USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 22
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Leading events of the administration of President Humphrey were the adoption, and subsequent withdrawal, of the " parallel course," the erection of the chapel building and a new dormitory, the unsuccessful appeal for aid from the state treasury, the raising of a fund of $50,000 among friends of the college, the organization of the College church, the revivals of 1831 and 1835, the organization of the Antivenenean and Anti- slavery societies and the rebellion of one of the classes against the college authorities. Of these events. important in themselves and especially inter- esting from the influence exerted by them on the fortunes of the college, space permits but passing mention.
At the annual meeting of the trustees held in 1826, the faculty sub- mitted a detailed report of the state of the seminary and the course of
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instruction, together with remarks upon the inadequacy of the prevailing systems of classical education in America to satisfy the public demands. . The trustees requested the faculty to draw up a plan providing for such improvements as they deemed desirable. This plan was submitted to the trustees at a meeting held Dec 6, 1826, received their hearty endorsement, and it was determined to embody these suggestions in a parallel or equiva- lent course to be offered to the students. This new course was to differ from the old in a greater prominence given to English literature, the sub- stitution of the modern for the ancient languages, an enlargement of the courses in physical science, natural history and modern history, and the study of the elements of civil and political law. The new course proved popular the first year, but the teaching force at the college was too small to properly care for it, so at a meeting of the trustees held in 1829, it was voted to dispense with it.
With the increase in the number of students, the need of a suitable place for public worship became apparent. . At the annual meeting of the trustees in 1825, the prudential committee were authorized to contract for the erection of a chapel building and also for a third college edifice. should they deem it expedient ; they were empowered to borrow such funds as were needed to erect these buildings from the charity fund, from banks or from individuals. Work on the chapel was begun in the spring of 1826, and it was dedicated Feb. 28, 1827 ; it was named "Johnson chapel," in honer of Adam Johnson of Pelham, who had bequeathed some $4000 to the college for the express purpose of erecting such a building. It con- tained in addition to the chapel proper, four recitation rooms, a room for philosophical apparatus and a cabinet for minerals on the lower floor. two recitation rooms on the second floor. a library room on the third floor and a laboratory in the basement. A third dormitory building was erected and completed so as to be occupied by students during the college year of 1828-29. It stood on the site now occupied by Williston hall; this dormi- tory, which was known as " North College," was destroyed by fire in 1859-
When the two new buildings were completed. the college was heavily in debt. An application for pecuniary assistance was made to the Legis- lature at its winter session in 1827. The petition was referred to a com- mittee, whose members manifested a willingness to aid the college, but as the state finances were at a low ebb they felt constrained to make an unfavorable report, which was accepted by both Houses. The appeal was renewed in 1831 and 1832, but to no avail ; the state had funds, but was unwilling to grant them to an institution of such orthodox religious character as Amherst College. The necessities of the institution being urgent, it was decided to appeal to the public for the aid which the Legislature had refused. A committee composed of members of the board of trustees was
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
appointed to solicit subscriptions. They met with greater success than they had dared to hope; the committee was appointed in March ; at the com- mencement held in August it was announced that $30,000 had been subscribed, and December 31, 1832, the sum amounted to $50,000. Of this amount, the people of Amherst contributed $3,000 ; they had given but little short of $20,000 in money before this time.
In 1825, shortly after the grant of the charter, measures were taken for the establishment of a college church. At a meeting of the trustees held in April, Rev. Heman Humphrey, Rev. Joshua Crosby and Rev. James Taylor were appointed a committee to consider the expediency of establishing such an organization. The committee met in Amherst, March 7, 1826, resolved themselves into an ecclesiastical council, and acting in such capacity they voted to proceed to form a church in Amherst College. They prepared a covenant and articles of faith, to be subscribed to by those desiring to enter into membership. Thirty-one students were examined by the council, and having publicly assented to the articles and ·covenant, were constituted the "Church of Christ in Amherst College." In October, members of the faculty, together with the wives of President Humphrey and Professor Hitchcock, were admitted to the church. The church remained almost a year without a pastor, but in February, 1827, Dr. Humphrey was formally installed as the first pastor of College church. Eleven churches were represented in the council assembled on this occasion, including three in Amherst. The pulpit of the new chapel was occupied by the pastor every other Sabbath, and by the other clerical members of the faculty, in rotation, on alternate Sabbaths. In the year 1827, the college experienced a great revival of religion, as one result of which twenty persons united with the church. The first communion service of the church was held in the College chapel, Aug. 19, 1827. Other revivals of religious interest occurred during President Humphrey's admin- istration, in 1828, 1831 and 1835.
In August, 1830, the Antivenenean society was organized, on the basis of a pledge of total abstinence from the use of alcoholic liquors, opium and tobacco. In 1833, an anti-slavery society was organized among the students. The college at that time had on its rolls many students from the Southern states, who were as ardent believers in the institution of slavery as those from the Northern and Eastern states were its opponents. Such a society, formed at such an institution, was bound to lead to trouble among the students. The college was divided into hostile camps, and the faculty, feeling that the institution was not founded as a school of moral or political reform, and fearing that its reputation as well as its peace and prosperity might be in danger, endeavored to persuade the members of the society to dissolve their organization. The society comprised in its
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THE GORHAM REBELLION.
membership about one-third of the students at the college ; they were sincere in their convictions and declined to give up their organization with- out the express command of the faculty ; the latter hesitated for a time to. adopt extreme measures, but when it became apparent that the prosperity of the college was at stake, they decreed that the society must cease to exist. This decision was very unpopular among the students, and some of them determined to sever their connection with the college, but wiser counsels prevailed. It is interesting to note that in less than three years thereafter, in the autumn of 1836, the society was revived with the express. consent and approbation of the faculty.
As early as 1834, dissatisfaction existed among the students at the . system of honorary appointments in college ; the junior class in that year petitioned that the system be abolished, but the trustees denied the petition. In 1836, the petition was renewed, signed at this time by nearly if not quite all the members of the three upper classes ; the trustees again . refused to make changes in the system. Meanwhile the faculty received many applications from individual students to be excused from the parts assigned them, on the ground of conscientious opposition to the system of honorary distinctions. For a time the faculty granted these requests, until it became evident that there was a purpose on the part of the students to break down the system in this manner. In 1837, W. O. Gorham, a member of the junior class, refused to accept an appointment for the junior exhibi- tion, accompanying his refusal with a note to the trustees, expressing his contempt for the system. The matter was referred to President Humphrey, who talked very plainly to the young man ; the result of the interview was reported to the faculty, who determined that Gorham must sign an acknowledgment that the language he had employed was highly improper, and that he deeply regretted his action. This paper Gorham refused to sign, but submitted instead a paper prepared by himself that was far from satisfactory to the faculty, and he was accordingly removed from college. The members of the junior class rallied to Gorham's support, and with one exception signed a resolution declaring that in their opinion be had made every concession that duty and justice required. For this expression of opinion, the members of the class were required to sign a written confes- sion that they had acted in the wrong. For some time it was in doubt whether the class would submit to this discipline, or would retire from the college. but in the end they submitted to the decision of the faculty.
As a result of the anti-slavery excitement and the Gorham incident, a feeling of discontent and disaffection was infused into the student body which could but have a disastrous effect upon the college. The number of students, which had steadily increased from the beginning, now began as steadily to diminish. Many of the alumni, instead of remaining warm
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friends, became critics of the institution as concerned its management, which was never more efficient and admirable. The finances were in a 'bad way, the expenses yearly exceeding the income by several thousand dollars. The college had no endowment, and at the time of its greatest prosperity was constantly adding to a debt for the payment of which there was absolutely no provision. The Legislature was appealed to in vain ; the trustees finally decided to make an effort to raise $100,000 by private subscription. Rev. William Tyler, the first agent appointed by the trustees, during the years 1839 and 1840 raised between $4000 and $5000, mostly in Amherst. In 1841, Rev. Joseph Vaill, a trustee of the college from the beginning. was appointed financial agent of the institution. For four years he labored earnestly and persistently, to such effect that in August, 1845, he reported subscriptions, conditional and unconditional, amounting to $67,000, of which over $50,000 had been collected and paid into the treasury. During these four years David Sears had given $10,000 to the college, and two other persons had expressed their intention of giving sums sufficient to increase the fund to $100,000. . This sum was largely diminished by the payment of debts already contracted, so that little remained to meet the current expenses or provide for an endowment fund. A determined effort was made to retrench in expenses, the number of tutors being reduced from four to one, and the salaries of president, professors and general agent being cut down.
All this time the clamor among the alumni and in the community was growing stronger for a change in the administration. Seldom has a popular movement had less foundation in reason or justice. President Humphrey, by his wisdom and energy, had been largely instrumental in raising the college from the slough of despond into which it had fallen at the time of the death of President Moore, in making of it a chartered institution, in providing for its constantly increasing necessities, in bringing it up to the prosperity and popularity which blessed it so abundantly in 1837. That same wisdom and energy and an untiring devotion to the interests of the college marked the closing years of his administration, but were not rewarded with a like success. President Humphrey was a victim of cir- cumstances which he was powerless to control. He could not prevent the irrepressible conflict between slavery and anti-slavery opinion which created dissensions among the students, he could not reconcile the differences of opinion in regard to college appointments and awards, he could not make a financial success of an institution that had no funds and no endowments. All that one man could do for an institution whose welfare was as dear to him as his own life President Humphrey did for Amherst College, and when, with heavy heart, he realized that his administration did not command that full respect and hearty sympathy from the public which was absolutely
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PRESIDENT EDWARD HITCHCOCK.
essential to the welfare of the college, he promptly handed in to the trustees his resignation, which they, with reluctance, but recognizing the exigences of the case, accepted.
CHAPTER XXV.
EDWARD HITCHCOCK ELECTED PRESIDENT .- GENEROUS ENDOWMENTS BY SAMUEL WILLISTON AND OTHERS .- PRESIDENT HITCHCOCK'S RESIGNATION .- PROFESSORS AND INSTRUCTORS .- ORIGINAL DEED OF COLLEGE LAND.
The meeting of the trustees at which the resignation of President Humphrey was tendered and accepted. was held in Worcester in January, 1844. At the same meeting, the trustees chose Prof. E. A. Park of Andover to fill the vacancy, an honor which Prof. Park declined. At the annual meeting of the trustees, held the following August, Prof. George Shepard of Bangor was chosen president, but he, also, declined the office. At a special meeting held in December, Rev. Edward Hitchcock, LL. D., was elected president, and professor of natural theology and geology. Dr. Hitchcock accepted the appointment, and was duly inaugurated as president, in April, 1845.
Edward Hitchcock was born in Deerfield, May 24, 1793. In 1826, he was a special student of theology and science at Yale College, from which institution he had already received the honorary degree of A. M. in 1818. From 1816 to 1819, he was principal of Deerfield Academy ; from 182 1 to 1825, pastor of the Congregational church at Conway : from 1825 to 1845, professor of chemistry and natural history at Amherst College. In 1830, he was appointed state geologist of Massachusetts: in 1840, he received the degree of LL. D. from Harvard University. His work in geology early attracted the attention of the scientific world. During his pastorate at Conway he made a scientific survey of the four western counties of the state, leading in later years to the geological survey of the entire state, undertaken by the government at his suggestion. He was a lover of nature and nature's Supreme Ruler.
When he entered upon his duties as president, the affairs of Amherst College were in a critical condition. Before the resignation of President Humphrey, the trustees and faculty had come to an agreement concerning
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the disposition of the college income so that any increase of the debt might be avoided. According to this plan, the income of the college, administered and appropriated by the permanent officers themselves, after the deduction of all necessary expenses, was divided among them as their salary and means of support. For several years the president received for his salary at the rate of $550, and each professor at the rate of $440 a year. The first collegiate year of the new presidency opened with the same number of freshmen as the previous year, and in 1846-7 the number was increased by one only. For a long time it was in doubt whether the college was to continue its existence as a college, or revert into a seminary. But better things were in store. On the day of President Hitchcock's inauguration, Hon. Samuel Williston of Easthampton by a donation of $20,000 founded the Williston professorship of rhetoric and oratory. In IS46, Hon. Abbott Lawrence subscribed $1000 to a fund for the erection of a building for scientific purposes, and the balance of the funds needed for the building were easily raised. During the same year, Mr. Williston and Samuel A. Hitchcock, Esq. of Brimfield contrib- uted $20,000 for the founding of a professorship, afterwards known as the Hitchcock professorship of natural theology and geology ; Mr. Willis- ton gave still another $20,000 as the foundation of the Graves professor- ship of Greek and Hebrew. The state, which had refused aid to the college in its hour of greatest need, proved more kindly disposed when others had come to its rescue, and in 1847 the Legislature appropriated $25,000 for the use of the college. These sums, in addition to $12,000 received from David Sears, amounted to over $100,000, and for the first time placed Amherst College on a secure financial foundation. As a result of these generous benefactions, the debts of the college were paid, the term-bills were reduced from $48 to $42 per year, and arrangements were made for making up in full the deficient salaries of the president and professors.
The Woods Cabinet and Lawrence Observatory were completed in 1848. They were dedicated June 28 of that year, with public exercises to which the friends and benefactors of the college were invited, and at which an appropriate and eloquent address was delivered by Hon. William B. Calhoun ; it was a day of general rejoicing. With the college out of debt and generous additions being made to its equipment, there came a corre- sponding increase in the number of its students. Doubt as to the perma- nency of the institution no longer existed. President Hitchcock, who had accepted the office in an emergency, was now desirous of retiring, but the trustees would not listen to such a suggestion. They urged him, instead, to make a tour of Europe for the benefit of his health, a suggestion which he reluctantly accepted. In company with Mrs. Hitchcock, he was absent from Amherst five months, during which time he traveled over 10,000
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AMHERST COLLEGE. BEFORE 1856.
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PRESIDENT HITCHCOCK'S RESIGNATION.
miles ; on his return he was welcomed by the students with enthusiasm, the college buildings being illuminated in the evening in his honor.
. At the annual meeting of the trustees in 1850, measures were adopted for increasing the number of books in the college library, and for the erection of a suitable library building. The sum of $15,000 was raised by subscription, of which $10,000 was devoted to building purposes and $5000 to the purchase of books. The building was completed in 1853, the first granite structure upon the college grounds. In 1852, the trustees established a scientific department which met with little favor at the hands of the students and in a few years was withdrawn. In 1838, before his election to the presidency, Dr. Hitchcock had donated to the college his valuable mineralogical and geological collections. In 1853, he made a further donation to the institution of his collection of fossil foot-marks, valued at several thousand dollars, the most complete and interesting in America. At the same time Edward Hitchcock, Jr. presented to the college a fine collection of Indian relics.
In 1854, President Hitchcock suffered so much from ill health that he felt compelled to resign his office ; his resignation as president was accepted . by the trustees with much regret, but he was induced to retain his position as professor of natural theology and geology. The closing days of his administration witnessed one more generous donation to the college, the sum of $10,000 being given by the trustees of the estate of Samuel Appleton for the erection of a cabinet of natural history. The administra- of President Hitchcock marked something more than an era in the history of Amherst College; it witnessed a new birth of the institution. When he assumed the presidency, the college was struggling amongst the quick- sands of debt, apparently on the verge of dissolution ; within the ten years of his term of office it was, by the aid of generous friends, placed on the high grounds of financial prosperity. For the first time since the founda- tion stones of old South College were laid, the college was out of debt and had ample funds with which to carry on its work. Nor was the success of his administration to be measured by college finances alone. It was the age of growth and expansion in cabinets, collections and materials for the illustration of the physical sciences. It witnessed the erection of a library building and a great increase. in the number of books upon the library shelves. It was marked by two great religious revivals, in 1846 and 1850. With President Hitchcock's term of office what may be known as the formative era at Amherst College ended ; of its subsequent growth and development more will be recorded in another chapter.
Among the names of the instructors who were associated with the: college in its earlier years, are those of Charles B. Adams, Amos Eaton,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
Joseph Estabrook, Thomas P. Field, William C. Fowler, Nathan W. Fiske, Gamaliel S. Olds, Edwards A. Park, Ebenezer S. Snell, Charles U. Shepard. and Samuel M. Worcester. Of these, Professors Eaton, Estabrook and Olds were in office during President Moore's administration. Joseph Esta- brook was born in Lebanon, N. H., in 1792. He was graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1815 ; from 1817 to 1820 he was principal of Amherst Academy, and from 1821 to 1824 professor of the Latin and Greek lan- guages and librarian in Amherst College. After leaving Amherst. he con- ducted schools for young ladies at Staunton, Va. and Knoxville, Tenn., being afterwards appointed to the presidency of the University of East Ten- nessee, an office which he held thirteen years, during which time the institu- tion prospered greatly. Gamaliel S. Olds was born in Granville in 1777. was graduated at Williams College in 1801, served as tutor at that institution for several years and as professor of mathematics and natural philosophy from 1806 to ISOS. From 1819 to 1821, he was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at the University of Vermont ; and from 1821 to 1825, professor of the same branches in Amherst College. After leaving Amherst, he taught for several years in the University of Georgia. He was a man of strong mind, a good classical scholar and master of the whole field of mathematics. Amos Eaton was born in 1776 and was graduated from Williams College in 1799. At Amherst College, during President Moore's administration, he lectured on chemistry and some branches of natural history.
During President Humphrey's administration, many professors were connected with the college who gained more than local reputation. Nathan W. Fiske was born in Weston in 1798, and was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1817. He served as a tutor at Dartmouth College. studied theology at Andover Seminary, was ordained as evangelist, labored at the South in the cause of home missions, and in 1824 was elected professor of languages and rhetoric at Amherst College. For over twenty years he was a member of the college faculty, in charge of various departments. Among the earlier instructors at the college few did more efficient work or won more fully the respect and affection of their associates and pupils. Ebenezer S. Snell was born in North Brookfield in ISO1. He fitted for college at Amherst Academy, entered the sophomore class at Williams College in 1819, came with President Moore from Williams to Amherst and was a member of the first class that was graduated from Amherst College. From 1822 to 1825. he taught in Amherst Academy, first as an assistant and then as principal. In 1825, when the college faculty was organized under the charter, he was appointed tutor ; in 1827, instructor in mathematics and natural philosophy ; in 1829, adjunct profes- sor, and in 1834, professor of mathematics and natural philosophy.
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PROMINENT INSTRUCTORS.
Professor Snell is described by Professor W. S. Tyler, for many years an associate on the college faculty and a lifelong friend, as "a man who, for exactness, clearness, and method in teaching, has had no equal in Amherst and no superior anywhere ; who, as an experimental lecturer, to say the least, cannot be surpassed ; and who, by his own mechanical ingenuity and handicraft and his progressive mastery of the science, with a comparatively trifling expenditure of money by the college has kept his cabinet abreast of the most costly apparatus of the richest colleges in the land."
William C. Fowler was a graduate of Yale College, where he served as tutor four years after completing the college course ; he was afterwards professor of chemistry and natural history at Middlebury College, a position that he held until called to Amherst in 1838, to become professor of rhetoric and oratory, to which department the following year was added English literature. He remained at Amherst five years, doing excellent work both in the class-room and in the improvements made about the college grounds. He was a good citizen as well as a good teacher, and in 1851 served the town as its representative in the General Court. Rev. Edwards A. Park was for one year professor of intellectual and moral philosophy at Amherst College, resigning that office to accept a professorship at Andover Theolog- ical Seminary. Brief as was his stay in Amherst, his genius and eloquence left a lasting impress upon the minds and hearts of those students who came under his instruction.
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