The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-12-08

count IL great personal privilege,
Mr.. President. to share in the honors
and duties of this hour. 1 bring you
message of pride and congratula.
tion from the Old Dominion. which,
in peace and in war. has marched
shoulder to shoulder with the Old
North State. 1 bring you greetings
from the Universities and Colleges of
the entire country.
The inauguration of the executive
head of an important and historic in
stitution of learning IS an impressive
function. 1t is a time of retrospect 1t
is a day of prophecy. 1t is a moment
of renewing of vows and pledges. l
do not envy the man his composure
who can. without emotion. participate
in the ceremonies in which we are TO
day engaged.
TO the alumni and friends of Wake
Forest this must be a day filled with
solemn and impressive memories.
Doubtless there are scores in this pres
ence who are now in memory calling
the roll of illustrious names which
this institution has furnished this be-
loved commonwealth and, indeed,
many other States separated from you
only by imaginary geographical lines.
You are recalling with generous emo
tions a past made rich by service and
achievement, and are rejoicing that
this college of your devotion, though
she has passed her three score years
and ten, can serenely face the future
with the lofty faith. the unquenchable
hope and the suDerabounding energy
of a fresh and unexhausted life.
1t is hanDy and hopeful reflection
that institutions of learning work
along long lines: that a century is but
an atom of time in their life: that it is
indeed but as a watch in the night.
Great colleges do not grow up in the
morning to be cut down in the even
ing. They are immortal. If it is a
matter of congratulation that Wake
Forest is today. judged by the meas
ure of a human life, radiant with the
TRANSPORTING beauty of age" it is
vastly more important and comfort
ing to know that she still wears the
fresh glory of academic youth, and is
ready to go forth to meet the coming
years like a strong man TO run a race.
l trust that 1 may be pardoned. in
the brief time allotted to me. for eX,
pressing my conviction that this insti-
tuition, and other institutions born of
the same devotion and cheriShing the
same ideals. will live, and ought to
live in undiminished prosperity amid
the new duties, the new needs and the
new demands of this modern time.
The Christian college is the peculiar
target of contemporary criticism. II
is being denounced in many quarters
as narrow and inefficient. Many are
openly declaring that it has out-lived
its dav So far as any institution is
narrow and inefficient. it is. of course,
an evil force. and It were better. if its
doors were closed. But am here to
maintain that the Christian college,
broadly administered and properly
equipped, is a necessary factor in our
educational economy, so long as we
hope to foster and guarantee our
Christian civilization.
I rejoice in the growth and pros
perity of the institutions SO macnih-
Gently maintained by the various States
at the public expense. They have
beneficient mission and an assured des-
tiny. 7 rejoice, too in the progress
of institutions independent of both
Church and state. There are in the
South today too few institutions thus
administered.
But granting everything that may
be honestly said ins their favor. it is
nevertheless true that the Christian
college, supported and administered by
the Church. pledged to the teachfns
OF the Christian learning. has stood,
and will continue to stand, in reg
nant position, as a necessary connect
inc link between the Christian hom.
and the great universities or the bus
mess life of educated men.
The philosophy of this position is in
no conceivable sense either subtle or
elusive 1t is a matter of both eXpe-
Iicnce and common sense Let us con-
:ider just two cardinal facts in order
TO develop our meaning. ard in ordes
10 set forth more clearly the logic of
our contention.
L. In the first place the Christian
college stands, distinctly and distinct
lively. for tho education that subor-
.linates material gain to the integrity
of mora, character. This does not
mean that it objects to the kind of