New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-02
West 23d Street.

there was no thou ;a, Of giving It up. On the
contrary there was general desire 20 make
the association lasting monument 10 80
founder by carrying out through IL the IDEAS
that h. had N view
This desire was much strengthened by the
way in which various members Of Dr. Hofrman's
family came forward with Offers TO help on the
work Of the association. At a meeting ot the
Board Of Directors Or Honman's son, william
VI. V. Hoffman. was unanimously elected presl-
dent. to succeed his father, and both he and his
brother. Charles F.. as well "a Dean Hoffman,
the brother Of the founder have thrown them
selves Enthusiastically into the work Of the
association
The las, annual meeting. held In this city on
December s. was largely attended. ana tho
annual report Of President Hoffman showed
that the association Is in a prosperous condi-
ton. II has now upward u Two hundred menu
bers. including many bishops and its member
ship is being steadily increased.
The annual competition for the prize scholar
ships is doing much 10 encourage scholarships
in church college. and the law Of the survival
OF the httest VIII doubtless operate 10 the ad-
vantage OF those colleges that capture the schoi-
arships The sum Of $4,000 has been loaned to
Racine College ara the Association has been
made the trustee for loan Of SiJooo to the
University Of the South. The Association
makes these loans Tor ninety-nine years at
merely nominal rate OF interest, taking hrst
mortgage as security. The practical advantage
OF this - that the Assoc aton retains hold on
the college and can say Ct for the church In
case It gets into hnancia straits and Is threat
ened with foreclosure Many wealthy cnurch'
men are prevented from -ndowlng Episcopal in
ma o. d
for debt. But with ~. Association behind 1t
the future Of a coYeg- IS secure II Will either
be continued or consolidated with some other
college But. at aur rate rs plant VII not be
lost to the Church T. IS believed that with sucn
an assurance as T. .e p Iav era OF prosperity Is
about 10 dawn for ',qisr .'a colleges and schools
and that they Wi. cor, 20 take their place
Among the beet instIlaslors - the country
There is another as9t., u the question. TO
which reference was n g. recently by The Rev
DR.. Townsend. the accomplished secretary OF
the association. in a public address He called
attention 10 the fact that most Of the clergy
Of the Church are educated In church colleges
Low standard Of scholarship In these colleges
must inevitably lower the stondard OF scholar
shin in the ministry. No aid, he said should ne
offered 10 young men intending % study Tor the
ministry unless they can pass a rigid eXamina-
ton showing that 10 ability and scholarship they
are above the average. When dull and brain
less man is persuaded to enter the ministry oy
the offer 81 a scholarship IN third or fcHr,h
rate college not only BE- an injury done u tie
Church but 70 the young man. And 50 far IS
the Episcopal Church Is concerned. It Is tho
purpose of the Association 10 make this I'M
possible Its annual prize-scholaTship contests
viii show what colleges are up 10 the mark
and what colleges are not. and when this fact Is
cl,lrly. shown chu~ohmen VIII not be backward
in giving their support TO the Institutions inat
are worthy.
with such clear-cut and practical objects IN
viau. with the Endorsement Of some u the
greatest educators In the church; With mem
bershlp including many Of The most eminent
Episcopauans. and with such enthusiastic and
far.slghted sponsors as the Hoffman family the
future ~ this association would seem to BE-
bright with promise.