Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-12-24
AS HE SAW IT,
DR.. Hodge of the Presbyterian
Church tells of Morgantown.

-Inspects the town aud University
His impressions OF it--How the
Church regards the Institution
Chapel attendance and Its present
Status.
DR.. Hodge of the board OF eduea-
tion of the Presbyterian church was
here last fall and preached at the
church. He wrote in the last mum
Der of the "Church at Home and
Abroad" the official organ of the or
ganization of his visit and among
other things said:
The town dates from about the
year 1885; but the university from
1867, when it was established as the
West Virginia Agricultural College,
and in the following year took the
name which it bears at present. 1t
has seven large buildings, forty-two
professors and instructors, and about
7S0 students. OF these about one
hundred are reckoned as Presbyter-
ians in their sympathies. We think
that our Presbyterian colleges are
more suitable places for the education
of our young men, but, as many Pres
byterians do, for one cause or another
attend State universities, we regard
it as an imperative duty to make all
possible provision for the spiritual
care of those in attendance. We re-
joice in very evidence that the Synod
of Pennsylvania is lending the weight
OF its name and influence in behalf Of
the efforts which are put forth to
make the wisest provision that can be
devised. The problem has its diff
culties and they are by no means in
considerable. One Of the encourag-
ing features is the presence in this as
in other State universities, OF not
few earnest Christians among the
professors. Their influence is felt
powerfully for good We shall watch
with some solicitude the effect Of the
policy, inaugurated at the opening OF
the present session, Of making atten-
dance at morning prayers on the part
Of the students and professors volun-
tary. This policy was but one week
old on the occasion of our recent visit.
1t is but fair to say that the atten-
dance was of a highly encouraging
character. President Raymond, who
shares with President Jenkins, Of
Parsons College, Ia, the honor Of be-
ing youngest among college presidents
evidently believes in the policy which
he has inaugurated and intends that
it shall prove successful. 1t is Of the
utmost Importance that Christians
throughout our land of all denomin-
ations should watch and pray that
our State universities, which are grow
ing to be most powerful factors In our
national life, may be kept under the
influence of true religion. We cannot
predict anything but national disaster
if education, particularly in it's higher
forms, prove an instrument In the
hands Of godlessness.
Death of ssUncle Maddy" Mcyicker.
James Madison McVicker died at
his home in Morgan district, on the
old McVicker homestead where he
was brought up, on Friday, De-
cember 23d, aged 80 years, / month
and Is days He had always lived
on the farm where he died having
been born there in 1903. about the
beginning of the century his father
James McVicker and a brother-in-
law named McCollum came to this
county from New Jersey and Mr..
McVicker settled on the farm where
George w. johnson now resides. A
few years afterward he bought what
has been known ever since as the
McVicker farm about two miles
from town on the Stewartstown road
where Uncle Maddy was born and
where numerous family has been
reared, the farm now belonging to SD.
McVicker. During Mr.. McVicker's
long life he has been widely known
citizen and in his younger days took
very active interest in politics. He
leaves two sons, Capt. G. w. McVicker
of this place, and Samuel B. McVicker
who lives at the old home. Also
three daughters, Mrs. Reed, Mrs
Coleman Vanderyort and Mrs. VIM.
Vandervort. A number of grand
children and a host of other friends
also have sprung from the family
many of whom are well known and
leading people in their respective COM
munities. The funeral will take
place on Sunday Dec. 25th, at IL
o'clock, interment in Mt. Union |
cemetery.