UNIVERSITY EXTENSION. n 



of study in all, and are strictly along university lines. It is true 

 that these students lose the large gain which comes from jjersonal 

 intercourse with the teacher, but they are in constant communi- 

 cation with him, and by his letters and printed notes he can be an 

 immense help in the way of stimulating and directing. At the 

 end of four years a regular examination will be held. Those who 

 pass it successfully and whose progress during the course has 

 been satisfactory will be awarded a certificate which it is the pur- 

 pose of the society to make of recognized value. 



It is, then, an almost realized dream that any one in any place 

 whatsoever may have the advantage of university education. It 

 is a mistaken idea altogether, and one that has robbed the race 

 of much progress, that education ends when maturity begins. By 

 that time one has only gathered a few of the materials of culture. 

 A grown-up man or woman with a book in hand for the purpose 

 of serious study is in too many American communities almost an 

 anomaly. But we have now fallen, it is hoped, upon better days, 

 and the education of men and women has become a national 

 purpose. 



When a rich man founds an institution, erects substantial 

 buildings for its accommodation, and bestows his name upon it as 

 well as his money, public attention is arrested, for there is some- 

 thing visible and tangible for comment to spend itself upon. But 

 right here, in our very midst, there is growing up a university 

 more vast, I am bound to believe, than any of these extensive 

 benefactions, and one destined to make a more profound impres- 

 sion upon the intellectual life of America than has yet been made. 

 It is a university whose strength lies in this, that its students are 

 as miscellaneous as society itself ; that it is bound to no creed, no 

 class, no party, but is committed only to the service of truth — not 

 truth as you or I see it, or as any particular body of men see it, 

 but to that increasingly transparent vision of truth which comes 

 to humanity as a whole. Nor is the purpose of this university 

 defeated by distance and railroad fares. It is the guest of every 

 man or woman who will make it welcome. Neither does it 

 demand what so often can not be given, one's entire time. Its 

 duties may be fulfilled at odd moments, at any time as well as at 

 any place. 



To carry out so vast a purpose as this is going to take a pro- 

 portionate number of men. And to do it thoroughly, on the high 

 plane which is promised, is going to take thoroughly equipped 

 men. It is still an open question as to just how this need shall 

 be supplied. All the lecturers so far, with the exception of Mr. 

 Moulton and possibly one or two others, have been men holding 

 positions in established institutions, and this has had its advan- 

 tages. The men bring the experience and the discij^lined spirit of 



