The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-01
FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
TALK BY PRESIDENT SMITH. OF IL
LIMOS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
Meeting OF College Association OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Held LAST Night.

Methodist Episcopal Church was held at
the Denlson House last night. After the
preliminary business had been disposed OF,
President W. +. Warren, LII. D., OF the
Boston University. read an essay on Gen
eral Conference Legislation on Intellectual
interests" He said the next General Con-
ference should insist on higher educational
qualifications In the young men ent ring
the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Such measures should be adopted
as will encourage young men who are pre-
pairing for the ministry TO take a full coll
legiate course and all postgraduate
courses in theology.
DR.. Warren's suggestions were followed
by a general discussion OF the subject. in
which he was warmly supported by every
member of the association present. After
wards a committee was appointed to draft
a memorial of the salient points of DR..
Warren's remarks. TO be presented to the
General Conference.
President E. Nj. Smith, D. D.. Illinois
Wesleyan University. then read an essay
on THE Popularizatlon of Higher Educa-
ton" He suggested that the popular edu-
cation OF to-day was along the line Of cor
respondence courses. and that such a
course was approved by the higher insti-
tutions themselves. He said it was now
generally understood that our higher insti-
tulons or learning do not exist for the few,
but Tor the many; they are not for the ex-
elusive benefit OF those who receive their
degrees. but pro bono publlco;" they are
not to be aristocratic. but democratic. The
common school,. with compulsory attend
ance, the high school open to all, the State
University, with its miscellaneous and
comprehensive courses. founued and sup
ported by public taxation, have taught the
people TO look upon the schools as public
an i~nalienable right. There have been most
c~ommendaDle efforts to arouse the young
by the visitation of the schools. young peo-
PIES gatherings, conferences and churches,
AM by the use OF the press for similar pur-
poses, Such efforts are most worthy and
The speaker said it was lamentable that so
many young people do not awaken to the
value of an education, until it is too late TO
obtain one; If, indeed, they ever SO awaken.
Competition among colleges and UNIVERSE
ties. he said, has done much TO stimulate
this line or work, and does not detract
seriously from its value, for the COMPETE
ton has been. for the most part. honorable
President Smith declared that the above
named efforts to extend the benefit of the
higher education all seek to increase the
number of students in residence at the
higher institutions. There is another and
very large and important class of efforts
which aims to carry the higher education
TO those VINO cannot be. or, at least, are
not, In residence. Chautauqua and other
circles, summer schools, university extern
sion and other lectures, conference boards
OF examiners. sometimes called universi-
ties, nonresldence or correspond nee
courses, some academic and some graduate
usually leading under easy conditions, to
some kind of a degree, are familiar ex-
anples of wnat is taking place on a very
extensive scale. or Is this work confined to
of the largest, richest and best known In
the land advertises in the public press two
aundred Correspondents courses, LOT an IN
ce.ve credit. on easy conditions. in resi-
dence courses.
THE DEMAND is LARGE.
President Smith said, further: First let
US fully recognize the important fact that
the demand is both large and honest. We
have no means of knowing how many are
pursuing correspondence courses in this
country. but are confident that the number
Is not much less than several thousands,
and that 1t is rapidly increasing. Most Of
them are professional men or women,
teachers or preachers. Of mature years.
who could not be in residence, but who de-
sire to make themselves more proficient in
their work. Their spirit cannot be regarded
otherwise than as as Go 1nss az ienob Me moe oe-
tive among them than is to be found
among students who are In residence. Nom
The only question is: Shall the better in
stitutions recognize the demand of the
hour and give A. direction?"
In conclusion President Smith said 1t was
true that there was much in the, daily
sight of college walls, and the mere breath
ing of college atmosphere; yet that at
mosphere may be the best in the world or
the worst. moreover. the nonresident stu
dent. may have access to the pest OF l.,
that respect. all the helps that his courses
require. The speaker said he believed that
the university senate would do well to rec
nOnfza the work. establish a minimum
standard for 1t and set aside a degree for
its use. rather than to ignore II or RractiI
not be able to dam up the waters of the
Nile with such bulrushes. he popular cur
rent T. setting wi with r,g tpewe nti9,lsd io Gse b bn
made of great service TO Metnodism. 10
cloud our eyes TO our opportunities Is a
great mistake. Popular movements mean
Something and we should not be slow to
interpret them"
AT the conclusion of the essay by Presi-
in which the suggestion that a degree be
conferred by the colleges In the association
to those VINO "nfa t To4s b, Ine criticised b y some
of the speakers. who maintained that II had
been and always should be the poIicy OF the
colleges to maintain their FORMER hlgh
Before adjournment a committee was APP
pointed to select the speakers FOR TINS even
ing at Roberts Park Church. After q snort
conference the committee announced the
names of william +. Mcdowell, formerly
chancellor of Denver University; Kew: Is. +.
president of Wesleyan Univer-
sity. Middletown, Conn; ]. r.. Day. chan
celior of Syracuse University. Syracuse. n.
Y; Rev. Edwin II. Mills. secretary OF the
Twentieth Century Commission; Henry
wade Rogers, president of the Northwest
ern University, Evanston, ILL.,, as speakers
for the occasion, and said that none OF them
would be allowed to decline.
Only twelve members of the association
! arrived In time for the meeting last night,
but as many more are expected this morn
ing.