The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-01

by the bureau OF education at Wash
lngton II is set forth that there are IN
the United States ia theological insti-
tutioiis. Nineteen of these are classeG
as Methodist and Is are assigned TO the
Methodist Episcopal. Metnodism mas
therefore more than one in eight OF the
theological institutions. Considering
the score and more of religious denoInl-
nations the ratio is exceedingly high.
of the total amount held in grounds,
buildings and endowments, the Metho-
dist Episcopal church owns little
more than 81 in every SO The proper
ton is the same when the student body
is considered, trifie more than one in
ten. These figures show that the fu-
ture of the Methodist ministry is as
sured. With its conceded natural abili-
ties and its acknowledged efficient
preparation, by its numerical superior
ity IL is destined to lead the Protestant
hosts of this land in every form of con-
secrated activity and in all fields OF
sanctified learnings.
''Of the 4S4 colleges enumerated by
the bureau 90 are Methodist institu-
tons. and of these SO are Methodist
Episcopal. So nearly every fifth insti-
tuition belongs to Methodism. There
are but 26 institutions having over 1000
students. Eighteen are classed as nom
UNCONVENTIONAL, and the Methodist
Episcopal has half the remainder. In
SUdOWIffeHt anu dtltiiudhtC
our colleges are well to the front. The
number of students in attendance at
these asa colleges is 159,372, an average
of 329. The average attendance at the
80 Methodist institutions Is 339.
Though very numerous the Metho-
dists have never been considered a very
wealthy people, and the suspicion may
arise that these Methodist colleges are
of little financial value comparatively.
1t is WELL therefore, to point out that
they own SOS worth of college
property; that is, almost exactly one
dollar in every ten invested, which is
fifth of the amount owned by all
religious denominations.
The encouragement which the Meth
odist church gives to education is not
directed entirely to the institutions as
such. but also to individuals. For this
purpose we have a fund under the
management of our board of education
which is for the aid of poor and worthy
students. The growth of this fund has
been a source of qualification. During
the last year this fund assisted 1851
students of rs different nationalities,
who We're contending with poverty and
struggling heroically to conquer diff
culties in securing a preparation for
extended usefulness in GhrlSts church.
This is a magnificent work and worthy
achievement for any body of men. The
mite you gave last Chidren's day con-
tributed to this grand total
Along side of the colleges 1T Will
not be inappropriate to mention an
other great educational factor. namely.
our publishing house. The Methodist
Book Concern was the first denomina-
tional publishing house in this country.
The first editor and publisher was Of
ficially appointed in 17SS, with capital
of $500. In 1922 a bindery was estab-
lished. and two years later printing
presses and premises of It's own We're
secured. From those presses have been
issued during the past 100 years more
than one-h half of all the UNCONVENTIONAL
religious literature printed in this
country. Put the religious literature
of our church in one scale and all the
literature of the Baptist, Presbyterian
and Congregational churches in the
other scale, and then add the enormous
publications of the American Bible So
ciety in the same scale, and the many
kick the beam-the one outweighs them
all Besides this we have - official
newspapers outside the Sunday school
publications, which furnish wholesome
clevating reading to multitudes.
when we thus survey the field ard
note the proud positiop Of cur cherished
church, we can but be anxious to do
something toward the cause OF educat-
ing the youth of the land And we feel
that our own state institution must
have our financial support and our
earnest sympathy. With no rival in
stitution for 1000 miles on either side,
with a beautiful location among the
everlasting hills, a rich and fertile
country around it, why should the Mon
tana Wesleyan university not become
one Of the great centers OF learning in
our land? A place where we shall be
eager TO send the young men and wom-
en- Who seek a culture that shall enable
them To nobly acquit themselves in the
turmoil of life.
No Rockefeller has poured his mil
lions into her lap, no Stanford has Civ
Ell many millions to found the institu-
ton; she is no Yale, nor Harvard nor
Columbia with colonial traditions and
century fame to attract gifts from the
living and receive millions from the
dead-but through her is presented the
sublime spectacle of a people devoted to
higher education, safeguarded by re-
ligious influences, bringing their sub
stance as God hath prospered them,
and laying ii upon the altar TO the in
terests of humanity, and consecrated to
the glory of God
Let us roll the money in, increase
the facilities. endow some special chair.
enrich the library. equip the labora-
tories and museums With costly instru-
ments and rare specimens Let us
make Ii worthy of our great state