USA > New York > A history of the purchase and settlement of western New York : and of the rise, progress and present state of the Presbyterian Church in that section > Part 25
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203
CHAPTER XVII.
History of the Theological Seminary of Auburn. Action of the Synod of Geneva ; of the General Assembly. Seminary located at Auburn : Labor commenced. Act of Incorporation. Corner-Stone laid. Seminary Buildings. First Meeting of the Boards of Trustees and Commissioners. Dr. Richards elected Professor of Theo- logy, but declined. Dr. Mills, Dr Perrine, and Dr Lansing elected Professors, Inaugurated. Instruction in the Seminary commenced. Ordinances of the Semi- nary. Course of Study. Anniversary. Vacalions. Results of twenty-three years. Professorship founded by Arthur Tappan. Dr. Richards elected Professor. Dr. Lansing's Resignation. Bellamy and Edwards Professorship. Dr. Cox elected Professor. Death of Dr. Perrine. Dr. Halsey elected Professor. Dr. Cox's Re- signation. Dr. Dickinson elected Professor. Death of Dr. Richards. Dr. Halsey's Resignation. Dr. Hickok elected Professor. Dr. Dickinson's Resignation. Mr. Hopkins elected Teacher of Ecclesiastical History. Mr. Smith elected Professor. Funds of the Seminary.
AMONG the Institutions which have been largely instrumental of promoting the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, and of advanc- ing the prosperity of the Presbyterian Church in Western New York, none is more conspicuous than the Theological Seminary of Auburn. In fact, its influence has been felt extensively in the Western States, and in other parts of the Union ; and its line has gone out through all the earth. More than twenty of the pupils of this seminary have gone out as foreign missionaries to preach the gospel in the distant parts of the earth to the besotted heathen, or to those who are under the chilling influence of a spurious Chris- tianity.
At the annual meeting of the Synod of Geneva, held at Rochester, in the month of February, 1818, the subject of the establishment of a seminary in Western New York, for the purpose of preparing young men for the ministry of the gospel, was introduced by a resolution favorable to the establishment of such an Institution. It appeared that several of the brethren had had their attention turned to the subject for a period of time previous, and had had consulta- tion with one another on the subject. They, therefore, came to the meeting with some measure of preparation to discuss the sub- ject. To most of the members, undoubtedly, the idea of establish- ing a seminary in Western New York was new, and to some of them even startling. The deliberations of the Synod were pro- tracted through the greater part of two days, before the question was taken. The discussion proceeded with earnestness, but in a temperate and conciliatory manner, and a pretty wide range of argument was taken by the speakers. In favor of the measure, the numerous vacancies in Western New York, with no ministers to
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
fill them ; the immensely increasing population of the Western States, to which Western New York constituted the great thorough- fare ; the detention of most of the young men educated at Andover and Princeton in the eastern and southern regions, with the great probability that this would in future continue to be the case ; the absolute inability of two Institutions to educate the number of ministers which the exigency of the time demanded, without in- creasing the number of the pupils beyond what is desirable to locate in any one Institution ; the great probability that the young men of Western New York, who were looking forward to the ministry as their future employment, would not enjoy the advantages which a well-endowed seminary affords, unless such an Institution were established in this region ; with the almost absolute certainty, that the vacant pulpits would be filled with an uneducated and incom- petent ministry, were urged with great force. The ability of the country to raise up and sustain such an Institution, and the friendly feeling and disposition to patronize an Institution in this region of country, which was known to exist in other parts of the Union, were insisted upon as reasons urging to the measure. On the other hand, it was suggested, that Western New York was not a region of sufficient amplitude or wealth to endow and support a Theological Institution ; that if one were established it could not vie with Princeton and Andover, and hence could not present equal inducements with those larger and elder Institutions, to young men for an extended education ; that as Andover was emphatically the seminary for the Congregational Church in the United States, so Princeton was emphatically the seminary of the Presbyterian Church, and which all parts of the Presbyterian Church were bound to support ; that there was no pressing necessity, at least for the present, for another seminary ; that all the energies of the Presby- terian church were needed for the support of the Seminary at Princeton ; that other benevolent institutions of the highest im- portance were greatly hindered in their operations for the lack of sufficient funds, and that all the ability of the church was needed for the support of those institutions ; and, that the establishment of a Theological Seminary by a part of the Presbyterian Church, would have the appearance of hostility to the Seminary at Prince- ton, which had been instituted by the General Assembly, and was under its patronage and government. The question, whether the seminary, if one were founded, should be merely theological, or include in it the academical course of study likewise, was largely discussed. The discussion was continued as long as any of the members wished to continue it, when the vote was taken and car- ried in favor of attempting the establishment of an Academical and Theological Seminary, within the bounds of the Synod, provided the measure should not be discountenanced by the General Assem- bly. Measures were adopted to have the subject brought before
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THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AUBURN.
the General Assembly in May, for the deliberation and advice of that body. A committee consisting of two ministers and one lay- man from each Presbytery belonging to the Synod was appointed to take into consideration such measures as might, in their opinion, be expedient for carrying into effect the resolution of the Synod ; to take measures to gain information, acquire funds, and receive pro- posals for locating and crecting such buildings as might be needful for the seminary ; and report at the next meeting of the Synod. The moderator was empowered to convene the Synod in a special meeting, should he be requested so to do by the chairman of the committec.
At the meeting of the Assembly in May, 1818, the subject was introduced. The following extract from the minutes of the As- sembly will exhibit the action of that body on the subject :- " An overture from the Synod of Geneva, requesting the advice of the General Assembly relative to the establishment of an academical and theological seminary, which the Synod propose instituting within their bounds, was brought in and read. After the subject had been discussed for some time, the following resolution was adopted, viz. :-
" Resolved, That the Assembly are not prepared at present to give any opinion or advice on the subject of the overture from the Synod of Geneva, which contemplates the establishment of an academical and theological seminary, believing the said Synod are the best judges of what may be their duty in this important busi- ness."
As the Assembly placed no obstacles in the way, but referred the whole subject to the Synod, to act in the premises as in their judgment duty should dictate, the committee appointed by the Synod, on their meeting at Canandaigua in June, took the subject into serious consideration, and came to the unanimous conclusion that an attempt to establish a theological seminary in Western New York ought to be commenced without delay. The connect- ing with it an academical course of study was deemed altogether inexpedient. Incipient measures were adopted to obtain subscrip- tions, and to convene the Synod for further action on the subject. Subscription papers to obtain funds were put in circulation, and the Synod, in accordance with an authority intrusted to the mode- rator at the preceding meeting, was convened at Auburn on the fifth day of August, 1818. The action of the Synod on the subject was very harmonious, and they resolved to engage in the prosecu- tion of vigorous measures to establish and endow a theological seminary. It was also agreed that the seminary should be located at the village of Auburn, should the subscriptions already obtained within the county, within a given time, be increased to the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars, and ten acres of land be secured as a site for the institution. Other incipient steps were taken to pro-
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
cure funds and provide for obtaining an act of incorporation from the Legislature of the State. The subscription to the funds, within the county of Cayuga, was speedily raised to the sum requisite to locate the seminary at Auburn, and an eligible site for the location of the necessary buildings was obtained, consisting of ten acres of land, generously given by Messrs. Cornelius and Glen Cuyler and the family of Hardenburgh. The friends of the seminary residing in the village of Auburn and its near vicinity manifested a very commendable liberality in their subscriptions towards the establish- ment of the institution. The following sums were, in a short period, obtained from the individuals whose names are prefixed to them, viz. :-
Thomas Mumford,
$2000
Nathaniel Garrow and R. S. Beach,
2000
David Hyde and John H. Beach,
2000
Rev. Dirck C. Lansing,
1000
Horace Hills,
600
Robert and John Patty,
600
Walter Wood, .
500
Hiram Lodge,
500
Joseph Cole,
300
Erastus Pease,
200
Asa Munger,
200
John and Salmon G. Grover,
200
Ira Hopkins,
200
Stephen Van Anden, .
200
Samuel B. ITickcox,
150
Ebenezer Hoskins,
100
G. and P. Holly,
100
T. and E. D. Cherry, .
100
Lawrence White,
100
Henry Shultis, .
100
Micajah Benedict,
100
Joseph Rhoades,
100
O. Reynolds,
100
Ebenezer Gould,
100
Smaller subscriptions,
3239
Henry Ammerman,
500
Eleazar Hills,
500
Ezekiel Williams,
500
William Brown,
225
$16,514
At the meeting of the Synod in February, 1819, at Geneva, the committee appointed at the preceding meeting made their report.
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THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AUBURN.
The state of the subscriptions obtained, the means employed to obtain an increase of funds, a plan for a seminary building, and a draught for an act of incorporation by the Legislature, were laid before the Synod and approved, and a committee, consisting of Rev. Messrs. Dirck C. Lansing, Levi Parsons, and Benjamin B. Stockton, and Messrs. Thomas Mumford, William Brown, David Hyde, and John Lincklaen, were authorized to proceed in the business of erecting the edifice, and to apply to the Legislature of the State for an act of incorporation.
The interesting ceremony of breaking ground preparatory to the erection of the building for the theological seminary of Auburn took place on the thirtieth day of November, 1819, in presence of a numerous and respectable company of the citizens of the village and vicinity, who had assembled with teams and suitable imple- ments, for the very laudable purpose of devoting a day's labor to so laudable an object. Previous to the commencement of the operation, the company united in a fervent address to the throne of grace, in which exercise they were led by Rev. William Johnson. They then listened to a very appropriate and animating address from Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, the pastor of the Presbyterian church of Auburn, after which the labor commenced. The enterprise of founding the Theological Seminary of Auburn was conceived in prayer ; the labor of preparing the ground for the building was commenced with prayer; the corner stone was laid in prayer ; the enterprise progressed by the aid of prayer ; and through prayer and the favor of Almighty God as its result, the Seminary has been sustained to the present time, and blessed the world with its fruit.
The next Spring an act of incorporation by the Legislature of the State was passed, of which the following is a true copy, viz. :---
"AN ACT
" To incorporate the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, established by the Synod of Genera, at Auburn, in the county of Cayuga.
Passed April 14, 1820.
" WHEREAS it has been represented to this Legislature, by the committee appointed by, and on behalf of the said Synod, that they have established a Theological Seminary at Auburn, in the county of Cayuga, for the purpose of completing the education of pious young men, for the Gospel Ministry, and have obtained funds to a considerable amount ; and that an act of incorporation would better enable them to obtain and manage the necessary funds for the accomplish- ment of their benevolent object: Therefore,
"I. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That John Linklaen, Glen Cnyler, Henry Davis, David Hyde, Thaddeus Edwards, Henry M.Niel, Levi Parsons, Benjamin B. Stockton, Direk C. Lansing, William Wisner, Henry Axtel, Ebenezer Fitch, David Higgins, Seth Smith, and William Brown, and their successors, to be appointed as hereinafter provided, shall be, and hereby are constituted a body corporate and politie, in fact and in name, by the name of ' the Trustees of the Theological Seminary of Auburn, in the State of New York,' and by that name shall have succession, and be in law capable of suing and being sned, defending and being defended in all
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
courts and places, and in all manner of actions, suits, and causes whatsoever, and may have a common seal, and change the same at pleasure, and by that name and style be capable in law of taking, purchasing, holding, and conveying, both in law and equity, any estate real or personal : Provided nevertheless, That the clear annual value or income of their real estate shall not exceed three thousand dol- lars, and that of their personal estate seven thousand dollars.
" II. And be it further enacted, That there shall for ever hereafter be fifteen Trustees of the said corporation, who shall be divided into three classes, to be num- bered one, two, and three : the places of the first class shall become vacant on the first Wednesday of September, in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-one; the places of the second class in one year thereafter, and the places of the third class in one year from that time; and the vacancies in the said several classes, occasioned by the expiration of the time of service as aforesaid, or by resignation, death, or otherwise, shall be from time to time filled up in the manner hereinafter mentioned and provided.
"III. And be it further enacted, That the said Trustees and their successors shall have the immediate care of the said Seminary, and the management of the estate, both real and personal, of the said institution, and shall have power to sell and otherwise dispose of the same, for the purpose of benefiting the funds of the said institution, and of applying the avails of those funds from time to time, to the pur- poses of the said institution, in such way and manner only, and in such sums as shall be appointed and directed by the board of commissioners hereinafter mentioned, and shall have power to make necessary by-laws and ordinances for the manage- ment of the said Seminary : Provided, That the same be not inconsistent with the laws and constitution of this State, or of the United States ;- And further, it shall be the duty of the said Trustees to keep a record, and make an annual re- port to the said board of commissioners of their doings, and of the state of their funds, and of the names of those whose term of service is about to expire, and of such other matters as they shall think proper; and also to report the state of their funds to the Legislature, as often as they shall be thereunto required : Pro- vided, howerer, That no student of any Christian denomination shall be excluded from a participation in the privileges of this institution, on the ground of his religious persuasion.
"IV. And be it further enacted, That the aforesaid John Linklaen, Glen Cuyler, Henry Davis, David Hyde, Thaddeus Edwards, Henry M'Niel, Levi Parsons, Ben- jamin B. Stockton, Direk C. Lansing, William Wisner, Henry Axtel, Ebenezer Fitch, David Higgins, Seth Smith, and William Brown, be the first Trustees of the said corporation, and that they shall hold their first meeting at Lynch's inn, in the village of Auburn, on the second Wednesday of July next, when they shall pro- ceed to divide themselves by lot into three classes as aforesaid.
And whereas the said committee on behalf of the said Synod, have further re- presented that there are other presbyteries within the State of New York, not connected with the said Synod, who are disposed to associate with them, for the purpose of aiding in the accomplishment of the aforesaid benevolent object : Therefore,
" V. Be it further enacted, That a representation, annually to be chosen, of two clergymen and one layman from each of the following presbyteries (and such other presbyteries as shall hereafter associate with the said Synod for the pur- poses aforesaid), to wit : The presbyteries of Niagara, Genesee, Rochester, Bath, Ontario, Geneva, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and St. Lawrence, shall compose a board of commissioners, who shall have the general superintendence, manage- ment, and control of the aforesaid institution, and who shall have authority to fill the places of the aforesaid Trustees, as they shall become vacant ; to appoint the Tutors, Professors, and other Officers of the said institution ; to fix and deter- mine the salary and other compensation of the said officers; to authorize and direct all such appropriations of their funds, as they shall think proper ; to make by-laws and regulations for themselves; to choose their own President and other
-
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THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AUBURN.
Officers, and to determine what number of their board shall form a quorum for doing business.
" VI. And be it further enacted, That the first meeting of said board of commis- sioners shall be held at Lynch's inn, in the village of Auburn, on the second Wednesday of July next, at two o'clock in the afternoon; and that the said board of commissioners shall meet afterwards on their own adjournment.
"VII. And be it further enacted, That in case the funds of the aforesaid insti- tution shall at any time hereafter be applied to any purpose other than what is hereby expressed or intended, then, and in that case, all the privileges and powers hereby granted shall cease and be utterly void.
" VIII. And be it further enacted, That this act shall be, and hereby is declared to be a public act, and that the same shall be construed benignly and favorably for every beneficial purpose hereby intended ; nor shall any non-user of the pri- vileges hereby granted to the said corporation, create or produce any forfeiture of the same ; and no misnomer of the said corporation, in any deed, will, testa- ment, gift, grant, demise, or other instrument, contraet, or conveyance, shall defeat or vitiate the same : Provided, The said corporation shall be sufficiently described to ascertain the intention of the parties.
" IX. And be it further enacted, That the Legislature may, at any time hereafter, amend, modify, or repeal this act."
By this Act of Incorporation the general supervision and direc- tion of the Seminary were taken from the Synod of Geneva, and placed in the hands of a Board of Commissioners, to be selected an- nually by the Presbyteries. At the time of the application to the Legislature for the passage of this Act, it was expected that the Synod would ere long be divided into two or more Synods. It was also deemed desirable that several Presbyteries without the bounds of the Synod of Geneva, who were known to sympathize with them in the enterprise, should have a voice in the management of the concerns of the Seminary. These circumstances gave rise to the measure, which appears to have been a happy one, to enlist the feelings and engage the enterprise of the churches for a considera- ble distance around, in favor of the Seminary, and at the same time secure the correctness of the instruction which should be imparted to the pupils. It thus became the Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in Central and Western New York.
At the time of obtaining the Act of Incorporation, subscriptions to forward the enterprise, to a considerable amount, had been ob- tained ; a site for the Seminary building had been procured, and the ground in some measure prepared for a commencement, and a plan for the building had been adopted. The whole concern was in the hands of an intelligent and active Committee, to urge on the work as fast as time and means would permit. On Thursday, the eleventh day of May, 1820, the corner-stone of the Seminary was laid by Col. Samuel Bellamy, of Skeneatoles, whose name, together with that of Col. John Linklaen, of Cazenovia, in honor of his having been one of the first projectors and advocates of the Institution, in- scribed on a silver medal, was deposited in the stone. On the same medal was also inscribed, " Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation,
14
1
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
a chief corner-stone, elect, precious." " Jesus Christ, the same yes- terday, to-day, and for ever." The whole ceremony was closed with an address from Rev. Benjamin B. Stockton, of Skeneatoles, and a prayer and benediction by Rev. Dirck C. Lansing. A large num- ber of the ladies and gentlemen of the village attended, and gave a respectful and devout attention to the highly interesting solemnities. A very commendable progress in the work of the building was made during the summer and autumn following, but it was not un- til the autumn of the following year that it was so far completed as to be in a convenient state for the reception of students.
The location of the Seminary is a commanding eminence, in the city of Auburn, on the eastern side of the outlet of the Owasco lake. a short distance from the Great Western Turnpike road, also within a very short distance of the Railroad depot. The street on which it stands is now denominated Seminary Street. The building, as first erected, was a substantial stone building, of limestone of an ex- cellent quality, with which the vicinity of Auburn abounds. It consists of a centre building, raised four stories upon the basement story, with a wing on each end, raised three stories upon the base- ment story. The whole building fronts the south. Through each wing runs a hall in each story, from front to rear, with two rooms for students on each side of the hall, making twelve rooms above the basement. The wings are each forty-two feet long, and forty wide. The centre building occupies the whole of the interval be- tween the wings, which is forty-two feet. It is on the same line with the wings in the rear, but projects in front five feet beyond them. The front of the centre building in the two stories next above the basement, is finished for a chapel. In the third story there are on one side of the hall a recitation room, and on the other a large and convenient public reading-room, furnished with the pe- riodicals of the day, including the theological, the literary, and those which give notice of passing events. The residue of the building, with the exception of halls, is divided into rooms for the occupancy of students. The basement story contains rooms for the family of the steward, a large dining hall, store rooms, and cellar. Such was the original Seminary building, which was completed in 1828, at an expense of about twenty thousand dollars. There has since been added an additional building, adjoining the west wing, built of similar materials. This building is forty feet in front, and fifty-two feet in depth, projecting in front two feet beyond the wing to which it is attached, and receding ten feet in the rear. It is raised four stories above the basement story, and contains twelve rooms for students, two recitation rooms, and a large and conve- nient room for the Seminary library, which now consists of about six thousand volumes, and contains a very valuable collection of choice Theological Works, a considerable addition having been lately made. A commodious house for the use of the Professor of
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THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AUBURN.
Theology, at an expense of four thousand dollars, has also been built. Also necessary out-buildings and a work-shop have been erected.
The Seminary lot contains about twelve acres of land. Six acres of it were a donation from the heirs of Col. John L. Hardenberg ; two acres were a donation from Glen Cuyler, Esq., of Aurora, and two acres were purchased of Mr. Cuyler, which furnish the site of the Seminary edifice. Other ground adjoining was procured by purchase or exchange, and some lots have been sold. That which remains as the permanent Seminary lot, is, as above stated, about twelve acres.
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