METHODIST REPORTS WILLAMETTE MISSION 357
consideration. And though to many brethren the thought of disbanding it was deeply afflictive, yet in the exercise of a sober judgment they could not recommend its fur- ther continuance. It was therefore given up, and the premises sold to the Trustees of the Oregon Institute. It must not be supposed, however, that in this transfer of the mission school premises to other hands, the M. E. Church in Oregon has surrendered all right of direction and control of the educational interests of the territory. So far from this, she has most probably by this arrange- ment secured to herself a more general interest and a stronger influence in the literary culture of that com- munity than she previously possessed.
The interests and management of the Oregon Insti- tute have been confided to nine Trustees ; eight of whom, we understand, are members of the M. E. Church. For the direction and government of the Trustees and their constituents, a Constitution has been adopted, of which the following is a true copy :
"CONSTITUTION OF THE OREGON INSTITUTE.
Art. I. The Oregon Institute shall always be under the supervision of the M. E. Church, in Ore- gon, or some organized body of the same.
II. The Institution shall be an Academic Board- ing-school as soon as practicable; and whenever it shall be deemed expedient by the proper authorities to make it a University, it shall be so constituted.
III. The primary object of the Institution shall be to educate the children of white men ; but no per- sons shall be excluded on account of color, provided their character and qualifications are such as are re- quired by the by-laws of the Institution.
IV. There shall be nine Trustees for this Insti- tute; one-third of whom shall be elected annually by the M. E. Church or Society; or such organized body
