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? .... .. /f* U P* , , _ ' (library) <^^=—— < WQ-ty in Tnf>— ~ THE VOLUME ONE. NO. THIRTY. SCOTT COLLEGE, DECATUR, GA. FOH THF HIGHFF EDUCATION OF WOJTEH, By S. T. DALSHEIMER. T IS a fact worthy of move than pass ing comment and consideration that one of the principal arguments used by ag nostics and free thinkers against de nominationalism in religions matters is, that among the followers of certain sec forms of faith the study of philosophy and the higher educational branches i-: almost invariably discouraged. But the I refutation of this argument is so obvious that it must appeal to even the most casual observer, for it is undoubtedly true that to the va rious religious de nominations belongs the credit of estab lishing Ihe vast ma jority of the institu tio n s of learning throughout the world. It (is to the fullest credit of these de nominations also, that, although found ed primarily by rep resentatives of some special sect, yet in many instances a broad, practical and helpful Christianity has prevailed rather than any rigid adher ence to denomina tional tenets. Notable among such cases may be mentioned Mercer University, founded by Baptists; Emory and Wesleyan College, also Vander bilt University under Methodist dominion, the University of the South, at Sewanee, established by the Episcopalian Church, while prominent among Pres byterian institutions is Agnes Scott College at De catur, Ga., designed for the higher Christian educa tion of the young -women of the South. In eacn one of these institutions the standard of scholar ship is the highest, and although no ligid denom inationalism is practiced in any one of them, yet in each there is a strong tide of religious interest and enthusiasm as well as a determined effort to ward broad Christian training which has necessari ly resulted in fitting the young men and women of the country for positions of useful and advanced Christian work. It has been many y?ars since the • '•■cts/sr’' • .•AbBHHKSI** f£B| iflrT MflbFS & flflßk .. MBffimnr ra an. sBfIHR! J£ijs£ .- JeßSs&u ■ KnEskL.. " _ jiiiwMWl II ■BfWiiii W?flF ATLANTA, GA., SEPTEMBER 13, 1906. wisdom of higher education for women has been questioned, for it is universally recognized that the more thorough the mental training given to woman the better fitted she is to assume the duties of her life. Education in its best and broadest sense does not unfit a woman for her place as the center and basis of the home and the family, but it does enable her to hold with dignity and credit the place which has ever been hers by Nature’s inalienable right; for the more thorough her men tal training, and the more developed her intellectual life, the better able she is to fulfil the sacred du ties of her sex. The most advance! educators of women have long since recognized this fact, and the foremost institutions in the country arrange their courses of study, as well as their domestic and scientific department, with a view toward practi cal as well as ethical and classical education. There is, however, always more or less of a problem attached to the proper management of a woman’s college. In the nature of things it is not as ad vantageous for young women to be absolved from the dormitory or home system of living while at college as it is for young men. Hence, even the REBEKAH SCOTT HfXLL. DOLLARS A YEAR. FIVE CENTS A COPY. large women’s colleges of the north and west have some arrangement by which students may, if de sired, live within or near the college campus. The college spirit is rather strengthened than otherwise by this system, but it will readily be seen how greatly this arrangement increases the responsibili ties of the officials of an institution. Yet it is a fea ture which must be carefully considered, and it is one to which the promoters of the Agnes Scott College have given every possible attention, as will be shown by a description of the system adopted with Miss Nannette Hopkins as principal, and the Seminary doors were opened on Sept. 17th, 1889, just three months after the meeting which deter mined on its establishment. Col. George Scott’s Generous Donation. During the first year the seminary enrolled just GO girls, three of whom were boarders at the school, and so needed was the institution that during its second year the enrollment had increased to 138 pupils with 22 boarders. Naturally this increased number proved too many for the limited accommoda tions which the institution had in the building de voted to its uses. Colonel Scott, therefore, pro- by that institution. As long ago as 1889 it was resolved by the members of the Pres byterian Church of Decatur, Ga., to estab lish a girls’ school of “high character.” At this time Dr. F. H. Gaines was pastor of the church and Elder George Scott was one of its most prom inent members. It was at the invitation of the former and on a resolution of the latter that the school was established, and within forty days aft er the resolution was given formal recogni tion there was found ed the “Decatur Fe rn aI e Seminary,” which was to have a capital stock of $5,000. This amount was promptly sub scribed and a Board of Trustees was ap pointed in the usual manner. This Board elected four teachers