The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-06

H$ASA f D ". u.
Meetings were held In several Of the
Methodist Episcopal churches yester-
day In the interests of the American
Protestant university, and were nd
dressed by speakers distinguished in
religious and civic life. The university
was given cordial support and u sub
stnntial nucleus was created for Il
West Virginia professorate. which will
cost 100000. The amount subscribed
yesterday in Wheeling and vicinity was
$4,000. The most Important of the
meetings was that held ut Fourth
Street in the afternoon.
Addresses were made both morning
and evening at Fourth Street and
Thomson churches. and In the evening
at North. Street, but the afternoon mass
meeting at Fourth Street was Of n gen.
eral character and attended by mem
bers of many other churches. The at
tendance was large, but no so large as
was merited. The speakers embraced
Bishop John f. Hurst. of Washington,
p c.. who is the father OF the univer-
sity; Bishop C. H. Fowler, of Buffalo,
N. Y: Hon. Charles Foster. of Fostorla,
O., ex-governor of Ohio and ex-secre-
tary Of the treasury. and Governor
George w. Atkinson, OF West Virginia.
Others active in the meeting. but not
speaking. were Rev. ]. w. Hill. D. D..
and Rev. B. L. Davidson, D. D.
The pastor of the church. Rev. ]. L.
Sooy, D. D., called the meeting to order.
After the congregational singing of
America" led by the church choir,
the pastor called on DR.. Davidson for
the opening prayer. In his invocation
DIR. Davidson asked for the success of
a great university which should stand
for Americanism and Professionalism.
AT the conclusion OF sweetly sung
solo by Mrs. Fred H. Frazier. DR.. Sooy
introduced Governor Atkinson as pre-
siding officer. In assuming this Office
the governor stated that he had come
$50 miles through the rain and storm
for two reasons. Two bishops OF his
church had requested his presence, and
then again. he was deeply interested In
the movement to establish the Ameri-
can university, an institution so broad
and extensive that 1t would not be nee
essary TO cross the waters in search OF
u learning now taught by the schools
of the old world. 1t was n great con-
ception OF Bishop Hurst and great
undertaking. yet 1t would succeed un-
der the aggressiveness of the Methodist
Eht1rrhA clrrnnrtaI hr thor prptnStDnt
denominations
The first duty of presiding officer,
said Governor Atkinson. Is to keep mum
and look wise. therefore he would not
speak at length. He endorsed the
movement heartily. He had seen the
university buildings already construct
ed. and he commended the location Sc
lected. The governor then introduced
Ex-Governor Foster, OF Ohio.
Mr.. Foster was greeted with applause.
He said no apology was due for his
presence. although an explanation was
not out of order. Bishop Hurst had
requested him to stop off In Wheeling
and say word for the university. Mr..
Foster had been in close touch with the
Methodist church since a boy. although
not 4 member. and he saw 1t grow to
the greatest in the land and display
the greatest executive power. 1t was
controlled by great men. Its bishops
possessed the highest executive ability,
and the idea conceived by Bishop Hurst
and approved OF without exception by
the board of bishops, was n lofty one
and would be carried into success by
the church, SO foremost in progressive
movements.
There was n need Of great Ameri-
can Protestant university. Mr.. Foster
knew the Catholics We're building in
Washington large university. He had
nothing derogatory to say Of the Cath
Ollie church, but he hoped 1t would be-
come AmericaniZed rs some OF It's lead
ers desired. The war with Spain DEM
onstrated Americans greatness: that
an educated soldier or sailor is the best
and that Uncle Sans ships were su-
perior in all essentials OF warfare. The
United States has the best common
school system in the world. Yet 1t re-
,nained for the Methodist church to
erect university of highest possible
character, whose completion at cost
estimated at $50, 100000 would have no
equal anywhere. Its site in Washing
ton, the nations capital, was wise Sc
lection, and It's students would have ac-
cess 10 all the government museums
and departments affording scientific re-
search.
AS to the details or the university,
Mr.. Foster was not very familiar. He
knew they were in good hands. In
closing he paid tribute to the Methodist
church. abiding to the fact Of mission
aries OF that church being the first to
reach the Philippine Islands.
The next speaker was Bishop Hurst.
who expressed his delight ut the knowl-
edge Of the university shown by the
governor of West Virginia and the en-
governor OF Ohio. and he felt extremely
grateful to them in behalf of the board
OF trustees. The institution had on It's
board the representatives Of six Profess
ant denominations. so the bishop did
not want his hearers to hold the opin-
ion That the American university was
& Methodist institution.
Bishop Hurst then branched into n
recital OF the encouragement being
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Nature makes the cures