The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-08

will be larger than Topeka will care
to lose, and when doubled will be
for existing institutions. But while To-
peka is mentioned as the seat of the
proposed university and is vitaly inter-
ested in the matter. for that reason it
is not a question to be discussed from
local and narrow standpoints. Univer-
sity building is serious work. in which
generations rather than years and mil
lions rather than thousands must be
considered as essential items. though
in university building as in every other
worthy enterprise there must be the
beginning, the day of small things, or
the larger will never come. History
must repeat itself as in Yale and Har-
ward. Neither Is college building and
conducting a matter of mere sentiment.
Business principles must prevail or fail
ure will follow There must be a field
to fill. The institution must be within
easy and convenient reach. It must
furnish the opportunity of self-support
to those who require it. It's appliances
must be up to date. 1t must command
the services of men of eminent reputa-
ton and possess an air OF competent
hberahty rather than make an impress
sion of continuous and precariOus
struggle for existence.
N"Certainly we are in the center of such
a field. For a thousand miles east and
west and half a thousand north and
south with all our colleges it is no dis
paragement Of any to say that with the
possible exception of the state univer-
sity the ability to meet the REQUIRE
ments of the region are wofully def
cient If it be true that fortune knocks
but once at our door, Methodism eS-
pecially should preserve a sharp ear.
Something over four times larger than
any of her sister denominations, mat
ters of this kind are something over
four times easier to her than to any one
of her friendly rivals and perhaps the
moral obligations may be rated in the
same proportion
Tt was the cherished desire of Mrs.
Chrisman to be helpful long after she
had gone from the earth and how to be
the most helpful to the largest number
was the problem Of her life.
She loved humanity, the church, and
the city in which she lived, and endeav-
Ored to combine in one institution that
which would be of the largest possible
profit to every mental, moral and finan-
cial interest of the city and surrounding
country. Assuredly a scheme so care
fully planned and generous in its pro-
portions, advised and approved by the
wisest counsel and so literally endowed
by one whose life and labOrS are so well
and 50 favorably known, is worthy Of
respectful attention. Nor should the eS-
tablishment of such an institution as
she had in mind conflict for an instant
with any existing church institution. 1t
is not necessary to argue that because
Of her hospitals, law courts of every
grade, large professional and other IL
brar1es already existing with an assured
future, that Topeka is without a rival
in the state as a seat for the medical
and law departments of a university
Neither is it to be denied that in the
realms of music and art we are already
in possession Of schools which need but
to be unified to constitute a respectable
and self-supporting branch Of a uni
versity.
With these different schools in ope-
ration the further development of the
r1Qn IA safely left G71Nh
gestions as time and necessity will in
evitabIy make, the schools already es-
tablished unenbaFrassed to pursue their
work. As a last word I may add that
am greatly encouraged both by what
the people of Topeka and elsewhere see
fit to say and write me and that I am
satisfied that harmonious and honest ef-
fort win assure a great success.