Historical sketch of McKendree College

Historical Sketch of
McKendree College

PRESIDENT
M. H. CHAMBERLIN, LL.D.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF McKENDREE
COLLEGE

Education in Illinois.

The history of Illinois education— especially as to Its higher forms—
when fully written, will prove one of Its most Interesting chapters. For
the most part, the first promoters of higher education found Its zealous
adherents In the various religious denominations, and In our earlier his-
tory these orgunizatlons were so engrossed In antagonistic discussions
over what now will be conceded as mere dogmas, that the rivalry between
them could hardly be held as fraternal. These antagonisms, coupled
with the wholesome, though unfounded, fear on the part of "outsiders"
of movements which might lead to the union of church and state, and, on
the part of others, the unwholesome fear of the "Yankee" made it im-
practicable, prior to 1835, to secure legislation from the general assembly
of the state granting corporate privileges for denominational institutions.

The Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians, severally, were active In
their espousals of some corporate form of expression whereby education
might be fostered under their respective auspices.

The Methodists, from the date of their coming Into Illinois, were the
araent friends of education. After their organization, in 1824, Into the
Illinois conference, embracing all the territory west of the Ohio to the
Pacific— excepting Missouri— and north to the British possessions, the
question of providing an institution of learning for Its patrons became a
much-discussed proposition among its people. At Its annual session, held
in Mt. Carmel, 111., September, 1827, Rev. Peter Cartwright presented a
memorial from certain citizens of Green county, praying the considera-
tion of that body in behalf of establishing a conference seminary. This
led to the appointment of a committee of five. Rev. Peter Cartwright
being one of the number, to examine into the situation and report back
to the conference at its next session.

This can be fairly counted the beginning of McKendree college.
Oldest Educational Institution in Illinois.

On Feb. 20, 1828— less than five months after the adjournment of the con-
ference—the ptople of Lebanon, a village of about 200 souls, to anticipate
the action of this committee, determined, independent of church affilia-
tions, that the seat of this proposed Institution of learning should be
located In their midst. Articles of association were promptly formulated
by Rev. A. W. Casad, to which subscriptions were solicited "for the erec-
tion of an edifice for a seminary of learning to be conducted, as nearly as
may be, on the plan of Augusta college, Kentucky." The articles pro-
vided that " any subscriber In the sum of SIO should become a shareholder,
shares to be transferable " ; that each shareholder should be " entitled to
send one scholar for each share, free of house rent, and charges for the
use of the public library, etc. ; also shall be free from charge for fuel."

The building was to be two stories in height and '• not less than 36x48 feet,
with two wings of suitable dimensions for convenience, to be commenced
as soon as f6C0 is subscribed."

It was further provided that "the Illinois conference is respectfully
solicited to take the institution under Its fostering care," etc., with the
added statement that " it is very desirable that the Missouri annual con-
ference should unite with the Illinois conference and make it a conference
seminary for both conferences." The final provision runs as follows: " In
case the conferences do not signify, by special communication to the
secretary of the Institution, their Intention to aid the institution by
the first of October the stockholders shall, on notice, convene and select
a suitable number of managers and other oflScers whose powers and duties
shall be delegated to them by the stockholders."

To these articles of organization, still preserved, are appended the
names of 104 persons— three of the number being women— whose subscrip-
tions toward establishing the Institution aggregated the sum of $1,.385.

Founders of the Seminary.

As evidence of the systematic zeal with which these early pioneers were
pushing this educational enterprise, the subscribers met on March 1 and
elected the following named persons as trustees: Samuel H. Thompson,
Nicholas Horner, George Lowe, Theophilus M. Nichols, Joshua Barnes,
.John Thomas, Sr., Samuel C. Stites and David S. Witter. At this meeting
it was resolved to erect an edifice, and A. W. Casad, Nathan Horner and
George Lowe were appointed a committee to purchase a certain eight-
acre tract of land owned by Richard Bradsby, provided the same might
be secured at a figure not exceeding S3 00 per acre; the committee also
being authorized to proceed to let the contract for the erection of the
building.

On Nov. 8, the conference not having, at its session in the preceding
October, taken the institution under " its fostering care," as expressed in
the articles of organization, the stockholders held a meeting and elected
thirty-three managers, of which body Rev. Samuel H. Thompson was
made president, David S. Witter, secretary, and Nathan Horner, treas-
urer. The managers were chosen from a wide area of territory and em-
braced some of the most conspicuous persons connected with the early-
day history of the state, as will appear from the names here given: Rev.
John Dew, Rev. Joshua Barnes, Col. Andrew Bankson, James Rlggln^
Thomas Ray, David L. West, Col. E. B. Clemson, Rev. Samuel Mitchell!
Sr., Wm. Padfleld and Wm. Bradsby of St. Clair county; Rev. Peter Cart-
wright and Charles R. Matheny of Sangamon county ; Hall Mason, Rev.
Washington C. Ballard, John O. Dugger and Major Isaac Furgeson of
Madison county; Rev. Aaron Wood of Mt. Carmel; Hon. Shadrach Bond
of Kaskaskla: Rev. Smith L. Robinson of Kaskaskla circuit; John Till-
son, Jr., Hillsboro; Peter Hubbard of Bond county; Charles Slade and
Pomroy Easton of Carlyle; John Logan of Jackson county; Major John
Phillips of Washington county; Col. E. 0. Berry of Vandalia; Dr. Thomas
Stanton of Waterloo; Rev. Zaddock Casey of Jefferson county; Rev.
Andrew Monroe. Major John O'Fallon and George W. Kerr of St. Louis
city; Rev. Alexander McCallister of St. Louis county, and Rev. Jesse
Green of Missouri district.

At the same session an elaborate constitution was formed, defining in
detail the powers and privileges of the organization, as also by-laws and
rules were adopted. The nature of the work, both as to the preparatory

and college depart Hients, was Indicated, and the importance of employlns:
someone capable of "teaching the higher branches of mathematics,
natural and moral philosophy, and the Latin and Greek languages," was
emphasized. This was in keeping with the provision contained in the
original articles that the "seminary of learning" should be conducted
" as nearly as may be on the plan of Augusta college, Kentucky," then in
operation with full courses of collegiate studies.*
First Principal-E. R, Ames.

That no time should be lost in waiting for the completion of the build-
ing—preliminary steps for the erection of which had already been
taken— the two school-houses of the village were rented and on Nov. 24,
1828, with Mr. E. R. Ames--substquently bishop— as principal and Mi.ss
McMurphy, assistant, McKendree college, then known as "Lebanon
seminary," was opened for public patronage. The year was divided into
two sessions of five months— each session being followed by one month's
vacation. The terms of tuition were fixed for the "lower branches at
S5.00 per session," and for the " higher branches, embracing mathematics,
natural and moral philosophy and the Latin and Greek languages at $7 00
per session." The close of the first term showed an enrollment of seventy-
two students— five of whom were women— yielding a revenue of S464 41.
The principal received as compensation for his services $115, and the as-
sistant §83.33. The board of managers, by resolution, highly complimented
Miss McMurphy for her excellence as a teacher, and appointed a commit-
tee to urge her continuince in service for another session. Both Mr.
Ames and Miss McMurphy were elected to their former positions, with
equal salaries, each to receive $25 per month for a five months' session

As a bit of history, it is as gratifying as it is significant, that JMcKen-
dree, commencing its career with collejJie espousals, in an era when it was
seriously believed that the lack of " gray matter " in the brain of woman
disabled her for the successful pursuit of any but the most simple sort of
mental culture, should have made up its board of Instruction (small
though it was) fro)H the two $exes:, at equal nnmhers aiid on equal salaries, at
the same time welcoming women to the privileges of tuition. This con-
dition of things never met with a solitary protest in the legislation of the
early managers. On the contrary, there was, up to 1836, constant solici-
tude on the part of its members to provide adequate means to meet the
requirements of women students and, Mrs Peter Akers, followed by Miss
Polly Thorp, as faculty teachers, were successors to Miss McMurphy.
About the last-named date it seemed that feminine patronage disap-
peared, not from any hostile legislation on the part of the board, but in
spite of its persistent attempt to furnish adequate facilities lor its proper
maintenance. The records show that in the board session of 1852, 1806, 1868
and 186!) the subject of coeducation was resurrected, and while it was not
restored until the latter date, by a vote of fourteen to seven, there is on
record no evidence that the small minority held any other grounds of
objection than inadequacy of preparation for its reintroduction. After
thirty-five years of unbroken experience with the joint system of educa-

* Augusta college, founded in 1822. -vas the successor of Cokesbury college,
foui ded by the Methodists, near Baltimore. Md., in 1TS5, and destroyed by an
incendiary tire in lT',)o. Augusta college, jielding to the unfortunate inHuences
created by the acrimonious discussion of the slavery question, closed its aoors in
1844, leaving McKendree the oldest existing college haviiig its origin under Metho-
dist auspices.

tlOD, McKendree has no disposition to retrace its steps, or even to advo-
cate "segregation" of the lady students because, as is substantially held
by some, her superior precocity and intellectual grasp is so much more
manifest than that of her brother in the recitation-room. astodiscouraKC
the latter in intellectual endeavor; nor on the further ground of her un-
fitness to create a splendid "college spirit" by itinerating in a costume
not wholly unlike that of a knight of the middle ages, to do strenuous
service in behalf of her college on the bone-breaking, insane-making and
death-dealing "gridiron."

The building, the construction of which was commenced in 1828, was
completed the succeeding year and, after twenty-seven years of service,
in 1856 the first erected edifice for higher education in the state of Illinois
went up In Hames kindled by the hand of an Incendiary.

In 18;50 the Illinois conference took McKendree college under its " fos-
tering care," and at a general meeting of the stockholders a reorganiza-
tion was effected whereby it was provided that in future there should be
elected eleven managers by the conference and five by the stockholders,
to have in custody the affairs of the institution. Later the Missouri con-
ference accepted the college as its institution, and for a time sent visit-
ing members to the sessions of its board of trustees. Its adhesion to the
college, however, was lukewarm— induced by the growing sentiment
against free-state Influences— and in a little time its oflBclal patronage
was discontinued.

McKendree College.

Bishop McKendree, about the period last named, in his rounds over a
diocese embracing a territory half continental in Its proportions, visited
Lebanon. He was greatly pleased with the prospects of the new institu-
tion of learning and pledged, as a donation, 480 acres of land located in
St. Clair county, for the promotion of its interests, with the expressed
desire that the Missouri conference should join with the Illinois in giving
It patronage and support. It was at this time that the name of the insti-
tution was changed to "McKendree college." So Important did the
bishop hold the object of maintaining an Institution of learning for the
two conferences named, that he committed the execution of his will to
the entire board of bishops of the then undivided church— Bishops Rob-
erts, Heddlng, Andrew, Waugh, Morris and Soule. The last named was
given power by his associates to carry out the provisions of the will
which duty he performed by a conveyance of the land to McKendree
college in 1839. '^

In 1834 the board of managers appointed a committee to petition the
legislature for a charter for the institution, under the name of " McKen-
drean college." The Baptists and Presbyterians In like manner pre-
sented similar memorials and, as an illustration of the old adage, " In
union there fs strength," it resulted In the passage of an omnibus bill (3)
which was approved Feb. 9, 183.), granting charters for the Illinois, Mc-
Kendrean and Shurtliff colleges, representing, respectively, the Presby-
terian, Methodist and Baptist denominations, all of which still exist and
have done splendid work for western civilization. It should be stated
that the original bill was amended to Include a fourth institution, the
"Jonesboro college "—which passed out of existence many years ago. If,
Indeed, it was ever organized. This amendment seems to have been re-
quired to secure the necessary vote to pass the bill. The trustees named
in the act for McKendree college were: John Dew, Samuel H. Thompson,
James Riggln, Nicholas Horner, George Lowe, Robert Moore, Theophllus

M. Nichols, Joshua Barnes, Samuel Stltes, Uavld L. West. Nathan Horner,
Joseph Foulke, Thornton Peeples, John S. Barger, Nathaniel McOurdy, A.
W. Casad and Benjamin Hypos— seventeen in all. ten o( whom were lay-
men and the remainder clergymen.

The bill gave authority to these Institutions to exercise the functions
ordinarily Incident to such organizations; providing, however, '"that
lands donated or devised over and above (540 acres (which might be held
in perpetuity) must be sold within three years of such donation, or be
forfeited to the donor," and also provided "that nothing herein con-
tained shall authorize the.establlshment of a theological department in
either of said colleges." The act, not Improperly, provided that "these
Institutions should be open to all denominations of Christians." It did,
however, authorize a school for manual training, in pursuance of which
one was established by the college in 1830, and for a number of years was
successfully maintained. The two restrictive provisions in the act bear
out the thought suggested In the opening of this paper, that a wide-
spread suspicion prevailed that theological training would inculcate
religious bigotry, which, coupled with the possibly gobbled-up lands of
the state, would eventuate in subjecting the civil government to
churchly domination.

That such modest and safe- guarded legislation in behalf of higher edu"
cation should have passed the senate by a vote of only 11 to 9 now seems
surprising. The able report of Mr. Mather, chairman of senate com-
mittee on petitions in behalf of education in its higher form, and his plea
for legislation In its favor, are a vigorous defense of education in general,
while its italicized portions are significant in that they show he was con-
dunlng an argument to reach two classes of opponents— those who were
actively hostile to the petitioners and those who were indifferent. That
report should be taken from its hiding-place in the senate journal and
printed. As for its recitals of historic data concerning the colleges for
which charters were asked. It will not be surprising if errors are found
concerning the institutions named, since, in the case of McKendree. he
speaks of Its patrons having " commenced their building four years ago,"
adding " the Institution has been In operation about twelve months with
an enrollment of about sixty " students. As already Indicated, the first
building was commenced seven years before— in 1828— and occupied in
1829. while recitations were actually commenced in rented rooms, Nov.
24, 1828, with an enrollment of seventy-two matriculants.

First President— Peter Akers.
The first president under chartered organization was Rev. Peter Akers
—chosen on recommendation of Bishop McKendree— who served one year
on a salary of S500. He was succeeded by Kev. John Dew, for a like
period, to be followed by Prof. Annls Merrill as acting president who. a
few months later, was joined by his brother. Rev. John W. Merrill, presi-
dent-elect. These two, together with Prof. J. W.Sunderland and Judge
Wm. Brown of Morgan county— who came to the college about the same
time- constituted a faculty which reduced the courses of study to syste-
matic collegiate order, with a fittingly assigned division of labor. In tlie
college work, the course leading to a degree was the classical, the order
observed up to 1847, when a scientific course was added. Prior to 1836 It Is
believed no candidate had offered for the study of the Greek, though the
Latin had been taught, as we learn from Professor Sunderland. The men
composing this faculty were scholastic, ambitious and hopeful, with a full

appreciation of the heroic efforts of the founders of the college and, as
Acting President Merrill stated to the writer, they "had dreaois of an-
other Harvard to be built up here, hard by the banks of the Mississippi
river."

At the instigation of President Merrill and his coadjutors. Rev. John
Dew, Rev. B. T. Kavanaugh and Judge Wm. Brown were appointed a com-
mittee to memorialize the general assembly for a new charter. Mr. Lin-
coln, then a member of that body, enlisted himself in the undertaking,
with the result of securing a grant— quite in contrast with the legislation
of 1835— authorizing not only the establishment of college courses, but all
manner of technical schools, with power to confer all manner of degrees
and the holding of 3,000 acres of land in perpetuity, as well as any added
amount, provided the same should be sold within the period of ten years
after title to the same.

Tho act contained a clause providing it should be in force only when
the trustees of McKendree college should accept the same. Rev. B. T.
Kavanaugh was present at Vandalia, the capital of the state, on passage
of the act, and hastened to Lebanon to have the McKendree trustees
officially signify its acceptance. This was in pursuance of the advice of
Mr. Lincoln, who warned him that the largeness of the privileges secured
by the act, if fully realized by those opposed to legislation of this char-
acter, might lead to a successful effort for its recession. The act was ap-
proved Jan. 26, 1839, was accepted by the " McKendrean " trustees at a
called meeting nine days later, Feb. 4, and evidently, that no question
might arise concerning the validity of the legislation because of its oc-
currence at a called meeting, the acceptance of the charter was reaffirmed
at a regularly stated meeting of the trustees on March 4, 1839. This is a
significant Item, since it shows not only the lurking danger of a reversal
of the action of the legislature because of dormant prejudices which
might easily have been excited, but by reason of the bit of sentiment
found in the solicitude of one who subsequently became our greatest of
presidents, in an act he assisted to create in behalf of higher education.

The jubilant faculty and citizens of the village held the occasion
whereby the "splendid charter" was secured worthy of a celebration,
and by resolution of the board. Professor Sunderland was appointed to
illuminate the front college windows with candles and speeches were
made by Kev. B. T. Kavanaugh, Judge Wm. Brown and others, commem-
orating the occasion.

First Class.

The augmentation of the faculty and the thorough classification of
the work of the institution already alluded to, led to the graduation of
the first class in 1841— all classical— seven in number. The year preceding.
Rev. W. D. B. Trotter had been admitted to the degree of bachelor of arts,
on examination in the entire course of study, in pursuance of a clause in
the charter providing for such cases, while the first honorary degree con-
ferred was that of doctor of divinity, in 1839, on Rev. Peter Akers, the
first president of the college.

President Merrill, in a letter to the writer, alluding to the excellent
work of the first graduating class, said: " The class read as much Greek
as was required at that time by the best of American colleges." On his
retirement, in 1841, he was succeeded by Rev. James C. Finley, M.D., whore-
signed in 1845. at which time, by order of the board of trustees, the col-
lege was closed from Nov. 17 of that year to May, 1846 -a period of six
months— Its discouraged patrons, because of long-continued financial em-

barrassiaent, even debating the prudence of ever again opening Its doors.
In succession came to the head of the college Dr. Peter Akers, Dr. Erastus
Wentworth, Dr. Anson W. Cuinnilngs, Dr. Peter Akers for a third term,
and Dr. Nelson E. Cobleigh, with terms of service of one, four, two, six
and five years respectively— the last named closing his administration In
1863.

We have carried the presidential succession down to the latter date for
the reason that Dr. Coblelgh's administration created an epoch in the
history of the Institution, in that he was successful in establishing the
nucleus of an endowment upon which Its friends could anchor their faith
for the future. In other words, It was the bringing to fruition the labors
of those who had gone before, and the close of his administration might
be, not Inaptly, styled the heroic period of the institution. Dr. Robert
Allyn, an experienced educator and able financier, the successor of Presi-
dent Cobleigh, in alluding to the success of the endowment proposition
of the latter, wrote : " Then the dry land first began to appear, and it was
solid, too, and will bear any structure built upon it." Following Dr. Cob-
leigh, twelve presidents. Including the present Incumbent, elected In 1894,
have administered the affairs of the college.

High Ideals of the Founders.

The records of the board of trustees, unbroken from the date of McKen-
dree's founding to the present, are a source of information of Intense
Interest, as illustrating the high ideals entertained and the labors and
sacrifices endured by the early pioneers, who systematically and in organ-
ized form, established this oldest college in the state, dedicated from its
inception to higher education. In these records will be found every man-
ner of legislation which it was thought could in any way promote the
interest of the Institution. Frequent sessions of the board, all-day ses-
sions, adjourned to " early candle-light " and continued until the candles
had burned low in their sockets, show with wliat persistent zeal our
fathers sought to promote the interests of this cherished enterprise.

The completion of the original building in 1820 entailed a debt, which
was augmented by minor improvements made necessary by the rapidly
growing demands of the institution. In 1838 a loan was effected in the
sum of $"1,000 from the " Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown," which, under
order of the trustees, provided that so much of the same as might be nec-
essary to pay all pressing debts— estimated at $2.500— should be so appro-
priated and the residue applied on a building, the construction of which
had then been authorized. The financial straits to which tlie promoters
of McKendree's interests were subiected seemed in no sense to diminish
their enthusiasm for the consideration of any question which looked
toward the enlargement of the scope of Its usefulness.

As already stated, a manual-training department was introduced in
183(5, while legislation looking toward agricultural, normal, biblical and
law departments was seriously considered; none of these, however,
took the form of permanency, except the law school, which was founded
by Governor French in 1858.

Almost from the beginning the necessity of endowments was felt by
McKendree's patrons, and some policy by which this deficiency might be
met was made the oft-repeated subject of consideration. The scholarship
plan was thought to be the most available and four separate attempts
were made, all of which, except the last, proved abortive. The sales were
made on time-notes, the large majority of which defaulted, and the Instl-

tutlon was glad to get rid of the Incumbrance on a basis of compromise,
though a losing proposition. From the last effort $10 000 out of S20,000 was
realized, but not without disagreements and, at times, an exhibition of
bad blood, which makes it a matter of doubt whether that which was
secured was worth what it cost the institution.

In the first ten years of its history more than a score of financial agents
were appointed to solicit donations, sell scholarships already mentioned^
and to otherwise enlist the patronage of the public. Indeed, at a called
session of the board, held in 1833, one Judah Ely of Philadelphia was ap-
pointed an agent " to solicit donations in Great Britain " for endowments,
and the succeeding year Rev. Smith L. Robinson was appointed to travel
"throughout the United States" for a llise purpose, while Rev. James
Mitchell was constituted an agent "to travel throughout Illinois and
Missouri" for the same object. At first there may seem a bit of grim
humor in the transatlantic agency, but it will not be forgotten that about
that time our English cousins were making liberal donations to western
denominational enterprises— notably the Episcopal— and the fact that
McKendree was ofBclally recognized by two conferences, embracing prac-
tically the whole Mississippi valley, caused our fathers to feel no small
degree of hope that an agent, with such formidable prestige, might meet
with encouragement on such a mission. As to the question of his ever
having gone on his mission, the records are silent, nor is there any evi-
dence of success in the case of either Robinson or Mitchell, though ap-
pointed to a territory which, educationally speaking, McKendree had
pre-empted.

Financial Difficulties.

A plan for building up the finances of the institution was devised by
Rev. B. T. Kavanaugh which, but for unforeseen circumstances, might
have proven eminently successful. It was for the college authorities to
locate public lands for eastern capital— at that time eager for such invest-
ments—the college and the investor to share equally in the results if, at
the end of five years, the locations made should prove double the value of
the original price of purchase. This at first met with decided encourage-
ment. Investments were made by some capitalists in Philadelphia and
Washington, but the veto, by General Jackson, of the bill for a national
road, whii'.h was expected soon to reach Illinois, and the subsequent col-
lapse of the state banks, put a quietus on land investments. Some of
these lands evidently vested, for subsequent legislation of the board sig-
nifies that they, as also certain other tracts near Lebanon— including
those bequeathed by Bishop McKendree— together with a large amount
of brick which had been made for the contemplated new building, were
ordered sold to relieve the tension of accumulated debts which Imperiled
the existence of the institution. Even after this action, debts still re-
mained. Indeed, every administration, even to the present, inherited the
legacy of debt— increasing and diminishing by turns— until the last vestige
of Incumbrance was wiped out in 1895, with no probability of so dire a foe
ever again menacing the prosperity of the institution.

Touching the money beciuests of which the institution has been made
the subject, some conception may be had of the burden added to its finan-
cial misfortunes when it is stated that in all cases— except as to the sum
of f")00, recently vested— expensive suits at law had to be maintained
against contesting heirs, wherein benefactions out of which the college
should have realized more than SiO.OOO, yielded but little above one-third
that amount. Such experiences emphasize the superior benevolent wis-

10

dom of benefactors like Dr. D. K. Pearsons, Andrew Carnegk;, .lohn 1).
Rockefeller and Miss Hflen Gould, who make their donations while liv-
ing, thereby saving the public from the unseemly exhibitions of cupidity
so often practiced by heirs over the graves of their relatives, by reason of
which the generous purposes of the latter In behalf of great and enduring
objects are Ignomlniously defeated.

The oft-repeated efforts to secure a ni-w building, and for which at one
time much material had been gathered, but had to be sold for the payment
of debts, finally culminated in the erection of a three-story brick structure,
44 X W, under the administration of Dr. Wentworth, with money raised by
the late Dr. William Goodfellow.

The mention of some of the earlier names to the exclusion of others who
could fittingly be chronicled in this sketch, if space permitted, will be
excused when it is stated that the material is being gathered for a full
history of McKendree. and will prove a suffljlent apology for what might
otherwise be construed as unwarranted omissions.

Devoted Teachers and Friends.
Bishop McKendree, after whom the college was named and who was its
chief early benefactor, entered the ministry from the b:ittle-flelds of the
Revolution, where he served as Washington's most trusted commissary.
He was a man of great accomplishments and power and the late Dr.
McClintock wrote of him: "He was not only the most truly eloquent
bishop that his church has ever produced, but one of the best preachers
of any age or church." Ames, the first principal, was a modest, scholarly
gentleman, who, while serving as teacher at Lebanon seminary, applied
for license to preach and secured his authority by the suffrage of a col-
ored preacher, who broke a tie vote on his application, afterward became
one of the most Influential bishops of his church. Dr. Akers. the firn
president of the college, was a profound theologian, and Mr. Lincoln said
of him: " He Is the greatest preacher I ever heard." Rev. John Dew, the
successor of Dr. Akers, was a flaming preacher and a man of fine judg-
ment. Dr. Merrill, together with his brother Annls, J. W. Sunderland and
Judge Brown, who Inspired the university charter, under which the col-
lege is now acting, and who, as elsewhere mentioned, systematized the
courses of study In collegiate order, were all accomplished scholars. The
first named left McKendree to accept the chair of sacred literature In the
Wesleyan Theological institute at Newberry. Vt., and, after a life of re-
markable usefulness as teachtr and preacher, died in 1000, aged ninety-
two years. His brother Annls after leaving the college, settled In San
Francisco, where he practiced law with eminent success and Is still liv-
ing. In full possession of his faculties, at the age of ninety two. Professor
Sunderland, after his term of service, taught In Ursanus college, Pennsyl-
vania, subsequently founding and maintaining for seventeen years the
Pennsylvania female college, claimed to be the first-established institu-
tion in the world with a high-grade college curriculum for women, died,
at the age of ninety-one, on the 9th of April of the present year. Judge
Brown was a lawyer of distinction In Jacksonville, HI., where he died
many years ago. President Finley was a man of fine attainments and
dignity of character, and his successor. Dr. Wentworth, was a superior
preacher, a popular administrator and an efficient tea:Ler. From
McKendree he went to China as a missionary, returning to this country
to take editorial charge of the Ladi-s' Ripnf-Voty, published in Cincinnati,
and died at Sandy Hill. N. Y., in 1886, in the s,eventy-thlrd year of his

age. Dr. Coblelgh was an able preacher, a superior executive ofBcer and
an eminently successful teacher. He went from McKendree to the edi-
torship of ZUin's Herald, Boston, and from there to the presidency of
Athens college, Tennessee; thence to Atlanta, Ga., where, by appoint-
ment of the General conference of his church, he served as editor of the
Christian Advocate until the date of his death in 1874.

Of those not connected with the board of instruction, much might be
fittingly said. The names of those most active in support of fhe institu-
tion in its early history, have already been given in connection with the
various organized forms the college assumed from the date of the original
articles up to the time of securing the university charter of 1839. In the
lists, the names of some will be noted who were conspicuous in the re-
ligious, political and social life of the state^even dating bacii to its terri-
torial existence; Dr. Peter Cartwrlght, Colonel John O'Fallon, Governor
Jenkins, Governor Casey, Governor Kinney, Colonel E. B. Olemson and
others. In labors abundant will be found the names of Rev. S. H. Thomp-
son, first president of the Ijoard under the charter of 1835, and Rev.
Thornton Peeples, his successor. Rev. John S. Barger, James Riggin, H.
K. Ashley and Governor Jenkins, each served terms of service as secre-
tary of the board, while Jjseph Foulke and Benjamin Hypes held the im-
portant post of treasurer— the latter continuously from 183(5 to 1873.

Rev. A. W. Casad was auditor in 1830 and followed H. K. Ashley. J. W.
Sunderland and Rev. Davis Goheen in the same office. The last named
came from the East about the time the six months' suspension of the col-
lege had been voted by the board, because of debts which had become so
onerous. Mr. Goheen, with a genius for organization, was a good financier
and an enthusiastic worker for the institution, and in a little time
he had the llagging hopes of the older patrons re-established. Early in
the California gold excitement— together with his brother, S. M. E.
Goheen, M.D.— he set his face toward that new Eldorado, his chief pur-
pose, as tradition has it, being to find the hidden treasure which would
establish McKendree, but died of cholera at Independence, Mo., while
outfitting for his journey. Benjamin Hypes, in helpful service, will al-
ways stand conspicuous in the history of the institution. He was a Vir-
ginian, a student under Ames, when the school first opened, was elected
to the board in 183o, which position he held continuously until 1896, when
he was gathered to his fathers at the age of ninety-two years. In the
meantime he had given thirty-eight years of unbroken service to the
office of treasurer. He was a merchant, and it may be safely said that,
next to his family, McKendree colltge was the most cherished object of
his devotion, and for its interests he did more than any other person. He
sacrificed for it and was one of the few who never lost hope in its darkest
hours. A sou of his. Dr. Benjamin Hypes of St. Louis, is now a member
of the board and a worthy successor of his father.

There are two other instances wherein the present board holds repre-
sentatives from families who were signers of the original articles of
organization: Dr. Jotham Scarritt of Cairo— now the longest in service of
any member of that body and always eminently useful— and John M.
Chamberiin, who has served as treasurer the past sixteen years, and of
whose father. Rev. David Chamberiin, President AUyn wrote: "But one,
or at most two men, appear to have done more than he" for the.lnsti-
tution.

Nathan Horner, whose father, Nicholas Horner, was the largest original
subscriber for McKendree's founding, was one of the most useful of the

19

board members. He was a good financier and cheerful giver. His son, H.
H. Horner, recently deceased, was a member of the first graduating
class, became an influential lawyer and for several years occupied the
post of dean of the law department in his alma mater.

Of Dr. M. M. McCurdy, whose Interest was abiding and whose well-
meant bequest melted away after his death, before vesting in the college,
an Interesting chapter might be written. Dr. Thomas Staunton of Alton
was also an early benefactor, while Rev. Samuel Mitchell, as also Rev.
James Mitchell, Rev. Jtsse Kenfro and others of the clergy, included
among the names of those elsewhere given, constitute a class of men who
held the cause of higher education as an essential auxiliary to the propa-
gation of the great mission to which their lives were dedicated.

Early Opposition to Theological Schools.

The jubilation over the new charter of 183i> has been dwelt upon, but.
as an item showing the tendency of thought on certain questions at that
early period, the substance of a certain preamble and resolutions by Rev.
W. S. McMurray and Rev. J. S. Barger, are here given. The preamble re-
cites the fact that a university charter has been secured authorizing the
establishing of all manner of schools and departments, by reason of
which fact there might be those who would experience fear lest the
organization of a theological school might be effected, "contrary to the
genius, the spirit and institutions of the Methodist Episcopal church;"
and it was:

Resolved, 1. That no such school should ever be established.

2. That the professors should be restrained from tallcing favorably of si.ch
departure.

o. That the advocacy of abolition would prove prejudicial to the interests of the
institution, and that if any member of the board, agents or faculty, should oe
found advocating that doctrine, it -.vould be held as sufficient grounds to dispense
with the services of such offenders.

These resolutions were all adopted except the second, thereby leaving
the discussion of theological schools, by the faculty, an open question.
That a resolution forever prohibiting the organization of a theological
school was adopted by a body of men so zealous in behalf of higher edu-
cation, would, at first thought, seem paradoxical. "Whatever may have
been their motive, it is true that the number of those who ardently favor
higher education and who feel that a candidate for the ministry— after
completing a thorough classical education— can afiford to dispense with a
theological school, is increasing rather than diminishing. At all events,
it may be said, no matter what induced the fathers to issue the perpetual
Injunction against a theological department, their successors, time and
again, sought its dissolution, and were only frustrated by lack of the
means to inaugurate the innovation. Touching the resolution on the
slaveryquestion.it simply emphasizes how acute the question of aboli-
tion had become at that time; a feeling that grew stronger with the lapse
of time, since, nine years later, in rebulte of a rumor circulated against
the faculty, the board found it necessary to pass the following resolu-
tion:

Resolved, That there is no evidence that any member of the faculty is an aboli-
tionist, but much i)roof to the contrary, and that we consider such reports
slanderous.

The " Central Christian Advocate."

As early as 18^1 the board legislated for the establishment ot a weekly
periodical to be published In the Interest of education. For the want of
means, this movement failed to take form until 1817, at which time It was
organized with Davis Goheen, Benjamin Hypes and George L. Roberts as
publishers and Dr. Erastus Wentworth as editor. It was an able paper,
served an excellent purpose, but after its maintenance for a few years,
as an expensive luxury, it was transferred to the city of St. Louis and
published as the Central Christian Advocate, from which place it was moved
four years ago to Kansas City, where It Is now Issued by the Methodist
Book Concern as one of the strong and Influential journals of that de-
nomination, under the supervision of the accomplished Rev. Dr. Claudius
B. Spencer, as editor.

It will be noted that this sketch has had to do more particularly with
the first few years' history of the college, incidentally touching upon
subsequent matters because of their Intimate connection with that period
of struggle. That the pioneers of whom we have spoken had high Ideals
touching the future of the college has been clearly Indicated, and to the
credit of their successors be it said, they have sought to maintain them.
For a time. It Is true, something In the way of commercial courses found
footing; though, even then, the collegiate courses were Insistently main-
tained as all important. In recent years, however, everything of a
superficial character has been eliminated and the two college courses-
classical and scientific— hold the attention of tha students, with seventy-
six percent of their number pursuing the classical. The present faculty
has DO inclination to follow the much too common modern method of
short courses of study and the elimination of certain of the classics, on
the theory that education should be " practical"- the latter term simply
signifying that brain culture is to be commercialized, with the measure
of Its merit expressed by the sign of the dollar.

One Hundred Thousand Dollars Endowment Nearly Secured.

The early struggle to erect the second building spoken of as having
been brought to a successful issue, under the administration of Dr. Went-
worth. has been followed by a new chapel and library hall combined,
under Dr. Coblelgh's administration, a science hall under Dr. Allyn, and
a new gymnasium during the year current. Thirty-five thousand dollars
of productive endowment is on the Institution and it is expected soon to
have 8100,000 added, since $80,000 of the amount Is already promised.
That point reached, and the sure beginning will be effected toward mak-
ing McKendree what was planned for It In the charter of 1839 -an out-
come which Its more than seventy-six years of history warrant, and the
sacrifices of its pioneer founders merit.

Think of It! -the 104 subscribers to the original articles which called
McKendree into being, comprised more than one-half of the population
of Lebanon, a village located In a woodland strip, along an old Indian
trail scarcely obliterated by the emigrant's wagon ; to the east, a full 100
miles to the first settlement, and to the west, twenty miles, where St.
Louis, a mere trading-post, was being built up by a brave lot of pioneers
who had the prophetic feeling that it would one day become a city which
would prove the gateway to the whole of the greatsouthwestern country.
It was this latter fact which Inspired Bishop McKendree to feel that
Lebanon was a most fitting place for a great institution of learning, and
led him to give bis lands toward establishing the institution which bears
his name.

1*

Distinguished Sons.

A fitting question now is: " What Is tlae value, what the fruitage of all
these labors?" The answer Is found in the more than 9,000 young men
and women who have gone out from this institution into various fields of
endeavor, having finished, wholly or partially, its courses of study. The
pulpit of every denomination— not excepting the Catholic— lawyers of
national reputation; distinguished physicians and surgeons; coUey-e
presidents and professors and teachers In our public schools; the
founders of colleges and newspapers and numberless editors; judges of
our higher courts ; generals of the army— two of whom have served their
country In two hemispheres— as well, also, those who have labored in less
conspicuous but equally useful vocations, will furnish a list of names
who can answer to roll-call as having felt the Influence of McKendree's
power.

At this moment, Illinois feels the potent influence of McKendree's
sons. Seven of the judges now occupying seats on the bench of the
higher courts of this state were students at this institution, and three
of her graduates preside over Illinois colleges. It may also be added
that the candidates for governor and lieutenant-governor on one of the
great party tickets, as well as the candidate for attorney-general on the
other, and three candidates for Congress hold McKendree as their alma
mater.

These are the fruits of thy labors, and these be thy jewels, O wilder-
ness fathers, and while the Influence of your lives can never be lost, ours
be the loving task to see that never so much as your names are left un-
written In our annals.