institutions gov
erned by ministers. No longer Is the young
graduate told that he has become meinbcr
of n special caste having different pursuits
different aims and different ideals from those
OF other men in the community. Education II
self means something very different from what
n meant n hundred. or even fifty years ago
II Is animated by n wholly different spirit. ana
its scope has been enormously enlarged. Inc
college has ceased TO regard theology as me
Queen Of Science and the "quadrlviun. the
four liberal nrts Of the schoolmcn, no longer
holds the place Of supreme Importance III IFS
curriculum New branches Of study. largely the
outgrowih of modern scientific Investigation.
md Of course utterly unknown 10 the fathers.
occupy the foremost place of the college OF
today. In going to college the student does
not separate himself from the world and IFS
manifold activities He does not become Il
member of n small body of illuminate. Rather.
he strives as best he may In college 10 III him
self the better for the practical duties OF Ire.
During his college course he IS. II Is true scpa-
rated from the greater world outside OF col
lcge but only that lie may without distraction
acquire the knowledge that will make him n
more useful citizen. n more complete man. a
more successful minister. lawyer. doctor. mer-
chant or mechanic The world gives It's young
men 10 the college In order that II may receive
them back again with clearer understanding
OF their duties and opportunities as participants
in the activities Of life as It IS to-day
All these ideas are strongly brought out IN
the baccalaurcate addresses delivered this sum.
mer More and more every wear the college
IS becoming Il school Of real life n reflection
/ of the modern world spirit clearing house
OF modern thought and activity. And that stu
. dent best reflects It's spirit and aims who on
leaving H. instead OF becoming a learned re-
cluse throws himself with all his might into
the many sided activities OF the common life.