The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-10
PRESIDENT HUGHESS
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
New Head of the University Dis
cusses "The True Meaning of /.
Christian Education.

DR.. Hughes, in his inaugural address.
spoke on 1.-The True Meanings of Christian
Education He said in part:
''It is a sober statement of facts when
we affirm that for eighteen hundred years
the church has been the chief propagation
of learning. In the centuries before Christ
Egypt, Assyria and Greece had their
schools and scholars; but education was
never diffused among the people. The spirit
of diffusion came with the dominance OF
be said to have come to its crest in our
country and IN our century None the less
it flowed over all the years. For a time
the movement sped in spite of the ma
tional spirit. Hallam admits that for five
centuries every part of knowledge was al
most wholly confined to the ecclesiastical
order David Hume was no lover OF the
church. yet history forced from him the
admission that in the days of the great AL
fred the monasteries were the only seats
of learning Ii the influences Of the church
schools could be taken from the history
of Europe the old barbarism would still
reign there. In America church and colo
ny were united yet 1t may not be denied
that the impulse toward higher education
Christ The first college had a Christian
birth and bears to this day the name OF
Christian minister, John Harvard. The
second college was William and Mary The
royal name, gave it also doubly religious
purpose and mentioned among Its objects
the supply Of the ministry and the pro
motion of piety The third college was
Yale The society that took the initial
steps for it's founding was composed of
eleven ministers Barker, In his Colleges
in America, makes the statement that 104
of the first 1l9 colleges established in the
origin.
I'm due season the influence of the
church so moved upon the state that in
situations under civic control were founded
1t is a mighty compliment to the Chris
tan forces Of the Nation that their ideals
at last permeated the state. Amid all the
discussions as to the relation of state
colleges and church colleges it should in
Justice be held in mind that the church
has been the mother and the home of edu-
cation in this Republic. III the prophecies
prove true and the schools Of the church
be killed by the schools of the state. his
tory would offer few clearer and sadder In
stances of wholesome matricide. But he
who imagines such an outcome Is lacking
in vision. The state schools are here, and
they will remain. Surely no one would
care to decree that all young people must
attend an institution of private or denomi
private and UNCONVENTIONAL control have
given noble service to our various States
They now have n right 10 ask for fan
field; have right to request that there bt
no needless duplication of collegiate work
have a right to demand that there be nc
partially shown in the selection OF teach
ers, principals and superintendents; have q
sion. But more than these rights they mus
not claim.
DEATHLESS INSTITUTIONS.
'The church will not die; neither will III
institutions. To be specific: De Paw Uni
versity has outlived two generations o.
men. Our grandfathers were its godfsthers
Since its birth the cemeteries Of Indian;
have received the sacred dust of millions
and when the bodies of all here present ar
held at last to the bosom of mother earti
this university will live on. II is the chile
of lasting purpose and it has an abiding
life.
focus themselves upon one point. Thre
inaugural addresses may still be read-tha
of DR.. Simpson that of DR.. Martin. that o
DR.. John. They represent the period o
founding the period OF enlargement, tn
period of transition. One CLOVIS with ora
torical fervor; one moves I'm rugged an,
measured periods: one reveals the master,
of educational principles. But, though
written years apart, they still reveal
perennial subject. Each one speaks in sur
tones to the permanent necessity o
Christian education. The needs OF the pass
ing hour are treated. but the final stress
laid firmly upon the uttermost importanc
of that learning which exalts faith an
character Each brings all great issues {
the One who gave lessons In the unroofe
schooIroom of Galilee and who stands Il
| splendid loneliness the Great Teacher
| Amid all debates as TO policy. all skepticisr
| as to method. all discussion as to finance
| one postulate is put forth unwaveringly-
the church has duty In reference TO edu
| cation The conclusion always Is tina
| Christian people must assume a gloriou
| burden and must provide institutions tina
reckon deeply with the spirit OF man.
Now, il is with just that fact that thi
! address deals. That the church has eve
| felt Il a duty TO educate youth Is In itsel
| a significant thing: for the present hour
Always Rsmenbr The Pun Ne,