Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/149

THE FIRST PRESIDENT 121 versity of Chicago to be from the very beginning an institution of the highest rank and character. Already it is talked of in connection with Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Johns Hopkins, the University of Michigan, and Cornell. No one expects that it will be in any respect lower in grade and equipment than the average of the institutions to which I have referred, and yet, with the money pledged, I cannot understand how the expectations can be fulfilled. Naturally we ought to be willing to begin small and grow, but in these days when things are done so rapidly, and with the example of Johns Hopkins before our eyes, it seems a great pity to wait for growth when we might be born full-fledged. About this and other matters I shall hope to talk with you when we meet. It is interesting to note how Dr. Harper, who had reluctantly acceded to the scheme for a " college to begin with," now returned to his original "University to begin with" plan. It was entirely characteristic. The next moment of great interest in the story was a conference between Dr. Harper and Mr. Gates at Morgan Park, on August 17, 1890. The two men spent the day together, as Mr. Gates writes of it, a day of crisis and decision, happily fateful for the new institution. The day was beautiful. We spent the afternoon in the open air. We visited the grave of Dr. Harper's child. He was in a tender, fruitful mood, making a momentous life decision. The fundamental question was how could he become President of a University in Chicago and at the same time not practically renounce his chosen life work of Old Testament research, criticism, and instruction. Gradually the following plan unfolded itself: 1. The Theological Seminary to be removed to the campus of the Uni- versity. 2. The Seminary to become an organic part of the University. 3. The Seminary buildings at Morgan Park to be used for a University Academy. 4. Equivalent or better buildings for the Seminary to be erected on the University campus. 5. Instruction in Hebrew and Old Testament criticism to be transferred to University chairs. 6. Dr. Harper to be head professor with salary and full authority over the department. 7. Mr. Rockefeller to give one million dollars as a new, unconditional gift, a part of which would go for aid to the Seminary in carrying out the program. 8. Dr. Harper to visit Mr. Rockefeller and agree to accept the presidency on this program.