Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/195

FIRST STEPS IN EXPANSION 167 opposition among visitors and alumni the suggestion of delay roused Dr. Northrup, and he rose and with all his vigor and force and charm made a statement, giving a full account of the care that had been taken in preparing the contract, the great benefits the union would bring to the Seminary and the University, and depicting the disastrous results to the Seminary if the contract should not be adopted, affirming that there was no conceivable reason for opposing the union, and, altogether, making a noble plea and an irresistible argument. The letter went on to tell how Mr. Gates spoke and answered two or three questions, how Dr. Henson spoke for the union, and how the man who had suggested delay having expressed himself now perfectly satisfied and in the favor of the contract as it stood, the vote was taken and was not only unanimous, but enthusiastically so. The Articles of Agreement had been adopted unanimously, four days before, by the Trustees of the University. One more step, however, had still to be taken. Mr. Rockefeller had promised a million dollars on the understanding that the Theological Semi- nary was to become an "organic part of the University." This had been found impracticable. The condition on which the gift was made could not be fulfilled. It was therefore possible for Mr. Rockefeller to withdraw it. The Articles of Agreement were sent to him, and with the same generosity with which his great proffer was made he returned them with his approval. The union was formally consummated at the annual commencement of the Seminary, April 14, 1892. The meeting was held in the Baptist Church in Morgan Park. President Northrup spoke of the advantages the Seminary would derive from the union and Presi- dent Harper of the good that would result to the University. E. Nelson Blake, president of the Theological Union and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University, after pronouncing a marriage ceremony, concluded with these words, And now, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Committee of Arrangements, I declare this union consummated What God hath permitted John D. Rockefeller to join together, let not man put asunder. The Seminary brought to the University a student body num- bering one hundred and ninety, over six hundred alumni, and assets amounting to nearly half a million dollars.