62 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



We have spoken of the work of the college in the several 

 -departments of science and literature ; but man is above 

 nature, and man's knowledge of himself is superior to any 

 knowledge of the material universe. The course of study 

 includes mental and moral philosophy ; nor will knowledge 

 of man in social and civic relations be excluded. Political 

 economy and civil polity will find a place in the course. 



The highest knowledge attainable by man is a knowl- 

 edge of God. The study of nature and of man should 

 ever be a means to this knowledge. There is no sufficient 

 reason for making a State college a godless college. Neither 

 shoidd it be in any sense a sectarian college. The funda- 

 mental truths of our being, of God and of our relations to 

 him, should be reverently taught throughout the course, 

 without making use of any of the shibboleths of sect. It is 

 especially needful that those who instruct in a State institu- 

 tion shall themselves deeply appreciate the importance of a 

 true religious life. Unless the student is led to be loyal to 

 God, and to subordinate all else to his convictions of duty, 

 the soul, however richly freighted with learning and culture, 

 may drift to utter ruin. No instructor who appreciates in 

 any proper degree the opportunities for moulding the char- 

 acter of students can limit his work to the studies of the 

 curriculum. By individual guidance and counsel he will 

 awaken and nourish the better aspirations of the students. 

 A large number of students gathered in one college does 

 not favor this individual work. The State Colleo-e is not 

 yet so crowded as to prevent the faculty from caring for 

 each student with a good degree of individual interest. 

 If time permitted, I might speak of the helpful influence of 

 the chapel services, now regularly held every Sabbath fore- 

 noon, and of the voluntary eflforts of several of the students 

 in maintainins: relio^ious meetings of their own. Much, 

 very much, remains to be done, in this and in other depart- 

 ments of the college ; but, profiting by the experience of 

 the past, and aided by the increasing interest of the people 

 of the State in its welfare, we believe that the college is 

 destined hereafter, as never before, to be the people's 

 college, providing needed means of culture for every section 

 of the State. 



