Proceedings of the Inauguration 
39 
the colleges were organized not alone for the propagation of the 
faith through the provision for an educated ministry, but to 
secure a higher type of civilization. In the western states as in 
New England the colleges, generally established in the name of 
the churches, represent one of the churches^ contributions to 
the welfare of humanity. They have generally interpreted their 
responsibility to the public in no narrow spirit. The Christian 
colleges have made great contributions to the creation of litera- 
ture, the development of art and the promotion of civilization. 
It is doubtful whether higher education in the United States 
could have reached its present high standard without this con- 
tribution from the colleges founded under Christian leadership. 
The number of educational institutions founded in the nine- 
teenth century which in their origin had no relation to religion in 
either a personal or organized capacity is very small. 
Has the Christian college completed its task? It has sown 
its seed in fertile soil. It has sown broadcast. The harvest has 
been abundant, and gathered by the public. Through the early 
labors of the endowed colleges the need for higher education has 
been so impressed upon the mind of the people that there has 
arisen a public demand that full and complete provision be made. 
Thus have our State Universities sprung into existence. Shall 
the colleges which have borne the heat and burden of the day 
retire from the field ? Is there room for both ; is there need for 
both types of instruction ? The colleges resting on private foun- 
dations could not care for the great army of students now 
thronging the doors opened to them by the state. Their re- 
sources are already taxed to the limit of endurance. The task 
immediately ahead is so enormous that assistance from every 
source is heartily welcomed. The Christian college needs the 
aid of the tax supported institution in solving the educational 
problems of the commonwealth. Does the University supported 
by the State need the assistance of the Christian college? In 
the progressive social order the religious motive has generally 
expressed itself earlier and in a more vigorous manner than the 
human. In this way it was possible for men to move more rap- 
idly through their church organizations in the establishment of 
higher education than was possible for the state in its collective 
capacity. The sequence has been a natural one, — individual re- 
ligious purpose, organized churches, Christian colleges, an edu- 
