The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-01

assured that such work at this univer-
sity would receive a warm welcome and
hearty sympathy from all good men, es-
pecially from the faculty and trustees.
The general idea embodied in the man
uaP has been for years in the minds of
some of us. In our opinion, it solves one
of the greatest problems of the higher
education in the United States, viz: How
can the religious element be fostered In
QUIZ state universities? To this you re-
ply: This great work can be best done
by the churches of Christ planting Bible
chairs in close contact with their young
men while enjoying the benefits of the
state university. The enterprise must be
wholly ecclesiastical, and the control must
De IN the denomination, not in the uni
versity."
The benefits of your plan seem to be
equally great to all parties concerned
1. 1t fully recognizes the American doc
trlne OF the complete separation of church
and state. Eacn of these great socie-
ties is left uncontrolled and unhindered,
to pursue it's own legitimate ends in its
own constitutional way. Yet, incidentally,
they benefit each other very much. as
two Independent political sovereignties
would do, which permit their people to
exchange commodities on favorable terms
z. 1T secures to the members of such
churches with the least possible expen-
diture, all the Benefits of the states cost.
ly endowments for literary and scientific
education. They reap a return from the
taxes paid by them, and at the same time
enjoy all that can be done to retain their
sons, while they are minors, in the faith
of their parents. And the church, as il
seems to me, ought to accomplish bet
ter results than she can in any other
way. She is helping a great institution
from the possibility of being given over
n oaFr a nj -rFa a I'D - -l4- l.
strictly within her divine commission,
which reads: GO We, therefore, and
make disciples of all nations
teaching them to observe all things what
soever 1 have commanded you" That is
to say. she escapes from the entangle-
ment of geology, biology and metaphysics,
which, however valuable they may be for
mental training, are certainly not among
the things which Christ commanded.
And if, like Paul, the church can truly
say, This one thing I do" like him she
should be able to do it well.
3. The state and her university will
share fully in the blessing of this ar
rangement for all men know that the mo-
rality of the gospel is the best and cheap
est safeguard to order All see that
Christianity creates a better citizenship
manlier men, more womanly women. The
withdrawal from the state university of
so many of the more pious young men is
a public calamity, for in the university
they are 1.-The salt of the earth" and the
light of the world
Nor would the Bible chairs interfere in
the least with the blessed work done by
the Young Mems Christian Association,
the influence of which is chiefly to
stimulate devotional feelings and promote
Christian work for others The bible
chairs" would supply a steadier light to
the conscience, and would forearm the
reason against doubt and disbelief.
I conclude, dear brother, as l began,
by assuring you of a warm welcome and
a wide field at the University of Georgia,
should your friends enable you to plant
Bible chairs close beside us. Yours faith
fully, William E. Boggs,
Chancellor of the University of Georgia.
But" some of my good friends are
saying to me, ARE you not afraid that
this plan for work by the churches at
Athens will be misunderstood and cause
criticism in the state?' l reply: OF,
course, should not be surprised If some
worthy people do misconstrue what is in
terded and impute motives that are not
entertained. Such liability TO criticism
seems to be inevitable for all men who
attempt to 10 anything in this world of
ours. To hold back from a good cause
from fear of Misrepresentation and crit-
cism is oftentimes a very unsafe line of
conduct. l think it would be so in this
case. 1t would throw us out of sympathy
with a good and much-needed work
which is bearing blessed fruit at the Uni
versity of Michigan and elsewhere. For
one, l am unwilling as a Christian and
minister of the gospel, to assume the
grave responsibility of taking no part in
this good work, for fear that somebody
will misunderstood 1t all. AS my friend,
DR.. John ID. Hammond, president of Wes-
49, Ill "a L.. II
cent letter, conserving to help us in this
Bible work; There are apt to be fewer
helpers than fault-finders I'm the world
anyhow" But we may, / think, safely
rely upon the common sense of mankind
to see the truth by and by. 1t Is certain
that no body of men, save the board of
trustees, can legally establish a Bible
chair, or Bible teaching, in the university
itself, to be part of It's authorized curri-
cula of study. And II is certain that no
one interested in this plan OF Christian
work expects or desires the trustees TO do
It, Most of us would deprecate such ac-
ton on their part. 1t is also certain that
any denomination, or society. or commit
tee, or Christian person, whosoever, has
the civil right 60 rent a hall or build a
house In Athens for the benefit OF young
men who may choose to seek voluntarily
TO obtain a better knowledge of the Bible
And IL the workers be honest in thus
seeking to do good to young men con-
nected with our State University / fully
believe that IN the end all criticism and
opposition will 'recoi upon the critics
and fault-inders. whosoever they be.
For these reasons, acting in my capac-
ity of a professedly Christian man and
minister of the gospel. ] expect ITO CO.
operate heartily with my Brother Young
and any other good men who aim to teach
the Bible TO those who wish to learn more
about It, lie does not happen to belong
to my denomination but / find him 70 be
a cultured gentleman, and an evangelical
Christian. /, therefore, attend his Bible
classes, and have my sons to go with me.
1 also advise others to go. And / will
continue to do this so long as he deserves
my confidence and cooperation.
II am happy to say that his work meets
with great encouragement on the part
of the students and of Christian people
In the city. / meet ladies and gentlemen
Of all churches at his classes. They sit
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