DRIFT TOWARD EDUCATIONAL UNITY 839
hand, work done in the church school or "Bible chair" does not count toward a degree in the university. And herein is the wide giilf between the American and the Canadian plan; and herein is, in the opinion of the writer, the weakness of the American plan. But a change is coming has come, in fact. And North Dakota furnishes the example.
V. NORTH DAKOTA MOVEMENT
The Methodist college of North Dakota was located by its founders in an isolated village, where chance of success was very precarious. A struggle was made for years to keep the school alive, but the results were wholly incommensurate with the labor and money expended. The question of removal and co-operation with the university at Grand Forks was broached. The presi- dents of both institutions favored it. Other men of considerable influence opposed the movement. Some ridiculed the idea of a "prayer annex" to the state university. A memorandum signed by both presidents, and given to the press, set forth a tentative plan of co-operation as follows :
1. That the Methodist church change the name of its institution from Red River Valley University to Wesley College.
2. That a building or buildings be erected in near proximity to the state university, but on a separate campus, to include a guild hall, such recitation rooms as may be required for the work proposed, possibly dormitories for young women and young men, and a president's house.
3. That the course of study may be: (a) Bible and church history, Eng- lish Bible, New Testament, Greek, Hebrew, theism, and such other subjects as the college may elect in pursuance of its purposes. (&) A brief course that may be designated as a Bible normal course, intended especially to fit students to become efficient Sunday-school teachers and lay workers, and upon the completion of which certificates of recognition may be granted. (<r) Instruction in music and elocution may be given if desired, and appropriate certificates granted. (<f) Guild-hall lectures.
4. That the state university grant for work done in subjects included under (a) above such credit towards the B.A. degree as it gives for technical work done in its own professional schools and for work done in other colleges of reputable standing. Likewise, Wesley College shall give credit for work done in the state university, in similar manner, as preparation for any degree or certificate it may offer.
This "merger" proposition was adopted by the trustees of the
