75

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most deplorable, in the point of success. A School, a College, a
University, to be successful, in the best sense, must be under plain
and direct control of some definite, recognized, Christian order.
Christian men, of whatever persuasion, look with most reasonable
distrust upon any scheme of intellectual culture, built upon the
liberal basis, so called, of excluding the direct recognition of the
Gospel of Christ. Mr. Webster's argument, in the case of the
Girard College, showing how unwise it is, on all possible grounds
to found a College, without Christianity as the corner stone, has
never been assailed with success, It stands impregnable, now and
forever. In the Girard College itself, which was intended to be
independent of Christian men and Christian truth, as the
requisite that Christian men should teach Christian truth, as the
only sure foundation of morals. The mad leaders of the French
Revolution voted God out of the Universe; but soon, terrified by
the results of taking from the minds of men the idea of a responsi-
bility to a higher Power, they eagerly voted him back to his ever-
lasting throne. The time has gone by, when in a Christian land,
learning will be severed from religious faith. The friends of the
University of the South invoke the Great Teacher, now glorfied
to look upon their labors with the same benignity, with which, on
earth, he taught his disciples; and, though earnestly wishing to
do faithfully their own work, they invoke the sympathy of the
Church of the Living God throughout the world.

The establishment of a great University is truly a worthy subject
of world-wide congratulation. The South can do nothing more
becoming a high and noble ambition, to secure the approval of all
men of right minds everywhere, than by founding this University
so firmly, that no tempest can shake it. Here, on this mountain
plain, where half a century ago, was heard the war-whoop of
savage conflict, let there be heard the sublime instructions of "star-
eyed Science." From this height, let the eye of the Astronomer
follow, in all their mazes, the suns and worlds that glitter in the
abyss of night; and, as the glories of immeasurable space expand
before his vision, may his soul be lifted, on the wings of holy
rreverence and fear, to the great throne of uncreated light, and
tremble as it looks. Here, may "divine philosophy" discourse
her wisdom more charming than "Apollo's lute," until He, Incar-
nate Truth, shall fix his image on the heart forever. Here, let the
Chemist search into the mysteries of the etherial principles of
things, and reveal to men their marvellous powers and affinities,

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until all the elements shall seem a choir of angels; unti Air shall
seem to breathe everywhere the name of God, and Fire, flaming
upward, to point to Him, who dwells on high, and Water alike in
the ocean and in the brook, shall seem to sound His praise, and
Earth to sing His glory, as she spins her starry way around the
central Sun. Here, let the Geologist study the formation of the
world, search the "rock-ribbed" mountains, and find in their
diversities of structure and position, wonders passing thought,
until the simple hammer, with which he breaks the rock beneath
his foot, show mysteries as stupendous as the telescope, that points
out to view the star, whose rapid light is yet thougsands of years on
its etherial road, and until the fossil shells and tracery of leaves
daguereotyped on ancient rocks, shall seem to be called forth from
their depths of earth, where they have lain for ages after ages, to
testify to creative grandeur, while the strong foundations of the
earth shall repeat the testimony to "reason's ear" in everlasting
echoes. Here, let the wisdom, the eloquence, the poetry of an-
tiquity, and of "the ages all along" inspire young hearts anew,
until they shall be drawn gently to hear His words serene,
sublime, who spoke as never man had spoken, yes, who spoke,
as never poet sung. Here may the holy strains, which once
mingled with the murmurings of Siloah's brook, lead heavenward
the aspirations of youth. Those strains--how widely have they
traversed the world? The seas that surround the "fast anchored
isle" of England make a sublime chorus to their gentle melody.
They have crossed the ocean, until the waves that dash upon the
Atlantic coast, and those which roll through "the golden gate of
California," mingle with their heavenly music. One of our poets,
in his grand hymn to death, has spoken of the land,

"Where rolls the Oregon, and hears no sound
Save his own dashing,"

yet now, even the wild Oregon, as he rushes to the sea, must min-
gle the noise of his waves with the sound of those same sublime
strains, to which the King of Jerusalem, far away and long ago,
tuned his holy harp.

Thus, the University of the South will consecrate science, litera-
ture and all that she shall teach, to guide men honorably through
life, with that higher wisdom which shall guide aright those
"thoughts that wander through eternity." Will Southern men,
whatever may be their political or religious preferences, hesitate to
uphold the hands which are striving in a work so necessary, so