USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > General catalogue of Bowdoin College and the Medical School of Maine, 1794-1894 > Part 7
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twofold antagonism prejudicial to the interests of the college, he tendered his resignation in 1838, to take effect the following year. He retired to a life of literary activity at Northampton, Mass., and there, also, his closing years were spent in well-earned repose. His death occurred 16 July, 1868, in his eighty-fifth year.
The clouds that obscured its close have passed away, and it is now possible to see clearly the advance made during this adminis- tration. While the ridiculous system still prevailed at some New England colleges of intrusting the entire work of a class to one tutor for one term, to another for the second, and so on, President Allen arranged for instruction by departments and placed each in the hands of an experienced teacher. To the popular demand for a "practical" education, a demand then at one of its periodic seasons of prominence, he made the best possible reply in the establishment of the Medical School and in the addition of modern languages to the curriculum. During the preceding five years, the average number of academic students was fifty ; during his administration it was one hundred and twenty-five. The subsequent career of many in those nineteen classes must have been a source of pride to the president who signed their diplomas : for they gave to literature, Hawthorne and Longfellow ; to law, John Appleton and Thomas Drummond ; to theology, Samuel Harris and Henry B. Smith ; to medicine, Fordyce Barker ; to political life, Franklin Pierce, William Pitt Fessenden, John P. Hale, Seargent S. Prentiss, and John A. Andrew.
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THE CHAPEL.
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CHAPTER VI.
PRESIDENT WOODS'S ADMINISTRATION.
College finances-President Woods-His views on College discipline- Residence abroad-The chapel-Tutors-Impairment of the endow- ment-Denominational position of the College-Collins Professorship- Representation of different denominations in the Board of Trustees- Semi-centennial-Law school-Improvement of the grounds-The cur- riculum-Alumni bequests-Resignation of President Woods.
The financial depression that followed the panic of 1837 seriously affected the income of the college. Its invested funds then amounted to one hundred thousand dollars, of which eight- tenths were in bank stocks. The dividends from these failed to such an extent that, while the total expenditures were under ten thousand dollars, there was an annual deficit of two thousand for several years. The darkness of the financial outlook was not brightened by the disagreement of the Boards as to the new president. The Trustees chose, in 1838, Professor Chauncey A. Goodrich, of Yale, but the selection was not satisfactory to the Overseers. The following year they also vetoed the election of William G. Goddard, then professor of rhetoric in Brown Uni- versity. The third selection of the Trustees, that of Leonard Woods, Jr., professor of biblical literature in Bangor Theological Seminary, was promptly ratified by the lower Board. As the son of a famous and influential New England theologian ; as a college student who had graduated at nineteen with the maximum rank in every study ; as a successful and popular teacher at Andover and at Bangor ; as the translator and editor of Knapp's Theology, widely used as a text-book, and reprinted in England ; as the editor of a periodical noted alike for its ability and its independence ; as a preacher, the charm of whose sermons elicited from cultured listeners praise that seems almost extravagant ; as a conversationalist of rare natural powers, increased by a wide range of reading; this young man of thirty-one had led his
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acquaintances to anticipate a brilliant career for him and for the college under his direction. He came to the work with a willing spirit, asking that a larger amount of teaching than had been usual should be assigned him, and with an ideal of what a college president should be, as high as it was diverse from that of several ? of those who voted for him.
Reference can be made only to those traits of his attractive and many-sided character that appeared prominently in his admin- istration. There had naturally been some disorder in the closing months of Dr. Allen's presidency. Indeed, there was a suspicion that the burning of the President's house, after his removal from Brunswick, might be laid to the charge of some reckless under- graduate. The new president called to his study one after another of those who were thought to have been leaders in the disturbances. They went with surprise, for they believed "all the old scores wiped off, and there had been no time to run up new ones. There was nothing said about old scores or new ones. The President met them with that kind and graceful courtesy that was peculiar to him. He talked to them of the opportunities of college life, and made them feel, as though it had been their thought rather than his, the obligation that such opportunities impose. This simple conversation, held with one as he sat with him in his study, with another as he walked with him among the pines, was sufficient to transform these young men. He saved them to them- selves, to the college, and to the world. One of them, not only as a minister of the church, brought like aid to many a wandering soul, but became in a special manner the helper of the President in the work of rescuing from entanglement in evil courses the young men who were tempted as he had been."1 This was Pres- ident Woods's method. In the ordinary college discipline of that day he placed small dependence. Believing that in every young man's heart there is a principle of honor that can be fully trusted if once aroused, he had little faith in other means of securing obedience and attention to college duties. So happy were the results of this personal intercourse with this gifted man, that one who knew him and the college well does not hesitate to
1 Address on Leonard Woods by Charles Carroll Everett.
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write : "Bowdoin College offered means of education in this respect unequaled in the country. Students found themselves at once in the presence of a culture that might have been the product of the best universities and the most polished courts of the old world. They received from their President an influence such as -as has been well remarked-men go abroad to seek; such as breathes in the aisles of old cathedrals. They learned from him what reverence means and loyalty. They learned that society is not a mere human invention."
At the same time his colleagues and the publie were not always content with methods and efforts that seemed to give a major share of attention to the bad boys, while the good ones were allowed to govern themselves. College students did not cease to be human, and according as one looked at what passed unpun- ished, or at what was entirely prevented, was he inclined to blame or praise the policy favored by the President, if not invariably pursued, for over a quarter of a century.
In accordance with a desire expressed on the acceptance of his appointment, President Woods went abroad in 1840 to study the educational methods and institutions of the old world. He went with a bias toward mediavalism that was ever a source of wonder to those who knew him to be a lover as well as a descendant of staunch Puritan divines. This extract from a letter written at Oxford, where he became intimately acquainted with Dr. Pusey, will explain why it was sometimes asked if he were not at heart a ritualist.
"All my prepossessions in favor of the English system of education have been justified after the most minute inspection. The studies are not more extensive or more thorough than with us ; but there is here a magnificence of architecture, an assemblage of paintings, statues, gardens, and walks ; above all a solemnity and grandeur of religious worship which does more to elevate the taste and purify the character than the whole encyclopædia of knowledge. In each one of the twenty colleges here there is a chapel, the poorest of which surpasses the richest I have ever seen in America. And the service daily per- formed in them is congruous to the place. In several of them it is performed by eight chaplains and sixteen choristers, robed in white, who are all supported by the foundations, and by whom day by day, and
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year after year, God is magnified in strains delivered down from the primitive church, if not the very strains of David himself. The effect produced by the service thus performed is inconceivable great, especially . upon the young men here." 1
Not long after his return the President had the well-deserved ! pleasure of realizing in a new college chapel, the dream of his youth and the joy of later years, a structure "eloquently building into itself the expressive cross and lifting up its spires to heaven as accompaniments of the prayers rising from it morning and evening." Though associated with the name of Governor King, it is in reality a monument to President Woods. His skill and constancy secured the money which warranted so expensive a building and which in large measure met the cost of its erection. Without the thirty thousand dollars received as a contingent remainder from the Bowdoin estate, the college would have been obliged to content itself for another score of years with the wooden chapel that had already served through three administra- tions. His views, too, were exemplified both in the architecture of the exterior and the arrangements of the interior. At his . request Mr. Richard Upjohn, of New York City, designed a Romanesque church, which, built of undressed granite, from a neighboring quarry, has been the pride of each succeeding gener- ation of Bowdoin students. The corner-stone was laid July 16, 1845, with impressive Masonic ceremonies and an oration by Hon. Charles S. Daveis of the class of 1807; the building was dedicated June 7, 1855, the sermon being preached by Professor Roswell D. Hitchcock. An important feature in the decoration of the chapel proper was left for friends of the college of subse- quent years. The twelve large panels of this " grave and lofty room with its glowing windows and its starry roof" have from time to time been filled with copies of famous paintings illustrative of Bible history.2
1 Life and character of Leonard Woods, D.D., by Edwards A. Park, page 44.
2 The majority of New Englanders believed that meeting-houses, including college chapels, should be constructed according to the laws of acoustics. President Woods held that a church should be erected according to the law of optics. The Bowdoin chapel was so erected. The President, however, was by no
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At the beginning of this administration several circumstances, among them the inability to call at once a new professor to the chair of rhetoric and oratory, and the absence of the president abroad, led to the resumption of the practice of employing one or more tutors each year. The tenure of office and the character of these appointments, however, were materially changed, as will be seen by the fact that over one-half of those employed became professors in this or other colleges, while the average term of service of the others was nearly double that usual in the early years of the college.
For some time at this period the funds of the college not only yielded little income, but had no market value. When the general liquidation had cleared the financial situation somewhat, the treasurer reported that bank stocks, which had cost upwards of eighty thousand dollars, were now worth fifty thousand or
means destitute of tact. When a lectern was presented the college, he permitted it to be placed in the library and allowed an orthodox pulpit to remain upon the platform. The following description, together with the two illustrations, will give to those who have not seen it, some idea of a structure which has exerted an influence as real as it has been silent and unperceived. The facade is strongly marked by twin towers, the spires of which rise to a height of one hundred and twenty feet. The main walls equal in length the height of the towers and shut off the nave, which forms the chapel proper, from the aisles. These, thus con- verted into separate rooms, together with the choir in the rear, make a home for the library. The transepts break the long reach of the low roof of the aisles and afford entrance and office rooms. It is the nave that especially illustrates the æsthetic views of President Woods. On passing through the vestibule, one finds himself in a broad aisle, on either side of which are five forms running lengthwise with three rows of seats, each behind and above the other. These are occupied by the students, the lower classes sitting nearer the entrance, while members of the faculty occupy seats between the forms, or on the platform which occupies the entire end of the room. High above this platform is the gallery which affords admission to the room lately used for the art collections. The entrance to it is so arranged that the large rose window at the east end pours a flood of light into the chapel in the morning. Directly opposite is the organ loft with a gallery for the choir, and a tasteful organ, the gift of a recent graduate and his wife. The wood- work, all of black walnut, has designs in relief in harmony with architecture of the building. The smooth walls rise nearly forty feet above the wainscoting before they are broken by the clere-story windows. This space is divided by decorative frescoing, into twelve large panels for as many paintings. On the north side are scenes from New Testament history, viz., the annunciation, the adoration of the magi, the baptism, the transfiguration, Peter and John healing the cripple, and Paul on Mars Hill. Opposite are St. Michael and the dragon, Adam and Eve, and Moses giving the law. The ceiling, which is open to the roof, is painted blue with golden stars.
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would realize that sum. This, however, does not represent the entire loss. By the failure of the dividends and the successive annual deficits, the college had contracted debts that impaired still further its endowment. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that half of Bowdoin's income-producing property was lost during this financial depression.
In 1841, the trustees voted that members of the Faculty should spend a portion of the winter vacation in personal appeals for assistance for the college "in its present precarious condition." The professors naturally went to members of the religious denomination to which they belonged. Their appeal was often met with the reply, " We do not know whether Bowdoin College is to be a Congregational institution or not. It is ours by its history, but a majority of its trustees differ from us either in doctrinal belief or church affiliations." Most New England colleges were denominational. Sectarian spirit in Maine was perhaps as strong as at any period in this century. It seemed necessary, as well as desirable, that the college should declare its position. A declaration, therefore, was drawn up and signed by eleven of the fourteen trustees and by thirty-four of the forty-one overseers.
After stating in a preamble the desirableness of making the denominational character of the college known and of furnishing assurance of its future policy, this document declares :
First-That science and literature are not to be separated from morals and religion in the administration of the college.
Second-That this can be secured and financial strength obtained through an established denominational position.
Third-That. though not required by its charter, the college has been and still is of the Orthodox Congregational denomination.
Fourth-That no change of its character in this direction is contemplated.
Fifth-That trustees, overseers, and faculty should perform their duties so as not to conflict in any degree with the moral and religious instruction to be given in accordance with its denomina- tional character, and that such instruction should be given by officers of that religious faith.
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Sixth-That the document does not prevent the Boards of the future from making changes, provided they show proper regard to the circumstances of this declaration.
Serenth-That it is intended to serve not only as a basis for pecuniary aid, but also for conciliation of different views and interests.1
Provided with this statement, Professor Upham, the soliciting agent of the college, again appealed to the Congregationalists of Maine and Massachusetts. Almost all of the seventy thousand dollars which he secured came from that denomination. This large accession to the college funds, besides ensuring the comple- tion of the chapel, which it was found would cost three times the fifteen thousand at first appropriated, warranted the erection of a new dormitory which the increase of students had long made desirable. This was built in 1843 at a cost of nine thousand dollars, and four years later was formally named Appleton Hall, in honor of the second president of the college.
A portion of the new endowment was devoted by the donors to the foundation of the Collins professorship of natural and revealed religion. This chair was the result of a belief on the part of several friends of the college that the time and thought of one man could well be given to the direct work of moral and religious instruction ontside of the organized course of study. The pro- visions of its incumbency are so peculiar and so frequently mis- understood that they are given in full.
"The professor shall at all times be selected from ministers or ordained clergymen in regular standing of the Trinitarian Congrega- tional denomination of Christians.
"The professor shall not be a member of the executive government of the college, nor be required or allowed to communicate any knowl- edge of the character, opinions, or conduct of any student of the college obtained by intercourse or conversation with the students.
" It shall be his duty to endeavor to cultivate and maintain a familiar intercourse with the students, and to visit and converse with them at their chambers ; and by conversation, as well as by more formal teach- ing and preaching, to impress upon their minds the truths of the gospel
1 The declaration is printed in full in Cleaveland's History of Bowdoin College, page 21.
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of our Lord Jesus Christ, and their suitableness to promote the happi- ness of the present life, and the necessity that they should be cordially embraced to secure the happiness of a future and endless life.
" The Trustees and Overseers of the college may regulate the manner in which these duties shall be performed, and may prescribe other duties to be performed, including ordinary instruction in the college ; but they may not do this so as to prevent the performance of the duties enjoined, or so as to cause the professor to teach or conduct in any manner incon- sistent with the faithful performance of those duties."
The chair was held by a succession of distinguished inen. The first was Calvin Ellis Stowe, of the class of 1824, who resigned the position in 1852, to accept a professorship at Andover Theological Seminary. He was succeeded by Roswell Dwight Hitchcock, whose long connection subsequently with Union Theo- logical Seminary testifies to the character of his work at Bowdoin. Egbert Coffin Smyth then held the chair for seven years, till he, like the first incumbent, was drawn away to Andover Hill. The duties of the position were then discharged by the venerated and beloved Alpheus Spring Packard for the last twenty years of his life. For several years before his death the income from the endowment of this chair was insufficient to pay the salary of the incumbent, and, while the title has been held of late by the professor of Greek, it is definitely understood that he assumes only a portion of the duties prescribed. The scope of these is well illustrated by the annual report of Professor Hitchcock for the year 1854 :
"First of all his care is to make the particular acquaintance of each individual student, as he enters upon his college course ; gaining, if possible, his confidence that he may learn his character and adopt the wisest measures for the mental and moral advancement of each and of all. To this end, the students are invited to his house ; called upon, so far as practicable, at their rooms; and in every way encouraged to make him their friend and adviser. These endeavors, he desires to say, have met with the kindest and most generous appreciation on the part of the students whose bearing towards himself has been everything that could be asked.
" During the whole of the fall and a part of the spring term, he has had the Freshmen three recitations a week in Paley's Natural Theol- ogy ; connecting with these recitations, near the beginning of the colle-
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giate year, a short series of practical lectures on such subjects as Health, Study, Manners and Morals. With the Sophomore class, a few weeks in the spring term were devoted to the reading of Cicero's Treatise De contemnenda morte. With the Juniors, Alexander's Moral Science, assigned to the summer term and last year gone through with, has this year been omitted on account of the shortening of the term.
"On Saturday evenings, once a fortnight, religious lectures have been delivered, the attendance upon which, though voluntary, has been as large as the dimensions of the lecture room have allowed us to accommodate.
" And, finally, on the Sabbath in the village church, where a large majority of the students worship, some ten or twelve discourses have been delivered with special reference, in most cases, to the peculiar circumstances and wants of a community like this of ours.
" In all of which labors, so entirely congenial to his own tastes, the undersigned has enjoyed the heartiest sympathy and co-operation of the president and other officers of the college, to whom he feels himself largely indebted for that measure of success and comfort with which he has been enabled to pursue his work."
The definite avowal that the college was a Congregationalist institution aroused much feeling on the part of a few earnest and active friends who were on the Board of Trustees, and did not agree with the majority of their colleagues, either as to the facts stated in the declaration, or as to the policy to be pur- sued. They held that the college was founded by the state, that differences in theological matters had not then divided the churches of the commonwealth, and were not before the mind of the principal benefactor. They admitted that the declaration debarred the college from choosing any one save a Congregation- alist as president or as theological professor, but maintained that it should not control their action in filling vacancies in their Board. This view was antagonized at the time by a majority of the Overseers, and several elections to the upper Board were vetoed by the lower. A prominent layman in the Baptist denom- ination was then chosen, and subsequently two Congregational clergymen were elected. Since that period a majority have belonged to this denomination, although care has been taken to
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have other protestant denominations represented. Subsequent gifts have been conditioned upon the denominational character of the college, which there has been little disposition, of late years, to question.
At the Commencement of 1852, the semi-centennial of the opening of the college was celebrated with much eclat. Over four hundred of the thousand living graduates were present, among them the three survivors of the first graduating class. The anniversary exercises consisted of an address by Nehemiah Cleave- land, reviewing the history of the college with special reference to its personnel, an address by Chief Justice Tenney on the same subject viewed from the standpoint of the curriculum, a poem by Rev. Ephraim Peabody, and the singing of an ode written by Rev. Elijah Kellogg. At the anniversary dinner, held in a tem- porary building erected for that purpose on the campus, Hon. George Evans of the Class of 1815 presided, and, among other speakers, gracefully called upon Hon. Franklin Pierce as one of the two sons of Bowdoin towards whom the nation was now looking for a chief magistrate. His college mate, Hon. John P. Hale, was the candidate of the Free Soil party for the presidency. The attendance of the public was perhaps greater than at any subsequent Commencement, as three thousand persons are reported to have sought admission to the church.
The important place the Medical School had won for itself in professional circles led many friends of the college to believe that the time had come for a law school to be added to the collegiate foundation. In 1850, and again at a later period, a professor of law, and statutes for such a school were definitely decided upon by the Trustees. On each occasion, however, it proved impossible to secure at once the additional endowment of twenty-five thousand dollars upon which the execution of the votes was conditioned. In the formulation of these plans the advocates of the school had the assistance and sympathy of Professor Simon Greenleaf, who partially consented to lend his services as lecturer. The two gentlemen selected as law professors had served as chief justice, respectively, of Maine and of Vermont.
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