Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-11-10
RELIGION At A. AND N. COLLEGE.
From Galveston News

From Galveston News.
The writer, while attending a
district conference recently heard
Bishop Ward say that all OF our
institutions Of higher learning were
oenters OF religious thought and
spiritual growth.
This assertion, coming from so
high authority, put many to think
ing and some TO investigating, for
the general impression has been
for many years that only denomi-
national schools exercise any real
influence upon the spiritual life OF
is students. In fact, there has
been very largely held false no.
ton that our state institutions en-
courage skepticism rather than re-
ligious faith. With a desire to re-
move these false impressions aud
at the same time TO render our
state institutions of higher learn
ing a needed service, ! am writing
this article.
The writer has been in position
for many years TO see much OF the
school life in one of the great in-
stitutions of the state. the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College.
During the past year espec-
tally has he watched the work OF
those interested in the spiritual
life of the student body. The
board of directors less than two
years ago elected as chaplain OF the
college DR.. Nathan Powell, a men,
Der of the Texas Annual Confer
ence of the Methodist Church
South, and a man who has had
rare college training. As 1t IS a
state institution, however, he could
not be elected and paid a salary for
purely religious work. So he was
employed as adjunct professor OF
modern language. As teacher his
duties were rather heavy and took
much OF his time. As soon as he
entered upon his duties he COM
menced with rare tact and skill TO
enlist the services OF the student
body. Early during the first year
the young men had re-organized I'm.
der his wise guidance young
mems Christian association that
had IFS active members. In addi-
ton to this there were classes for
Bible study organized numbering
$50 strong, manly young fellows.
The Bible classes had member
ship each of ten to twelve. The
classes elected their own leader
and did systematic work i'll the
study of the Scriptures. / learn
that not only every dormltory
upon the campus has its Bible
class, but on every floor of every
dormitory there can he found this
systematic study of the Bible.
With wonderful skill DR.. Powell
has directed all this work from his
study, by meeting there the lead
ers and preparing them for their
work.
Through the influence OF the y.
NJ. c. A. many strong men have
been brought TO the college TO lee.
eure to The student body. Through
these influences that | have men
toned more than seventy young
men las, , ear were brought into a
saving knowledge of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. aud went
home at the close of school earnest
Christian young men.
Encouraged by the great success
reached last year a more perfect
organization has been completed
and some great results are expect
ed from this years work.
The ladies of the campus have
been organized into an auxiliary
society. The society has for its
sole purpose the encouragement
and assistance OF the y. NJ. {. a.
At a recent meeting OF the y.
NJ. =. \. | was present and was
not only delighted. but received
spiritual uplii, from the devotional
exercises. and especially the earn
est PRAYERS OF the cadets.
We have learned that DR. Powell
has recently rendered his resigna.
tion to the board Of directors and
desires TO take up regular pastoral
duties in the conference. We re-
greet to hear OF this, and feel that
no, only the \. and NJ. College
but the whole state will lose by
his resignation. The student body
will feel It's loss keenly. II will
be difficult to hud q man who can
readily take up the work DR..
Powell has organized aud is doing
and be as successful a he has
betn in directing the spiritual
forces Of the student body.
J. II ALLEN,
Allen Academy. BRYAN, Tex.