ON the seal of a western university may be read in the Latin form the familiar words of St. Paul, "Whatsoever things are true." Certainly no text more apt could be found for the motto of an institution thus dedicated, under Christian auspices, to the pursuit and spread of truth in all its departments. This happy selection of a legend has always been a source of pride to students, faculty, and friends.
In the Bible text these words do not stand alone, nor do they constitute a complete statement, but they bear a peculiar relation to that well-known passage: "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Here the apostle lays down the rule for guiding the thought of Christian disciples. He indicates the things upon which the Mind that was in Christ Jesus naturally dwells; and the Christian whose constant aim is to let that Mind be in him, must faithfully apply the same test as he guards the portals of his thought.
It is not always safe to detach a few words from such an extended Bible sentence; but in this case there is a special reason why these initial words may well be used alone, for they sum up the whole passage of which they form a part. It is not probable, however, that the full force of this relation was understood by the founder who selected the university motto,—"Quacumque sunt vera," —nor by most of those who since then have taught and thought and studied on that classic campus.
