USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio: its people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 49
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Brief mention may properly be made in this connection of certain char- acteristics of Dr. Anderson which reveal the man, as his brethren-especially his students-knew him. Two of the latter class, Dr. Thomas Beveridge and Dr. Alexander McClelland, have left sketches of his life and work. Written long after Doctor Anderson's death, their affectionate tributes to the memory of their teacher and friend furnish signal proof of the profound impression that he had made upon their minds and hearts. Unquestionably, as these stu- dents saw him and as others associated with him marked him, he must have possessed in notable degree that grace which our Lord distinguishes as mer- iting the first beatitude. This spirit of meekness and lowliness was all the more noticeable because his natural temperament made him somewhat easily provoked and impatient of contradiction. Occasionally in earnest discussion of vital principles the law in his members would gain a momentary ascen- dancy. "This did not often happen, but when it did, he would at once with- draw that he might be alone with God, and on his return he would manifest the deepest penitence and would solicit again and again the pardon of those against whom he had spoken with severity, confessing with the greatest grief this infirmity of his nature. The poverty in spirit that was so manifest in the
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life of Doctor Anderson was accompanied by the complemental grace of god- liness in such degree as elicited from his students a tribute of reverence as profound as may warrantably be tendered to mortal man. Doctor Beveridge writes: "The trait of character for which he was most eminent, and which made him seem like one not belonging to the age in which he lived was his extraordinary piety. Few if any in modern times have lived so near heaven as did this venerable man. A large portion of his time, both evening and morning, he spent in secret prayer, in reading the Scriptures and in spiritual conversation."
The Seminary at Service .- It was left with Doctor Anderson to make selection of a site for the seminary building which should serve as the center of theological training for the Associate church. For his own convenience he decided upon a location near his own cabin home, since the duties of his double pastoral charge required him to remain within its bounds; and for the accommodation of the students a small two-story log house was erected. Here, from 1794 until 1821, the school of the prophets that was to have so large place in the life of the church remained, sheltering and furnishing for their office as ministers of the Word young men who came from regions near at hand or far removed. Probably at no time were there more than ten stu- dents in attendance, and usually there were but five or six; yet the expense of time and labor in serving these was as great as if the number had many times been multiplied.
It had often been admitted that a change of location would be desirable, especially in view of the inconvenience that was experienced by students from distant points who must journey over great stretches of sparsely settled ter- ritory ; but so long as Doctor Anderson might be able to perform the duties laid upon him no one would venture to propose a removal. However, when in 1819 the venerable professor announced his purpose to resign his office, plans were laid for the establishment of an eastern branch of the seminary at Phil- adelphia. They were carried out in 1820 by the election of the Rev. John Banks, D. D., to be the head of the new institution. Doctor Banks was at that time pastor of an Associate church in that city, and also filled a profes- sorship in the University of Pennsylvania. He was a linguist of great attain- ment -- without superior in America at that day-and was eminently quali- fied to lead students out into the vast fields of Biblical literature. Doctor Banks was the sole professor in the Philadelphia branch from its opening until his death in 1826. No successor was selected, as the impression began to prevail that it would be the part of wisdom for the synod to return to the policy of maintaining one seminary. Accordingly the eastern contingent was reunited with the western in 1828.
The Seminary at Canonsburg .- The Service Seminary continued to hold the field in the west until the election of the Rev. James Ramsey, of Canons-
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burg, Pennsylvania, to succeed Doctor Anderson. In this case, as was the rule in those days, the professor was the seminary, and the parsonage, located on a farm one mile from the town, became the resort of young candidates for the ministry. While the action of synod uniting the two divisions of the sem- inary was taken in 1828 it was not fully carried out until 1830, when it was resolved to erect a building in Canonsburg and to consummate the union by electing Doctor Ramsey to the professorship of the reunited branches. The choice of Canonsburg as the new site of the seminary was for many reasons most favorable. The town was a center of educational influence of the most pronounced religious type. It may well be reckoned also as, at that time, the very heart of the Associate church. The service rendered to the cause of Christ at home and abroad during the seminary's continuance there-a full generation, 1821-1855-is incalculably great.
The Seminary at Xenia .- Deeming it wise to conserve and also to in- crease her interests in the rapidly expanding western fields, the synod deter- mined to make another change of location for the seminary; accordingly it was transferred to Xenia, Ohio, in 1855. Dr. Abraham Anderson, who had occupied the chair of didactic and polemic theology for eight years, 1847- 1855, died on the 8th of May of the latter year, and at the next succeeding meeting of synod the Rev. Samuel Wilson, D. D., pastor of the Associate congregation of Xenia, was chosen as his successor. The one remaining pro- fessor at Canonsburg, Dr. Thomas Beveridge, had been pastor of the same congregation from 1821 to 1824; hence these teachers were not strangers to each other nor to the community to which the seminary was now to be re- moved. Establishment in the new quarters was somewhat delayed owing to the unfinished state of the building provided, but when this had been com- pleted the seminary was quite as comfortably domiciled as similar institu- tions of that day. In 1879 a larger and more commodious building was ac- quired through purchase and exchange, affording, in addition to class-room and library, dormitory privileges for fifty students. This building is now wholly reserved for the accommodation of the young men of the seminary- the new structure, dedicated October 10, 1905, and designated "Anderson Hall," furnishing chapel, library and recitation rooms.
The Seminary of the Associate Reformed Church .- The Xenia Theolog- ical Seminary claims to have succeeded also to the rights and titles of Oxford and Monmouth, hence a brief sketch of these seminaries will be given in this connection.
The founding of Oxford Seminary dates from the year 1837, when, at its meeting in October of that year, the Associate Reformed synod resolved to remove its seminary from Pittsburgh to Oxford, Ohio. The eastern part of this church was not pleased with this action, and at the next meeting of synod the opposition was sufficiently strong to revoke the order of the former
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meeting, and also to transmit to the presbyteries an overture to determine the permanent location of the seminary. At the same time the question of a division of the synod into two coordinate synods, subordinate to a delegated general synod, was placed before the church in overture. The result of the vote in presbyteries was held to justify this division, and to warrant the re- tention of the seminary at Pittsburgh and the establishment of another at Oxford. each seminary to be under the control of the synod in whose bounds it had location. The first session of the Oxford Seminary was opened late in the autumn of 1839, the Rev. Joseph Claybaugh, D. D., and the Rev. S. W. McCracken having the work in charge. Doctor Claybaugh was practically the sole professor from the date of the opening until that of his death, Sep- tember 9, 1855. Temporary arrangements were made for students in at- tendance during the session 1855-1856, and at the meeting of the synod held in the latter year, the Rev. Alexander Young, D. D., was chosen to succeed Doctor Claybaugh, and the appointment of the Rev. William Davidson, D. D., as temporary instructor was continued. Doctor Young entered upon the work to which he had been called in the fall of 1855; but at the meeting of synod in 1857 action was taken in view of the prospect for union with the As- sociate church, transferring the seminary to Monmouth, Illinois, in order that one of the four seminaries of the united church might be in the west. Doctor Young accompanied the seminary to its western home, and in connection with Dr. John Scott, continued with it throughout the whole period of its history in Monmouth. Dr. A. M. Black also served the church as teacher in this seminary from 1864 to 1874, and Dr. David A. Wallace from 1867 to 1870. In 1874 a second removal was made and Monmouth Seminary was consoli- dated with the Xenia Seminary, one of the conditions of the transfer being that the synod of Illinois should share in the management of Xenia Seminary, and the Second synod should join in the control of Monmouth College.
Professors .- During the one hundred and twenty-three years of the seminary's history, under various names and in different places, in all twenty- nine men have served as professors for more or less extended periods of time, as follows: John Anderson, 1794-1819; John Banks, 1820-26; James Ram- sey, 1821-42 ; David Carson, 1834; Thomas Beveridge, 1835-55; Thomas Bev- eridge, 1855-71 ; Joseph Claybaugh, 1839-55; Samuel W. McCracken, 1839- 40; James Martin, 1842-46; Abraham Anderson, 1847-55; Samuel Wilson, 1855-75; William Davidson, 1855-58; Alexander Young, 1855-57; Alexan- der Young, 1858-74; John Scott, 1858-74; Joseph Clokey, 1858-73; Andrew M. Black, 1864; David A. Wallace, 1867-70; David A. Wallace, 1883; Will- iam Bruce, 1871-80; James G. Carson, 1873-88; William G. Moorehead, 1873-1914; Jackson B. McMichael, 1873-78; James Harper, 1879-99; David MacDill, 1884-1902; Wilbert W. White, 1889-94; John D. Irons, 1895-1905; Joseph Kyle, 1899; Jesse Johnson, 1902; John E. Wishart, 1905; John H.
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Webster, 1908; Melvin G. Kyle, 1914. The last five now constitute the faculty.
Present Conditions .-- The service rendered by this seminary has been of such character as to call out in many instances kindly recognition on the part of the church. Bible institutes and theological seminaries located in larger cities have made specious representations of the supposed advantages, eccle- siastical and sociological, which may be found in such communities. It may be said for Xenia that, in the exemplifications of standards of pulpit minis- tration and in the provision made for practical Christian service, her churches are not one whit behind those of more populous places; while her public in- stitutions open to evangelistic ministry afford the student the finest fields for exercise such as will fit him for his calling in after years. It may rightfully be claimed also, that every sociological problem with which the present-day pastor will be confronted may be met as definitely and studied as thoroughly in the cities that have ten thousand inhabitants as in those that have a popu- lation of half a million. On the present home of the seminary there has been no extravagant outlay, but in all things that minister to the student's health, comfort, convenience, and recreation, Xenia's buildings and grounds are second to none in all the land; while in point of helpful influence, social, moral and spiritual, no other community furnishes better advantages. The rooms of the dormitory are all large and well ventilated, are furnished throughout and are warmed by steam.
In closing this sketch it will not be out of place to direct attention to the fact that Xenia's graduates constitute thirty-six and one-half per cent. of the ministry of the United Presbyterian church at the present time, not reckoning native ministers of India and Egypt. At least ten other seminaries have rep- resentatives among those of the other sixty-three and one-half per cent. of the church's ministerial strength. Of the 559 ministers in the part of the church west of Pennsylvania to the Pacific coast according to the Assembly's minutes, 269 are graduates of Xenia Seminary, but ten less than one-half. The seminary is under the direction of a board of managers representing the Second synod (Ohio and Indiana), the synod of Illinois, the synod of Iowa, the synod of Kansas and the synod of Nebraska, of the United Presbyterian church, with the following officers: President, C. P. Proudfit, D. D., Des Moines, Iowa; vice-president, John A. Henderson, D. D., Dayton, Ohio; secretary, Jesse Johnson, D. D., Xenia ; assistant secretary, T. Dales Kyle, Xenia. The board of trustees for the current term ( 1917-19) is composed of B. R. McClellan, M. D., Xenia; J. M. Prugh, Dayton, Ohio ; John C. William- son, Xenia; A. S. Frazer, LL. D., Xenia; D. M. Stewart, Xenia; James Car- son, Springfield, Ohio; Hon. C. H. Kyle, Xenia ; J. S. McCampbell, D. D. S., Xenia ; T. D. Kyle, Xenia ; Joseph Kyle, D. D., LL. D., Xenia, ex-officio mem- ber, with the following officers: President, Joseph Kyle, D. D., LL. D .; sec-
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retary, Jesse Johnson, D. D. ; assistant secretary, T. Dales Kyle, and treasurer, J. H. McVay, all of Xenia.
The consultative members of both boards are Jesse Johnson, D. D., J. E. . Wishart, D. D., J. H. Webster, D. D., and M. G. Kyle, D. D., LL. D., and the ladies' visiting and advisory committee is composed of the following: Mrs. Joseph Kyle, Xenia, president; Mrs. J. H. Webster, Xenia, vice-presi- dent ; Mrs. J. F. Hutchison, Xenia : Mrs. W. G. Moorehead, Xenia ; Mrs. W. C. Hutchison, Xenia; Mrs. D. MacDill, Xenia; Mrs. Jesse Johnson, Xenia ; Mrs. J. E. Wishart, Yellow Springs: Mrs. J. H. McVay, Xenia; Mrs. T. Dales Kyle, Xenia, and Mrs. M. G. Kyle, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The following compose the members of the faculty : Joseph Kyle, D. D., LL. D., president of the seminary, professor of systematic theology and homiletics ; Jesse Johnson, D. D., professor of church history and apologetics ; J. E. Wishart, D. D., professor of Hebrew exegesis and Old Testament liter- ature; J. H. Webster, D. D .; professor of Greek exegesis and New Testa- ment literature; M. G. Kyle, D. D., LL. D., Newberg professor of Biblical theology, and Biblical archaeology; Huber Ferguson, D. D., lecturer on religious education ; professors emeritus, J. G. Carson, D. D., LL. D., and J. D. Irones, D. D., LL. D., (deceased June 2, 1916) ; officers of the faculty : President, Joseph Kyle, D. D., LL. D .; secretary, J. H. Webster, D. D .; registrar, Jesse Johnson, D. D .; librarian, J. E. Wishart, D. D.
WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY.
The history of Wilberforce University dates back for more than sixty years, and during the years of its existence it has been the means of educat- ing thousands of colored people. The idea which gave rise to this institution dates back just twenty-two years earlier. The efforts culminated eventually in the projection of Union Seminary by the Ohio conference of the African Methodist Episcopal church in 1844 and of Wilberforce University by the Cincinnati conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1853. These two projects, outgrowth of a common idea, were merged into one institution, Wilberforce University, March 10, 1863.
In 1833, at the session of the Ohio annual conference of the African Methodist Episcopal church, the following resolution offered by Rev. Lewis Woodson, was adopted :
Resolved as the sense of this house, that common schools, Sunday schools and temperance societies are of the highest importance to all people, but more especially to our people.
Resolved that it shall be the duty of every member of this conference to do all in his power to promote and establish these institutions among our pepole.
Every succeeding annual conference of the African Methodist Episcopal church gave notice and took some steps toward actualizing this idea. In 1841
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a committee was appointed to inquire how far the preachers were carrying out the spirit of the resolutions of preceding conferences.
On September 17, 1844, the committee reported the selection of a site twelve miles west of Columbus, containing one hundred and seventy-two acres, obtainable for one thousand seven hundred and twenty dollars or ten dollars an acre, payable in installments. The committee stated that it had been prevented by lack of funds for traveling expenses from selecting a site in Michigan as directed by the conference, thus the first school for the higher education of the negro found lodgment on Ohio soil. The plan called for organizing a seminary of learning on the manual labor plan for instruction of youth in the various branches of literature, science. agriculture and mechanic arts, also for those who wish to prepare their minds for the work of the ministry. In 1847 Union Seminary opened its doors with Rev. J. M. Brown, principal, assisted by the subsequently well known Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Reverend Brown was succeeded by Rev. Ed. D. Davis, who remained in charge till this school was merged with Wilberforce Uni- versity.
Wilberforce was the second substantial result springing from the same set of influences. The initial steps for the organization of Wilberforce were taken at the Cincinnati conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, held at Hillsboro, September 28, 1853. A committee of seven was appointed to determine the best means to promote the welfare of the colored people. On August 9, 1854, the committee met and formulated plans contemplating the establishment of a literary institution of higher order for education generally and for the purpose of preparing teachers. The committee further recom- mended that attempt be made by the Methodist Episcopal church to co-operate with the African Methodist Episcopal church in promoting intellectual im- provement among the colored people. J. F. Wright was appointed agent to carry forward the project. October 31, 1855, the agent was authorized to negotiate for the purchase of Tawawa Springs, near Xenia. The purchase was made on May 24, 1856, through the efforts of J. F. Wright and M. French. On August 30, 1856, articles of incorporation were executed in due form establishing a body corporate under the name of "The Wilberforce Uni- versity." The name was given in honor of the great English statesman and philanthropist, William Wilberforce.
Among the original board of twenty-four trustees were Gov. Salmon P. Chase, R. S. Rust, John F. Wright, Ishmael Keith, Alfred Anderson, Bishop Daniel A. Payne and Lewis Woodson, the last two of whom were active in the early efforts for Union Seminary and served on the board of both insti- tutions, thus linking them together. The organization took place in the law office of Moses D. Gatch at Xenia. "Dedication took place in October, 1856, Rev. Edward Thompson, then president of Ohio Wesleyan University, offi-
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ciating. Rev. M. P. Gaddis, Jr., became the first principal, serving till June, 1857. He was succeeded by James K. Parker who served till July, 1858. On June 30, 1858, Rev. Richard S. Rust, of New Hampshire, was elected president, remaining until the spring of 1862. The catalogue of 1859-60 shows an enrollment of two hundred and seven students, probably the highest registration reached.
Changes Effected by Civil War .- The Civil War brought about a very radical change in the history of the school. Up to that time the chief sup- port of the school had been Southern planters, who had been maintaining their natural children in the school. With the opening of the war their sup- port was entirely withdrawn, and this so affected the prosperity of the school that by the close of the school year of 1861-62 it was found impossible to con- tinue it. At this time it had about one hundred students in attendance, among whom was R. H. Cain, later a member of Congress from the state of South Carolina. The institution was closed during the summer, fall and winter of 1862-1863. There was no question during this time that it had entirely lost all the support which it had hitherto received from the Southern planters, and this fact necessitated a radical change in the management of the school. Starting out as a school for both white and colored students, it had been used solely by the latter and for this reason it was apparent that if the school were to continue it would have to look for its support to the colored race.
The next step in the history of the school was taken on March IO, 1863, at which time Bishop D. A. Payne purchased the institution, together with the fifty-two acres which surrounded the building, the whole plant be- ing bought for ten thousand dollars. Bishop Payne was acting in behalf of the African Methodist Episcopal church, of which denomination he had been a bishop for a number of years. The buildings at this time included one main building, three stories high, containing the recitation rooms and dormitory quarters for the students; twelve cottages, nine of which belonged to the trustees, three being private houses ; and a barn of sufficient size to accommo- date twenty horses. The first payment was to be made on June II, 1863, and this payment of two thousand five hundred dollars was made possible by col- lections from colored churches throughout the North. The title to the prop- erty was vested in the African Methodist Episcopal church, with J. A. Shorter, John G. Mitchell and D. A. Payne as trustees. Since that year the control of the school has been in the hands of the colored race, its charter specifying that two-thirds of its board of trustees must be members of the African Methodist Episcopal church, but also stipulating that no distinction must be made in officers, faculty or students because of race, sex, or creed.
The school was reopened on July 3, 1863, but only twelve students were in attendance. Bishop Payne was installed as president and John G. Mitchell
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became the first principal. In the spring of 1864 two new teachers were added, Mrs. J. G. Mitchell and Esther T. Maltby, the latter serving as female principal. The winter of 1864-1865 saw the school prospering, and with the closing of the Civil War it was felt that the school would quickly attract scores and even hundreds of students from the colored race. But on the day that President Lincoln was assassinated the main building was burned to the ground. It seemed for the time being that the school was going to be doomed, but its friends came to its rescue, and temporary quarters were pro- vided pending the raising of money for the erection of a new building. On May 3, 1865, the board of trustees determined to build a stone and brick structure to replace the one destroyed, the brick to be burned on the ground. On June 28, 1866, the corner stone of the new building, "Shorter Hall," was laid. The records of the board show that the building was not occupied till 1867 and was then in an unfinished condition, being "unplastered and un- painted." The first catalogue was issued in 1867 and showed an enrollment of fifty-eight students.
The sad plight of the university seems to have raised up friends. In April, 1867, the trustees of the Avery estate tendered $10,000. In December, 1867, Antioch College loaned the services of two professors. The Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the West voted aid to the amount of $3,600. In 1868 the American Unitarian Association voted $500 per annum to 1875. Hon. Gerrit Smith gave $500 and Chief Justice Chase bequeathed $10,000; in 1869, through Gene Howard, from the Freedman's bureau, $3,000; largely through the efforts of John Cousins and Bishop Daniel Payne, Congress, 1870, gave $25,000 from the Freedman's bureau. These donations re-established the university on a firm basis. The curriculum has been widened from time to time, departments created and new courses of study added. The theological department was opened in 1865; the classical and scientific department in 1867, the normal department in 1872; the combined normal and industrial department, 1887, reorganized 1896; the military department in 1894, and the academy in 1916.
Departmental Work .- The Payne Theological Seminary dates from June 18, 1891, although religious instruction had been given since 1865. Bishop Payne was the first dean of the seminary, being followed by Dr. John G. Mitchell. Bishop B. T. Tanner became dean in 1900, and was followed two years later by Rev. Geo. F. Woodson, a graduate of Drew Theological Sem- inary, who is still at the head of the seminary.
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