Knoxville Daily Chronicle

A Response.

Messrs. EDITORS: The object of my former communication was evident upon its face. It was to show that it would not be fair to draw a contrast between the number of students who are in attendance at the Kentucky University, with its half dozen colleges, and the number of those who attend the East Tennessee University, which has but one college and is without the means of establishing and sustaining more. Incidentally, I mentioned several facts as bearing on the subject. Your correspondent "Beta" complains that I "slung gratuitously an offensive nickname" at the denomination, members of which, he says, constitute "mostly" the curators who control the Kentucky University. Certainly such was not my purpose. The denomination is generally known among people outside of it, as the "Campbellite," and as I was writing to be understood by the ordinary reader, I used the common and familiar name. Why should it be considered offensive? The followers of Luther, Calvin and others are not unwilling to be called by their names, and one might ask why the followers of Alexander Campbell should regard it an insult to be distinguished in ordinary discourse by his name, and should insist that ninety-nine hundredths of the Christian world, shall upon every occasion, even the most unimportant, give Mr. Campbell's disciples the general appellative of "Christians," and thus admit, after a manner, their superior or exclusive claim to it? But, as before said, I intended no offence.

"Beta" affirms that the "Bible College" in the Kentucky University is "not for the special benefit of the 'Campbellite' denomination as 'Observer' ungenerously intimates; but like every other (College) in the institution, is open for all who would enter it. I respectfully demur that I did not so insinuate, either generously or "un generously." I have no doubt it is "open to all," as "Beta" declares, and that Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists of the old school, Episcopalians and others who wish to study theology may enter it, if they desire. Whether they will do so is another question. Young men who intend to become ministers of one Christian denomination are not addicted to turning their feet away from its Theological Seminaries, and to seeking instruction in the Theological school of another denomination. As to the assertion of "Beta" that the "Bible College" of the Kentucky University "gives out to all the teachings of the Book, unalloyed by human doctrines and isms, but pure as at 'the beginning,'" any one disposed to the discussion of the subject, which I am not, might readily answer that the authorities of every Theological school in the land, of whatever denomination, can say the same thing concerning it, and would be untrue to their faith if they did not think so.

But, to conclude, I sincerely wish the Kentucky University well. It has done and is doing a good work in an educational way, outside of any peculiar religious tenets inculcated in its "Bible College." Against that College I have no warfare to wage, but hope it will be successful so far as it is deserving. If the good people of Kentucky hold the opinion that its teachings are unsectarian, they are welcome to do so.

OBSERVER.