New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-02
EPISCOPAL EDUCATION.

Elsewhere will be found an Interesting ac-
count Of the organization and aims OF the AS
ISOLATION for Promoting the Interests of Churcn
Schools Colleges and Seminares which was
founded a couple of years ago by the late Kew.
Dr. Charles +. Hoffman. Of this city. to I'M
prove the condition OF Episcopal institutions OF
learning II Is n curious fact that the Episcopal
Church, which has always appealed strongly
to the educated classes. has failed thus far 10
produce any college Of the first rank 1t Is true
that Episcopall0ns have large voice In the
government Of Columbia University; but that
institution can hardly be called Church col
lege. And the Church colleges In the strict
sense of the word, while many Of them are
most excellent and meritorous institutions. nave
never commanded recognition as colleges Of the
first rank Indeed. it Is Episcopalians themselves
who have done the most to keep them from
such recognition For. while on the one hand
they have, with n few exceptions, refused to
support or endow their own colleges, they have,
on the other hand, sent their sons to non-sec-
tartan colleges-like Harvard and Yale-and in
many cases to non-Episcopal UNCONVENTIONAL
colleges. Episcopal schools for boys and girls
make n somewhat better exhibit; but, on the
whole. the Churchs educational showing Is not
what IT ought to be-
It was 10 remedy this state OF affairs in
measure that Dr. Hoffman founded this asso-
clatlon 10 which he contributed so generously
OF his means That Episcopalilns generally
sympathized with his ideas was made plain by
the way in which they have identified them
selves with the association, making 1t already
one OF the strong and successful agencies Of the
Church For the present the association is con-
fning itself largely TO two lines Of effort. SO
far as its resources will allow, 1t stands ready
TO lend money at n low rate Of interest for
long term of years 10 Church colleges and
schools in fnancia. straits. taking n first mort
gage as security. In this way the association
will be able not only TO put struggling institu-
lions on their feet. bur- in case they finally 90
under. it will be able TO save the property for
the Church 1t is believed that this policy Of
the association will encourage many Episco-
pallans to make generous bequcsts to their own
institutions Of learning
Another plan of the association is to bring
about higher standards Of learning in Church
colleges by Offering generous prize scholarships
to the students Of such colleges who excel in
rigid competitive examination. All Church col
leses will fee! the healthful influence of such
competitions or if there are any which show
themselves to be decidedly inferior In scholar
ship. they will soon drop out Of sight. while the
other colleges viii prosper and grow. There
are some Epscopalians who complain that not
enough care is taken in Episcopal colleges to
help only those students who stand conspicu-
ously high In scholarship This is said to be
especially true Of some who have been helped
into the ministry. However that may he, no
harm but only good will result from raising the
scholastic standards in Episcopal institutions OF
learning In spite Of the growth in recent years
Of the great secular universities. the denomina-
tional college stn fulfs an important. and even
necessary, function in the scheme Of higher
education, and. while II does so, 1t is the part Of
wisdom aud good citizenship TO keep denomina-
tlonal colleges abreast Of the age.