USA > New York > New York City > Recollections of persons and events, chiefly in the city of New York; being selections from his journal > Part 10
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follow these conspicuous examples; and thus may these various Institutions, which, however excellent in themselves, have lain hitherto like scattered or disunited columns, be erected into a Temple of Science, equally perfect and magnificent as a whole, and harmonious in the adaptation of its parts.
" Let it not be imagined, that these hopes, sanguine as they may appear, are wild and visionary. We indeed have acted, and we intend to act on the maxim, that 'if we expect great things, we must attempt great things;' and thus far, our attempts have been crowned with success, and our expectations have been realized. 'Rome was not built in a day ;' and we have not been so unwise, and so little acquainted with the nature of our work, as to expect to create a University, complete throughout all its parts, in one or two years. We feel that we have yet much to do ; much to do in adding increased means to the Institution ; and also much to do in devising and maturing a system of government and instruction, adapted to the state and wants of our country. It is on these topics that we are desirous of having the views of such gentlemen as are here present ;
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and we have been induced to invite this meeting believing that we should both enjoy and bestow a benefit by the measure. Whatever knowledge any of us can throw into the common stock, must be for the advantage not of one Institution, but of all with which any of us may be particu- larly connected.
" In this age of the world, distinguished by what some men, in ridicule, and others in serious- ness, term 'the march of mind,' it cannot be disguised that the interests of literature are some. what jeopardized by the very efforts made to improve them. Innovators are not always bene- factors, as the world has often learned by painful experience; and there is great danger, lest the spirit of reform, now so active, may sweep away many of the old and venerable landmarks which ought to be preserved. In our review of what literature has been, we should rather inquire, not what can be relinquished, but what can be usefully retained ; and while we bring every thing to the test of practical utility, whether old or new, let us not forget that it is the . most precious seed that is sometimes longest in producing its invaluable fruits. On every
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subject, however, that may come before us, it is the general wish that all opinions should be freely expressed. If they collide, so be it. The collision is nothing more than that of minds honestly aiming at the same great end. . Let every sentiment be advanced with the purpose 'valeat quantum valere potest .? It is only by 'proving all things,' that we can 'hold fast that which is good;' and should we pursue the object of this meeting, with this frank and fearless spirit, the result cannot fail to be happy.
"Let me congratulate all who are now before me, that on so short a notice, our assembly is so respectably and numerously attended. We
may view it as an earnest of His favor 'from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed;' and before whom we have united in presenting our prayers for His presence and direction in our deliberations. From the first, it was contemplated that this meeting should be introductory to others which should draw together in still greater numbers our leading men in the republic of letters; and judging from the auspicious appearance of this day, why may not science hereafter expect to have in our land her
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council of Amphictyons, whose decisions shall become as venerated and as useful, as were those of the venerable sages, to whom Greece, in her best days, rendered an homage that was alike the glory of those who gave and of those who received it."
The Convention continued in session for several days with increasing interest to the last, and was the occasion of drawing out information and suggestions on the educational wants of the nation, which were at once published, and were sub- sequently acknowledged to be of valuable service both to the University and to other Seminaries of Learning.
Encouraged by these multiplying proofs of public favor, the Council proceeded to obtain a Charter from the Legislature. The Charter was granted with much unanimity, and as a first step towards organization, officers of the Council and a Chancellor were appointed.
When the Chancellorship was tendered to me, I was perplexed as to my duty by various con- siderations. It was my happiness at the time to be Pastor of a Church which had shown an attach-
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ment to me, perhaps not often surpassed; and they feared that if I accepted an office requiring so much care, labor, and time, my attachment to them might be weakened, and my health, if not my life, be sacrificed by the weight of my duties in the double responsibility of Pastor and Chancellor. On the other hand, the friends of the University urged my acceptance, as I was familiar with the whole scheme of the Institution from its inception, and must be supposed to know how to carry out its several Departments to completion, and at the same time give unity to it as a whole. At length, with the understanding that I should be at liberty to retire from the Institution when organized and in operation, my friends in the Church consented to my acceptance of the Chancellorship; and at the same time, lest my health should suffer from labor beyond my strength, they kindly resolved to call an associate Pastor for my aid. With this under- standing as to the duration of my labors in the University, I accepted the appointment.
There was another source of anxiety when I contemplated the duties and responsibilities of the office. Mere under graduate instruction as taught in most of our Colleges was but a part, rather a small
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part, of the scheme we had devised for the University ; and one hundred thousand dollars was but a moiety of an adequate endowment. The question naturally arose, " Will the Public furnish the means of doing all we contemplated ?" I knew that we had among the first patrons of the Uni- versity some of the most liberal and noble-heart- ed men in our City, on whose continued co-operation and liberality we might rely to the end. But might not some sudden and serious commercial convulsion arise, which would impair the ability of even the most generous to assume new responsibilities ; and might not others grow impatient if we should fail to secure new friends to the enterprise ? Judg- ing from his own generous heart, Dr. Wainwright, with those who sympathized with him, was sanguine. Mr. Gallatin, with the habitual caution of the man, was not so certain. As for myself, I could not avoid feeling some distrust; but I still cherished belief in our final success. My mind had always turned to a grant from the State as a means of giving increased confidence to the friends already enlisted in our cause, and of awakening a more general interest in our welfare. I was greatly encouraged by conferences which I had
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with the various State Authorities, and the final and unanimous conclusion was to make a beginning. Accordingly, in the Autumn of 1832, Professors were inaugurated to fill the following Chairs, viz. :
Evidences of Revealed Religion.
Intellectual and Moral Philosophy and Belles Lettres.
Mathematics and Astronomy.
Natural Philosophy, Architecture, and Civil Engineering.
Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Botany.
Sculpture and Painting.
Greek and Oriental Languages and Literature.
Hebrew Language and Literature.
Latin and Greek Languages and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
Italian Language and Literature.
French Language and Literature.
Lecturers were also announced as having been appointed by the Council, on
History, Geography, and Chronology.
History of Commerce, Agriculture, and Me- chanic Arts.
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Sacred Antiquities. Physical Astronomy.
The Rev. Dr. Milnor acted as President of the Council at the ceremony of Inauguration, and at the same time delivered the following pertinent Address :
"In performing, Fellow Citizens, theduty which has been devolved upon me by my respected Col- leagues in the Council of the University of the City of New York, it will not become me, nor would I presume to anticipate that full exposition of the merits of this interesting enterprise, which will be made by its presiding Officer.
" Its objects, and the mode of their accomplish- ment, fully as to principle, and with a sufficient degree of clearness and precision as to the details of its intended operations, have been stated in various successive publications. Those to whom have been confided the incipient labors of the under- taking, have been desirous that the most intelli- gible and frank explanations of their views and intentions should be placed before the Public. Since the constitution of a responsible Council by
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the suffrages of the Contributors, the members of that body deemed this to be required, by duty to their constituents, and respect to the great commu- nity on which this Institution rests its hopes of success.
"The developments thus made have exhibited it as a design of a far more comprehensive char- acter than this metropolis has yet witnessed. The amazing and constant increase of its population, the growing desire of many in all classes of society for intellectual culture, and the immense advantage of multiplying facilities for the scientific, literary, moral, and religious instruction of the young, led to the formation of the liberal and enlarged plan of a University, whose arrangements 'should be liable to no just exception on the part of any, and should accommodate the wants of all. With no invidious or unkind feeling towards existing Sem- inaries of Learning, it was thought practicable to furnish in various departments of the same institu- tion, young men whose intended pursuits in life might be considered not to require the acquisition of classical learning, with the means of a thorough education in other interesting branches; and such whose inclinations, talents, and expectations might
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lead to desires more extensive, not only with the portion of learning usually dispensed in colleges; but, if desired, with that more exalted measure of attainment, especially in classical studies afforded by the most eminent Seats of Learning in the transatlantic world.
"So powerful has been the impression on the minds of many that this City should possess a Seminary formed on so grand a scale, and that the munificence of its favored inhabitants would speedily supply the funds required for its erection and support, that, in humble dependence on the Divine blessing, it has been determined, even with a subscription rather commenced than completed, no longer 'to delay the actual commencement of its duties. However expedient it might have seemed to postpone this measure until the erection of the Edifice, which will ere long accommodate its labors, and ornament our City, there has been indicated an impatience in the public mind for a beginning of the work of instruction, to which the Council is now happy to have it in its power to yield. We desire to be grateful to Him on whose favor this and every human undertaking depends, that we have been able to surmount many difficulties, and
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especially the interruption of our efforts by the prevalence of epidemic sickness. Whether it regard the character desired in Professors, the sufficiency in number of pupils ready for matricula- tion, or the accommodations requisite for the instruction of our classes, we have reason to believe that the wishes of our patrons will be happily met. We are persuaded that if high moral and literary qualifications in Professors, a faithful attention to their duties, and a careful, unremitted oversight on the part of the Council, will secure the approbation of a liberal and enlightened community, we have reason to entertain the most sanguine hopes. On one subject connected with this great design, I trust I may be indulged one or two remarks, before I proceed to introduce to this respected audience, the Gentlemen who are to sustain the rank of Pro- fessors and instructors of the youth committed to the charge of this University.
"If the advancement of the interests of science and literature be a subject of great concern to the lover of his country, if he be a Christian Patriot, his gratification will be enhanced in proportion as efforts for that purpose are conducted under the sanction and obligations of religion. Instead of
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deriving pleasure from seeing Seminaries of learn- ing rising up with a professed independence of this essential property, or a doubtful estimate of its importance, he would see in every such attempt a machinery calculated to undermine the very foun- dations of human happiness, and aim a destructive blow at the best securities of national liberty, and social peace and order. Contemporaneously, there- fore, with the earliest movements in that under- taking, to the active prosecution of whose duties this evening's exercises will be the introduction, its originators contemplated its being made, not a sectarian but a Christian University. All the measures preparatory to its organization have been conducted with a steady view to this principle. Without tendering the most satisfactory assurances for its maintenance, we would not presume to look to a Christian Community for countenance and aid. While the provisions of the Charter of the Univer- sity guard with sedulous care against the predomi- nance of any particular Denomination in its affairs, and its instructions will have no reference to the existing varieties of polity and doctrine, it will hold up with unshaken firmness a Standard against Infidelity, and encourage its pupils in the acquisi-
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tion of a Christian hope, and the practice of the duties of a Christian life. By imbuing their minds with the well-grounded claims of the Sacred Scrip- · tures to their full belief, by the introduction of the Bible as a Classic, and so conducting our students to a knowledge of its incomparable literature and interesting antiquities, and by exhibiting its con- tents as furnishing a divinely revealed rule of human duty, and the only guide to happiness beyond the grave, we hope to be continually found auxiliaries in the cause of Christianity, and instru- ments in promoting its desired influence upon the hearts and lives of men. Our University, we trust, will exhibit the entire practicability of uniting as full a regard to the claims of piety as prevails in any of the literary institutions that adorn and bless our favored country, with an entire avoidance of infringement on the peculiarities of any of the Sects, into which it is divided. It is not our province to condemn the establishment, where it is deemed expedient, by particular Denominations, of . Institutions having more or less in view the pro- motion of their own immediate interests. But it is believed entirely possible, nay, pre-eminently desi- rable, that in an age distinguished for so much
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generous feeling and united effort among Christians, there should be, in such a wealthy, rapidly improv- ing Metropolis as ours, at least one great Institu- tion of the kind now commending itself to public support, framed on such catholic principles as to . offend the predilections of no candid mind, and yet essentially subserving the practical ends at which it professes to aim. We have confidence in this well designed experiment. We think it worthy of universal approbation ; and under this persuasion, solicit for it your co-operation and your prayers. The full organization of all the contemplated Faculties has not yet been effected; but the progress made in a work so arduous and delicate, will, we trust, evince no remissness on the part of the Council in their efforts to present our Univer- sity, at its outset, in the most advantageous light possible to a discerning Public."
The following Address, which I had been appointed to deliver on the occasion as a response from the Professors to the Council, exhibits views of the Executive Officers, when taking charge of the Institution, which were considered at the time as both important and seasonable.
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MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL :
The rise of a University in the midst of any com- munity creates an important era in its history. It must be felt, for good or for evil, in all the interests and relations of society, whether civil or religious. If its foundations are wisely laid, and the super- structure wisely raised, and if the whole is animated by that living Spirit which was seen moving the wheels in the vision of the prophet, such an Institution becomes a fountain of health and safety to the public mind; and coming generations will call the memory of its founders blessed. Such have been the views of cities and countries in the Old World which have been most distinguished both in arts and in arms. When Leyden had sustained the memorable siege which rendered her a theme of praise and wonder throughout Europe, the Prince of Orange, it is said, was carried from his sick-bed to the heroic city, that he might bestow on the inhabitants a boon which it became a Prince like him to give, and a people like them to receive. He offered them the choice of either freedom from taxation, or the establishment of a University. They wisely chose
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the latter, and the renown and intelligence which it brought to their city showed the wisdom of their choice. We may very properly add, it was in the University of Leyden that many of those divines and statesmen who have contributed to lay the foundations of our own City, were educated for usefulness and fame.
There are circumstances, however, connected with the commencement of the Institution which has assembled on this evening that are peculiarly interesting and momentous to us as a Community. Every individual who is called to act in the. theatre of life must expect to pass through a period which is a crisis in the formation of his moral and intellectual character; and just accord- ing as a propitious and powerful influence is then exercised upon him, will his future career be happy, if not brilliant. It has been cogently, though per- haps quaintly said, the youth is father to the man ; and if the faculties of youth are not moulded and formed aright, before they have stiffened into the rigidity of manhood, reformation always is · rare, and never is complete.
The same is true of Communities. Change is a law of their being also, and they pass through all
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the stages of it, from youth to manhood, and from manhood to age. If, in early life, an influence is exerted on them which tends to liberalize and enlighten the public mind, and to infuse into it those healing and elevating habits of thinking and acting, which acquaintance with the . truths of science and revelation alone can impart ; we should see arise before us cities and countries combining all the delicacy and beauty of the Grecian age, with the strong and enduring worth of a better, because a Christian era.
The most casual observer must see that our City has arrived at this crisis in its history. It is now not only in its youth, but a youth much overgrown for its years. It has shot up with a rapidity that defies calculation, numbering in its population, multitudes from every quarter of our globe which are not yet assimilated into a common character or animated by a common spirit. Our intellectual character is yet, in a great degree, to be formed; our community is yet in that plastic state in which it cannot remain long, but must soon become set either to our honor or dishonor.
Who then does not see the great importance of the intellectual and moral cultivation that should
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now be bestowed on this city, the great Metropo- lis, not only of this nation, but of this western world ? Evils that may fasten upon us now in the short space of a day, may require the labors of centuries to remove; for they would grow with our growth and strengthen with our strength. And for the same reason, is every taste and habit of moral and intellectual improvement, that may now be formed, of incalculable worth to us. They will become identified with our being, and be lost only when we ourselves shall be no more.
Hence the importance of an Institution like this, and at this time-an Institution that is designed to unite in cordial fraternity with others in giving a new impulse to the spread of knowl- edge, and in carrying the literary character of our country to maturity and perfection.
We are aware that broad and enlarged as our scheme of instruction is, it has been thought by some impracticable, to lie beyond the age and circumstances in which we are placed. So has it always been said by some men concerning every thing new and great. So was it said of Columbus, when he embarked in the discovery of a New Continent. So was it said of Fulton when he first
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attempted navigation by steam. So was it said of Clinton when he identified his name with the Great Western Canal. But what has the result proved ? There are men who seem born to be doubters, and who must be left to labor in their vocation. But there are men also of ingenuous and honorable minds, who may have questioned the seasonableness and practicability of this enter- prise, who will be glad to learn, as they see its pro- gress, that they had been in error, and who will be the readiest to own that now is the time which calls for a University like this, and especially entitles it to their confidence and co-operation. Such ac- cessions to its friends, we are happy to say, it is daily making.
But in order the more fully to satisfy the public mind, it is proper on the present occasion, to show what are some of the principal features of the Institution which is now presented to them.
As to its religious character, it is Christian, and is taken from the broad foundation of Christian truth as revealed in the Bible. It is not Sectarian. There are men who perhaps would call it so, for there are men with whom every thing is Sectarian, but infidelity and irreligion; with whom the Bible
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is a Sectarian Book, and the Most High Himself a Sectarian Divinity. " Non tali auxilio nec defen- soribus istis," is this Institution to rise and to be sustained. With their present views, we neither court their approbation nor expect it, much as we may desire to benefit them or their sons. But in the eyes of a vast majority of an intelligent community like ours, it is well understood that sect is one thing and Christianity another; and the line of distinction between them is every day becoming broader and deeper. Accordingly, while the University will do nothing to subserve the objects of sect, and respecting which good men will differ and will agree to differ, yet does it avow its purpose distinctly to hold up the Bible as the inspired revelation of God's will, to hold up its moral law as the only rule of duty, and its Divine Author as the only hope of a lost world.
In one respect, I may say, it intends to go farther than is usual on sacred ground. As a classic containing examples of the most correct and perfect taste in letters, and as a depository of learning in which the stores of science lie embalmed and consecrated, the Bible has not been suffi- ciently a subject of study in many of our seats of
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learning. I have no doubt this is one reason why so many of our learned men have either rejected the Holy Book, or have regarded it with entire indifference. In the halls of science where their minds were formed, they saw it treated too much as a book that was to be laid on the shelf, and they had been led to condemn or neglect it without examining it. Whereas, had they been carefully instructed in even the literary excellencies of the Scriptures, they might have learned in those tints of glory which adorn the bow of promise, to revere the hand of Him who made it and who spread it forth.
In this and in other ways, will the University aim to combine the salutary influence of religious knowledge with the enlargement and cultivation of the mind in the wide field of science and of letters. And without this influence superadded, do what we may to impart knowledge, we do more evil than good both to our students and the world. The intellectual powers of the greater part of man- kind lie comparatively dormant from the cradle to the grave. But when you educate the man, when you awake and elicit his faculties, you have aroused powers that will be ceaseless and irresistible in
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