The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-26

y For tho first time since the agitation
begun tho Central Presbyterian Of this
Cay, takes official notice Of the Rev. ~.
II. Lelght Of Lexington, who In q recent
article published In the Christian SAdvo-$
cate, attacked Washington and Lee Y M,
versity and the administration Of the
state institutions OF learning. In Its
current Issue the Central, for the Pres
byterlans it represents, makes indignant
reply. It says:
/. a s SAYS lIIH IS MISTAKEN.
'"rhe Methodist minister IN Lexlngton
va, has drawn upon himself hot fire
from a number Of batteries by his unfor-s
tunate letter in the Christian Advocate
OF Richmond. In urging Methodist peo-s
pie to support and patronize their de-
dnomina tional college he went out Of his
way to attack the character OF Wash
8lng.ton and Lee University and the ads4
5mlnistration OF the Virginia State insti-a
atntona In both cases we think he was
mistaken AS to the State institutions
we do not, for moment, believe that
the Episcopal Church, or Its leaders IN
Virginia. have done anything 70 cont ro!
them, or to direct their influence over
$youru men toward the Episcopal Church.;
SThe1 Religious character Of the commune
ties about all of the State institutions
has been very much strengt hened In late
years, and Christian work among me
students, wholly evangelical and unde-
nominational. has received O cordlal SUP,
port. All denominations are welcomed
and are given full opportunity for the.
care OF their own young men. Y. me re-
silt has been largely strong Chris tan
Influence, and the impression Of {. ca Ct. tn !,
5olic and fraternal spirit whlon 81 a. -
churches should rejoice IN = IS que 70
tho religious and Christian oharacter. o.
Z The great body OF our people that the
directors who represent them should
anxlously guard against the introduce
into the faculties Of irrellgious ana II IT.
$reverent men. - y. III fG55s IA NJ 9
I 4 4 q. CATHOLIC SPIRIT.
,,yye can scarcely Imagine "a more cat h
Ollie spirit than that which has long pre-
vailed al Washing ton and Lee BY the
urgent entrenty Of the board then al.
most entirely Presbyterian. and. the ap p
peals Of such representative. sPrespyte,
DR.. Moses .. IIoge al,a Others, g Genera
Robert u. Lee was persuaded to accept
the presidency, 81 and lived ana IA bored
freely and happily the college S$llt e.
The same spirit prevailed ln.athe pIes l.
dency Of General G. W.. 9. Lee and SI
Mr.. William L. Wilson, and Is dominant
now in all the working Of the university.
board and the university faculty. It IS
to the credit Of these gentlemen, In the
board and in the faculty, thatsthey have
administered so large and important i. q
trust in so catholic and generous q Spill.
With great pride we can point to their
administration as an example OF VIVA {
presbyterlans, enlightened and fraternal.i
can do with an institution intrusted to
them for the public good II n, Method, IS.
students have been influenced, as Mr.
Light protests, by anything Presbyterian
| ~, ,,i,,ar ~ we
think thatEit is by that perfectly open5
and generous spirit which honored Gem
aral lee md loved President Wilson. and.
is working IN the same spirit 7 @ ga S!77sls
WOULD BE BETRAYAL OF TRUST
ut must not be forgotten that not only
has Washington and Lee an.origln and
a history Of which Presbyterians are
nro ,,,d. s but that, in the providence of
God. It Is set In the midst Of noble
people unto whose sons it Is It's calling
TO give education. Beyond the !5lue
Ridge and far out to the Ohio IS a
sturdy body Of Scotch Irish people, hon
ored blythe words Of Washington grow
IN, in numbers and wealth, Of the best
american material for manhood; and
theva arc largely of Presbyterian stock.
In IA great sense the institution belongs
to its natural cons tituency and tor the the
advantage Of that constituency us en-
dow1nents we're given, and given with
confidence in the Christian and catholic
snirit of those who administered the
trust Neither from the pledges Of past
years, from the confidence Of Its bene,
factors. nor from the confidence ana
s',1,, M hv.1of its natural constituency
must ,stN the University OF the Valley ever
depart. If the administration, we're =, now y
"a retire and turn over to the men. g. o.
other denominations the whole OF TINS
trust and the noble work OF the uniVers
sity, it would be simply betrayal OF
tr,ist In all directions 8sP