Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/120

 94 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO than the electric light which gleams from the statue of Liberty in New York harbor and which guides the storm-tossed mariner into port. Brethren of the National Baptist Education Society, we thank you for the generous appre- ciation of Chicago and the great Northwest, which made you resolve that the first magnificent educational memorial of united denominational effort should arise in this central city Long may he be spared who, more than any other man, has contributed to this glory of the consummation. Brethren of Chicago and the great Northwest, for us this is a day of days, a day of Appomattox triumph after a Bull Run defeat, a day to rejoice in with humble, hearty gratitude to God, a day to tell to our children's children, and for remotest posterity to celebrate. A tremendous trust has been committed to us; a solemn responsibility devolves upon us. Let us discharge it in no little, narrow, sectarian spirit, but with broadest catholicity and highest patriotism and Christian resolve. And may God crown with blessing the embodiment of so many hopes and the answer to so many prayers the new University of Chicago. The great assembly united in singing the Doxology. Thus ended a great occasion and a great day in the history of education and of the denomination which had conceived and inaugurated the new movement. Again the anxieties, fears, hopes, and struggles of the year had ended in enthusiasm, shouting, and songs of praise. The trustees of the new institution were designated by the Exec- utive Board of the Education Society during the week in which these meetings were being held. The first trustees were chosen in the following manner. Secretary Gates well understood that, as the executive officer of the Education Society, it devolved on him to find men who could properly be named to the Executive Board for consideration as trustees. Throughout the whole of the year in which the subscriptions were being sought he was con- stantly on the lookout for good trustee material. Here and there men were found who were not satisfied with making liberal sub- scriptions, but exhibited so deep and intelligent an interest, making inquiries, offering suggestions, proffering services, seeking to interest others, furthering in every way they could the work of the secretaries, that their ultimate appointment as trustees followed naturally, almost inevitably, their living and enlightened interest in, and unselfish and voluntary services to, the enterprise. Often on leaving an office where there had been an interview with a man of this sort, Mr. Gates would say, " There is a man who will make