USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 44
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At this synod Bellefontaine appeared asking the location. No decisive action was taken, but in 1856 the synod of Cincinnati received definite pro- posals from Bellefontaine, Chillicothe and West Liberty. The last-named site
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was chosen. Six trustees were appointed and an address to the churches issued. But when the action was reported to the synod of Ohio it was dis- covered that Chillicothe was favored and trustees were appointed for that locality. Naturally a convention of the two synods was called to meet in Columbus. There, on the 23d of December, 1856, discussion was had, and local preferences seemed to be intensified. Finally West Liberty was chosen. Trustees reported in 1857. Satisfaction was expressed with progress and the time extended to 1858. But then the funds needed were not secured and the synod of Cincinnati said "the body of the churches could not be brought to co-operate in building at West Liberty." The synod of Ohio reluctantly concurred, but declared that its action must not be "misunderstood as aban- doning the founding at an early day of such an institution as may be worthy of the church and the country."
It was a time of discouragement and the "wiser and older men grew anxious." [Dr. Taylor.] Attempts to unite synods and churches seemed to fail and without such united action success was impossible. But in 1859 a joint committee was again appointed, as, indeed, even in 1858 an arrangement had been made for correspondence and conference. The joint committee of 1859 reported in 1860 on what had seemed an admirable movement toward Springfield, Ohio, and a possible purchase of Wittenberg College. Both synods took great interest in this possibility (and doubtless the location would have been ideal), but the negotiations failed. [The writer well remembers meeting Drs. Hoge and Robinson present in Springfield about this enterprise in November, 1859, at a prayer meeting of the First Presbyterian church, to the pastorate of which church he was called a year later ].
Thus we reach another pause in Wooster's genesis, which was to be longer than any since the beginning. The war conditions ( 1861-65) were altogether unfavorable. A good many things beside the "laws" must be "silent in war." Only in 1864 the synod of Ohio demonstrated the truth of its decision of 1858 not to be misunderstood as abandoning the projected col- lege and resolving that the time had come to resume, directed the trustees ( formerly appointed) to receive offers and asked the other synods to co-oper- ate. In 1865 nothing effective had been accomplished, apparently, yet Lon- don citizens and those of Wooster were disposed to make offers. The cur- rent is on again and incandescence is nigh. Ohio synod, without answer from the synods of Cincinnati or Sandusky (lately organized), resolved to go on alone if any place offered one hundred thousand dollars, and it "invited any synod of the New School Presbyterian church that might be willing, to
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unite with it in this work." The other synods (O. S.) voted to co-operate. Thus we reach 1866 when the floating project was to be anchored. Yet it was odd that in that synod the experiment of establishing professorships in Miami University "to be held and controlled" by the synods, was entered upon by Ohio and Cincinnati. Trustees were appointed for this purpose, but nothing resulted-as might have been anticipated. Too much had been done in the main channel to permit any deflection. Just now, also, all doubts were to be dispelled by the Wooster offer of one hundred thousand dollars (includ- ing the cost of the site) with the two very proper conditions: (1) the con- currence of the three synods, and (2) the pledge to endow the institution to the amount of three hundred thousand dollars, including the amount offered by Wayne county. The synod of Ohio was in session at Wooster (and it may be noted that the synod has brought a blessing to the University at every occasion of its meeting here). What may be called the first pecuniary crisis now occurs. The subscription lacked thirty-two thousand dollars of com- pletion. A committee of synod was appointed. It viewed "the landscape o'er" from the charming campus-site and accepted it as representing twenty- five thousand dollars, an increased but fair valuation. This, however, left a deficit in the seventy-five thousand dollars subscription of seventeen thousand dollars. That the whole affair might be closed, Mr. Ephraim Quinby, Jr .. and others came promptly forward with a guarantee for the needed sum, which was afterwards contributed and the guarantors released. The offer in this form was promptly and gratefully accepted by the synod of Ohio, which engaged in the work at once with that of Sandusky. The synod of Cincinnati did not receive the proposal in time for intelligent consideration, but gave in the following year the same pledge and co-operated with the trustees appointed by the other synods. These trustees "met in November, invited members of the synod of Cincinnati to meet with them, appointed the required number of citizens of Wayne county as members of the board, and with prayer for divine guidance made arrangements to secure a charter." At the same meeting they declared the object for which and the basis upon which the University should be founded. They initiated efforts both to secure en- dowment and to erect buildings. "In 1867 the three synods entered into cor- dial co-operation, arranged for the perpetuation of the board of trustees and entered earnestly into the work."
Turning now for a moment to the liberal and enterprising citizens of Wooster and Wayne county, whose intelligence and wise-hearted energy and sacrifice made the University possible, one is filled with admiration for them and the work they accomplished. There must have been a fine spirit of
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thoughtful benevolence to lead them to make what was at that time an ex- traordinary offer. The enthusiasm of expectancy was also well developed. Denominational lines were largely ignored in giving to a frankly denomina- tional institution. The name of Ephraim Quinby, Jr., heads the list with twenty-five thousand dollars. R. B. Stibbs subscribed three thousand dollars. There are nine subscribers of one thousand dollars each. One pledges seven hundred and fifty dollars, and there are ten down for five hundred dollars each. More money was needed and much of it given, for furnishing the central portion of the main building. S. C. Bragg's donation of five thousand dollars (in books ) and the Purdy gift from Mansfield came in this first period and the Mercer and Johnson professorships, twenty-five thousand dollars each, followed soon.
While the people had a mind to the work in raising the funds and the building, the trustees were busied in poising the institution upon its true basis, and preparing the way for the opening of its doors. No part in the control of the University was given to any state officials nor to any one outside of the synods concerned, though the way was held invitingly open for any like- minded ecclesiastical bodies of Presbyterian lineage.
Agents were appointed at once and began their work with the dawn of 1867. These were Doctor J. W. Scott (ex-president of Washington College ), Dr. T. K. Davis (pastor at Mansfield, Ohio), and the Rev. Silas Dunlap. Doctor Scott wearied of the work in three months and was convinced that the churches could not then be brought to such unity and liberality as would secure success. The others persevered and were successful. In 1868 (June 30th) the corner-stone was laid with considerable local enthusiasm. Ad- dresses were delivered by the Rev. W. P. Marshall, of Columbus, and the Rev. WV. M. Baker, of Zanesville. After this an effort was made to attach to the nascent University the Agricultural College of the state, but it did not suc- ceed. In 1869 the synods heard the announcement that the sum below which they would not open the University had been reached and passed. Two hun- dred fifty-one thousand six hundred and fourteen dollars was the amount re- ported. It was "secured mainly from members of Presbyterian congrega- tions" ( Doctor Taylor). This result was in large measure owed to the year's energetic labor of Dr. George P. Hays and the wisely-planned organization by which he reached the churches. On the very last day conditioning the subscription a certain large donation was received on which seemed to hang the hopes of the indefatigable promoter. The writer has heard him relate the drive of that day which brought him into communication and enabled him to announce the completion of the great effort. It has been suggested
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that Doctor Hays should have been the first president of the institution, to which he was so largely instrumental in giving actuality. Whether this be so or not, it is a privilege to say that, judged in the light of his noble and success- ful subsequent career as president of Washington and Jefferson and in varied lines of Christian work, he would have proven exceedingly well adapted to the exigencies of the institution's earlier years. Never was born, perhaps, a man with more executive talent, more purposeful energy or more real con- secration to the work in hand.
The largeness of the plans of the founders was made visible in the pro- jected building, the pictured presentation of which went into so many churches and homes of the state. Its proportions and capacity, its adaptation for a department of medicine as well as for the arts and sciences were marked. Its massive foundations and lofty stories and complete finish from cellar to mansard rooms were such and so expensive as to overgo all estimates and make the construction of anything beyond the central section impossible. But there it stood, conspicuous, upright and downright, provocative of many a quip and jest, but a solid witness to the intense desire of the founders to build an institution both broad and deep and high. The year 1870 was a busy one for all concerned. There was the faculty to be chosen, the curriculum to be planned, the building to be finished, the students to be secured. But each was accomplished. Doctors Dickson and Goodrich declined the presidency and David Swing the professorship of English literature, while the faculty was being sought. Professors Kirkwood and Stoddard, who accepted, were well- known in Ohio as educators, and their names gave strength to the selection, as did the name of that graceful writer. Thomas Fullerton, and the genial. pol- ished and profound president, Doctor Lord. The plan of endowing a pro- fessorship by the Sabbath schools of the state (through scholarships) was admirable in theory but only partially successful. During the previous year Doctor Hays had made a characteristically bold, but certain to be unsuccess- ful attempt to carry over to the new enterprise the venerable Washington and Jefferson College, that institution being then in some embarrassment through the infelicities of a union of the two colleges as yet imperfectly consummated. The writer well remembers the energy and skill displayed by the irrepressible agent of Wooster, as he unrolled the great plan of the new Wooster building and plead for yet larger possibilities if all could be induced to combine at the new and promising centre. But the result only proved that Presbyterian col- leges never die or resign.
Here endeth, then, the story of the period of inception and preparation. But it has in it material for reflection. The founding of the University
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when it was founded, after what had preceded the founding and all the cir- cumstances surrounding the founding, may well be counted an event of great significance in the history of education both as related to Ohio and to general principles.
I. All men who trace this history must be struck with the fact that the University owes its origin to no casual impulse nor even to local or even denominational pride, though both these motives had their place, no doubt. The founders were actuated by the deepest Christian convictions, as well as by profound attachment to their own faith and order. They felt the call of Christ and His kingdom and therefore of all humanity. The original trustees made this manifest at their first meeting by those remarkable and unexampled resolutions, fragments of which are so constantly quoted, and which, it must be borne in mind, have become our fundamental law, because they present our ultimate object. They are more properly to be denominated constituent principles than anything which either has been or can be subsequently written. They must be quoted here in full as they occur in an appeal to the churches, issued coincidently with the organization of the trustees.
"Whereas, We are deeply convinced that education is a real blessing only when imbued with the spirit of Christianity and that any enterprise may hope for success only as it enjoys the Divine blessing and is devoted to the promo- tion of the Divine glory ; therefore
"Resolved : That we enter upon the work of establishing the University of Wooster with the single purpose of glorifying God, in promoting sanctified education, and thus furthering the interests of the church, and its extension over the whole earth.
"Resolved: That we will in every way possible strive to imbue all our operations with the spirit of Christianity and bring religious influences and instruction to bear earnestly upon all who may be connected with the Uni- versity.
"Resolved: That in addition to a thorough literary and scientific course of study we will aim to endow a chair for instruction in the evidences of Christianity and the relation of science to religion, and also a chair for in- struction in the languages, religions, and literature of the modern Pagan na- tions with special reference to the preparation of young men for the foreign missionary field."
These resolutions deserve to stand for all time, not only as descriptive of a denominational ideal for a single institution and as a prophecy of what that institution has already so richly and specifically realized, but as an unassailable
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definition of the nobler education, a clear index to the path of the largest real success, and a stimulus for all institutions of higher learning to acknowledge as their final reason for being, the winning of the world for Him who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Thus the way was opened to the building of an institution so frankly Christian and churchly that it could never be charged with any "lack of can- dor." or questioned as to the "propriety or intensity" of its measures to make religion a vital force in all the culture it could ever impart. A real necessity was felt and only a real creation-even almost a new type-could meet that need. Never were ideals more distinct, more intelligently held, or more pervasive of the efficient body. The synod of Cincinnati voiced the feeling of need in 1868 thus, "Resolved. That in the judgment of this synod the cause of Pres- byterianism in this state is seriously affected by our want of educational facil- ities for the young men of our communities, and it behooves us to take the deepest interest. In the early history of our church our fathers laid special stress on this matter and, learning from their wise example, other denominations are now devoting themselves with the most commendable zeal to this great cause." Equally clear and earnest the words of the same synod in October, 1869: "The synod having heard of the prosperous condi- tion of the University of Wooster as an enterprise closely connected with our interests as a church expresses its gratification and thanksgiving to the head of the church for such a cheering result of effort and prayer in that behalf." Then follows the commendation of the institution to the churches for patron- age, and the welcome to canvassing agents. The denominationalism of the founders was frank, but it was not narrow. The charter is often referred to as providing that "any synod of our own, or of any other ecclesiastical connection, may become a participant in this enterprise," said participation not to be limited to "patronage" but to mean real "partnership." Trustees of any added synod would vote influence and control with those originally designated. Synods were asked to commission the board to act ad interim in place of the ecclesiastical body itself, and the permission was readily granted so that ex- tension beyond our own denomination (but not interfering with other insti- tutions ) was always possible.
The deep religious spirit of the enterprise was constantly made manifest. In 1868 the synod of Ohio commended "this interesting and all-important concern" with all their [our ] hearts to the favor and blessing of the gracions God of the covenant, hoping that all our agents will remember that this is a religious enterprise, that we are endeavoring to found a truly Christian uni-
(29)
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versity for all our people ; and that many of God's dear children, out of their deep poverty are contributing freely, making sacrifices as they do, so that the church may at length have such an institution." Deep-rooted faith kindled this enthusiasm and created a holy confidence competent for the strug- gle which was clearly foreseen. They welcome co-operation of friends "who have heretofore been friendly." but now are becoming "equally hopeful and enthusiastic with ourselves," as well as the aid of others indifferent or doubt- ful.
2. It is moreover to be noted that the founders were deeply impressed with the "great events" which were taking place in the world during the close of this first period. The preceding decades were crowded with stirring changes. From 1848 to 1870! What a whirl of things in Europe and America. The troubled current led through the "terrible year"; the rebuke of Russian schemes by the Crimean war; the far-reaching pact of Paris ( 1856) ; the Schleswig-Holstein affair significant of the final exclusion of Austria from the hegemony of Germany ; the humiliation of the Hapsburgs in the partial lib- eration of Italy by France, whose presumption led to her defeat at Sedan with the resulting unification of Italy, the exaltation of united Germany and the shattering of the Pope's temporal power-all culminating, together with the constitutional changes which consecrated America to freedom, just as our founders quietly opened the doors of the University in 1870. Here were the signs of new life among the peoples in the midst of the pulses of which we are yet living. They were beginning almost coincidently with the closing quarter of the great nineteenth century. They recognized the stress and meaning of their times and made them the basis of endeavor and appeal. They knew that "the universities had conquered at Sadowa and Sedan" and needed no prophet to assure them that the world was surging forward by education, that the sciences were blossoming with amazing splendor; that ideas were going to rule the world more certainly than ever; that the need for such leaders as would not be "blind leaders of the blind" was upon them, and that the op- portunity was as brilliant as the need was urgent. They saw the meaning of all this-God bless their memory for it-as touching the interests of men's souls as well as toward things political and social and economic; and they builded even better than they knew, for even they could only faintly forsee what these forty years in the world's pilgrimage would bring forth.
3. Nearer than some of these things to the rank and file of the churches came the great and happily helpful reunion of the two branches of the church of their fathers. Clearly recognized was the fact that even the delays to which the great undertaking had been subjected had fallen out in this matter rather to final success. Those who were leading knew that they were
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moving in the line of denominational consolidation and development. Sub- sequent events have shown them to have been wise and far-sighted. If one branch of the Presbyterian church could succeed in passing the first diffi- culties and founding the University, a fortiori a united and then reinforced church can maintain and develop it. The history of this important move- ment cannot here be given, though that would be a pleasing task for the writer, who was present at the Newark Assembly in 1864, at the great non- official but heart-to-heart Philadelphia meeting of 1866, and who was pastor of the church (Pittsburgh ) whence the Old School Assembly filed out to take the New School brethren in public procession to the church in which the re- union was made visibly manifest. That which concerns the University is that the Ohio synods constituted by the reunion were "made legal successors of the synods formerly united in the control of the University." By terms of the act they became "entitled to the possession and enjoyment of all the rights and franchises, and liable to the performance of all the duties of the preceding synods" (Dr. Taylor). Trustees resigned. Successors immedi- ately appointed. Resolution "accepting the trust" adopted. Thus the Uni- versity passed under the control of the reunited church. While at the begin- ning the enterprise was confined to synods in connection with the Old School body, it was felt that the war had removed the chief difficulty in the way of reunion by obliterating the pro-slavery tendencies in the Old School church, and that experience had brought the New School churches into harmony with the other branch as to conducting all great missions of the section by agencies under its own care and control. Reunion was in the air in October, 1865, when the college project was effectively revived. There was good reason for the early extension of welcome ( already noted) to any synods disposed to join in the enterprise.
4. The strong faith and high purpose of this period had their tests as well as their triumphs. Much encouragement was experienced when the cor- ner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies and vigorous addresses by Doctor Marshall of Columbus and Doctor Baker of Zanesville. On this. the first occasion admitting manifestations of popular interest, the demonstrations were quite satisfactory. Wayne county, perhaps anticipating as certain to come immediately what would take many years to realize, smiled benignantly on that thirtieth of June, 1868. That foundation and that corner-stone were characteristically massive and solid. One could wish fervently that the art of photography had been then sufficiently developed to have preserved for us the faces of that group of earnest, self-sacrificing, hopeful and far-seeing men who must have been at the centre of the multitude of that day. The trustees say, in the report of that year: "The effect of the demonstration was
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most marked and the public, taking confidence that the enterprise was a reality and promised success, have taken constantly more and more interest in it." The entrance of that incarnation of energy and executive talent, George P. Hays, into the fiscal secretaryship, took the public to the point of assurance "of starting not as a child to grow through long years of painful struggling,
but like a full grown man in all the vigor of his strength and energy." Much was expected from the projected professorship to be contributed by the Sun- day schools. "The prospect" was pronounced "most promising." But diffi- culties soon appeared. Adjustments were to be made among ecclesiastical bodies which were themselves changing their organization, and whose future boundaries were still uncertain having besides various local affinities with other colleges. One of the newly-constituted synods (Cleveland) declined a share in control and the resulting responsibilities though heartily commend- ing the enterprise to the "sympathies, contributions and prayers" of the churches under its care. There was still hard work to be done in further arousing the half-awakened sections of the state. One of the agents (Dr. J. W. Scott, former president of Washington College) retired at the end of three months, convinced that the churches were not prepared to co-operate in such an enterprise. Other and older denominational colleges were pressing on with new life. The State University at Columbus was making its mark, though founded so lately as 1862-as a result of the congressional grant for an Agricultural college. It began to be apparent in 1869 that the earlier en- dowment subscriptions were not being paid in with the promptness necessary to secure needed interests for opening the institution. A strong and touching appeal was made by the trustees: "Our people, by the unanimity and gen- erosity with which they have subscribed, have won an enviable reputation among sister denominations and before the world." Pastors and elders and leading members were entreated to form a "strong public opinion" for a "per- formance" of what there had been such "readiness to will," and to "employ their influence both official and social to secure prompt payment." In the earlier part of 1869 "times became so hard and money so scarce," that the culminating point of the endowment (conditional ) subscription was about to be deferred for a year. Finishing the central building free from debt seemed doubtful. All was pivoted "upon the promptness with which the subscrip- tions" would be paid. and yet prompt payment was uncertain. Naturally these were trying times but a "comfortable issue" was at last found.
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