WHEREAS the denomination of Christians, known as Free-Will-Baptists, with other friends of education, grateful to God for the inestimable blessings resulting from the prevalence of civil and religious liberty and intelligent piety in the land, and believing that the diffusion of sound learning is essential to the perpetuity of these blessings, [have] founded and endowed . . . Hillsdale College. . . . NOW THEREFORE . . . we, the undersigned Trustees, do hereby . . . adopt the foregoing preamble and the following constitution. . . .
The object of this institution is and shall be to furnish to all persons who wish, irrespective of nationality, color, or sex, a literary, scientific or theological education as comprehensive and thorough as is usually pursued in other colleges or theological schools in this country, and to combine with this, such moral, social and artistic instruction and culture as will best develop the minds and improve the hearts of the students. . . .
Religious culture in particular shall be conserved by the College, and by the selection of instructors and other practicable expedients, it shall be a conspicuous aim to teach by precept and example the essentials of the Christian faith and religion.