Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/332

 292 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO beginning, and, accordingly, have sought to assist you in enlisting the interest and securing the contributions of many others, and at times by aiding you by means of unconditional gifts to make the University as widely useful, worthy and attractive as possible. Most heartily do I recognize and rejoice in the generous response of the citizens of Chicago and the West. Their contribu- tions to the resources of the University have been, I believe, more than seven million dollars. It might perhaps be difficult to find a parallel to generosity so large and so widely distributed as this exercised in behalf of an institution so recently founded. I desire to express my appreciation also of the extraor- dinary wisdom and fidelity which, you, as President and Trustees, have shown in conducting the affairs of the University. In the multitude of stu- dents so quickly gathered, in the high character of the instruction, in the variety and extent of original research, in the valuable contributions to human knowledge, in the uplifting influence of the University as a whole upon educa- tion throughout the West, my highest hopes have been far exceeded. It is these considerations, with others, that move me to sum up in a single and final gift, distributing its payments over a period of many years to come, such further contributions as I have purposed to make to the University. The sum I now give is intended to make provision, with such gifts as may reasonably be expected from others, for such added buildings, equipment, and endowment as the departments thus far established will need. This gift completes the task which I have set before myself. The founding and support of new departments, or the development of the varied and alluring fields of applied science, including medicine, I leave to the wisdom of the Trustees, as funds may be furnished for these purposes by other friends of the University. In making an end to my gifts to the University, as I now do, and in with- drawing from the Board of Trustees my personal representatives, whose resignations I inclose, I am acting on an early and permanent conviction that this great institution, being the property of the people, should be controlled, conducted, and supported by the people, in whose generous efforts for its up- building I have been permitted simply to co-operate; and I could wish to consecrate anew to the great cause of education the funds which I have given, if that were possible; to present the institution a second time, in so far as I have aided in founding it, to the people of Chicago and the West; and to express my hope that under their management and with their generous support, the University may be an increasing blessing to them, to their children, and to future generations. Very truly yours, JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER In the letter of designation Mr. Rockefeller said: It is my desire that at least the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) be used for the erection and furnishing of a University Chapel. As the spirit of religion should penetrate and control the University,