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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 50

Articles of Endowment

Articles of Endowment.

While the articles of endowment prohibit sectarianism, they direct that there shall be taught that there is an all-wise, benevolent God, and that the soul is immortal. It seems to us that the welfare of man on earth depends on the belief in immortality, and that the advantages of every good act and the disadvantages of every evil one follow man from this life into the next, there attaching to him as certainly as individuality is maintained.

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As to the manner in which this shall be taught and whence the confirmations shall be derived, we are not prepared to advance any thought other than that they may be sought from every available source that tends to throw light upon the subject.

While it is our desire that there shall be no sectarian teaching in this institution, it is very far from our thoughts to exclude divine service. We have provided that a suitable building be erected wherein the professors of the various religious denominations shall, from time to time, be invited to deliver discourses not sectarian in character.

We deem it of the first importance that the education of both sexes shall be equally full and complete, varied only as nature dictates. The rights of one sex, political and otherwise, are the same as those of the other sex, and this equality of rights ought to be fully recognized.

We have sought to place the free scholarships upon the basis of right to the student. We think this important, in order that his dignity and self-respect shall be maintained, and that he may understand that in his political relations he is entitled to nothing he does not earn.

With respect to the expenses of the students of the University, we desire that the Trustees shall fix them as low as possible.

The articles of endowment are intended to be in the nature of a constitution for the government and guidance of the Board of Trustees, in a general manner, not in detail. We hope that this institution will endure through long ages. Provisions regarding details of page 33 management, however wise they may be at present, might prove to be mischievous under conditions which may arise in the future.

In the deed of trust we have designated the purpases of this University. The object is not alone to give the student a technical education, fitting him for a successful business life, but it is also to instill into his mind an appreciation of the blessings of this government, a reverence for its institutions, and a love for God and humanity, to the end that he may go forth and by precept and example spread the great truths by the light of which his fellow-man will be elevated and taught how to attain happiness in this world and in the life eternal.