Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/340

 300 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO will go forth from these halls enlightenment, inspiration, and guidance in that learning which has come from the East and which, culminating in the Book of Books and in the teachings and life of the Son of Man, will ever abide as our most precious possession. The President of the University accepted the gift, saying in part: The circumstances connected with the giving of this money were most interesting. An effort was being made, at the time, to secure the sum of one million dollars before July i, 1894, in order that the gifts pledged conditionally by Martin A. Ryerson and John D. Rockefeller might be secured. While progress had been made, the result was very uncertain. The summer season was coming on I remember distinctly a warm day, about the first of June, which the secretary of the Board of Trustees and myself had spent in the city from early morning until late in the afternoon without meeting success of any kind As we were returning home, it was suggested that perhaps our friend, Mrs. Caroline E. Haskell, who had before expressed great interest in the cause, might be willing to assist in the work we were trying to accom- plish. It was found that she had been considering very seriously the question of erecting a building upon the grounds of the University in memory of her husband, and in a few minutes she expressed her willingness to furnish the money for the erection of such a building. It was this gift that made certain the securing of the million dollars. The building, therefore, important as it is in itself, means more than at first would appear. In securing this building the University at the same time secured nine hundred thousand dollars, which, so far as one can see, would have been lost to the University but for Mrs. Haskell's timely help On behalf of the Trustees of the University, I accept from Mr. Goodspeed, whom she has chosen to represent her upon this occasion, the keys of Haskell Oriental Museum, and I promise, on behalf of the University, that the building shall be sacredly set apart for the purpose indicated. An address was delivered by Rabbi Emil G. Hirsch, who spoke with "eloquence, learning, and deep conviction" on the importance of oriental, and especially of Semitic studies for the understanding of man's religious capacity and destiny. The prayer of dedication was made by Rev. Dr. W. H. P. Faunce, of New York City. For many years this building was used as the lecture hall of the Divinity School as well as for Museum purposes. In it also was the office of President Harper during the last ten years of his life, and of President Judson from 1906 to 1912. The early years of the history of the University formed a period of extraordinary interest to those who had charge of its affairs.