USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 49
USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 49
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things may be said to happen alike to all, to the righteous as to the wicked, yet I dare boldly affirm, and challenge any man to the truth thereof; that, in the many volumes of the history of all ages and kingdoms of the world, there is not one instance to be found, where the hand of God was against a righteous nation, or where the hand of God was not against an unrighteous nation, first or last ; nor where a just gov- ernment perished, nor an unjust government long prospered. Kingdoms are rarely so short lived as men; yet they also have a time to die ; but as temperance giveth health to men, so virtue gives time to kingdoms; and as vice brings men betimes to their graves, so nations to their ruin.
Respecting modes of government, the memorable founder of that of Pennsylvania declares,-" There is hardly one frame of government in the world, so ill designed by its foun- der, that, in good hands, would not do well enough; and history tell us, the best, in ill ones, can do nothing, that is great or good ; witness the Jewish and the Roman states. Governments, like clocks, go from the motion, which men give them ; and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them are they ruined too: wherefore govern- ments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments. Let men be good and the governments cannot be bad; if it be ill they will cure it : but if men be bad, let the govern- ment be naver so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil / it to their turn." -- " That, therefore, which makes a good constitution, must keep it, viz : men of wisdom and virtue ; qualities, that, because they descend not with worldly inhe- ritances, must be carefully propagated by a virtuous educa- tion of youth ; for which, after ages will owe more to the care and prudence of founders, and the successive magistra- cy, than to their parents, for their private patrimonies."
" I would think (says he in another place) that there are but few people so vicious, as to care to see their children
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so : and yet to me it seems a plain case, that, as we leave the government, they will find it : if some effectual course be not taken, what with neglect, and what with example, impiety and the miseries that follow it, will be entailed upon our children. Certainly it were better that the world ended with us, than that we should transmit our vices, or sow those evil seeds, in our day, that will ripen to their ruin, and fill our country with miseries, after we are gone; thereby exposing it to the curse of God, and violence of our neigh- bors. Bnt it is an infelicity we ought to bewail, that men are apt to prefer the base pleasures of their present extrav- agancies to all endeavors after a future benefit ; for, besides the guilt they draw down upon themselves, our posterity must be greatly injured thereby; who will find those debts and incumbrances harder to pay than all the rest, we can leave them under."
"Upon the whole matter (continues he) I take the free- dom to say, that, if we would preserve our government, we must endear it to the people. To do this, besides the ne- cessity of present, just and wise things, we must secure the youth ; this is not to be done, but by the amendment of the way of their education; and that with all convenient speed and diligence. I say, the government is highly obliged : it is a sort of trustee for the youth of the kingdom; who, though now minors, yet will have the government when we are gone. Therefore depress vice, and cherish virtue : that through good education, they may become good ; which will truly render them happy in this world, and a good way fit- ted for that which is to come. If this be done, they will owe more to your memories for their education, than for their estates."
Common Schools- a few of advanced standing-were pretty generally established in the country, which were usually open from three to six months in a year.
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Shortly after the close of the Revolution of '76, a school of a higher order was estadlished in the Borough of York. The following, from the "History of York county," gives the rise and progress of the school alluded to.
THE YORK COUNTY ACADEMY.
On the 31st of July, 1777, Conrad Leatherman obtained a ticket for lot No. 638, in the town of York. He con- tinued to be the owner of the lot until the 28th of February 1785, when he sold it to the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. John's.
The Rev. John Campbell then journeyed throughout Pennsylvania, and the neighboring states, and obtained from the generosity of individuals, the sum of about 5000 dollars towards building a school house or academy on the above mentioned lot, and a parsonage house on a lot adjoining .- The building of the academy was immediately commenced, and towards the close of the year 1787, although it was not fully completed, instruction first commenced. The building, as soon afterwards completed, was (and it stands the same at present) a large and convenient two story brick edifice, having forty feet in front, and 60 feet in depth, with three spacious rooms on each floor.
The general assembly of Pennsylvania on the 20th of September 1787, incorporated the Episcopal Church to which this institution was then attached. Under the incor- poration, as far as regards the academy, Thomas Hartley was the first president, Robert Hetrich the first secretary, Henry Miller the first treasurer, and Messrs. James Smith, David Grier, William Harris, and the Rev. Mr. Henderson, the first visiters. The first instructors were two, viz: James
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Armstrong of the English language, and Robert Hetrich of the Latin and Greek languages. The first official meeting, particularly with respect to the academy, recorded in its archives, was held on the 28th of February 1788.
From the small number of Episcopalians belonging to the church, and from the want of proper funds, the corporation was "unable to uphold and support the academy." On this account a petition was presented to the legislature on the 13th of March 1797, the object of which was to surrender the building to the state on condition that it be used as a school-house for the county of York, and that such a sum of money be granted as would be sufficient to support it .- The legislature accepted this offer of surrender, and on the first of March, 1799, incorporated and endowed the "York County Academy."
The first trustees appointed under the new charter, were James Campbell, Jacob Goering, Daniel Wagner, John Black, Robert Cathcart, William Paxton, Thomas Hartley, James Smith, John Edie, John Clark, Jacob Hay, Jacob Rudisell, Elihu Underwood, William Ross of Chanceford, John Barnitz, Michael Schmeiser, Conrad Laub, William McLean, William Scott, Philip Gossler and George Bard. The first President of the board of trustees was the Hon. James Smith, Esq., he was elected at the first meeting, but on account of his age and infirmities he resigned on the 8th of March 1800, when John Edie was elected his successor. The first instructor under the first incorporation was Mr. Robert Hetrich.
In the year 1814, endeavors were made to obtaina repeal of the act which incorporated the "York County Academy." On the 14th of January the rector, church-wardens and vestrymen of the Episcopal church of St. John, petitioned the legislature for that purpose. On the 22d, the trustees of the academy, and some inhabitants of the borough of
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York remonstrated to the legislature against the above peti- tion. On the 30th, a number of inhabitants of the borough and county petitioned. The legislature having taken the subject into consideration, resolved on the 26th of February that the petition of the rector, &c., could not be granted.
In April 1817, the rector, church-wardens, and vestry - men of the church of St. John brought an action against trustees of the Academy, in order to obtain the repossession of the lot and building.
The male and female departments of this institution are now under the superintendance of excellent teachers. The Rev. Stephen Boyer, a gentleman of extensive literary at- tainments, has charge of the male department-and Mrs. is at the head of the female department.
THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT YORK.
This institution was founded by an act of the Synod of the German Reformed Church at its session in Bedford in September 1824, and commenced its operations in Carlisle on 17th of May, 1825, the inauguration of the Professor having previously taken place on the 6th of April. It was removed to York in October 1828, in pursuance of an act of Synod at its session at Lebanon in September of the same year. The institution had a library of between 3000 and 4000 volumes, chiefly in the German language, among which some rare works. There were two professors, viz : L. Mayer, D. D. Professor of Dogmatic Theology, and . Rev. F. A. Rauch, D. D. Professor of Sacred Literature.
A Classical School under the auspices of the Synod of the German Reformed Church was founded by a resolution of Synod at Harrisburg in September 1831. It was com-
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menced in May 1832. Mr. William A Good, of Reading, Pa., now pastor of the Reformed congregation in Hagers- town, Md., was appointed Teacher. In September 1832, the Synod at Frederick, Md., appointed Dr. F. A. Rauch Principal of the institution and Professor in the Theological Seminary. Rev. John H. Agnew, formerly Professor of Languages in Washingotn College, Pa., was subsequently appointed Assistant, and upon his resignation in September 1833, the Board of Visiters elected Rev. H. Miller his suc- cessor. Rev. Charles Dover, pastor of the Moravian church in York was also engaged as assistant in May 1832, and in the Spring of 1834, on the resignation of Mr. Miller, Mr. Samuel W. Budd A. B. was appointed to the vacancy.
The Teachers then employed in the school were Rev. Dr. F. A. Rauch, Principal, Mr. Samuel W. Budd and Rev. Charles Dober, Assistants. The number of students in the two institutions then (July 1834) was about 80, who were generally from a distance.
The general state of education, at present, is not flourish- ing. The common school system is only partially adopted, and except the schools in the principal boroughs and towns, are indifferently conducted, and in some parts of the coun- try education is much neglected. An imperfect knowledge of the elements of common instruction, and writing consti- tutes the sum of education in some neighborhood.
So much are the people opposed to the common school. system that out the thirty two school districts, only seven- teen have accepted the law establishing a system of educa- tion by common schools, and have in operation only one hundred and seventeen schools, and these are only four or five months in the year, open for instruction.
The following townships with a population of rising twenty three thousand, have hitherto refused to accept the law making provisions for education, and would, at present,
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be entitled to the sums, set opposite the name of the town- ship, as their portion of the State appropriation :- Dover $3,532,38 ; Franklin $1,609,66; Codorus $1,995,58; North Codorus $2,616,60; Conewago $2,179,58; Heidle- berg $2,915,56 ; Manchester $3,912,35 ; Manheim $2,796,48 ; West Manchester $2,360,60; Paradise $3,- 566,81 ; Springfield $2,400,00; Spring Garden $3,203,14; Washington $2,333,81 ; Windsor, Upper $638,00; York township $2,699,00.
In the non-accepting districts schools are unusually of very low standing.
Note .- The following is the scheme alluded to in a pre- ceding page, 259, for instructing the Germans :
"A brief history of the rise and progress of the charitable society, carrying on by a society of noble and gentlemen in London, for the relief and instruction of poor Germans and their descendants, settled in Pennsylvania, &c., published for the information of those whom it may concern, by James Hamilton, William Allen, Richard Peters, Benjamin Frank- lin, and Conrad Weiser, Esquires, and the Rev. William Smith, Trustees General, appointed for the management of the said charitable scheme.
For several years past, the small number of Reformed Protestant ministers, settled among the German emigrants in Pennsylvania, and finding the harvest great, but the la- borers few, have been deeply affected with a true Christian concern, for the welfare of their distressed countrymen, and the salvation of their precious souls. In consequence of this, they have, from time time, in the most solemn and moving manner, entreated the churches of Holland, to commisserate their unhappy fellow Christians, who mourn under the deep- est affliction, being settled in a remote corner of the world, where the light of the gospel has lately reached, and where
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they are very much destitute of the means of knowledge and salvation.
The churches of Holland, being accordingly moved with friendly compassion, did, from time to time, contribute to the support of religion in these remote parts. But in the year 1751, a very moving representation of their state having been made by a person, whose unwearied labors for the ben- efit of his dear countrymen, have been for some years con- spicuous, the states of Holland and West Friesland, granted 2000 guilders per annum, for five years, from that time, to be applied towards the instruction of the said Germans and their children, in Pennsylvania. A considerable sum was also collected in the city of Amsterdam, and elsewhere ; and upon motion made by the same zealous person, the Rev. Mr. Thomson* was commissioned by the Synod of Holland, and Classis of Amsterdam, to solicit the friendly assistance of the churches of England and Amsterdam.
When Mr. Thomson arrived in Great Britain, he found the readiest encouragement among persons of the first rank, both in Church and State. It is the peculiar glory of the British government, equally to consult the happiness of all who live under it, however remote, wherever born, or of whatsoever denomination. Wicked and inhuman tyrants, whose ambition is to rule over slaves, find it their interest to keep the people ignorant. But, in a virtuous and free gov- ernment, like that of Great Britain, the case is far other- wise. By its very nature and spirit, it desires every mem- ber of the community enlightened with useful knowledge, and especially the knowledge of the blessed gospel, which contains the best and most powerful motives for making good subjects, as well as good men. Considered in this
* Mr. T. was a minister of one of the English churches, in Amster -. dam, and a member of said Synod and Classis. J
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light, Mr. Thomson's design could not fail to be encouraged in our mother country, since it was evidently calculated to save a multitude of most industrious from the gloom of ig- norance, and qualify them for the enjoyment of all those pri- vileges, to which it is now their good fortune to be ad- mitted, in common with the happy subjects of a free Pro- testant government.
Mr. Thomson having thus made his business known in England, and prepared the way for encouragement there, he, in the meantime, went down to Scotland ; and, himself being known in that country, he represented the case to the General Assembly of the church, then sitting at Edinburgh, upon which a national collection was made, amounting to upwards of £1200 sterling. Such an instance of generosity is one out of many, to show how ready that church has al- ways been to contribute towards the advancement of Truth, Virtue, and Freedom. 1
Mr. Thompson, upon his return from Scotland, found that his pastoral duty called him back to Holland. He saw like- wise that it would be absolutely necessary to have some person in London, not only the monies already collected, but also to solicit and receive the contributions of the rich and the benevolent in England, where nothing had yet been collected, and where much might be hoped for. With this view, he begged a certain number of noblemen and gentle- wen, of the first rank, to take the management of the design upon themselves.
This proposal was readily agreed to by those noble and worthy persons. They were truly concerned to find that there were any of their fellow subjects, in any part of the British dominions, not fully provided with the means of knowledge and salvation. They considered it a matter of the greatest importance to the cause of Christianity in gen- eral, and the protestant interest in particular, not to neglect
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such a vast body of useful people, situated in a dark and barren region, with almost none to instruct them, or their helpless children, who are coming forward in the world in multitudes, and exposed an easy prey to the total ignorance of their savage neighbors on the one hand, aud corruption of our Jesuitical enemies, on whom they border, on the other hand; and of whom they are always, perhaps, too many mixed among them. Moved by these interesting considera- tions, the said noblemen and gentlemen, with a considera- tion peculiar to great and generous souls, did accordingly take the good design into their immediate protection, and form themselves into a society, for the effectual management of it.
The first members of this society were as follows, though we believe several are added this winter, (1775,) whose names have not yet been transmitted to us.
The Right Hon. Earl of Shaftesbury, Earl of Morton, Earl of Finlater, and Lord Willoughby, of Parham. Sir Luke Schaub, and Sir Joshua Van Neck, Baronets. Mr. Commission Vernon, Mr. Chitly, and Mr. Fluddyer, Alder- men of London. John Bance, Robert Furguson, and Na- thaniel Paice, Esqrs. of London. Rev. Benjamin Avory, L. L. D., Rev. Thomas Birch, D. D., Rev. Mr. Casper Wetstein, Rev. Mr. David Thomson, and Rev. Samuel Chandler, Secretary.
The first thing said society did, was to agree to a liberal subscription among themselves; and, upon laying the case before the King, His Majesty, like a true father of his peo- ple, granted £1000 towards it. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Dowager of Wales, granted ££100; and the honor- able proprietors of this province, willing to concur in every design for the ease and welfare of their people, generously engaged to give a considerable sum, yearly, for promoting the most essential part of the 'undertaking. From such a
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fair beginning, and from some hopes they reasonably enter- tain of a more public nature, the honorable doubt not of their being able to complete such a fund as may effectually. answer their pious design, in time coming. In the mean- time they have come to the following general resolutions, with regard to the management of the whole.
I. To assist the people in the encouragement of pious and industrious protestant ministers that are, or shall be regular- ly ordained and settled among the said Germans, or their descendants, in America; beginning first in Pennsylvania, where the want of ministers is greatest, and proceeding to the neighboring British colonies, as they shall be enabled by an increase of their funds.
II. To establish some charitable schools for the pious ed- ucation of German youths of all denominations, as well as those English youths who may reside among them. Now, as a religious education of youth, while the tender mind is yet open to every impression, is the most effectual means of making a people wise, virtuous, and happy, the honorable society have declared that they have this part of their de- sign, in a particular manner, at heart ; it being chiefly from the care that shall be taken of the rising generation, that they expect the success of their whole undertaking.
III. The said honorable society, considering that they reside at too great a distance, either to know what ministers deserve their encouragement, or what places are most con- venient to fix the schools in,-and as they would neither be- stow their bounty on any who do not deserve it; therefore they have devolved the general execution of the whole upon us, under the name of Trustees General, for the management of their charity among the German emigrants in America .- And as our residence is in this province, where the chief bo- dy is settled, and where we may acquaint them with the
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circumstances of the people, the generous society hope that we cannot be imposed upon, or deceived, in the direction or application of their excellent charity.
IV. And lastly, considering that our engagements in other matters, would not permit us personally to consult with the people in the country, nor to visit the schools as often as it might be necessary for their success, the honorable society have, out of their true fatherly care, appointed the Rev. Mr. Schlatter, to act under our direction, as Visitor or Su- pervisor of the schools, knowing that he has already taken incredible pains in this whole affair, and being acquainted with the people in all parts of the country, can converse with them on the spot, and bring us the best advices from time to time, concerning the measures fit to be taken.
This is a brief history of the rise and progress of this no- ble charity, till it was committed to our management, under which we hope it shall be so conducted, as fully to answer the expectation of the worthy society, and give all reasona- ble satisfaction to the parties for whose benefit it is intended. We shall spare no pains to inform ourselves of the wants and circumstances of the people ; as will appear by the fol- lowing plan which we have concerted for the general exam- ination of onr trust, leaving room to alter or amend it, as circumstances shall require, and time discover defects in it.
With regard to that part of the society's design which proposes the encouragement of pious protestant ministers, we shall impartially proportion the monies set apart for this purpose according to the instruction of the said society ; as soon as such ministers shall put it in our power so to do, by making their labors and circumstances known to us, either by their own personal- application, or by means of Mr. Schlatter, or any other creditable person.
As to the important article of establishing schools, the
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following general plan is proposed, which may, be from time to time, improved or perfected.
1st. It is intended that every school to be opened upon this charity, shall be equally to the benefit of protestant youth of all denominations ; and therefore the education will be in such things as are generally useful to advance industry and true godliness. The youth will be instructed in both the English and German languages ; likewise in writing, keeping of common accounts, singing of Psalms, and the true principles of the holy protestant religion, in the same man- ner as the fathers of those Germans were instructed, at the schools in those countries from which they came.
2dly. As it may be of great service to religion and indus- try, to have some schools for girls, also, we shall use our endeavors with the honorable society, to have some few school mistresses encourged, to teach reading, and the use of the needle. And though this was no part of the original design, yet as the society have nothing but the general good of all at heart, we doubt not they will extend their benefac- tion for this charitable purpose also.
3dly. That all may be induced, in their early youth, to seek the knowledge and love of God, in that manner which is most agreeable to their own consciences, the children of all protestant denominations, English and Dutch, (German) shall be instructed in the catechism of sound doctrine, which is approved of and used by their own parents and ministers .- All unreasonable sort of compulsion and partiality is direct- ly opposite to the design and spirit of this charity, which is generously undertaken to promote useful knowledge, true religion, public peace, and Christian love, among all ranks and denominations.
4thly. For the use of the schools, the several catechisms that are now taught among the Calvinists, Lutherans, and other protestant denominations, will be printed in English
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and Dutch, (German) and distributed among the poor, to- gether with some other good books, at the expense of the society.
5thly. In order that all parents may be certain of having justice done to their children, the immediate care and inspec- tion of every school will be committed to a certain number of sober and respectable persons, living near the place where every such school shall be fixed. These persons will be de- nominated Assistant or Deputy Trustees; and it will be their business, monthly or quarterly, to visit that particular school for which they are appointed, and see that both mas- ter and scholars do their duty. It will also be their busi- ness to send an account of the state and progress of the schools, at every such visitation, to us as Trustees General. These accounts we shall transmit from Philadelphia to the society in London ; and the society will from time to time, be enabled, by these means, to lay the state of the whole schools before the public ; and thus charitable and well dis- posed people, both in Great Britain and Holland, seeing the good use that has been inade of their former contributions, will be inclined to give still more and more for so glorious and benevolent undertaking.
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