New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
ST. JOINS COLLEGE, FORDHAM


The property was purchased In 1899 for 3d.
900 by Bishop John Hughes then Coadjutor
Bishop Of New-York. In addition. $4,000 was
spent in fitting out the place for college pur-
poses. This money was raised with much diff
Guilty by contributions secured in this country
and Europe. and by means of small loans. The
entire lack Of financial resources has been char
acteristic Of the college all through the years OF
it's existence. It has never had any endowment
fund, and the donations have been rare and
small. 1t has depended entirely on the income
received from the students tuition. In this view
the growth and development OF the college have
been marvellous.
The college was formally opened on June "a.
1S41 During it's early history it had brilliant
gathering Of men for its faculty and directors.
It's founder. Bishop John Hughes. later the first
Archbishop of New-York. distinguished
alike as a churchman and a patriot. The Rev
John McCloskey. later Archbishop OF New
York and the first American Cardinal, was the
first president; The Rev. James Roosevelt
Bayey. later Archbishop Of Baltimore. was the
third president the Rev David Bacon, later
Bishop of Portland was a director. The faculty
included the Rev. Ambrose Manahan distin-
guished priest and writer: the Rev. John J, Con-
roy later Bishop OF Albany; the Rev. +. P. Nc
Farland, later Bishop Of Hartford; the Rev.
Bernard McQuaid. present Bishop of Rochester
On April TO- 1886 the act Of Incorporation was
passed by the New York Legislature. raising
the college to the rank OF a university. with the
power to grant all degrees usually granted by
any other university. In the same year the col
iege was purchased by the Fathers OF the So
ciety Of Jesus for the sum Of $4,000 Suisse
ouently. upon the removal of the seminary In
1860 that portion was also purchased for the
additional sum OF $4,000, making an aggregate
of 1856, 800 Since then more land has been ac-
auired, but about thirty acres Of the original
property, lying along the River Bronx have
been appropriated by the city authorities for
park purposes
The college estate now embraces seventy-hve
acres. Immediately adjoining. on the east, are
the grounds OF the New-YOrk Botanical Gar
dens. in Bronx Park; on the south, the grounds
OF the newly started New-York Geological Car
dens also in Bronx Park. A mile to the west
flows the Harlem River. and further away the
Hudson River. The country for miles around
Is most picturesque. The climate Is notably
healthy. Vast reaches of lawns, rows of noble
trees and rich farmlands surrounding the col
lege buildings present an ideal rural scene anu
AFFORD the seclusion necessary Tor seat OF
learning The buildings are vast, roomy ana
substantial, equipped with all modern appli-
St Johns College includes three departments
under the same management: Tne coHeee
which furnishes the usual four-year course OF
studies leading to the degree OF BacnelOr OF
Arts The instruction consists In systematic
study of the English. Latin and Greek IAN
guages and literatures and mathematics french
and German and chemistry are added in certain
classes The last, or senior. year Is devoted TO
the study Of philosophy. mental, moral ana
natural.
The academic department. which furnishes
three year course Of studies. so graded az u
form a preparation for the college course
The grammar department, intended FOR young
err students. who are not prepared to begin the
study of the classics. =. A..
The method Of instruction followed In all the
classes Is that prescribed by the Ratio Studi-
Drum" of the Institute Of the Society OF Jesus.
II was the result Of fifty years or experience
and observation. and has been used IN jesuit
schools for more than three hundred years.
The aim Of st Johns College is to AFFORD q
couniete liberal education by developing ana
training the mind and heart. 1t Is not merely 10
prepare young men for professional studies. IL
supposes that IN business life. no less than IN
the professions. q young man needs habits or
attention application, accuracy. These habits
are developed and strengthened by the course
OF studies Though the college does mol unaer-
take to instruct the student in actual business
practice it does undertake to so discipline his
mind as 10 enable him afterward to learn sucn
practice with double facility and precision. ana
TO carry into business life an Increased menta'
activity and formed habits of orderliness-
The college, moreover. being under Cathoic
direction. makes it a primary duty to instruct
the studer = in the doctrine and practice' OF the
Catholic Church. This instruction Is not OBJ
truded on non Catholic students. hut discipline
requires that they b. present at the usual pup
lie services in the college chapel. -
The college library contains 30.oW Volumes
There IL also circulating library of-over seven
thousand volunleA a-f .s s'if.,