History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 45

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626

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Several of these Lane students were from the liter- ary course, and preparing for theology, and therefore entered a similar course here; but fourteen helped to make up the senior class in theology, among whom were William T. Allan, of Huntsville, Alabama; John W. Alvord, afterwards connected with the

Freedman's Bureau; George Clark, well known for many years as an evangelist; Sereno W. Streator, a pastor of reputation in Ohio and Michigan: James A. Thome, of Angusta, Kentucky, for a time professor at Oberlin, afterward pastor in Cleveland; and George Whipple, first professor at Oberlin, and for many years secretary of the American Missionary Association.

Several buildings were, at this time, in process of erection. One of these was a college building, located not far from where the Second Church now stands. three stories high and eighty feet long. For this the colonists, though burdened with the expense of build- ing their own houses and clearing their farms, con- tributed twenty-five hundred dollars, about half its cost, with the understanding that the first story should be used for a time for a church, as well as for a college chapel. The second and third stories con- tained, beside one recitation room, rooms for forty- four students. This was called, in consideration of what the colonists had contributed. " Colonial Hall." Having served its purpose for many years, it was di- vided into two dwelling houses, situated on Lorain street.

The other college building erected at this time was Tappan hall. The cost of this was defrayed with the ten thousand dollars contributed by Arthur Tappan, and it was therefore named after him. This was intended first, as far as needed, for the use of the theological department, and then for the general nse of the college. Mr. Tappan, in a letter to the trus- tees about this time, advised taste in the construction of the college buildings, and in the laying out of the grounds ; but his advice does not seem to have been followed.

The brick house on the corner of Professor and West College streets (now owned by Professor Mor- gan.) was built for the president's house, and the house on the corner of Professor and West Lorain streets for Professor Finney. It was the original intention to build several houses between these two, and from this plan the street took its name.

The chapel having become too small to accommo- date the congregation on the Sabbath, the dining room of the new boarding hall, as yet unoccupied, was used for a time until the completion of Colonial hall. Here President Mahan was accustomed to preach Sabbath forenoon and Professor Finney in the afternoon. The sermon was never less than an hour long, and often an hour and a half, yet it was not regarded as wearisome. On the contrary, the preach- ing of those days awakened earnest attention, took a strong hold of mind and heart, and made a deep im- pression.

It was ascertained soon after the arrival of Pres- ident Mahan, that he was not favorable to the study of the heathen classics as commonly pursued ; and a committee invited him to present his views to the Lyceum, which he did. It appeared that he was not entirely opposed to the study of Latin and Greek, but of the classic anthors commonly used ; and he

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was also opposed to what he considered the dispro- portionate time given to these studies. To this view Mr. Waldo replied, and a discussion was thus begun which lasted several days, exciting the attention of the entire community. After one of President Ma- han's addresses a few of the students, in the evening, set fire to their old Virgils and tossed them around the square. This was spread all over the country as " the burning of the classics at Oberlin," and the impression seemed to prevail that they were to be discarded. But this was an entire mistake. The conrse continued unchanged and the students pur- sued their studies as usual. The course was substan- tially the same as that of other colleges at that time. Mr. Waldo, however, was so much disturbed by this discussion that at the next meeting of the trustees he resigned his position. Ile feared that he might not be able to accomplish in the teaching of the languages what he desired. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Cowles, a native of Connecticut and a graduate of Yale college. He was a man of learning, culture and ability, and was destined to add much to the sum of Oberlin thought. An interest in the study of Ile- brew, which it was proposed to substitute for some of the Latin in the course, was awakened by the dis- cussion, and Professor J. Seixas, a Jew, from New York City, was employed the last half of the year to introduce the study. He was popular as a teacher, and excited much enthusiasm in the study, so that at one time his class numbered one hundred and twenty- seven. The study was after awhile limited to the four last terms of the college course, then to the senior year, and finally to the theological depart- ment.

The number of applicants this year was far in excess of the accommodations; and in the spring of 1836, three branch schools were established, one at Sheffield, fifteen miles northeast of Oberlin, occupying the house and working on the farm of Mr. Robbins Bur- rell; one at Abbeyville, in Medina county; and the other constituting Grand River Institute, in Austin- burg, Ashtabula county. The first two lasted only a little more than a year, while the last became a per- manent and separate school.

The commencement this year (1835,) was held under the " big tent," which was sent by the friends of Mr. Finney, at the east, that he might use it for holding meetings in the region round about. It was circular, was a hundred feet in diameter, and accom- modated three thousand persons. The students from Lane having decided, in consequence of interruptions, to take another year, and there being no class to graduate, the exercises consisted chiefly of inaugural addresses by President Mahan, and Professors Finney and Morgan.

In the catalogue issued for 1835, the whole number of students is given as two hundred and seventy-six; of these there were, in the theological deparment, thirty-five; in the collegiate, thirty-eight; in the pre- paratory, one hundred and thirty-one; and in the

female, seventy-three. In a note, it is stated that as many had been sent away as were received.

"Thus far " the report goes on to say, "our course of study and dis- cipline has exceeded our most [sanguine hopes Our students have almost perfect health, and are receiving vigorous mental discipline. The society of the sexes, at their meals and recitations, exerts both a salutary restraint, and a moulding, refining intinence upon social and moral character. And, not least, the tone of moral and religions feel- ing among the students is such as to authorize the cheering hope that these minds will yet act with power and holy unetion in promoting the world's salvation."

In the catalogne for 1836, the whole number of students is given as three hundred and ten. The theological department had increased to fifty-eight, and the collegiate to ninety-five. Thirteen are put down in the shorter course, fifty-two in the male pre- paratory department, and ninety-two in the young ladies' department. A note informs ns that

"The preceding catalogne does not include ahout eighty preparatory students transferred to the high school of Elyria, and to auxiliary schools at Austinburg, Sheffield and Abbeyville."

"Nearly all the young ladies," we are told in the report, "and a ma- jority of the young gentlemen, have paid their board by their manual labor. Most of the remainder have done a good deal toward this; and a considerable number of those who have thus paid their board, have earned more than enough for this purpose. A few have fully sup- ported themselves by their labor. The general rule requires the stu- dents to work three hours a day."

In the latter part of the fall term of 1835, Theo- dore D. Weld, one of the Lane students, who was lecturing on anti-slavery through the country, came to Oberlin and delivered a series of over twenty lec- tures on slavery. These lectures excited great interest and had much influence in deepening, intensifying and fixing the anti-slavery sentiment. So exhaustive and masterly was the exhibition of the subject that Oberlin beeame henceforth a positive and aggressive anti-slavery power. From the enthusiasm thus awak- ened twenty or more of the students went out during the winter vacation that followed, and lectured under the auspices of the American Anti-Slavery Society, through Ohio and a part of Pennsylvania. These met with the usual experience of anti-slavery lecturers in those days; they found some warm friends and many bitter enemies. Their arguments and appeals were often met with mobbings, but their labor was not in vain.

The Western Reserve especially, under these and kindred influences, was thoroughly leavened with the anti-slavery sentiment, and became in this a power in politics, both in respect to the State and the nation.

Oberlin was now not only well begun but estab- lished. Its origin was in the idea which has charac- terized it, and by which it must be known; its beginning was the first realization of this idea: and its speedy and providential enlargement was its sure establishment. And in all-in its idea, beginning and enlargement, it was manifestly of God. The central idea of Oberlin, that which best and most compre- hensively characterizes its nature and work as a beneficent factor in the world's progress, is that of a missionary center. In this idea-not education, not anti-slavery or reform of any kind, but religion, christianity, as comprehensive, active, aggressive and progressive, is supreme. In it true religion is first,

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last and all, from which everything takes its begin- ning, and in which everything finds its end.

Such was the idea of Oberlin in its origin, and in its realization. The men who conceived its plan, and who were the leaders in putting it into excention, were profoundly religious. Men of like character they sought as co-laborers, and naturally such men were attracted to the enterprise. The enterprise called for self-denial, consecration, faith and love; and these prime christian virtues it fostered.

There has always been at Oberlin, as elsewhere, more or less a tendency to partial and extreme views; but this tendency has never constituted its ruling idea and spirit, has never formed its character. Moreover, Oberlin for years, suffered the grossest misrepresen- tations, and has been misunderstood even by many good men.

Imbibing fully the spirit, and entering ardently upon the work of the anti-slavery cause, it received its full measure of the odium then heaped upon the advocates of that most unpopular reform; while in the religious world it was branded as heretical in doctrine. In short, almost from the first, Oberlin has been at once very popular and very unpopular; has had devoted friends and bitter enemies. But its con- tinned triumph and prosperity have been, not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.

This religious character, which was impressed upon Oberlin as a school and town, was especially marked in its early history. When its character was being formed and fixed, it was characterized by an intense religious devotion. There was always a revival spirit, and this was often manifested in great power. Not only were sinners converted, but the hearts of Chris- tians were deeply searched; more so that not a few gave up their old hopes, and embraced the gospel more intelligently. The falls of 1836, 1837 and 1838 are especially spoken of as seasons of refreshing. Later, in 1841, a sudden and remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit was experienced in midsummer. The whole number of additions to the church by pro- fession, from 1835 to 1856, was one thousand and seventy, making an annual average of fifty.

The preaching of these days, chiefly by President Mahan and Professor Finney, was attended with much spiritual power. It was pungent, close, heart-search- ing, and caleulated carnestly to excite the whole being-both thought and feeling. For it consisted not merely of fervid exhortation; it was rather a clear and vivid presentation, exposition and illustration of Christian doctrine, enforced by intense conviction, and by a practical and personal application. The fact of human ability was especially emphasized; whence followed the obligation to obedience, and the guilt of disobedience. Such preaching was, more or less, the result of experience; and it also produced experience, not only in the hearers, but also in the preachers themselves.

From a clearer view and larger experience of the gospel in its power to save, arose the doctrine of sunc-

tification. This doctrine was afterward developed by President Mahan, in a little book entitled "Christian Perfection," published in 1839; by Professor Finney, in his "Systematic Theology;" and by Profesor Cowles, in a series of articles first published in the Oberlin Evangelist, and afterward collected in a book entitled "The Holiness of Christians in the Present Life." It seems for a time to have been regarded as a state of christian experience distinct from, and following conversion, and involving entire consecration. But Professor Morgan, in an article published in the Oberlin Quarterly Review, entitled "The Holiness Acceptable to God," showed from scripture and ex- perience that the christian experience itself involves entire conseeration, and this view came to be accepted. In another article, entitled the " Baptism of the Holy Spirit," he gave his view of the nature of an advanced christian experience.

The doctrine gradually ceased to be presented and urged as implying a distinct form of experience. In- deed, sinlessness as actual and permanent was never made prominent; and the view was always carefully guarded against the antinomian view known as " per- fectionism." Yet the carnest advocacy of this doc- trine brought upon Oberlin, while it continued, much odium from many religious people, especially from some of the Presbyterian churches.

A system of philosophy was also carly developed at Oberlin, which, though the conception of it may not he claimed as altogether original, must still in some sense be regarded as a product of Oberlin thought. This is known in moral philosophy as the " Benevo- lence Theory," and was presented by President Ed- wards, in his treatise on "The Nature of Virtue," and afterward embodied by Samuel Hopkins in his theological system. But Mr. Finney, in his "System- atic Theology," has thoroughly discussed and fully developed it as a system of moral philosophy, com- prehensive and fundamental, and which at once dis- closes the errors and embraces the truths of other systems. This theory is, in brief, that the founda- tion of moral obligation is the good of being, and that true virtue or righteousness consists in willing this good of being, or in such a committal of the will to the good of being, including one's own, that the whole life will be devoted to its promotion. This, it is obvions, is the love enjoined in the scriptures, in which consists " the fulfilling of the law."

From this follows another fundamental principle which occupies a prominent place in Oberlin philoso- phy, called the "simplicity of moral action." This view was first publicly presented by William Cochran in an address in 1841, and afterward expanded by him and published in a series of articles in the Ober- lin Quarterly Review. This view is, substantially, that a moral being can neither be nor do both good and evil at the same time. For, since the moral state and action of the will consist in its attitude and exer- cise with respect to good, it is impossible that it should occupy opposite states at the same time, or

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that it should, at the same instant, both will and not will good. Every moral being is, therefore, either good or bad, according to the attitude of his will, and never both at once.

Another fundamental principle, which, though not original, gives character to the theology of Oberlin, is that the will alone is the seat of all that is dis- tinctively moral, or that the state of the will deter- mines the moral both in character and in action.

These fundamental principles of philosophy lie at the foundation of Mr. Finney's theology, which has become the theology of Oberlin; and they have had no small influence on the daily life of the students and of the people. For the practical application of this philosophy is expressed in the precept that the true end of life is found in doing good. But this is the very principle on which Oberlin was founded; and not less than ever is it still the vital principle of its existence.

The Oberlin Erangelist, a semi-monthly paper, was begun, in 1839, to serve as an organ in which to ex- press the religious views of the leading Oberlin men. It was a strictly religions paper of the most earnest type. Mr. Finney's sermons were published in it, and he wrote more or less for it beside. Professor Henry Cowles was its editor during the greater part of its existence, and contributed largely to its matter. Most of its matter was original, and was of the most substantial kind. It did much to disseminate the thought and spirit of Oberlin, and to defend it against misrepresentations and aspersions. In 1862, the second year of the war. it was discontinued because of inadequate support. For a more elaborate exposition of Oberlin ideas, the Oberlin Quarterly Review was started in 1845, and continued four years.

Unfortunately the professorship association, which had been formed in New York to pay the salaries of eight professors, continued but a short time. The great fire which occurred in New York in the fall of 1835, and the financial crash which followed in 1836 and '37, swept away this foundation. The salaries thus guaranteed were but six hundred dollars per annnm, but now even this moderate sum was no longer assured. For their necessary support the pro- fessors could only trust God. Relying upon the pro- vision made for the payment of the salaries, tuition in the college department had been remitted, and it was long before it could be re-imposed ; and even after it was required it was found difficult to collect it, so that several thousand dollars due for tuition were never paid. Subscriptions had been taken up in 1835 and '36, payable in five annual installments, amounting to nearly one hundred thousand dollars ; but in consequence of the financial crisis which soon followed, only about six thousand dollars of it was ever paid. With their hearts fully committed to the work, and trusting God who they believed had called them to it, the professors resolved to remain at their posts, content with meagre and uncertain pay. For many years the very existence of the institution was

dependent upon the contributions of its friends. In 1838 the debt had accumulated to forty thousand dollars, and it was decided to send a deputation to England to solicit contributions, Rev. John Keep and Mr. William Dawes undertook this work, and in the course of eighteen months, by unwearied labor they raised thirty thousand dollars clear of expenses. Many books were also contributed to the college library. This gratifying success was made possible by the sympathy of British christians with the anti- słavery sentiment of Oberlin.

Experience soon showed that the requirement of manual labor could not be maintained. In the cat- alogue for 1838 it is said ;

"At present no pledge can be given that the institution will furnish labor to all the students ; but hitherto nearly all have been able to obtain employment from either the institute or the colonists. It is thought that the same facilities for available labor will be continued."

From this time manual labor was furnished so far as possible, and was encouraged. In this modified form it has been more or less a success.

As early as 1839, an agricultural society was formed, composed of the colonists, faculty and students. Weekly meetings were held, at which there were essays and discussions on various subjects pertaining to agriculture. Town fairs were also kept up annu- ally for many years. In a small sheet called People's Press, and dated Oberlin, October, 1845, a report of the fair for that year is given. There was an address by Professor Kirtland, of Cleveland, and in the eve- ning short addresses from several-among them Dr. Townshend, Professor Cowles, Professor Fairchild, and President Mahan. The opening address by the president of the society, D. B. Kinney, is given entire in the paper. It is historical, and gives some interest- ing reminiscences. The roads at an early day being almost impassable, three hundred dollars were sub- scribed by the colonists and four hundred by the fac- nlty and students, to improve them. On a certain day, recitations being suspended, all turned out and worked on the road leading to Elyria. The young ladies, for their part, provided them a bountiful din- ner.

Another incident given in the same address illus- trates, in a somewhat amusing way, the privations incident to pioneer life.

One of the theological professors went to a brother out of town, who had a team, and told him he wanted some wood drawn, but he had no money, and asked him how he should pay him. The good brother re- plied that he would draw wood one day for him for nothing, and then pointing to his bare feet said, " But you see I need pay for my work." The pro- fessor immediately jumping from his horse, and pull- ing off his shoes and throwing them to him, said, "Here, take these; ] have another pair at home, and I can ride home barefoot."

The chapel in Colonial Ilall becoming too small for the meetings on the Sabbath, the people, notwithstand- ing their poverty, encouraged by Mr. Finney, re- solved, in 1840, to build a church. In 1842, the

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foundation was laid; and the next year before its completion, and without a formal dedication, it was occupied. The lot was given by the original proprie- tors of the land; and the inhabitants, professors, and students. aided by friends abroad, by subscriptions of cash and all sorts of commodities, and by work, united in putting up the building. It was modeled after the New York tabernacle, which was planned by Mr. Finney. Its dimensions were ample, with the design of furnishing room for the annual commence- ment exercises.

IV. - GROWTH.

The college. having no permanent endowment, was wholly dependent for its support upon the contribu- tions of its friends. In the fall of 1850, it was de- termined to make an effort to raise a permanent fund for the support of instruction, by the sale of scholar- ships. Scholarships for six years were sokl for twenty-five dollars, and perpetual scholarships for one hundred dollars. The pledges were conditional upon the raising of the whole amount desired, -one hundred thousand dollars. The time set for getting condi- tional pledges was limited to January 1, 1853, but so well did the effort succeed that, by January 20, 1852. the whole amount was pledged, and the new system went into operation. When it is considered that to the holders of these scholarships tuition was free in all the departments, it will not be surprising that the attendance was at once largely increased.

The catalognes for that period show that the num- ber of students in the course of the year was soon more than doubled.

In the catalogue for the year 1851-2, the year before the system went into operation, the whole number of students is given as five hundred and seventy-one.

In the next catalogue, for the first year of its oper- ation, the number is one thousand and twenty; in the next, one thousand, three hundred and five; in the next, one thousand, one hundred and eighty-eight: in the next, one thousand and sixty-two; and in the next, one thousand, two hundred and sixteen. It should be said that the preparatory department was increased much more proportionately than any of the rest.

This, however, in the course of the growth of the college, may be considered as its second enlargement. From this time its growth has consisted chiefly in the enlargement and perfecting of its course of study. The number then gained has been maintained; and the scholarship system, having served its purpose, is being gradually superseded.

The sudden increase in the number of students made the demand imperative for larger accommoda- tions. For a time part of the students were obliged to meet in the laboratory or music hall for prayers. In 1854-5, a new chapel was built, at a cost of ten thousand five hundred dollars, and the andience room above, capable of seating nine hundred persons. This has been since entirely remodeled, at a cost of about

two thousand dollars, chiefly by contributions from the students.

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History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 45

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 626

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626