Abstract of an Address by Rev. Samuel Chiles Mitchell, Ph.D., LL.D., of the University
of Richmond
In addition to the plans of the preceding speaker, the only suggestion
I can make is that the various denominations coöperate with the Young
Men's Christian Association in the maintenance of a University Preacher
on permanent tenure. In this way I believe a man on the order of Phillips
Brooks could be secured, who would give his whole strength and time to the
religious life of the University. Such a man as Bishop McDowell, or Dr.
Gilkie, or Dr. Jowett would make a lasting impression upon the University
community by his continuous presence and by his messages, springing out
of the changing needs of the student body.
The advantages of a permanent tenure over the chaplaincy for two
years, which was the custom in my student days here, and over the place of
having different visiting ministers from Sunday to Sunday, are apparent.
By permanency of office you can get a really great personality whose voice
will command attention everywhere. His interpretation of the spiritual life
will be progressive in spirit and cumulative in effect. He will enter sympathetically
into the life of the individual student as well as reënforce the religious
purposes of the University community as a whole.
In Madison Hall we have an agency with which the denominations
can work to this end. Whatever might be lost to specifically denominational
interests by this plan, would in my opinion be more than made up by
the emphasis upon the essentials of Christianity which such a preacher would
give, thus enriching religious life and truth for all through the University.
