The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-05-04


such matters would prove to be o
great value and interest at this time
the News has written to several witt
view of obtaining their opinions. Tn
following letters have thus far been re
ceived and each presents the case in ;
different aspect. The first is lette
from President Eliot of Harvard:
Harvard University,
cambridge, April q, 1890.
Il am happy to answer briefly, from
the Harvard point of view, your CUES
ton of April 20 about the college pas
tor and compulsory chapel
| Harvard college abolished compul
sorry attendance at prayers in 1886, and
so far as / know, opinion here is unan
imous, that the change has been an un
qualified gain. Among the preachers
| to the university who have conducted
F.; the chapel exercises since 1886 there
has been only 6ne opinion, namely
that the cause of religion in the college
has been greatly served by the substi-
tuition of voluntary attendance for com
pulsory.
LAS to the expediency of having one
college pastor our experience indicates
that for us it is better to have each
year variety of preachers represent
ing several denominations. We have
each year a board of five preachers,
each serving about six weeks, and in
addition our professor of Christian
morals acts as preacher, and makes
all the arrangements for the services
in Appleton chapel during the year.
C At,f 1,.liv
man of the board of membership Of
which changes rather rapidly, most of
the preachers serving for not more
than three years in succession. | be-
lieve that an arrangement of this sort
is more interesting to our students and
better for the university than the en-
ployment of a single college preacher.
CHARLES w. ELIOT"
The other letter is from President
Styrker of Hamilton college, who re-
Gently spoke in Battell chapel, and is
strong plea for the continuance of the
present system:
Hamilton College,
Clinton, N. Y, April 80, 1890
Il have queried whether4it would be
in good taste for me to express my
the matters involved in your note and
request. But l conclude that it can
not be intrusive for me to answer in
part.
Frankly, and as to the main Dues
ton, | believe thoroughly in required
attendance upon the simple religious
exercises of our college chapels. I be-
lieve In having such exercises. Wor-
ship and prayer should go with study
and with all the concentrated, abound
ing and formative life of the college
years. Nothing In Gods world is mere
ly secular-not language nor history
nor philosophy. Each has to face the
wonders of His works. | do not beg
the question: answer it, and say that
reverence and it's social affirmatio is
connected criticism, in
vestigation and research 1t becomes a
great school to make God the synthesis
of all its striving. Deliver me from
one that does not.
THE word compulsory is invidious;
but requirements which cover regular
ity and standing may as justly cover a
daily converting to acknowledge and en-
treat the Oliver of all good.
Nor should, nor need be- this ex-
ercise perfunctory. 1t should be sim
pie, short alive and general 1t is
manly to pray. 1t is ungentlemanly
not to. Praise, too, is an instinct to
wise men.
THE influence of this gathering is far
greater than is recognized 1t has hold
upon thoughts that are deeper than
~,
to own Him that begot and
0lesses it.
Moreover, the social side of college
prayers is of great value-it has a
morale of it's own. If religion were
abandoned it would be well still to
gather college at the head Of the
if you prefer it, if no
more than to read maxims from Azure
ius and to sing Hail Columbia The !
of a student body counts |
This daily affirms and augments that.
we are not shut up to |
hoose only between secularity and sec
arianisn.
What is genuine in Christianity
laims all honest hearts. Such an ex-
rcise should and can affirm this.
God is not an elective. 1t would be
sorry double centennial for Yale that
hould date the surrender of the cor
orate act of praise and petition, the
5hole, daily and cheerful acknowledge
lent of His eminent domain who
aught her to 60 1t would be sur
ender and a recantation.
Bear with my plainness.
Yours very sincerely,
IN. WOOLSEY STRIKER"
A letter from an undergraduate in re-
alton to the matter was published in
ne Yale News yesterday. 1t was as
blows:
"'There is one side to this question of
chapel that has not receiv-
its due share of prominence. 1t is
Re democratic side. The breaking up
the Yale compulsory service would
2 the starting point in the breaking up
{ Yale democracy | myself get no
ood from a religious standpoint from
1apel as it is conducted now. I sit in
ne of the rear seats; | can hear moth ]
g of what is said; there are seldom
ny hymn books in my seat. Yet l be-
eve in compulsory chapel because | s
ways feel better for having been there I
hder one roof with a thousand fellow
udents Its adjustment would change
lie Yale of to-day, and the change
ould not be for the better '