other departments of the school. It was founded as a manual labor college, and the funds secured for the building-up of said institution, have been given with that express understanding; and now, should the managers of the school in any way neglect to give prominence to this department, they would prove recreant to their trust."

A "College Farm," located about a mile from the College building, was put in operation at an early day. Financially it was a moderate success, but seems not to have sustained the position at first assigned it, "of equal importance with other departments in the school." It was run in connection with the College for five years, when it was rented and subsequently sold at a very low figure, and the "manual labor system" abandoned.

RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE.

From what has been said respecting the origin of the institution it will be seen that it was started as an agency for furthering the interests of religion. Its founders were among the most pious and zealous men of the church, and they entered upon their work in the name of Christ and with faith in God. The religious element was early a prominent feature in the school, and has been all along its history. To make it a nursery of vital Christianity, and a center from which shall go forth young men and women possessing the highest development of the heart as well as of the head is. if possible, more zealously sought for now than at any time in the past. The skepticism and deistical tendency of the age has deepened the conviction in the minds of those having the management of the institution, that higher education, no less than other, to be a blessing, must be sanctified.

Moral and religious training is considered of the first importance. Students are required to attend religious services in the College chapel every Sabbath morning with the United Brethren congregation, or if the church preferences of the student render it desirable on his part, he is at perfect liberty to worship with some other congregation. Singing, reading of the Scriptures and prayer are held every morning in the chapel-Saturday and Sabbath excepted-which all are required to attend. The students are urged to attend Sabbath school and prayer meetings. During each term special religious services are held by the minister of the congregation, assisted by the professors, chiefly for the benefit of the students. These special efforts always result in good, and are frequently reasons of great spiritual power. It is the aim to throw around the students, continually, the most wholesome moral and religious influences. Besides these direct religious agencies, the moral atmosphere of the community is comparatively pure. The town is free from saloons and places of sinful, vitiating amusements. Almost all who spend some years at the institution leave its halls earnest Christians.

TERRITORY CO-OPERATING.

The conferences now co-operating are: In Iowa, the Iowa, East Des Moines and West Des Moines; in Minnesota, the Minnesota; in Illinois, the Rock River. These contain a membership of 9,000. It will at once be seen that Western College is the educational center of the church in the Northwest. This territory is as choice as it is extensive. The church is becoming more and more interested in the college, and is giving it a continually increasing support. The college also has many valuable friends and supporters outside the church.

FINANCES.

The plan generally adopted for raising funds to meet the various wants of the institution has been the employment of agents, who operate in such districts of the conferences co-operating as the Board of Trustees directs. Its financial difficulties have been not unlike those of most institutions in their infancy. These have, by no means, been rendered lighter by its having taken its rise in the pioneer period of the State. During the early part of its history the aim of its managers seems to have been simply to reduce the debt—which was incurred chiefly at its founding-and to meet current expenses. The raising of a permanent endowment fund received attention first during the annual session of the Board in 1866. In the minutes of this session is found a motion by Rev. W. W. Richardson, "that we endow a Professorship in this school." This motion was disposed of "after some discussion," by passing an amendment that "we endow a professorship when our debts are paid and way

clear."

As years passed, and the cost of instruction was not being met nor the general condition of the finances improved, it became evident that new measures must be inaugurated by which to meet expenses and place the institution upon a sound financial basis. Hence, in the session of 1870, it was resolved to endow two chairs. It was determined, also, to sell perpetual scholarships at $250 each. In connection with efforts to secure means to meet contingent expenses and liquidate debts, the agents have been working up these funds, until a fair start has been made.

The total amount now secured, including scholarships, is $30,000. Only a part of this is funded. This is but the beginning of what is expected, erelong, to be a respectable endowment.

BUILDINGS.

The buildings are three in number-all brick. The main building is 36x62 feet and three stories in height. The lower story contains four recitation rooms and rooms for laboratory and library. The second story is the chapel. The third story-formerly wholly comprised of dormitories-is now occupied by the two halls of the gentlemen's societies, a recitation room and cabinet room.

Neidig Hall is 30x40 feet and two stories in height. It was named from Jonathan Neidig, of Western, who contributed liberally toward its erection. It was erected in 1858. It was designed to accommodate gentlemen boarding themselves, and was occupied by gentlemen until 1875, when it was partially refitted and set apart for the use of ladies boarding themselves.

It

Lane Hall is three stories in height, besides basement, and 35x62 feet. was named from Mr. Ira Lane, of Illinois, a liberal donor to the college. It is the boarding hall for ladies. The basement contains a cellar, pantry, kitchen, dining-room and laundry. The first story contains Steward's rooms, music and reception rooms and hall of the ladies' society. The second and third stories are used as dormitories. The foundation of this building was laid in 1860, but a want of funds delayed its completion. Its wall, at various times raised higher, stood unfinished and without a roof until the Fall of 1864. In the Summer of 1865, the building was partially finished, and in the Fall of the same year it was occupied and opened for boarders. It was finally completed by finishing the upper story in 1874.

J. Mr. Clelland

EDITOR OF "CEDAR RAPIDS TIMES"

A NEW CHAPEL.

Active measures are now being taken for the erection of a costly and elegant chapel building, to be located at the south end of the main college building, extending a few feet further west. It will be a brick structure, 50x90 feet in size, the first story to be used as a lecture room and for other purposes, while the whole of the second story will be devoted to the chapel. It will have an open timber ceiling, and will seat 715 persons, as planned by the architect, E. Grow Aurand, of Ossian, Iowa. It will be connected with the main building, which will be thoroughly remodeled and increased to four stories, and a tower, about 120 feet in height, will form the junction of the two buildings. It is expected that it will be completed within three years, at a cost of about $30,000.

LITERARY SOCIETIES.

There are connected with the college three literary societies-two for gentlemen, one for ladies. The following statistics are as nearly accurate as any that can be obtained. The Young Men's Institute can find no records made prior to November, 1868. The number of members from that time to 1876 is 192, which figures are given below:

The Philadelphian Society flourished in the early days of the institution. It dissolved as early as the former part of the year 1860. During the college year of 1863-4, the Nestorian was formed. Its career was short. From the Irving Institute, of later origin than either of the last named, the Philophronean sprung. The instability of most of the gentlemen's societies, organized during the early years, is doubtless partly to be ascribed to the fact that, before the year 1870, they had no society halls. The ladies fitted up a hall in 1869. The regular literary societies are the only societies connected with the College. By rule, all secret societies are prohibited.

LIBRARY AND CABINET.

The college library contains over 800 volumes. This interest is being gradually worked up, and will eventually become a prominent feature of the institution. The literary societies have libraries, to which their members have free access.

CABINET.

Valuable additions have been made to the cabinet, among which is a complete shell cabinet, containing over 500 species and more than 2,600 individuals; also over forty specimens of coral. These two collections are a gift of the class of 1877. Additions have also been made to the geological and mineral depart

ments.

EXPENSES TO STUDENTS.

The tuition, in all the departments, is $7.00 per term; the incidental fee per term is $1.50, making a total admittance fee of $8.50 per term. Boarding at the hall or at private residences is had for from $2.75 to $3.00. The sum

L