USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in two parts > Part 12
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The subject of temperance has excited much attention in this County, as well as in other parts of the country, for one or two years past. Several spirited and popu- lar publications on the subject have been extensively circulated, addresses, resolutions and anecdotes have been sent abroad in the weekly papers ; the clergy have preached and exhorted, and followed their instructions with a correspondent example ; the members of the bar have resolved to abstain from the use of spirituous li- quors ; the Medical Society have protested against them ; associations have been formed in many places for promoting temperance ; some merchants have aban- doned all traffic in intoxicating liquors, and other re- fuse to sell them in those small quantities in which they are more generally purchased by tipplers and drunk- ards ; farmers, manufacturers and mechanics, not a few,
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COUNTY SOCIETIES,
carry on all their business without them ; some military companies have agreed to dispense with them on days of parade and review ; and very generally an important reformation is begun. In the County at large, the con- sumption of spirits has been greatly reduced. and many thousands of dollars have been saved from vice to be applied to useful purposes, while the happiness of fam- ilies and the good order of neighborhoods have been exceedingly promoted. Still the public are not ade- quately awake to the importance of this subject ; the necessity of being temperate in all things, to advance our own happiness to the greatest possible degree, and especially to gain a sure title to an incorruptible crown, is not felt as it should be ; we have not sufficient abhor- rence of intemperance in all its stages, nor a full view of its deleterious consequences on every thing good in this world, aud on the immortal hopes of man. Very few fully understand how much of the pauperism they are taxed to support, is owing to this sin, nor how many of the destitute who are hanging upon them now for help, and are candidates for the poor-house, are dependent from the influence of the same iniquity. The Tempe- rance Society have a great work before them; ard it concerns them to enter upon it in good earnest, and to prosecute it by timely and judicious measures to its consummation. The reformation which is begun, must be extended. Public opinion must be roused more and more into action by moral and religious considerations. Every means of instruction and every vehicle of infor- mation must be made to bear on the subject. And if drunkards after all, will, in most instances, persist in their iniquity, and go down to destruction, vet one and another of these wretched creatures may be sna ched as brands from the burning; and it is not too much to hope that the great mass of community, especially the rising generation. may be secured both from the guilt and the consequences of intemperance.
From what has been stated, it appears that a share of the Christian benevolence and enterprize which distin- guish the present age, exist in this County. And yet these statements give an imperfect view of the subject. Several charitable associations of more limited extent than those which have been named, exist among us
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
A small Bible Society has existed several years in the town of Great Barrington. The Baptists and Episco- palians. while they unite with the Congregationalists in supporting the County Bible Society, contribute for the support of missions and other benevolent objects in connection with their own denominations in other parts of the country. The Methodists also contribute to the circulation of the Bible, and for other objects, accor- ding to the plan adopted by the Methodists generally in the United States. The Quakers and Shakers have the same character with us that they have elsewhere, for liberality to the poor and distressed.
Nor is there any danger that charitable efforts will impoverish us as a people. No facts exist that justify the apprehension. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet and it tendeth to poverty. Individuals habitually engaged in doing good, are often signally blessed of God. Those churches and congregations which do the most for spreading the gospel, are far more prosperous than others, Our charities ought to be more abundant, 11 1. for our own present well-being, as wen as for advancing the kingdom of God. The principles of religion and the signs of the times demand that they should be in- creased.
REVIVALS OF RELIGION .- Berkshire has been great- ly blessed by effusions of the Holy Spirit. Prior to the period in which revivals became frequent in the coun- try, several towns were visited by these effusions: for thirty or forty years past, most of the towns, and per- haps all, to some degree, have been visited, and many of them repeatedly. Sometimes the inhabitants of one place, and sometimes the inhabitants of several conti- guous places have enjoyed together a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. In 1821. about midsummer, a cloud of mercy spread over a large portion of the County, and a multitude of souls, as far as man can judge, were made meet for the kingdom of God : and ag in in the close of 1826 and beginning of 1827, all the congregational, and some churches of other denom- inations, were broaght into a state of deep solemnity and of humble and earnest prayer, and hundreds of
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REVIVALS OF RELIGION.
sinners were renewed in the spirit and temper of their minds. The far greater proportion of members now in the churches, whether learned or unlearned, in the high- er or lower walks of life, date back their hopes to these visitations of inorcy ; and so far as they exemplify the religion of the gospel, bear testimony to their genuine- ness and value.
It cannot indeed be pretended that all who were sol- emnized and convicted in these seasons, who enter- tained hopes, and even made a profession of Christian- ity, became converts. This is more than can be affirm- ed of the revivals which took place under the immedi- ate ministry of Christ and his apostles. But that the great body who were believed by ministers and the more intelligent christians at the time, to have been converted, and who were received into the churches, have conducted in such a manner as to be entitled to charity, cannot be fairly questioned. Many have given the most decisive proofs of piety by their devotion to the service of God, by abounding in faith and in good works, in the various relations and departments of life, Some have already passed calmly and triumphantly through the valley of the shadow of death, trusting in their divine and blessed Redeemer.
Nor can it be pretended that all the inhabitants have been perfectly pleased with these revivals. All were. not pleased with the revivals recorded in the New Tes- tament. Some who laid claim to superior talents, to high sanctity, to a thorough acquaintance with the Scrip- tures, and who even ministered at the altar, found fault with them, and vilified and persecuted those under whose instrumentality they were produced and extend- ed. Nevertheless the Lord owned them. Most per- sons in this County have acknowledged revivals to be the work of God. Such has been the awe upon their own minds, that few have dared at the time openly to op- pose them.
It has been supposed that great caution should be used in the admission of persons to the church, who obtain their hopes in the time of a revival. This is un- doubtedly true ; and great caution should be used in ad- mitting them where they obtain their hopes singly and alone. Neither the subjects nor the church are bene- 14 *
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
fitted by hasty admissions. The difference between a solitary conversion and a revival, lies in this : in the former case, a single individual is brought to repcn- tance, faith and new obedience ; and in the latter, a number living contiguously are brought to these duties about the same time. Nono ever repent and believe the gospel, unless their minds are drawn intensely towards their personal and everlasting concerns. The prayers of the publican and prodigal prove this, and many other facts in the Scriptures. In this excited and anxious state, unless the best instructions are given, there is danger that the movements of the animal passions will be mistaken for the operations of grace. But it remains yet to be proved that the subjects of revivals have not as generally as others adorned religion in their lives. The celebrated William Ward, of Serampore, when in this country a few years since, made diligent inquiry con- cerning the subjects of revivals, and learned from the best sources of information, that they very generally live according to the gospel. Can more than this be affirmed of those who are taken, one of a city, and two of a family, and brought to Zion ? Another gentle- man of sterling piety and good sense, who has been more conversant with revivals than any other man living, and who has been in the liabit of comparing the lives of the subjects of revivals with those of persons visibly con- verted at other times, gives it as his decided opinion, that the former have outshined the latter. " If genu- ine religion," says he, " is not found in revivals, I have no evidence that it exists in our world."
The great means, under which revivals have begun and spread in this County (as is true elsewhere,) has been the clear, faithful preaching of the word, especially of the leading truths of the gospel. Connected with this, the Lord has owned and blessed the confessions and supplications of his church, social meetings for con- ference and prayer, the visitation of families by minis- ters and private christians, and the expostulations of good men, like those of Philip with Nathaniel.
The successive revivals will constitute a prominent and interesting article in the history of the towns.
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EDUCATION, ETC.
EDUCATION, SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES, &C .- The judi- cious laws of the Commonwealth have made abundant provision for the education of children in the primary and higher schools. These laws have to a great de- gree been observed through this County. The towns. are uniformly divided into school districts. 225 in all, in each of which is one common school, and in several, where the population is dense, more than one, in which the children are taught for several months of every year by instructors paid from money raised by a tax for this purpose. Most districts employ male instructors for a few months in the winter or cold season of the year, and female in the summer. In this system are two evils- too little regard, in some instances, to the qualifications of the teachers, literary and religious, and too little mo- ney raised for their support. To remedy the latter evil, the children of the more wealthy are educated an- other portion of the year at schools supported by sub- scription. To alleviate the former, in part, in many of the towns, one or more select schools are supported where some children enjoy better advantages for in- struction. Higher schools, approaching the character of regular academies, are supported by individuals in some of the towns, perhaps in all the principal ones. Many of the clergy have been in the habit of giving in- struction to a select class in the languages.
In 1827, the Berkshire County School Society was formed, for the purpose of improving our common schools. It is unspeakably desirable that this laudable design should be accomplished.
At Lenox is an incorporated Academy, which has Jong sustained a very respectable standing. The in- struction has generally been judicious and thorough. It was incorporated by the name of Berkshire Academy, in February. 1803 ; but the name was changed to that of Lenox Academy, in June following.
In Pittsfield is a Female Acade"*", incorporated in 1807; which commenced its operations on a new and improved plan, April 20, 1827, and promises to rank with the best institutions of the kind. It is placed un- der the superintendence of a gentleman, assisted by ac- complished female teachers. Instruction is to be given in all the substantial as well as elegant branches of fe-
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
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male education. Provision is made for the boardiug and particular care of young ladies from abroad in the Seminary, and with the family of the Principal. Be- sides the large school-room in the lower part of the building formerly used by the second Congregational Church for the worship of God, there has been erected , a large brick building of three stories, for the use of the Principal and the boarding department; containing also convenient rooms for study.
The Berkshire Gymnasium, established in this town, has been in operation nearly two years, though not in- corporated until the commencement of the present year. For the accommodation of teachers and pupils, three large and elegant brick buildings have been erected, on the ground formerly occupied as a cantonment by the government of the United States. A view of these is presented in the accompanying plate. This school is under the superintendence of Prof. C. Dewey, assisted v teachers in the usual English branches of education, Mathematicks, Philosophy, Greek and Latin, and the amodern languages. It is conducted on the general plan of the Gymnasia of Europe, and it is designed to ena- ble the pupil to obtain a more complete education in a shorter time, by employing more teachers and more hours in study ; and by various exercises for the body, to give strength and firmness to the constitution, and elasticity and energy to the mind ; and by particular watchfulness and attention to morals and manners and religious duties, to form the pupils to a high and noble character, and the performance of the great duties of this active and interesting age. It has been so far suc- cessful in its operations. It educates lads and young men of fair character, and prepares youth for college or for business.
In 1823 an Academy was incorporated in Williams- town; and in the same year, another was incorporated in Stockbridge. Though the latter has not gone into operation under the incorporation, a school of the na- ture of an Act ademmy has existed in that town for the most part for several years.
Williams College, .. in Williamstown, was incorporated June 22, 1793, and hen 'A its first commencement in May in September, which is 1795, on the first Wednesa
BERKSHIRE GYMNASIUM .- PITTSFIELD.
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SCHOOLS-ACADEMIES.
still its anniversary. It was thus called, in honour of Col. Ephraim Williams, a native of Newtown, now - Newton, near Boston, and eldest son of Col. Ephraim Williams, who afterwards was one of the first settlers of Stockbridge, and a justice of the Court of Common Pleas in the county of Hampshire.
Col. Williams, the younger, led for a number of years a seafaring life ; but was induced to relinquish it by the persuasion of his father. In his several voyages to Eu- rope, in which he visited England, Spain, and Holland, he acquired graceful manners, and a considerable stock of useful knowledge. In the war between England and France, which continued from 1944 to 1748, he distin- guished himself as commander of a company in the ar- my raised in New England for the Canada service. After the peace, he retired a while to Hatfield, but was soon appointed commander of the line of Massachu- setts forts on the west side of Connecticut river, and resided principally at Fort Massachusetts, which stccd not far from the north-eastern end of Saddle mountain, on the north border of the Hoosic, in the edge of Adams, three and an half miles from Williamstown. Under the protection of this fort, and a small one in Williams- town, which stood a few rods north-west of the present site of the meeting house, the settlers in this section of the County began their improvements. Col. Williams, who owned considerable land among them, was much conversant with them, witnessed their dargers, difficul- ties and hardships, and for the purpose of encouraging them, intimated an intention of doing something libr ral and handsome for them at a future time. In the second French war, in 1755, he was colonel of a regiment, and was ordered to join Gen. Johnson at the north. On his way to that station, on the 22d of July in that year, he made his will at Albany, On the morning of the Sih of September following, he was ordered out at she head of a scouting party, 1200 strong, and was shot through the head by an ambush party of French and Indians, near French mountain, a little east of that point of Lake George-on which Fort George was built in 1759, in the 42d year of his age. His detachment returned to the main army, which the same day obtain- ed a memorable victory over the enemy.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
In his person he was large and full, easy in his ad- dress, and pleasing and conciliating in his manners. He was brave and skilful as an officer, and much be- loved by his soldiers. He was employed in advancing the settlements in some of the towns in the County. and had an uncommon share of influence at the General Court. He had also a taste for books, and often regret- ted his want of a liberal education ; a circumstance which may have dictated the provision in his will.
In this, after several bequests to his relatives and friends, he directed, " that the remainder of his land should be sold, at the discretion of his executors, with- in five years after an established peace; and that the interest of the monies arising from che sale, and also the interest of his notes and bonds, should be applied to the support of a Free School, in a township west of Fort Massachusetts, forever; provided said township fall withi ; Massachusetts, upon running the line be- tween Massachusetts and New York, and provided the said township, when incorporated shall be called Wil- liamstown :" otherwise it was to be applied to certain other pious, and charitable uses. Both of these con- ditions took place.
The executors of the will sold the land agreeably to the directions of the testator, and by their provident and faithful management the fund was annually increas- ed. In the year 1785 they applied to the General Court for an act to enable them to carry into effect the benevolent intention of the testator ; and an act was accordingly passed, incorporating a Free School in Williamstown. Nine gentlemen were appointed trus- tees of the fund and of the school, viz : William Will- iams of Dalton, Theodore Sedgwick, Woodbridge Lit- tle, John Bacon, Thompson Joseph Skinner, Esquires, the Reverend Soth Swift and Daniel Collins. Mr Is- rael Jones and Mr. David Noble, who voted in 1789 :0 erect a building for its use. The Legislature granted them a lottery, which yielded about $3500, the i hab- itante of the town raised by subscription $2000 more towards the building and in 1790 the brick edifice (now the west college) was built on the middle ami- nence in the principal street, 82 feet long, 42 broad, four stories, containing 23 rooms and a small chapel.
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SCHOOLS-ACADEMIES.
The expense of the building was about $11,700, and the funds then remaining at interest amounted to about the saullt sunı.
The school was opened in October, 1791, under Mr. Ebenezer Fitch, a native of Canterbury, Conn., who had been a tutor at Yale College. It consisted of two denariments, an Academy or grammar school, and an English free school ; and under the direction of this gentleman, immediately became prosperous. A con- siderable number of' students resorted to it from Mas- sachusetts, and the neighbouring States, and even from Canada. Upon the desire of the people of Williams- town and others, and to effect more perfectly the object of the donor, the Legislature, in June, 1793, erected this mto a college, and accompanied the charter.with a grant of $4000. The trustees of the original school, together with Henry Van Schaack, Esq., ot Pittsfield, Elijah Williams, Esq., of Deerfield, and the Rev. Stephen West, were constituted trustees of the Col- lege. In the charter it was provided that the trustees might be seventeen iu number, (of whom the President ex oficio is one, ) that they might fill their own vacan- cies, and hold property, the annual income of which shall amount to $20,000. Mr. Fitch, now the Rev. Dr. Fitch, was elected President, and the college began its operations in October of this year, by the admission of three small classes. The English free school was dis- continued, but the Academy continued for some years in connecuon with the College. 1: 1794, a lot was purchased and a house built for the President, which together cost $2:00. In January, 1796, the Legisla- ture gramed to the President and Trustees, two town- ships of land in the d. strict of Maine, which were sold in Iday for about $10,000; which, with a considerable sum besides, were applied in 1997 and 8 to build the east college. This stands on the eastern eminence in the principal street, abour 60 rods from the other col- lege, on the south side of the road. This is also of buick, 104 feet long, 29 broad, four stories, containing 32 suites of rooms. Both colleges front the east.
'Two townships have since been granted to the Col- lege, and sold less advantageously. The College alse received from the Commonwealth three thousand dol-
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE,
lars annually for ten years, beginning with 1814; the interest of one fourth of which ($750J) is applied annu- ally to the payment of the bills of such students as need assistance. Woodbridge Little, Esq., of Pittsfield, one of the first trustees, made a donation of $2500 in 1811, aud raised the sum to near $5700, at the time of his death, in June, 1813 ; the interest of which is applied also to assist young men intended for the Christian ministry. In 1820, more than $17,500 were added to the funds of the College by a subscription ; and in 1826 $25,000 more were raised in the same manner, for the establishment of a new professorship, and the erection of a new chapel. In the summer of 1828, the chapel was erected, and on the 2d of September dedicated to the service of' God. It is of brick, stands on the oppo- site side of the road from the east college, facing the south, 93 feet long, 38 wide, and three stories high. It contains, besides the large and convenient room for the chapel, a chemical laboratory, lecture rooms, apartments for the philosophical apparatus, the mineralogical col- lection, the libraries, the meetings of the trustees, &c .* In addition to the buildings already mentioned, the cor- poration own a house and lot, designed for the accom- modation of one of the professors, and a right in the meeting house.
'The fast property of the College, with the library, apparatus, and cabinet of minerals, has cost about $44,000. and the productive fund is $66,000. -
The College Library is a choice selection of books, amounting to little more than 2000 volumes. The li- brary of the students, called the Adelphic Union Li- brary ; the library of the Theological Society, and a coll. ction of class books, called the Franklin Library, for the immediate use of the indigent students, amount to about half that number.
* It was intended that a drawing of the College buildings should have been inserted here; but as the Committee was proceeding to make inquiries on the subject. it was found that a gentlemen at the east bad engaged to take a lithographie print of them, on a scale too large for this work; and it was deemed not advisable to be rt the expense of another engrav ng, especially as those who should wish for it, might easily supply themselves with the larger print.
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SCHOOLB-ACADEMIES.
'The philosophical and chemical apparatus, though - small. is well selected.
The immediate instruction and government of the College is placed in the President. Professors and Tu- tors, who compose the Faculty. Besides the President and Tutors, there is established a professorship of Di- vinity, of Law, of Moral Philosophy and Rhetoric, of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, of Chemistry and Natural History, and of Languages, and a lecture- ship of Anatomy. There was formerly a professorship of the French Language.
The terms of admission and the course of instruction are the same substantially as in the other New England colleges.
Presidents of the College.
Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, S. T. D., from 1794 to 1815
Rev. Zephaniah Swift. Moore, S. T. D., 1815 ,1821
Rev. Edward Dorr Griffin, S. T. D., 1821
Vice-Presidents.
Rev. Stephen West, S. T. D.,
1793 1812
Rev. Alvan Hyde, S. T. D., 1812
PROFESSORS-Theology.
Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, S. T. D., 1815 1821
Rev. Edward Dorr Griffin, S. T. D., 1821
Law.
Hon. Daniel Dewey, 1812 1815
Moral Philosophy and Rhetoric.
William Augustus Porter, 1827
Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.
Gamaliel Smith Olds, from 1806 to 1808
Chester Dewey, A. A. S., Lecturer on Chemistry, 1810 1827
Sylvester Hovey,
1827
French Language. 1795 1799
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