The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-11

since 1905, or from Si0o(z,llO TO S06l,-
364,073. This seems on it's face unjusti-
fable. But when the whole subject is
inquired into, the mass of crookedness
and imposture covered by the pension
list takes away the patriotic pride
which one would like to feel in this ma
tlonal benefcence and supplants it with
feelings of disgust and humiliation. 1t
is an object lesson on American man.
hood which might well have been
omitted
The assumption is made specifically
by our esteemed contemporary, the
Watchman, and very generally by other
of our esteemed contemporaries, that
il the professors in the theological
seminaries gave their students certain
advice,th students would as matter of
course, follow it. The Watchman thinks
that young ministers would not marry,
for instance. so soon after graduation if
they were taught" the risk of taking
such responsibility while yet in debt
for their education. 1t must not be
taken for granted, however, that theo-
logical student follows implicitly what
he is taught, either in doctrine or in
duty. He has nearly as strong predi-
lection as the rest of mankind for hear
ing the counsel of others and following
the dictates and devices of his own i'm
mature mind. He is not always consid-
crate enough to refrain from charging
the consequences of his errors to those
who advised him not to commit them.
If the new organization to oppose
the reform of the civil service had not
been instituted when it was, it is reason
able to think it would have remained
in chaos. Had the members of that re-
dictionary movement taken time to di-
geet the meaning and effect of the Presi-
dents order defining and extending the
rules of the service, it is scarcely be-
lievable that they would have rushed
into such an attitude of opposition.
They had been led to expect that his
impending order would greatly modify
and circumscribe the reform. They
calculated on Ginning in with the new
administration and with the Platt gov
ernor Of New York in taking the starch
out of the civil service" The starch
has been taken out in different place.
The disposition of the higher grade
of institutions to bestow honorary de.
grees sparingly, and to make both grad
yates and others earn their honors is
praise worthy. The dispensing of de.
grees right and left because they were
wanted rather than merited, or as COM
pensation for benefits, past or prospec.
tive, had become an abuse; and it was
time to reform. Yet the whole case is
not contained in any exposition of the
abuses attending the custom, nor is
complete amendment secured by requir-
ing degrees to be earned. An honorary
degree should be earned" always. If
properly bestowed. it is given to him
who merits it. that is. to him who
has earned it. And so earned and so
and much more useful than if competed
for by a prescribed course of study.
Any grads grind can learn" any degree;
only men of exceptional power and abili
ties WILL in the legitimate course of
things, get any honorary degree,
1t is with genuine relief that we are
able to record the confirmation in
Gouverneur, N. Y. August 31st, by
Bishop Morrison. of the Rev. Ure Nit
chell. as communicate and member of
the Episcopal church. In process of
time it is probable he intends to become
priest in that church. Mr.. Mitchell is
the son of the Rev. James Ure Mitchell,
Scottish preacher of Universalism.
who some years ago visited this country
and raised money for church he was
trying to establish in Larbert. The son
was sent to this country when lad of
fourteen, was educated at Clinton and
Canton by his Universalist friends, and
ordained to our ministry in 1880. He
had settlements in Oxford Fort Plain
and Cortland, when about 1890 he ire
nounced" Universalism and was i'm
mersed into the Baptist Church. He
did not succeed in being re-ordained
into the Baptist ministry. but after two
years of service turned up among the
Unitarians, with whom he had two pas.
torates-the last in mission station in
Gouverneur, N. Y. During the last
year and half he has made several in
effectual efforts to re-enter the Univer-
salist Church. His religious orbit has
been very eccentric. If the centripetal
energy of Episcopacy can counterpoise
the centrifugal tendencies of his own
mind, he may now cease his wander
ings.
CANTON THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL.