The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-03
.EPWORTH
CORNER Is
IN PLACE
Ceremonies Incident to lay
ing the First Stone.
MARKS ERA IN EDUCATION
Clergy and Laity Join in Ex-
erciSeS of Moment.


yesterday afternoon every car moving
in the direction of the university site
was crowded and hundreds. were moving
to the grounds in carriages and on foot,
and at 2:45 o'clock a vast throng was as
sembled around the foundation of the
growing structure.
Elder Thompson introduced to the au
dience Governor Thomas b. Ferguson of
Guthrie, chief executice of the territory,
who in turn presented Rev. DR.. Craft,
of the Eastern Ohio conference, who
uttered the invocation.
Following the invocation, GoGyernor
Ferguson addressed the assembly. He
said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: 1 esteem it
an honor, as well as a pleasure, TO pre-
side over this meeting upon an occasion
which, in my opinion, marks an era in
the history of the development of this
magnificent commonwealth. and an event
which marks triumph for your mag
nificent city, which we are proud to
term the gem of Oklahoma. We meet on
this occasion to engage in exercises out
of which we hope great results will fol-
low-the laying Of a corner stone of an
which we believe, and hope, is destined,
under the guidance of Almighty God, to
be a power for good and which will
assist in shaping the destiny, not only
of the religious affairs of the churches,
but the destiny of our magnificent com
monwealth. L have the honor, and pleas
ure, ladies and gentlemen, to introduce
to you Bishop Hamilton, who will lay
the corner stone"
Bishop Hamilton of the Methodist
Episcopal church, upon laying the stone.
said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: 1t will be i'm
POSSIBLE for me at this hour to make an
extended address, as l am compelled to
take an early train from the city. L do
desire to say, however, that this corner
stone prefgures and typifies all that this
entire building will stand for when it
is completed. 1t is not only for the
education of the sons and daughters of
this commonwealth and adjacent terri
tory, but it is for their Christian educa-
ton. Education literally signifies to
bring out of the student what is in him.
and not to put in him what is outside
him. So would we expect the develop
women who are to come here for all
there may be in them of talent and of
strength for greater influence in the fut-
ure history of their lives. 1t is not
to distinguish one person from an
other
I'VE live in a century that has brought
together all sexes. until Victor Hugo's
declaration that this is a woman's CEN
tury is verified. There are men living
and present in this audience who can
recall the first efforts for the higher
education of women in this country. 1t
is not half century since school for
girls was an absolute novelty in the east
ern cities of this country, but here you
are throwing your doors wide open 10
all sexes and classes with the under
that truth is from above and
not from beneath.
Il anne here to congratulate you upon
your generosity and the magnificent ideal
you have put before us in this structure.
a picture of which l have seen exhibited
on this platform. 1t is greatly to your
honor. 1t will typify the character of
the people who erected this institution
better than any other kind of building,
be erected in this great city. l join with |
you. therefore, in this simple service. |
Remember our testimony and the highest |
tribute to your citizens in erecting a !
temple consecrated TO Christian educa- |
tion-the education of your sons and |
daughters.
NO line divides the rich and poor who |
follow Christ alone. II Christ should |
close this open door, remove this cor |
her stone"
DR.. Thompson of the Methodist Epis- !
copal church, south, Joined in the ser
vice by reading a portion Of the dedi- |
catory' service, after which the throng |
joing in singing Praise God From Whom |
All Blessings Flow" after which Bishop |
Hamilton led in prayer. in which he |
asked of the Deity that peace and har- |
mony might forever reign in the insti- |
tuition and that those benefiting from its /
training mibht manifest their thought I
fulness by making the right Ne of it to /
the glory OF oGd.
y scripture lesson was then read by /
Rev. DR.. Riley, after which. with ap- |
oropriate ceremonial. the corner stone 4
was laid, the stone being set in place at 1
,:45 clock.
At the suggestion of Bishop Hamilton. |
The vast audience then sang America /
and. after fervent benediction from |
Or. W. F. Mcdowell. secretary Of the /
educational board OF the Methodist Epis- /
,opal church. the service concluded.