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Laying The Corner Stone

Laying The Corner Stone image
Parent Issue
Day
31
Month
May
Year
1888
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The laying of the corner stone of Newberry hall took place last Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large number of citizen8 and studente. Prof. D'Ooge, chairman of the board of trustees, acted ag master of ceremonie?, and annnounced first, a hymn by the choir, a quartette of male voices. The Professor then made a few pleasant remarks, in which he referred to tbe occasion as one of happiness and interest to all. He said : "This magnificent building is tobe a christian home for the students of the University. It is a happy hour for the association. While I haye not time today to give a history of the association, yet there are three epochs I must refer to. The firat is when it was a mere missionary society, finally becoming an organized aseociation of the studente. It was the first of its knd. The members used to meet in a room in the south half oL the Iniversity, and held big meetings. The second epoch, when was it moved nto the large room nearly opposite where I now stand. ' This change with the inoreased interest in the work of the association, soon brought it into extended and favorable aotice. The third epoch was when, owing to the increased attendance, the services were held in the Umversity chapel, where they have been held for the past ten yearg. We have all looked anxiously forward to the day when we should have a home of our owiï. By gmall contribution? from citizens and the alumni, a site was purchased and paid for. "But our hopes were under a cloud as to the means to erect the building, and it was not until through the magmficent generosity of a Detroit ladyMrs. Kewberry, who gave us $15,000, that our hopea brightened, and we were enabled to look forward to their realization." Dr. Ramsay then read from the ecriptures an appropriate seleotion. Prof. D'Ooge then said all had hoped a representativa of Mrs. Newberry would be here to lay the corner stone ; but in the absence of such representative, he bad selected a man who had ever been identifled with work of this kind - Dr. Angelí - who would perform that ceremony. A tin box, containing a bible presented to the association years ago by Dr. Ford ; a copy of gospel hymns; calendars of the LTniversity and high school ; memoriah of departed professors ; constitution and his:ory of the association ; copies of the Buletin, Register, Argus, Courier, Democrat, Argonaut, and Chronicle, was placed in the corner etone. President Angelí carne forward and with the skül of a master mason, spread the mortar on which the stone was to rest, after which the etone was placed by the workmen in position, President Angelí saying in measured worda, " We do lay this corner stone in the honor and name of Him who is the corner stone of the Great Church Universal. Blessed be His name forever! " He then spoke in substance as follows: We to-day take a long step towards the consummation of our long-cherished plans and hopes. Like the Jews of oíd. who so eagerly and anxiously waited for the rebuilding of their temple at Jerusílem, so we have waited and watched for the completion of this fine building. After trials ar.d di?apr.oin'ments, through the noble generosity and benfaction of' a noble woman, we are euabled to continue the woríc, and hope to complete it at no distant day. "There are fewer important events in the history of the University than the formation of this association 30 years ago. It has been the means of great spiritual stimulus among the student?, and many first formed the great decisión of their lives through its influence. There are scattered all over the world those who will rejoice with us to-day, and who can attest to the icfluence for good exerted by this association. This builiing is not to be a resort for ea=e and social idleness, but for christian work, acd we hope that under its roof many may find iuspiration in the service of Him who is its real master and host." The choir sang another hymn, when Profe-sorDOjgeintroduced the presidentelect of the asscciation, C. E Goddard, who spoke as follows : " My hesrt is fuil to oveiflowing to day for the great blessmg we are now about to e j y. It makes me g'ad to-day to talk oi our building, and this day is the happiest ene of our live?. We rejoiced as we u.-;ed to look at this grass plat, and thiiik that perhaps in the dim future, a building would be there. But now it does not require a greai slretch of im&gination to see our large building ootnpleted and ready for occupancy. However, the building without our work will be of no use, no benefit. We must work, we must make use of it, and prepare for the harves t that is sure to be ours. God has seen our need. He has looked upon us, has pitied us, ai:d has given us this talent, this building, which will soon be ours to enjoy." A. E. Jennings, " the stroke oar of the crew," as Professor D'Ooge put it, addressed a few word8 to the assemblage, in which he said that it was unnecessary to teil the whys and wherefores; but one thing he did wish 60 say, that sufficient money had not been raised to complete the building, as it would cost about $30,000, when they first thought $20,000 would build it ; $10,öC0 more would be needed. He was sure that all desired an interest in the building, and would give a!l a chance to contribute. A list of all who give and the amounts, will be published and distributed in pamphlet form. AU then joined in the Doxology, after which Dr. Earp pronounced the benediction, and the assemblage dispersed. Tne corner stone bears the inscription : " Students Christian Association, A. D , MVCCOLXXXVIII."

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Register