The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-06
BUTLER DAYATBETHANY
MANY OF THE COLLEGE GRADUATES
AT THE PARK YESTERDAY.
R~eOpening of Bible Department mt the
College DiscuSsed-Great Relig-
iOus Fervor at Acton.

thusiasm in all that took place. A number
Oh ADMIRERS as well as present and old-time
students Of the college were on the grounds
to applaud and take part in all the fea-
lures OF the programme. In the neat cot
tage of Butler on the crest of the hill in
the midst of thick shade trees an informal
gathering of graduates took place. Most
of the day was given up TO social inter
course. The boats were in general demand
and in the evening the lake presented a
festive appearance with the happy parties
that sail I'd its surface.
In the evening a number of stereopticon
views of the masterpieces of Greek art were
given in the tabernacle under the direction
OF Professor D.. C.. Brown.
The mornings work began with the lee
ture on The Prophecy of Isaiah by Pro-
fessor Willett.
Butter exercises proper opened with an
address by Professor Jacob Dorsey Forrest
on The Church and Education.
In the afternoon all adjourned to the
tabernacle, where they joined in singing old
college songs with a zest.
DR.. Edward S. Ames then addressed the
audience on The Ideals of Butler College
He said in part:
Since 1894 there have appeared from time
10 time IN the educational Review several
interesting articles on the Spirit and
Ideals OF some OF the reading universities
and colleges OF this country. "A compare
tive STUDY OF these historical and descrip-
tive papers lmpresseS the reader with the
variety OF individuality which such insti-
tutlonS possess. There is a striking con-
trast between the So-called universities and
colleges OF America" He then spoke in a
general way OF the large colleges of the
East and OF some of the small, pTetentious
ones of the West, and continuing. said:
Now, as we think together to-day con-
corning the spirit and ideals of Butler Col
lege let us DO so III the light of its history
or more than forty years ana in the light
OF its constant and abiding principles and
policy. These principles and policy were
given to it at It's beginning by many men
and many circumstances. they have been
accepted and modified by many officers and
students, and are to be considered as be-
longing to no one college generation. View
ing this institution then as ii resultant of
many forces, the complex outgrowth OF
many lives, ii is with diftidence that a COM
paratiVe stranger can assume to do justice
10 the question of its spirit and ideals. But
an Institution OF learning is a pubilc servant
whose life must be an open book.
The general situation out OF which the
Northwestern Christian University came
was the same as that which has given birth
10 the many church Schools throughout the
country. Upon the American principle of
the separation of the church and state,
state institutions are limited to so-called
secular or scientific education. This has
always left a fundamental need unsatisfied
in these schools. Religion is so much an
Integral anu luulSpSlSdDic ldCLOE III uUIildn
life that in the long run men have always
refused to see it set entirely apart from
concrete life, and particularly at so i'm
portant a time as that of receptive and de-
Veloping youth. But the oneSidedneSS Of
state education had for its counterpart the
narrowness of sectarian schools which were
often not satisfied TO train students in the
helpful. atmosphere of the essential princi.
pies of Christianity, but inclined to add
some particular theological club to the sus-
ceptible twigs. The great central purpose
of the founders of Northwestern Christian
University was an attempt TO free higher
education from Dotn these limitations. 1t
was their supreme desire to establish an
institution which should neither be secular
nor sectarian, but which should afford both
a liberal and a Christian culture. However
much any critic, may think they failed, he
is yet obliged to admit that their ideal was
a worthy one, and one which to-day is
consciously made the object or the greatest
Institutions of America. In a unique way
the founders of this school were free to
hold up such an ideal. They adhered to no
religious creed and would therefore be
bound to teach no system of theology. They
wore no sectarian name and were thereby
free to eXalt the one name. They pleaded
for the union of all believers in religion
upon the simple catholic foundation which
might everywhere commend itself. The re-
ligiOn therefore with which they sought 10
purify and inspire all education was as UNI
sectarian, as catholic, as universal as they
could find it in the sacred Scriptures them
selves. 1t was therefore in a unique way,
/ say, that the founders Of this institution
were free to hold up the ideal or a. Chris
tan university Harvard and yale and
tional, not because they were so eStab-
lished, but in spite of their original theo-
logical heredity. This institution seeks to
be broadly Christian, not only because the
spirit of the times now demands it, but also
because in this way alone can 1t fulfill the
recorded purpose of its founders.
THE d-iscouragements which beset the
first efforts toward the realization of this
lofty ideal were such as might have. dis
mayed the less heroic spirits of this later
day. But, impelled by the hope which asks
not whether a given plan is possible but
whether it is worthy, they labored persist
1855, before they saw the open doors of the
college. They might well have been batfled
by the fact that those to whom they could
go for help were few and, poor. They
might have excused themselves by some
euphonious resolution to the effect that
since the times do not at present seem
auspicious. be it resolved that it is the sense
of the brotherhood of Indiana that the
founding of a college be postponed until the
year 1897, when some one may discover an
open door at the State University where
we can get most of our instruction for
nothing and in return establish an ineXpen-
sive Bible chair or two. Were they such
men? MOI"
Dr.. Ames then spoke of the advantages
Of having a college located in or near a city
of the Importance of Indianapolis. He said
Butler was the only college in the United
States under the Christian Church that was
so we'll located. He praised the founders
of the school for opening the doors TO both
sexes: he discussed the attitude of the col
lege toward the professional schools. He
urged the need of a Bible school in con-
nection with the other departments. He
said the library should be enlarged and in
stead of six there should be sixty thousand
Volumes on it's shelves. He advocated
iudicious advertising of the college ard
said it should establish scholarships and
fellowships, that many women and men
would take advantage of them and be-
come a credit to the college as well as i'm
portant. factors in the world.
At the close of the lecture the reopening
of the Bible department of Butler College
was discussed. Since the resignation Of
Professor Garvin, a year ago, this depart
ment has been closed. Rev. Mr.. Pounds,
of Indianapolis, made an eloquent appeal
for the securing of DR.. Jabez Hall, of Penn
~sylvania, for the chair. At least $1,000 must
be subscribed before he will accept, and as
the most seemed in favor of him it is prob
able that he will be asked to accept. He
is considered the best Bible teacher in the
Christian Church.
TODAY there will be the opening of the
convention of the Women's Christian Board
of Missions, which viii last until tomorrow
evening. The sermons for Sunday will be
delivered by w. T. Moore, who for many
years was a minister in London, and w. ID.
Rice, of Connersville.
STRONG REVIVAL SPIRIT.
nId-Eo ShSoDod M~ethodfAm Manifesto