USA > Maine > History of the Baptists in Maine > Part 33
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1 Personal RecoHections, p. 325.
2 Personal Recollections, p. 326.
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York, of the class of 1862, who provided for the entire cost of the building, $15,000. Colonel Shannon was not able to be present, and Prof. E. W. Hall paid a well- deserved tribute to the donor of the new building, "who by this generous gift, and still more by his high personal character, has proved himself an honor and an ornament to his alma mater." The college library at this time was enriched by fourteen hundred and fifty-six volumes, a bequest of Prof. Charles E. Hamlin, of Harvard Univer- sity, formerly a professor at Colby, who thus attested his love for his own college and his abiding interest in its wel- fare.
During Dr. Pepper's administration changes were sug- gested in the matter of college discipline. Early in Dr. Small's presidency these changes were carefully matured, and a board of conference was appointed consisting of the president, two members of the faculty, four members of the senior class, three of the junior class, two of the sophomore class and one of the freshman class, the under- graduate members being appointed by their respective classes. Committees of the board were appointed, the committee of students being regarded as the authorized medium of communication between the students and the faculty upon all subjects of common interest which stu- dents for any reason preferred to present through their representatives rather than individually.
Reference has already been made to the large increase in the number of young ladies who had availed themselves of the open door at Colby. At the meeting of the trus- tees in connection with the annual commencement in 1890, President Small made to the board of trustees the follow- ing recommendations, which were adopted :
(a) That the board adopt the purpose of organizing within the university a college for young men and a sec- ond co-ordinate college for young women.
(b) That the conditions of scholarship for entrance to Colby be absolutely identical in the two colleges.
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(c) That as soon as the income of the university will permit, instruction in the different branches pursued in common by the young men and the young women be given to the students in each college separately, except in the case of lectures, which would be given to the students of both colleges simultaneously, and excepting also labora- tory work, in which pupils are engaged upon individual problems.
(d) That in the further development of the elective system due attention be paid to the expansion of courses likely to be of special attractiveness to members of the one college or the other. I refer, on the one hand, to courses in natural and political sciences, and, on the other hand, to courses in language, literature, æsthetics and history.
(e) That in case the students in one of the colleges should in any study not be numerous enough to form a separate division, they be admitted to recitation with the corresponding division in the other college.
(f) That in class organization, rank, prize contests, appointments and honors the members of the two colleges be treated as independently as though they were in dis- tinct institutions.
(g) That the faculty be authorized to begin this reor- ganization with the class that shall enter in 1890, pro- vided it can be done without additional expense.
The wisdom of this new departure was questioned by some of the graduates and friends of the college, but prominent educators in various parts of the country at once gave to it their cordial approval. The next college catalogue contained these words, evidently expressive of the views of President Small: "It is believed that the plan of co-education to which Colby is now committed will prove in practice to be a more important extension of the usefulness of the university than was the admission of young women, in 1871, to classes composed chiefly of young men." The subsequent history of the college man- ifestly fully justifies this forecast.
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About this time President Harper, of the new Univer- sity of Chicago, turned his eyes in this direction, and Pres- ident Small was elected head-professor of the department of sociology in that institution. The appointment was an attractive one, and Dr. Small resigned in order to accept it. This resignation brought great disappointment to the friends of the college. During President Small's adminis- tration the number of students had considerably increased. In 1891, there were 184 students connected with the col- lege, a larger number than in any previous year in its his- tory. The number of young ladies at Colby was so large that another dwelling house, and a part of the former res- idence of President Champlin, had been opened to them for dormitory purposes. The college was in a most pros- perous condition, and the friends of the college had hoped that Dr. Small would remain at the head of Colby many years.
But his acceptance of the important position now ten- dered to him made a new appointment at Waterville a necessity, and a successor to President Small was found in Rev. B. L. Whitman, then pastor of the Free St. Baptist church, Portland. Like President Champlin, Mr. Whit- man was a graduate of Brown University. The presi- dency of Colby seemed to offer to him a place for enlarged usefulness, and he accepted the appointment. In the first year of his presidency the number of students was 206. At no time in the previous history of the college had the number reached two hundred. In the women's division of the college there were 56 students.
University extension work was now undertaken. There had been frequent calls upon the faculty of Colby for lectures and addresses. It was believed that in many communities both men and women would gladly avail themselves of such lectures and addresses, and the uni- versity extension work of Colby was placed in charge of a committee of the faculty. Courses in art, language, his- tory, science, etc., were announced, and these not only
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attracted attention, but were exceedingly popular for awhile.
In 1893, the gymnasium was remodeled and improved, the changes adapting it to its important uses in physical training. Such training now received added attention, under the direction of a suitable instructor.
At the annual commencement of the college in 1894, the graduating class of forty members was the largest in the history of Colby. The entering class in the follow- ing September numbered 80, and the entire enrollment was 240. By his addresses and pulpit discourses, Presi- dent Whitman soon' made his strong personality felt in all parts of the State, and beyond its borders. In every way he was proving himself a worthy successor to the able men who had hitherto served the college in the presidency, when, in the spring of 1895, he was elected president of Columbian University, Washington, D. C. His acceptance was naturally regarded by many of the friends of the col- lege as little short of a calamity. His term of office was less than that of any of his immediate predecessors, but the call to Washington seemed to him to open a still larger sphere of usefulness, and the college was again left with- out a head.
A successor to President Whitman was found in Prof. Nathaniel Butler of the University of Chicago. Prof. But- ler was a graduate of Colby, class of 1873. His life since his graduation had been spent in the West. For many years he had been professor of Latin in the University of Illinois at Champaign, Ill. When Dr. Harper was organ- izing the new University of Chicago, he called Professor Butler to his aid. As the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of Colby University drew near, Professor Butler was selected to deliver the address in connection with this anniversary. At commencement in 1895, he came to Waterville to perform this service. Nearly a quarter of a century had passed since his own graduation, and Prof. Butler was a stranger personally to many of the friends of
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the college. There was a very large attendance. The service was held on July 3d, in the open air on the college campus, south of the so-called Boardman Willows. So favorable an impression did this address make upon the alumni and friends of the college, that it was the general remark, "Why need the trustees look any further ?" They did not look any further, and the election of Prof. Butler followed. President Harper, however, was unwill- ing to surrender such an efficient helper, and for awhile it seemed doubtful if the college would be successful in its endeavor to secure the services of Prof. Butler. But the claims of alma mater were loyally recognized, and Prof. Butler's acceptance was at length received.
President Butler entered upon the duties of his office in January, 1896. A strong and united spirit of devotion and enthusiasm pervaded all the classes, and the faculty and student body worked together for the upbuilding of the college.
Colby had graduated scholars who had distinguished themselves in the various learned professions, but the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the well-known society of scholars in the United States, organized at William and Mary College at Williamsburg, Va., in 1776, had not received to its membership any of the graduates of Colby unless elected in some other college where the Society had a chapter. At the fifth Triennial Council of the Society, held at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1895, a charter was granted to Colby. At the first meeting of the Society President But- ler was chosen president and Professor Rogers, secretary. Several meetings were held during the next few weeks. February 26th, the work of organization was completed, and one hundred and ninety-seven of the graduates of the college, upon the ascertained record of their rank while students at Colby, were elected to membership in the chapter, known as the Beta of Maine.
After President Butler entered upon his work at Colby a beginning was at once made of an effort to secure added funds for enlarged equipment and additional endowment.
CHEMICAL BUILDING, COLBY COLLEGE.
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Rev. N. T. Dutton was made financial secretary of the college, and entered upon the task of raising $60.000. The appeal largely was made to the alumni and the Bap- tists of Maine, the American Baptist Education Society promising a grant of $15,000, provided the friends of the college would raise $45,000. From nearly six hundred sub- scribers, the subscriptions ranging from $1.00 to $5,000, the amount of $51,000 was received, thus securing the conditional gift of the American Baptist Education Soci- ety. By the terms of the subscription one-half of the amount thus raised was added to the endowment of the college. About $30,000 were appropriated for the erection of a chemical laboratory. While this building, for which the alumni of the college had generously contributed, was in process of erection, a gift of $25,000 was received from one of the trustees, and already a generous benefactor of the college, Hon. Chester W. Kingsley of Cambridge, Mass. The chemical building was dedicated at the com- mencement in June, 1899.
Meanwhile the South College was thoroughly renovated, a steam heating plant was instituted and sanitary arrange- ments were secured.
But Colby was not a university, and it had no univer- sity aspirations. It was accordingly thought by many of its graduates and friends that the name of the college did not rightly characterize its well-known educational aims. President Butler had strong convictions in reference to the matter, and at his suggestion, and by vote of the trustees of the college, application was made to the Legis- lature of Maine for a change of the misleading title. This was granted by an act approved by the governor Jan. 25, 1899, and Colby University became Colby College.
But still the funds of the college, with the lessening rates of interest and the increased expenses of the college, were insufficient to meet its needs. Plans for a move- ment to secure additional funds were accordingly made, the American Baptist Education Society making a condi- tional offer of a grant of $15,000, provided $60,000 addi-
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tional were secured for the college and its allied academies, the college to receive not less than $25,000. Suddenly, Nov. 5, 1900, while engaged in the work of raising this amount, the financial secretary, Rev. N. T. Dutton, died. Rev. C. E. Owen was made his successor in this office, and by him the work commenced by Mr. Dutton was at length brought to a successful completion.
But another change in the presidency soon followed, President Butler accepting an urgent call to return to the University of Chicago. His resignation, to take effect at the close of the college year 1900-1, was received with deep regret. Dr. Butler had served the college with signal ability and devotion. Not only in Waterville, but throughout the State and beyond its borders he had made many strong friends for the college, and it was hoped that his services might still be retained. But his decision was final, and it became necessary for the trustees to secure another president.
A successor was found in Rev. Charles L. White, a graduate of Brown University (class of 1887) and of New- ton Theological Institution (class of 1890). He had held pastorates at Great Falls and Nashua, N. H., and when called to the presidency of Colby was secretary of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention. In entering upon his new duties President White directed his attention largely to the financial problems which the increased expenditures and lessening income of the college, not- withstanding the recent efforts to increase its funds, ren- dered imperative. These problems were not easily solved, but the president and his associates on the prudential committee addressed themselves to their task with faith and courage, securing results that were exceedingly grati- fying to the board of trustees.
Hon. Percival Bonney of Portland, who had served the college as treasurer for twenty-one consecutive years, pre- sented his resignation at the winter meeting of the trus- tees in Portland, Jan. 16, 1902, and asked to be relieved from further service. The thanks of the board were
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extended to Judge Bonney for his long and faithful ser- vices in the discharge of the duties of his office, and a suitable minute, gratefully recognizing these services, was spread upon the secretary's records. Mr. George K. Bou- telle of Waterville, a member of the board, president of the Ticonic National Bank, Waterville, and a grandson of Prof. Keeley, so long connected with Colby College in its early history, was made Judge Bonney's successor.
Hon. J. H. Drummond, who had served the college as a trustee since 1857, and who for many years had been chairman of the board of trustees, died Oct. 25, 1902. A graduate of the college, class of 1846, Mr. Drummond had shown, from the beginning of his connection with the institution, the most enthusiastic devotion to all its inter- ests. An oil portrait of Mr. Drummond was presented to the college at commencement, 1903, and now hangs in Alumni Hall. Judge Bonney was made Mr. Drummond's successor as chairman of the board.
On Saturday morning, Dec. 16, 1902, at a quarter before three o'clock, a fire broke out in the basement of Chaplin Hall, one of the dormitories of the college. All the stu- dents in the building succeeded in making their escape, but their books, the furnishing of their rooms, and other property of the students, were destroyed. The Board of Trade of Waterville at once took steps for the relief of the students who were not able to bear the loss and continue their college work. The churches in Waterville on the fol- lowing Sunday made a generous contribution for the relief of the students. The students of the University of Maine, and of Bowdoin and Bates Colleges, hastened to place their gifts at the disposal of the students who had suffered by the fire. In this way the losses sustained by the students were quickly repaired, and the ties of good fellowship between the Maine colleges were greatly strengthened.
The insurance upon Chaplin Hall was $5,000. Twice within a few years the Baptists of Maine had brought in their contributions in aid of the college. The rebuilding of Chaplin Hall was a necessity, and the friends of the col-
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lege went to the Legislature, then in session, and asked aid from the State in the emergency that had arisen. A hear- ing before the Committee on Education was held in the capitol in Augusta on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 29, 1903. Those who appeared in behalf of the college and addressed the committee were Hon. George C. Wing of Auburn, a member of the Senate, President White, ex-President Pep- per of Waterville, Rev. H. S. Burrage, D. D., of Portland, Rev. A. T. Dunn, D. D., of Waterville, Dr. J. W. Beede of Auburn, Geo. K. Boutelle, Esq., of Waterville, treasurer of the college, Rev. C. E. Owen of Waterville, financial agent of the college, Mr. J. H. Ogier of Camden, Rep- resentative Davis of Waterville, W. H. Looney, Esq., of Portland, and Leslie C. Cornish, Esq., of Augusta. The committee reported a resolve in favor of the request, and the Legislature appropriated $15,000 for the rebuilding of Chaplin Hall. Senator Wing of Auburn did the college a great service in connection with this appropriation.
With the money thus appropriated by the State, together with the insurance money, Chaplin Hall was rebuilt in the summer of 1903, and the Hersey house, on the college grounds, was refitted for the use of the college commons, now reinstituted. At the close of 1903, the various build- ings of the college were in a better condition than they had been for many years; and Colby in every way was better equipped for its growing work than ever before.
COURT STREET CHURCH, AUBURN.
CHAPTER XXIV.
INCREASING INTEREST IN FOREIGN MISSIONS.
The reports of contributions to foreign missions from the Baptist churches in Maine in the early years of the enterprise are very unsatisfactory. The localities in which the contributors resided are not always given, and in the published reports, when the localities are given, the State, in many cases, is not mentioned. Mr. E. P. Coleman, treasurer emeritus of the American Baptist Missionary Union, has made the following compilation following a summary in the Missionary Magazine : 1818, $140.00 ; 1819, $277.33 ; 1820, $22.52; 1821, $180.52; 1822, $150.00; 1823, $73.72; 1824, $169.55; 1825, $608.25; 1826, $767.09; 1827, $2,196.78 ; 1828, $1,801.68 ; 1829, $1,110.63.
The first Maine Baptist to engage in foreign missionary service after George Dana Boardman left for his field of labor was Miss Sarah Cummings1 of Yarmouth. She was a niece of Rev. Abraham Cummings, already mentioned, and a sister of Rev. Asa Cummings, for many years editor of the Christian Mirror, and a prominent Congregation- alist. Dec. 12, 1824, just before the ordination of Mr. Boardman at Yarmouth, Miss Cummings united with the Baptist church in that place. She was baptized by Rev. Solomon Peck, then serving the Yarmouth church as acting pastor, but who afterward was well known as correspond- ing secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the old
1 The late Rev. Dr. S. W. Field, who was a native of Yarmouth and knew Miss Cum- mings when both were students in the academy, has said of her : "She was a tall, spare woman, plain in feature, and severely plain in dress, with a face, when in repose, deeply thoughtful, especially when in earnest study, having the appearance of perfect uncon- sciousness to everything going on around her, but in social life glowing with a fine intel- lectual cheerfulness and vivacious humor. I never saw one more deeply and religiously absorbed in study than she in her preparation for her missionary work."
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Triennial Convention and of the American Baptist Mis- sionary Union from 1838 to 1856. Miss Cummings united with the Yarmouth Baptist church because of profound convictions, and it was not a light load of reproach that she was compelled to bear on account of these convictions. But in no wise was she moved to do aught else than to follow the path she had voluntarily taken. She had given her heart to Christ, and she sought only to follow him. In the Minutes of the Cumberland Association for 1832, in the report from the Yarmouth Baptist church, mention is made of the honor God had conferred upon the church in giving it "the privilege of furnishing one foreign mission- ary.", The reference was to Sarah Cummings. How it was that she came thus to devote herself to the work in Burma we are not told. Mr. Boardman died at Tavoy, Feb. 11, 1831. As Miss Cummings went to Burma in the following year, it may be that Boardman's heroic death, which must have made a profound impression upon her as well as upon the other members of the Yarmouth church, intensified her interest in the work in Burma, and led to the conviction that there was the place of service for her also. But whatever the fact, the purpose was formed to follow the Boardmans to Burma, and with a resolute heart, strengthened by the love and prayers of the members of the Yarmouth church, Sarah Cummings prepared herself for the work and then turned her face toward Burma with a happy, courageous heart.
She sailed from Boston June 29, 1832, and reached Burma about the first of January, 1833. After conference with the missionaries at Moulmein she proceeded to Chum- merah, on the Salwen river. Here she devoted herself to the study of the language and such missionary work as she could perform while engaged in this task. Near the close of her first year in Burma, she wrote : "Crosses, self-denial, sufferings, trials, none have I to mention worthy of the name. The evils I anticipated have not yet been realized, and a year happier than the past I have never seen." But her labors soon closed. Miss Cum-
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mings, who was born in Andover, Mass., Oct. 12, 1794, died of jungle fever at Moulmein, Aug. 1, 1834.
An account of her work in Burma was written in the Burmese language by her teacher, and one of her con- verts, Moung Shway Goon, and was published by the mis- sion press at Rangoon. A printed copy of this tribute to the memory of Miss Cummings reached this country, but no one was made acquainted with its contents until 1889, when the attention of Rev. W. H. Lane, then pastor of the Yarmouth church, was called to it, and he requested Rev. F. H. Eveleth, D. D., of Burma, then temporarily in this country, to make a translation of it. This he did, and it was found to be an exceedingly interesting account of Miss Cummings' brief but faithful missionary service from the time of her arrival in Moulmein until her death.1 In this memorial Moung Shway Goon refers to Miss Cum- mings in these words : "She was zealous for the law, kept the joys of heaven ever before her, was refined and gentle in her manner and disposition, and, as to her deeds, delighted in the law of righteousness"; and he closes his narrative thus : "We believe she is in heaven now, await- ing the coming of us all."
The next to enter the foreign mission service was Wil- liam C. Munroe, who, born in Portland, was ordained in New York City April 2, 1835, having received an appoint- ment as missionary to Hayti, March 13, 1835. He sailed for his station April 6, 1835, and arrived at Port au Prince May 1st following. In 1837, he returned to the United States, bringing evidently a discouraging report concern- ing the work. He returned to Hayti, but his resignation followed Nov. 6, 1837, and the mission was discontinued.
About this time, Ivory Clarke of North Berwick and his wife, Lois G. Clarke, were looking toward Africa as a field for missionary service. Mr. Clarke was born in
1 This translation, first published in Zion's Advocate of April 15 and April 22, 1891, was subsequently reprinted in pamphlet form, a tribute of affectionate remembrance by Rev. Ephraim Cummings, a nephew of Sarah Cummings. To Moung Shway Goon's trib- ute Mr. Cummings added an introductory sketch, and other matters, including two letters which Miss Cummings wrote to her brother while on her way to Burma.
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North Berwick, March 8, 1807; was graduated at Water- ville College in 1834, and at Newton Theological Institu- tion in 1837. He received his appointment from the board April 3, 1837, and was ordained at North Berwick Sept. 12, 1837. Dec. 3, 1837, with his wife, he sailed from New York for Liberia, Africa. They were stationed from 1838 to 1845 at Bexley, and from 1845 to 1848 at Edina. Dur- ing his ten years' service in Africa Mr. Clarke prepared a dictionary of the Bassa language. He died at sea, on his way to the United States, April 24, 1848. Mrs. Clarke returned to this country, and died May 3, 1888.
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