Vault Early Papers of the University Box 1 Document 7

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of training those committed to their care with honorable success and on an extended scale. Of the capabilities and the claims of some of these, the personal experience of several of our number would forbid our speaking otherwise than in terms of the highest respect and veneration.

(5) It is believed nevertheless that the whole ground is not occupied. That the work to be done is beyond the power of the laborers who are employed in doing it and that the entrance of another Institution of a high grade upon the field to be cultivated, so far from being uncalled for should be hailed as a welcome ally.

It is to be remembered that as a Church we have in this matter, thus far, been the recipients of favors at the hands of others; and we may well ask ourselves whether we can

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stand justified in allowing this state of things to continue beyond the point where it is clear we have the ability to take care of ourselves. And not only so it behooves us also to inquire how far the obligations of patriotism require of us to place at the service of the State the whole force of our denominational strength for the intellectual and moral training of its youth and in a form in which it can be most efficiently and successfully [averted?].

The State affords us and ours guardianship and protection, and is entitled to the reciprocal benefit of such efforts as we are capable of to enlighten its administration, to consolidate its power, and to perpetuate its duration. The Presbyterians, at Princeton, the Congregationalists at Yale, the Unitarians at Harvard, and the Methodists and others in numerous instances have set us an example in this behalf.

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which we cannot but admire, and would do well to imitate.

Nothing is more common than to hear (6) it affirmed that the hopes of mankind are suspended upon the success of the experiment in government now being made in these States. The success or failure of this experiment turns entirely on the degree of intelligence and the character of the moral sentiment which shall distinguish the masses of our populations. These masses are but the ag -gregation of individuals and the responsibility and duty of originating and sustaining Institutions whose offices go to the point directly or indirectly of enlightening them is therefore obvious and imperative. And we may add if there ever was a time in the history of our republic at which good men were called upon more than at another, to unite

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upon efforst to found such Institutions, the present is that period. At no time in all the past, have we been so threatened with the spread of the wildest opinions in religion and government; and at no period therefore, has there been so great a call to put into operation and multiply agencies whose high conservatism shall furnish us with the means of making fast the foundations of the State, securing a sound and healthy feeling in the social condition, and preserving in their integrity the great truths of our holy religion.

But besides these general considerations, which are of force with all men, and which claim our attention as citizens, there is the special obligation upon us, as churchmen, to originate some plan for the special benefit of the children of the Church. Their claims upon us are of the highest description. They are our offspring

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committed to our guardianship and nur(7) ture, and, for whose careful training we are deeply responsible not only to themselalso ves and their country but ^ to God. By the very condition of their relationship they claim of us the most vigilant oversight and the most thoughtful provision for their moral and spiritual as well as intellectual well being.

And now it may be asked, what are we as Churchmen, who have committed ourselves or who stand committed to the service of God, and who recognise distinctly our accountability, what are we do -ing in our dioceses for the religious moral and intellectual welfare of our offspring. What are we doing to throw around them during that most important period of their life -- their collegiate career -- these sustaining supports as well as those wholesome restraints furnished by our holy religion