METHODIST EDUCATIONAL EFFORT IN OREGON TO 1860 79
They selected a location on French Prairie, then changed it to Wallace Prairie about three miles north of the mill at Chemeketa.
On March 9, they drew up a prospectus and on March 15, a constitution and by-laws. In order to get an idea of the purposes of these pioneer promoters of education, we shall examine the constitution and by-laws somewhat in detail.
In Article I, which is a preamble, we find, "Whereas the Oregon Institute is designed not only to promote science, but morality and piety, this Institution shall always be under the supervision of some evangelical branch of the Protestant Church, non-sectarian and liberal." This meant, of course, the Methodist Episcopal Church and no other. This body re- sponded to the call and took charge, or supervision, Oct. 26, 1842, before any school had been held in the building then being erected.
In Article III we find: "The primary object of this institu- tion is to educate the children of white men, but no person shall be excluded on account of color if he has good moral character, and can read, write and speak the English language intelligibly."
In Article VII : "In the literary department there shall be a male and female branch subject to the control of the male and female teachers, conducted as best to promote science, morality and piety."
There was a provision that the business should be conducted by those who had subscribed $50.00 or more until such time as some religious society should pledge itself to sustain the institute.
Section 5 of the by-laws states that any subscription or dona- tion of $500.00 or more entitles the donor and his heirs to free tuition forever. Anyone giving $100 might raise it to $500 to gain this privilege. Section 10 says "no person shall be eligible to the office of trustee or steward or visiting com- mittee, or receive employment as a teacher who denies the authenticity of the Sacred Scriptures."
