History Of The Wesleyan Guild

A recent Issue of the Ann Arbor Democrat eoatained the folowiug acoount of the Wesleyan Guild, its aiins and purposes : "The Wesleyau Gnild is the Methodist orgaimatiou ïor the care oï studeutfj enteiing the University from Methodist families. Bome years ago Prof. Alexander "Winchell in stating its objects said: 'Tlie Wesleyau Guild Mi an ovgamization exis'ting at the Uni-ersi'ty of Michigan, aníd having for ts olijects the religious ajad denominational care of studente entering the fatversilty fiKim Methodist families under Methodist ïnfluence. It does lot seek to dnaw withiu its circle any tudents reaching the University with other affillations, but every student is welcomed to all the religbous, educattoual and eocial advantages which t is the indirect pui-pose of the Guild o afford. Nor does iit propose to upersede the iafluence and agency f the church, but siraply to enter a field beyond the rcach of the usuaï agencies oi the church, and for the attainment of ends which have risen wito -view with the great recent expansión oí the Universlty.' "This -Griiild Works along the same lines as similar societies in the otlier churches of the city, and aíins to lo for the Methodist studente what the Universlty, because it is a state institutlon, can not do. The Guild holds during each year a number of socials, and takes special interest in the Sunday evening services oí the young people of the church, and they are tai a semse under the care oí the guild. "The ftrst steps toTvard its organization -were taken in 1886, and cotnprised simply an organization with trustees and Consulting board, but they did no special wark at that time in connection with the church. Boon after, it began to pro vide lecturee, aod under its auspfces liave been given addresses by many of the Bishops of the church, liad by a mmher of the most prominent pastors, men of natiomil reputation. It was incorporatetï in 18s) and began at once to plan far a permanent building and ara outfit adequate t its neeils. They now own a fine building site om the cor n or of Stöate and WashImrrtcm gte., opposit tlieir church, and will evcntually, and it is ikvw hoped it will be in the n t Ear dlstant future, erect a commodtaus bnildinjr, ih the equipment neceseaiT for thfir work. Besidee their new building 'tlipy bjope and expect to have an adequate ettdiowme.nl for a lecture fund. so as to present to the students lectures on Ohrtetian topics and matters if cliurcli hlstory. This is o.ne of the many influences which are wo-kintr Tipon the sturients of the t'n.ivpi-sitr tn holrï them in the pnths of right living and risrlit thinking, and when thelir equtpment is complete, Avill bo a stro rag influence for good among them. While the Guild is a ■MetlKsdist Institution, yet all the studemts of the University are welcome to its meetings. lts aim is to build up a stromeer moral life among the student body at large. This is clearly set forth in what we have quoted from Dr. Winchell's hisbory of the Guild. Tts legal tltle is 'The Wesleyan Guild Corporation at the TTni■versi'ty of Michigan.' "