Some Advantages Enjoyed by Students of Washington Training College
By J. W. Lawhead
Washington has a peculiar and distinctive advantage over all other cities of our country in the fact that it is the political capital of the nation, and as such draws to its borders representatives from every section. This in-gathering is not confined to politicians and statesmen, but includes representatives of the various professions, business men, and wealthy people who seek a home here because of the many and unusual advantages offered by the city. The society resulting from such a representative people is one of the most interesting that could be found, and is distinctively and truly American in the best sense of the term. The influence of such a society must in a marked degree elevate and refine all who come in contact with it; and so far as it is best, the students are advised to make use of such advantages as are available to bring them into contact with the culture and the learning to be encountered here. Another very interesting, and from the standpoint of a student, attractive feature of Washington is the location of the different embassies and legations representing all civilized nations of the earth; and attached to these foreign offices are the most truly representative men, from whom can be learned almost anything desired in regard to foreign nations, the customs and habits of the people, their religious beliefs, and whatever features of national and social life particularly interest a student. To one who is in school for the purpose of preparing himself to go into the foreign fields as a missionary, the advantage offered in this way is unsurpassed, and the truest and most reliable representation of conditions in these foreign nations may be obtained from their representatives here at the seat of our government. While the College is located in near proximity to the city, it is yet far enough removed to give the quiet and seclusion of the country and all the advantages resulting therefrom. Lying near or within the city are many places of great interest because of their historical associations. Pre-eminent in this list is Mount Vernon, the home and burial place of Washington. This property is now held by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union for the purpose of preserving and maintaining, as nearly as possible, in its original condition and arrangement, the Mount Vernon estate; and thus preserved, it offers an accurate and deeply interesting representation of domestic conditions in their highest type in our own colonial time. The old mansion has been kept in repair, and stands practically as it was in the days of Washington, and indeed many of the furnishings used in those early times are still preserved, as may be seen by any visitor. Another spot of great historical interest is Arlington, the stately home of Gen. Robert E. Lee on the south side of the Potomac and overlooking the city. This was acquired by the government in 1864 and converted into a national cemetery, where lie many thousand soldier boys with their commanders, whose names are engraved on the history of our nation. Both the Union and Confederate dead are resting here, and the most tender and pathetic memories of the great civil conflict are stirred into being by a visit to this place. Between the College and Washington is the site of old Fort Stevens, an important point of defense at the time of Early's attack on the city in July, 1864. The chief interest in this spot lies in the fact that here President Lincoln was under fire. We are told that this is the only time that a president of the nation, who as such is the commander-in-chief of the army, was ever under fire in the open field. A little north of the Fort is a small cemetery where lie the remains of the men who fell in that memorable July conflict, while tablets here and there show points of special interest in connection with Early's effort to reach the capital. These and many other points might be mentioned, from all of which the active, vigorous mind of youth may draw many valuable lessons; but further enumeration would be unnecessary, as the object of this article is simply suggestive, and perhaps enough has been cited to cover the point sought for. Some of the students of former years have thoroughly enjoyed a portion of the literary, musical, and social advantages, and from these associations have drawn not simply enjoyment, but genuine culture and a broadening of their sympathy for all humanity. The city is cosmopolitan of the best type, and contact with it can but result in teaching our young men and women many invaluable lessons respecting their privileges and opportunities, and particularly with reference to their associations with their fellow men. These lessons are valuable for all young people, but pre-eminently so for those who are educating themselves for the purpose of becoming workers together with God in winning souls, and we are thankful that our youth may be educated under influences that are so valuable for the development of broad-minded and liberal culture.