The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-12
ALUMNI DAY AT
RICHMOND COLLEGE.
Continued from First Page3


Continued from First Page.)
in Richmond in 1888, a colossal en-
terprise launched by French gentlemen
under the pretentious title Of "Acade-
my Of the United States.
"The cornerstone of this promising
institutions" said Mr.. Patterson. was
laid and a building erected on the site
where Monumental Church now stands
The French Revolution and the COM
plications which followed caused the
scheme to be Abandoned. In 1924 on
effort was made, and came near being
successful, to move William and Mary
to Richmond, rather than to establish
the University Of Virginia, and only
Mr.. Jefferson's preponderating per-
sonal influence resulted in tho aban-
donment Of this PLAN
Mr.. Patterson stated that in the
opinion of leading educators Of the
country, Richmond College was stu
atcd at ono of the strategic points in
the education of this country. Its
destiny is as well assured as Is the
destiny Of the city ITSELF" he declared.
Began ut 5 A. NJ.
Mr.. Patterson then introduced the
Rev. r. II. Pitt, D. D.! IL. D., of the
class of 1879, the editor of the Re-
ligious Herald. of this city.
Dr. Pitts address on the early history
and work Of the college was listened to
with close attention. In graphic style
he told OF tho various epochs that
marked the institutions history. The
first meeting looking towards the foun-
dalton of an institution was described
by the speaker as held in the Second
Baptist Church., then located on Elev-
cnth Street below Main. on June 8,
1880, at the unusual hour OF 5so'clock
A. M. The purpose Of this meeting,
was ito consider the Improvement Of
the condition Of young men who were
to study for the Baptist ministry" A
result of this meeting was the estab-
lishment Of tho Virginia Baptist Edu-
cation Society" an organization which
at first only lent aid to young man
in private institutions. One ofBthese in
stitutions was the private school kept
by Elder Edward Baptist at his home
III Powhatun county. Shortly after the
Education Society secured the Spring
Farm" in the suburbs of Richmond,
whore tho Bloomingdale Stock Farm
now stands, and here Robert Ryland
| taught fourteen ministerial students
for over two years.
Tn 1884 the present college property
| was purcha sed and the Virginia Bap.
list Seminary opened. twas not unit
the 9TH Of March. 1870. that the Legis
lature incorporated the Trustees OF
Richmond College," 55B
DIR. Pitt told in detail of the efforts
to raise an endowment, and traced the
history Of the institution up to begin
ming of the war, when there was {
faculty of six professors, an endoW
ment of 100000 and two buildings, thu
north wing of the present main build.
ing, and tho house now occupied b,
Professor Mitchell. Tho devastation o
the war period was described and tn
heroic attempt to reopen in 1866, whel
Mr., James Thomas. Jr,f OF Richmond
began q subscription for q new Ell
dowment by giving $4,000. A hfsi
tribute was paid to the men who con
, Quoted the affairs Of the institution
in the desperate years from 1866 t
!, 1873. Passing on DR.. Pitt describe
! the growth of tho institution. It's add
lions to buildings and faculty, CLOSING
his remarks with n eulogy of the pres
!, ent president. DR.. Bontwright, who's
q moderation. ability ana unfailing goo
= sense and administrative capacity hay
t greatly grntiheH his friends ana al
mirers" During tho present admin
: istration. which begun In 1875. $4,000
/ las been added to the endowment, tw
: new buildings have been erected an
: paid for; two academies haye bee
. cstabllshcd---one here aI>~ono at New
n port Nows--nnd arrangements hay
been made or7tho admission OF womo
o to the higher classes of tho college,.
q broad Classical Course.
y After musical interludo the sec
j. ond speaker Of tho evening was II
l. troduced-Professor j. Howard Cor
Is Phi. D., Of tho class OF 1877, profcsst
2 OF mathematics In George Washingtu
II University, Washington, y. c.,
ii DR.. Cores address was masterfl
D. and scholarly appeal for tho broa
. foundations Of classical learning. T.
~ made a skilful argument for tho pre-
y ervation of tho classics. and for ii
general instruction OF undergraduate
with tue avoidance OF special!zat!t
70 until an ample foundation OF hrop
u culture has been laid.
D. DR. Gore gave a graphic ilustr,
10 ton OF his meaning in describing II
:. engineering difficulties In putting ne
j.. and broader and deeper foundatio,
L a. a 4 tty ~.