USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 49
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During this period there were dark days, but there were also bright ones. Now and then the ledger closed with the balance on the right side. Just at
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the time of need came the larger donations, securing the Hoge professorship. the Brown professorship (in a single gift), the Hoover and Chamberlain sums, which secured the two building projects, the generous Pratt gifts, the most timely and helpful bequest of Judge Robinson, the property gift of the Aylesworth will and many another gift for scholarships and improve- ments. On the whole, while it was a constant struggle, there was at no time defeat, but always a reward of success in modest proportions .. One of the pleasantest memories of the years will always remain the generosity of the institution to those to whom it extended free tuition (and the privilege of giving a note to those who were neither children of the ministry or candidates for that office or the mission field). As early as 1885 the sum so given for that year reached five thousand forty-five dollars. In the following years it approximated four thousand dollars. In 1890-I it was four thousand seven hundred and fifty-five dollars. It was not changed despite the pitifully small sum of the annual contribution solicited to meet this drain upon the funds, until 1897, when it was reduced to one-half instead of full free tuition. The writer is thoroughly convinced that this generous view of the university's opportun- ity to serve the church from which its life was drawn, has had its reward, and that this policy has powerfully aided in demonstrating to the church that the university is an indispensable instrument in advancing the work for which it was founded-the frankly avowed object of winning the world for Christ.
PERIOD V-THE PERIOD OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT : THE NEW WOOSTER.
The previous periods have shown us a development apparently arrested in some directions and not rapid as a whole ; but they have given evidence of a solid foundation on which to build and of quiet confidence and bright hope concerning the future. Moreover, a distinct era was beginning to dawn-an era characterized by a general awakening of the educational consciousness. It was becoming manifest in the more generous provision of our communities for secondary education and the still larger legislative generosity to the state uni- versities, as well as by the hitherto unprecedented contributions of the great fortunes to private and denominational institutions.
Here was an opportunity, not for every man, but for the larger man who might be providentially disclosed as fitted by special gifts and experiences to meet the new demands. And not an opportunity for him alone, but for him in combination with all the forces which had been brought into being by the past twenty-nine years and those which were latent in the hearts of a noble con- stituency to which he might win new and strong coefficients.
The discovery was the Rev. Edward Holden (now D. D., LL. D.). then professor in Beloit College and the right hand of President Eaton in all
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advances for which friends and means were to be found. Professor Holden was born April 30, 1863, graduated from Beloit College, in 1888, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1891. He was recalled at once to his Alma Mater and continued there until chosen president here. The election occurred at a meeting of the board of trustees held in the First Presbyterian church on July 27. 1899. He was unanimously elected and, being introduced to the board, the record significantly says, he "cordially accepted the office, made some appropriate and effective remarks and requested that he might be set im- mediately at work." Here was the man ready for the larger handling of en- larging interests, one who could make way for his cause into the well-intrenched counting-rooms of the men of large business affairs to persuade them that their best-paying investments were to be found in man-making, as well as he could enlist the large-hearted women of means in an enterprise less directly philanthropic and emotional than the objects to which they had been accustomed to contribute. Robust and vigorous in body ; acute and intense mentally ; strong in the faith of the "glorious gospel of the blessed God," and in that specific faith which removes mountains and thoroughly convinced of the centrality and vitality of religion in education ; he was the man for the place as clearly as the place was for the man. President Holden made it evident at once and since that a man of strong will may be full of sympathy ; that high ideals are com- patible with unwearied patience in their realization, and that daring initiative may be combined with unshrinking perseverance. Already acquainted with the inner life of America's best colleges by personal inspection, he has added a careful study of the best institutions of the mother country, and has kept fully abreast with the demands of the modern college. Forcible in address and in the style of all written documents, his propaganda pellets and pleas have the effect of grape-shot and are like Luther's words-"half battles." Realizing the opportunity at Wooster, he refused within his second year here the tend- ered presidency of his own admirable Alma Mater and soon thereafter repeated solicitations to another position of commanding importance. Replying that "a man must get his work done," right manfully has he adhered to a task which most men would have deserted under similar temptations. One of our fellow-townsmen (editor Lemuel Jeffries) has written of him as the "up-to- date president with brilliant ideas of a modern college;" as "possessing a peculiarly magnetic personality which has won for him success as a master of students"; and as "certain to secure grand success for the University through his wonderful zeal and energy." More recently the editor of The Interior (Nolan R. Best) has written of Wooster's president as "a man dominated by
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an intense, idealistic passion for the upbuilding of Christian education and uniting therewith phenomenal gifts of business ability which had won the con- fidence of the hardest headed sort of practical men."
Nor must it be supposed that President Holden's entire energies are given to the financial forwarding of the University. He finds constantly ways of cultivating acquaintance with and impressing uplifting thought upon the stu- dent body. The freshman class is entertained at his hospitable home as they enter college life ; and the senior class is assembled for a final social benediction from Doctor and Mrs. Holden, reinforced for this occasion by the faculty and trustees. The president effectively presides in faculty meetings, taking part in all that concerns the internal intellectual and disciplinary and religious life of the University. He delivers from the pulpit the opening sermon of each term as well as the baccalaureate discourse at the year's close. He conducts the daily chapel exercises with brief, clear. impressive and strongly evangelical expositions of scripture. On matriculation day, early in December of each year, he delivers an earnest and helpful address to those finally enrolled. A multitude of special cases demanding aid of various kinds command readily his sympathy and help.
Under these circumstances, general and individual, success of a large pat- tern might have been and was confidently predicted. But there arose, in addi- tion, special exigencies which gave yet ampler field for the forces of the new executive and excited all those latent in the University's constituency and powerfully aided to open the doors of access to generous interest and aid from without. The narrative of the eleven years may be traced. mainly from the records, in its main features, but, necessarily, many pleasing details of this brilliant period must be omitted.
The inauguration took place on November 3. 1899, a day to be remem- bered for the exceptionally violent weather without and the exceptionally strong enthusiasm within. Trustees, faculty, alumni, students and many in- vited guests, filled and overflowed the large auditorium ( Methodist church). From two o'clock to five close attention was given to a varied programme. en- livened with music and punctured with student demonstrations of a very lively sort. In the address of welcome the trustees, the faculty, the Alumni, the students, other institutions, theological seminaries, the synod of Ohio and the citizens of Wooster were all represented. It was to be expected that the dom- inant ideas of the University's life would appear at the fourth inauguration as they had appeared (as we have seen) at the three preceding occasions. Mr. Scovel said: "We are near the summit of things, therefore, in all we do today
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in the interest of an institution which is frankly Christian. There is no need more imperative in the world of education today than an ideal Christian college. This institution does not pretend to have attained thereto, but it does claim to have erected that standard and to be pressing toward it steadily. Fail of it we may, in this and that particular, but lose sight of the idea we never will. The methods of approach to that ideal, the various particulars of decision as to what it may mean in this and that application of principle must be left to the united wisdom of the students, faculty, trustees, patrons and synod, all of whom have reason to hope for the guidance of the good spirit of God. * Our great fundamental principle itself insures ultimate success, and this has been accepted without reserve by the president-elect. It is therefore with pe- culiar pleasure that I discharge the duty assigned to me and present the presi- dent-elect to the president of the board of trustees for the administration of the oath of office."
The second president, in behalf of the board of trustees, of which he was the presiding officer, impressively signalized the urgent demands of the times upon all educational institutions and quoted the strong utterance of Dr. John Robinson at a previous inauguration, with which our readers are already familiar. "Such, my brother, was the ideal institution," he then said, "in the hearts and minds of its founders and fathers. It is well to keep this ideal ever in the fore-front. For it is the plaster-cast that you and we are to endeavor to reproduce in substantial and polished marble. We have no reason to be ashamed of our backing. Presbyterianism is a mighty power for truth and righteousness in the earth today. By some it is esteemed the most potent force of Protestantism now existing." Emphasizing the representative feature of the Presbyterian system, Doctor Taylor was led to apply it thus : "This institution is the creature and agency of the Presbyterian church of Ohio. Of this church the synod annually elected is the representative. The synod, in its turn. elects a board of trustees as its representatives. The trustees in turn are empowered to select the faculty, including the president. * The church of Ohio reposes faith in its synod; the synod reposes confidence in the trustees ; they in turn, confide in the faculty and I may add it will be neces- sary for the faculty to trust the students and have faith in them. This whole system of trust. being mutual, works both ways. * And all must con- fide in the great church, the mother of all, for sympathy, encouragement and sufficient material aid to perfect machinery and equipment." Then Doctor Taylor eloquently impressed the "solemn weight of responsibility, solemn and divine," which rests upon the faculty and concentrates in the executive. "Bear-
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ing such a trust, you have a right to the confidence and support of all who are interested in the University. And this you have at the outset. That your career in this office may prove most honorable and glorious, for the welfare of men, the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom is our earnest prayer as we welcome you to this high sphere of duty." Dr. S. J. Kirk- wood, connected with the University from its opening, appropriately extended the hearty greeting of the faculty, assured that the new executive was "in ac- cord with the views that we, as a faculty, hold in regard to the purpose and work of Wooster." Dr. John C. Sharpe (principal of Blairstown, Pennsyl- vania ) extended the alumni welcome as coming in the time of the "most pros- perous era known to any land since the dawn of civilization," and "in the golden age of education when the growth of interest in higher education is far outstripping progress in any other human interest in our country.
For this mighty work we pledge to you the loyalty of Wooster's sons and daughters doing valiant service in every worthy vocation and in every clime throughout the whole world." George A. Custer ( 1900) assured the new president that the students believed in Wooster's past and were more than ever confident, now, of her future. On the basis of their observation and ex- perience thus far they said: "You told us once you were on our side. We are on your side. You may depend upon us to stand by you. You may con- sider us henceforth your avowed friends. Let the compact of friendship be signed and sealed, and it is our determination that our obligations be sacredly kept." Thus came to expression a bit of the true Wooster spirit which is thoroughly characteristic of the whole forty years. Anything contrary has only been a ripple on the water's surface. The students have never subscribed to the notion elsewhere current that there must be hostility between those whom common pursuits and common aims should make the firmest friends. They do sometimes sing : "There'll be no faculty there," but they don't act as though they believed it.
The brief address of Prof. Henry P. Smith ( Lane Seminary) presented half humorously the practical side of the college executive "whose 'chair' must be the office-chair, his department the art of begging and booming and building." And yet, he said, that "vital, virile character was the paramount need of the Christian college," and that the "religious influences of the college determines the size of the delegation to the seminary." He rejoiced that Wooster "is and ever has been honest with souls as well as with minds, loyal to truth and to Him who is the truth and courageously claiming that highest scholarship is in no wise inconsistent with humblest discipleship." Dr. Trum-
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bull Lee (of Cincinnati) gave the synod's welcome. Most appropriately he emphasized the fact that Christian and secular education had come to the part- ing of the ways. He maintained that "Christian religious thought must be vitally articulated with all parts of a true educational system," and that "this can only be accomplished by means of schools not dominated by secular in- fluences, but controlled by the church." In eight distinct but succinct proposi- tions Doctor Lee showed just what can be accomplished in the way of an ideal Christian education by such institutions as Wooster. "The . educational climax," he contended, "is to educate the conscience and the will. Conscience and will must be influenced by a standard of right. That standard is found in the word of God alone." Eloquently he urged that "the church caring for her children, careful of their culture, strange to all alien forms of education that shut out of view her altars, her ordinances, and the hope and inspiration of her gospel, the church providing institutions with sufficient equipment and competent Christian instructors, is the church of the Firstborn, is the perma- nent factor of an imperishable civilization that underlies all our progressive steps into the future already dawning upon the world with latter day glory." Jacob Frick extended the greeting of Wooster's citizens, claiming that "the welfare of the University and that of our city are identical. * This University is the distinguishing mark of our city. We anticipate with pleasure your wholesome influence and pledge you our sympathy and co- operation."
The inaugural address made kindly allusion to the past and expressed a fine determination to maintain the same lines, but with broad views as to the relations of usefulness which the University must maintain toward all pro- fessions and all the needs of society. Believing the University "always to have been hospitable to the highest and best intellectual tendencies of the times as judged from the standpoint of a progressive Christian scholarship;" he de- clared it to be his purpose to "urge the most modern and practical methods of imparting knowledge." He did not mean to be dictator. "The source of power in the University of Wooster is the synod of Ohio. To the synod be- longs the elective power of the board of trustees." That board "should con- tain men of sound judgment in finance, men who represent the great business interests of Ohio-also men of the broadest scholarship. The method of government in the University of Wooster insures, through the synod, the spirit of fidelity to the standard of the Presbyterian church of America. The synod aspires to serve the nation by training men for all the callings of life to intellectual honesty and independence of mind, but it desires
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to provide a safeguard to all benefactors of the college against false systems of thought being fostered and taught with its consent, in Wooster." With this declaration, so exactly correspondent to the original and oft-repeated utter- ances of the University's past, the president joined most judicious and winning expositions of the relations he desired to maintain with the alumni, the stu- dents and the citizens of Wooster. It was difficult to tell which of the many applauded points of the afternoon elicited the greatest enthusiasm, but the two which stand out in memory most vividly were these : The announcement of the purpose of H. C. Frick to build a twenty-five thousand dollar library building ; and the grateful surprise awakened by President Eaton when in closing a re- markable tribute to the new president he affixed to him on the spot, by the authority of the board of trustees of Beloit College, the degree of Doctor of Divinity, as "an expression of their confidence and affection."
There followed upon this auspicious afternoon an inauguration banquet rich in all the elements that could combine to make such an occasion significant and contributory to an intelligent and lasting enthusiasm. "Three hundred and sixty guests," it is recorded, "sat down to a feast of wit and wisdom which continued from seven to eleven." Reluctantly we must leave the contents of these admirable addresses untouched, though the aggressiveness of Chicago was so well represented in the breezy speech of William McSurely ('86)-now Judge McSurely-and Charles Krichbaum's idealistic and poetic tendencies found the spirit of Wooster and praised it, and though there was mingled wit and wisdom in H. B. Work's words and those of Miss Mary Eddy. President Thwing ( Western Reserve) voiced the good wishes of all Ohio colleges, and all was closed by an admirable and arousing address (Dr. R. V. Hunter ) full of history and strong with statistics, on "The Church and College." Again we hear the echo of original purposes as the demand is urged that the denomi- national colleges shall have a faculty of scholars, devotedly Christian, loyal to their denomination but enjoying the "largest liberty consistent with the genius of Christianity and the conviction of a denomination."
AAlmost coincident with the erection of the Frick library (of which more in another place) went forward such improvements in the main building as in- creased its conveniences, changed the old tower-form and provided new recita- tion rooms. The furrow for the foundation of the new chapel was drawn at the close of commencement exercises in June, 1900, and the president's vaca- tion was spent in foreign travel, partly concerned with study of old-world institutions of learning. The historical statement of former catalogues tracing the synodical origin of the University is continued with slight alteration in
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subsequent issues. This first year witnesses also the substitution of a "scien- tific" course for the former "literary" course, and the establishment of matricu- lation-day. The minutes of the board of trustees bear testimony to the new achievements and to the new hopes, enkindled by the "wisdom and labors" of the new president and pledge co-operation in his plans and policy for the "larger life of the University" appreciating most cordially his "enthusiasm and conse- cration." His "liberal yet firm and prudent policy" and discipline are recog- nized. The marked increase in enrollment is noted and the restoration of inter- collegiate games is approved. The president's home has been secured and a favorable financial report is presented, the total assets being four hundred and eighty thousand six hundred and fifteen dollars and seventy-three cents.
In connection with questions raised in 1897 and '98 concerning the exact powers of the synod as owner and controller of the University, it was dis- covered by that able lawyer and devout Christian, Thomas McDougall. of Cin- cinnati. that no statute of Ohio legitimated the transfer of their trust to an ecclesiastical body by the trustees of any institution of learning incorporated under the general law of March, 1853. Since the control of the synod, involv- ing care and support, had been the root-idea of the University from the begin- ning, it was necessary at once to remedy this technical irregularity strangely unperceived for nearly thirty years-even when a special legislative act. ad- mitting the election of alumni trustees had been passed by the General Assembly at the instance of Wooster's board of trustees. Accordingly the board. in November, 1899, adopted the following resolution presented by Dr. Wm. Mc- Kibbin, of Cincinnati: "That the board of trustees will cordially co-operate with the committee of the synod of Ohio to obtain such legislation as will se- cure the control contemplated in the charter of the University." This joint effort to place the original relation upon a satisfactory legal basis obtained its desired result in the passing by the Legislature in April, 1900, of "An Act to Supplement Section 3751 of the Revised Statutes." The subject was brought again to the board's attention at the February meeting of 1901 in a paper by Doctor McKibbin and another by Doctor Hills of Wooster. Both papers were referred to a committee to report at the June meeting of that year. Order was then taken. Doctor Mckibbin submitted "Amended Articles, or Certificate of Incorporation of the University of Wooster, accepting the provisions of the act of General Assembly passed April. 1900 (94 O. L., pp. 331 and 332), and known as sections 3751b and 375Ic of the Revised Statutes of Ohio. The articles were unanimously accepted and a copy was ordered to be sent to the synod "for its acceptance of the powers proposed to be conferred upon it." The
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synod accepted, of course. The essential part of the whole transaction may be most clearly apprehended by citing the action of the board of trustees. After reciting in full the provisions of the original charter which provided for the election of trustees by the synods to replace the incorporators (who were to serve only until November 1, 1867) which also declared that "the said Univer- sity shall be under the care of said three synods," the board continues : "Whereas, The University of Wooster, incorporated as aforesaid, desires to avail itself of the provisions of an act of the General Assembly of the state of Ohio, passed April 16, 1900 (94 O. L., pp. 331 and 332), and known as sec- tions 3751b and 375Ic of the Revised Statutes of Ohio, as a part of its articles or certificate of incorporation ; now
"Therefore. Be it resolved by the board of trustees of the University of Wooster, located in the city of Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio as follows :
"I. That said the University of Wooster accept the provisions of sec- tions 3757 of the Revised Statutes of Ohio and confer on and grant to the synod of Ohio in connection with the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America the care of and control over said Uni- versity and the right to appoint thirty trustees in classes as heretofore, and of whom at least seven shall be resident freeholders of said Wayne county, Ohio. and of whom three-fourths shall be communicant members of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America, and not more than five of whom may be non-residents of the State of Ohio; six of whom shall be nominated in classes as heretofore, by and from the alumni of said University as provided by section 3751a of the Revised Statutes of Ohio, and the residue shall be nominated by the board of trustees of said University; and the right to ap- point such additional number of trustees as said synod may from time to time deem necessary for the best interest of said University upon certifying its action to said board, and upon nomination by the board as aforesaid ; and the further right. in the event of the rejection by said synod of any or all nom- inations of the said board of trustees, on its own motion to elect a trustee or trustees, to fill the vacancy or vacancies for which nominations were made by the said board of trustees.
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