364 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



The college has not lost sight of the design of its founders that it should 

 be a thoroughly Christian institution. 



In a supplementary catalogue of the same college we learn that the 



instructing force 



may assemble the students as freely for song and prayer as for athletic asso- 

 ciations and class parties. There are no restrictions at this point, either directly 

 or indirectly. The atmosphere is just as religious as the teachers and students 

 choose to make it. 



The reader will note that the " freedom " here referred to lies 

 wholly in the teachers' privilege of increasing the already existing re- 

 ligious atmosphere, not in any possibility of curtailing it. 



Each of the three following quotations is from a catalogue of a 

 college of excellent standing. The first reads : 



In accordance with the spirit of the founder, the college is undenomina- 

 tional, but distinctly Christian in its influence, discipline and instruction. 

 The second is similarly worded, as follows: 



All instruction is given from the religious viewpoint with reverent recog- 

 nition of and regard for the divine wisdom and power hedging us about and 

 with which we have to do. 



These statements do not leave us to infer that religious instruction 

 is simply coordinate with other instruction, but make the claim that 

 the teaching is a combination of the two. A reductio ad absurdum 

 would lead to the query how Christian or religious mathematics differs 

 from secular mathematics, or how such an interpretation of Horace's 

 " Odes " or of the " Chanson de Eoland " differs from the secular 

 interpretation, and whether Christian bacteriology differs from catholic 

 or Jewish bacteriology. A more moderate statement in this regard is 

 exhibited in the third citation : 



It is a Christian college, conducted in the belief that Christian faith is the 

 source of the highest culture, and that, in the words of its founder, " All educa- 

 tion should be for the glory of God " ; and accordingly it uses the means which 

 legitimately come within its province to foster a Christian life in those who are 

 connected with it. 



A rather na'ive method of cooperation of college and church is 

 shown in the following citation, again from a catalogue of a college of 

 high standing: 



The college is distinctly Christian, and recognizes Christian character as 

 its highest attainment. It is unsectarian in its management. Inquiry is made 

 of the students at entrance as to their denominational affiliation, and what 

 churches in the city they desire to attend. Lists are sent to the pastors of these 

 churches, who seek out the students and bring about them the influence of 

 church homes. 



Apparently this inquiry and resultant action is official on the part 

 of the college. One is tempted to wonder what disposition is made of 

 students who signify a desire to attend a church of some denomination 

 not represented in the city in which this college is situated. Possibly 



