The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-07
BIG MEETING FOR
 HOWARD COLLEGE Prominent Citizens Urge Im- pOrtance of Education SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS Resolutions Adopted Last Night Pledge Cooperation In Assisting to Give
 Howard College an Ade-
 quate Endowment. 
SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS

A great meeting in the interest of How ard college was held last night at the First Baptist church. Dr. A. P. Monta- que, president of Howard college. officiat- ed as chairman and introduced the sev- eral speakers. The Rev. J. D. Ray led in prayer.
 The first speaker introduced was M. V. Joseph. MT. Joseph expressed his pleasure at having the privilege of say ing something on behalf of education in general and of Howard college in partic- ular.
 'I am always glad to lend my voice." he said. fin the interest of that which is tending to the education of the masses. Howard college is enlisted In the service of God and humanity; 1t Is and is des- tined to be helpful in the uplift of our city. our state and our country at large. It is more helpful to us than any of our great industries. We need trained men and this institution will make returns to us in the proportion that we give to it. It is public duty to aid that enterprise which is helpful to our city without re- gard to creed or denomination. The young men furnished us by Howard col- lege have the moral and intellectual train- ing that goes to make good citizenship and it Is the duty of each of us to sub scribe to its needs.''
 Letter From MT. Harding.
 After the speech of Mir Joseph Dr. Montague announced that President w. F. G. Harding of the First national bank, who was to be the next speaker, was unable to be present. However, letter written by MT. Harding to pr. Montague was read. as follows:
 Birmingham, Ala, June D. 1909. "Dr. A. P. Montague, President Howard
 College, East Lake, Ala.
 My Dear Sir: l was much interested in what you told me yesterday regarding your institution and it's work, and am sure that the meeting Sunday evening of the members of the Baptist churches of the Birmingham district will arouse great interest in the cause of education, and that 1t will impress upon our people the opportunity that Is afforded them of pro- noting higher education by railying to the support of Howard college.
 While we have secular institutions un- der state control which are In every way worthy of the support of the citizens of Alabama, there Is an ample field for de- nominational institutions which should be fostered, not only by the churches with which they are identified, but by the pub lie at large. Whatever rivalry that may exist in this state between the two classes of institutions is a healthy one, each in- spring the other with higher ideals and standards. The University of Alabama has been steadily raising it's standard of scholarship for many years past, and it is interesting to note that Howard col lege has kept pace with our state insti- tuition in this respect. Some of our great est universities are denominational- Princeton has always been identified with the Presbyterians; Vanderbilt Is under the control of the Southern Methodist church; the University of the South at Sewanee is conducted by the Episcopal church; Georgetown university at Washington by the Roman Catholics. and two of the greatest Baptist universities in this coun- try are Brown university at Providence and the University of Chicago. Other notable Baptist institutions are Richmond college. Richmond. Va, and Mercer uni versity at Macon. Ga, and Howard col ege at East Lake which under its pres ept able management Is enjoying a pe- riod of prosperity and developing a field of usefulness unprecedented in it's his tory. While it's influence reaches all over Alabama and extends into other states, Howard college Is in a sense Birming- ham institution, and the strongest local influences should be enlisted in its sup port. Other large cities recognize the importance of having higher institutions of learning In their midst, and no com munity, however prosperous 1t may be from a commercial or industrial stand point. can become a truly desirable place of residence without the refining and ele- vating influences of educational institu- tions.
 with best wishes for the continued progress of Howard college and for the ifvof ton of l{,,rr I am, yours very truly,
 "W. P. G. HARDING."
 Dean Macon Speaks.