The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1908-07-31

counted upon TO anOrd q stated in
come, Beyond this point I seemed
tunabie to go.H:,~I have approached
those who are accustomed to give, for
such a cause as, ours; in fnany cases
| have, gone several times. Often I
have found them pledged to under
takings which had possession Of the
soliciting field in the years when Fisk
had no representative to present It's
claims. : set in motion all the agen-
cies at my command to secure funds,
and not until sufficient time had clap
sed to show that was not to succeed
did reluctantly reach the conclu-
sion that I should nc lon ger defer Civ
ing to the trustees an opportunity
to put more successful money-get-
ter at the head Of the institution. I
insisted upon the acceptance, Of my
resignation If 1t was the expectation
of the trustees that the president of
y Fisk should be held responsible per-
,sonally for securing the money need
ed forfcuErent expenses and endow-
ment .\...rl ..,.a{,.. " =, III. Eg+f
| 1t was not an easy step for me to
take. The loyalty and affection of
the young people las always touched,
me deeply, Their gift Of beautiful
loving cup at the close Of this last
year did not make it any easier for
me to carry out the determination to
resign, OF which they little dreamed.
desire to express my apprecia-
itton Of the hearty cooperation of a.
faculty as. devoted to their work az
0F
or and to thank them for their ex-
pressions Of regret in view OF our sep
aration.: l am exceeding glad that I
have given nine of the best years of
my lite in the service of an instituL
tion@ which has appealed to me as
mas no other cause during my public
career. That 1~have~ been able to
weave into the lives Of any young
people anything which makes for
manhood and womanhood has been a
Joy ThatI have found the alumni
OF Fisk 80 ready to believe In and
trust one whom they have known for
so brief a period has been an inspira-
t1on. 1t has been moreover a delight
TO have found in the heads OF other
schools for the Negro such comnan,
ionable and cooperative fellow-work-
ers. -, .
Il trust that the future will show
harvests fer my sowing beside ali
waters, that the donors who have
made my administration possible
Will continue to recognize the needs
or the university and those who have
putn our cause 'ins their wills win
remain steadfast. know that; Fisk
University is a. chosen Instrument of
God for the advancement OF a caiIae
dear to his heart. In his own best
time and way he will enable the in
stltution that has done go much to do
more than we today can think or
even imagine. "..
And now, Mr.. Editor, please bar
don one closing word! I am con-
V1nced that the trustees acted wise
~ under the circumstances in accept
ing my resignation, and personally
lam very grateful for the very ap-
preciative resolutions which thew
have placed on record and which
would send you for publication had
not already trespassed too greatly
upon your space. =.
Fisk University was never 30
strong as 1t Is today. The debt To
which have referred Is insignificant
in comparison with It's unincumbered
assets. new man who can And q
new constituency to add to that
which lhave secured will be able to
match with Increased financial abil-
1ty the inevitable growth Of tne
greatest school Of it's kind on the
planet.
Faithfully yours,
a. G.. MERRJIJn