The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-17


That there is a&vagueness about the
work all perceive, nor do the heads of
these institutions clearly enlighten the
public. Judged by public addresses
President Hadley feels that the highest
duty Of the university at present Is to
destroy trusts, and on this point he is
explicit. but L am In doubt as to the
meaning of President Harper in the use
OF the following language: 1.-The uni
Versity is the keeper for democracy Of
holy mysteries, of sacred and significant
traditions. These are of such char
acter that If touched by profane hands
they would be injured. some universities
are deaf to the cry of suffering human
ity; some are exclusive and shut up
within themselves. but the true uni
Versity of the future is one, the motto
of which will be, Service for mankind
Wherever mankind is, within scholastic
walls. and just as we'll without those
walls and in the world at large"
very pretty sentiment, but are we sure
that our boys are to go to college to see
holy mysteries?" And, having gazed
upon them. are they the better able to
perform the plain practical duties OF
everyday life in this weary sordid world
Of ours?
WHAT rs IT?
Are the American people falling into
state of confusion, or are they becoming
historical? Is the, spirit of unrest SO
pronounced in all walks OF life that
startling surprises frequently manifest
themselves because Of it? In school life,
the endless haZings and questionable ex-
hibitions continually discourage those
who hope for the best. A few days ago
distinguished lecturer had scarcely fin.
1Shed his discourse upon the manhood Of
college students-a noble defense-when
an unoffending freshman in the same
school was greatly alarmed by the eX-
plosion in his doorway of a bomb, that
destroyed the transom, shattered the
door, shook the entire hall and created
panic among the students. All the
friends Of Yale were astouEded ana
grieved over the publication Of the fact
that members Of the senior class had
committed the unspeakable atrocity of
presenting a burlesque upon the trial Of
the murderers of Jennie Bosschieter. The
account that 1 read said that there were
young ladies present, but this is too hor-
rib1e to believe. The action Of the fac
ulty was unaocountable-the students
we're not expelled, but were left to the
punishment of public opinion It does
seem that Yale should have led in the
expression "of public opinion" Only a
few days ago, a.Tlarge number of pupils
were suspended from another university
for presenting an immoral play in one
| pleasant disturbances have occurred in
Institutions of learning throughout the
| country. Are these things due to
| wholesale admissions; or to a change In
! ideals, or in lower estimate of honor
| and of manhood IN oar colleges? Or what
| is it? e @
| But it is not in colleges only that hys-
! terra has manifested itself. The present
| political campaign in Chicago, if not
bXC ic in fra
| upon common sense-and sober Judgment
| and true manhood are scarcely appealed
to. Is Chicago singular in this re-
| spect?
| In matters ethical and religious the con-
| fusion is intensified. I do not wish
| to offend anyone and therefore pass over
| the extraordinary claims of many who
! speak of holy things in what seems a
most irreverent manner. If the funda-
mental principles of the doctrines of DR..
Dowie and of the Christian scientists
! are absolute truths they suffer from the
strange doings Of many Of their dis
eiples-but in this respect are they less
fortunate than the orthodox churches? In
New York certain Episcopal clergymcn
are warning upon gambling which they
declare is extensively carried on by
church members even on the Sabbath
day. In Chicago here band OF evan
gelists has been holding meetings "for
the promotion of holiness The leader
Of the movement, a wealthy banker, en-
tered into an arrangement with Meth
odist minister, whereby he was to con-
vert fifteen souls in two weeks or he
would forfeit 81, 0O0 The arrangement was
! drawn up and regularly signed, and
would have been carried out but for the
interference Of the presiding elder.
Among these evangelists are an eX-cow-
boy and an ex-circus performer, and
they carry into their service, accord
ing to statements of those who have
attended their meetings, the manners of
their former callings! have no dispo-
sition to describe these meetings, or to
pass judgment Upon any form of re-
ligious excitement but these gatherings
are held, and these things are done "to
sanctify'' men, to make them ''holy,'
Sc that never again can they sin against
God or their fell9wdman. Surely these
men are unlike the mighty prophet, Eli
jah, who listened Cor sthe still small