History of Franklin and Marshall College

453 Pages·1903·21.387 MB·English

by  Joseph Henry Dubbs

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MAIK ENTRANCE.
HISTORY
OF
FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL
COLLEGE
FRANKLIN COLLEGE, 1787-1853
MARSHALL COLLEGE, 1836-1853
FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE
1853-1903
JOSEPH HENRY DUBBS, D.D., LL.D.
AudenriedProfessorofHistoryandArch(roloffy
inFranklinandMars)uxllCollege
LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA
PUBLISUKD BY THK
FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
1903
PUBLISHING COMMITTEE.
Samuel 11. Ra.nck, Chairman.
Rev. Adam S. Weber, D.D.
Rev. Chables W. Levan.
President John S. Stahr, Ex-Officio.
COPYKIOHT, 1903,
BY TUE
Fkamklin and Marshall Collkoe
Alumhi Association.
PaoiOF
TtEKIWEt»P«HI1«6COHMir,
LllCilSTEI.Vk.
PRELIMINAEY.
In response to a request of the Ahimni Association of
Franklin and Marshall College the author has prepared
the following pages. It seems strange that this work was
not done many years ago, when the necessary material
might have been more easily collected. Now that the
historic renaissance has come upon us it is frequently in-
timated by the friends of the institution that the time
for such a publication has fully come and that there must
be no further delay.
The preparation of this volume was directly suggested
by the approaching Semi-centennial Celebration of the
union of two colleges and of the consequent organization
of Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Penn-
sylvania. For telling the story of the development of
the educational movement which these institutions have
represented this festival was regarded as a peculiarly
auspicious occasion, and it was speedily detennined that
some one must write a book. Knowing that the task was
accompanied by peculiar difficulties the present writer
would have been well pleased if it had been assigned to
another; but he was at last persuaded that he could not
honorably decline an invitation which had been most
courteously extended.
In the earliest instructions of the Committee of Publi-
cation the author was reminded that he was expected to
limit his studies to the histx)ry of the College, introducing
that of the Theological Seminary at certain periods only,
iv PRKLIMINARY.
when flic two in.stitution.s wore so closely connected that
it iiiii^lit, ))(' tlitlicnlt to gftin a |>roj><'r idoii of tho dcvclop-
niont of one without Ixjconiinp; familiar with conditions
that prevailed in the other. To follow the.se instructions
was S(niietinies difficult, and the author must crave in-
dulgence for occasionally trespassing on a field that has
been reser\'ed for another. It should, however, be under-
stood that he has not attempted to write the hist/)ry of
the Theological Seminary, except during certain periods
and in an external and formal way, and that a careful
and critical study of the life and doctrine of that insti-
tution remains a desideratum.
The composition of this volume has demanded more
research than was at first anticipated. Portions of the
early history of Franklin College are very obscure and
consequently require renewed study of original sources.
It ha.s, for instance, been generally supposed that the cele-
brated astronomer, Daniel Kirkwood, was in his youth
an instructor in the Lancaster County Academy; but it
now seems plain that he was not connected with that
institution, but must be regarded as one of the earliest
principals of the Lancaster City High School.
Marshall College is, of course, better known, but of the
men who were partakers of its peculiar life there are very-
few survivors. Hitherto it has been usual to contemplate
this period from a purely theological standpoint, in close
connection with the development of " Mercersburg Theol-
ogy"; but the author has ventured to tell the story as he
heard it from the lips of older men, and to introduce
incidents and anecdotes which belong peculiarly to Mar-
.shall College and may perhaps be appreciated by a younger
ir<Mipr:ition of students.
PRELIMINARY. V
In writing the history of Franklin and Marshall Col-
lege during the past half century the chief difficulty has
been that of selection. Material is abundant, but in some
instances there may be an honest difference of opinion
with regard to the sequence of events. To have told the
story in all its breadth and fulness would have extended
the work beyond its proper limits, and omissions were
therefore unavoidable. That we have been unable to
give a full account of the special work of many faithful
laborers is greatly to be regretted; but we may perhaps
be permitted to call attention to the fact that additional
information is given in the " Catalogue of Officers and
Students" which is issued in connection with the present
festival.
The author is under many obligations to the members
of the Committee of Publication for aid in the prosecu-
tion of this work. They have superintended the publica-
tion, selected the illustrations, assisted in reading proof
and furnished many valuable suggestions, besides attend-
ing to other details which are ordinarily burdensome to
the author. Other friends have kindly responded to
requests for aid and information. To Mr. D. Mc^N".
Stauffer, of New York, we are greatly indebted for re-
producing the portrait of Dr. Frederick A. Ranch from
a posthumous sketch and for drawing the seals of the
institutions. The Pennsylvania-German Society also has
our thanks for the use of several interesting illustrations.
Though we have throughout the volume given credit to
our coadjutors, it affords us pleasure to repeat that we
are under special obligations to the Rev. Professor Wil-
liam J. ninke, the Rev. Dr. James I. Good, Dr. J. A.
Vi PRFCLIMINAKY.
Mol.shciiticr, I)r. \\. M. Green, Measrs. George Steinman,
Daniel II. Ilcitshu, L. Nevin Wilson and many others.
The preparation of this vohime has given pleasure to
the author, though it demanded earnest and unremitting
labor. lie is aware of its imperfections, and can only
say that under somewhat unfavorable conditions he has
tried to do his best
—
CONTENTS.
FKANKLIN COLLEGE.
CHAPTER
I.
INTRODUCTORY.
— —
Early Conditions Schlatter and Muhlenberg Charity
— — —
Schools J. Daniel Gros Kunze and Helmuth German
Department of the University of Pennsylvania 3 14
CHAPTER
11.
THE FOUNDERS OF THE COLLEGE.
—
Four Eminent Ministers Petition to the Legislature
— —
General Plan of the College Benjamin Franklin Sub-
scription List 15-23
CHAPTER IIL
THE CHARTER.
— — —
Incorporation The Trustees Charity School The Brew
— —
House The Store House Letter from General Knox 24-32
CHAPTER
IV.
THE FORMAL OPENING (JUNE 6, 1787).
— —
Preparations Correspondence Procession and Program
— —
Election of Professors Addresses by Drs. Mulilenberg
and Hutchins 33-53
CHAPTER
V.
A DEBATED QUESTION.
—
Crevecoeu—r's Statement Frank—lin at tlie Constitutional
Convention The Abb<? Morellet Franklin's Letter to his
—
Sister His Presence at the Opening of the College 54-60
——
Viii CONTKNTS.
CHAPTER
VI.
FACULTY AND Sn^DENTS.
— —
The Professors Ilendd'H Letters to Dr. Rush List of
—
Students Annual Festivals 61-79
CHAPTER
VII.
EARLY TROUBLES.
—
—
Local Opposition " Hans Ehrlich" Appeal for Aid
— —
Dr. Rush's Ijctter Melsheimer's Report The Fathers in
—
Holland German Department 80-89
CHAPTER
VIII.
A PERIOD OF DEPRESSION.
— —
Imperfect Minutes College Lands "The Squatters"
— —
Dr. Muhlenberg's Diary Dr. James Ross Poole's Franklin
— —
Academy Professor Schippcr's Dictionary Dr. Brownlee
— — —
Professor Norr Presidents of the Board Proposed
Theological Seminary 90-114
CHAPTER
IX.
THE LANCASTER COUNTY ACADEMY, 1827-1839.
— —
County Academies State Appropriation A New Build-
— — —
ing ^Successive Principals Lancasterian Schools Sale of
—
the "Store House" The Academy Closed 115-126
CHAPTER
X.
THE REVIVAL.
— —
An Onward Movement Tlie Building Enlarged Pro-
—
fessors F. A. Muhlenberg and James Regan Rev. Dr.
—
Samuel Bowman, Acting President Professor Jacob Chap-
—
man A Professor of Law 127-135
CHAPTER
XI.
THE UNION MOVEMENT.
— —
Proposed Enlargement Plans for Union Agreement
— —
with Marshall College Dr. J.—C. Bucher's Success Pur-
chase of the Lutheran Interest Confirmation of the Union 136-147
———
A
CONTENTS. IX
MARSHALL COLLEGE.
CHAPTER
XII.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
— —
The Charter Theological Seminary Classical Institu-
— —
tion at York The Principal of the School Literary So-
cieties 151-163
CHAPTER
XIII.
THE REMOVAL.
— —
Choice of Location The Reverend Jacob Mayer ^Mer-
— — —
cersburg The Old Academy First Board of Trustees
Small Faculty 164-170
CHAPTER XIV.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY.
—
The Organization President Frederick Augustus Rauch
— —
Biography and Personal Characteristics Psychology
— —
Tlie Seminary Building The Law School Early Pro-
— —
fessors Arrival of Dr. J. W. Nevin Death of Dr. Rauch. . 171-188
CHAPTER XV.
THE SECONT) PRESIDENCY.
—
President John Williamson Nevin Professor William M.
— —
Nevin Dr. Traill Green Professors Porter, Baird and
— — —
Appel Dr. Philip Schaff A Brilliant Reception Literary
— —
Labors Peculiar People Recreations 189-212
CHAPTER XVL
THE BUILDING OF THE HALLS.
—
Plan and Purpose Rivalry of the Literary Societies
—
Enthusiasm of the Students Cabinets and Museums
— —
"Electioneering" German Literary Societies Deserted
Halls 213-222