History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880, Part 53

Author: Smith, S. F. (Samuel Francis), 1808-1895. 4n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Boston : American Logotype Co.
Number of Pages: 996

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880 > Part 53

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October 12, 1835, the Rev. Barnas Sears was elected Professor of Christian Theology, and August 5, 1839, the Rev. Horatio Balch Hackett was elected Professor of Biblical Literature and

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HISTORY OF NEWTON.

Interpretation. Thus the four professorships contemplated in the prospectus of the Institution, as drawn up by Professor Chase, were full.

The consummation of the fire-proof edifice called Colby Hall, for the preservation of the valuable Library, and the chapel and lecture rooms of the Institution, in 1866, was a marked event, and of so much interest as to justify a public demonstration at its dedication to its sacred uses. Accordingly, on Monday, Septem- ber 10, 1866, the Board of Trustees, the Faculty, the students, and a large number of the friends of the Institution assembled for the purpose in the new building. The following was the order of exercises : Prayer by Rev. Dr. Lamson, of Brookline. Statement of the Chairman of the Building Committee, Gardner Colby, Esq., and Delivery of the Keys to the President of the Board of Trustees. Delivery of the Keys to the Chairman of the Faculty, with an address by the President of the Trustees, Rev. Baron Stow, D. D. Address by Alvah Hovey, D. D. Prayer of Dedication by Rev. William Hague, D. D., of Boston. Hymn, written for the occa- sion by Rev. S. F. Smith, D. D., of Newton. Benediction by Rev. A. Caswell, D. D., of Providence. The proceedings were published in pamphlet form, by order of the Trustees. It was a. lovely autumnal day, when this ceremony transpired, and none could fail to partake of the spirit of the occasion.

From the Address of the President of the Board of Trustees, we take the following striking and truthful extract :

The history of the Institution, though covering a period not very extended, has some points of interest. Its principal founders have all passed from their service to their reward. Could they be present to-day, we have no. greater joy than would be theirs, in witnessing this new proof that their suc- cessors are building well upon foundations which they laid in prayer and sacrifice. They were few in number; but they were large-hearted, and acted in the spirit of loyalty to Christ, and with intelligent views of what the well- being of their denomination required -"Children of Issachar-men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." They devised benevolently, liberally, not only for their own generation, but for posterity, and after more than forty years, their forecast and generosity are appreciated beyond their largest anticipations.

In whose mind the idea of such a Seminary first originated, or who first proposed to make it practical, I Have never learned; and, though I was familiar with them all, I never heard one of them claim it as his own, or speak of it as belonging to another. It was manifestly an idea of the period, developed simultaneously in several minds under the pressure of similar

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THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.

convictions, and the honor, not then thought of, we now accredit impartially to a select number, "whose names are in the Book of Life." Men of God,-we revere their memories. Their record is a sacred deposit in the custody of the present generation, to be transmitted along the future.

The Address contains this worthy tribute to the first Treasurer of the Board, the Hon. Levi Farwell, of Cambridge :

Of the services rendered by Mr. Farwell, a recognition is due in some way more fitting than fugitive words. He filled the office of Treasurer until the time of his death - eighteen consecutive years -a period when the Institu- tion was an experiment, and, in many minds, of doubtful success; when it had no endowment, and when the funds for current expenses were often pro- cured with difficulty. Many a time he stood under heavy burdens, some- times bending, occasionally well nigh disheartened, yet giving money with a liberal hand, and personal service to an extent little known and imperfectly appreciated.

The mention, in this Address, of the earlier patrons of the Institution is interesting and instructive. Later friends of the object have given still more liberally, to meet the wants of the Institution. Their record will not be forgotten.

Large contributions to its funds, either by donation or by will, have been few. Messrs. Cobb, Farwell and Bacheller, among the earlier patrons, together gave, during life and at death, in nearly equal sums, the aggregate of $57,150. Michael Shepard, Elijah Corey and Nicholas Brown gave, together, $19,961. "These gifts were made," says Dr. Hovey, "when the wealth of our denomi- nation was small, and the givers might well be called munificent friends of learning." The Address of the President of the Insti- tution, closes with these words :

When I think of the resources of this Building Committee, with their Chairman, facile princeps [Gardner Colby, Esq.]; when I think of other brethren, scarcely less able, and no less willing, to aid in every good cause ; and when I see young men of enterprise and intelligence ready to join with their seniors in council and action, to make this Seminary a glory and a blessing to our Zion, I augur good for the future. Such men, with means. in their hands and love to Christ in their hearts, will carry on the work so. nobly begun; and here, on this beautiful spot, prepared by the Architect of Nature for such a use, will flourish, through the ages, a "school of the- prophets," acknowledging the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of Christian doctrine and duty.

It would be interesting to know the number of contributors to the funds of Newton, but there are no known means in existence for ascertaining that

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HISTORY OF NEWTON.

number with any considerable degree of accuracy. However, for the $100,- 000 endowment, completed July 1, 1853, about four hundred names, besides those of three churches and one benevolent Society, are reported; for the additional endowment of $200,000, completed March 31, 1871, about three hundred and thirty names, besides those of three churches, are reported. Sixty-three persons contributed the money for the erection of Colby Hall, the smallest sum given being five dollars, and the largest $11,000. For Sturte- vant Hall, the Institution is largely indebted, so far as special gifts are con- cerned, to the gentleman whose name it bears.

PRESIDENTS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

*Rev. Joseph Grafton, -

1826-1835

*Rev. Daniel Sharp, D. D., - 1835-1853

*Rev. Alexis Caswell, D. D., 1853-1854

*Rev. Baron Stow, D. D., 1854-1869 -

*Gardner Colby, Esq., 1870-1879 -

J. Warren Merrill, A. M., 1880

TREASURERS.

*Hon. Levi Farwell, 1826-1844

*Gardner Colby, Esq.,

1844-1868

Thomas Nickerson, Esq., -

1868

SECRETARIES.

*Rev. Francis Wayland, jr., D. D., 1826-1827

*Rev. James Davis Knowles, 1827-1832

*Rev. Henry Jackson, D. D., 1832-1837

Caleb Parker, jr., Esq., 1837-1854

Rev. George W. Bosworth, D. D., 1854

PRESIDENTS OF THE INSTITUTION. ¡

*Rev. Barnas Sears, D. D., LL. D., 1839-1848. Rev. Alvah Hovey, D. D., 1868.

PROFESSORS.

*Rev. Irah Chase, D. D., 1825-1845

*Rev. Henry Jones Ripley, D. D. 1826-1860

*Rev. James Davis Knowles, 1832-1838

*Rev. Barnas Sears, D. D .. 1836-1848

*Rev. Horatio Balch Hackett,

*Rev. Robert Everett Pattison, D. D. 1848-1854

Rev. Alvah Hovey, D. D., 1853

Rev. Albert Nicholas Arnold,

D. D., 1855-1857

#Rev. Arthur Savage Train,

D D., 1859-1866

Rev. George Dana Boardman Pepper, D. D., 1865-1867

Rev. Galusha Anderson, D. D., 1866-1873 Rev. Heman Lincoln, D. D., 1868 D. D., 1839-1868

Rev. Oakman Sprague Stearns, D. D., 1868

Rev. Ezra Palmer Gould, A. M., 1868

Rev. Samuel Lunt Caldwell, D. D., 1873

Rev. Elisha B. Andrews,

1879

* Deceased.

t During a part of its history, the Institution was conducted by the co-ordinate Professors, the office of President being dispensed with.

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ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS IN HEBREW.

Mr. Oakman S. Stearns,

1846-1847

Mr Joseph H. Gilmore,

1862-1863

Mr. David B. Ford,

1847-1849

Rev. Henry M. King,

1863-1864

Rev. Alvah Hovey,

1849-1855

Mr. Frederick D. Blake,

1864-1865

*Mr. Samson Talbot,

1855-1856

Rev. Josiah N. Cushing,

1865-1867

Mr. James A. Clark,

1856-1857

Mr. Francis E. Tower,

1867-1868

Rev. Samuel Brooks,

1861-1862

LIBRARIANS.

*Rev. Henry J. Ripley,

1828-1846

Rev. Alvah Hovey,

1849-1862

Rev. Oakman S. Stearns,

1846-1847

* Rev. Arthur S. Train,

1862-1863

*Rev. James M. Symonds,

1847-1848

Rev. Alvah Hovey,

1863-1866

Mr. David B. Ford,

1848-1849

*Rev. Henry J. Ripley,

1866-1875

* Deceased.

For a brief period a partial course of study was maintained in the Institution, for the benefit of persons whose age or other cir- cumstances would not allow them to remain during the entire course of three years. Including these, Dr. Hovey says, in his Semi-Centennial Discourse, delivered June 8, 1875, the whole number who have been connected with the Institution as students, is more than seven hundred,- making an average attendance of thirty-five a year for fifty years, and an average of fourteen going . out from the school every year. By far the largest portion have devoted themselves to the work of the ministry. Fifty-four entered upon the work of missions to the heathen during the fifty years embraced in the review alluded to. "A few of these," says Dr. Hovey, "may properly be named."

John Taylor Jones, D. D. (d. September 13, 1851), pursued his theolo- gical studies in Andover and Newton. He was a missionary in the East twenty years, eighteen of which were spent in Siam. He began our mission among the Siamese, and translated the whole New Testament into their lan- guage. He was a consistent Christian, an instructive preacher, a superior scholar, and his labors for the Siamese were attended by the blessing of God. Francis Mason, D. D. (d. March 3, 1874), a classmate of Dr. Jones in the Seminary, preceded him about three months in the voyage to Burmah. His term of service, first in Tavoy and afterwards in Toungoo, extended over a period of about forty-four years. He was studious, hopeful, enterprising, " a mathematician, a naturalist, a linguist, and a theologian ;" he translated the Scriptures into the Sgau Karen dialect; he published two works on Bur- mah; to wit, " Tenasserim; or, Notes on the Fauna, Flora, Minerals, and Nations of British Burmah and Pegu," and "Burmah; its People and Nat-

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HISTORY OF NEWTON.

ural Productions ;" he wrote also a memoir of his second wife, and a " Life of Ko-Thah-byu," and still later, " The Story of a Working Man's Life," being an autobiography. He must be pronounced one of the most useful missionaries in the Burman field. Rev. William G. Crocker (d. February 24, 1844) finished the regular theological course in 1834, and in July of the next year embarked for Liberia, to preach the gospel among the Bassas. Within less than nine years, his work was finished, and he was called to his reward. But his missionary record was a noble one; for during that short period, he endured extraordinary hardships on the burning and sickly coast where he was stationed. Mr. Crocker was distinguished for sweetness of temper, simplicity of manners, large common-sense, and intense activity. Josiah Goddard (d. September 4, 1854) was graduated from this Seminary in 1838, and sent out the same year as a missionary to the Chinese. For this people he labored earnestly and wisely sixteen years, first in Bangkok, next in Shanghai, and lastly in Ningpo. Besides his work as a preacher, he translated the whole New Testament and the first three books of the Penta- teuch into a dialect understood by the people. He was a man of fine judg- ment, scholarship and temper, mastering the difficulties of the Chinese language as few Americans are able to do, and accomplishing a very impor- tant service in a comparatively short period. In his place, and worthy of his name, labors to-day, a son, Josiah R. Goddard, also a graduate of this Insti- tution. John W. Johnson (d. October 21, 1872) was my own classmate for two years in this school, a man of excellent spirit and fair scholarship, respected by his teachers, and loved by his fellow-students. His missionary life was divided by a change of location into two parts, nearly equal; for he labored about twelve years in Hong Kong, and about thirteen in Swatow. He was a man of many attractive qualities, a true Christian, and a good mis - sionary. Benjamin C. Thomas (d. June 10, 1869), of the class of 1849, sailed for Burmah soon after graduating, and labored for the Karens twenty years in Tavoy, Henthada, and Bassein, though more than half of his mis- sionary life was passed in Henthada. His temperament was ardent and poetic, his piety deep and fervent; but he was at the same time a man of sound judgment and practical spirit. His enthusiasm was intense, but it was guided by reason. He was aflame to move men, but always in the right direction. Very many of the hymns used by the Sgau Karens in worship were either translated or composed by him. He was an effective preacher, a wise counsellor, a devout Christian, uniting in himself nearly all the quali- ties most useful to a missionary. He returned home, enfeebled by ardent labor and an exhausting climate, to die in the prime of life and in the noon- day of his usefulness. He is the first tenant of a burial lot in the Newton cemetery, purchased by the American Baptist Missionary Union, for the last repose of such of its returned missionaries as may die in this vicinity.

In addition to these, and several more of kindred spirit, as Erastus Wil- lard, Cephas Pasco, Judson Benjamin, and the ever-to-be-lamented Kelley, who have finished their course on earth, I would gladly mention the names of some who still live; as Isaac M. Wilmarth, missionary to France, and now resident in Pemberton, N. J .; Nathan Brown, D. D., for more than

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THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.

twenty years a missionary in Assam, and, after a residence of more than fif- teen years in his native land, once more engaged in the foreign work,- a man of vigorous intellect and unbending principle; Edward A. Stevens, D. D., now almost forty years connected with the Burman work,-a veteran, but still strong, with clear head and true heart, ready to serve the cause till death ;* Joseph G. Binney, D. D., who was in this school for a time, and whose service to the Karens as head of a Theological Seminary for native preachers, has been invaluable,-a sensitive, high-souled, resolute, and Christian educator, who has spent about twenty-four years in the foreign . field ; Durlin L. Brayton, who was also for a time connected with this Semi- nary, who has been in missionary service little less than forty years, and who is still a courageous and efficient soldier of the cross ; Lyman Jewett, D. D., of Nellore, whose gentleness of manner and of spirit is only surpassed by his unswerving devotion to the will of Christ and his heroic purpose to give the gospel to the Teloogoos; and Arthur R. R. Crawley, of Hen- thada, whose fearless and manful nature has been consecrated for twenty- two years to untiring labor for the salvation of the Burmese. And with these I might join the names of such younger men as Chapin H. Carpenter, Daniel A. W. Smith, Josiah R. Goddard, Josiah N. Cushing, Alonzo Bun- ker and Sylvester Baron Partridge, with others of equal age on the field ; and even then there would be left a considerable number of more recent recruits.

About fifty-five students of Newton have been, for longer or shorter periods, either presidents or professors in Colleges or Theological Seminaries. Whether they have done as much for the advancement of true religion by teaching, as they would have done by giving themselves exclusively to the ministry of the Word, I am unable to say; but of their ability and useful- ness in the posts filled by them, I can speak with entire confidence. It may be proper to remark that I do not include in this number the heads of our important schools for the freedmen; as D. W. Phillips, D. D., in Nashville, Tenn. ; Charles H. Corey, in Richmond, Va .; Henry Tupper, in Raleigh, N. C .; and G. M. P. King, in Washington, D. C .; for the schools over which they preside are neither colleges nor distinctively theological seminaries, though much nearer the latter than the former, since their primary object is to provide a suitably instructed ministry for the colored people of the South. But whether the honored brethren at the head of these schools be called missionaries or presidents, or, rather, be supposed to unite these two forms of Christian service in one person, they are doing a great and good work in a very satisfactory manner, and we number them among the choicest jewels which adorn the brow of our alma mater.

* Edward O. Stevens, son of Dr. Stevens, and missionary to the Burmans, is also a graduate of this Seminary. In the Catalogue of Newton, the names of father and son appear several times, already, among the graduates; e. g., John E. Weston and Henry G. Weston, John T. Jones and Howard M. Jones, Elijah Hutchinson and John S. Hutchinson, Hervey Fitts and Lonzo L. Fitts, Mark Carpenter and Chapin H. Car- penter, Samuel B. Swaim and Joseph S. Swaim, Thomas D. Anderson and Thomas D. Anderson, jr., Josiah Goddard and Josiah R. Goddard, Edward A. Stevens and Edward O. Stevens, Charles M. Bowers and Charles A. Bowers, Edwin B. Bullard and Edwin Bullard. There may be other instances which have escaped my notice.

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HISTORY OF NEWTON.

Time will not permit me to speak of all the presidents and professors who have been indebted to this Institution for some part of their training; and it is difficult to make any selection from the list of names before me, without passing by those who are no less worthy than the ones selected. Yet you would scarcely pardon me if I should pass over in silence all the names belonging to this list. In the class of 1826 was Eli B. Smith, D. D., for a long period president of the New Hampton school, and professor of Theol- ogy,- a teacher of deep convictions, sound views, and high integrity, by whom many excellent ministers were taught the principles of our holy re- ligion. In the class of 1828, Barnas Sears, D. D., president of this Institu- tion, and professor of Christian Theology, and, at a later day, president of Brown University, - a teacher and a man who will never cease to be honored by his pupils. In the class of 1831, Joseph G. Binney, D. D., president of Columbian College, and now head of the Theological Seminary in Rangoon, by whom more Karen preachers have been educated than by any other man ; and Joel S. Bacon, D. D., president of Georgetown College, Kentucky, pro- fessor in the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, and president of Columbian College,- a man of good repute in all the offices which he filled. In the class of 1832, John S. Maginnis, D. D., who was called to be a systematic theologian by the cast of his own mind, as well as by the grace of God and the voice of his brethren, and who is remembered by his pupils of Hamilton and Rochester with grateful esteem. In the class of 1835, David N. Sheldon, D. D., for some years president of Waterville College, a keen metaphysician and a perspicuous writer. In the class of 1836, James L. Reynolds, D. D., professor in the Furman University, South Carolina,- a most admirable Christian scholar and teacher. In the class of 1840, John L. Lincoln, LL. D., the eloquent and accomplished professor of the Latin lan- guage in Brown University; and James Upham, D. D., for a considerable period head of the New Hampton Institution, then located at Fairfax, Ver- mont, and professor in the theological department. In the class of 1841, Albert N. Arnold, D. D., professor in this Institution, in Hamilton, and in Chicago. In the class of 1842, James S. Mims (d. 1855), for eleven years professor in the theological department of Furman University, - a conscientious, manly teacher, who " stimulated the mental activity of his pupils, and inspired them with something of his own ardor; " Robert A. Fyfe, D. D., since 1860 prin- cipal of the Canadian Literary Institution, in Woodstock, Canada, and pro- fessor of theology in the same; and Ezekiel G. Robinson, D. D., who served for a time as professor in the Covington Theological Seminary, was for twenty years the pride and glory of the Rochester Theological Seminary, and is now. president of our oldest University, where he is still, as many before me can testify, a wonderfully captivating and stimulating instructor. In the class of 1843, George W. Samson, D. D.,- a man of Catholic spirit, indefatigable in- dustry, and varied attainments, who was for many years president of Colum- bian College; Martin B. Anderson, LL. D., professor in Waterville College, editor, and now for a long time president of Rochester University,- an edu- cator, a statesman and an orator; and Henry G. Weston, D. D., president of Crozer Theological Seminary, who is winning, original, independent, sug-

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THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.

gestive, and successful in everything which he undertakes. In the class of 1844, Peter C. Edwards (d. 1867), professor in Furman University, South Carolina,- an able teacher and a noble Christian, of whom Professor James C. Furman writes, " As to his character, I must say, that a man so large-hearted, pure in purpose, and scrupulously conscientious, so steadfastly devoted to high aims, yet so wholly unassuming and modest, it has seldom been my lot to know." In the class of 1845, Ebenezer Dodge, D. D., president of Madi- son University, and professor of theology,- a man of lofty thoughts as well as lofty stature, and worthy of the double sceptre which he wields; Kendall Brooks, D. D., president of Kalamazoo College,-a mathematician, a statis- tician, and a scholar ; Samuel L. Caldwell, D. D., whose preëminence in cul- ture and knowledge of literature is readily conceded by all; and Heman Lin- coln, D. D., who, as an editor, a writer, and a teacher, has won a high place in tlie esteem of his brethren,-the last two being now professors in this Institution. In the class of 1846, Oakman S. Stearns, D. D., who is at once sensitive and true, enthusiastic and discreet, a professor also in his alma mater. In the class of 1847, Basil Manly, D. D., for a period of years pro- fessor in the Southern Theological Seminary at Greenville, South Carolina, and now president of the Georgetown College, Kentucky. In the class of 1850, John B. Foster and Samuel K. Smith, both of them professors in Colby University. In the class of 1851, Fletcher O. Marsh, professor in Denison University. In the class of 1853, Edward C. Mitchell, D. D., professor in the Union Theological Seminary, Chicago; and Artemas W. Sawyer, D. D., president of Acadia College. In the class of 1855, Samson Talbot, D. D., late president of Denison University, a man who had accomplished so much, and who gave promise of accomplishing so much more, that his death seemed strangely inexplicable. In the class of 1860, George D. B. Pepper, D. D., professor in Crozer Theological Seminary. In that of 1861, Joseph H. Gil- more, of Rochester University, and Henry C. Robins, D. D., president of Colby University. In the class of 1862, David Weston, too soon removed by death from a sphere of labor to which he seemed peculiarly adapted; and in the class of 1868, Ezra P. Gould, professor in this Institution, who exhi- bits, in all his work, exact scholarship, logical discrimination, and indepen- dent thought; and George A. Whittemore, whose culture, courtesy, and literary attainments are recognized by all who know him.

Thus the Newton Theological Institution has been the means of building up other schools of the highest character and usefulness, as Rochester Uni- versity and Theological Seminary, Furman University, and Greenville The- ological Seminary, Crozer Theological Seminary, and many others which it is needless to mention.

The alumni of Newton have not only served the world as ministers, mis- sionaries, presidents, and professors, but also as writers and editors. I am unable to give the number of those who are known as authors, but it is cer- tainly respectable, and the volumes which they have given to the public would make a library worthy of any man's attention. In the list of authors might be placed the names of such men as Barnas Sears, William Hague, Francis Mason, Joseph Banvard, David N. Sheldon, William Crowell, Elias

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HISTORY OF NEWTON.

L. Magoon, Albert N. Arnold, George W. Samson, John C. Stockbridge, Samuel L. Caldwell, Ebenezer Dodge, Lucius E. Smitlı, Joseph A. Goodhue, H. Lincoln Wayland, Daniel W. Faunce, and A. J. Gordon, with others of equal merit. In the list of editors could be placed Barnas Sears, Nathan Brown, William B. Jacobs, Enoch Hutchinson, William Crowell, Ezekiel G. Robinson, Martin B. Anderson, Henry G. Weston, William C. Child, Kendall Brooks, Heman Lincoln, Franklin Wilson, Edwin T. Winkler, John H. Luther, Samuel K. Smith, John B. Foster, H. Lincoln Wayland, Elisha Budd De Mill, Lucius E. Smith, Henry S. Burrage, Thomas S. Rogers, and many more. And in the list of frequent contributors to the Christian Review and Baptist Quarterly, or to some of our ablest religious papers, might be placed a still greater number of names which deserve to be mentioned. In this way the sons of Newton have made their influence felt in ten thousand homes for the last forty years, and contributed their part to the intelligence and progress of our people.

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History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880, Part 53

Author: Smith, S. F. (Samuel Francis), 1808-1895. 4n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Boston : American Logotype Co. Number of Pages: 996

Author: Smith, S. F. (Samuel Francis), 1808-1895. 4n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Boston : American Logotype Co.
Number of Pages: 996