Colleges in America

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25400

Title

Colleges in America

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

John Marshall Barker offers a brief survey of American colleges, tracing their growth from European roots to their vital role in Christian education. This 1894 text argues that higher education must center on Christ while advancing knowledge and preparing students for service, serving as a beacon against materialism and secularism.

Summary up to 500 words

In "Colleges in America," John Marshall Barker presents a comprehensive historical and philosophical defense of the American college system, arguing that higher education must balance intellectual advancement with spiritual formation. Barker traces the lineage of learning from ancient Greek academies and Roman schools through medieval monastic institutions, noting how Christianity eventually superseded pagan learning to foster a broader sense of human brotherhood. He asserts that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that knowledge must be consecrated to Christ to avoid becoming a tool for selfishness. Barker identifies three primary functions of the college: the advancement of knowledge through research, the preparation of students for service in family, society, and state, and the cultivation of moral and spiritual character. He emphasizes the Bible as a fountain of pure English and a source of spiritual power, advocating for its central place in the curriculum. The text addresses the tension between denominational and non-sectarian institutions, highlighting that evangelical divines often lead state universities and that denominational colleges remain the majority. Barker champions the elective system as a means to develop original thought while maintaining a cohesive liberal education. The work illustrates how colleges shape the national character, citing historical examples such as the influence of Jesuit colleges in Europe and the role of American graduates in foreign missions. Barker concludes that the true wealth of a nation lies in the great and good men produced by these institutions. He argues that colleges stand as monuments to the dignity of ideas and the supremacy of unseen spiritual forces over materialism. By training leaders who combine scholarly acquisitions with piety, colleges equip individuals for the largest service, ensuring the integrity of social and religious organizations. Ultimately, Barker contends that if a nation educates its leading minds in a Christian spirit, it secures the permanency of liberty and the glory of religious institutions, transforming public sentiment for the better.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Universities and colleges