The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-10-23

A Mastery Talk Inst EventnS-The Inn
portance of Yale In New Haven-The
Last Great Test of an University Man
Picayune Policy In the New Haven
Schools.
The Rev, DR.. Gilbert spoke in Trim
ity M. E. church last evening on 1.-THE
Higher Ideal of Great University
the higher types of Christianity and OF
knowledge. Speaking of the higher
type of university, he said:
The Inauguration of President Had
ley marks a turning point in the MS
tory of Yale. This inauguration IS an
augury for the future. 1 do not wonder
that President Hadley as he spoke was
full of deep feeling. l do not wonder
that President Dwight choked with
emotion in his prayers and in the bene-
diction.
There has been some argument in re-
gard to the departure from custom III
choosing a layman for president But
it Is now evident every day That the
minister is becoming more and more
man of the world in the best sense, ana
that the layman is realizing more fully
that he should lead dedicated life "a
more Christlike life.
IF the first half of the commandments
are of a religious nature the last half
are of a sociological nature, referring TO
man. 1t is just as Lordlike and as good
that man should strive for clean city
far cron6 for clean
municipal government and for healthy
tenements as it is to be a worker Tor
moral and religious truths.
You remember that book The hon.
Peter Sterling and how he tried TO
reform the condition of the tenements,
the saloon, to get honest politics ana
elections in the wards. Such WORK
as Peter Sterling engaged in is religious
in its nature as much as that OF the
evangelist There is not so wide a de-
parture when the layman is chosen.
Does New Haven appreciate the 1mpor-
lance of Yale college?
7 think that Yale college is the very
heart of the community. 1t is true New
Haven is more or less of business city.
It has population OF lO0,O0o ana Is Oh
some prominence as manufacturing
citv. But it's chief distinction is that 1t
is the home of Yale college. Think OF
oxford. that town of 0,000-signit1cant
only for it's being the home of the great
college And how that college has
moulded England. You cannot write
the history of America without writing
the history of her colleges. Think OF
all those college presidents coming to
New Haven for the Inauguration OF
Yales president; think Of what poten-
cies and possibilities those men repre-
sent. No other men 40 as
much for the future They take
destiny in their hands; they have
the moulding of the great men
of the future. No city should |
have better schools than New Haven. |
Yet we all know what narrow, re-
stricted and picayunist policy has
been used in their management. / saw
a short time ago glazing heading In
one of the city newspapers to the eff
feet that $4,000 had been saved. Saved
by looping off from salaries here and
there. And it struck me as deplorable
that with population of 100000 people
s., 900 should have to be saved by pairing
down salaries none too large, perhaps,
as they are. l say to you that unless
the people of New Haven have care
they will be outstripped. Witness the
broad open minded policy Of the west!
They build large and magnificent
school buildings and furnish them with
newest and most complete apparatus.
Their policy in their curriculum is most
expansive. They pay high salaries.
Let 1t be hoped that some Of this spir-
1t may be infused into the management
Of New Haven schools. Yale has a
right to be proud of her history. Be
ginning nearly 200 years ago, two CEN
turtles with one such a very little. At
the house of DR.. Pierson with only one
pupil Yale had her beginning. Enlarg
ng a little each year, hardly able to
i've and keep together; see what Yale
college is to-day One cannot ade-
Iuately measure its greatness; 5000
Students coming from every corner of
he globe, coming from China, from
honolulu, Japan, Dresden, Madrid |
Santiago Yokohama, from the end OF
he earth. And look at the men who
ire in charge; 270 Of them, and all Of
mem picked men. They must pass the
most severe tests Of scholarship ere
hey are admitted to the positions of
instructors. Their names are on the .
ips of the learned Of the whole earth
looked over the curriculum the other
ay and it gave me a sick feeling. I ,
cit as the Engishman expresses it
Like blooming IDIOT for the vast
lumber OF new subjects that have
prung into being staggered me. {
A man would be able to find any sub i
act he desired in the unsurpassed cur
iculum of Yale.
What is the ideal OF a great univer-
ity? What is the soul of a great uni 3
ersity. 1t is an organism. Ut will not | :
lie to boast of brick and mortar of
ne buildings or of endowments. The 4,
pinrit Of a great university must be =
le spirit which enriches and exalts
nd which searches for truth. The pro-
'ssors should be free to engage in :
search. The spirit of scholarship :,
lould prevail in the student masses
he athlete wins honor in his victory.
ct honor also be to those who win in
OR in debate. Let zeal for II
arning, passion FOR truth inspire
lie student and he will not be termed
grind or shark by his asso- al
otas This spirit should fItar dnu,, |