USA > Ohio > The plan of union: or a history of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches of the Western Reserve; with biographical sketches of the early missionaries > Part 17
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It is probable, that those who produced the excision, " verily thought they did God service thereby." And doubtless there was a wise providence, though unseen, directing the movement. It is perhaps better that the two great branches of Presbyteri- anism, representing two distinct phases of the age in which we live, should be separate and free, each, to develop, its peculiar spirit and tendencies, rather than to cripple each other, and neutralize their strength and efforts, in vain contentions. There was a destiny that drove them asunder. Let them forget the past, and exercise henceforth towards each other the charities which the Gospel requires.
CHAPTER V.
CONCLUSION OF ECCLESIASTICISM.
It might have been expected that after the excision, the rejected Synods would have resolved themselves into their separate native elements, and the Congregationalists and Pres- byterians, have sought each connections with which they would naturally better affiliate. But they were too strongly united, and had a life of their own too vigorous to be dissipated.
After much perplexity, prayer and deliberation, the new Assembly was formed. The Synod lived, the Presbyteries and churches lived ; the Plan of Union lived ; co-operative, chari- table, American Presbyterianism and Congregationalism lived ; and worked, and advanced more rapidly than before.
Yet, let it not be imagined that these agitations and rputures produced no serious injury. It was not possible for an eccle- siasticism thus beset, on one side by hostile Independency, and on the other by as hostile Presbyterianism, to accomplish the work it might have done, if let alone. The excision took off a few churches to the Old School body. The loss in this way was trifling. But the confidence destroyed, affections alienated, plans frustrated, and prospects blighted, time cannot wholly
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repair. But the Congregational disaffection and hostility has really been much more injurious to the Union Synod, than the Presbyterian excision. The Presbyterian opposition came openly and suddenly in one concentrated storm. When that had passed, and serenity was restored, nothing more was to be apprehended, from that quarter. Presbyterians living on the Reserve have never much troubled existing things. But the Congregational schism, rooting into the soil, and breaking out hereand there almost yearly, in some new eruption, has contin- ued to eat away the life and vigor of the Synod.
By this agency, many of the churhes have been weakened and distracted, and all more or less frustrated in their labors. We do not impugn the motives of those who have pushed di- vision, but we believe their zeal was " not according to know- ledge." Nor can we justify those who have merely stood alooff in sullen isolation, refusing to co-operate with other churches. They have suffered, and the cause of Christ has suffered by this exclusiveness.
In conclusion something must be said relative to the pros- pects of the Synod.
It is common for sectarians, on both sides, to speak of the Plan of Union as about defunct, and soon to vanish away. Many anticipate the dissolution of the Western Reserve Synod, and others similarly constituted, if not of the New School As- sembly; and expect to see the Presbyterial element return per- haps to the Old School body, and the Congregational come out as pure Congregationalists. A thorough acquaintance with these bodies however, warrants no such anticipations. The Plan of Union is to day a living reality, as vigorous in many 20
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places, as it was twenty years ago. Neither Young Presbytery on the one side, nor Young Independency on the other, at all disturbs the stable churches that have grown and worked fra- ternally together, for a third of a century, and more. The fickle and restless, the sectarian and radical, may change and agitate. The Synod may be yet more diminished : and new rivals may arise ; the Old School body may reclaim a few : In- dependency may win a few; but most of the churches and ministers are contented with the Union and will adhere to it.
The Anti-Slavery agitation, has been a fruitful theme for disunionists. By a false interpretation of the import of com- munion and church fellowship, all churches and Christians holding any connection with the General Assembly, have been constantly accused of sanctioning and sustaining Slavery. The principle is simply that of Garrisonian disunion, applied to ecclesiasticism; a principle false in its philosophy, incendiary in its spirit, and pro-slavery in its results. The Union Synod and Presbyteries are unqualifiedly anti-slavery in sentiment, and believe that they are accomplishing more for the cause of freedom by their present position, than they could do by seces- sion. Weak brethren, and unstable churches are frequently befogged, frenzied and led away, by wild disorganizers, to their own injury and nobody's benefit. But the fanaticism of the anti-slavery movement has mainly passed, and all the North is coming to a rational unity of sentiment upon this subject, which promises to lead to united action, by which something better than mere froth and denunciation, may be produced. The real sentiment of the Reserve upon this subject is one, and it can not be that churches will much longer foolishly suffer them-
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selves to be distracted by the slight differences of opinion ex- isting relative to the means by which Slavery should be opposed.
An important modification has also occurred in the policy of the Oberlin, or Radical Congregationalism of the Reserve. The division of churches is no longer pursued as a leading aim ; and the doctrinal peculiarities of Mahan and Finney attract little attention. A visible tendency towards at least modified Calvinism, is discernible in that quarter; or, at least, a weari- ness of the notoriety and singularity that once seemed to be gloried in. Apostles of disunion no longer traverse the land as aforetime, drawing multitudes after them.
In short, quietude and peace are returning, and as a conse- quence, churches long distracted and desolate are begining to experience rich revivings of religion. Men begin to think once more about their souls, and the Kingdom of God, and to remember that the Lord rules over the world, including the Western Reserve. Reason, faith, hope and charity are not dead; and there are tokens that a better day is dawning. This field has been unsurpassed in radicalism, agitations, novelties, and excitements. From the time when ranting advocates of ' Unionism," and steam-engine revivalists, and abolitionism, run mad, first began to traverse the Reserve, twenty years ago, to this day, many of the people of the Reserve have been alternatly roasted and chilled, by spiritual " chill-fever," which has consumed the vigor and life of the churches.
Can we never learn that agitation is not reform, and that denunciation, secession, reorganization and excitement do not convert sinners, confirm Christians, nor extend religion, nor
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purify the church ? And can sectarian propagandists never discover that there is here an indigenous ecclesiasticism, adapted to our mixed population, deep-rooted in the hearts of our most stable christians and churches, fully adequate to secure freedom, progress, efficiency, and stability, and happily adjusted to the vital principles both of co-operative Presbyterianism, and of consociated Congregationalism ?
The difficulties in our churches have not grown out of the Plan of Union ; but out of the High Church sectarianism that has on either side opposed it. And these difficulties are to be escaped only by ceasing to denounce, divide, and experiment with new organizations; and by charitably uniting in, and cherishing the natural Union which love to Christ begets, and which was beautifully illustrated in the first thirty years of our history.
God be praised, that these truths are becoming appreciated by our people, and that a reaction in favor of peace and order and devotion to the spiritual, rather than the external and carnal, has commenced. May the rising light increase and blaze into the perfect day, and God's Spirit come back and baptize all our churches with new life and love.
CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATIONAL MEASURES AND INSTITUTIONS.
The enterprising, intelligent and pious settlers of the West- ern Reserve, early manifested a deep solicitude for the edu- cation of their youth. As soon as settlements were large enough, little schools were collected and the best available teachers employed.
. Very soon the attention of the people, particularly of the ministers and pious families, was directed to the establishment of an institution of a higher order than the common school. Through the efforts of some of these men, who had at heart ultimately the establishment of an institution adequate to the preparation of young men for the ministry, an act was passed by the Legislature of Ohio, on the 16th of April, 1803, " incor- porating the Trustees of the Erie Literary Society." These Trustees were, David Hudson, Eliphalet Austin, Henry Cham- pion, John Leavitt, Martin Smith, Ephraim Root, Harmon Canfield, John Walworth, John S. Edwards, William Hart, Turhand Kirtland, Solomon Griswold and Rev. Joseph Badger. The act of incorporation gave them power to hold property,
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erect buildings for a College or Academy, determine the name of the Institution, purchase apparatus, employ instructors, i.e. President, Professors, Tutors, &c .; have a common seal, and fill their own vacancies.
But the country was yet too new and the settlers too limited in resources to proceed very fast with such a project. The Trustees met but seldom, and for many years confined their efforts to the attainment of a fund adequate to start the insti- tution.
February 19, 1810, the Legislature added Eleazer Hickcox and Peter Hitchcock to the Board of Trustees. No regular records were kept until November 13, 1816. At that time, a meeting was held at Warren. From the minutes of that meet- ing it appears that T. Kirtland was President of the Board and J. Leavitt Secretary. Messrs. Edward Leavitt and Wal- worth had died, and Mr. Tomlinson, Rev. Luther Humphrey and Rev. John Seward were appointed in their places. Peter Hitchcock was appointed Secretary, and continued to discharge the duties of the office as long as the Board continued to act. At the same meeting, Messrs. Canfield and Smith resigned, and Rev. Wm. Hanford and Benjamin Whedon were elected in their places.
April, 1817, the Board appointed committees from their own number, to solicit donations. The enterprise now as- sumed a more religious aspect. August 22, 1817, Eleazer Hickcox was appointed agent to take care of the real estate belong to the Corporation, and D. Hudson was associated with him, with power to lease the real estate for any time not to exceed twenty years. The Secretary was directed to apply to
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the Legislature for a remission of taxes, penalties and interest due upon the lands of the Corporation.
January 23, 1818, an act was passed " exempting from tax- ation the lands of the Erie Literary Society." In the fall of 1817, the Trustees voted to " erect a building in the township of Burton, for the use of the Corporation," &c. Voted also " to appoint a committee of five to examine what number of scholars can be procured for the ensuing winter, and if a suffi- cient number offer, to employ an Instructor, provided a suita- ble person can be found."
The year 1817 also gave birth to another educational move- ment, designed to co-operate with the institution, to be started at Burton.
The Grand River Presbytery, at a meeting in Austinburg, February 12, 1817, organized itself into an Educational So- ciety, to be known as the Grand River Education Society.
In 1818, the Prudential Committee of this Society, in the name of the Trustees, published in pamphlet an " ADDRESS," commending the objects of the Society to the "friends of Science and Religion," earnestly soliciting co-operation by in- dividuals and by " Auxiliary Societies." At this time, they reported that they had two beneficiaries under their care, and that "other pious youth were intending to apply as soon as opportunity should be presented."
June 14, 1819, the Trustees of the Erie Literary Society appointed a committee of two, with discretionary power to sell the real estate of the Corporation, or to lease it for a term not exceeding ninety-nine years.
Also, a committee to collect and appropriate funds for the
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completion of the building, so that a school might be com- menced by the first Monday of November, 1819. Also, a committee to prepare rules and a course of education for the school. The course of study adopted, comprised Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography, Elocution, Logic, Belles Lettres, Latin, Greek, Mathematics, and any other branches usually taught in the Literary Institutions of New England." Text books were prescribed ; and it was specified that the Principal should be a graduate of some American College.
The dedication of the building was appointed to take place on the second Tuesday of November, 1819. Rev. J. Seward was requested to preach a sermon upon the occasion.
April 11, 1821. The committee were instructed to employ Mr. David Coe as Principal. Thus, at last, the institution was fairly started.
But the Burton School did not long flourish. The place soon obtained the reputation of being sickly; and this, with rival claims that started up in other places, and various other causes, contributed to operate against it, and eventually to di- vert the funds of the Corporation to another place.
In 1822, a movement was started which eventually resulted in the founding of the Western Reserve College, at Hudson. The following account of this movement is extracted from a report presented by Mr. Seward, in behalf of the Trustees of the College, in 1835 :
In January, 1822, a communication from Rev. Mr. Bayley, of New Castle, Maine, upon the importance of a united effort by the minis- ters in this region (the Reserve) to establish an institution for the
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purpose of educating pious young men as pastors for our destitute churches, was laid before a meeting of ministers belonging to the Presbyteries of Grand River and Portage, which bodies included the whole of the Reserve, with the exception of a few townships in the south part of Trumbull County. The members of the meeting, after mature deliberation, resolved to embrace the first opportunity for pre- senting the subject to their respective Presbyteries. The business was presented to each of the Presbyteries at their next stated meet- ing; and resulted in the appointment of a joint committee, consisting, from the Grand River Presbytery, of the Rev. Messrs. G. H. Cowles, and H. Coe, with George Swift, Esq., and from Portage Presbytery, of Rev. Messrs. J. Seward, J. Treat, and Elizur Wright, Esq.
This committee was directed to meet at Warren, Trumbull Co., on the 16th of April, 1822, to devise ways and means for establishing on the Connecticut Western Reserve, a Literary and Theological Institu- tion. The afternoon of the day preceding the meeting of this com- mittee, was, by the recommendation of the Presbyteries, observed as a concert of prayer by the churches, that the blessing of God might attend their deliberations and lead to a happy result. Thus did the Presbyteries take hold of this business, and at the same time take hold of the arm that moves the universe.
At the joint meeting of the Presbyteries, on the 30th of the same month, the report of this committee was adopted, and a Board of Managers of the Education Fund, consisting of four from each Pres- bytery, was immediately appointed. Exertions were made to raise funds, and several pious young men were soon taken under the pat- ronage of the Board.
After about two years, it became evident that measures must be taken to fix on a plan for the permanent location of the contemplated Institution.
During this time the Presbytery of Huron was organized, covering the four Western Counties on the Reserve. To preserve harmony among the ministers and churches, and as far as practicable give gen-
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real satisfaction, it was recommended to each of the three Presbyte- ries, to appoint four commissioners, to constitute a Board to locate the Institution. This was accordingly done, and the following were appointed, viz : by the Presbytery of Grand River, G. H. Cowles, Harvey Coe, A. Griswold, and E. Austin, Jr .; by the Presbytery of Portage, John Seward, Joseph Treat, Lemuel Porter, and J. H. Whit- tlesey ; by the Huron Presbytery, A. H. Betts, L. B. Sullivan, S. Cowles, and D. Gibbs.
This Board attended several meetings at different places, on the business for which they were appointed.
Of course much feeling and anxiety were exhibited by dif- ferent towns to secure the College. Burton, Aurora, Euclid, Cleveland and Hudson were prominent amongst the competi- tors. " It was found difficult, at so early a period in the set- tlement of the country, to fix upon the most eligible spot."
Finally, however, "at the last meeting of the Board, which was held at Euclid, in January, 1825, they decided to locate the Institution at Hudson, Portage Co.," in consideration both of the liberal donation of lands by Esquire Hudson, and the supposed favorableness of that locality for such an Institution. Having made this decision, they mounted their horses, rode to Hudson, selected the site, and drove a stake on College Hill, to the joy of the Hudsonians, and the mortification of some other people.
" After the location off the College, the business of the In- stitution went into the hands of twelve persons, four of whom were appointed by each of the three Presbyteries then existing on the Reserve. These persons were thenceforth denominated The Board of Trustees of the Western Reserve College. In 1826, they were incorporated by the Legislature, and held their
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EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 239
first meeting under the Charter, on the first of March, 1826." The corner stone of the first College edifice was laid on Wednesday, the 26th of April, 1826.
The Trustees, elected in 1826, were David Hudson, Elizur Wright, J. B. Sherwood, Rev. J. Seward, Rev. C. Pitkin, Hon. H. Brown, Rev. S. Woodruff, Zalmon Fitch, Rev. B. Fenn, Harmon Kingsbury, George Swift, S. I. Bradstreet and Rev. H. Coe.
The first permanent College Professor was the Rev. C. B. Storrs, elected Professor of Christian Theology, March 2, I828, and inducted into the office on the third of December following. Previous to this, "about twenty students had been collected under the care and instruction of a Tutor. From the time of Mr. Storrs' connection with it, the institution, un- de his judicious and energetic management, advanced more rapidly."
In October, 1828, the Trustees of the Burton Academy transferred the endowment of that Institution to the College, and the endowment was constantly enlarged by donations, so- licited for the most part by the agent, Rev. C. Pitkin.
On the 25th of August, 1830, Mr. Storrs was elected Pres- ident of the Institution, and inaugurated February 9, 1831. The duties of this responsible station he discharged with great fidelity and success until his death, which occurred on the 15th of September, 1833. This was a severe blow to the In- stitution, coming at a time when other difficulties were already gathering around it.
It was from the beginning, the determination of the Trus- tees to make the Institution one of the very highest order in
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literary and scientific instruction ; and to exclude from it all political or sectarian peculiarities. They were determined never to mount a popular hobby in order to gain notoriety and favor. This policy, the only true policy upon which to found an institution of the kind, they have ever firmly adhered to, but not without great trials and opposition.
When the exciting anti-slavery controversy began upon the Reserve, it could not but happen that an institution which as- sumed a neutral position, and confined itself to its appropriate duties, should be regarded with jealousy by excited controver- sialists. Nor could men of a single idea, and crazy upon that, understand how those, who had the culture and training of the young, could be guiltless of slavery, and gag law, and suppres- sion of the truth, if they did not introduce abolitionism as a car- dinal element into their course of instruction. Hence arose a violent agitation, in opposition to the College, which resulted in breaking up the Faculty, alienating the excitable portion of the ultra anti-slavery element of the Reserve, and circulating many false and injurious statements relative to the manage- ment of the Institution.
The manual-labor system was adopted and maintained for several years, at Hudson ; proving, as in most other cases, a sinking business, and a failure.
The primary object of the Institution was to educate young men for the ministry. Hence the early appointment of a Pro- fessor of Theology, and the early establishment of a complete Faculty of Divinity.
Yet, the liberal minded founders of the Institution aimed at no merely partial, professional system of education; but,
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EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
with a careful regard for all the intellectual interests of society, determined to afford facilities for the most thorough, men- tal culture, and discipline of all the faculties of the mind. The course of instruction adopted in the Collegiate department was substantially the same with that of the best eastern Col- leges. The classics, and higher mathematics, as well as the natural sciences, have always received strict attention and tho- rough study. While at the same time, it has been the aim to exert such moral and religious influences over the students as should fit them for the highest usefulness and honor both for time and eternity.
In 1834, Rev. George E. Pierce, D. D., was inaugurated as President of the Institution, and entered upon his duties with such vigor, perseverance, and large views, as rapidly advanced it, in both its literary interests and material resources.
Yale College was the model upon which the President and his co-laborers aimed to form the growing Institution, and no efforts nor expense were spared to realize, as fast as possible, the high ideal.
Within a few years the curriculum was brought up to the Yale standard, and a Faculty secured, which, for thorough scholarship and professional ability, has probably never been equaled by any other western Institution. In his choice of Professors, the President exhibited a sagacity and success un- surpassed. At the same time, the most vigorous efforts were prosecuted to secure an endowment adequate to support the Faculty employed. In this enterprise, President Pierce la- bored long, and with a patient fortitude and self-denial seldom equaled. And though, from the nature of the case, success.
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came slowly, the project was not abandoned until pledges were secured adequate to place the Institution upon an independent and efficient basis.
But while this effort was in progress, it was only by the greatest self-denial and difficulty that the Institution was en- abled to hold upon its way. Seldom have pioneers in any en- terprise experienced severer trials and privations than the members of that Faculty.
In order to secure an endowment and sustain the Professors, the President was compelled to do what no President of such an Institution ought to do, become a financial agent, and de- vote himself mainly to out-door work. This President Pierce did, with praiseworthy self-denial, yet greatly to his own detri- ment. For in this way he became known to the peeple chiefly as a solicitor of funds, and was necessarily almost a stranger to the students, and so failed of the affection and sympathy which would have been secured, could he have devoted himself to his appropriate functions.
Nor was it strange that the Professors living so long upon half rations, with tempting offers before them, from eastern Institutions, should at length have grown restive.
Other causes may also have operated to produce that most unfortunate alienation among the Faculty, Trustees, and, at length, friends generally of the Institution, which, at the very moment when the endowment was considered secured, scat- tered the Faculty and students, caused the suspension of the Theological Seminary, and well nigh broke up the College ..
As in all similar difficulties, there were true friends of the Institution on each side, and errors on each side. And we
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are now only interested to know that the controversy is ended, and that the Institution again gives promise of being what it should be. President Pierce retired in 1855, recommending, with his usual sagacity, a successor who enjoys the confidence and respect of all. President H. L. Hitchcock, D. D., finds the Institution in much better condition than did his predecessor. May he succeed in completing the structure for which so broad a foundation has been laid. President Pierce will be remembered with gratitude and respect, for his successful ef- forts in securing an endowment and a first class literary re- putation for the Institution. The large classes of thorough students graduated between the years 1840 and 1850, are standing indices of the high character and position which the College assumed during his administration.
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