Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/283

 THE FIRST YEAR 245 after the morning classes, at 12:30 o'clock, members of the University, faculties, Trustees and students, with some friends, assembled. With a fine perception of what was appropriate and what alone could adequately express the emotions of many present, President Harper opened the exercises by saying, " We will sing the doxology, 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow.'" He then led the assembly in the Lord's Prayer, and announced the hymn, "Nearer, my God, to Thee." Following the hymn, the President still lead- ing, part of the ninety-fifth Psalm was read responsively, "O come let us sing unto the Lord," and the hymn, "Oh, could I speak the matchless worth," was sung. Dean Judson then read parts of the first chapter of Genesis and of the first chapter of John, and verses 4 to 8 of the fourth chapter of Philippians. Prayer was offered by Professor Galusha Anderson, formerly president of the Old Uni- versity. "Hail to the Lord's Anointed" was sung, a notice or two given, and the benediction was pronounced by Dean Hulbert of the Divinity School. Thus simple were the exercises of that really great occasion. No addresses, no speaking of any sort, a few selections of Scripture, hymns and prayers this was all. At the October opening of every year for the quarter-century covered by this volume substantially the same program, in all its simplicity, was repeated. It was known as the Commemorative Chapel Assembly. On the opening day Mr. Rockefeller sent the following tele- gram to President Harper: I have much pleasure in congratulating you and your associates on the auspicious opening of the Chicago University this day. I greatly appreciate all that you and our many friends have done and I hope and believe that our highest ideals of usefulness for the University will be fully realized. I regret not to do myself the honor of being present on this occasion. The two men on the ground who had been most deeply con- cerned in the preliminary work, culminating on the opening day, naturally wrote to their colaborer, Mr. Gates, and their views and feelings may be of interest. President Harper wrote: The University has at last opened. The recitations began at 8:30 Sat- urday morning. On account of the number of students it was necessary to continue matriculation until Saturday at 5:00 o'clock. At 12:30 the first