CONVENTION OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES. 709 



Section on entomology. — Chairman, C. W. Woodworth, of California; 

 secretary, L. Brnner, of Nebraska. 



Section on mechanic arts. — Chairman, C. S. Murkland, of New Hamp- 

 shire; vice chairman, G. A. Harter, of Delaware; secretary, F. P. 

 Anderson, of Kentucky. 



MEETINGS OF SECTIONS. 



SECTION ON COLLEGE WORK. 



The sessions of the section on college work were devoted to papers 

 and discussions on recent changes in the theory of higher education 

 and the relation of the churches to State colleges and universities. 



Discussion of the first subject was introduced by a paper presented 

 by E. A. Bryan, who traced the progress of several American colleges 

 in their attempts to improve their curricula by giving to the natural 

 and physical sciences an equal place with linguistic and philosophic 

 subjects. The nature of education will be determined by the use to 

 which it is to be put, and the modern idea that the purposes of higher 

 education include the application of its results to industry and the 

 material welfare of mankind has done much to revolutionize the col- 

 lege methods. The separation of culture and utilitarian ends was 

 considered impossible. 



R. W. Silvester spoke of the impulse given by President Eliot to 

 higher education by the introduction of the elective system into 

 the undergraduate courses. The evolution of the individual and the 

 changed attitude of instructor to student were dwelt upon. The Asso- 

 ciation was urged to aid in the establishment of a national university 

 in Washington characterized by the truly scientific spirit. 



J. E. Stubbs gave an historical retrospect of national civilizations by 

 which education in its modern aspect is to be interpreted. He said the 

 end of education should be the development of cultured manhood which 

 fits for a passport to high positiou in every sphere of usefulness. 



A. W. Harris read a paper on The relation of the church to State 

 colleges and universities, in which he urged the obligation of the 

 churches to extend their care to students in undenominational as well 

 as denominational institutions, and suggested the establishment by the 

 different denominations of dormitories and chapels for the students of 

 their membership. It was also suggested that the churches might fur- 

 nish funds to provide the State colleges and universities with preachers 

 and lecturers that theological courses might be maintained. 



In the discussion which followed, J. L. Snyder expressed the opinion 

 that the churches did not have the means to carry out the plans sug- 

 gested by Dr. Harris in addition to keeping up denominational schools. 

 The most effective way for the churches to hold their young people was 

 to place in the pulpits of the university towns and cities the stronger 

 preachers in their denomination. The faculty should encourage the 

 students to activity in the churches in the immediate vicinity. 



