History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 27

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The Rev. Bethel Judd was the first principal appointed under this new arrange- ment, but in consequence of his removal to Connecticut, he failed to " fulfill his contract." **

The Rev. Virgil H. Barber subsequently entered upon the charge of the academy, being succeeded in January, 1817, by the Rev. Daniel McDonald, at that time rector of St. Peter's, Auburn. With his incumbency began a new epoch in the history of the institution founded by the labors of Baldwin, and shortly to be developed, on its transplanting to another site, into the free " college" planned by the Fairfield academy trustees at the time of their first application for the aid of Trinity church, New York.

In the year 1817, the subject of theological education, which had been brought prominently before the church as a matter of vital importance, received the careful consideration of the triennial general convention, and measures were taken for the establishment of a "general theological seminary." The following general convention, in 1820, ordered the removal of this school from New York to Now Haven, Connecticut. In the autumn of the same year the diocesan convention of New York proceeded to make provision for theological education, and insti- tuted "The Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society in the State of New York."It To this society was intrusted the power of establishing a theo- logical school or schools, professorships and scholarships, and, in fact, the adoption of any measures that might tend to the promotion of. theological education. The bishop, in his address, had indicated the policy of affording " facilities for a retired and for a public education for the ministry." To secure this the bishop suggested that "it may be wise to make theological endowments both in the country and in the city." To this idea the bishop again and again recurred, and it was the strong conviction forced upon him by his wide experience, of the necessity for the provision of the means of theological education at various centres of population and influence, that secured for Geneva College the bishop's unvarying friendship and support.

Before the next convention, measures had been taken, under the auspices of the new Theological Educational Society, with the approval of Trinity church, and at the suggestion of the bishop, by which a " branch" of the theological school established in New York city was instituted at Geneva. The vestry of Trinity, on the 8th of January, 1821, resolved to transfer the annual grant to Fairfield to the Geneva school ; and, a month later, the managers of the society definitely selected Geneva as the site of the " branch" seminary, on condition that the inhabitants of this village would erect a suitable building for the accommodation

Baldwin M88.

" Thos. D. Burrall's Report and Memoranda, 1868, p. 7.

tt Journal of N. Y. Diocesan Convention, 1820, p. 25.

** Baldwin M88.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

of the theological students. The same month, under date of February 15, 1821, the following subscription paper was circulated in the village of Geneva, viz. : " The vestry of Trinity church, in the city of New York, having heretofore liberally endowed the academy at Fairfield, in Montgomery county, on certain conditions, have recently agreed to transfer the endowment to the academy estab- lished at Geneva,* in the county of Ontario, with the intent to use all practicable

. We give, as of special interest in this connection, from the originals preserved among the papers of Hobart College, the list of " Subscriptions to Geneva Academy, 11th January, 1813," and a copy of the charter of the institution, thus merged into Geneva College, as stated in the text :

SUBSCRIPTION PAPER.

"Whereas, the general diffusion of knowledge, in a country where the government emanates immediately from the people, is of the utmost importance to the preservation of liberty, and an seademy having for many years been established in the village of Geneva, and been in a considerable degree useful ; and, whereas, we the subscribers are confident its usefulness and respectability may be much promoted by an increase of its funds, and the procuring its incor- poration under the regents of the University of the State of New York, and becoming subject to the visitation of the said regents,-

"We, the subscribers, for the purpose of increasing the funds of the said academy, promise severally and not jointly to pay to the trustees, hereafter to be appointed for the said academy, for the use of the said academy, the sums opposite our respective names, or to secure said mum by mortgage on sufficient real estate to the said trustees and their successors forever, so that the interest thereof shall be annually paid to the said trustees and their successors forever, for the use of the said academy, and, in default thereof, the real estate so mortgaged, on which said interest has not been paid, may be sold by the said trustees or their successors, and the said sum of money, with the interest so secured by said mortgage, retained by said trustees, with the costs, for the use of the said academy.

"[Signed] January 11th, 1813.

Polydore B. Wisner.

One hundred dollars.

. H. H. Bogert ..

do.

. R. W. Stoddard

.Fifty dollars.

. Samuel Colt.

One hundred dollars.

Fifty dollars.

. William Hortsen do

do.

Jonathan Dosne ...

One hundred dollars.

. Thomas Lowthrop & Co

do.

. James Roos.

do.

. James Carter ..

John Nicholas.

do.

. David Cook ..

do.

. John Woods.

do.

. Thomas D. Barrall.

. Fifty dollars.

Joseph Stow ...

do.

. Walter Grieve ..

do.

Robert Soot.

do.

. F. A. De Zeng ..

.Fifty dollars on demand.

. William Tippetta.

.Fifty dollars.

Abner Cole

· A. Dox.

One hundred dollars.

One thousand six hundred dollars.

"Mortgages have been received from all except thres, not marked, agreeable to the written arrangement.

"June 24, 1822.

H. H. B., late Treasurer."

" The Regente of the University of the State of New York.

" To all to whom these presente shall or may come, greeting :

" Whereas, Jedediah Chapman, Samuel Colt, Polydore B. Wisner, John Nicholas, Davenport Phelps, James Rees, H. H. Bogert, Walter Grieve, Robert Soot, F. A. De Zeng, Thomas Lo- throp, John Woods, William Hortsen, David Cook, Jonathan Doane, William Tippetts, Abner Cole, Thomas D. Burrall, R. W. Stoddard, A. Dox, by an instrument in writing, under their hands and seals, bearing date the twelfth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, after stating that they had contributed more than one-half in value of the real and personal property and estate, collected or appropriated for the use and benefit of the academy erected at the village of Geneva, in the county of Ontario, did make application to us, the maid regenta, that the said seademy might be incorporated and become subject to the visitation of us and our successors, and that the Rev. Jedediah Chapman, Polydore B. Wisner, James Roes, Samuel Colt, John Nicholas, Herman H. Bogert, Robert Soot, David Cook, Thomas Lowthrop, Jonathan Doane, Walter Grieve, William Tippetts, and Frederick A. De Zeng might be trus- tees of the said academy, by the name of 'The trustees of the Geneva academy.'

"Now, know ye that we, the said regents, having inquired into the allegations contained in the instrument aforesaid and found the same to be true, and that a proper building for said academy has been erected and finished and paid for, and that funds have been obtained and well secured, producing an annual net income of at least one hundred dollars, and conceiving the said academy calculated for the promotion of literature, do by these presents, pursuant to the statute in such cases made and provided, signify our approbation of the incorporation of the said Reverend Jedediah Chapman, Polydore B. Wisner, James Rees, Samuel Colt, Thomas Lowthrop, John Nicholas, Herman H. Bogert, Albert Soot, David Cook, Jonathan Doane, Walter Grieve, William Tippetts, and Frederick A. De Zeng, by the name of 'The trustees of the Geneva academy,' being the name mentioned in and by the said request in writing, on condition that the principal or estate producing the said income shall never be diminished or otherwise appropriated, and that the said income shall be applied only to the maintenance or salaries of the professors or tutors of the sondemy.

" In testimony whereof, we have caused our common seai to be hereunto affixed, the twenty-

ninth day of March, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirteen.

.. 8.

"[Signed]

" DANIEL D. TOMPKINS."

Endorsed,

"Charter of the Geneva Academy.

"' Fees, $1, paid by " Mr. Bogert.

"State of New York, Secretary's Office, Recorded in Lib. Deeds "M.R.R., page 482, etc., the 25th day of February, 1814.

[Signed] " ANCH'D. CAMPBELL, Dop. Secretary."

means to raise the academy to the highly useful station of a college ; the transfer, however, to be subject to the reasonable condition that the inhabitants of the village of Geneva and its vicinity shall furnish at their own expense a suitable lot of land and building thereon. Now, we, the subscribers, in consideration of the premises, and to secure the transfer of the said endowment to the trustees of the Geneva academy, do hereby severally promise and agree to and with the said trustees, to pay them the sums of money set opposite to our names respect- ively, and to do and perform the several acts and undertakings hereafter promised by us respectively, at such times and in such manner as shall be required of us by the said trustees for the purposes aforesaid."

To this paper were affixed the names of Samuel Colt, James Rees, F. A. De Zeng, Abraham Dox, William Hortsen, J. Doz, Robert W. Stoddard, Thos. D. Burrall, H. H. Bogart, H. Dwight, Nicholas Ayrault, David Hudson, and others, resident in the village of Geneva.

In the month of February, 1821, Bishop Hobart "visited the western part of the State, induced to this journey at this unfavorable season principally with a view to consecrate the churches at Rochester and Buffalo, and to make arrangements with respect to the branch theological school which had been fixed at Geneva."+ On the 25th of April the school was formally established at Geneva, under the charge of the Rev. Daniel McDonald, D.D., who had been the head of the Fairfield academy, and with the co-operation and assistance of the Rev. Orin Clark, D.D., the able and learned rector of Trinity church, Geneva.

On the 11th of June the branch theological school was opened in the vestry school-house belonging to Trinity church, Geneva, and standing in the rear of the church, and nine young men were reported as in attendance, with the prospect of a speedy increase in numbers.

In his address to the convention of the diocese, in 1821, Bishop Hobart thus refers to the measures which had been taken in furtherance of his plan for the promotion of theological education :

"The Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society, established by the last convention, has gone into operation, and the report of the trustees, which will be laid before you, will inform you of their proceedings, and of the present state of the schools which they have founded. The principal theological school is placed in the city of New York, and a branch of it in the village of Geneva, in the western part of the State. The reasons for this arrangement, by which are secured to the candidates for orders the advantages of a retired and of a more public education for the ministry, having been detailed in my address to the last convention, it is unnecessary to repeat them. It is proper, however, to observe, that it is not designed to consider these institutions as entirely distinct, but to afford to those students who, from preference or from circumstances of peculiar convenience, have pursued their studies in the branch school at Geneva, an oppor- tunity of completing or revising their course in the theological school in the city of New York. By this arrangement they will enjoy the advantages which retire- ment affords for diligent application, and for the formation of those serious dispo- sitions and habits which are essential to the ministry, as well as the benefits re- sulting from the theological establishment in New York, where the number of the clergy and the congregations of the church, and the opportunity of more exten- ded social intercourse, will afford to the candidates for orders peculiar facilities for strengthening and refining their minds for obtaining that knowledge of human nature which is so important and useful, and for improving themselves in the per- formance of the various offices of the desk and the pulpit.

"In the city of New York, Columbia College, which is constantly rising in reputation, affords advantages inferior to no other institution in the Union, for the studies preparatory to the ministry ; and the corporation of Trinity church hav- ing transferred the annuity granted to the academy at Fairfield to a similar insti- tution at Geneva, opportunities will be thus furnished for these preparatory studies.

" The handsome stone building which is erecting for the use of the academy, in which also accommodations are to be afforded for the theological school, is situated in the village of Geneva, immediately on the bank of the Seneca lake, command- ing a view of this extensive and beautiful sheet of water, of the cultivated shores that confine it, and of the mountains that bound the distant prospect. It is con- sidered by all who have viewed it as one of the most interesting situations which are anywhere to be found.

"Its relative advantages are not less important. Geneva is situated in the midst of a very populous, fertile, and highly cultivated country, having a water communication of a few miles with the grand canal which passes through the State, and being thus of easy access from the extensive countries watered by the western lakes, and from those on the Atlantic border. And, indulging the reasonable expectation that the academy there will, at some future period, be

t Address to Convention, Journal 1821, p. 14.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

advanced to the privileges of a college, we must be forcibly struck with the im- mense advantages of the contiguity of our theological school to an institution of this description. The principal school in the city of New York, and the branch school at Geneva, both enjoying the advantages of colleges in which there will be no influence unfriendly to the church, will be placed under as commanding circumstances as could well be expected."*

At the same convention the board of managers of the Theological Education Society reported as follows:

"In the course of the last winter, several communications were received from the vestry of the church and the academy at Fairfield, and from the rector, vestry, and the academy at Geneva-also from the corporation of Trinity church, New York, expressing their willingness to transfer a certain annual grant from the in- stitution in Fairfield to one in Geneva, should the board deem it expedient to fix their interior school at the latter place. On mature consideration this change was determined upon, and the western branch of the seminary was permanently located at that village, and is styled the 'Interior School of Geneva.'

"The professorships for the Interior School of Geneva are as follows :

" A Professorship of the Interpretation of Scripture, of Ecclesiastical History, and of the Nature, Ministry, and Polity of the Church.

" A Professorship of Biblical Learning.

" A Professorship of Systematic Divinity and Pastoral Theology.

" As soon as the funds of the society admit, the salaries of these professors will be at least $800 per annum; and in the mean time, and while they are en- gaged in other duties and receiving other emoluments, their salaries are to be fixed by the board of managers, as circumstances may render expedient.

"The office of librarian for the Interior School is also instituted, with the same duties as are assigned to the librarian of the school in the city of New York.

"Until statutes shall be prescribed for the regulation of the two schools respec- tively, they are to be governed by such rules as the professors in each, with the approbation of the bishop, shall adopt.

"The following professors have been appointed for the seminary in this city, viz .: The Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, Professor of Systematic Divinity and Pastoral Theology; Mr. Clement C. Moore, Professor of Biblical Learning, the department of Interpretation of Scripture being added; Mr. Gulian C. Ver- planck, Professor of the Evidences of Revealed Religion, and of Moral Science in its Relations to Theology ; and the Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, Professor of the Nature, Ministry, and Polity of the Church, the department of Ecclesiastical History being annexed; and the Rev. Henry J. Feltus is the librarian. For the Interior School of Geneva, the following are the appointments made by this board, viz .: The Rev. Daniel M'Donald, Professor of the Interpretation of Scrip- ture, Ecclesiastical History, and the Nature, Ministry, and Polity of the Church, and librarian; the Rev. John Reed, Professor of Biblical Learning; and the Rev. Orin Clark, Professor of Systematic Divinity and Pastoral Theology."

From a report of the professors in Geneva, it appears that two of them com- menced their duties in June last, that there are now ten students under their care, and that a building is in progress which will contain thirty rooms for students and a chapel, to " be ready for the reception of theological and classical students on the first of May next." The report of these professors is also added :

" Report of the Professors of the Branch Theological School at Geneva.

"To the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, president of the board of managers of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society, in the diocese of New York, the professors in the branch theological school at Geneva respectfully report that-

"The branch theological school was opened in the vestry school-house of Trinty church, Geneva, on the 11th day of June last, and the following young gentlemen, intending to enter the ministry of the church, have been admitted members of the school, viz. : Marvin Cady, Richard Salmon, William W. Bost- wick, Orsamus H. Smith, Burton H. Hickox, John A. Clark, John Gavott, Thaddeus Garlick, and Ira White. In addition to which, Henry Gregory, Alan- son Bennett, and Seth Davis are daily expected.

"The trustees of Geneva academy are now erecting, in an eligible situation on the bank of Seneca lake, a commodious stone building,t containing thirty rooms for students, besides a convenient chapel. The building will be ready for the reception of theological and classical students on the first of next May.

" DANIEL MCDONALD, Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Scripture Interpretation.

"ORIN CLARK, Professor of Systematic Theology.

· Journal of Convention, 1821, pp. 20, 21.

t Now called " Geneva Hall," the oldest of the college buildings.

" The board of managers have also directed their attention to the munificent be- quest of the late Mr. Sherred. They have made arrangements for appropriating it in such manner as shall most securely effect the objects intended by the liberal donor. Twenty thousand dollars are appropriated to the support of a professorship in the school of the city of New York, which shall bear his name; $10,000 to the support of a professorship in the branch interior school at Geneva, also to bear his name. And further (should the board of trustees approve the measure), two sums of $5000 each are appropriated to complete the establishment of the two first pro- fessorships of $20,000 each, towards each of which $15,000 shall be paid by any congregation or society, or individual or association of individuals, in the city of New York, on or before the 1st of May, 1822, and two further sums of $3000 each (should the board of trustees approve) are appropriated to complete the estab- lishment of the two first professorships of $10,000 each in the interior school at Geneva, towards each of which $7000 shall be paid by any congregation or society, or individual or association of individuals, not resident in the city of New York, on or before the 1st of May, 1822: the interest only of these sums to be applied to the above objects respectively."

In furtherance of the measures already taken by the Education Society, or in- dicated as of importance in their report, the convention

" Resolved, That the proceedings of the said society, in the establishment, under the authority of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State, of the seminary for theological education in this diocese, and in the organization of two schools for this purpose, one in the city of New York, and the other at Geneva, as detailed in the said report, be, and they are hereby, approved and con- firmed by this convention."

The convention at the same time

" Resolved, that this convention will concur in any proper plan for consolidating the said seminary with any seminary, for the like purpose, which the general . convention may, in its wisdom, see fit to establish and permanently fix within this diocese; all the essential provisions and regulations of the seminary now established, under the authority of the convention of this State, being preserved, and a just influence in the management and control of the general institution being secured to each diocese within which contributions may be obtained, or donations made towards its funds. Provided, that the terms of such consolida- tion be approved by the bishop of this diocese, and the clerical and lay deputies from the convention of the church in this State to the approaching special Gen- eral Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States; and that those terms be submitted to, and also approved, by the trustces of the Prot- estant Episcopal Theological Education Society in the State of New York, or the board of managers acting under their authority."

A special general convention was called to determine the questions arising from the "Sherred bequest," referred to above. This convention was held at Philadelphia, October 30, 1821, and on the 2d of November a compromise of the conflicting interests was effected : the general theological seminary was removed to New York, and permanently established in that city, while the " Interior School of Geneva," by the terms of the compromise, became a " branch" of the Geneva Theological Seminary of the American church.

The success which had attended the establishment of the theological school at Geneva emboldened the friends of the church in this village to secure a college of their own. An interesting letter from the Rev. Drs. McDonald and Clark, to the bishop of the diocese, gives us the inner history of this incipient move- ment towards a college and theological school combined. We print it from the Hobart MSS. in the possession of the general convention of the church :

" GENEVA, 8th December, 1821.

" RT. REV. SIR,-We take the liberty of stating to you the present situation of our academic school, the difficulties which meet us, and what we suppose to be the best means of procuring relief. We have tried the experiment of the acad- emy since June last, and have not found the results to answer our expectations. Not more than eight scholars, on an average, have attended the school, besides the theological students. The receipts for tuition have been only about fifty-seven dollars, leaving a deficit of about two hundred and seventy dollars to be paid by the trustees, who have a full call for all the funds that they can raise to finish the academy ; so that unless some plan can be devised for our relief, the academic school must of necessity cease. The following causes tend to prevent us from having more scholars: 1. It is industriously insinuated that this is exclusively a theological school, thus some are prevented from attending. 2. It is also insin- nated that we will receive none but language scholars. 3. An opposition school is maintained in the village. You can readily judge what class of religionists try to do us this harm. To counteract the evil of these obstructions, we propose to appoint an assistant teacher, who shall keep a regular day school for reading, spelling, arithmetic, and writing, and admit quite young scholars. Such a course,

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we think (and we have the concurrent opinion of the chief churchmen here), would repel the insinuation that we are merely a theological school, and must have everything Episcopal; that we refuse all English studies below collegiate; would break up the opposition school, and, what is of great importance, would be a nursery always at hand and under our own direction to form somewhat of a supply of scholars for the classical department. But as this school will do no more than defray its own expenses, and must be adopted at present for self-defense, we think it necessary that some different division of the principal's time should be made, and a different source be provided from which he can derive a part of his salary. It is proposed that he should devote half of each day to the classical department, and the other half to the theological; and that the theological school in New York permit him to draw upon their treasurer for two hundred and fifty dollars per annum in lieu of the same sum now charged upon the trustees of Ge- neva academy. The salary will then be paid as follows: five hundred dollars from Trinity church ; two hundred and fifty from the theological fund, and two hundred and fifty from the trustees of the Geneva academy. Such an arrange- ment would leave the academy the following annual expenses : two hundred and fifty to the principal, two hundred and fifty to the assistant, five hundred,- together with repairs and incidental expenses; and we believe that the academy can do no more, certainly not at present, than meet these demands. We, there- fore, take the liberty of suggesting to you, as president, and through you to the trustees of the theological school, their committee of finance, or any other com- mittee that can take cognizance of the proposition, that they will direct the prin- cipal of the Geneva academy, as being professor in the branch theological school, that he devote one-half of his time to hearing theological recitations, explaining or lecturing before the theological class, in conformity with the duties of his office as professor, and receive from the theological fund two hundred and fifty dollars per annum in lieu of the same sum now paid to him by the trustees of the Geneva academy. The advantages of devoting so much time to the theological scholars are: We have found, by experience and observation, that our lectures should not be before the school of unconcerned students. If before the school, many idle remarks will be retailed by such students as are not churchmen ; for it is impossible, before the theological class, not to call in question the opinions of others, and jealousy is much alive on such points. The expense that devolves on theological students being considerable, seems to demand that they should have as much of the professors' time and attention as can well be spared. By making the proposed arrangement, we can probably proceed one year (until the funds are all called into action), without being very burdensome to the theological treasury, lees burdensome than if we proceed as we now are; because the academical part does find it extremely difficult to be supported, while the academy is unfinished and the debts unpaid.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 27

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391