HjjjMilif PWpiji 
 
LIBRARY 
 
 OF THK 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Class 
 
0*1 
 

 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 WILLIAMS COLLEGE. 
 
 BY 
 
 REV. CALVIN DURFEE. 
 
 Ask now of the days that are past." DEUT. iv. 32. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 A. WILLIAMS AND COMPANY, 
 
 100 WASHINGTON STREET. 
 1860. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by 
 
 CALVIN DURFEE, 
 in the Clerk s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 
 
 University Press, Cambridge: 
 Printed by Welch, Bigelow, and Company. 
 
TO 
 
 DAVID DUDLEY FIELD, LL.D., 
 
 NEW YORK, 
 
 PREPARED AND PUBLISHED 
 
 TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY OP OUR ALMA MATER, 
 TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF GOOD MEN, 
 
 TO EXHIBIT THE DEALINGS OF PROVIDENCE, AND EXALT THE RICHES 
 OF DIVINE GRACE, 
 
 Ks ZDefcfcatefc, 
 
 WITH VERY PLEASANT REMEMBRANCES, 
 BY HIS FRIEND AND CLASSMATE, 
 
 CALVIN DURFEE. 
 
 224368 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN the year 1802 there appeared in the Massachusetts 
 Historical Collections (VoL VIII.) an article, entitled, 
 " Historical Sketch of Colonel Williams and of Williams 
 College," of which Dr. Fitch is the reputed author. In 
 1828 Dr. Griffin preached a sermon at the dedication of 
 the Chapel, in which he traced " the dispensations of 
 Providence toward this College." Additional facts and 
 statements have since appeared in the History of Berk 
 shire County, and in Holland s History of Western Mas 
 sachusetts. In 1841 Professor Albert Hopkins published, 
 in the American Quarterly Register, an account of " Re 
 vivals of Religion in Williams College." A memoir of 
 Dr. Fitch appeared in the same work shortly after. In 
 1843, at the semi-centennial celebration, the addresses of 
 Dr. Hopkins and Dr. Bobbins were rich in historical 
 records and facts respecting the College. In 1847 S. H. 
 Davis and D. A. Wells, then of the Senior Class, pub 
 lished a pamphlet, entitled, " Sketches of Williams Col 
 lege." The discourse of Dr. Hopkins in commemoration 
 a* 
 
VI PKEFACE. 
 
 of Mr. Lawrence, delivered February 21, 1853, contains 
 an account of his donations to the College. In 1855 the 
 annual address before the Society of Alumni, by the 
 Hon% Joseph White, was commemorative of the life and 
 services of Colonel Williams. The author has made a 
 free use of these valuable works whenever he has found 
 them to his purpose. Still the present work is not a re 
 print ; on the contrary, many of the materials, which are 
 deeply interesting to the sons of Williams, have been 
 derived from other sources, from pamphlets, College 
 catalogues, unpublished letters, living individuals, and 
 the College records have been carefully examined. The 
 first chapter was furnished by Mr. White. The chapters 
 containing the religious history of the College (except 
 that which relates to Dr. Moore s administration) were 
 prepared by Professor Albert Hopkins. The chapter con 
 taining a sketch of the buildings, libraries, and appara 
 tus was mostly furnished by Professor Tatlock. And 
 the last chapter, with some slight alterations and addi 
 tions, is taken from the pamphlet of Davis and Wells. 
 
 As the operations of the American Board had their 
 origin on this spot, and as so many young men have here 
 been educated for the missionary service, Williams Col 
 lege has received the appropriate title of " The Mission 
 ary College." And as it has been repeatedly visited with 
 the special influences of the Divine Spirit, a large space 
 has been assigned to its religious history. 
 
 No one will consider the sketches of the Presidents as 
 adequate memoirs ; but for the purposes of a work of 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 this kind, they are supposed to be all that would be ex 
 pected or required. And the history of the College 
 would be incomplete without some account of the men 
 who have presided over it. 
 
 In recording the history of the efforts which were made 
 to effect the removal of the College, the writer was fully 
 aware of the difficulty and delicacy of the task. To do 
 full justice to all the actors in that scene, on the one 
 hand, and avoid all injustice, on the other, was certainly 
 his desire and aim. And if there has been a failure 
 
 here, no one will regret it more sincerely than the writer 
 
 
 himself. He has not consciously colored the subject with 
 
 any opinions of his own. He felt, in the language of a 
 friend, " that he was acting the part of a historian, with 
 out any point to carry, fallacy to expose, or rebuke to 
 inflict. Providence kindly interposed in that dark hour 
 to save the College from what seemed to be her impend 
 ing fate ; and she needs no darker background than the 
 
 
 memory of that gloomy period on which to exhibit her 
 
 present beautiful and majestic proportions." 
 
 To the general reader it may not appear necessary or 
 important that there should be so much particularity as 
 to certain facts and dates, or that so much should be re 
 corded respecting individuals. But it is the manifest 
 duty of a college to record and remember the virtues 
 and labors of those who have contributed to its existence 
 and prosperity ; and on this account a more extended 
 notice has been given of individuals in this work than 
 is usual in general history. Indeed, biography is history. 
 
Vlil PREFACE. 
 
 The history of a college is little else than the biography 
 of individuals ; and antiquarians are constantly calling 
 for names and dates ; and a work of this kind is intended 
 to be a book of reference ; and minute facts and dates, 
 though of no great moment in themselves, sometimes 
 have an importance on account of their connection with 
 things of common interest. 
 
 The author begs permission to acknowledge his indebt 
 edness and to express his gratitude to those individuals 
 who have aided him in the preparation of this work. 
 Especially are his thanks due to Governor Washburn, 
 not merely for his invaluable Introduction, but for his 
 judicious criticisms and friendly suggestions on the work 
 in general. 
 
 The work has cost the author more time, and been 
 extended much farther, than was originally intended or 
 anticipated. Still it falls far short of reaching his own 
 ideal of what such a history should be. He has not 
 reached the standard at which he aimed. He sensibly 
 feels that the College deserves a far more worthy memo 
 rial. He has this consolation, however, that he has done 
 what he could towards accomplishing a work which 
 ought to have been undertaken by an abler hand. Im 
 perfect as the work still is, the author ventures to solicit 
 for it the favorable consideration of the Alumni and 
 friends of the College. 
 
 C. D. 
 
 WILLIAMSTOWN, January 1, 1860. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . .13 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF COL. EPHRAIM WILLIAMS . 31 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 THE FREE SCHOOL. ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE . 54 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRESIDENT FITCH . .68 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT FITCH (1793-1815) . . 78 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE FROM 1793-1815 . 110 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRESIDENT MOORE . . .137 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT MOORE (1815-1821) . 145 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE FROM 1815-1821 . 166 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRESIDENT GRIFFIN . 171 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT GRIFFIN (1821-1836) . 190 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE FROM 1821-1836 . 215 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRESIDENT HOPKINS . . .239 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT HOPKINS (1836-1860) . 247 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE FROM 1836-1860 . 310 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 BUILDINGS, LIBRARIES, AND APPARATUS .... 344 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 PROGRESS IN THE COLLEGE STUDIES, ESPECIALLY THE 
 NATURAL SCIENCES 854 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN, AND PLACES OF INTEREST 
 IN ITS VICINITY . ... . 382 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 I. PRESIDENTS AND ORATORS OF THE SOCIETY OF 
 
 ALUMNI . 403 
 
 H. THE WILL OF COLONEL WILLIAMS .... 405 
 HI. PETITION OF THE PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES TO RE 
 MOVE THE COLLEGE TO NORTHAMPTON . . 411 
 IV. THE REMONSTRANCE OF THE TOWN OF WILLIAMS- 
 TOWN AGAINST THE REMOVAL 413 
 
 V. THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF BOTH BRANCH 
 ES OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE SUBJECT 420 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 WILLIAMS COLLLGE 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 DEAR SIR: 
 
 I THANK you for the opportunity you have fur 
 nished me of examining the manuscript of your 
 History of Williams College in advance of its pub 
 lication. I have read it with interest and pleasure, 
 and, in common with every alumnus and friend of 
 the College, am under obligation for the successful 
 effort you have made to gather up, for preservation, 
 so many incidents and events connected with its 
 origin and progress. 
 
 No man of generous emotions can read the nar 
 rative which you have there presented, without ad 
 miring the self-sacrificing courage and resolution 
 with which her friends and patrons have borne 
 her on, in her hours of weakness, through the diffi 
 culties and adversities which have beset her way. 
 While to her sons the memories and associations 
 of the past which are there awakened, and with so 
 many of which they have held personal relations, 
 are scarcely less sacred than those which cluster 
 around the home of one s childhood. 
 
 For myself, though I pretend to no peculiar sen- 
 2 
 
14 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 sitiveness of organization or feeling, Williams Col 
 lege has had a strong hold upon my affections ever 
 since I left her halls, nearly half a century ago. 
 Like every other college, she has had an inner and 
 an outer life, like that of which every individual is 
 conscious in his own experience. 
 
 The outer life of a college is what the world 
 sees in the character of its officers, in its public ex 
 hibitions, its usual habits of order, and the general 
 direction which its alumni take in life from the 
 impulse they receive while there. Oxford and 
 Cambridge each stamp characteristics upon their stu 
 dents which are well understood and easily distin 
 guishable in England. The character of this outer 
 life may be affected by a variety of circumstances 
 which are merely aids or hinderances in the sys 
 tem of instruction which is there pursued, its 
 library, its apparatus for illustration, its methods 
 of teaching, its associations with other institu 
 tions, and the more or less direct manner in which 
 the current revolutions in the sentiments and 
 opinions of the world around it are made to bear 
 upon it. 
 
 But whatever may be the causes which give to 
 an institution its character as the world sees it, 
 there is an inner life to every one of these, upon 
 which much of its failure or success depends, 
 which lies behind the ordinary principles of action, 
 and can only be fully understood by one who has 
 shared in and experienced it. It is something in 
 dependent of the text-books studied, the recitations 
 
INTRODUCTION. 15 
 
 required, or the strictness and punctuality with 
 which the formulas of discipline are enforced. It 
 is shared in by officer as well as student, and often 
 acts upon and through the official guardians and 
 almoners of the College. 
 
 In the case of Williams College, it has, in the 
 latter respect, been highly favored from the first. 
 It long enjoyed the best wishes, wise counsels, and 
 active zeal of such men, to speak of the dead 
 only, as Drs. West and Hyde and Shepherd, and 
 the Hon. Daniel Noble. 
 
 But the inner life of the College has been affected, 
 more than by anything else, by the relations which 
 have always existed between its immediate officers 
 of government and instruction and its students. 
 It has been felt in the moral, social, and intellect 
 ual character of the institution. 
 
 This has been more the relation of a parent to 
 a child, than of the head or usher of a school to 
 its pupil. The number of students has been such 
 that every teacher has personally known and been 
 known by them all, and both have felt that recip 
 rocal interest in each other which grows out of 
 such a knowledge and familiarity. Government has 
 not, therefore, been felt, like that of the state, only 
 when it lays its heavy hand upon some offender 
 against its laws. Its parental care and solicitude, 
 with which it has constantly watched over the 
 student here, have often stood between him and 
 evil, and given to college life, as such, a character 
 upon the unconscious influence of which, the sue- 
 
16 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 cess of its sons has often depended, far more than 
 upon the teachings of the recitation or lecture 
 room. 
 
 Another circumstance which has exerted a de 
 cided influence upon the inner life of the College, 
 has been the religious element, to which you have 
 properly assigned a considerable space in your 
 work. If it did not make young men religious, 
 it served to create a respect for the religious senti 
 ments and experiences of others, and to prevent 
 their subsiding into cold indifference towards relig 
 ion as a personal matter. 
 
 Besides, the proportion of the prominent scholars 
 there who have espoused a system of belief which 
 recognizes the need of a living faith, as well as 
 a purer morality, has tended to give dignity and 
 attraction to a life of piety among their thought 
 less and otherwise reckless associates. It has been 
 something widely different from cant, and has 
 shown itself, not merely in the great numbers of 
 those who have entered the ministry, and especially 
 the missionary field, but in the general prevailing 
 tone of sentiment among the great body of the 
 alumni. 
 
 Another circumstance which, in my judgment, 
 enters most intimately into the inner life of this 
 College, is the grand and lovely scenery by which 
 it is surrounded. I have not space in which to 
 attempt, even, to analyze how these mountains and 
 this valley summer with its robe of green, and 
 autumn with its gorgeous hues enter into the 
 
INTRODUCTION. 17 
 
 education of the heart and intellect of the young 
 men who resort hither. I appeal to any one who 
 has spent a college life among these scenes, whether 
 there is not something to which the memory recurs 
 in after life, beyond the recollection, however vivid, 
 of mere localities, and whether on revisiting them 
 he has not felt a chord of sympathy touched within 
 him, which no ordinary law of association has been 
 able to awaken. As a part of the process of edu 
 cation, it was beautifully alluded to by President 
 Hopkins in his address on the occasion of conse-j 
 crating the Mission Park; and I doubt if there 
 was an alumnus present who did not recognize the* 
 force of the allusion. 
 
 I might add, that the varied character of the 
 natural scenery of the region around Williams 
 College renders it a peculiarly favorable locality 
 for the pursuit of natural science, which has been 
 successfully cultivated here for more than forty 
 years. In this department, the College may justly 
 claim a high rank and an honorable history. 
 
 An attention to natural science was aroused here > 
 by the efforts of Amos Eaton, of the Class of 1799, 
 who, if not the pioneer, was an early laborer in 
 that field, and was surpassed by no one in zeal and 
 successful effort to excite and diffuse a taste for its; 
 pursuit in our country. And in this he found an 
 earnest coadjutor in Professor Dewey. 
 
 There were few books upon the subject accessi 
 ble to the student at that day, and in 1816 he 
 published a Botanical Dictionary, which he had 
 2* 
 
18 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 translated from the French of Richard. The fol 
 lowing winter he came to Williamstown, and de 
 livered a course of lectures upon mineralogy, which 
 was followed by one on botany. To aid his stu 
 dents in pursuing the latter, he prepared a Manual 
 of Botany, which was published by his Class in 
 April of that year, a copy of which is before 
 me. Among his students was one who has since 
 attained higher honors and distinctions, as a nat 
 uralist, than his teacher, and still holds an eminent 
 rank, especially among the geologists of our coun 
 try. The names of Eaton and Emmons are among 
 those of her sons, of whom the College may be 
 justly proud for their services and eminence in the 
 department of Natural History. 
 
 The efforts of Mr. Eaton inaugurated a new 
 branch of science among those taught in the Col 
 lege, the fruits of which are seen in the erection 
 of Jackson Hall, and the rich store of treasures it 
 1 contains. 
 
 And nowhere has Nature provided a more varied, 
 and at the same time accessible, field for study 
 and observation than here. Valley and mountain, 
 meadow and forest, invite the student of her myste 
 ries to an ever renewed and never exhausted store 
 of materials. Well do I remember the zeal and 
 delight with which many of the classes, in my day, 
 engaged in this study. Every glen and lonely 
 valley were sought out and explored for the flower 
 that nestled in spring by the brook-side, or reared 
 its head in the gaudier hues of summer. Every 
 
INTRODUCTION. 19 
 
 gray old cliff and rocky bed of the streams that 
 come leaping down the mountain s side were 
 searched with novel and curious interest. And 
 if the student brought back little of useful practi 
 cal knowledge, he gathered the priceless fruits of 
 invigorated health and fresher spirits with which 
 to engage in the more serious labors of the course. 
 But I am in danger of forgetting the purpose 
 with, which I sat down, while thus giving way to 
 speculations and suggestions like these, as I con 
 template the moral condition and local influences 
 of the College. You wished only that I would jot 
 down such personal reminiscences as might be sug 
 gested by a perusal of your History. These, you 
 are aware, go back through a large portion of the 
 recorded life of our Alma Mater. 
 
 I entered the Junior Class in 1815. She was 
 then twenty- two years of age. She now rejoices in 
 the laurels of sixty-seven. It was the commence 
 ment of Dr. Moore s administration, whom I ac 
 companied from Dartmouth. Conflicting opinions 
 have been entertained respecting his efforts to have 
 the College removed ; and though it was an un 
 fortunate measure both for the College and himself, 
 I am unwilling to ascribe his conduct to any im 
 proper motives. When he was invited to become 
 its President, it was represented to him, by one who 
 spoke in behalf of the trustees, that it would with 
 out doubt be removed ; and that the only question 
 was in which, of several towns named, the institution 
 
20 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 should be located. And to understand the ques 
 tion of its removal in its true light, it should be 
 remembered what the condition of the College then 
 was, especially in the matter of access to it. 
 
 It is difficult at this day to make one understand 
 the perfect isolation of the spot. During my resi 
 dence in College, nothing in the form of stage 
 coach or vehicle for public communication ever 
 entered the town. Once a week, a solitary messen 
 ger, generally on horseback, came over the Florida 
 Mountain, bringing us our newspapers and letters 
 from Boston and the eastern parts of the State. 
 Once in a week a Mr. Green came up from the 
 south, generally in a one-horse wagon, bringing 
 the county newspapers printed at Stockbridge and 
 Pittsfield. And by some similar mode, and at like 
 intervals, we heard from Troy and Albany. With 
 the exception of these, not a ripple of the com 
 motions that disturbed the world outside. of these 
 barriers of hills and mountains, ever reached the 
 unruffled calm of our valley life. Nor was that 
 all. It was scarcely less difficult to reach the 
 place by private than by public conveyance, except 
 by one s own means of transit. My home, you 
 are aware, was near the centre of the State.* And 
 as my resources were too limited to make use of a 
 private conveyance, I was compelled to rely upon 
 stage and chance. My route was by stage to Pitts- 
 field, and thence by a providential team or carriage, 
 the remainder of my journey. 
 
 * Leicester. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 21 
 
 I have often smiled as I have recalled with what 
 persevering assiduity I waylaid every man who 
 passed by the hotel, in order to find some one who 
 would consent to take as a passenger a luckless 
 wight in pursuit of an education under such dif 
 ficulties. I think I am warranted in saying that I 
 made that passage in every form and shape of team 
 and vehicle, generally a loaded one, which the in 
 genuity of man had, up to that time, ever con 
 structed. My bones ache at the mere recollection ! 
 
 Those who came from "Parson Hallock s," so 
 graphically described in the sketch you have given 
 of the remarks of Judge Dewey, and other locali 
 ties upon and over the mountain, between there 
 and the Connecticut River, were generally for 
 tunate enough to find their way singly by means 
 of one-horse wagons, or in larger groups in some 
 more capacious farm-wagon fitted and furnished for 
 the occasion. It was, at best, a most primitive 
 mode of conveyance, and probably will not often 
 be repeated, until the day of railroads shall have 
 passed by. 
 
 While such was the difficulty of access to the 
 College, it presented little, to the eye of one who 
 visited it for the first time, to reward the struggle 
 it had cost him. When I joined it, it had two 
 buildings, and, I think, fifty-eight students, with 
 two professors and two tutors. The East College 
 was a fine, plain imposing structure, four stories 
 in height, built of brick. Not one of its lower 
 rooms was occupied, and a part only of its other 
 
22 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 stories. Not one of the rooms or passage-ways 
 was painted. No one of the rooms was papered, or 
 ever had a carpet upon it. And I do not believe 
 the entire furniture of any one room, excepting 
 perhaps the bed, could have cost, or would have 
 sold for, five dollars. I have before me a bill of 
 the furniture of the Senior recitation-room in 
 1816, including the locks upon the doors, and find it 
 amounts to $ 7.26. And from the best sources to 
 
 rr 
 
 which I can refer, I do not think the expenses of 
 a student in College could have ordinarily exceeded 
 two hundred dollars a year, all told. 
 
 The southeast corner room on the second story 
 contained the whole philosophical apparatus of the 
 College, and there was no crowding or want of 
 space for its several parts. In the yard of the 
 East College was a small wooden building, in which 
 Professor Dewey, with most admirable diligence 
 and ingenuity, had fitted up his chemical lab 
 oratory, and gave his lectures and illustrations 
 upon chemistry, to the students. 
 
 The West College contained the Chapel, which 
 occupied the second and third stories of the south 
 end of the building. In the upper half was a 
 gallery which was accessible from the third story. 
 The lower body of the Chapel was reached through 
 the second story. It had on one side a stage. 
 The desk rose a little above this, and stood against 
 the west wall, while the professors and tutors oc 
 cupied elevated seats upon the same side of the 
 Chapel, looking down upon the students, who sat 
 
INTRODUCTION. 23 
 
 as quietly as they could upon hard, long benches 
 across the other end of the Chapel. The rooms 
 in that College generally were much inferior to 
 those in the East one, though furnished in similar 
 style. 
 
 The only water we had to use, was drawn from 
 a spring at the foot of the hill, south f the East 
 College. And to that, every student from both 
 Colleges repaired with his pail as his necessities 
 required. The consequence was, it must be con 
 fessed, there was no excessive use of that element 
 of comfort and neatness. 
 
 And yet it was not from the poverty of the stu 
 dents that the style of their rooms and their sur 
 roundings was thus humble and poverty-stricken. 
 It was borrowed from the traditionary habits and 
 fashion of the institution. It had grown up in a 
 sequestered spot with limited means, while many 
 of the early students had resorted to it because 
 of its cheap education, and there was next to noth 
 ing to awaken any rivalry in the style of dress, 
 furniture, or living, or even to arouse a comparison 
 between these and what may have prevailed in 
 other colleges. 
 
 The amusements of the students, a subject 
 fraught with so many difficulties and dangers in 
 most colleges, were simple and few. There was 
 always a pleasant, social relation and intercourse 
 between them and many of the families of the 
 town. And a ball once or twice a year, Com 
 mencement Ball being one, and an occasional 
 
24 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ride to Pownal, or " The Cave " in Adams, or " The 
 South Part," constituted the principal portion of 
 the fashionable dissipation of time in which they 
 indulged. I do not mean to say that there were 
 not occasions when hilarity among the students 
 became boisterous and assumed a grosser form. 
 Everybody at that day drank, and, so be, it excited 
 the animal spirits, it mattered not much what the 
 liquor was. Some kept this in their rooms, and 
 indulged in its use in their convivial meetings with 
 out concealment or disgrace. 
 
 As I look back upon the history of the past, 
 there are few things more obvious in the manage 
 ment of colleges than this most favorable change 
 in the matter of intoxicating drinks. Not only 
 must it be vastly more easy to sustain an orderly 
 government than formerly, but, what is of far 
 greater importance, it must be incomparably easier 
 for a student to sustain his own self-respect in 
 the prosecution of his collegiate course. And yet, 
 so far as my own observation extended, there was 
 nothing like a prevailing vice of drunkenness in 
 College. There may have been times when one 
 or more individuals may have been overcome on 
 these convivial occasions. But it never was re 
 garded as a thing to be emulated, or calculated to 
 win favor. And I do not now recall a single in 
 stance where a student carried from the College 
 a habit of intemperance, acquired there, into the 
 walks of after life. 
 
 There is one source of satisfaction in recurring 
 
INTRODUCTION. 25 
 
 to the early as well as the later history of our 
 Alma Mater, and that is the character which her 
 students have somehow acquired and exemplified 
 in active life. It, at least, shows that, if the train 
 ing they have received there did not develop and 
 strengthen their qualities as men and as scholars, 
 it did not crush out or dwarf the intellects and 
 common sense of those who resorted thither for 
 an education. 
 
 I might test this by taking the Triennial Cata 
 logue of her Alumni, and tracing them, some into 
 one field of usefulness and honor, and some into 
 another, and finding the estimate in which they 
 have been held within their several spheres. As 
 I thus run my eye along its pages, I see the name 
 of Mills, of the Class of 1797, an able jurist and 
 advocate, and a distinguished Senator in Congress ; 
 Williams, of the Class of 1800, Chief Justice and 
 Governor of Vermont; Bradish, of the Class of 
 1804, Lieutenant-Governor of New York; Howe 
 of the same Class, the learned jurist, whose -early 
 promise, in the place he held upon the bench, is 
 still remembered with affectionate regret; Buel, 
 of the Class of 1805 ; Betts, of the Class of 1806, 
 the able Judge of the United States District Court 
 of New York ; Professor Dewey, of the same Class ; 
 Morell, of 1807, once Chief Justice of Michigan; 
 Kellogg, of 1810, Judge of the Supreme Court of 
 Vermont; Edwards, of the same Class, late Presi 
 dent of Andover Theological Seminary, a strong, 
 energetic man, whose life was full of active use- 
 3 
 
26 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 fulness and benevolence; Maynard, of the same 
 Class, who, in founding a law school in Hamilton 
 College, did but justice to the character of a pro 
 fession which he illustrated and adorned; Judge 
 Dewey, of 1811, who enjoys a well-earned repu 
 tation in the place he still holds on the bench of 
 our Supreme Court; Page, of 1812, a Judge of the 
 Supreme Court of New York ; and Ashley, of 1813, 
 late a Senator in Congress. Burbank, of the Class 
 of 1797, the first President of our Association of 
 the Alumni, and Childs, of the Class of 1802, the 
 founder and President of the Berkshire Medical 
 Institution, might be named among others of her 
 Alumni who have dignified and adorned the medi 
 cal profession. I might go on, but space forbids; 
 though, as I turn away, my eye rests upon the 
 Class of 1819, and the names of Brigham, of the 
 American Bible Society; Hallock, of the American 
 I Tract Society; Hallock, of the Journal of Com- 
 merce ; and Richards, late Secretary of State of the 
 Sandwich Islands, out of a class of thirteen. She 
 has produced useful men, if she may not boast 
 eminent scholars. 
 
 And even in the field of scholarship and Belles- 
 Lettres, there are names enough to show that hers 
 is not merely a training for homely, every-day use 
 fulness and duty. I have only to mention Talcott, 
 of the Class of 1809, once Attorney-General of New 
 York, the brilliant and accomplished orator, the 
 profound lawyer, the beautiful and refined scholar, 
 who, though dying at the age of forty-six, stood in 
 
INTRODUCTION. 27 
 
 the very first rank among the great names that 
 have illustrated the Bar of New York ; Dewey, of 
 the Class of 1814, the profound thinker, and emi 
 nent writer and pulpit orator ; Jonas King, of the 
 Class of 1816, whose reputation is not limited to 
 Greece alone ; and Porter and Barnard, of the Class 
 of 1818, to come no nearer the present time, 
 the first cut down in his early promise of develop 
 ment, the other known alike in the departments of 
 letters, of politics, and diplomacy. Nor ought I to 
 omit the name of Bryant, one of the finest poets of 
 his age, who, though not a graduate of any college, 
 gave evidence . and an earnest of his rare genius 
 while a member of this. 
 
 I have not selected these names with any view 
 to an invidious distinction. I have taken them at 
 a casual glance, from an aggregate scarcely, if at 
 all, exceeding five hundred of its earliest Alumni, 
 when, as I have remarked, its means were small, 
 and large numbers of its students had shared, to a 
 limited extent only, the advantages of previous 
 educational training. 
 
 But not to dwell longer upon any of the real or 
 supposed causes which have exhibited themselves 
 in the inner or outer life of the College, or the 
 moral or intellectual training of its scholars, the 
 facts mentioned in your History justify the as 
 sumption that it has kept pace, in some things, 
 with institutions apparently much more favorably 
 situated. 
 
 If Williams College was the first to publish anj 
 
28 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Annual Catalogue of her students, the first to 
 form an association of her Alumni, the first to 
 found and maintain an Observatory, on this con 
 tinent, and the first to inaugurate scientific ex 
 peditions, as you have stated, it was but the out 
 ward manifestation of an active, pervading spirit, 
 which has been quietly and unobtrusively at work 
 there, ever since the germ of a literary institution 
 was planted in the forest on the pleasant banks of 
 the Hoosac. 
 
 Of the changes and struggles through which the 
 College has passed since 1815, your pages are too 
 full to warrant my attempting to add anything. 
 No friend of the institution or of the cause of 
 sound learning can have witnessed these without 
 much interest and solicitude. They have at least 
 served to test who its true friends were. And, what 
 must strike with much force the mind of every 
 man who recalls its history, friends have always 
 sprung up at the very moment when their aid was 
 most needed. I have no doubt the associated in 
 terest of the Alumni, which has been kept alive by 
 their annual meeting, has had a decided effect in 
 awakening and stimulating a generous sympathy in 
 behalf of the College. I have never attended a 
 meeting of that body when I have not witnessed 
 manifestations of renewed affection for our Alma 
 Mater, and a warmer zeal to stand by and sustain 
 her. 
 
 Dr. Griffin, with his broad benevolence and varied 
 experience, brought to the institution his whole 
 
INTRODUCTION. 29 
 
 heart, and gave to it his untiring zeal. He found 
 there an elevated standard of scholarship, which 
 Dr. Moore had done much to introduce and estab 
 lish. And in his successor the College has had 
 an officer in every way competent to sustain what 
 ever of reputation it had attained under any for 
 mer administration. 
 
 Of Dr. Hopkins delicacy forbids me to speak as 
 I would, though I might only utter a common sen 
 timent, and I therefore forbear. Under his adminis 
 tration the College has attained a rank in numbers 
 and influence and prosperity, which its most san 
 guine friends could not have anticipated in 1815. 
 
 But it has ceased to be extravagant to look for 
 ward to almost any extent of influence or height 
 of prosperity in her future history. Names have 
 become associated with Williams College whose 
 fame, like that of its founder, will be as lasting as 
 the hills that encircle the lovely valley in which it 
 stands. Lawrence, in what he did and gave for 
 her, was worthily acting out his own noble nature ; 
 and Jackson has inscribed his name upon tablets 
 there which time can never efface ; and the recent 
 donation of Morris will be held in grateful remem 
 brance through all coming ages. And who can 
 doubt that the same kind Providence which has 
 never failed to sustain her in her hours of utmost 
 need, will raise up other noble and generous hearts 
 to minister to her wants, and to make her, as 
 she has been, worthy to take her place among 
 her sister institutions in the land, and to keep 
 3* 
 
30 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 pace with these in their onward and upward 
 progress ] 
 
 Again thanking you for the perusal of your 
 sheets, and asking pardon for the length to which 
 these desultory thoughts and reminiscences have 
 been extended, 
 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 EMORY WASHBURN. 
 
 REV. CALVIN DURFEE. 
 
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCH OF COL. EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 
 
 As Williams College owes its origin and name 
 to Colonel Ephraim Williams, it is obvious that no 
 apology will be needed for placing on these pages 
 a brief sketch of the life and services of its founder. 
 
 EPHRAIM WILLIAMS was a descendant, in the 
 third generation, from the Puritan, Robert Wil 
 liams, who is supposed to have removed from 
 Norwich, in England, and settled in Roxbury. He 
 was admitted freeman in 1638, and died at an 
 advanced age, September 1, 1693. He left three 
 sons, Samuel, Isaac, and Stephen, through 
 whom, says John Farmer, he became the " common 
 ancestor of the divines, civilians, and warriors of 
 his name, who have honored the country of their 
 birth." 
 
 Captain Isaac Williams, second son of Robert, 
 was born in 1638, and removed, while yet a young 
 man, to Cambridge Village, afterwards the town 
 of Newton. He was chosen deacon of the church 
 
32 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cii. I. 
 
 in that town, when it was first constituted, in 1664. 
 He died in 1707, leaving his homestead and the 
 larger part of his property to his youngest son, 
 Ephraim Williams, the father of the subject of this 
 memoir. 
 
 Colonel Ephraim Williams, senior, was born at 
 Newton, October 21, 1691. He married Elizabeth 
 Jackson, the daughter and eldest child of Abraham 
 Jackson, himself the only son of John Jackson, 
 who was the first settler of Newton. Ephraim, 
 who was their eldest son, was born at Newton, on 
 the 24th day of February, 1715. Soon after the 
 birth of a second son, February 24, 1718, the 
 mother died. The two children, Ephraim and 
 Thomas, were immediately taken by their grand 
 father, Abraham Jackson, to his own home. He 
 adopted and " brought them up under the paternal 
 roof of his own mansion, and gave them a good 
 education for the time." At his death in 1740, he 
 left them two hundred pounds, saying that " he 
 had already spent considerable sums for their 
 bringing up and education." 
 
 Abraham Jackson was a man of the Puritan 
 stamp, distinguished for his intelligence, integrity, 
 and devotion to the public good. During a long 
 life, he was a most useful citizen, and an honorable 
 man. In 1706, we find him associated with Isaac 
 Williams on the first school committee of Newton. 
 Of his liberality the records of the town furnish 
 one most interesting proof. On the 14th of May, 
 1701, he gave one acre of land, " for the setting the 
 
CH. L] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 33 
 
 school-house upon, and the enlarging the burying- 
 place, and the convenience of the training-place." 
 A beautiful example, doubtless, of the spirit of his 
 inculcations upon his youthful charge, and fully 
 justifying the historian when he says : " It is quite 
 apparent that the first sprouts of Williams College 
 were germinated in the family of Abraham Jack 
 son,* the son of the first settler of Newton." 
 
 As he approached the age of manhood, young 
 Williams found scope for his enterprise and love of 
 adventure upon the ocean. He made several voy 
 ages across the Atlantic, visiting England, Spain, 
 and Holland. In these voyages, and in his inter 
 course with general society, he acquired those 
 accomplishments of manner, and that knowledge 
 of human character, together with a fund of gen 
 eral information, which well prepared him for his 
 future career. He continued this mode of life until 
 about the age of twenty-five. 
 
 In the year 1739, his father had removed, with 
 his family, to the Indian town of Stockb ridge. 
 His family was one of the four English families 
 designated by the Provincial government to settle 
 in that place, in aid of the mission to the Stock- 
 bridge Indians, which had just been commenced by 
 the Rev. John Sargeant. At the earnest solicitation 
 of his father, the son now abandoned a seafaring 
 life, and removed to Stockbridge. Here he pur 
 chased large tracts of land, and resided for several 
 years, an active and useful citizen of the infant 
 
 * Great-grandfather of Nathan Jackson, of New York. 
 
34 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 settlement; and often its agent at the General 
 Court. But the time had arrived for his entrance 
 upon more responsible duties. 
 
 On the 29th of March, 1744, Great Britain de 
 clared war against France and Spain. It was 
 proclaimed in Boston in June. " At the declaration 
 of war," says General Hoyt, " many Indians who 
 had been active in the former war, and who resided 
 about the frontiers on the Connecticut, suddenly 
 left their stations, and repaired to Canada to join 
 the hostile tribes in that quarter, often firing 
 upon the houses of the frontier settlers as they 
 commenced their march." "Perfectly acquainted 
 with the topography of the country, they were 
 employed during the war, not only on predatory 
 excursions of their own, but as guides to other 
 and more distant Indians." 
 
 To guard against these invasions, the Provincial 
 government authorized the construction of a cor 
 don of small forts and block-houses across the 
 highlands, from Fort Dummer on the Connecticut 
 to the valley of the Hoosac at the base of Saddle 
 Mountain. Principal among these were Fort 
 Shirley, in Heath, Pelham, in Howe, and Fort 
 Massachusetts. There were also block-houses in 
 Bernardston and Coleraine, and small works at 
 Pontoosuck, Stockbridge, and Sheffield. Forts 
 Shirley, Pelham, and Massachusetts were erected 
 in the summer of 1744, under the superintendence 
 of Ephraim Williams, Jr., who had received a 
 captain s commission, and was intrusted with the 
 
CH. I.] COLONEL EPHBAIM WILLIAMS. 35 
 
 command of the line of defences upon the north 
 ern frontiers west of the Connecticut. His head 
 quarters were at Fort Massachusetts. His superior 
 officer, as well as personal friend, was John Stod- 
 dard, of Northampton, Colonel of the Hampshire 
 regiment. Thus was Williams first made ac 
 quainted with the valley of the Hoosac, destined 
 to the end of life to be the theatre of his labors, 
 and the object of his cares and affectionate regards. 
 
 In this exposed position, pushed far into the 
 wilderness, on a beautiful meadow in Adams, 
 Williams and his hardy companions erected their 
 fort of logs, surrounded with pickets of squared 
 timbers driven into the ground so as to form a 
 continuous fence, mounted with a few iron guns, 
 or swivels, and defensible against musketry alone. 
 The garrison at this time numbered fifty men, 
 while a less number served for the other and 
 smaller works. 
 
 Being now thirty years of age, with vigorous 
 health, bold, active, and vigilant, Captain Williams 
 shared fully with his men the privations and dan 
 gers of the service, and exerted his best powers in 
 defence of the frontiers. 
 
 In the spring of 1746, he enlisted a company 
 and joined the forces which had assembled at 
 Albany, with the view of proceeding to Canada, 
 by the way of JLake Champlain. The projected 
 invasion of Canada was abandoned. The troops 
 were withdrawn for the defence of Boston ; and 
 Captain Williams returned to his command on the 
 
36 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. I. 
 
 frontiers. Fort Massachusetts was rebuilt and 
 garrisoned with one hundred men. As heretofore, 
 it continued to be the object of frequent attacks. 
 
 A single instance, as related by General Hoyt, 
 may be given. On the 2d of August, 1748, four 
 men being fired upon at some distance from the 
 fort, Captain Williams sallied with thirty men. 
 After driving the enemy about forty rods, a party 
 of fifty Indians in ambuscade suddenly fired, and 
 endeavored to cut off his retreat. By a quick 
 movement he regained the fort, with one man 
 killed, and two wounded. At once a large body of 
 three hundred Indians and thirty French advanced 
 and opened their fire upon the fort. After sustain 
 ing a sharp fire from the garrison for two hours, 
 the enemy drew off with their killed and wounded. 
 
 Peace was declared at Aix-la-Chapelle, October 
 18, 1748. The war closed in the Colonies the 
 following summer. From this time, Captain Wil 
 liams resided on the Connecticut, at Hatfield, and 
 with his brother Thomas, at Deerfield. 
 
 With a rising reputation as an officer, with great 
 dignity of person and manners, he found ready 
 admission into the highest circles of rank and 
 influence, and numbered among his intimate friends 
 and associates the leading men in the county, 
 such men as John Worthington of Springfield, Jo 
 seph Hawley of Northampton, Oliver Partridge and 
 Israel Williams of Hatfield, and Jonathan Ashley, 
 the minister at Deerfield, men who had no supe 
 riors in the Province. 
 
CH. L] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 37 
 
 But he did not forget the valley of the Hoosac 
 and his companions in arms. Much of his thought 
 and effort was devoted to them. Mainly through 
 his influence with its leading men, the General 
 Court on the 18th of April, 1749, appointed a 
 committee, consisting of Colonels Dwight and 
 Choate and Oliver Partridge, Esq., " to survey 
 and lay out two townships on Hoosac River, 
 each of the contents of six miles square, in the 
 best of the land, and in as regular form as may 
 be, joining them together; and return a correct 
 plat of said townships; and also to return the 
 course and distance of said towns from Fort Mas 
 sachusetts." 
 
 Captain Williams remained at Boston during 
 the session of 1749-50, urging forward the set 
 tlement of the new townships. As the result of 
 these efforts, a committee was ordered, on the 
 17th of January, 1750, to lay out the West town 
 ship into sixty-three contiguous home lots of from 
 thirteen to fourteen acres, each lot being entitled 
 to one sixty-third part of the township. After 
 reserving one lot for the first settled minister, one 
 for the support of the ministry, and a third for the 
 support of schools, the committee were directed 
 to dispose of the remaining sixty lots to actual 
 settlers, for 6 16 s. 6d. each, and upon the usual 
 conditions. The committee are also directed " to 
 grant as many lots to the soldiers of the garri 
 son of Fort Massachusetts as they should think 
 proper." 
 
 4 
 
38 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 On the 16th of February, also, a grant of one 
 hundred and ninety acres of land, in the East 
 township, was made to Williams himself, on the 
 condition that " he erect and finish for service, 
 within two years, a good grist-mill and saw-mill 
 on the North Branch of the Hoosac River, and 
 keep the same in good repair for twenty years." 
 The mills were erected, and Williams became 
 owner of the large meadow upon which the fort 
 was built. 
 
 The committee proceeded without delay to the 
 work of settling the West township. Sixty-three 
 lots, fourteen rods wide, were laid out on a broad 
 street running from Green River to Hemlock 
 Brook, and sixty of them disposed of to pur 
 chasers by lot. Of these lots, more than one half 
 were taken by the officers and soldiers of Fort 
 Massachusetts, Captain Williams himself drawing 
 lots number eight and ten. Several of the pro 
 prietors removed their families, and commenced 
 the work of settlement immediately. 
 
 Thus it appears that these sister towns, in the 
 upper valley of the Hoosac, are the foster-children 
 of Fort Massachusetts, and may look to Ephraim 
 Williams as their founder. 
 
 But the progress of improvement was soon to 
 be stayed. The peace was indeed but a cessa 
 tion of arms. The combatants ceased to fight for 
 want of breath. Mutually exhausted, they were 
 glad to adjourn the inevitable contest for suprem 
 acy in the New World, till there should be re- 
 
CH. L] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 39 
 
 newed strength and more auspicious circumstances. 
 And already the indications of the approaching 
 contest began to multiply. 
 
 The English Colonists justly complained, that 
 their French neighbors had, in violation of the 
 treaty, not only refused to abandon their forts at 
 Crown Point and at Niagara, but had also in 
 creased their defences at these points, and erected 
 new works on Lake Erie ; and, moreover, had used 
 untiring diligence in extending their influence 
 among the Indian tribes, and in connecting the 
 Mississippi and Ohio Rivers with the Lakes by a 
 line of fortified posts. These complaints and re 
 monstrances of the English Colonists were un 
 heeded, and it was evident that the final struggle 
 could not be long delayed. 
 
 Meanwhile the Indian allies had already scented 
 the coming war, and in the spring and summer 
 of 1754 commenced hostilities on the frontiers of 
 Pennsylvania and New England. 
 
 Immediate measures of defence were adopted. 
 Forts Dummer &nd Massachusetts were strength 
 ened, and their garrisons increased. Between them 
 a series of stockades was renewed on the line of 
 the Deerfield, instead of Forts Shirley and Pel- 
 ham ; while at the West, additional works were 
 built at New Framlingham, now Lanesborough, 
 and at West Hoosac, now Williamstown. As in 
 the previous war, the command was intrusted to 
 Ephraim Williams, who now held a Majors com 
 mission in the second Hampshire regiment, which 
 was commanded by Israel Williams of Hatfield. 
 
40 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 The Colonies determined to prosecute the war, 
 thus commenced, with their utmost vigor, and 
 upon an extensive scale. The plan adopted em 
 braced three principal expeditions, to be conducted 
 simultaneously in the following spring. 
 
 On the 18th of February, 1755, the General 
 Court of Massachusetts resolved to raise five 
 thousand men for the war. They empowered 
 Governor Shirley to enlist twelve hundred men 
 for the Crown Point expedition, whenever the 
 other Provinces should agree to raise their respec 
 tive proportions, as determined by the Congress at 
 Albany. The proposition of Massachusetts was 
 assented to by the sister Colonies. Shirley issued 
 his proclamation on the 26th of March. The 
 troops were enlisted in three regiments of four 
 hundred each, and commanded severally by Tim 
 othy Ruggles, of Worcester; Moses Titcomb, of 
 Essex; and Ephraim Williams, of Hampshire. 
 Colonel Williams and his staff received their com 
 missions on the 29th of March. 
 
 The expedition was popular, arid the regiments 
 were speedily filled. That of Williams comprised 
 ten companies. His own company was commanded 
 by John Burke, of Bernardston. On his staff 
 were Seth Pomeroy, of Northampton, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel ; Noah Ashley, of Westfield, Major ; 
 Thomas Williams, of Deerfield, Surgeon ; and 
 Perez Marsh, of Dalton, Surgeon s Mate. Wil 
 liam Williams, of Connecticut, one of the signers 
 of the Declaration of Independence, was his Aid; 
 
CH. L] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 41 
 
 and the venerable Stephen Williams, of Long- 
 meadow, was Chaplain. 
 
 The regiments known as the " new levies " 
 were ordered to rendezvous at Albany. They 
 encamped on the eastern bank of the Hudson 
 near the last days of June. Early in July, the 
 little army commenced its march up the east 
 bank of the Hudson ; and the main body, with 
 forty pieces of cannon and a small party of In 
 dians, arrived at the head of Lake George on the 
 29th of August. At the southern extremity of 
 this peaceful water resting in solitary beauty in 
 its rough casket of mountain and forest, but soon 
 to be dyed with the blood of many a fearful en 
 counter Johnson cleared the ground and formed 
 his encampment, and waited for the arrival of his 
 transports and stores. 
 
 On Sabbath morning, the 7th of September, 
 some Indian scouts came into camp with the intel 
 ligence that they had discovered the trail of a 
 large army, marching in three columns from South 
 Bay towards the Hudson. Instantly a council was 
 called, which resulted in an order to Colonel Wil 
 liams to "build a picketed fort sufficient for a 
 hundred men." Williams immediately commenced 
 clearing the ground, and preparing the materials 
 for the fort. 
 
 The army reported to Johnson proved to be a 
 strong force -of French regular troops, Canadians, 
 and Indians, under the command of M. de Dieskau, 
 
 a German Baron, who had recently arrived in 
 4* 
 
42 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 Canada with the commission of Commander-in- 
 Chief of the French forces in North America. At 
 Montreal, the Baron was persuaded to relinquish 
 his purpose of attacking Oswego, and to proceed 
 down Lake Champlain in quest of Johnson, of 
 whose approach he had received information. 
 Landing at South Bay, he advanced through the 
 woods towards Fort Lyman since named Fort 
 Edward on the Hudson, and arrived in its vi 
 cinity on the evening of the 7th. Deterred from 
 attacking the fort by the fears of his Indians, he 
 encamped for the night, with the design of pro 
 ceeding in the morning on Johnson s track to the 
 lake. 
 
 A party of wagoners who had deserted, two of 
 whom had been captured by the enemy, returned 
 to the camp at midnight, and reported Dieskau s 
 position. Johnson waited till morning, and then 
 called another council. Hendrick, the Mohawk 
 chieftain, was invited to attend. It was agreed 
 to send one thousand provincials and two hundred 
 Indians in search of the enemy. Johnson at first 
 proposed a smaller number, and asked the opinion 
 of Hendrick. He replied, " If they are to fight, 
 they are too few ; if they are to be killed, they 
 are too many." When the general proposed to 
 divide them into three parties, the old chief, put 
 ting three sticks together, said, kt These you cannot 
 break ; take them one by one, and you will break 
 them easily." The party was not divided. 
 
 Colonel Williams was appointed to the com- 
 
CH. I.] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 43 
 
 mand, and led the van of five hundred men, com 
 posed of his own regiment and volunteers from 
 the other regiments of Massachusetts. Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Whiting, of New Haven, Connecticut, a 
 brave officer who had done good service at Louis- 
 bourg, was second in command, and brought up 
 the rear. 
 
 It was a calm, bright morning of the 8th of 
 September. The sun poured his unclouded splen 
 dors upon the still lake and the wooded hills, yet 
 untouched by the autumnal frosts, when the brave 
 Provincials filed from their rude camp into the 
 road. 
 
 The route of Williams led up a deep ravine, 
 having the French Mountain on the left, and a 
 range of hills with a less elevation and a more 
 gradual rise on the right. Having proceeded two 
 miles, he halted for Whiting and Hendrick, who 
 were at some distance in the rear. Flanking par 
 ties were thrown into the woods ; and while in 
 this position, a herd of frighted deer rushed down 
 the valley between the men, but excited no sus 
 picions. 
 
 Hendrick, mounted on a small horse, came up 
 and took the lead with his Mohawks. The road 
 soon left the. bottom of the ravine, and gradually 
 led up the hill-side on the right. The ground 
 became rough and steep, and was covered with 
 thick woods. At the distance of another mile, 
 and already within Dieskau s ambuscade on the 
 hill, Hendrick said to Colonel Williams, " I scent 
 
44 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 Indians ! " Williams halted his front rank for a 
 few moments, to allow his files, which were 
 stretched along the road, to close up. Hendrick 
 continued to advance until he was deep within 
 the ambuscade, when he was accosted, doubtless 
 by a friendly Iroquois. " Whence come you ? " 
 said he. " From the Mohawks." " Whence come 
 you ? " " Montreal," was the reply. 
 
 At the same moment, two Indians on the left, 
 perceiving the hesitation of the English, discharged 
 their pieces ; when suddenly the deep valley below 
 rung with the terrific yells of the Abenakis and 
 Canadians, who opened a heavy fire upon the 
 Mohawks and the front of Williams s column. 
 The Mohawks stood their ground and fought 
 bravely, until Hendrick fell, shot through the 
 back, when they were thrown into confusion. 
 The dying chief, with an Indian s pride, spent his 
 latest breath in lamentations, lest such a death 
 might leave a stain upon his memory. 
 
 Williams, comprehending his position at a glance, 
 ordered his men to take to the woods, and gain the 
 eminence on their right. Xo sooner was this move 
 ment commenced, than a murderous volley from the 
 Iroquois on the hill, strewed the ground with the 
 dying and dead. Williams, who was standing upon 
 or by the side of a large rock near the road, re 
 ceived a bullet through the head, and fell dead 
 upon the spot. John Morse, late of Washington, 
 in Berkshire County, was standing by his side, 
 and was covered with the blood of his dying com- 
 
CH. L] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 45 
 
 mander. With the aid of a comrade, he safely 
 concealed the body from the scalpirig-knife of the 
 advancing Indians. 
 
 The fight now became general. From the hill 
 above and the ravine below, with discordant cries, 
 the enemy pressed upon the astonished Provincials, 
 whose ranks, encumbered with the retreating Mo 
 hawks, crowded the road. Colonel Whiting pressed 
 forward to support the front, which was now des 
 perately engaged with the enemy on either side. 
 Here the conflict was severest. The Provincials 
 did not yield the ground without a fierce struggle. 
 Most of the slain fell at this spot. Here the ene 
 my lost M. St. Pierre, their brave and renowned 
 Indian leader. Finding himself nearly surrounded 
 by superior numbers, who had command of the 
 ground, and his men rapidly falling around him, 
 Whiting wisely ordered a retreat. 
 
 The Provincials withdrew from the hill, and made 
 a stand in the rear of Bloody Pond, thus named 
 by this day s baptism, and held the enemy in 
 check for some time. Forced again to retreat, they 
 kept up a galling fire upon their pursuers, from 
 behind rocks and trees, till they were met by a 
 reinforcement of three hundred men, sent out to 
 cover their retreat. They entered the camp at 
 eleven o clock, and took their places, and shared 
 with their comrades the subsequent conflicts of 
 the day. Thus closed the fatal fray, known to 
 our fathers as " the bloody morning scout." 
 
 Colonel Williams was not mutilated. He was 
 
46 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 carried by his mourning comrades to the height 
 of land some fifteen or twenty rods in a southeast 
 erly direction from the rock where he fell, and 
 buried at the foot of a " huge pine beside the old 
 military road." On the rough hill-side, beneath 
 the forest shades, his remains have rested without 
 a memorial, and " undisturbed until about twenty 
 years ago, when his nephew, Dr. William H. Wil 
 liams, of Raleigh, N. C., disinterred and carried off 
 the skull." The ancient pine has fallen, and noth 
 ing but the stump remains. Yet two descendants 
 of the parent tree, of vigorous growth, have sprung 
 from its roots, and still shade the place of burial. 
 
 The rock upon which he fell still stands by the 
 ancient road. It is an irregular quadrangle, and 
 about seven feet in height. On this rock the 
 Alumni of Williams College have erected a marble 
 monument, twelve feet high, with appropriate in 
 scriptions, and surrounded it with a substantial iron 
 fence. Long may it stand, to tell the passer-by the 
 brief story of the life and our regard for the mem 
 ory of EPHRAIM WILLIAMS ! 
 
 When about departing from Deerfield to join 
 the army, Colonel Williams requested his brother 
 Thomas to aid him in drafting a will, giving no 
 intimations, however, of his intentions in respect 
 to the disposition of his property. From motives 
 of delicacy the request was declined, and the matter 
 was dropped. At Fort Massachusetts, he again 
 met his old companions in arms, and gave them his 
 last words of counsel and encouragement. Tra- 
 
CH. L] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 47 
 
 dition informs us that, at the parting interview, 
 some slight expressions fell from his lips of the 
 purpose to leave to them, in the event of his death, 
 more substantial tokens of his regard. At Albany 
 he was reminded by illness of the uncertainty of 
 life, and of his cherished purpose yet unfulfilled. 
 His will was made and executed on the 22d of 
 July, John Worthington and Israel Williams being 
 appointed executors. After appropriate bequests 
 in small amounts to relatives and personal friends, 
 the will proceeds as follows : 
 
 "It is my will and pleasure, that all of the resi 
 due of my real estate, not otherwise disposed of, 
 be sold by my executors, or the survivor of them, 
 within five years after an established peace, (which 
 a good God soon grant !) according to their discre 
 tion ; and that the same be put out at interest on 
 good security ; and that the interest money yearly 
 arising therefrom, and the interest arising from my 
 just debts due to me, and not otherwise disposed 
 of, be improved by said executors, and by such as 
 they shall appoint trustees for the charity aforesaid 
 after them, for the support and maintenance of a 
 free school in the township west of Fort Massa 
 chusetts (commonly called West Township) for 
 ever ; provided said township fall within the juris 
 diction of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and 
 continue under that jurisdiction; and provided 
 also the Governor of said Province, with the As 
 sembly of said Province, shall (when a suitable 
 number of inhabitants are settled there) incorpo- 
 
48 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 rate the same into a town by the name of Wil- 
 liamstown ; and if the interest of such moneys be 
 more than sufficient for such a purpose, that which 
 remains be improved, as aforesaid, for the support 
 of a like school in the East Township, in which 
 said fort now stands; but in case the aforesaid 
 provisos are not complied with, viz. if said West 
 Township fall not within said Massachusetts Prov 
 ince, or do not continue under that jurisdiction, 
 or if it shall be incorporated by any other name 
 than that above mentioned, then my will is, that 
 the interest of said moneys be applied to some other 
 public beneficial and charitable purpose by my 
 executors, as above directed, respecting other parts 
 of my estate, according to their discretion and good 
 judgment." 
 
 After no inconsiderable search, little has been 
 found from the pen of Colonel Williams which 
 reveals his principles of action, and his views upon 
 the great subjects of life, duty, and destiny. For 
 whatever is known of these, as well as of his per 
 sonal appearance, habits, and manners, we are in 
 debted to the impressions which he made upon 
 his contemporaries, as revealed in the scanty no 
 tices of the times, and in the few traditions which 
 yet linger amongst us. 
 
 From these we learn that his " person was large 
 and fleshy," his countenance benignant, and his 
 presence commanding ; that he loved, and excelled 
 in, the rough games and feats of agility and strength 
 so common in his day, and often engaged in them 
 
CH. I.] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 49 
 
 with his soldiers during the intervals of duty ; that 
 his " address was easy, his manners simple and con 
 ciliating ; " that he loved books, and the society of 
 literary men, " and often lamented the want of a 
 liberal education ; " that to these endowments were 
 added the higher qualities of mind, quick and 
 clear perceptions, a solid judgment, a lofty courage, 
 and an unwavering constancy in scenes of danger, 
 and that military genius which needed only a 
 fitting opportunity to place him in the highest 
 walks of his profession. He knew both how to 
 command and how to conciliate the affections of 
 his men. " He was greatly beloved by them while 
 living, and lamented when dead." And finally, in 
 the language of Colonel Worthington, who knew 
 him well, " Humanity made a most striking trait 
 in his character, and universal benevolence was 
 his ruling passion." He truly adds, " His memory 
 will always be dear." 
 
 Colonel Williams was never married. He died 
 in the forty-first year of his age ; cut down in the 
 pride and strength of his manhood, in the midst 
 of his useful and brilliant career, and at a juncture 
 when broader fields, inviting to still higher achieve 
 ments, were opening before him. He fell in the 
 first campaign of that remarkable war which drove 
 the French power from the banks of the St. Law 
 rence, and changed the destiny of this continent 
 forever, that war which opened the way, and has 
 tened the advance, and educated the heroes of the 
 Revolution. With equal abilities, with a larger 
 5 
 
50 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 experience, and a superior position to any of these, 
 the favorite of the people, and the idol of the 
 army, what might not have been witnessed in 
 his career, had his life been prolonged to the al 
 lotted age of man ] 
 
 But his work was done ! Doubtless, in the eye 
 of Him who sees all and disposes of all, it was well 
 done ! And at the close of one hundred years from 
 his death, and in the clear light of what has already 
 been accomplished by his dying bequest, shall we 
 not also respond, " His work was well done ! " 
 
 Nay, as Williams himself sat in his sick-chamber 
 at Albany, and laid aside the pen with which he 
 had made sure his last act of good-will to his old 
 neighbors and friends in the Hoosac valley, and 
 contemplated its beneficent results in the higher 
 intelligence and well-being of their posterity in the 
 future, could the veil have been lifted, and his eye 
 have run down the line of the coming years till 
 it rested on these times, and marked the results as 
 they now stand revealed to us, could he have seen 
 the little hamlet of eleven settlers give place to the 
 populous village, and the broad cultivated town, and 
 the frontier which he had defended so well stretch 
 ing onwards to the Lakes, across the western valley 
 to the Pacific shore, could he have beheld the free 
 school expanding into the college, and bestowing 
 a liberal culture upon sixty-five generations of gen 
 erous youth, sending them forth each successive year 
 equipped to do the work of men 
 
 " In the world s broad field of battle," 
 
Ce. I.] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 51 
 
 could he have caught a glimpse of the maple 
 grove, and the haystack beside it, and the uplifted 
 hands of those youthful heroes of a new crusade, 
 pleading for a fresh baptism upon the churches, 
 and have seen the swift messengers of peace run 
 ning to all lands, and publishing salvation, and 
 the darkness lifting, and the day breaking, and 
 heard the morning song, would he not also, 
 with a full heart, have exclaimed : 
 
 " It is well ! The ways of God are justified. 
 I see there is a higher prize ! I see there is a 
 brighter glory ! It is well. Though my sun go 
 down at noon ; though I fall in the first shock of 
 battle, and others lead on to victory and win the 
 soldier s prize ; though my poor body sleep long 
 years in the deep woods, and no kindly tear fall, 
 and no friendly foot press the spot ; yet I shall 
 not be forgotten. The men of other ages and far- 
 off lands shall repeat my name with a blessing : 
 it shall live with Mills on the ocean, with Hall 
 on the c burning strand ; the monumental marble 
 shall speak it ; and the sweet valley which I love, 
 and the everlasting mountains around, shall guard 
 and preserve it forever ! " 
 
 In an address delivered before the Adelphic 
 Union Society of Williams College in 1837, by 
 Governor Everett, he personifies Colonel Williams 
 in the following graphic language : 
 
 " My friends (we may conceive he would say to a group of 
 settlers gathered around old Fort Massachusetts, on some fit oc 
 casion, not long before his marching toward the place of rendez- 
 
52 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. I. 
 
 vous), my friends, your hardships I am aware are great. I 
 have witnessed I have shared them. The hardships inci 
 dent to opening a new country are always severe. They are 
 heightened in our case by the constant danger in which we live 
 from the savage enemy. At present we are rather encamped 
 than settled. We live in block-houses ; we lie upon our arms 
 by night ; and, like the Jews who returned to build Jerusalem, 
 we go to work by day with implements of husbandry in one 
 hand, and the weapons, of war in the other. Nor is this the 
 worst. We have been bred up in the populous settlement on 
 the coast, where the school-house and the church are found at 
 the centre of every village. Here, as yet, we can have neither. 
 I know these things weigh upon you. You look on the dark 
 and impenetrable forests in which you have made an opening, 
 and contrast it with the pleasant villages where you were born 
 and passed your early years, where your parents are yet living, 
 or where they have gone to their rest ; and you cannot suppress 
 a painful emotion. You are more especially, as I perceive, some 
 what disheartened at the present moment of impending war. 
 But, my friends, let not your spirits sink. The prospect is over 
 cast ; but brighter days will come. In vision I can plainly fore 
 see them. The forest disappears ; the cornfield, the pasture, 
 takes its place. The hill-sides are spotted with flocks, the music 
 of the water-wheel sounds in accord with the dashing stream. 
 Your little groups of log-cabins swell into prosperous villages. 
 Schools and churches spring up in the waste; institutions for 
 learning arise ; and, in what is now a wide solitude, libraries and 
 cabinets unfold their treasures, and observatories point their tubes 
 to the heavens. I tell you that not all the united powers of all 
 the French and Indians on the St. Lawrence no, not if backed 
 by all the powers of darkness, which seem at times in league 
 with them, to infest this howling wilderness will long prevent 
 the valleys of the Hoosac and the Housatonic from becoming the 
 abode of industry, abundance, and refinement. A century will 
 not pass before the voice of domestic wisdom, and fireside in 
 spiration from the vales of Berkshire, will be heard throughout 
 America and Europe. As for the contest impending, I am sure 
 
CH. I] COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 53 
 
 we shall conquer ; if I mistake not, it is the first of a series of 
 events of unutterable moment to all America, and even to man 
 kind. Before it closes, the banner of St. George will float, I 
 am sure, over Diamond Rock ; and the extension of the British 
 power over the whole continent will be but the first act of a 
 great drama whose catastrophe I but dimly foresee. 
 
 " I speak of what concerns the whole country : the fortune of 
 individuals is wrapt in the uncertain future. For myself, I must 
 own that I feel a foreboding at my heart, which I cannot throw 
 off. I can only say, if my hour is come, (and I think it is not 
 distant,) I am prepared. I have been able to do but little ; but 
 if Providence has no further work for me to perform, I am 
 ready to be discharged from the warfare. It is my purpose, be 
 fore I am taken from you, to make a disposition of my property 
 for the benefit of this infant community. My heart s desire is, 
 that, in the picture of its future prospects which I behold in men 
 tal view, the last and best of earthly blessings shall not be want 
 ing. I shall deem my life not spent in vain, though it be cut 
 off to-morrow, if at its close I shall be accepted as the humble 
 instrument of promoting the great cause of education. 
 
 " My friends, as I am soon to join the army, we meet, many 
 of us, perhaps for the last time. I am a solitary branch ; I can 
 be spared. I have no wife to feel my loss, no children to follow 
 me to the grave. Should I fall by the tomahawk, or in front of 
 honorable battle, on the shores of the stormy lake, or in the in 
 fested woods, this poor body may want even a friendly hand to 
 protect it from insult ; but I must take the chances of a soldier s 
 life. When I am gone, you will find some proof that my last 
 thoughts were with the settlers of Fort Massachusetts ; and per 
 haps, at some future day, should my desire to serve you and your 
 children not be disappointed, my humble name will not be for 
 gotten in the public assembly, and posterity will bestow a tear 
 on the memory of Ephraim Williams." 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE FREE SCHOOL. - ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE. 
 
 THE property of Colonel Williams, at the time 
 of his death, consisted chiefly in notes and bonds, 
 and in lands in Hampshire and Berkshire Coun 
 ties. John Worthington, Esq. of Springfield, and 
 Israel Williams, Esq. of Hatfield, the executors of 
 the will, sold the lands, and loaned the moneys 
 arising from the sales. The yearly interest was 
 again loaned, and thus the fund was annually 
 growing under their faithful care, from the death 
 of Colonel Williams, in 1755, till 1785. They 
 then applied to the Legislature for an act en 
 abling them to fulfil the benevolent intention of 
 the testator. An act was accordingly passed, 
 incorporating William Williams, Theodore Sedg- 
 wick, Woodbridge Little, John Bacon, Thompson 
 J. Skinner, Israel J^e^ and David Noble, Es 
 quires, the Rev. Sejfl Rjft, and the Eev. Daniel 
 Collins, Trustcgflgfl Kation of Ephraim Wil- 
 
 ^H * 
 
 .Hams, for mainll Free School in Williams- 
 town. 
 
 The trustees 1^1 Bht meeting at Pittsfield, 
 on the 24th <1 JHi If. 1785. William Wil- 
 
 fHht 
 . ] 
 
CH. II.J THE FREE SCHOOL. 55 
 
 i 
 
 liams was elected President, and Rev. Seth Swift, 
 Treasurer. Finding the funds which were now 
 transferred to the treasurer by the executors in 
 sufficient to erect a building for the school, a com 
 mittee, consisting of Messrs David Noble, Israel 
 Jones, and Thompson J. Skinner, was appointed 
 to procure such assistance in materials and funds 
 for a house as they may be able to obtain from the 
 people in Williamstown and elsewhere. " And as 
 the present fund of the Corporation will be insuf 
 ficient to effect an object of extensive usefulness 
 in instructing the rising generation, and as it is 
 probable that many persons may be disposed gen 
 erously to contribute to the execution of the inten 
 tion of the donor, it is therefore ordered that the 
 said committee receive such contributions as may 
 be made for that purpose, and that they prepare 
 and circulate subscriptions therefor." 
 
 " Resolved, That it is the sense of this com 
 mittee that the intention of Ephraim Williams, 
 Esq., in that clause of his last will and testament 
 which respects the maintenance of a Free School in 
 Williamstown, and the trust reposed in them by the 
 Legislature, will be most fully and properly executed 
 by employing the whole^^ation in that town. 
 
 " Resolved, That it Jfefl wense of this Corpo 
 ration that the Free 9 BhJH^illiamstown be 
 open and free, for the useH Befit of the inhab 
 itants of that town, and the Bee citizens of the 
 American States indiscrimirj ^k under such rules 
 and orders as may be heH blished. 
 
56 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. II. 
 
 i 
 
 " Further, Resolved, That it is the sense of the 
 Corporation that it will best coincide with the lib 
 eral views of the donor, and the intention of the 
 Legislature, to admit no pupil into the Free School 
 in Williamstown not having been previously taught 
 to read English well." 
 
 At the next meeting of the Corporation, held at 
 Williamstown, August 3, 1785, it was voted " that 
 the house for the use of the Free School in Wil 
 liamstown be erected in the northerly part of the 
 town, upon the eminence south of Mr. William 
 Hosford s house, or upon the eminence farther 
 east, in the northwest corner of Captain Isaac 
 SeaiTs lot, opposite the old lime-kiln, as the Cor 
 poration shall hereafter determine ; and further, 
 that it be constructed of brick, and be of the fol 
 lowing dimensions, viz. fifty-six feet in length, and 
 forty-two in breadth, from outside to outside, and 
 twenty-one feet in height, with a bevel roof." 
 And Thompson J. Skinner, Israel Jones, and Da 
 vid Noble were appointed a committee, to " provide 
 the materials and erect the building as soon as 
 may be." 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees, held at Pittsfield, 
 April 24, 1786, the following Resolve was passed: 
 "That Theodore Sedgwick, Simeon Strong, and 
 Caleb Strong, Esquires, be requested to appear at 
 the Supreme Judicial Court, to be holden at North 
 ampton, within and for the County of Hampshire, 
 on the last Monday of April current, to make and 
 answer to the memorials of the towns of Williams- 
 
CH. II.] THE FREE SCHOOL. 57 
 
 town and Adams, presented by their respective 
 agents at the last Supreme Judicial Court, holden 
 at Great Barrington, in the County of Berkshire, 
 on the first day of October last, respecting the pro 
 ceedings of this Corporation." The College records 
 furnish no report of the doings of this committee, 
 nor does it appear from the records that there was 
 any meeting of the Corporation in the year 1787. 
 
 There was evidently some difficulty and delay 
 attending the erection of the proposed edifice. 
 This may be fairly inferred from the following vote, 
 which was passed May 1, 1788. " Voted, That the 
 subscriptions already had and obtained for the 
 purpose of erecting the house for the use of the 
 Free School in Williamstown, be vacated and of 
 no effect ; and that at their next meeting the Cor 
 poration will attend to any subscriptions or propo 
 sals which may be then offered and made respect 
 ing the erecting said house, on one of the two 
 eminences mentioned in their resolve passed at 
 their meeting held in August, 1785, or any other 
 place in the town of Williamstown." 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees, held August 19, 
 1788, it was voted, that " the house for the use of 
 the Free School in Williamstown be constructed 
 of brick, and be of the following dimensions, viz. 
 seventy-two feet in length, arid forty feet in breadth, 
 from inside to inside, three stories in height, with 
 four stacks of chimneys and a bevel roof; that 
 said house be erected on the eminence east of the 
 meeting-house, and south of Mr. William Hos- 
 
58 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IL 
 
 ford s dwelling-house, on the south side of the 
 highway ; provided the sum of five hundred 
 pounds be paid, or secured to be paid, to the said 
 Corporation, for the use of the said school, by 
 Thompson J. Skinner, Esq., and others, as ex 
 pressed in a certain instrument, subscribed by the 
 said Skinner and others, bearing date August 16, 
 1788, now in the hands of the clerk of said Cor 
 poration, reference thereto being had ; and, also, 
 provided that the said subscribers shall level and 
 prepare the ground on the said eminence, in such a 
 manner as the said Corporation shall judge proper 
 for the accommodation of the said house ; pro 
 vided, also, that Captain Lemuel Stewart shall make 
 and execute to the said Corporation a good and 
 sufficient deed of the whole of a certain piece of 
 land," which is fully described in the records ; 
 " provided, also, the said subscribers shall, by the 
 fifteenth day of November next, procure a good 
 well, which shall at all times afford a sufficient 
 quantity of water for all necessary uses." At this 
 meeting the Corporation voted to prefer a petition 
 to the General Court, at their next session, for the 
 grant of a lottery to enable them to raise the sum 
 of twelve hundred pounds, for the purpose of erect 
 ing the proposed building ; and the President of 
 the Board, John Bacon, and Woodbridge Little, 
 Esquires, to present this petition with the signature 
 of the President. Theodore Sedgwick, Thompson 
 J. Skinner, and Woodbridge Little, Esquires, were 
 appointed a committee to prepare the scheme for 
 
CH. II.] THE FREE SCHOOL. 59 
 
 said lottery, and procure the tickets to be printed, 
 provided the lottery be granted. It was granted, 
 and the avails of it amounted to 1,037 18 s. 2d. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees, held at Williams- 
 town, May 26, 1790, the following action was had. 
 " Taking into consideration the importance and 
 necessity of erecting without delay the building 
 intended for the use of said school; and Colonel 
 Skinner having this day engaged to sink the well 
 already begun, and partly dug, on the western 
 eminence where the house was ordered, on certain 
 conditions, to be placed, and to level the said west 
 ern eminence sufficient to accommodate the build 
 ing, do resolve, that the committee appointed to 
 superintend and direct in the erection of said build 
 ing shall proceed to set up said building, on said 
 eminence, without delay, the conditions mentioned 
 in the former vote of the Corporation not having 
 been performed notwithstanding." 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees held in Williams- 
 town, October 26, 1790, we find that "Whereas, 
 the Trustees, on the 19th of August, 1788, did 
 vote, order, and direct that the house for the use 
 of the Free School should be built and erected of 
 the following dimensions, viz. seventy-two feet in 
 length, and forty feet in breadth, and three stories 
 high, with four stacks of chimneys, and bevel 
 roof; and whereas the committee appointed for 
 that purpose, by advice of several Trustees, and 
 from considerations of utility, have erected the said 
 building of the following dimensions, viz. eighty- 
 
60 .HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. II. 
 
 two feet in length, forty-two in width, four stories 
 high, with a bevel roof; the Trustees do approve 
 of the conduct of the committee in the premises, 
 and do hereby ratify and confirm the same to all 
 intents and purposes, so that it shall have the same 
 effect as if the said building had been erected of 
 the dimensions prescribed by the previous order 
 and vote." This building (now the old West Col 
 lege) was completed in 1790. 
 
 Messrs. Williams, Bacon, and Swift were ap 
 pointed, at this meeting of the Board, a committee 
 " to provide a schoolmaster of good moral charac 
 ter, and suitably qualified to instruct in reading and 
 writing the English language, and in arithmetic. 
 And the . said committee were further authorized 
 and directed to employ, as soon as may be after 
 the building is completed, an instructor," whose 
 qualifications are thus described : " A man of a good 
 moral character ; of the Protestant religion ; well 
 acquainted with the English and learned languages, 
 the liberal arts and sciences ; apt to teach, with 
 talents to command the respect of his pupils; of 
 mild disposition, and of elegant and accomplished 
 manners." The committee, thus instructed, pro 
 cured the services of the Rev. Ebenezer Fitch. 
 
 At the same meeting the Corporation adopted a 
 seal, which was used for some years after the school 
 had become a college. Its device was a teacher 
 surrounded by three pupils, with books in their 
 hands, and the motto, " E. LIBERALITATE E. WIL 
 LIAMS, ARMIGERI." 
 
CH. IL1 OKGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE. 61 
 
 The Free School (so called agreeably to the will) 
 was opened October 20, 1791, with Mr. Fitch as 
 preceptor, and Mr. John Lester as assistant. There 
 were two departments, a grammar school or acade 
 my, and an English free school. In the former, all 
 the branches which composed the course of edu 
 cation in the colleges were taught, and a yearly 
 tuition of thirty-five shillings was charged. The 
 latter was chiefly composed of boys from the higher 
 classes in the town schools, to whom gratuitous 
 instruction was given in the common English 
 branches. 
 
 The School opened with cheering prospects, and 
 at once became quite popular. Young men in con 
 siderable numbers resorted to it from Massachusetts 
 and the neighboring States, and some even from 
 Canada. Its prospective reputation and usefulness 
 strengthened the desire of the Trustees, " the peo 
 ple of Williams town, and others, to effect more 
 perfectly the object of the donor, to erect the 
 School into a College." * 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees, May 22, 1792, a 
 petition was prepared and sanctioned to be sent 
 to the General Court at its next session, asking for 
 an act incorporating the School into a College. 
 This petition is so worthy of the men who prepared 
 and presented it, that we are sure our readers will 
 wish to see it in their own language. 
 
 The Trustees of the donation of Ephraim Wil 
 liams, Esq., for maintaining a Free School in Wil- 
 
 * History of Berkshire County, p. 167. 
 
 6 
 
62 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. II. 
 
 liamstown, " humbly show, that, partly out of the 
 said donation, and partly by private subscriptions, 
 and partly from the aid of a lottery, they have 
 erected a large and convenient building within the 
 said town of Williamstown, with lodging and study 
 rooms sufficient to accommodate one hundred stu 
 dents, besides a common school-room sufficient for 
 sixty scholars, a dining-room that will accommodate 
 a hundred persons, a hall for public academical 
 purposes, a room for a library, apparatus, &c., the 
 whole being nearly finished. About six months 
 liave elapsed since they opened an English and 
 grammar school in said building ; since that period 
 they have had, from this and some of the neigh 
 boring States, upwards of sixty young gentlemen, 
 who have entered the grammar school, and the 
 number is almost daily increasing. Your memo 
 rialists further show, that there are several circum 
 stances attending the Free School in Williamstown 
 that are peculiarly favorable to a seminary of a 
 more public and important nature. It is in a part 
 of the country that abounds with a variety of the 
 most substantial articles of provision, and, being 
 remote from any public market, such articles of 
 provision may always be afforded at a low price. 
 This will naturally tend to lessen the expenses of 
 instruction, and to render the means of a liberal 
 education more easy, and bring them more within 
 the power of the middling and lower classes of 
 citizens. Williamstown, being an enclosed place, 
 will not be exposed to those temptations and al- 
 
CH.II.] ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE. 63 
 
 lurements which are peculiarly incident to seaport 
 towns : a rational hope may therefore be indulged 
 that it will prove favorable to the morals and lit 
 erary improvement of youth who may reside there. 
 Your memorialists ask leave further to observe, that 
 Yale and Dartmouth Colleges are both of them 
 nearer to the county of Berkshire than Cambridge. 
 Most of the youths in the counties of Hampshire 
 and Berkshire who obtain a liberal education are 
 sent to one or the other of these colleges, by 
 means of which large sums of money are annually 
 sent out of this Commonwealth for the purposes 
 of education. The southerly part of Berkshire is 
 contiguous to Connecticut. The town of Williams- 
 town is bordering upon the most fertile parts of 
 the States of New York and Vermont. If, there 
 fore, a college was instituted in that town, such 
 is its local position that great numbers of youth 
 would probably resort there from the adjacent 
 States, for the purpose of obtaining a liberal edu 
 cation. This would furnish an opportunity of 
 diffusing our best habits and manners among the 
 citizens of our sister States. It would, at the same 
 time, be a resource of wealth, and add to the in 
 fluence and wealth of Massachusetts. There being 
 already two colleges within the Commonwealth,* 
 cannot, as we humbly conceive, be a reasonable 
 objection against the addition of a third, especially 
 as the interest of the last, from its local situa 
 tion, cannot interfere with either of the former. 
 
 * Maine was then a part of Massachusetts. 
 
64 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. II. 
 
 The interests of the whole will perfectly coincide, 
 and, like a threefold cord, mutually confirm and 
 strengthen each other. 
 
 " The University of Cambridge will always be 
 considered as the parent of the other two, and from 
 them will derive an additional degree of lustre and 
 renown. We hope that it is a laudable wish we 
 indulge of seeing Massachusetts the Athens of the 
 United States of America, to which young gentle 
 men, from any part of the Union, may resort for 
 instruction in all the branches of useful and polite 
 literature ; and we cannot entertain the least doubt 
 but that the object of our present memorial per 
 fectly coincides with the object of such a wish. 
 Your memorialists, therefore, humbly pray your 
 Honors, that the Free School in Williamstown, 
 may be incorporated into a College by the name 
 of WILLIAMS HALL, and that the nurturing, liberal 
 hand of the Legislature may be extended to it by 
 a grant of lands in the easterly part of the Com 
 monwealth, or in such other way as to your Honors 
 may seem fit." 
 
 This petition was dated at Williamstown, May 
 22, 1792, and signed by William Williams, Theo 
 dore Sedgwick, Woodbridge Little, John Bacon, 
 Thompson J. Skinner, Seth Swift, Daniel Collins, 
 Israel Jones, and David Noble. 
 
 This application for a charter proved successful, 
 and the act of incorporation, changing the Free 
 School into a College, under the name of Williams 
 College, was granted by the Legislature, June 22, 
 1793. 
 
CH. II.] ORGANIZATION OE THE COLLEGE. 65 
 
 By this act, all the trustees of the Free School 
 were made trustees of the College, and to them 
 were added the Rev. Stephen West, D. D., Henry 
 Van Schaack, Hon. Elijah Williams, and the Pres 
 ident of the College for the time being. Gen 
 eral Philip Schuyler, Hon. Stephen Van Rensse- 
 laer, and Rev. Job Swift were subsequently elect 
 ed. The charter allowed the board to consist 
 of seventeen members, including the President, 
 empowered them to fill all vacancies ; to confer the 
 usual academic degrees and doctorates ; and to 
 hold property, " the annual income of which shall 
 not exceed the sum of twenty thousand dollars." 
 
 By this act of incorporation, all the property, 
 real and personal, belonging to the Free School, 
 was transferred to and vested in the hands of the 
 College Corporation, and a grant of four thousand 
 dollars was made from the State treasury for the 
 purchase of a library and philosophical apparatus. 
 
 " This act of the Legislature did not change the 
 destination of the fund of the Free School (for that 
 would necessarily imply an illegal exercise of power 
 on the part of the Legislature), but it only extended 
 the power and increased the capacity of the fund, 
 so that it was still promotive of the views of the 
 beneficent testator respecting his general object, 
 namely, the dissemination of learning ; and the par 
 ticular one, the location at Williamstown. The 
 Williamstown Free School Fund was at all times 
 to be considered as the STOCK, planted and rooted 
 in Williamstown, on which public and private mu- 
 6* 
 
66 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. II. 
 
 nificence might, from time to time, be engrafted. 
 This construction of the will of Colonel Williams 
 harmonizes with the views of the original trustees 
 of the fund, and is strengthened and confirmed 
 by the fact, that none of the residuary legatees of 
 Colonel Williams ever claimed those funds, or con 
 sidered them as forfeited by any supposed illegal 
 interference of the Legislature by the act of 1793." 
 The first meeting of the board was called by Mr. 
 Skinner, August 6, 1793 (notice having been pre 
 viously given in the Stockbridge paper). All the 
 trustees were present. The meeting having been 
 organized, Mr. Fitch was unanimously elected Presi 
 dent, Rev. Stephen West, D. D., Vice-President, 
 and Daniel Dewey, Secretary. A committee waited 
 on Mr. Fitch, who attended, and signified his ac 
 ceptance of the office. It was voted, that Com 
 mencement be on the first Wednesday of Septem 
 ber. " That the Grammar School be connected 
 with the College," and the Free School be discon 
 tinued. That Mr. Noah Linsley be appointed Tutor, 
 with a salary of 65 per annum ; and Mr. Na 
 thaniel Steel, master of the Grammar School, with 
 a salary of 60. " That the salary of the Presi 
 dent be 140, and the Corporation provide him 
 with a house." " That each person who applies 
 for admission be able to accurately read, parse, and 
 construe, to the satisfaction of the President and 
 Tutor, Virgil s -ZEneid, Tully s Orations, and the 
 Evangelists in Greek ; or if he prefers to become 
 acquainted with French, he must be able to read 
 
CH. II.] ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE. 67 
 
 and pronounce, with a tolerable degree of accuracy 
 and fluency, Hudson s French Scholar s Guide, 
 Telemachus, or some other approved French au 
 thor." "That Messrs. Skinner, Swift, and Noble 
 be a committee to counsel the President." The 
 thanks of the board were also voted to Mr. Noble 
 for the present of a bell. 
 
 At a subsequent meeting, it was also voted, 
 " That a public dinner be provided at the next 
 Commencement, for the President, Trustees, and 
 officers of the College, together with such other 
 gentlemen as the President may invite." " That 
 Mr. Elijah Dunbar be appointed senior Tutor." 
 " That the Monitor be allowed for his services 
 the sum of thirteen shillings, and in future an 
 annual stipend, equal to one quarter s tuition." 
 
 Hon. Theodore Sedgwick was appointed Profes 
 sor of Law and Civil Polity. A code of laws> not 
 differing materially from those now in use, was 
 prepared and accepted at this meeting. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRESIDENT FITCH. 
 
 THE Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D. D., the first Presi 
 dent of Williams College, was a native of Norwich, 
 Conn. His private journal, which he kept while 
 in college, and which we have, contains the follow 
 ing record: "I was born at Norwich, Sept. 26, 1756, 
 on Sabbath morning. Sicut parentes aiunt." Yet, 
 by some strange mistake, it is stated in the history 
 of Berkshire County, and on his tombstone in 
 West Bloomfield, N. Y., that Dr. Fitch was a na 
 tive of Canterbury, Conn. That he passed his 
 childhood in Canterbury, there can be no doubt. 
 But his birth unquestionably occurred at Norwich. 
 His father was Dr. Jabez Fitch, a physician of 
 considerable eminence. His mother was Lydia 
 Huntington of Norwich. Both of his parents were 
 the descendants of most worthy ancestors. 
 
 President Fitch was probably the subject of re 
 newing grace in early life. Though he did not 
 make a public profession of religion until a few 
 years after he was graduated, still, in after life, he 
 referred the date of his conversion to the period 
 preceding his entrance into college, supposing it to 
 
CH. III.] PRESIDENT FITCH. 69 
 
 have occurred when he was about fifteen years old. 
 He was fitted for college by the Rev. Dr. James 
 Cogswell, who was for a number of years a minis 
 ter in Canterbury. While a member of college, 
 he excelled in every department of study ; and 
 was highly esteemed for his blameless arid gentle 
 manly deportment. From early life he was re 
 markably conscientious and diligent in the pursuit 
 of learning, and in the cultivation of a well-bal 
 anced Christian character. In the early part of 
 his college life he commenced keeping a journal, 
 which he continued with a good degree of regu 
 larity until the close of his Senior year. For the 
 greater part of the time he recorded the leading 
 events of the day. It is much to be regretted, 
 however, that during the last three months of his 
 course it is kept in characters which we have been 
 utterly unable to decipher. 
 
 From this journal, under date of July 16, 1775, 
 we make the following extract : 
 
 " As I have always had the ministry in view, I 
 think it high time for me to attend more seriously 
 and diligently to the things of everlasting impor 
 tance. Considering, also, the importance of pur 
 suing my studies with diligence, so that I may be 
 prepared to be useful to my fellow-men, I have 
 determined, by Divine assistance, to pursue the 
 following course : 
 
 " As the care of my soul is of the first impor 
 tance, and yet the most likely to be neglected by 
 me, I will, by the assistance of Divine grace, for 
 
70 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. III. 
 
 the future be more attentive to my spiritual wel 
 fare. And, 1st. I will have stated seasons for 
 prayer, reading the Scriptures, and practical au 
 thors ; for meditating on what I read, and for self- 
 examination. 2d. I will endeavor to maintain a 
 sober, steady, and regular course of conduct. 3d. 
 In my intercourse with friends I will make sub 
 jects of divinity themes of conversation in all 
 cases when it can be done to mutual edification. 
 4th. I will aim so to behave towards my friends 
 as to merit their regard and esteem ; and will strive 
 to banish all envious and jealous thoughts towards 
 them, and towards all mankind. 
 
 " Respecting my studies, I resolve upon the fol 
 lowing plan, which I shall alter, if I find upon 
 trial it will be for my interest. And, 1st. I will 
 rise at four in the morning, and will make it my 
 first business to fix my thoughts upon the duties, 
 trials, and temptations of the day, and will arm 
 my mind with proper resolutions to discharge the 
 duties of the day with diligence and alacrity, and 
 guard, as far as I can, against temptation to sin 
 and a waste of time. 2d. I will then begin the 
 business of the day, and will endeavor to have fin 
 ished my college studies for the day (having at 
 tended to them the evening previous) by noon. 
 3d. The afternoon shall be devoted to exercise, 
 general reading, and whatever of necessary busi 
 ness may demand my attention. 4th. At the end 
 of every month I will make out a plan of the stud 
 ies which I propose to pursue the succeeding 
 
CH. III.] PRESIDENT FITCH. 71 
 
 month. I will then divide these studies into sep 
 arate portions for each week ; and these studies 
 shall be the chief employment of my afternoons." 
 
 The last term of his Senior year was spent in 
 Wethersfield, under the instruction of Dr. Dwight, 
 who was a Tutor in College at that time. The 
 Commencement at Yale College, at which Dr. 
 Fitch was graduated in the fall of 1777, owing to 
 the distracted state of the country in consequence 
 of the Eevolutionary War, was attended by only a 
 small audience. Probably not more than three or 
 four orations were delivered. The Valedictory was 
 pronounced by Dr. Fitch. 
 
 After receiving the honors of his Alma Mater, 
 he passed about two years at New Haven as a resi 
 dent graduate ; and a part of a year he passed in 
 Hanover, N. J., teaching an academy. 
 
 Mr. Fitch was admitted to his Master s degree, 
 and appointed a Tutor in Yale College in the fall 
 of 1780. This office he resigned in 1783. He 
 then formed a mercantile connection with Henry 
 Daggett, Esq., of New Haven; and in pursuing 
 the business of the firm, he went to London in 
 June, 1783, and returned the following winter 
 with a large purchase of goods. Mr. Fitch not 
 being acquainted with what is familiarly termed 
 " the tricks in trade," nor with the state and wants 
 of the country at that time, made a most unfortu 
 nate purchase. " The goods were of a quality and 
 price, at least many of them, above the wants and 
 habits of the citizens of Connecticut." The conse- 
 
72 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. III. 
 
 quence was that he involved himself in pecuniary 
 embarrassment, from which he did not extricate 
 himself for a number of years. In 1786 he was a 
 second time elected to the office of Instructor in 
 Yale College, and officiated as senior Tutor and 
 Librarian until 1791. 
 
 Mr. Fitch made a public profession of religion 
 while a Tutor at New Haven, connecting him 
 self with the College Church ; and was licensed 
 to preach the same month, May, 1787. He was 
 elected to the office of Preceptor of the Academy 
 in Williamstown, Mass., in 1790; and, October 26, 
 1791, commenced teaching a school there, which 
 immediately became prosperous. 
 
 In May, 1792, Mr. Fitch was married to Mrs. 
 Mary Cogswell, the widow of his cousin and class 
 mate, Samuel Cogswell, Esq., of Lansingburg, 
 N. Y., who was accidentally shot dead, on a gun 
 ning party, by a friend and fellow-graduate of Yale 
 College. By this marriage he became the father 
 of eleven children, ten of whom were sons. 
 
 In June, 1793, the institution at Williamstown 
 received from the General Court of Massachusetts 
 a charter for a College. In August of that year 
 Mr. Fitch was elected President. 
 
 The first Commencement at Williams College 
 was on the first Wednesday in September, 1795. 
 On the 17th day of June previous, President Fitch 
 was ordained a minister of the Gospel, at Wil 
 liamstown, by the Berkshire Association, with spe 
 cial reference to his station as head of the College. 
 
CH. III.] PRESIDENT FITCH. 73 
 
 The Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Sheffield, preached 
 the sermon from 2 Timothy iv. 2 : " Preach the 
 word." The Rev. Dr. West, of Stockbridge, gave 
 the charge, and the Eev. Mr. Swift, of Williams- 
 town, gave the right hand of fellowship. 
 
 President Fitch received the honorary degree of 
 Doctor of Divinity from Harvard University, in 
 September, 1800. 
 
 Dr. Fitch presided over Williams College with 
 a good degree of ability and success twenty- two 
 years. And, with the exception of Dr. Manning, 
 of Brown University, what first President ever re 
 tained that station for so long a period in this 
 country I He resigned his office, and became pas 
 tor of the Congregational Church in West Bloom- 
 field, N. Y., where he was installed in the fall of 
 1815. In retiring at the age of sixty from a life 
 of so much care, toil, and activity as his had been, 
 he soon began to feel and exhibit the enfeebling 
 effects of overtasked energies. He continued, how 
 ever, to discharge the regular and arduous duties of 
 a pastor for twelve years. He was then constrained, 
 by reason of age and consequent infirmities, to 
 withdraw from his stated public labors in the vine 
 yard of his Lord. During his ministry in West 
 Bloomfield, though his congregation was not large, 
 and he in the evening of his days, still the ad 
 missions to that church averaged sixteen annu 
 ally, over one hundred and ninety in all. Not 
 a year passed, while he ministered to that peo 
 ple, that some were not brought out of darkness 
 7 
 
74 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. III. 
 
 into marvellous light, and confessed Christ before 
 men. 
 
 After his dismission, Dr. Fitch continued to 
 preach occasionally, till within a short time of his 
 decease. He died suddenly, March 21, 1833. 
 
 The next Lord s day, his remains were conveyed 
 to the church where he had so often and so faith 
 fully held forth the word of life; and where an im 
 pressive and appropriate discourse was delivered by 
 the Rev. Julius Steel, from Rom. viii. 28: " We 
 know that all things work together for good to them 
 that love God." 
 
 While President Fitch was in Europe, he traced 
 the origin and history of his ancestors back through 
 many generations ; he always kept an exact ac 
 count of all the branches of his family settled in 
 this country. After his decease, all his manu 
 scripts fell into the hands of his son, the Rev. C. 
 Fitch, then of Batavia, N. Y., whose house with its 
 contents was soon after consumed by fire. His con 
 temporaries, like himself, have nearly all passed 
 away in the lapse of eighty-six years ; so that very 
 general incidents of his life only can now be re 
 covered from oblivion. And in this connection it 
 may with propriety be stated, that he never pub 
 lished any of the productions of his pen, with the 
 exception of a Baccalaureate discourse, delivered 
 September, 1799, a discourse at the funeral of 
 Mrs. Alice Robinson, in 1811, and a missionary 
 sermon at Hudson, N. Y., in 1814. He is like 
 wise the reputed author of " Historical Sketches of 
 
CH. III.] PEESTDENT FITCH. 75 
 
 Col. Ephraim Williams and t>f Williams College," 
 published in the Massachusetts Historical Collec 
 tions, Vol. VIII. First Series. From a few scattered 
 and necessarily imperfect sources must now be ob 
 tained all our information respecting this truly ex 
 cellent man. In personal appearance Dr. Fitch 
 was rather below than above the middling stature. 
 His countenance was grave but pleasant, and by no 
 means austere. His appearance and deportment 
 were always gentlemanly and dignified; though 
 sometimes, through his great modesty, not marked 
 with perfect ease and elegance. 
 
 Dr. Fitch was well qualified, in most respects, 
 to have the instruction and guardianship of young 
 men. It would not, probably, be considered strict 
 ly correct to assert that he was, on the whole, pre 
 eminently qualified to stand at the head of a col 
 lege. He possessed the talent of government, 
 however, to that degree that he was revered and 
 beloved by his numerous pupils. He showed 
 himself to be their friend ; and they in turn cheer 
 fully reciprocated his friendship. He treated them 
 as young gentlemen, and they rarely failed to be 
 gentlemanly in return. " The instructor was for 
 gotten in the friend and father." We have almost 
 invariably heard those who were graduated at Wil 
 liams College during his presidency speak of him 
 in terms of high respect and veneration. 
 
 Few instructors have been more uniformly and 
 gratefully remembered by their pupils. During 
 his presidency he aided some young men in obtain- 
 
76 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. III. 
 
 ing an education, prabably beyond his pecuniary 
 ability. One of these, the day after his graduation, 
 on taking leave of the President, assured him, if 
 ever he should become able to do so, he would re 
 munerate him for his kindness and confidence. 
 More than twenty years afterwards, when Dr. 
 Fitch had retired from the stated duties of his pro 
 fession, and was receiving no regular income, he 
 had contracted some debts which he had not the 
 means of paying, besides living in a house which 
 he did not own. Unexpectedly to him there 
 arrived at his dwelling, in West Bloomfield, one 
 evening, an individual whom Dr. Fitch did not at 
 first recognize. On inquiry, it was ascertained to 
 be Gurdon Huntington Backus (a nephew of Mrs. 
 Fitch), who was graduated at Williams College in 
 1806. He had been successful in his profession as 
 a lawyer, in Baltimore, and had now come to re 
 deem the pledge, given years before, that, if ever he 
 should become able to do so, he would give his 
 venerable friend and patron something better than 
 thanks for his education. He paid off all Dr. 
 Fitch s debts, presented him with a deed of the 
 place where he lived, and two thousand dollars 
 besides. " Cast thy bread on the waters, thou 
 shalt find it after many days." 
 
 The following letter will close our sketch of this 
 truly excellent and useful man : 
 
 "LENOX, June 7, 1842. 
 " DEAR SIR : 
 
 " I spent near seven years in Williamstown while Dr. Fitch 
 was President, and a part of the time boarded in his family. Dur- 
 
CH. III.] PRESIDENT FITCH. 77 
 
 ing more than thirty years which have since elapsed, the ac 
 quaintance which I have had an opportunity to form with other 
 men has not lessened the estimate which I then entertained of 
 his character. Perhaps the most prominent qualities of his 
 heart and disposition were purity and benevolence. As a nat 
 ural consequence of the purity of his own intentions, he was very 
 seldom suspicious of others ; and his benevolent feelings were 
 awakened whenever an object was presented adapted to their 
 excitement; and his benevolence, when carried out in acts of 
 kindness and charity, was limited only by the extent of his 
 ability. As a scholar, his literary acquirements were highly re 
 spectable. His official duties in connection with College, and the 
 many cares necessarily incident to the management of a numer 
 ous and dependent family, did not leave him sufficient leisure for 
 extensive scientific investigations, or for becoming acquainted 
 with the whole circle of general literature. As a teacher, he 
 was faithful and communicative ; and those students who were 
 instructed by him during their Senior year will never forget the 
 ability and interest with which he explained and illustrated the 
 writings of Locke, Paley, and Vattel. As a Christian, he was 
 sincere and devout ; desirous of knowing his duty, and when 
 ascertained, was ready, beyond most men, to perform it. As a 
 preacher, he was more instructive than impressive, but none 
 could faithfully listen to his sermons without improvement. Dr. 
 Fitch labored assiduously for the interest of the College, over 
 which he was called to preside, and for the moral and intellectual 
 improvement of the young men who resorted to it for an edu 
 cation. 
 
 " Thus, my dear sir, I have thrown together a few thoughts, 
 which occur to me respecting one of the most estimable men 
 with whom I have ever been acquainted. 
 
 " With much regard, very respectfully yours, 
 
 "JAMES W. BOBBINS. 
 
 "To CALVIN DURFEE." 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT FITCH. 1793-1815. 
 
 IT is not only the work of the antiquarian, but 
 the delight of the thoughtful, to trace the varied 
 streams of civilization and culture to their small 
 sources. The broad plain for its fertility is in 
 debted to the distant spring upon the mountain 
 side ; and we love to acknowledge the unity of the 
 whole system of providential irrigation. We bow 
 with reverence before the little fountain, as its 
 waters leap among the rocks of the forest ; for we 
 know its mission, and respect its power for good. 
 With such regard for the early efforts of educa 
 tional organizations, we gratefully turn to Williams 
 College in its " day of small things." It is not a 
 smile, but a thankful ejaculation, that is excited as 
 we behold good Dr. Fitch meeting his first class 
 of four students, in the retired valley of the Hoosac. 
 There were faith and zeal, pious purpose and pru 
 dent energy ; and when did these virtues ever go 
 unrewarded 1 Let us now proceed, and more par 
 ticularly examine the record. 
 
 In October, 1793, Williams College was duly 
 organized by the admission of three small classes. 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 79 
 
 President Fitch and Tutors Linsley and Dunbar 
 constituted the first Faculty. In 1795, Mr. Sam 
 uel Mackay was appointed Professor of the French 
 Language. He terminated his connection with the 
 College in 1799, and from that time the professor 
 ship was discontinued. Mr. Mackay was born in 
 the town of Chamberly, Canada, in 1764, and died 
 in Sullivan, Maine, in 1831. The French language 
 was his vernacular tongue, and, though said to 
 have been somewhat wanting in dignity of deport 
 ment, he was a successful teacher of that language, 
 and acquired some reputation as a historian. 
 
 From 1796 to 1798, Jeremiah Day, since Presi 
 dent of Yale College, and Henry Davis, since 
 President of Middlebury and Hamilton Colleges, 
 were tutors in this institution. 
 
 The Academy continued for several years in 
 connection with the College. It was found to be 
 a convenient place for preparatory studies, and 
 students more advanced had the privilege of recit 
 ing with the College classes. 
 
 The President s house was built in 1795, and 
 he began to occupy it in November of that year. 
 The thanks of the Corporation were presented " to 
 David Noble, Esq., for his generous present of one 
 acre of land for the house-lot for the use of the 
 President." 
 
 The first Commencement was held on Wednes 
 day, September 2, 1795 ; and Samuel Bishop, John 
 Collins, Chauncy Lusk, and Dan Stone, three from 
 Stockbridge and one from Lenox, were the first 
 
80 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. IV. 
 
 who received academic honors at this institution. 
 Lusk pronounced the Valedictory. The second 
 class, graduating in 1796, consisted of six members. 
 The third class consisted of ten, and the fourth of 
 thirty. So rapid was the early growth of the 
 College. 
 
 A society called the Adelphic Union was formed 
 in College some time previous to 1795, but pre 
 cisely when is not known. It consisted of all the 
 members of College, and a few of the more ad 
 vanced students of the Academy. This society had 
 a library, which was kept in the southwest corner 
 room of the fourth story, West College. The 
 number of books in 1795 did not vary much from 
 one hundred. 
 
 In the fall of the year just named all the mem 
 bers of the Freshman class, and those who had 
 newly entered the upper classes, were admitted into 
 the Adelphic Union Society. This society held its 
 meetings in the fourth story of the West College, 
 in the northeast corner room. Its members had 
 now become so numerous that they could not all 
 be conveniently accommodated in the place of 
 meeting, and a committee was appointed to report 
 a plan of division. Such a plan was presented. 
 It was discussed for several evenings, and the re 
 sult was the formation of the Philologian and 
 Philotechnian Societies ; the two to be known by 
 the old name of The Adelphic Union, and the 
 library to be in common. The individuals most 
 active in bringing about these changes are said to 
 
CH. IV.] DE. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 81 
 
 have been Knapp and Mason of the Senior class, 
 and Towner of the Junior. After the East Col 
 lege was built, the weekly meetings of the socie 
 ties were held alternately in the Senior and Junior 
 recitation-rooms ; and the library was kept in the 
 third story of the West College, in the room over 
 the east entry-way. These societies have continued 
 until the present time, and hold their meetings 
 every Wednesday evening in their respective halls, 
 which occupy the third story of South College, and 
 are handsomely furnished. Each society owns a 
 valuable library, comprising in the aggregate ten 
 thousand volumes. There is a pleasant and health 
 ful rivalry between them, manifesting itself as 
 much in connection with their past history as with 
 their present condition. 
 
 In 1795 a College Catalogue was published. It 
 contained the names of seventy-seven students. The 
 following note was appended : " Besides the above 
 members of College, there are about fifty students 
 in the Academy connected with the College." This 
 catalogue, according to Dr. Eobbins, the antiqua 
 rian, was the first catalogue of the members of a 
 college published in this country. The same thing 
 was done at Yale in the year following, and the 
 plan was subsequently adopted by the colleges gen 
 erally. It was at first printed on a single sheet, 
 but since 1821 it has been printed in a pamphlet 
 form, and has contained the names of the Trustees, 
 which before were omitted, together with a list of 
 the studies required for admission, and an outline 
 
82 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 of the College course. The Triennial Catalogue 
 was first issued in 1779, and has since been regu 
 larly continued. 
 
 The first three Commencements were held in the 
 small meeting-house, the first one built in the 
 town. This was found to be so inconvenient that 
 the Trustees voted to hold their succeeding Com 
 mencements in Pittsfield or Lanesborough, unless 
 the town would provide a more suitable place. 
 But before the next Commencement measures were 
 adopted to erect a new and more commodious edi 
 fice. Towards the expense of this building the 
 Corporation contributed one hundred pounds, on 
 condition that seats should be reserved for the stu 
 dents, and that they should have the use of the 
 house on all public days. The fourth Commence 
 ment was held in the present house, then in an 
 unfinished state. The early Commencements were 
 attended by a numerous collection of people from 
 the vicinity, as well as by many from a distance, 
 and by various distinguished and literary charac 
 ters. At the first Commencement, President Fitch 
 delivered an address to the graduating class ; but 
 this practice was afterwards discontinued, and a 
 Baccalaureate discourse has been delivered on the 
 Sabbath afternoon preceding Commencement, by all 
 the Presidents, with only an occasional exception. 
 
 In January, 1796, the Legislature granted two 
 townships of land, which were sold in May fol 
 lowing for about $ 10,000, and the avails, with a 
 considerable sum besides, amounting in all to 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 83 
 
 $ 12,400, were applied to the erection of the old 
 East College, in 1797. It was a brick building, 
 four stories high, one hundred and four feet by 
 forty-eight. It was convenient for students ; con 
 tained thirty-two rooms and two recitation-rooms, 
 and was regularly occupied until the fall of 1841, 
 when it was destroyed by fire. With a portion 
 of the grant from the Commonwealth at the time 
 of the incorporation of the College, a small but 
 well-selected library was procured, and some phil 
 osophical apparatus. 
 
 According to a general estimate made by Dr. 
 Fitch, the expenses of the Free School and College, 
 from 1789 to 1800, were as follows : For West 
 College, $11,700; President s house and land, 
 $2,400; for East College, $12,400; for the meeting 
 house, $333; for library, $567; total, $28,000. 
 The funds received for the same time were : The 
 Williams fund, $ 11,000 ; from the lottery, $3,500 ; 
 subscriptions, $ 2,000 ; legislative grant, $ 4,000 ; 
 two townships of land, $10,000 ; total, $30,500; 
 leaving a balance in the College treasury at the 
 close of the year 1799 of $2,500. 
 
 For a series of years after its incorporation, the 
 College continued to advance in reputation and 
 prosperity. Such was the rapidity of its growth, 
 that in 1804 it enrolled on its catalogue one hun 
 dred and forty-four students. In 1802, the num 
 ber of volumes in the library amounted to over 
 two thousand, and in the Adelphic Union library 
 to three hundred and seventy-five. Some of the 
 
84 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 causes that contributed to the early prosperity of 
 the College were, that the necessary expenditures 
 of the students were less here than elsewhere ; its 
 sequestered location, and the high moral character 
 of the surrounding community, presenting few in 
 ducements to extravagance and dissipation. The 
 President and Tutors were men of high attainments 
 and reputation. The institution was always popu 
 lar among the clergy in this part of the country. 
 It was early distinguished by a decidedly religious 
 character. Through the influence of Dr. West, of 
 Stockbridge, Dr. Hopkins s System of Divinity 
 was, for a time, one of the text-books of the Se 
 nior Class. In March, 1797, the President writes: 
 " In future we shall read Doddridge s Lectures, 
 in lieu of Hopkins s System." 
 
 We can give our readers no better idea of the 
 condition and prospects of the College in these 
 early days, than they will derive from extracts 
 from some of President Fitch s letters, written 
 about this time. They are selected from the Me 
 moir of Dr. Fitch, published in the American 
 Quarterly Register,* and will be read with interest 
 in this connection. 
 
 January , 1796. " The number of students is in 
 creasing rapidly, so that we already want another 
 college edifice. We hope to obtain from the State 
 a grant of two townships of land in Maine,")" which, 
 
 * Vol. XV. pp. 363, 364. 
 
 f It will be recollected that Maine at this time belonged to Massa 
 chusetts. 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 85 
 
 if obtained, will enable us to erect another build 
 ing. At present we have a very likely collection 
 of young men. They are very studious and or 
 derly, and scarcely give us any trouble." 
 
 January, 1799. " Things go on well in our in 
 fant seminary. Our number is hardly so large as 
 last year. The scarcity of money is one cause of 
 the decline; some leaving through mere poverty. 
 But our ambition is to make good scholars, rather 
 than add to our numbers ; and in this we mean 
 not to be outdone by any college in New England. 
 Perseverance in the system we have adopted will 
 eventually give reputation to this institution in the 
 view of all who prefer the useful to the showy." 
 
 June, 1801. " Our College is prospering. We 
 have admitted forty-five Freshmen and nine Sopho 
 mores, and expect to make the number up to sixty 
 before Commencement." 
 
 January, 1802. " Our Freshman class this year 
 is not so large as usual, but we expect it will in 
 crease to twenty-five or more. A large number, 
 however, are professors of religion, and will, I hope, 
 make pious and useful ministers." 
 
 April, 1802. "We have lately had trouble in 
 College. The judgments we drew up and pub 
 lished to the classes respecting their examinations 
 in March gave offence. Three classes in succes 
 sion were in a state of insurrection against the 
 government of the College. For ten days we had 
 a good deal of difficulty ; but the Faculty stood 
 firm, and determined to give up no right. At last, 
 8 
 
86 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 without the loss of a single member, we reduced 
 all to due obedience and subordination. Never 
 had I occasion for so much firmness and prudence, 
 not even in the great rebellion of 1782 at Yale. 
 Most of the students are now much ashamed of 
 their conduct. The present generation, I trust, 
 will never burn their fingers again. They have 
 found that we will support our authority." 
 
 March, 1803. " We have both our College build 
 ings full of students. This is truly encouraging." 
 
 In the year 1798, when our country resolved to 
 resist the aggressions of France, and pledged itself 
 to the support of government by various addresses, 
 one was sent by the students of Williams College, 
 with the approbation of the Faculty. President 
 Adams returned a polite answer, commending the 
 patriotism of the students, and spoke in flattering 
 terms of the flourishing state of so young an insti 
 tution. 
 
 In 1804, a strip of land of no great value was 
 granted to Williams and Bowdoin Colleges, and in 
 1805 another township of land was granted, which 
 sold for $4,500, and also one in 1809, which 
 brought nearly $ 5,000. 
 
 Among the friends and patrons of the College 
 who were called to their rest at a comparatively 
 early period was the Hon. David Noble,, who was 
 one of the principal inhabitants of Williamstown. 
 He was born at New Milford, Conn., December 9, 
 1744, was graduated at Yale College, 1764, and 
 came to this town from Fairfield, in 1770. He 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 87 
 
 read law, and followed that profession a number of 
 years. He afterwards engaged in mercantile pur 
 suits, and acquired a very handsome estate. He 
 was an extensive land-owner. He was a man of 
 activity and enterprise, of probity and intelligence, 
 and a considerable benefactor and one of the origi 
 nal Trustees of the College. He gave the College a 
 bell, and the land on which the President s house 
 stands. In 1797 he was made a Judge of the 
 Court of Common Pleas, and died March 4, 1803, 
 in his fifty-ninth year. 
 
 In 1804, Hon. John Bacon resigned his connec 
 tion with the College as a Trustee. He was born 
 in Canterbury, Conn, in 1737, and died in Stock- 
 bridge in 1820, aged eighty- three years. He was 
 graduated at Princeton College in 1765, under Dr. 
 Samuel Finley. He was settled as a minister of 
 the Presbyterian order on the Eastern Shore of 
 Maryland in 1768, where he remained until 1772, 
 when he went to Boston and became the pastor of 
 the Old South Church, which he left in 1775, and 
 settled as an agriculturist at Stockbridge. After 
 this he preached occasionally, but was almost con 
 stantly employed, until within four years of his 
 death, in the various public offices and as a mem 
 ber of both branches of the Legislature of Massa 
 chusetts. He was President of the Senate in the 
 year 1803-4; member of Congress from 1801 to 
 1803; and first judge of the County Courts for 
 about twenty years. He was a man of strong 
 powers of mind, much given to argumentative dis- 
 
88 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 cussion, and was firm and tenacious in his opinions 
 and purposes. He entered largely and zealously 
 into the ecclesiastical, educational, and political 
 controversies of the day in which he lived. He 
 was the classmate, and afterwards the correspond 
 ent, of the younger Jonathan Edwards, and of 
 David Ramsey, the American historian. 
 
 The Commencement of 1807 was a mournful 
 occasion. President Fitch s eldest son, having 
 been admitted to College, died the evening before 
 the Commencement. The President presided at 
 the exercises with great propriety, and the next 
 morning attended the funeral of his son, at which 
 most of the students were present. When the 
 corpse was deposited in the grave, the deeply 
 afflicted father in a calm and collected tone re 
 marked, " I do not deposit in this grave silver or 
 gold, but my first-born, the beginning of my 
 strength." He was a professor of religion, and 
 a youth of great promise. 
 
 " At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, Septem 
 ber, 1805, it was voted to break and discontinue 
 the former seal of the corporation, and to adopt a 
 new one with the following device, viz. a globe, 
 telescope, inkstand, and pens, below a wreath of 
 laurel, above a morning glory, with this motto, E 
 liberalitate E. Williams, Armigeri. " 
 
 In the year 1806, a Professorship of Mathematics 
 and Natural Philosophy was established, and Mr. 
 Gamaliel S. Olds, formerly a tutor, was elected to 
 this professorship. At his inauguration, October 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 89 
 
 14, 1806, he delivered an oration, " On the Impor 
 tance of Mathematical and Philosophical Science," 
 which was published. It was also voted at this 
 time to discontinue the grammar school, on account 
 of the paucity of students. 
 
 The Eev. Seth Swift, a Trustee of the Free School, 
 and afterwards of the College, died suddenly Feb 
 ruary 15, 1807. He was a native of Kent, Conn., 
 was graduated at Yale College in 1774, and was 
 ordained at Williamstown, May 26, 1779. At the 
 time of his settlement, the church consisted of 
 sixty-one members. His ministry continued nearly 
 twenty-eight years, and the average of admissions 
 to the church varied but a fraction from ten a year. 
 Two of his sons were graduated at Williams Col 
 lege, and entered the ministry. The church records 
 contain the following entry : " At about 9 o clock, 
 A. M., the Rev. Seth Swift, our much esteemed, 
 dearly beloved, and very faithful and laborious pas 
 tor, died, in the midst of great usefulness, while 
 God was pouring out his spirit here, and giving 
 him many seals of his ministry." Mr. Swift was 
 rather above the middling stature, with a strong 
 frame and large features. He was not studious of 
 the graces of dress, manners, or conversation. He 
 was warm and open in his temper, evangelical in 
 his religious views, and serious in the general tone 
 of his intercourse with his people. He was zeal 
 ous in his ministerial labors, prudent and energetic 
 in his measures. 
 
 In 1808, the Rev. Daniel Collins resigned his 
 8* 
 
90 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS. COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 place on the Board of Trustees. He was born at 
 Guilford, Conn., 1738, and was graduated at Yale 
 College, 1760, where he sustained the reputation of 
 a good scholar. He studied theology with the 
 Rev. Dr. Bellamy, and was ordained in Lanes- 
 borough, April 17, 1764. Here he sustained the 
 character and discharged the duties of a pastor 
 for nearly half a century, exerting an extensive 
 and salutary influence in forming the manners and 
 habits of his people. Some seasons of special re 
 freshing from the Divine presence occurred under 
 his ministry. He possessed good sense, dignified 
 manners, and exemplary piety ; and was greatly 
 beloved and esteemed in all the relations of life. 
 He was a gentleman of the old school ; tall, erect, 
 and quick in his movements, and polite to every 
 body. He wore a wig and three-cornered hat all 
 his days. He was a trustee of the Free School, and 
 afterwards of the College at Williamstown. He 
 was deeply interested in the College, and devoted 
 much time to its early establishment, on the 
 ground that he fully expected it would become a 
 seminary where many young men would receive 
 their training for the service of the Church. He 
 died August 26, 1822, in the eighty-fourth year of 
 his age. 
 
 In the spring of 1808, another early and effi 
 cient Trustee of the College was called to his rest, 
 the Hon. William Williams, who was the second 
 son of Hon. Israel Williams of Hatfield; he was 
 born June 10, 1734, and was a cousin of the 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 91 
 
 founder of the College. He was graduated at 
 Yale College in 1754. Returning to his native 
 town, he was shortly after appointed Clerk of the 
 Court of Common Pleas in Hampshire County. 
 This office he held for about twenty years. At 
 the commencement of the war with Great Britain, 
 not coinciding with the majority of the people re 
 specting the propriety of the Re volution, he was 
 left out of office. Yet such was the general esti 
 mation in which he was held, that he met with but 
 few trials or little opposition on this account. But 
 deprived of the employment which had afforded a 
 comfortable support, he left his native place and 
 removed to the west part of Dalton, where he 
 spent the remainder of his days. He married Miss 
 Dorothy Ashley, of Deerfield, and when he died 
 left nine surviving children. He held many civil 
 offices of trust, was a deacon of the church in Hat- 
 field, and also in Dalton, and was one of the origi 
 nal Trustees of Williams College. He died greatly 
 lamented, March 1, 1808, and was interred in the 
 cemetery in Pittsfield. Dr. Shepard preached a 
 sermon at his funeral; and Dr. West of Stock- 
 bridge preached a sermon in commemoration of 
 his life and character in Dalton, on the 15th of 
 May following, which was published. In this dis 
 course he gives Mr. Williams a very high charac 
 ter as a citizen and Christian. " He was leader and 
 guide to the people for many years ; an ornament 
 and glory of the town as a citizen and Christian." 
 Thus far, with the exception of the disturbance 
 
92 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 alluded to in President Fitch s letters, nothing had 
 occurred to check the prosperity of the College, or 
 to cause any difficulty. In the summer of 1808, 
 however, some disturbance took place among the 
 students, of which Professor Dewey of Rochester 
 furnished the following account : 
 
 " In the spring and summer of 1808, there was 
 an attempt of the Sophomore class to prevent the 
 continuance of some of the officers of the College 
 after the Commencement. The students supposed 
 the Tutors to be elected annually, and that, by a pe 
 tition to the Trustees against a re-election, the de 
 sired end would be secured. To effect this object 
 they enlisted the interest of two members of the 
 Senior class, then about to graduate. So much 
 was said and done by these two Seniors, that the 
 Faculty obliged them to make some acknowledg 
 ment of the impropriety of any such interference 
 on their part, before they could be admitted to per 
 form their parts at the Commencement, and receive 
 their degrees. Though the Seniors believed a 
 change of Tutors to be important, they were sen 
 sible that it was not their part to meddle with such 
 a matter, and the affair was settled with them. 
 The Commencement passed off pleasantly, and, as 
 the Tutors remained in their office, it was supposed 
 the whole matter was settled ; and the students re 
 turned after vacation, with the intention, as they 
 said, of going on in peace and good-will. 
 
 " Professor Olds had felt that the students were 
 too much disposed to present petitions on subjects 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 93 
 
 over which they had no control, and in which their 
 interference was entirely improper. This practice 
 he wished to have broken up, and this he designed 
 to effect. He felt that the Tutors had been in 
 jured by the course of the students, and that the 
 Faculty were abused by it. He had led the Seniors, 
 by direction of the Faculty, to make their acknowl 
 edgment in the case, and he expected to bring the 
 class more particularly concerned in the petition to 
 do the same. The Faculty agreed on the course to 
 be pursued, and the President and Professor Olds 
 presented the subject to members of the offending 
 class, which was now under the care of the Profes 
 sor. When the acknowledgment of the wrong 
 and the renunciation of the practice were pro 
 posed, each individual refused to put his name to 
 the paper. The Junior class was now, therefore, 
 in direct opposition to a measure resolved on by 
 the Faculty. Eecitations were suspended in that 
 class, and the whole College was in a state of high 
 excitement. The expulsion of some of those most 
 deeply implicated was feared. 
 
 " When the state of things was reported to the 
 Faculty, the President, with the advice of one of 
 the Trustees, refused to sustain the officers in the 
 attempt, and disclosed that he had been mistaken 
 in the facts, or he should not have consented to 
 require the Juniors to make the proposed acknowl 
 edgment. He took a stand in favor of the students, 
 and against the Professor and Tutors." We have 
 been told that a committee of the students waited 
 
94 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cii. IV. 
 
 on the President, in the midst of the excitement, 
 and informed him of the ground on whiph the ob 
 jectionable petition had been presented ; that their 
 motive in presenting it was to sustain the reputa 
 tion and usefulness of the College; that if they 
 had erred, they had done so in discharging what 
 they deemed to be a duty. These representations 
 produced a change in the President s course, which 
 was unexpected to the other officers. " He said 
 the matter had been managed by Professor Olds, in 
 whom great confidence was placed, and who had 
 great influence with the Faculty and students ; and 
 that Professor Olds had come to conclusions, and 
 had led them to adopt measures, which the true 
 state of the facts, and the feelings and intentions of 
 the students, did not authorize. He therefore told 
 the Professor that the proposed measure was not 
 proper or called for, and must be given up. Pro 
 fessor Olds felt that his honor was compromitted, 
 that he could not hold a respectable standing in the 
 eyes of the students, and that he must be sustained, 
 or leave the College. In a few hours the resigna 
 tion of the Tutors was sent to the President, and 
 soon after that of Professor Olds. 
 
 " The College was then without any officer ex 
 cept the President ; and as the vacancies could not 
 be supplied immediately, a recess of four weeks was 
 given to the students, and they returned to their 
 homes. 
 
 " A few were disgusted by the procedure, and 
 took dismissions from the College. At the end of 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 95 
 
 the recess most returned, and, Chester Dewey, John 
 Nelson, and James W. Robbins having been called 
 to the tutorships, the remainder of the year was 
 employed in quiet and profitable study. For two 
 years the students pursued an unexceptionable 
 course in all things. Order, peace, study, and 
 good feelings ruled. 
 
 " Professor Olds felt that he was greatly injured 
 by the decision of the President, and his failing to 
 sustain him when the trial came. The President, 
 whom the Trustees judged to have decided cor 
 rectly, felt that he had been led into a mistake by 
 the representations of Professor Olds, not as in 
 tending any error, but carried beyond the facts 
 of the case by the influence and strong feelings of 
 the Professor. He regretted that he had not 
 earlier scrutinized the case, but believed he had 
 now taken the only wise, because the only right 
 cours \ 
 
 "Professor Olds doubtless misjudged on the dis 
 honor of his situation. So high was the estimation 
 of his talents by the students, and so great his in 
 fluence with them, and so strong their attachment 
 to him, that they uniformly declared many times in 
 the year or two following, that they should have 
 entertained all. respect and regard for the Professor, 
 as they believed he had erred honestly, and with 
 the best intentions. By resigning, and leaving the 
 College, he lost much of their respect, as it seemed 
 to charge them with a criminal intention, which 
 they disowned. There is another apology for Pro- 
 
96 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. IV. 
 
 fessor Olds, to be found in the fact that he had 
 labored to support the Tutors ; and as they could 
 not consistently remain, he was bound to share 
 with them the results." 
 
 When the students reassembled, the instruction 
 of the refractory Junior class was assigned to Mr. 
 Dewey ; thus placing him in a most trying and re 
 sponsible position. His opinion, early formed, was 
 that it was not best for a teacher to say much 
 about government, but so to influence students 
 that they shall govern themselves. Accordingly, 
 when he met the class for the first time, he frankly 
 confessed to them his inexperience, reminded them 
 of the unfavorable reports which had gone abroad 
 respecting them, and assured them that the only 
 way to counteract these reports, and do away their 
 injurious influence, was by a faithful and manly 
 performance of duty in future. The appeal pro 
 duced the desired effect. They felt that they 
 were thrown upon their individual responsibility. 
 Subordination and order were at once restored; 
 study was cheerfully and heartily pursued. Years 
 afterwards, the Hon. Daniel Kellogg, one of the 
 judges of the Supreme Court of Vermont, a mem 
 ber of the class, remarked : " I remember as if 
 it were but yesterday, that first recitation of Mr. 
 Dewey s, and his address to the class. He put us 
 on our honor, and after that we would not for all 
 the world have done a rebellious deed." 
 
 But who were among the leading members of 
 the class which Professor Olds considered so refrac- 
 
CH. IV.] DE. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 97 
 
 tory, and so suddenly and unceremoniously aban 
 doned ? The late Dr. Justin Edwards, the Rev. 
 S. M. Emerson, Hon. Judge J. H. Hallock, Hon. 
 Judge Daniel Kellogg already mentioned, Hon. 
 Darius Lyman, Hon. William H. Maynard (the 
 founder of the Law School in Hamilton, N. Y.), the 
 Rev. Luther Rice, one of the early missionaries to 
 the East, the Rev. John Seward, and others who 
 might be named. 
 
 Still, " from this shock," says Dr. Griffin, " in 
 creased by exaggerated reports respecting the ex 
 tent of the disorders which prevailed, the College 
 did not recover during the administration of Dr. 
 Fitch. The institution was then at its height. 
 The rooms in both buildings were nearly full, and 
 the four classes then on the ground produced more 
 graduates than any other four successive classes 
 have done [up to this time, 1828], to wit, 115. 
 The next largest number was 113, and consisted of 
 the classes that were in College in the, summer of 
 1808, when the difficulty began. The class which 
 entered the fall after the rupture produced but 
 20 ; and the four classes which entered next after 
 that event produced but 89. Other colleges had 
 sprung up to increase the effect." It is manifest, 
 that from this time forward, for a series of years, 
 we shall witness the gradual decline of the Col 
 lege. It was not to be expected that officers who 
 left under such circumstances would exert an in 
 fluence in favor of the institution. 
 
 Professor Olds was born in that part of Gran- 
 9 
 
98 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 ville, Mass., which is now Tolland, February 11, 
 1777. His parents in his early life moved to Marl- 
 borough, Vt. ; he was graduated at Williams Col 
 lege in 1801, with a high reputation as a scholar ; he 
 was a Tutor in his Alma Mater, from 1803 to 1805 ; 
 in 1806, he was elected Professor of Mathematics 
 and Natural Philosophy, and resigned his office in 
 1808. He studied theology with Dr. West, and at 
 Andover ; he was ordained pastor of the Congrega 
 tional Church in Greenfield, November 19, 1813, 
 where he remained about three years. He was 
 then solicited to accept of a professorship in Mid- 
 dlebury College, but owing to some misunderstand 
 ing or disagreement, which occasioned some public 
 discussion, he never entered upon the duties of that 
 professorship. From 1819 to 1821 he was a Pro 
 fessor in the University of Vermont, and from 
 1821 to 1825 was one of the Professors in Am- 
 herst College. For some few years he held the 
 same office in a college in Georgia. Returning to 
 the North, he resided some years at Saratoga 
 Springs, and in 1841 removed to Circleville, Ohio, 
 where he passed the remainder of his days. He 
 died June 2, 1848, by a distressing casualty. Re 
 turning on Monday from the place where he had 
 passed the Sabbath, when about twelve miles from 
 home his horse took fright, and threw him from 
 his carriage some twelve feet down a steep bank. 
 He lingered a few days, and died in peace. 
 
 His mind was of a high order. He was a fine 
 linguist; and the whole system of mathematics 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 99 
 
 taught in our colleges he had perfectly at his com 
 mand. But his keen sensitiveness led him to ter 
 minate his connection with institutions in such a 
 sudden manner, that many years of his life were 
 sadly embittered. But his last years were spent in 
 the service of the Church ; and when he died, hon 
 orable testimony was borne to his character, fidel 
 ity, and usefulness. 
 
 Hon. Thompson J. Skinner died at Boston, Jan 
 uary 20, 1809. He was a son of the Eev. Thomas 
 Skinner, and was born in Colchester, Conn. Hav 
 ing served out his time as an apprentice, he came 
 to Williamstown, and acquired extensive influence. 
 He was one of the original Trustees, and an effi 
 cient friend of the College. He became Chief Jus 
 tice of the Common Pleas Court, State Treasurer, 
 and Treasurer of the College. 
 
 In 1808, the Faculty were authorized by the 
 Trustees to give the students leave of absence from 
 their rooms from 9 to 10 o clock, P. M. 
 
 In 1809, public worship was attended on the 
 Sabbath in the chapel. And the Trustees voted to 
 pay " the Faculty a hundred and eighty dollars for 
 supplying the pulpit thirty-six Sabbaths." And a 
 hundred and fourteen dollars were paid for preach 
 ing in the chapel the next year. 
 
 In 1810, Mr. Chester Dewey was elected Profes 
 sor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, in 
 place of Professor Olds, resigned. 
 
 In May, 1811, Woodbridge Little, Esq., of Pitts- 
 field, made a donation to the College, for the pur- 
 
100 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 pose of aiding pious and indigent young men in 
 their preparation for the Christian ministry. Mr. 
 Little was a native of Colchester, Conn., and was 
 born in 1741 ; was graduated at Yale College, in 
 1760 ; studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Bellamy; 
 was licensed to preach the Gospel; and soon after 
 came to Lanesborough, where he was employed as 
 a candidate one or two years. For some reason he 
 then commenced the study of the law, and was ad 
 mitted to the bar, and settled as the first lawyer in 
 Pittsfield in 1770. He was one of the original 
 Trustees of the College, and ever manifested a deep 
 interest in its prosperity, and in the civil, educa 
 tional, and ecclesiastical affairs of the county. In 
 1811, a pious student* came to Dr. Fitch, the 
 President, to request a dismission from College, 
 solely on the ground of his pecuniary embarrass 
 ments. Dr. Fitch informed him that he had that 
 very morning received a letter from Mr. Little, of 
 Pittsfield, pledging the College twenty-five hundred 
 dollars for the purpose of aiding pious, indigent, 
 and promising young men in their preparations for 
 the Christian ministry. The young man did not 
 leave till he had completed his college course. At 
 his death, which occurred in June, 1813, Mr. Little 
 left twenty-seven hundred more to the College for 
 the same purpose. 
 
 In February, 1811, the Legislature granted 
 $ 3,000 per year, for ten years, from a tax on 
 
 * John Woods, the Valedictorian of his class. 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 101 
 
 banks, the interest of one fourth of which consti 
 tutes a fund for the payment of the bills of such 
 students as may require assistance. This was a 
 most providential benefaction, and served to sus 
 tain the College through the troubles which fol 
 lowed the resignation of Dr. Fitch. 
 
 In September, 1812, the Rev. Stephen West, 
 D.D., of Stockbridge, in view of his age and in 
 firmities, resigned his connection with the College. 
 He was one of the original Trustees, and was 
 chosen Vice-President at the first meeting of the 
 Board ; and had contributed, in no small degree, to 
 give the institution its deep religious character. 
 Dr. West was born at Tolland, Conn., Novem 
 ber 13, 1735, and was graduated at Yale College 
 in 1755. He studied theology in Hatfield with 
 the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, and commenced his 
 ministerial labors as chaplain at Hoosac Fort, 
 where he remained one year, perhaps a little long 
 er. He then went to Stockbridge to succeed the 
 distinguished Edwards in 1758, and was ordained 
 there June 15, 1759. The church at that time 
 numbered twenty-one English members. He mar 
 ried, for his first wife, Miss Elizabeth Williams, 
 daughter of Colonel Ephraim Williams ; they had 
 no children. In person he was below the middle 
 stature, but of uncommonly dignified bearing and 
 aspect. He exerted a controlling agency in the 
 organization of most of the early churches of Berk 
 shire. It was through his agency mainly that most 
 of the churches in this county were early blessed 
 9* 
 
102 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 with such thoroughly orthodox confessions of faith. 
 Many of the early pastors of these churches had 
 been his pupils, Dr. Catlin, the Rev. Seth Swift, 
 and some others. Among the distinguished di 
 vines of his day he was primus inter pares, "little 
 in stature, but mighty in spirit," a man of such 
 extraordinary intellectual powers, that he was at 
 home in the depths of metaphysical discussions, or 
 when analyzing and unfolding the most difficult 
 passages in the writings of Isaiah or Paul. During 
 his ministry he passed three times through the 
 New Testament, " expounding the sacred oracles 
 verse by verse with a propriety, acuteness, and 
 vigor of which this country has seen no parallel." 
 He was greatly blessed in his labors. He died 
 May 15, 1819, aged eighty-three years, having min 
 istered to that people over sixty years.* 
 
 At the meeting of the Trustees in September, 
 1814, Hon. Daniel Dewey resigned the office of 
 Treasurer of the College, which he had held since 
 the year 1798. Judge Dewey was connected with 
 the College from its earliest days, holding for a 
 time the office of Secretary, and subsequently that 
 of Treasurer, and also that of Professor of Law. 
 He had been one of its devoted friends, and an 
 active agent in procuring the earlier grants by the 
 State, and was much resorted to by President Fitch 
 for his counsel and advice in relation to the affairs 
 
 * The College has a portrait of Dr. West, painted by Keeley, and 
 presented by Dr. Duncan. 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 1Q3 
 
 of the institution. He was a distinguished lawyer, 
 and held various offices of public trust. He was 
 a member of the Executive Council of Massachu 
 setts in the years 1809 and 1812, a member of the 
 Congress of the United States in 1813, and was 
 appointed to a seat upon the Bench of the Supreme 
 Judicial Court by Governor Strong in 1814. 
 
 Judge Dewey was born in Sheffield, January 29, 
 1766. He was two years a member of Yale Col 
 lege. He came to Williamstown and settled in the 
 practice of law in May, 1787. His death occurred 
 May 26, 1815. In an obituary address delivered 
 by his associate on the Bench, Chief Justice Parker, 
 we find the following : " Judge Dewey is now no 
 more. The seat destined for him on this circuit 
 is vacant, and all that remains to us of him is the 
 remembrance of his past life, his amiable temper, 
 his modest and retired manners, his diligence and 
 activity in business, his wise and impartial admin 
 istration of justice, his true love of his country, and 
 his exemplary piety and devout obedience to the 
 will of God." 
 
 It is certainly a ground of gratitude that so 
 many of the early friends and patrons of Williams 
 College were men of liberal education and of broad 
 and generous views. And every reader of its his 
 tory must be struck with the absence of self-inter 
 est on the part of most, if not all, its friends and 
 founders. Among these the Hon. Theodore Sedg- 
 wick, LL. D., of Stockbridge, holds a conspicuous 
 rank. He w T as one of the original Trustees, and 
 
104 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 continued in that position till his death. He was 
 a native of Hartford, Conn., and was born in 1747, 
 was graduated at Yale College in 1765, and studied 
 law with Col. Mark Hopkins, in Great Barringtori. 
 After residing a few years in Sheffield, he removed 
 to Stockbridge. He was a leading individual in 
 procuring the abolition of slavery in Massachu 
 setts ; was an earnest advocate for the adoption of 
 the Constitution of the United States in the State 
 Convention ; and also a member of the State Leg 
 islature, and Speaker of the House of Representa 
 tives. He was afterwards a Representative and 
 Senator in Congress, and a Judge of the Supreme 
 Court of this State. He guided the studies of 
 many law students. He was appointed to deliver 
 a course of lectures on Law and Civil Polity to the 
 students in College. Thus active, honored, es 
 teemed, and useful, he died at Boston, January 
 24, 1813, aged sixty-six. 
 
 In May, 1815, a Professorship of Languages was 
 established, and Mr. Ebenezer Kellogg, then a stu 
 dent at Andover, was appointed Professor. At the 
 same meeting of the Trustees, the Prize Rhetorical 
 Exhibition, on the evening preceding Commence 
 ment, was instituted. Those who receive the ap 
 pointment to speak for the prize have always we 
 know not the origin of the term been called 
 " Moonlights." 
 
 We have now glanced at the history of the Col 
 lege, as far as to the year 1815. For twenty-two 
 years Dr. Fitch had presided over it with ability, 
 
CH. IV.] DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 105 
 
 and with a good degree of success. But now, by 
 the concurrence of circumstances, it had been for a 
 time on the decline. Since 1808, the institution 
 had not enjoyed the reputation and prosperity of 
 former years, notwithstanding the exertions of the 
 President and other officers, aided by the counsel 
 and co-operation of a judicious prudential commit 
 tee. A secret influence was at work against the 
 College, in its present location, and it began to be 
 whispered that it was desirable and expedient to 
 have a younger and more popular man at the head 
 of the institution. The funds of the College were 
 small; and the salary which Dr. Fitch received 
 was inadequate to the support of his large family. 
 And in addition, he could not bear to see this ob 
 ject of his affection and early and earnest labors 
 droop under his care. Especially he could not en 
 dure the thought of having this decline attributed 
 to himself. Under all these circumstances, Dr. 
 Fitch thought it his duty, and judged it expedient, 
 to resign. He accordingly tendered his resignation 
 to the Trustees, May 2, 1815. By permission, he 
 immediately left College for the summer, his salary 
 continuing until the fall. During his absence, 
 Professor Dewey discharged the duties of Presi 
 dent. Before leaving, Dr. Fitch delivered an affec 
 tionate parting address to the students, which made 
 a deep impression on their minds, and in the end 
 was productive of much good. He returned to 
 College in August, presided at Commencement, in 
 ducted Professor Kellogg into office as Professor of 
 
106 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [CH. IV. 
 
 Languages, and then carried into effect his resigna 
 tion. He remained in town a short time to receive 
 his successor, and left early in October. 
 
 At a meeting of the President and Trustees of 
 Williams College, held May 2, 1815, the following 
 vote was unanimously passed : " Whereas, The 
 Rev. President Fitch has signified his intention of 
 resigning, at the next Commencement ; and where 
 as, in consequence of the state of the funds, the 
 Corporation has not been able to give him such a 
 salary as his station and expenditures have re 
 quired, Voted, That there be granted to the Rev. 
 Dr. Fitch the sum of $ 2,200, to be paid in one 
 year from the time of his resignation." This sum 
 was paid him as a remuneration for his long and 
 faithful services, and was esteemed by him as an 
 act of generosity ; by the Board, as an act of justice. 
 It was both. 
 
 The following letter is from the Hon. William 
 C. Bryant. 
 
 "ROSLYN, LONG ISLAND, July 19, 1859. 
 "My DEAR SIR: 
 
 " I regret that I can contribute so little from my own recollec 
 tion in aid of your undertaking. I will endeavor, however, to 
 answer your inquiries. 
 
 " I entered Williams College in the autumn of the year 1810, 
 almost half a century since, having prepared myself in such 
 a manner that I was admitted into the Sophomore Class. 
 
 " At that time Dr. Fitch was President of the College, and in 
 structor of the Senior Class. I have a vivid recollection of his 
 personal appearance, a square-built man, of a dark com 
 plexion, and black, arched eyebrows. To me his manner was 
 kind and courteous, and I remember it with pleasure. He often 
 
On. IV.J DR. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 107 
 
 preached to us on Sundays, but his style of sermonizing was not 
 such as to compel our attention. We listened with more interest 
 to Professor Chester Dewey, then in his early manhood, the 
 teacher of the Junior Class, who was the most popular of those 
 who were called the Faculty of the College. Two young men, 
 recent graduates of the College, acted as tutors, superintended 
 the recitations of the two lower classes, and made their periodi 
 cal visits to the College rooms, to see that everything was in 
 order. These four were at that time the only instructors ip Wil 
 liams College. 
 
 " Before my admission, it had been the practice for the mem 
 bers of the Sophomore Class, in the first term of their year, to 
 seize upon the persons of some of the Freshmen, bring them be 
 fore an assembly of the Sophomores, and compel them to go 
 through a series of burlesque ceremonies, and receive certain 
 mock injunctions with regard to their future behavior. This was 
 called gamutizing the Freshmen. It was a brutal and rather 
 riotous proceeding, which I can, at this time, hardly suppose that 
 those who had the government of the College could have toler 
 ated ; yet the tradition ran, that, if it was not connived at, at least 
 no pains were taken to suppress it. There were strong manifes 
 tations of a disposition to enforce the custom after I became a 
 member of the Sophomore Class, but the Freshmen showed so 
 resolute a determination to resist it, that the design was dropped ; 
 and this, if I am rightly informed, was the last of the practice. 
 
 " The College buildings consisted of two large, plain brick 
 structures, called the East and the West College, and the College 
 grounds consisted of an open green, between the two, and sur 
 rounding them both. From one College to the other you passed 
 by a straight avenue of Lombardy poplars, which formed the 
 sole embellishment of the grounds. There was a smaller build 
 ing or two of wood, forming the only dependencies of the main 
 edifices, and every two or three years the students made a bon 
 fire of one of these. I remember being startled one night by the 
 alarm of fire, and going out, found one of these buildings in a 
 blaze, and the students dancing and shouting round it. 
 
 " Concerning my fellow-students I have little of importance to 
 
108 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IV. 
 
 communicate. My stay in College was hardly long enough to 
 form those close and life-long intimacies of which college life is 
 generally the parent. Orton and Jenkins I am not sure of 
 their Christian names, and have not the catalogue of graduates 
 at hand were among our best scholars, and Northrop and C. 
 F. Sedgwick among our best elocutionists. When either of these 
 two spoke, every ear was open. I recollect, too, the eloquent 
 Larnecl, and the amiable Moms. 
 
 " The library of the College was then small, but I recollect 
 was pretty well supplied with the classics. The library of the 
 two literary societies into which the students were divided was a 
 little collection, scarcely, I think, exceeding a thousand in num 
 ber. I availed myself of it, however, to read several books 
 which I had not seen elsewhere. 
 
 " Where the number of teachers was so small, it could hardly 
 be expected that the course of studies should be very extensive 
 or complete. The standard of scholarship in Williams College, 
 at that time, was so far below what it now is, that I think many 
 graduates of those days would be no more than prepared for ad 
 mission as Freshmen now. There were some, however, who 
 found too much exacted from their diligence, and left my class on 
 that account. I heard that one or two of them had been after 
 wards admitted at Union College. There were others who were 
 not satisfied with the degree of scholarship attained at Williams 
 College, and desired to belong to some institution where the 
 sphere of instruction was more extended. One of these was my 
 room-mate, John Avery, of Conway, in Massachusetts, a most 
 worthy man and a good scholar, who afterwards became a minis 
 ter of the Episcopal Church, and settled in Maryland. At the 
 end of his Sophomore year he obtained a dismission, and was 
 matriculated at Yale College, New Haven. I also, perhaps 
 somewhat influenced by his example, sought and obtained, near 
 the end of my Sophomore year, an honorable dismission from 
 Williams College, with the same intention. I passed some time 
 afterwards in preparing myself for admission at Yale, but the 
 pecuniary circumstances of my father prevented me from carry 
 ing my design into effect. 
 
CH. IV.] DK. FITCH S ADMINISTRATION. 109 
 
 " Such is the sum of my recollections of Williams College, so 
 far as they can have any interest for one who is writing its his 
 tory, which I am very glad to learn that you have undertaken, 
 and which I hope you will find ample encouragement to com 
 plete and put to press. 
 
 " I am, sir, yours with great regard, 
 
 WM. C. BRYANT. 
 "To REV. CALVIN DURFEE." 
 
 10 
 
CHAPTER V . 
 
 RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE FROM 1793-1815. 
 
 WILLIAMS COLLEGE was evidently intended, in the 
 economy of God, to subserve a religious end. The 
 moral and religious state of the institution in its 
 earliest days will be best understood from the tes 
 timony of those who were then connected with it. 
 The Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, a member of the first 
 Freshman class, and for many years a venerable 
 clergyman in Cornwall, Vermont, near the close of 
 his life furnished the following : 
 
 " Respecting the religious state of things in Col 
 lege during my residence in it, I have no very 
 favorable account to give. It was the time of the 
 French Revolution, which was, at that time, very 
 popular with almost all the inmates of College, 
 and with almost all people in that part of the 
 country. French liberty and French philosophy 
 poured in upon us like a flood; and seemed to 
 sweep almost everything serious before it. Not 
 that I believe, or ever did believe, that the greatest 
 part of the students were in theory settled infidels ; 
 but I did fear at that time, and now as much fear, 
 that a number of talented young men of the sev- 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. Ill 
 
 eral classes did fix down on those infidel principles, 
 from which they never afterwards were recovered. 
 Some, however, who thus made Volney their oracle, 
 and openly professed it, have renounced it since, 
 and become pious and useful men. But French 
 principles at College had a commanding influence, 
 and bore the multitude onward in its course. The 
 influence was so great, that it was very unpopular 
 for a sinner to be convicted of sin, or be converted 
 or say or do anything on the subject of experimen 
 tal piety. There were two or three old professors 
 of religion whom the wicked very rarely treated 
 with indignity ; but the moment a sinner began 
 to have serious thoughts, the wicked would load 
 him with ridicule and shocking abuse. This spirit 
 ran so high, that none dared manifest seriousness 
 except those whom God had truly made serious. 
 Respecting the morals of the College, some infidels 
 were moral men according to the common accep 
 tation of that term ; but, as a general rule, the Col 
 lege suffered about as much in morals as it did in 
 the theory of religion. Comparatively with col 
 leges now in New England I think we were quite 
 immoral. 
 
 " Notwithstanding this state of things, there was 
 a redeeming spirit in the College as long as I was a 
 member of the institution. There was some solid 
 active piety in a few which remained unmoved. 
 The number of professors of religion was very 
 few; but one in my class at that time who be 
 longed to any church, none in the higher classes. 
 
112 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 The classes which entered afterwards were larger, 
 and contained several professors of religion, one or 
 two instances of decided piety. This spirit of piety, 
 though limited to a small number, had an enlight 
 ening and restraining influence on many, at times, 
 beyond what is easily imagined, so that it gave 
 comfort and hope. About three or four were deep 
 ly convicted or hopefully converted while I was 
 a member of College. Others have informed me 
 since, that they received impressions then which 
 were never effaced from their minds, until they 
 found the salvation of the Lord." 
 
 After speaking of a weekly conference, generally 
 though not uniformly sustained, the writer proceeds 
 to make the following interesting statement : " But 
 that which in my judgment had the most influence 
 of all things, under God, was a prayer-meeting 
 every evening in the week at the ringing of the 
 nine o clock bell. One of the students opened his 
 room for that prayer-meeting. The meeting was 
 much in the form of our usual family prayer. 
 We read the Scriptures, commented on the truth, 
 exhorted one another, and closed by prayer. Our 
 number hardly ever exceeded twelve, sometimes 
 nine or ten, commonly six, seven, or eight. We 
 usually spent twelve or fourteen minutes in those 
 meetings at a time. All were invited to come who 
 wished. Some non-professors came ; some of them 
 would come for a while, and then retire for a sea 
 son, and then others would come. This meeting 
 was sustained uniformly for four years during my 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 113 
 
 whole College life, and I believe will be remem 
 bered with joy by some in another world. Those 
 evening meetings were solemn, and sometimes soul- 
 refreshing, and they constituted a rendezvous for 
 any serious mind in College. As wicked as we 
 were at that time, I do not recollect of a single 
 insult on the room during the time of our de 
 votions, or where we held those prayer-meetings 
 during the space of four years. The ground, dur 
 ing the time of our worship, seemed in the view 
 of all to be sacred ground, which was a wonder 
 to all thus associated, and to me is a wonder now." 
 Notwithstanding the darkness of the period, the 
 writer adds, " I have always been glad that I was 
 there at the time I was, and still hold the scenes 
 which there passed in sweet remembrance." 
 
 The above extract needs no comment. In a 
 time of prevailing and even persecuting opposition 
 to religion, to maintain a meeting every evening 
 during four years of such power and interest as 
 to call in, not only Christians, but professedly im 
 penitent persons (the latter class, it would seem, 
 sometimes constituting a majority), indicates not 
 only great practical wisdom in relation to the most 
 efficient mode of combating infidelity, but an in 
 tegrity of purpose and maturity of Christian char 
 acter of which we find few examples among young 
 men placed in such circumstances. Need we wonder 
 that God showed his favorable regard towards such 
 a spirit by granting convictions and conversions 
 in connection with the exercise of it? 
 10* 
 
114 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 The greatest darkness, it is sometimes said, pre 
 cedes the dawn ; such was the case now. A 
 brighter day was approaching, which changed, to a 
 considerable extent, the moral aspect of things in 
 College. Allusion has been made already to the 
 fact that religious revivals had begun to make 
 their appearance in various parts of the land. 
 Commencing first in the south part of this county, 
 and in the borders of Connecticut under the minis 
 tration of Dr. Hyde, Dr. Griffin, and others, they 
 came soon to attract the attention of the churches 
 generally. Rev. Mr. Swift, the clergyman of Wil- 
 liamstown at that time, " was strongly impressed 
 with the belief that he should live to see a revival 
 under his ministrations." In the year 1805, this 
 blessing began to be realized. " It commenced in 
 the spring of that year, and was great through the 
 summer." Professors of religion in College were 
 aroused. Upon the impenitent, however, little im 
 pression was made, except in the way of exciting op 
 position to the work. So far from having gained an 
 influence over them by mingling in their vain and 
 sinful practices, those with whom they had thus 
 mingled were found ready " to turn and rend them," 
 when any direct effort was made to bring about 
 a change in the existing state of things. A few, 
 however, whose light it would seem had shone in 
 the darkest period, were unable to refrain from 
 exertion. Among these, repeated mention has 
 been made to me, by those who were conversant 
 with the times, of a young man by the name of 
 
CH.V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 115 
 
 Bailey (Algernon Sidney). He appears to have 
 been a terror to the wicked, both in town and in 
 College, insomuch that attempts were set on foot 
 to mob him. He was mighty in prayer. On one 
 occasion, we are told that, when the wicked were 
 lying in wait for him with a view to offer indignity 
 and violence to his person, " several of them were 
 brought suddenly under convictions of sin." This 
 young man, with a few others, set up a meeting in 
 the summer of 180^, at a distance from College, it 
 not being deemed prudent to meet for such a pur 
 pose in the College buildings, " as at that period 
 we could hardly have held a prayer-meeting in 
 College without ridicule and interruption." This 
 meeting was somewhat secret. Numbers, however, 
 rallied around the standard, and the meeting filled 
 up, though the house was a considerable way off 
 (near the bridge over the Hoosac on the road which 
 leads to Bennington). " This was a blessed meet 
 ing," says one who was a member of it, " and there 
 I have always thought the revival began." About 
 the same time, another meeting was set up, also 
 private, and out of College, probably for the same 
 reason. , 
 
 In the spring of 180^, the accession to College 
 was favorable to religious influence. Samuel J. 
 Mills,* of whom something will be said hereafter, 
 and James Richards, were members of this class. 
 The standard of religion was elevated. Christians 
 
 * Mills joined College in April, 
 
116 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 walked more consistently, and of course were more 
 respected. Opposition became less virulent, and 
 meetings began to be held in College at a tutor s 
 room. The revival, meanwhile, continued in town, 
 interrupted partially by the inclement weather of 
 the winter ; but in the spring it broke out again 
 afresh, " and was great through the summer of that 
 year." In College God seemed to hold his people 
 off. The struggle had now been protracted " amidst 
 much contention " for nearly a year and a half, and 
 yet, at most, but here and there a mercy drop had 
 fallen. In those days, however, revivals were re 
 garded as great events, of infinite moment. Years 
 of toil were not thought a great sacrifice to secure 
 the enjoyment of them. We are to remember, too, 
 that, during all this period, Christians were becom 
 ing matured in their religious experience. " The 
 trial of their faith worked patience," and a sense of 
 their dependence on the Divine sovereignty. Hence 
 the revival which followed was marked by some 
 traits of a peculiar character, as we shall see in 
 the sequel. 
 
 It was not until the summer term of 1806 that 
 the work became deep and general in College. It 
 was now that conversions began to be multiplied, 
 it would seem somewhat early in the term. Says 
 Mills, in his diary, under date of June 26 : " At 
 tended conference this evening, composed princi 
 pally of the Freshman class. A very good meeting, 
 many very solemn. It was very evident God 
 was striving with some of his disobedient crea- 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 117 
 
 tures." We may remark here, that revivals of 
 religion in college often spend their strength 
 mainly on particular classes, whilst others remain 
 comparatively or not at all affected. In the pres 
 ent instance, the Freshman class shared most ex 
 tensively in the work. The higher classes, how 
 ever, owned its power. Under date of August 1, 
 we hear Gordon Hall, of the Sophomore class, 
 mourning over his dark prospects and lost estate, 
 acknowledging himself to be " in the gall of bitter 
 ness, and under the bonds of iniquity," and yet 
 rejoicing in the glorious work which was then 
 going on. The conversion of this single individual, 
 we may safely say, was worth shaking the College 
 to its centre. It pleased a sovereign God, also, just 
 on the eve of Commencement, to arrest the atten 
 tion of a member of the graduating class, who, for 
 a series of years afterwards, was made extensively 
 instrumental in promoting a spirit of revivals in 
 the College, and to whose recollections the writer 
 is indebted for several important particulars, both 
 in reference to this and subsequent periods. 
 
 One conversant with the scenes just described, 
 and a member of the prayer-meeting above alluded 
 to, speaks of the effects of this revival as decided 
 and happy upon the state of things in College 
 generally. " Some in all the classes shared in it. 
 It brought religion into the ascendant. The insti 
 tution of the Theological Society was one of the 
 fruits of it, and I have no doubt it was directly 
 concerned in bringing out and maturing the for- 
 
118 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 eign mission spirit." The truth couched in the 
 last clause of this extract is one of deep interest.. 
 Weighing the importance of events by their conse 
 quences, we shall be led to regard the revival of 
 1806 as of interest, more from the development of 
 the spirit there alluded to than from the worth 
 of individual souls, brought to a saving acquaint 
 ance with the Redeemer, through the agency of it. 
 The long protracted struggle which gave this revi 
 val birth, seemed to indicate that God intended to 
 bring out of it something more than temporary 
 results. Painful travail in the Church, as a general 
 thing, precedes her brightest deliverances. Great 
 throes go before great movements which rock the 
 foundations of public sentiment and practice, and 
 go to settle things on a new basis. Aged Chris 
 tians have told me, that they never knew before 
 nor since such a wrestling spirit as that which pre 
 vailed at this time. The prayers of Bailey and 
 some others seem to have struck, with a kind of 
 wonder, those who had been conversant only with 
 the ordinary state of things which prevailed in the 
 churches. This spirit of prayer was expansive ; it 
 embraced a wider sphere than that circumscribed 
 by the walls of College. The world, with its dark 
 and dying population, presented its claims. A 
 deep-toned sympathy for millions of the human 
 race, deprived by sinful sloth and griping penury 
 of Gospel offers and Gospel hopes, was kindled and 
 fostered in these little bethels. Here indeed this 
 spirit was fanned into a flame, which so soon after 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 119 
 
 enlightened the American Church into a knowledge, 
 not only of the wants and woes of heathenism, but 
 of her duty in reference to it. 
 
 That quick and tender conscience in reference to 
 Gospel precepts, as absolutely, imperatively, and at 
 the present time binding, which is wont to be ex 
 cited where the Spirit of God moves with power, 
 fixed now with peculiar strength on the dying 
 command of Christ, " Go ye into all the world and 
 preach the Gospel to every creature." Where there 
 is obedient will, the eye will naturally be arrested 
 by those commands which apply most appropri 
 ately to the circumstances of the individual. From 
 this fact, in part, we may account for it, that young 
 men, setting before themselves as the object of life 
 the furtherance of Christianity, should have had 
 their attention arrested by such precepts as that 
 above quoted. Other young men, however, had 
 been similarly situated, outwardly, and had had the. 
 same precepts before them. It is reasonable to 
 conclude, therefore, that there was a simultaneous 
 movement upon several minds, by one and the 
 same Spirit. I would not say a special movement, 
 not special, at least, in any other sense than this, 
 that things were now viewed as they were, lucidly 
 and clearly, being seen in the concentrated light of 
 that spiritual atmosphere which gathered around 
 the praying part of College during the long pro 
 tracted struggle which preceded the awakening. 
 Samuel J. Mills was at this time a somewhat ma 
 ture Christian, having been the subject of an 
 
120 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 awakening in 1801. Characterized in his early 
 religious experience by convictions of uncommon 
 pungency and strength, he became a radically seri 
 ous person, and brought on with him a more than 
 common weight of religious feeling and influence. 
 In the spirit which was falling upon the institu 
 tion he participated largely, and seems to have 
 been among the first whose mind was deeply 
 wrought upon in reference to his duty personally 
 to the heathen. " He reflected long, and prayed 
 much," says his biographer, " before he disclosed 
 his views, and when he determined to unburden 
 his mind, by conversing with two or three of his 
 fellow-students, it was in a manner which deserves 
 to be related. He led them out into a meadow, at 
 a distance from the College, to a retirement, prob 
 ably familiar to himself, though little exposed to 
 observation, or liable to be approached, where, by 
 the side of a large stack of hay, he devoted the day 
 to prayer and fasting, and familiar conversation on 
 this new and interesting theme; when, much to 
 his surprise and gratification, he found that the 
 Spirit of God had been enkindling in their bosoms 
 the flame which had been so long burning in his 
 own. The reader will not be surprised to learn, 
 that this endeared retreat was often made solemn 
 by the presence and hallowed by the piety of those 
 dear young men. It was to this consecrated spot 
 they repaired to cherish the high-born influence, 
 and dedicate themselves renewedly to Christ in this 
 blessed cause; to spend many a precious day in 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 121 
 
 humiliation, fasting, and prayer, and there to offer 
 to a present God those early and fervent supplica 
 tions to which may be traced the institution of for 
 eign missions in the New World." 
 
 So high and exalting an object, commending it 
 self to youthful enthusiasm as well as Christian 
 philanthropy, might well have been expected to 
 elicit strong feeling ; and it would seem that meas 
 ures were immediately set on foot, which proved 
 that the idea of evangelizing the world was not a 
 speculative chimera, a beautiful fancy of young 
 poets, made to exercise the invention or furnish 
 food for philosophical reverie. It did not rank 
 among the day-dreams and frenzied theories of the 
 ancients, in reference to a golden age about to 
 dawn ; but was evidently something which the 
 youthful originators intended, with all possible de 
 spatch, to put to the rigid and solemn test of prac 
 tice. It was proposed that the students of Wil 
 liams College should constitute a Missionary Board, 
 and although the declaration of Christ and the law 
 of Christian charity equally recognized the world 
 as the field, yet .it was deemed that the heathen of 
 our own continent had a local and paramount 
 claim. It was proposed, therefore, that the pio 
 neers should furnish themselves with knapsacks 
 and guns sufficient to kill game for their subsist 
 ence, and march westward into the wilderness. 
 Does the reader think this enthusiasm 1 What 
 could be done? The Foreign Missionary Society 
 was not yet formed ; the Church was slumbering 
 11 
 
122 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 over the woes of the heathen, and there must be 
 some outlet for their benevolence. " Remember," 
 says Hall, " that there is a dead love, a dead sym 
 pathy, a dead compassion, as well as a dead faith, 
 being without works." Such a sympathy had been 
 common in the Church, and needed no outlet. But 
 an active sympathy could not be restrained. The 
 Foreign Missionary Society, to be sure, sprung into 
 being shortly after; but had that institution not 
 been originated, this feeling would have found vent. 
 " I tell you," says Christ, " if these should hold 
 their peace, the stones would cry out." In a letter 
 to Hall, Mills says, " I wish we could break out 
 upon the heathen like the Irish rebellion, forty 
 thousand strong." 
 
 From the scenes which transpired here in the 
 years 1805 and 1806, an influence spread, not only 
 to the remotest East, where the bones of Hall and 
 Richards were laid, but also to the remotest West. 
 It deserves to be mentioned, that it was one of the 
 converts in this revival who afterwards picked up 
 and fostered Henry Obookiah. God seems to have 
 directed this heathen youth to a point where he 
 knew that his path would be crossed by a ray of 
 the missionary light. From this beginning ema 
 nated the Sandwich Islands Mission, which has 
 been the theatre within a few years past of such 
 miracles of grace. 
 
 In speaking of the origin of the revival, I have 
 already adverted to the labors of the Rev. Mr. 
 Swift. " God blessed his labors as the means of 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 123 
 
 incalculable good," and early in the succeeding year 
 called him to rest from them. And here it will be 
 doing no more than justice to mention the name of 
 another individual, " who for a long time exerted 
 a great influence in College." This was Deacon 
 Stratton. He used to hold conference meetings in 
 College, which the students were fond of attending. 
 Those who were here in the dark days of French 
 infidelity have told me, that, when the ungodly saw 
 good Deacon Stratton coming, they would take 
 their hats and go into the conference to hear him 
 pray and exhort. With humble talents and a lim 
 ited education, he was willing to work, and would 
 work, wherever he could find an opportunity to do 
 good. He did not fear the ridicule of the students, 
 hoping, " by any means, to save some." His name 
 deserves to be mentioned among the bright lights 
 of the times, whom God employed to direct many 
 a dark mind homeward, heavenward. 
 
 I cannot conclude this brief sketch, without 
 pausing to observe, that several of the most busy 
 actors in the scenes just described died early. 
 This was the case with Robert C. Robbins, who is 
 spoken of by a correspondent " as one of the mas 
 ter-spirits of the period." It was the case with 
 Bailey and Hall and Mills, though, in the signifi 
 cant language of the latter, they lived to exert an 
 " influence on the other side of the globe," and died 
 in the prime of life. This should be a warning to 
 youth, and especially those engaged in the prepara 
 tory stages of education, not to defer the hour of 
 activity to an uncertain hereafter. 
 
124: HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 After the death of Mr. Swift, the town did not 
 enjoy, for several years, the labors of any settled 
 pastor. College and town worshipped together, 
 and of course sympathized, to a greater or less 
 extent, in matters of religion. Men and times 
 changed rapidly, as in a shifting community like a 
 College they must do. A lax morality and want of 
 religious principle crept in. "I do not think, how 
 ever," says one familiar with this period, " that the 
 departures from right were ever so great as before 
 the revival." Still, there was " much want of prin 
 ciple," and the times grew turbulent. The social 
 condition of a community constituted like a col 
 lege becomes necessarily unpleasant, and is liable 
 to become quite intolerable, where there are no 
 effectual religious restraints, no Christian benevo 
 lence, and no high aims. In such a state of things, 
 the ingenuity of the young, their scheming and 
 planning powers, instead of being exercised on 
 such expansive and ennobling objects as those to 
 which the attention of the reader has been above 
 directed, are employed in conceiving various kinds 
 of mischief, and in practising low and malicious 
 annoyances, either upon themselves or their teach 
 ers. This state we have already described as hav 
 ing grown into a habit, previous to the revival of 
 1805 and 1806. In 1811, we find the same sys 
 tem, though not perhaps to the same extent ; still 
 so much so, that, with serious men, it became a trial 
 to live in College, especially in the building occu 
 pied by the two lower classes. The number of pro- 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 125 
 
 fessors of religion in College had become reduced 
 to twenty; of these, several were inefficient as 
 Christians. The Senior class appears to have em 
 bodied most of the active piety which remained; 
 and as this class entered upon its last year, distress 
 ing apprehensions began to be entertained lest re 
 ligion should altogether go out in the institution. 
 In this gloomy and distressing state of things ap 
 pearances of awakening began to be manifest in the 
 town, and during the winter the work increased, 
 and was "great in town," but College remained 
 unmoved. It seemed to be like the parched heath 
 around which heavenly showers were falling. In 
 the spring term a member of the Senior class re 
 turned, visited all the professors of religion in Col 
 lege, proposed a Sabbath morning meeting, which 
 was then established, and has since been continued; 
 being now observed generally in the colleges and 
 theological seminaries as a concert for colleges. 
 Meetings became thronged. Few or no cases of 
 conviction among the students, however, occurred, 
 till about the time of the State Fast. At that time 
 a special meeting was held, and under the " preach 
 ing of the word," some of the most ungodly in 
 College had their attention powerfully arrested. 
 The institution became almost immediately solemn. 
 It became again evident that " God was striving 
 with his disobedient creatures." The unquiet and 
 disorderly spirit, which, a little before, had been so 
 painfully annoying, was hushed, and the solemnity 
 of death reigned in both College buildings. 
 11* 
 
126 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 During the revival of 1812, as is the case gener 
 ally in powerful awakenings such as this was, 
 many incidents occurred of deep interest. The 
 following, as it relates to one whose character is 
 somewhat extensively known, and who now rests 
 from his labors, may be admitted as a specimen of 
 others not less interesting. 
 
 " After the revival had been apparent a few 
 days," says Professor Dewey, " and affected the 
 three lower classes much, Jenkins, who had been 
 a deist, a strong-minded man, and twenty-two 
 years old perhaps, now a Junior and under my 
 teaching, came one forenoon to my room, and said, 
 6 We (the class) wish not to have a recitation at 
 eleven, but to meet in the recitation-room at that 
 hour, and hear you on the subject of religion. I 
 was startled, and said, Why, what is the matter 1 
 He replied, Many of us are too deeply affected by 
 the conviction of our sinfulness to study to any 
 purpose. Besides, we wish to be taught what to 
 do. His voice faltered, and the big tear stood in 
 his eye. Knowing his past views, I said, Are your 
 own feelings interested, and do you wish this for 
 yourself] He replied in the affirmative, with a 
 tone that convinced me, knowing the strong mind 
 of the man, that the strong-hold was shaken. He 
 said, The truth was now all before him, and he 
 could not find a refuge in error. Some of the 
 other classes, getting knowledge of what was going 
 on, obtained leave to go in. The feeling was so 
 deep that some minutes elapsed before anything 
 
CH. V.] EELIGIOUS HISTORY. 127 
 
 could be said. The place was truly a Bochim. 
 In a few days, the account adds, Mr. Jenkins 
 was a new man: the deep solemnity of the grave 
 was gone ; a happy smile was on his face, and he 
 told me of the change of his feelings, and of his 
 frame of mind. He became a decided Christian 
 from that hour. This was the late Rev. Charles 
 Jenkins, of Portland, whose sermons are before the 
 public. 
 
 I here insert extracts from another communi 
 cation. They are as follows : " The dealings of 
 God with Williams College are worthy to be re 
 corded. They will be had in everlasting remem 
 brance ; and when the scenes of Bennington, Sara 
 toga, and Bunker Hill shall be forgotten, there 
 will, I doubt not, be before the throne of God and 
 the Lamb a precious company of redeemed spirits, 
 who, with ever-growing ardor and joy, will cele 
 brate the grace which reached and subdued their 
 hearts, while connected with that institution. It 
 was an account of a revival of religion, in and 
 about the College, I should think as early as about 
 1805 or 1806, that determined me to go to that 
 place. 
 
 "The revival of 1812, of which you request an 
 account, was an interesting work. Its fruits re 
 main to this day. As I entered one year in 
 advance, the class of 1810 were Seniors during my 
 first year. That class contained a good proportion 
 of pious students, and the interests of religion, 
 until they left, were pretty well sustained. In the 
 
128 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 next class there was a less amount of active, ardent 
 piety. Religion was in a low and languishing 
 state. It was a period of much political excite 
 ment. Wickedness abounded, and the love of 
 many waxed cold. College scrapes were fre 
 quent, and some of a very daring character. The 
 chapel Bible was several times removed, or nailed 
 to the seat. Once, at least, it was supposed to be 
 burnt. There was some intemperance ; I had not 
 the means of knowing how much. In one carousal, 
 I was credibly informed, there was a mock celebra 
 tion of the Lord s Supper. In my class, nearly one 
 third were professors of religion ; but the state of 
 religious feeling with some stood very low. Al 
 most everything around me seemed hostile to a 
 state of living piety. Some of the forms of godli 
 ness remained, but its life and power had fled. In 
 the class after me, previous to the revival, there 
 were but two or three professors of religion. The 
 low and declining state of religion was truly alarm 
 ing. In the fall of 1811, Mr. Nott, one of the 
 first missionaries to India, was employed to preach 
 in Williamstown. His labors were blessed. An 
 interesting revival of religion commenced among 
 the inhabitants. Good old Deacon Stratton s meet 
 ings became very full and interesting. But the 
 College, at this time, was like the mountains of 
 Gilboa, on which fell- neither dew nor rain. It 
 was a scene of so much noise and confusion, that 
 I seriously contemplated, hiring a room in some 
 private house, where I might prosecute my studies 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 129 
 
 with less interruption. At the commencement of 
 the spring term in 1812, one of the pious students 
 in the Senior class, who had been absent most of 
 the winter teaching school, visited and conversed 
 with every professor of religion in College. As 
 the result of his interviews, a prayer-meeting was 
 appointed, privately, for professors of religion only, 
 at his room, at the ringing of the first bell, Sab 
 bath morning, to pray especially for a revival of 
 religion in the College. At the first meeting, 
 nearly or quite all attended. Inquiry was made at 
 the close, whether we should meet again. Some 
 proposed meeting again the next Sabbath morning. 
 He at whose instance the meeting was held in 
 quired if we could not spare time to spend one 
 hour in united prayer on a week-day ; and it was 
 concluded to meet again at nine o clock, Thursday 
 evening. The meetings were continued at differ 
 ent rooms regularly, Sabbath morning and Thurs 
 day evening, about three weeks, when (the spring 
 examination being near) the meeting on Thursday 
 evening was so neglected or forgotten that but 
 two attended ; and he by whose exertions the 
 meetings had been established went to his room 
 entirely discouraged. Another meeting, however, 
 was appointed for the next Sabbath morning, with 
 an engagement to notify, personally, every profes 
 sor of religion of the time and place. Again, 
 nearly or quite every one was present, and one in 
 the Senior class, who had been much more engaged 
 in politics than in religion, arose and made a most 
 
130 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cii. V. 
 
 melting confession of his backslidings. It was a 
 new and unlooked-for event. He was older . than 
 any other member in College, and stood high as a 
 scholar. Every one present was deeply affected. 
 Just as all were in a flood of tears, a very thought 
 less student from the opposite room, who knew 
 nothing of the meeting, opened the door, and stood 
 for a moment amazed at what he saw ; then silently 
 drew back and shut the door. Immediately it was 
 noised abroad through College, and many were 
 saying, Why did you not let us know that you 
 had such meetings I We should be glad to attend. 
 The meetings, after that, were so thronged, that a 
 private room would not contain them. Very soon 
 it was ascertained that one in the Sophomore class 
 was deeply awakened, said to be by a letter from a 
 pious sister. Within a day or two, others became 
 serious. Meetings began to be not only crowded, 
 but very solemn. The week for the annual Fast 
 arrived. Professor Dewey suggested, in a written 
 note to the pious members of the Senior class, the 
 propriety of dispensing with the usual meetings of 
 the literary societies on Wednesday evening, and 
 holding a religious meeting. It was done ; and 
 some of the Faculty invited to conduct the meeting. 
 The portion of Scripture read and remarked upon 
 was the parable of the unfruitful fig-tree, Luke 
 xiii. One young man, who had been very thought 
 less and profane, attended from curiosity. On 
 hearing the passage read, he thought the audience 
 were to be entertained with a lecture on agricul- 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 131 
 
 ture, and so concluded to give attention. He found 
 that he was the unfruitful tree, spared only be 
 cause Christ had made intercession for him, and 
 yet he had never once thanked him for it. A sense 
 of ingratitude stung him to the heart. He became 
 exceedingly distressed. Sleep and rest were im 
 possible. In a few days he found peace in believ 
 ing ; and it was great peace. His bosom over 
 flowed, and he expressed strong desires that his 
 friends might share the happiness he felt. c His 
 tongue broke out in unknown strains. Instead of 
 profaneness, was the language of humble prayer. 
 The change was great. It seemed to electrify the 
 whole College. There was no room left for unbe 
 lief. All cavilling was silenced. A Junior with 
 whom he had been intimate, and who had been 
 taught and accustomed to ridicule revivals and ex 
 perimental religion, said he could no more doubt 
 it was the work of God, than he could doubt his 
 own existence ; yet, he added, I know my heart is 
 opposed to it/ From this time his conviction be 
 came deep and pungent. He could not study, and 
 requested his teacher to meet his class and pray 
 with them, and tell them what they must do to be 
 saved. It was done. The meeting was one of 
 deep solemnity. After a day or two it was held at 
 one o clock instead of eleven, and nearly every 
 student in College attended. Instead of the noise 
 and disturbance which had prevailed a few weeks 
 before, the College was now a scene of great still 
 ness and quiet. The suppressed groanings of some 
 
132 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 wounded soul might sometimes be heard, or the 
 low voice of prayer, amid the silence and darkness 
 of the night. Recitations now went on as usual, 
 but many for a time had to ask to be excused. 
 They could not study classics. The long-neglected 
 Bible claimed their attention. Professor Dewey 
 was very active and faithful. The work was deep, 
 noiseless, and powerful. It changed exceedingly 
 the aspect of College. The whole number who 
 cherished a hope was between thirty and forty, 
 nearly all of whom were in the three lower classes. 
 The Junior and Sophomore classes shared most 
 largely. Had I a graphic pen, I could describe 
 scenes of deep and thrilling interest. One of the 
 converts, after relating to me how he was awakened 
 and brought, at last, to submit himself into the 
 hands of the Saviour, said, c O, how this will re 
 joice my mother! You have a pious mother 
 then] said I. Yes, said he; and many a time, 
 at midnight, have I heard her praying for me. 
 Another, laying his hand upon his Bible, said: 
 This blessed book that my mother gave me and 
 charged me to read every day, it has lain at the 
 bottom of my chest, and has not been opened until 
 a few days since. It is God s book. O how I 
 have despised and treated God! Another said, 
 O how I should rejoice now to preach the 
 Gospel to my father s slaves! And he was seen 
 that day, several times, conversing with colored 
 persons in the street, on the salvation of their 
 souls. One very manifest fruit of the revival was 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 133 
 
 peace, quietness, and good order. Government was 
 easy. There was also a great increase of brotherly 
 love. Christians met each other with warm ex 
 pressions of affection, that could not be counter 
 feited. One scene which resulted from this state 
 of feeling I shall never forget. It was at the last 
 social religious meeting which my class attended. 
 The exciting scenes of the revival had then passed 
 away. The strong ties of brotherly aifection which 
 bound the pious students to one another were about 
 to be sundered. The meeting was tender, and in 
 teresting throughout. It devolved on me to pre 
 side. In selecting a hymn to close, my eye chanced 
 to fall on the one beginning, Blest be the tie that 
 binds. I had never seen or heard it before. I 
 succeeded in reading it without much, if any, fal 
 tering. A tune was named, and singing com 
 menced. About the third verse, Brother Burt 
 [Rev. Federal Burt, of Durham, N. H.], now in 
 heaven, who then stood by my side, turned away 
 and wept aloud. The next verse was attempted. 
 But voices failed. The place became a Bochim. 
 We hung upon each other and wept and wept, and 
 so closed the meeting, and went to our rooms to 
 weep alone. 
 
 " At the close of the spring term it was custom 
 ary for the Junior class to have a public exhibition. 
 By request of the class it was that year dispensed 
 with, and a religious meeting held in its place, 
 and Professor Dewey preached on the occasion." 
 
 This revival " was a great and good work ; " a 
 12 
 
134 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. V. 
 
 more decided and happy change, perhaps, was never 
 wrought in the moral tone of an institution, than 
 that which accompanied and succeeded. The re 
 sults were permanent. Those various petty mis 
 chiefs and tricks which had been so common be 
 fore entirely disappeared, and during the three 
 years which followed, the students pursued their 
 appropriate pursuits in an atmosphere quiet and 
 tranquil, congenial to mental improvement as well 
 as growth in divine things. 
 
 I shall close this chapter with a brief account of 
 the revival of 1815. This first made its appear 
 ance in the summer term, near the commencement 
 of it. Professor Dewey thinks that the first indica 
 tions of seriousness were in connection with the 
 preaching of President Fitch, which was, at this 
 time, more than commonly pungent. It is less 
 difficult to trace the instrumental than the real 
 causes of religious awakenings. The following an 
 ecdote has been stated to me, and, though not com 
 mitted to writing at the time, may be substantially 
 relied upon. A member of College had been West, 
 during the spring vacation, and fallen into a place 
 where the Lord was pouring out his spirit. His 
 feelings, which had previously been in a low state, 
 became aroused. As he approached the College 
 buildings on his return, a few days after the term 
 opened, he said within himself, Why might not the 
 Lord do a similar work here I Before getting out 
 of the wagon, a pious student came up. Said he, 
 "Do you wish to see a work of grace here 1 " 
 
CH. V.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 135 
 
 Being answered in the affirmative, " Then," said he, 
 " let us have a prayer-meeting to-night" " Where 
 shall we have it 1 " " At my room." The room 
 mate of this individual was a professor of religion, 
 but tinctured with Arminianism. He became im 
 mediately downcast and unhappy, and for a few 
 days could scarcely engage actively in religious 
 services. At length, he met his room-mate one 
 morning at the door, exclaiming, " O glorious 
 sovereignty ! glorious sovereignty ! " From that 
 time his piety became active, ardent ; and he now 
 ranks among the most learned and devoted of mod 
 ern missionaries. This private meeting became so 
 crowded, that, in less than a week, it was found 
 necessary to adjourn to a recitation-room. This 
 also filled up immediately, and the work went on 
 with power. " It came," says one of the subjects 
 of it, " in the majestic stillness of God, and scarce 
 a heart but felt its near and intimate relations to 
 the great things of the future. The aspect of Col 
 lege was suddenly changed. Our rooms were places 
 for prayer, and for religious conversation. We re 
 sorted to those Christians, in whom we had seen 
 the Christian character exemplified, for instruction 
 and counsel. The exercises of the classes were not 
 suspended, except in a few cases, though classical 
 improvement became a secondary matter." 
 
 The proximate causes of religious awakenings, 
 as has been already hinted, may be often minutely 
 traced. The intimate and true causes, however, 
 are more difficult to be detected. They lie veiled 
 
136 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. V. 
 
 in the bosom experience of the pious, and are 
 among those secrets of which we gain only occa 
 sional, and, as it were, accidental glimpses. These 
 glimpses are deeply refreshing, when we are so 
 fortunate as to be favored with them, and deserve 
 to be recorded as samples of what will be found, 
 no doubt, among the most affecting disclosures of 
 the day of judgment. A convert in this revival 
 said to me, with tears, that he could never think of 
 it without being affected. His attention was ar 
 rested, he became deeply serious; at length, in 
 anguish and self-despair, he was led to cast him 
 self upon the sovereignty and mercy of God. The 
 mother of this youth, residing at a distance, and 
 knowing nothing of what was here taking place, 
 just at this time had her feelings drawn out, with 
 remarkable fervor, toward her son. On the night 
 of his submission, sleep departed from her, and 
 she wrestled with the angel of the covenant " till 
 the breaking of the day." So calm was her assur 
 ance in the morning, that she informed her family 
 of the event, either as something which had taken 
 or would immediately take place. The disclosures 
 of eternity will, no doubt, reveal agonizing throes 
 in the secret chamber, as the springs of those 
 movements which have suddenly revolutionized 
 the moral aspect of communities, to the astonish 
 ment of by-standers, and the wonder even of Chris 
 tians themselves. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRESIDENT MOORE. 
 
 THE Eev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, D.D., the sec 
 ond President of Williams College, was the son of 
 Judah and Mary Moore, and was born at Palmer, 
 Mass., November 20, 1770. When he was seven 
 or eight years old he removed with his father s 
 family to Wilmington, Vt., where he worked upon 
 a farm till he was about eighteen. From early 
 childhood he evinced great inquisitiveness of mind, 
 and a thirst for knowledge ; in consequence of 
 which his parents, who were in humble circum 
 stances, consented to aid him in acquiring an edu 
 cation. Having prosecuted his preparatory studies 
 at the Academy in Bennington, Vt, he entered 
 Dartmouth College, in his nineteenth year; and 
 was graduated in 1793, when he delivered the 
 philosophical oration, " On the Causes and General 
 Phenomena of Earthquakes." 
 
 On leaving College, he took charge for one year 
 of an Academy at Londonderry, N. H. He stud 
 ied theology under the direction of the Rev. Dr. 
 Charles Backus, of Somers, Conn,, and was licensed 
 to preach the Gospel by the Association of Tolland 
 12* 
 
138 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VI. 
 
 County, February 3, 1796. After preaching to 
 acceptance in different places, especially in Tolland, 
 Conn, and Peterborough, N. H., he finally ac 
 cepted a call from the church and congregation in 
 Leicester, Mass., and was ordained there January 
 10, 1798. Here his labors were acceptable and 
 useful. During a portion of the time that he re 
 sided here, he joined to his duties as a minister 
 those of Principal of Leicester Academy. 
 
 In October, 1811, he accepted the chair of Lan 
 guages in Dartmouth College. Here he was re 
 spected as a man, as a teacher and preacher; and 
 if his attainments were not of the highest order in 
 his department, they were at least such as to secure 
 his respectability and usefulness. 
 
 In 1815, he was elected President of Williams 
 College, then vacant by the resignation of Dr. 
 Fitch. He accepted the appointment, and was 
 regularly inducted into office at the Commencement 
 in September of that year. Shortly after his re 
 moval to Williamstown he received the degree of 
 Doctor of Divinity from his Alma Mater. His 
 connection with Williams College was attended 
 with circumstances of peculiar embarrassment, in 
 consequence of the efforts which were made about 
 this time to remove the College to Northampton, 
 or some other town in Hampshire County ; and in 
 these efforts Dr. Moore took a prominent part. 
 The measure failed in consequence of the refusal 
 of the Legislature to sanction it. 
 
 In the spring of 1821, the Collegiate Institution 
 
CH. VI.] PRESIDENT MOORE. 139 
 
 at Amherst having been founded, he was invited to 
 become its first President. He accepted the invita 
 tion, taking a large number of students with him, 
 and was inaugurated in September following. The 
 institution, then in its infancy, and contending 
 with a powerful public opinion for its existence, 
 put in requisition all his energies ; and the ulti 
 mate success of the enterprise was no doubt to be 
 referred in no small degree to his earnest and untir 
 ing efforts. In addition to his appropriate duties 
 as President, and Chairman of the Board of Trus 
 tees, he heard the recitations of the Senior class, 
 and a part of the recitations of the Sophomore 
 class; besides all his personal efforts to increase the 
 funds of the institution. His constitution, natu 
 rally strong, was overtaxed by these unremitting 
 efforts, and had begun perceptibly to yield, before 
 the last violent attack of disease, which terminated 
 his life. 
 
 On Wednesday, June 25, 1823, he was seized 
 with a bilious colic, which reached a fatal termina 
 tion on the Monday following, not two years after 
 he left Williams town. During the brief period of 
 his illness, the greatest anxiety prevailed in Col 
 lege, and unceasing prayers were offered on his be 
 half. His own mind appeared to be tranquil, and 
 he anticipated the closing scene, and passed through 
 it, with apparent Christian composure. He was 
 fifty-two years seven months and five days old. 
 His funeral solemnities were attended on the 
 Wednesday following, when an appropriate dis- 
 
140 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VI. 
 
 course was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Snell, of 
 North Brookfield. 
 
 Shortly after his settlement at Leicester he was 
 married to Miss Phebe Drury, of Ward, Mass. 
 They had no children. Mrs. Moore died Novem 
 ber 10, 1857. 
 
 In personal appearance, Dr. Moore was above 
 the middling stature ; was corpulent, was rather 
 prepossessing, modest, and retiring in his appear 
 ance. " The turn of his mind was metaphysical, 
 and the duties of his vocation led him to cultivate 
 this branch of study." 
 
 " As a College officer," says one who knew him 
 well, "he had few superiors. He knew men and 
 students almost instinctively, and had great skill in 
 moulding and managing them. Mild and persua 
 sive in his manners, never flurried, and rarely 
 severe, he was as firm and immovable in what he 
 thought was right and duty as Greylock itself, and 
 every student understood it, and rarely ventured to 
 set up his own will against his." As a director of 
 the studies of the Senior class, Dr. Moore always 
 appeared to good advantage. " As a preacher he 
 had many high and excellent qualities. He was a 
 clear thinker, and his style was remarkably neat 
 and pure. His elocution was good, though not 
 what might be called eloquent. He was earnest, 
 sincere, and winning, rather than rousing and hor 
 tatory in his sermons." 
 
 In the spring of 1819, Dr. Moore preached a 
 sermon in the Court-House at Lenox, before the 
 
CH. VI] PRESIDENT MOORE. 141 
 
 Berkshire County Education Society, for aiding 
 pious young men in their preparation for the min 
 istry. It was the only time I ever heard him 
 preach. His text was the glowing vision of the 
 prophet Isaiah xl. 6 - 9 : " The lion and the 
 Lamb shall lie down together" &c. In that dis 
 course he adduced " some Scriptural evidence that 
 the kingdom of righteousness and peace will, at 
 some future period, be extended through the whole 
 world ; and then showed by what means it would 
 be thus extended ; and particularly the place 
 which the preaching of the Gospel holds among 
 those means." In preaching, he had but very little 
 action. His voice was not loud, but clear and 
 pleasant. His manner was dignified and impres 
 sive ; adapted to arrest and fix the attention of the 
 hearers. He used but little figurative language, 
 and there was no aim at rhetorical effect. He left 
 a deep impression of his sincerity on the minds of 
 his hearers, and his manner indicated that he felt 
 the importance of the truths he uttered. 
 
 Dr. Moore published a Thanksgiving sermon, 
 delivered at Peterborough, N. H., November 17, 
 1796; two sermons preached at Leicester, January 
 23, 1798, the second Sabbath after his ordina 
 tion; an oration delivered at Worcester, July 5, 
 1802; a sermon at the funeral of Ensign Winthrop 
 Earle, October 20, 1807 ; a sermon at the ordina 
 tion of the Rev. Simeon Colton, at Palmer, June 
 19, 1811 ; a sermon at the ordination of the Rev. 
 Jacob Allen, at Tunbridge, Vt, October 6, 1813; 
 
142 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VI. 
 
 Massachusetts Election Sermon, May, 1818 ; a ser 
 mon at the ordination of the Rev. Dorus Clark, at 
 Blanford, Mass., February 5, 1823; and an address 
 to the public in respect to Amherst College, in 
 1823. 
 
 There is at Williams College a bound volume, 
 containing fifteen of Dr. Moore s manuscript ser 
 mons, a present from Mrs. Moore. They are 
 written in a full and fair hand. 
 
 The following letter from Rev. Dr. J. C. Brig- 
 ham may fitly close this biographical sketch of 
 Dr. Moore. 
 
 " BIBLE-HOUSE, New York, February 22, 1859. 
 
 " DEAR SIR : 
 
 " You ask for my impressions as to the character and course of 
 Williams College, under the Presidency of Dr. Moore. I will 
 give you some of them briefly. When he came to the institution 
 in 1815, it was, as you are aware, in a reduced condition as to 
 Faculty. Rev. Dr. Chester Dewey was there as Professor, ex 
 erting a decided and happy influence on learning and religion, as 
 he has done in other positions to this day. Rev. E. Kellogg, who 
 proved to be a ripe scholar and thorough teacher, came at the 
 same time with the President as Professor of Languages. My 
 class also entered at this juncture. 
 
 u As to the President, his whole figure and manners are still 
 distinctly before me. He was then in middle life, of more than 
 ordinary height, rather fleshy, a little stooping, hair smoothly 
 combed down in front, small clothes and knee-buckles, after 
 the old Puritan style. In manners he was gentle, affectionate, 
 yet decided where there was any infraction of College rules. 
 As an instructor in mental and moral philosophy he was thor 
 ough, adhering perhaps a little too much to the letter of the 
 text-book. 
 
 " As a preacher he was clear, earnest, and evangelical, though 
 
CH. VI.] PRESIDENT MOOEE. 143 
 
 with no great compass of voice, and little of action. At evening 
 prayers in the chapel, he was always present and conducted the 
 exercises. Occasionally the students were convened, as on fast 
 days, when he took decided pains to impress religious truth on 
 their minds. And though there was no special revival of religion 
 in College during his presidency, there was at times much seri 
 ousness among the professing students, which he warmly encour 
 aged, as did the other members of the Faculty. During my 
 Sophomore year he was seriously ill for several weeks with fever. 
 Individuals were called to spend the night in watching with him, 
 in which service I twice participated. From the tone of his con 
 versation, he impressed me with a belief that he was truly a man 
 of God, submissive to His will, yet desirous, if so ordered, to 
 live and labor for the welfare of his new charge. He recovered, 
 and everything in relation to the College seemed for nearly three 
 years to be prosperous. Near the close of this period a topic 
 came up which afterwards produced great and wide-spread agita 
 tion. I refer to the removal of the College to Hampshire Coun 
 ty. In my Senior year this was the absorbing theme. The 
 President and the students who resided east of the mountains 
 were for removal. I, as a Berkshire man, was of course averse 
 to the measure. But while many censured the President for the 
 leading part which he took, I was never inclined to question the 
 goodness of his intentions. He evidently felt that the College 
 would not long live where it was, but would flourish on the banks 
 of the Connecticut. Other great and good men, ministers, and 
 laymen, thought it would flourish where it now stood. That 
 question was never decided. Divine Providence, infinitely wiser 
 than both parties together, interposed, and has proved that at 
 each place a college of high rank can be sustained and made 
 widely useful. 
 
 " You have thus some of my impressions of the College and 
 its Faculty while I was a member. You will infer that in my 
 judgment the President commenced his career auspiciously, and 
 might have succeeded well had his heart been with his body west 
 of the mountains. 
 
 " I will add, that if all the Faculty, students, and their friends 
 
144 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VI. 
 
 had been with the President in favoring removal, it might prob 
 ably have done well in Hampshire County. Let us then praise 
 the Lord for ordering two colleges in place of one, neither of 
 which could be spared without great detriment to the cause 
 of education and of the Gospel. 
 
 " Yours most truly, &c., 
 
 " J. C. BRIGHAM. 
 "To REV. C. DURFEE." 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT MOORE. 1815-1821. 
 
 ON the 2d day of May, 1815, the Board of Trus 
 tees accepted the resignation of President Fitch ; 
 and on the same day elected the Rev. Leonard 
 Woods, D. D., of Andover, President and Professor 
 of Divinity. The Rev. Dr. Hyde was appointed a 
 committee to notify Dr. Woods of his appointment. 
 At the same meeting, the Rev. Zephaniah Swift 
 Moore, Professor of Languages in Dartmouth Col 
 lege, was chosen to the same office ; and Dr. Pack 
 ard was authorized to inform him of it, in case Dr. 
 Woods did not accept. It was likewise voted to 
 raise the President s salary from $ 1,000 to $ 1,400 
 per annum. Dr. Woods declined the appointment ; 
 and Dr. Packard then notified Professor Moore of 
 his election, who accepted the appointment. 
 
 At the same meeting of the Board at which 
 Professor Moore was elected President, Dr. Pack 
 ard of Shelburne introduced the following motion, 
 which was adopted : " That a committee of six 
 persons be appointed to take into consideration the 
 removal of the College to some other part of the 
 Commonwealth ; to make all necessary inquiries 
 13 
 
146 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VII. 
 
 which have a bearing on the subject, and report at 
 the next meeting." The committee consisted of the 
 Hon. Joseph Lyman, the Rev. Samuel Shepard, 
 the Rev. Theophilus Packard, Joseph Woodbridge, 
 Esq., Theodore Pomeroy, Esq., and the Hon. Dan 
 iel Noble ; and they reported at the next meeting 
 of the Board, in September, that " a removal of 
 Williams College from Williamstown is inexpedi 
 ent at the present time, and under existing circum 
 stances." 
 
 At the time of this decision it was understood 
 by the Board " that a full and fair experiment 
 should be made to revive and build up the College 
 in its present location;" and as any further agita 
 tion of the question of removal would directly tend 
 to blast all efforts which might be made for its 
 success, and frustrate the experiment about to be 
 made, it was very properly agreed that the ques 
 tion of removal should be considered as at rest dur 
 ing this experiment. 
 
 Dr. Moore (for he had just received that degree 
 from Dartmouth) was inaugurated President of the 
 College, with appropriate ceremonies, September 3, 
 1815. His inaugural discourse has been described 
 as an able and finished production. It was not 
 published, but it is said to have contained an ex 
 pression of his views in favor of the removal of the 
 College. 
 
 Still, though such an expression of personal 
 opinion had been intimated, it was reasonably ex 
 pected that the President and Faculty of the Col- 
 
CH. VII.] PRESIDENT MOORE S ADMINISTRATION. 147 
 
 lege would heartily unite their influence and efforts 
 to give success to the experiment now to be made. 
 Indeed, there seemed to be an implied understand 
 ing among the friends of literature and religion in 
 this section of the State, that an experiment should 
 be fairly made for the College in its present loca 
 tion. 
 
 When this experiment (if so short a period can 
 be called one) had been in operation three years, it 
 became very apparent that nothing was wanting 
 but the united and hearty co-operation of the 
 Trustees, Faculty, and friends of the College to 
 crown the experiment with all reasonable success. 
 If any entertained doubts respecting the future 
 growth and prosperity of the College when the 
 Presidency of Dr. Moore commenced, those doubts 
 were soon seen to be groundless. The pleasing 
 assurance soon began to be cherished, that the Col 
 lege would flourish again in its present location. 
 
 Such were the animating hopes and prospects of 
 the College, at the Commencement in 1818, when 
 a sad scene was suddenly opened in the history of 
 this institution. Amidst the most cheering pros 
 pects, for the College, and while its early and long- 
 tried friends were congratulating each other on the 
 bright prospects which were dawning on the Col 
 lege, while they were speaking its praise and pre 
 dicting its success, just as the Board were about 
 to adjourn, a petition was presented by one of their 
 own members, the Rev. Dr. Packard, as an agent 
 for Amherst Academy, " requesting the Board to 
 
148 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. VII. 
 
 unite this College with a proposed literary institu 
 tion, which they contemplated locating in the town 
 of Amherst." And Dr. Moore now declared him 
 self to be favorable to such a project. This propo 
 sition met with a decided negative from the Trus 
 tees of Williams College, their only action upon it 
 being a vote,* "That the said Trustees of Amherst 
 Academy have leave to withdraw the communica 
 tion which they have submitted to this Board." 
 Dr. Packard now predicted that the Board would 
 be summoned to attend an extra meeting in less 
 than three months ; and his prediction was verified. 
 When the Trustees were assembled, November 
 10, 1818, the President immediately submitted to 
 them a proposition for the removal of the College, 
 connected with an expression of his purpose to re 
 sign the office of President, unless the proposition 
 should be sustained. He now stated, that, at the 
 time he accepted the Presidency of the institution, 
 he had no idea that the College was to remain at 
 Williamstown, but had all the while supposed it 
 was to be removed to Hampshire County. The 
 following action, says a competent witness, " was 
 principally owing to the influence exerted on that 
 occasion by Dr. Moore." In view of all the cir 
 cumstances which presented themselves, the Trus 
 tees finally concluded, on certain conditions, to 
 submit a petition to the Legislature for a removal 
 of the College, in order that the question might, by 
 the highest authority in the Commonwealth, be put 
 to rest. And that the Legislature might act in 
 
CH. VII.] PEESIDENT MOORE S ADMINISTRATION. 149 
 
 this matter with all proper information as to the 
 place of removal, provided it should be judged ex 
 pedient to change the location, a most respectable 
 committee was appointed by them, to determine, 
 upon actual view, in what town in Hampshire 
 County the College should be located. 
 
 At this meeting of the Board the following con 
 ditional resoulutions were adopted, nine out of 
 twelve voting for them : 
 
 " Resolved, That it is expedient to remove Wil 
 liams College to some more central part of the 
 State, whenever sufficient funds can be obtained to 
 defray the necessary expenses incurred, and the 
 losses sustained by removal, and to secure the 
 prosperity of the College, and when a fair prospect 
 shall be presented of obtaining for the institution 
 the united support and patronage of the friends of 
 literature and religion in the western part of the 
 Commonwealth, and when the General Court shall 
 give their assent to the measure.* 
 
 " Resolved, That, in order to guide the Trustees 
 in determining to which place the College shall 
 be removed, and to produce harmony and union, 
 the following gentlemen, viz. Hon. James Kent, 
 Chancellor of the State of New York, Hon. Na 
 thaniel Smith, Judge of the Supreme Court of 
 Connecticut, and the Rev. Seth Payson, D. D., of 
 Bindge, N. H., be a committee to visit the towns 
 
 * The three individuals who voted against the removal were Israel 
 Jones, Daniel Noble, and Levi Glezen. 
 
 13* 
 
150 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VII. 
 
 in Hampshire County, and determine the place to 
 which the College shall be removed ; the Trustees 
 pledging themselves to abide by their decision, pro 
 vided the requisite sum be raised/ 
 
 The Board then adjourned to meet at Pittsfield 
 in May next, at which time and place the com 
 mittee reported that the proper place to remove to 
 was Northampton. An address to the public was 
 also prepared and printed, setting forth the reasons 
 for the intended removal of the College, and re 
 questing donations to increase its funds, and to 
 promote its prosperity at its new location, viz. 
 at Northampton. 
 
 The following reasons were set forth in the ad 
 dress, which was extensively circulated : " That, 
 since its establishment in 1793, other colleges 
 have sprung up about it, and had almost wholly 
 withdrawn the patronage it had formerly .received 
 from the North and West. That, owing to the 
 want of support, its funds have become so reduced 
 that the income falls short of the expenditures, 
 and the Trustees, for this reason, are unable to 
 maintain the institution in its present state, and 
 enable it to compete with other colleges. These 
 circumstances have induced the Trustees, after 
 mature reflection and deliberation, to think a 
 removal of the College to a situation more central 
 and more convenient of access necessary to its 
 support and continuance in usefulness." 
 
 We pause here to record the death of one of 
 the Trustees, and the resignation of another. 
 
CH. VIL] PRESIDENT MOORE S ADMINISTRATION. 151 
 
 In 1815, Elijah Williams, Esq. died at Stock- 
 bridge, aged eighty-three. He was horn at New 
 ton, November 15, 1732, and was a half-brother 
 of the founder of the College. When a young 
 man he settled in what is now West Stockbridge 
 village, and was an enterprising farmer. The lat 
 ter part of his life he passed in Stockbridge, in 
 order to enjoy the ministry of his brother-in-law, 
 the Rev. Dr. West. For many years he was Sheriff 
 of the county, was one of the original Trustees of 
 the College, and was a Christian gentleman of the 
 old school. His only child, William Henry Wil 
 liams, was graduated of Williams College in 1798. 
 
 In 1819, the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, 
 another original Trustee, resigned his connection 
 with the College. He was born at Albany, N. Y., 
 November 1, 1764, passed most of his days in his 
 native city, was an elder in the Dutch Reformed 
 Church, was distinguished for his wealth, activity, 
 and beneficence, and died January 26, 1839, aged 
 seventy-four years. 
 
 The public agitation and discussion of the ques 
 tion of removing the College to Hampshire County 
 was now commenced in earnest. President Moore, 
 from this time, was untiring in his efforts to effect it, 
 and many were induced to believe that the College 
 would never prosper in its present location. Oth 
 ers, too, were earnestly in favor of a removal, and 
 published many anonymous articles on this subject. 
 
 These earnest pleas in favor of removal were 
 ably and triumphantly answered by the friends of 
 
152 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VII. 
 
 the College. The leading arguments in favor of a 
 change of location were: "That the state of the 
 funds and the number of students were such as 
 to threaten the destruction of the College, and 
 fully to authorize the assertion that it could not 
 continue to go on in its present location with any 
 hopeful prospect." "It was asserted that it was 
 not enough to say that Williamstown is a place 
 where a good education may be obtained. Our 
 country is not so filled with people that it is neces 
 sary to go so far to find a place lonely and seques 
 tered enough for purposes of education." " Wil 
 liamstown may be a good place for retirement 
 from dissipation ; but does this advantage compen 
 sate for all the disadvantages of its situation 1 It 
 is not a single difficulty which the College has to 
 encounter. It might, perhaps, overcome any one. 
 It is their number and concurrence that produces 
 discouragement." " Besides a bad location, it has 
 great wants, which cannot be supplied, even by 
 the funds which have been raised in consequence 
 of the measures towards a removal." " A chapel 
 is needed." " More permanent officers are requi 
 site." " The library contains only fourteen hun 
 dred volumes, and many of these not very valu 
 able." " The College has extensive wants in other 
 departments to be supplied." It was urged, " that 
 students could never be induced to resort to so 
 retired a place as Williamstown to obtain an edu 
 cation." " Nothing can show more decisively than 
 the present low state of the College that the pub- 
 
CH. VII.] PRESIDENT MOOKE S ADMINISTRATION. 153 
 
 lie are not, and will not be, satisfied with the pres 
 ent location. It can never regain the ground it 
 has lost." 
 
 On the other hand, it was urged, " that the funds 
 of the institution are so considerable, and the num 
 ber of students is so great, that the income from 
 both exceeds, at this time, the annual expenses 
 of the College." It was claimed, " that it was un 
 necessary and inexpedient to remove the institution 
 on the ground that it was more likely to prosper 
 .elsewhere than here; additions to its number of 
 students may soon be confidently expected, suffi 
 cient to insure the respectability and usefulness of 
 the institution. The present diminished number 
 of students may more justly and philosophically be 
 attributed to accidental and transient causes, than 
 to anything connected with its location." The 
 prospect of its removal, it was shown, prevented 
 many from entering the institution. In 1818, the 
 College, its friends claimed, would have contained 
 more than a hundred, instead of eighty-seven, but 
 for the agitation of the question of removal. " And 
 there is good reason to expect that in years to come 
 the number will be much and permanently in 
 creased, if this agitating question is put to rest." 
 It was strenuously maintained that Williams Col 
 lege had been greatly useful to those for whom it 
 was principally intended ; that it had been a Col 
 lege of the character which the Legislature of 
 1793 designed it should be; and had thus far, in 
 its present location, answered, and, if suffered qui- 
 
154 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. VII. 
 
 etly to do its work, would continue to answer, the 
 views and intentions of its founders." 
 
 The community generally became interested in 
 the subject, and conflicting opinions were enter 
 tained, and freely and frequently expressed. Pam 
 phlet succeeded pamphlet, and newspaper article 
 followed newspaper article, on this unwelcome and 
 exciting subject, for more than two years. There 
 was a large convention held at Northampton, Au 
 gust 3, 1819, composed mostly of gentlemen from 
 that vicinity, to take measures to effect the removal 
 of Williams College to Hampshire County. At 
 this meeting Dr. Moore presided. Resolutions were 
 adopted in favor of the removal of the College, 
 and committees were appointed to solicit subscrip 
 tions for that purpose. 
 
 A large convention was held in Pittsfielcl, Octo 
 ber 6, 1819, for the purpose of expressing the 
 views and feelings of the county in relation to 
 the removal of the College. The Hon. William 
 Walker of Lenox presided. Resolutions against 
 the removal of the College, and an address to the 
 public, were reported and adopted. It was " the 
 deliberate opinion of this meeting that nothing was 
 necessary to preserve for Williams College, in its 
 present location, the character of a highly respect 
 able and useful institution, but the cordial co-oper 
 ation of the friends of literature, science, and 
 religion, in the western section of the State." In 
 this address to the public they say : "If the re 
 moval of the College should result in some pecu- 
 
CH. VII.] PEESIDENT MOOKE S ADMINISTRATION. 155 
 
 niary losses, if some widows and men of wealth 
 were to suffer by it, these losses might be en 
 dured ; but we know not what would restore to 
 the community that confidence which sweetens life 
 and binds society together ; nor where would be 
 found that balm which would heal the wounds 
 which this measure would inflict." 
 
 On the 2d day of November, 1819, at a meeting 
 of the Trustees in Williamstown, it was voted that 
 it is expedient to petition the Legislature for per 
 mission to remove Williams College to Northamp 
 ton. Fifty thousand dollars had been subscribed 
 in a short time, by the inhabitants of Hampshire 
 and adjoining counties, to defray the expenses 
 which would be incurred, and the losses which 
 would be sustained by the removal. And a com 
 mittee was chosen to present the petition to the 
 Legislature. 
 
 A proposition was also made to the Trustees of 
 Amherst Academy, requesting them to unite their 
 charitable funds with the College, in case it was 
 removed to Northampton ; but it was rejected, un 
 less they would change the location to Amherst. 
 The petition of the President and Trustees to the 
 Legislature, on the subject of the removal of Wil 
 liams College, met with a spirited opposition on the 
 part of the inhabitants of the town and county, 
 and, upon their own responsibility, they raised a 
 subscription of $ 17,500, which was laid before the 
 Legislature, and which was to be paid to the Col 
 lege, in case it should not be removed. 
 
156 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VII. 
 
 This subscription, raised against the wishes of 
 a majority of the Trustees, and which they could 
 not refuse without a fraud upon the Legislature, 
 was made payable in ten years. At the expiration 
 of this time, the subscribers were called on, and in 
 some cases payment was refused. So much de 
 pendence had been placed on this fund by the 
 College, that it was found impossible to do without 
 it, and legal measures were reluctantly resorted to. 
 One case was carried to the Supreme Court, and 
 the decision being in favor of the Corporation, the 
 remainder was collected without difficulty. It was, 
 however, unjustly made the ground of much ill- 
 feeling, and much odium was thrown on the Col 
 lege on account of the measures pursued. This 
 subscription, it musi be remembered, was procured 
 by those not connected with the College, and was 
 one of the reasons that influenced the Legislature 
 to refuse permission for removal ; and under these 
 circumstances, the collection of this sum, guaran 
 teed to the College by the subscribers, could not 
 have been otherwise than honorable and just. 
 
 The site for the College in Northampton had 
 been mentioned, and the subject of its removal 
 was the principal topic of discussion in the western 
 part of the State. 
 
 The prospects of the College in Williamstown 
 were indeed gloomy. It seemed to be on the 
 verge of ruin. Even its warmest friends were in 
 doubt whether it could much longer be retained 
 in its present location. 
 
CH. VII.] PRESIDENT MOORE S ADMINISTRATION. 157 
 
 The number of students began a second time to 
 decline.* The College hardly supported itself, but 
 in some instances drew upon its friends for main 
 tenance. Only a few of the students were in favor 
 of retaining it in Williamstown. 
 
 The petition to the Legislature was finally laid be 
 fore that body in February, 1820, and after a long 
 and anxious discussion and consideration, in con 
 sequence of the subscription of $ 17,500, and of 
 the representations and remonstrances from the in 
 habitants of Berkshire County, and also from a 
 deep conviction that it would be a plain violation 
 of the will of the founder of the institution, and 
 others who had given funds to maintain an institu 
 tion in Williamstown, the Legislature refused to 
 grant the Trustees permission to remove the Col 
 lege. 
 
 In their report (which was adopted by a large 
 majority in both branches of the Legislature *)), 
 the committee say (after reviewing all the proceed 
 ings of the Legislature from 1785 up to that time, 
 in relation to the College) : " They have sup 
 posed it their duty to notice that Woodbridge Lit 
 tle, Esq., of Pittsfield, some persons in Williams- 
 town, some in Vermont, and some in New York, 
 have made donations to Williams College ; and the 
 
 * The College year commenced in 1815 with fifty-eight students. 
 This number increased in the second term to sixty-four. In three 
 years the number had increased to ninety-one ; and then began again 
 to decline, amid the excitement about the removal. 
 
 f In the Senate, 31 to 5 ; in the House, 120 to 25. 
 
 14 
 
158 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. VII. 
 
 committee suppose they ought not to disregard the 
 presumption that the location of this seminary con 
 stituted some parts of the motive to the bounty. 
 And they cannot, therefore, but doubt the justice of 
 removing this seminary to any place not contem 
 plated by such donors, to be the site of the future 
 use of their charities." 
 
 The committee further state, that, in their opin 
 ion, so important a measure as the removal of Wil 
 liams College " ought not to take place without a 
 reasonable and unembarrassed conviction that some 
 great benefit will result therefrom, not attainable in 
 its present location. The committee are by no 
 means satisfied that mere location determines the 
 degree of estimation and respect in which any liter 
 ary institution may be held. It is* reputation which 
 constitutes attraction ; and this is founded on the 
 modes and means of instruction. And although it 
 might be a very interesting question whether fifty 
 or a hundred thousand dollars should be originally 
 expended at Northampton or at Williamstown ; 
 yet considering the length of time since the estab 
 lishment of Williams College in the place where 
 it is ; that a considerable part of its funds were 
 given in contemplation of its continuance there ; 
 and considering that no change of a very imposing 
 cast is likely to be effected immediately, or before 
 the lapse of some years, in the future usefulness of 
 the institution, if at all, by removal, the com 
 mittee have come to the result, that it is inexpedient 
 to remove Williams College to Northampton." 
 
CH. VII.] PRESIDENT MOORE S ADMINISTRATION. 159 
 
 In conclusion, the committee state that " they do 
 most highly appreciate, and most profoundly re 
 spect, the motives of the petitioners; these are 
 unquestionably founded in a truly honorable and 
 elevated desire to extend the usefulness of this 
 respectable College, in promoting learning, virtue, 
 piety, and religion ; and under these impressions, 
 the committee feel the most sincere regret that 
 their perception of duty compels them to submit to 
 the two Houses that it is neither lawful nor expe 
 dient to grant the prayer of the petition." 
 
 And thus Williams College was permitted to 
 remain in its present beautiful, rightful, heaven- 
 blest location. It was a hard-fought battle on 
 both sides, each party taking the ground distinctly 
 that but one College was needed or could be sus 
 tained in Western Massachusetts. The question of 
 removal went to the Legislature with this distinct 
 avowal; and hence the general expectation was 
 that the decision of the Legislature would be final. 
 So the friends of Williams thought; so thought the 
 people of Northampton, who have ever since shown 
 a commendable disposition and desire to patronize 
 and sustain Williams College. 
 
 But there were those who were not in this way 
 to be defeated in what they had undertaken. 
 Strong expectations had been excited that there 
 would be a college in Hampshire County; and the 
 people of Amherst, taking advantage of this state 
 of things, raised a large subscription, and com 
 menced August 9, 1820, to erect buildings for the 
 
160 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VH. 
 
 accommodation of students, with the expectation 
 of obtaining a charter, or of establishing a collegi 
 ate institution there. They organized a Board of 
 Trustees, and Dr. Moore, instead of following the 
 example of Drs. Hyde, Shepard, and some others, 
 by acquiescing in the decision of the Legislature, 
 and exerting himself to build up Williams Col 
 lege, accepted an invitation, extended to him in 
 May, 1821, to place himself at the head of that 
 institution, and unite himself with the destinies of 
 that enterprise. 
 
 Early in the summer term, Dr. Moore announced 
 in the College chapel that he had received an invi 
 tation to go to Amherst, and had accepted it, with 
 the understanding that he should perform the du 
 ties of his office at Williamstown until Commence 
 ment ; or he should leave before that time, if the 
 Trustees desired it. From the general respect 
 which the students entertained for the President, 
 and the gloomy prospects which at that time sur 
 rounded this institution, it would not have been 
 surprising if they had resolved to follow him in a 
 body. But, instead of this, there soon sprang up 
 a division of feeling among them. There were 
 nearly eighty students in College at this time. 
 Full one half were determined to remain, while 
 most of the rest concluded to go to Amherst. 
 During the summer term there was probably as 
 much debating as studying in College. At the 
 close of the Senior examination, the venerable Dr. 
 Hyde called the students together in the College 
 
CH. VII.] PRESIDENT MOORE S ADMINISTRATION. 161 
 
 chapel, and remarked that the President whom they 
 valued was about to retire ; but the guardians of 
 the College would remain, and stand by it ; and, by 
 Divine assistance, it would be sustained. That so 
 cautious a man as Dr. Hyde should venture to 
 make such an announcement, at such a time, was 
 truly cheering to that portion of the students who 
 were steadfast in their adherence to the College. 
 Those who were resolved to leave, however, now 
 called a meeting, and, after a protracted discussion, 
 passed a resolution to carry the library belonging 
 to the Philologian and Philotechnian Societies with 
 them to Amherst, and chose a committee to carry 
 this resolution into effect. This undertaking, how 
 ever, was defeated. The same kind Providence 
 which had watched over Williams College in times 
 past, for good, and prospered the early efforts of its 
 friends, again signally interposed for its deliverance 
 and prosperity. The resignation of Dr. Moore, 
 though much regretted at the time, opened the way 
 for the introduction of a man to the Presidency 
 who was eminently qualified for the office, and who 
 was ardently attached to the College, and to the 
 College as then located. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board at which Dr. 
 Moore s resignation of the Presidency of the Col 
 lege was received and accepted, the Trustees unan 
 imously elected the Rev. Thomas McAulay, LL.D., 
 Professor of Natural Philosophy in Union College, 
 to the office of President, and Dr. Shepard was ap 
 pointed to notify him of his election. The Trustees 
 14* 
 
162 HISTOKY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cfl. VII. 
 
 at this time published a circular, announcing the 
 election of Dr. McAulay, and their determination 
 to stand by the College (now that the question of 
 its location was settled), and restore it to its former 
 respectability and usefulness. Dr. McAulay visited 
 Williamstown, and several other towns in the 
 county, but finally declined the appointment. The 
 Rev. Professor C. A. Goodrich, of New Haven, was 
 then elected, and declined. The condition and 
 prospects of the College were now discouraging. 
 Commencement was at hand. The two men who 
 had been elected did not feel disposed to leave per 
 manent and useful positions elsewhere, and place 
 themselves at the head of an institution whose 
 future existence was so precarious. The students 
 who had nobly stood by the College hitherto, be 
 gan to be discouraged. The prospects of a Com 
 mencement were dark. Some had already asked 
 for dismissions, in order to take their degrees at 
 other colleges ; others were now wavering. In 
 these discouraging circumstances, the Senior class 
 called a meeting, to determine what to do, when 
 two individuals, with a noble determination to sus 
 tain the reputation and honor of their Alma Mater, 
 addressed the class. They declared their intention 
 to remain, and to have a Commencement ; that if 
 left alone they would still graduate in the usual 
 manner, and, if necessary, would perform the sev 
 eral parts which had been allotted to their class 
 mates. The names of these individuals ought to 
 be recorded on these pages, the Rev. Emerson 
 
CH.VII-] PRESIDENT MOORE S ADMINISTRATION. 163 
 
 Davis, D. D., of Westfield, and the Hon. Erastus 
 C. Benedict, of New York, both of them after 
 wards Tutors, and now (1859) associate and effi 
 cient Trustees of the College. Another member 
 of that class, Hon. Henry L. Sabin, M. D., has for 
 some years been an efficient member of the Board 
 of Trustees. 
 
 Influenced by such examples, the remainder con 
 cluded to stand by the College. The Commence 
 ment was a memorable one. Thirteen took degrees. 
 Dr. Moore presided at the exercises for the last 
 time. They were well attended. At twelve o clock 
 Dr. Griffin, " a man of most commanding figure 
 and presence," arrived in town, and took his seat 
 on the stage in the afternoon, to the unspeakable 
 joy of the friends of the College. Now it was 
 known, for the first time, that he had been elected 
 to the Presidency, and had come on to settle the 
 question of acceptance. The hopes which his ma 
 jestic presence inspired caused the exercises of the 
 day, which were commenced in gloom, to pass off 
 with cheerfulness, and even with raised expecta 
 tions of the future. The Valedictory oration, by 
 Emerson Davis, entitled, "To be Useful, the Duty 
 and Happiness of Man," and the Master s oration, 
 " On Home," by Mr. William A. Porter, were of a 
 high order, and gave great satisfaction to the audi 
 ence. In a few days Dr. Hyde received a letter 
 from Dr. Griffin, announcing his acceptance of the 
 Presidency ; and the cheering intelligence was 
 shortly circulated through the length and breadth 
 of the land. 
 
164 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. VII. 
 
 From the commencement of his Presidency, Dr. 
 Moore had been understood to be in favor of the 
 removal of the College to Hampshire County. 
 During all the latter part of his connection with 
 it, he labored to accomplish this object with dis 
 tinguished ability and untiring perseverance. In 
 all his efforts, however, to effect its removal, he 
 was undoubtedly influenced by honorable and 
 Christian motives. 
 
 It is undeniably true that there was an under 
 standing between Dr. Moore and a portion of the 
 Trustees, when he came to Williamstown, that the 
 College would be removed to the valley of the 
 Connecticut, to Northampton or Amherst. Some 
 of the Trustees were warmly enlisted in favor of 
 this measure, at the time of Dr. Moore s election. 
 They believed the College could never flourish in 
 its present location. And when their views and 
 purposes on this subject were fully disclosed, an 
 unusual excitement was created in Williamstown, 
 and, indeed, throughout the entire county. Dr. 
 Moore now assigned, as the reason in justification 
 of the part he had taken in the movement, that he 
 came to Williamstown with the confident and hon 
 est expectation that the College would be removed. 
 The disaffection towards him, however, was not so 
 great as it was towards a portion of the Trustees. 
 Still he had been free and frequent in the expres 
 sion of his opinion that the College could never 
 flourish in the valley of the Hoosac, one of the 
 handsomest valleys in the world. 
 
Cn. VII.] PRESIDENT MOORE S ADMINISTRATION. 165 
 
 He fully believed that the interests of learning, 
 and especially the cause of Evangelical religion, 
 required the removal of the College to a more cen 
 tral position in the State. Entertaining such views, 
 he never made a vigorous attempt to fasten it in 
 its present location, nor threw the whole of his in 
 fluence in favor of building it up on this ground. 
 Had he entered with the same energy and zeal into 
 the interests of this College, which he afterwards 
 displayed in behalf of Amherst, there is reason to 
 believe it would have enjoyed a greater degree of 
 prosperity than it did during the latter part of his 
 connection with it. If the location of the College 
 was the cause of its previous decline, on what 
 ground shall we account for that uncommon degree 
 of reputation and prosperity, which, notwithstand 
 ing all its subsequent embarrassments, it has en 
 joyed since 1821 1 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE FROM 1815-1821. 
 
 THE question of the removal of the College to 
 Hampshire County did not begin to be publicly 
 agitated at the commencement of Dr. Moore s ad 
 ministration. True, the subject was first intro 
 duced to the notice of the Trustees at the time of 
 his election to the Presidency; still, it was about 
 three years before it was generally understood that 
 he was earnestly in favor of such a measure. As 
 students are a consequential class of the community, 
 when this was known, they began to hold meet 
 ings on the subject. They were much divided in 
 opinion. The influence of all this was evidently 
 unfavorable to religious impressions or improve 
 ment. 
 
 There was another subject which produced much 
 excitement during the administration of Dr. Moore, 
 namely, the rivalry and animosity between the two 
 literary societies. It was finally allayed by an 
 agreement that each Freshman class should be 
 equally divided between the two societies. During 
 all these agitations Christianity was losing ground, 
 from two causes, a diminished number of pro- 
 
CH. VIII.] EELIGIOUS HISTORY. 167 
 
 fessors of religion, and a general want of spirit 
 uality. Says a correspondent : " Professors were 
 hardly distinguishable, as a body, from the impeni 
 tent members of College. There were some ex 
 ceptions." 
 
 As a natural result of worldly conformity in the 
 Church, various species of immorality became prev 
 alent ; the general habit of drinking wine and 
 brandy on all special occasions, especially on the 
 election of officers of the two societies. At the 
 close and commencement of each term, wine and 
 spirits were freely used. It was customary for 
 some to keep them in their rooms. It was no un 
 common thing for professors of religion to mingle 
 in these scenes of hilarity, giving them their coun 
 tenance and encouragement. Card-playing (a most 
 dissipating amusement) was not uncommon, " and 
 there was an almost constant succession of low 
 tricks." 
 
 In the midst of this state of things, a powerful 
 and extensive revival of religion was enjoyed in 
 the town, in the winter and spring of 1819; and, 
 for a time, there was much feeling manifested on 
 the subject of religion in College. Some of the 
 most wild and thoughtless were brought under 
 serious impressions, and, for a short season, the 
 realities of the future seemed to hold the predom 
 inance over the pursuits of time and sense. As a 
 matter of course, the Bible came into demand. 
 Professors of religion now came and made confes 
 sions to each other, and to the awakened. But the 
 
168 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. VIII. 
 
 cloud which, for a time, portended a plentiful 
 shower, finally passed over with only here and 
 there a single drop. 
 
 The following letters will be read with interest, 
 in this connection. The first is from the Rev. B. 
 F. Clark, of the class of 1820 : 
 
 " No deep and long-continued religious interest was witnessed 
 in College, so far as I recollect, while I was a member. I think 
 in the spring term of 1819 Christians were more active than 
 usual. Some who, though professors, had not been much known 
 as such, were revived ; and about this time Johnson Baldwin 
 and Simon C. Ewers obtained hopes. The Rev. Joshua N. 
 Danforth, D. D., was a brand plucked from the burning, as we 
 hoped, some time before this. His case excited much interest 
 for a time ; but I do not know that any other student began to 
 hope near that time. 
 
 " I have no distinct recollection of efforts made by the Faculty 
 to elevate the standard of piety, or to awaken the careless. But 
 I have never thought that any of them were unusually deficient 
 in their official duties as the temporary guardians of the spiritual 
 interests of the students. I was always interested, instructed, 
 and gratified by Dr. Moore s preaching and prayers, and always 
 feel an emotion of gratitude when I think of him. And if it was 
 not invidious, I would say the same of Professor Dewey. I 
 loved both as teachers and Christians. 
 
 " I think the rivalry between the two literary societies had an 
 unhappy influence on the religious state of College. Christians 
 were alienated from each other, and I have reason to suppose 
 from members of the society to which they did not belong. 
 
 " In the latter part of my College course, the removal of the 
 College from Williamstown began to excite interest, and the stu 
 dents suffered their feelings to be enlisted ; some very strongly, 
 leaving not much room for Christ and his cause. Such like 
 causes I have no doubt had influence to prevent works of grace 
 in College, and to discourage any who would have rejoiced in the 
 work of the Spirit." 
 
CH. VIII.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 169 
 
 The Rev. Dr. William A. Hallock, of the class 
 of 1819, writes: 
 
 " To your inquiries as to the religious state of "Williams Col 
 lege from September, 1815, to September, 1819, I cannot record 
 any special or extensive outpouring of the Spirit ; but I felt 
 from first to last that our religious privileges were great. The 
 whole influence of our worthy President seemed to me most sal 
 utary, without any abatement or drawback whatsoever. He 
 seemed in all respects to aim at the best interests of the College, 
 and of all its members, and pre-eminently to seek the highest 
 spiritual interest of all under his care. The thought never oc 
 curred to me that the diminished number of students when he 
 came to the College, or any question as to its future history or 
 prosperity, abated his fidelity ; he rather appeared to me to 
 labor the more earnestly for the highest and best good of the 
 institution and all its members. In my last year the labors of 
 the Rev. Mr. Gridley, the pastor in Williamstown, were much 
 blessed, and the College to a considerable extent felt the happy 
 influence. There was a fine foreign missionary spirit in some of 
 the students. There was one very marked case of conversion, 
 that of a prominent student * who was far from God, and whose 
 labors have since been greatly blessed in revivals of religion, and 
 who has been long in a prominent pastoral charge. My recollec 
 tions are all pleasant of the piety and excellence of the officers 
 of the College, the pastor and leading members of the church 
 with which we worshipped, and of the members of the church 
 within the College. If I had any complaint to make, it was of 
 myself, for not more wisely improving the rich privileges I then 
 enjoyed. May God preserve and bless the institution down to 
 the day when our glorious Redeemer " shall see of the travail of 
 his soul, and shall be satisfied." 
 
 In the early part of this chapter, we may have 
 over-estimated the influence of the unsettled state of 
 
 * Rev. Joshua N. Danforth, D. D. 
 
 15 
 
170 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. VIII. 
 
 things, and the dark prospects of the College on 
 the tone of religious feeling and morals. Certainly, 
 in these respects, there does not appear to have 
 been any marked or radical change or improve 
 ment, until the question respecting the location of 
 the College was permanently put to rest. 
 
 " The Spirit, like a peaceful dove, 
 Flies from the realms of noise and strife." 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRESIDENT GRIFFIN. 
 
 THE Eev. Edward Dorr Griffin, D. D., third Pres 
 ident of Williams College, was born at East Had- 
 dam, Conn., January 6, 1770. He was the son of 
 an enterprising farmer. He fitted for college with 
 the Eev. Joseph Vaill, of Hadlyme, entered Yale 
 College in 1786, and was graduated in 1790. He 
 excelled in every department of study, and attained 
 the highest station in his class. 
 
 On leaving College, he became principal of an 
 academy at Derby, Conn., and at the same time 
 entered on the study of law. In the summer of 
 1791 he was attacked by a severe illness, which 
 confined him to his room for some weeks. This 
 was a most important era in the history of his life. 
 Now it was that his mind was brought under a sol 
 emn conviction of sin, and he resolved to devote 
 himself to the service of God. He arose from his 
 bed of sickness an altered man. It was about two 
 months before he ventured to hope that he was a 
 Christian. Shortly after this, his mind was sudden 
 ly and powerfully impressed, one Sabbath after 
 noon, with the conviction that it was his duty to 
 
172 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cii IX. 
 
 enter the ministry. The struggle was short. His 
 private journal contains this record : " From the 
 time the thought first rushed upon my mind, till 
 my purpose was as fixed as it ever was afterwards, 
 was not more than half or three quarters of an 
 hour. From that memorable afternoon, I felt that 
 I should be willing to spend my days among the 
 pagans of the wilderness, if such should be the 
 will of God." 
 
 The study of law was now relinquished. His 
 aspirations were directed to something higher. He 
 entered at once upon the study of theology, under 
 the direction of the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards of 
 New Haven, and was licensed to preach the Gos 
 pel, October 31, 1792. Early in November he re 
 turned to his father s house, " the only professor 
 of religion in a family of ten," where his labors 
 were almost immediately attended with manifest 
 tokens of the presence and power of the Holy 
 Spirit. Several in his father s family were brought 
 in a short time to hope in the saving mercy of God. 
 In January, 1793, he began to preach in New 
 Salem, a neighboring society, where a revival 
 of religion of great power commenced, which ex 
 tended into other congregations, and resulted in the 
 hopeful conversion of about one hundred souls. 
 Wherever he preached, the Divine blessing seemed 
 to attend his ministrations. 
 
 He was ordained and installed pastor of the 
 Congregational Church in New Hartford, June 4, 
 1795. A revival succeeded, which resulted in the 
 addition of about fifty persons to the church. 
 
CH. IX.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN. 173 
 
 On the 17th of May, 1796, he was married to 
 Miss Frances Huntington, daughter of the Rev. 
 Dr. Joseph Huntington, of Coventry, Conn., with 
 whom he lived in happy companionship until 
 within three or four months of his own death. 
 Their children were two daughters. 
 
 In the fall of 1800, he left this field of his early 
 and successful labors, on account of Mrs. Griffin s 
 failing health, and passed the winter in Orange, 
 N. J. In the spring of 1801, he received a call from 
 the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, where 
 he was installed in October following. He re 
 mained at Newark about seven years and a half; 
 "and they include the period of his most signal 
 triumphs in the ministry." While here, he admit 
 ted to the communion of the church four hundred 
 and thirty-four persons. In six months he received 
 a hundred and seventy-four. 
 
 He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity 
 from Union College in 1808. 
 
 In the spring of 1809, he resigned the pastoral 
 care of the church in Newark, and accepted the 
 Professorship of Pulpit Eloquence at Andover, 
 and was inaugurated there in June of that year. 
 Soon after he went to Andover he was invited to 
 the pastoral care of the Evangelical Church in 
 Park Street, Boston, then recently organized. He 
 preached the sermon at the dedication of the 
 church, and for a time occupied the pulpit, and 
 the chair of Professor of Sacred Rhetoric. He 
 however resigned the professorship, and was in- 
 15* 
 
174 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IX. 
 
 stalled pastor of Park Street Church, July 31, 
 1811. In the winter of 1812 and 1813, he deliv 
 ered his celebrated Park Street Lectures. In Feb 
 ruary, 1812, he assisted at Salem in the ordination 
 of the first five missionaries who were sent into the 
 foreign field by the American Board. 
 
 Dr. Griffin resigned the pastoral care of the 
 church in Park Street, and returned to Newark in 
 the spring of 1815, and was installed pastor of the 
 Second Presbyterian Church there in June follow 
 ing. In 1816 and 1817, there was a general re 
 vival of religion in Newark, which extended into 
 some neighboring towns. In 1817, he published 
 his work on the Atonement. In the spring of 1821, 
 he was elected President of the College at Danville, 
 Kentucky ; and also to the same office in a college 
 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both of these appointments 
 he declined. In August of that year, he was 
 chosen President of Williams College ; and the in 
 dications of the Divine will were so clear that he 
 said he dared not refuse. " He had precisely the 
 kind of reputation," says Dr. Hopkins, " which 
 was needed for the College at such a crisis." He 
 accepted the appointment, and was inaugurated in 
 November following. And from this time forward 
 the record of his life and the history of the College 
 (during his Presidency) are so nearly identical, that 
 we shall not attempt to give them a separate con 
 sideration. 
 
 We are unwilling, however, to close this brief 
 sketch of Dr. Griffin s successful and brilliant 
 
CH. IX.] PRESIDENT GKIFFIN. 175 
 
 career without some general statements and re 
 marks respecting him. 
 
 1. As to personal appearance and manners, he 
 was tall, six feet and three inches in height ; well 
 built, large, and portly. He was prepossessing in 
 his appearance, and was uncommonly suited to ex 
 cite attention. His towering height, expressive 
 countenance, small, keen eye, and neat costume, 
 altogether gave him such a peculiar aspect, that no 
 one could see him once without a distinct recollec 
 tion of him afterwards. Dignity, gravity, impres- 
 siveness, were borne on his form and features. He 
 was a perfect gentleman of the old school ; punc 
 tilious in his manners ; never passing a student 
 without raising his hat and making his accustomed 
 bow ; nor suffering one to pass him without recip 
 rocating that token of respect. He never said 
 Mister to a student ; and uniformly when he heard 
 that title applied to one, he would say, " Never 
 Mister an undergraduate." 
 
 2. As a Christian, with earnest endeavor he 
 aimed at completeness, painfully sensible that he 
 had much to struggle against. Like Edwards, he 
 evidently entertained a deep sense of his sinful im 
 perfection all his days. He was a man of prayer. 
 He aimed to be spiritually-minded, to live near to 
 God, and to avoid everything offensive to him. He 
 set apart occasional days for fasting and self-exam 
 ination. He had a form of self-examination pre 
 pared for his pupils and children just after the 
 great revival in 1826, which appears to have aided 
 
176 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IX. 
 
 him essentially in reaching that full assurance of 
 hope with which he so calmly and triumphantly 
 met the king of terrors in the last conflict. 
 
 3. As a man of talents, he must be ranked in 
 the first class which our country has produced. 
 He exhibited a combination of qualities not often 
 united in the same individual, a discursive and 
 brilliant imagination, and extent and acuteness of 
 research. If some men have excelled him in 
 quickness of apprehension and rapidity of execu 
 tion, few have been capable of attending to a sub 
 ject with closer application, or a more profound 
 and patient research. " He had rare powers of 
 abstraction and analysis, and might be called an 
 eminent metaphysician." His vivid imagination 
 and cultivated intellect enabled him to say what 
 was uncommonly bold, striking, and impressive. 
 
 4. As a teacher, he particularly excelled in the 
 department of rhetoric. Few have equalled him 
 in teaching young men to write and speak. An 
 associate member of the College Faculty once said 
 of him, " I should not suppose it possible for any 
 one to take young men of the talents and attain 
 ments of those composing our Senior class, and 
 prepare them to write and speak with so much 
 power." His powers of criticism, as displayed in 
 the Senior recitation-room every Friday forenoon, 
 his pupils will never forget. On these occasions, 
 while one student read an essay, the rest took notes. 
 Then each in turn was called upon for his criti 
 cisms. Then he would criticise both the essayist 
 
CH. IX.] PEESIDENT GRIFFIN. 177 
 
 and the critic. And woe be to the student that 
 offered trifling criticisms on these occasions. Every 
 thing must be graceful and dignified. " By such 
 an exercise he would impress on the minds of the 
 students the leading principles of rhetoric, so that 
 they could be easily apprehended, and not easily 
 forgotten." Besides this exercise, every member of 
 the Senior class was required to bring to his study 
 an original oration for criticism. On reading it, 
 Dr. Griffin would detect and expose error after 
 error, and strike out words and sentences, and 
 make changes until the authorship was sometimes 
 nearly lost. Occasionally, after reading a few high- 
 sounding sentences, he would say, " You mean so, 
 do you not I " " Yes, sir." " Why not say so, 
 then ] " His powers of criticism were well-nigh 
 unrivalled. It was on this account, mainly, that 
 so much regret was felt and expressed when he 
 resigned the Professorship of Pulpit Eloquence at 
 Andover. 
 
 5. From the commencement to the close of his 
 ministry, Dr. Griffin felt and manifested an ab 
 sorbing interest in revivals of religion ; and in 
 connection with these seasons of spiritual refresh 
 ing rendered some of his most important services 
 to the Church. The means of promoting them, 
 he believed, were two, a clear and earnest pre 
 sentation of Divine truth, and believing and perse 
 vering prayer. His ministry was remarkably char 
 acterized with revivals. He was permitted to 
 witness " a continued succession of heavenly sprink- 
 
178 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. IX. 
 
 lings at New Salem, Farmington, Middlebury, and 
 New Hartford (all in Connecticut), until, in 1799, 
 he could stand at his own door, in New Hartford, 
 and number fifty or sixty contiguous congregations 
 laid down in one field of Divine wonders, and as 
 many more in different parts of New England." 
 In the fall of 1800, Dr. Griffin went to Orange, 
 N. J., and passed the winter; a revival followed. 
 From Orange he went to Newark, where he was 
 permitted, for years in succession, to pour forth his 
 enrapturing eloquence amid the wonderful effu 
 sions of the Holy Ghost. During his residence in 
 Andover and Boston there was " a continual sprink 
 ling, but things were not ripe for a heavenly 
 shower." Dr. Griffin passed the afternoon of his 
 life in connection with Williams College ; and how 
 often and earnestly, and with what animating suc 
 cess, he there besought sinners to lay hold on eter 
 nal life, will all be disclosed and declared in that 
 day " when God makes up his jewels." How will 
 his crown sparkle with gems in that day ! " Though 
 he spent more time in several other places than 
 in Boston, I have always been impressed with the 
 belief," says Dr. Humphrey, " that his pre-eminent 
 usefulness was on that ground." 
 
 6. His interest in the benevolent enterprises of 
 the day was earnest and effective. Next to the 
 lamented Mills, he probably did more than any 
 other man towards originating and bringing for 
 ward those great national societies which modern 
 benevolence has planned. "His eloquent voice 
 
CH.IX.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN. 179 
 
 was never withheld when the cause of these socie 
 ties was to be advocated." But for no institution 
 or enterprise did he labor so ardently or success 
 fully as for Williams College. " His fervid imag 
 ination," says Dr. Sprague, " never kindled into a 
 brighter glow, his eloquent tongue never gave forth 
 sublimer thoughts, than when dwelling on the past 
 and future of this College." 
 
 7. As a preacher, Dr. Griffin rose far above ordi 
 nary men. It is not enough to say of him, that 
 " he was the prince of preachers." He was not 
 merely a great preacher. He was pre-eminently a 
 good and effective preacher. He aimed at practical 
 results ; never displaying his learning, his knowl 
 edge of science, or of polite literature, never 
 preaching a sermon for the sake of the rhetoric of 
 the sermon. He was successful and useful to an 
 uncommon degree. The seals of his ministry were 
 numerous. Dr. Hopkins has pronounced his eu 
 logy in the following sentence : " Probably the 
 labors of no preacher in his day were blessed to 
 the conversion of more souls than were his." To 
 what was this owing I To refer it to the power of 
 Divine grace solves the inquiry but in part. What 
 was there peculiar in his preaching ? The leading 
 characteristics were four. First, simplicity ; all 
 was on a level with the capacity of a child. Sec 
 ond, deep emotion ; an element indispensable to 
 effective oratory. Third, he preached in such a 
 manner as to arrest the attention. And fourth, he 
 preached directly to the hearts and consciences of 
 
180 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. IX. 
 
 his hearers, His elocution and manner in the pul 
 pit were peculiar. As a preacher, he was unequal. 
 He was accustomed to say to his pupils, " There 
 can be no mountains without valleys between them, 
 and it is not best to attempt to give every ser 
 mon t the elevation of a mountain." Sometimes 
 his preaching sounded like declamation. Then 
 he would appear to whisper in melting accents. 
 Then, again, he was majestic in his manner, and 
 " with an eye full of fire, and a countenance beam 
 ing with light, and a voice breathing forth the 
 softest and gentlest emotion, or swelling into the 
 majesty of thunder-like tones, he held the com 
 plete command of his auditors, now coming down 
 upon them to break and crush with the fury of the 
 tempest, and now bearing them on sweet and 
 transporting accents to the very gate of heaven." 
 Sometimes he preached the terrors of the law, but 
 always with tenderness, and often with tears. His 
 chosen theme, however, was the love of God, " and 
 the cross of Christ was with him the glory of every 
 sermon." 
 
 His published discourses give no adequate idea 
 of what he was in the pulpit. His sermon, " The 
 Kingdom of Christ," preached in Philadelphia in 
 May, 1805, (and which was shortly after repub- 
 lished by the students of Williams College,) is not 
 found in any collection of his discourses ; and yet 
 it may be pronounced the best sermon he ever 
 wrote. Some passages towards the close, says a 
 judicious critic, " are among the finest specimens 
 
CH. IX.] PKESIDENT GRIFFIN. 181 
 
 of human genius." We should be glad to insert 
 some passages from his sermons which might be 
 regarded as specimens of his pulpit eloquence. 
 But we forbear, because no one ever will, or can 
 hear those passages again as they proceeded from 
 his lips. 
 
 Dr. Griffin was not only original and striking in 
 his manner . in the pulpit, but out of it. He was 
 always attentive to the manners and habits of the 
 students. A single anecdote must serve as a speci 
 men of many that might be related. A few days 
 after two young men had entered College, Dr. Grif 
 fin sent for them. As soon as they were pleasantly 
 met, and seated in his study, he said, "I understand 
 you are members of the Church, and have the min 
 istry in view. We shall therefore expect that you 
 will be examples to others in all your studies and 
 duties as members of College. We shall expect 
 you to choose pious students for your associates. 
 There is now some special religious interest in Col 
 lege, and I hope you will enter heartily into the 
 work." By this, one of the students was sitting 
 wdth his chair tipped a little back, so that it stood 
 on two legs. This posture was " offensive to the 
 Doctor s keen sense of propriety. With a pleasant 
 smile, he turned to the young man and said : 
 " Young gentleman, you have come here to learn ; 
 you will not be displeased to have your faults cor 
 rected ; if you were in some places, you would be 
 told that your chair had four legs." He then pro 
 ceeded : " I have seldom ever known the instance 
 16 
 
182 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IX. 
 
 in which a professor of religion occupied the same 
 room in College with one who was not a Christian 
 without an apparent change in one or the other be 
 fore the year closed. Either the one professing 
 religion became a backslider, or the other was con 
 verted, or at least would become more seriously 
 inclined." He next designated the room once oc 
 cupied by Mills and Hall, and related some of the 
 circumstances connected with Hall s conversion, 
 through the instrumentality of Mills. He closed 
 the interview with expressing the hope that they 
 would be greatly useful while in College. 
 
 Dr. Griffin s manner in the pulpit was so pecu 
 liar that it is extremely difficult to convey anything 
 like a correct representation of him. There was 
 something in his very presence that arrested atten 
 tion and awakened expectation. He had a voice 
 of remarkable compass and flexibility. He spoke 
 with great deliberation and solemnity. His prayers 
 were always short, and peculiarly appropriate and 
 impressive. Once, at the funeral of a clergyman, 
 he commenced his prayer with these words: "We 
 thank thee, O Lord, that good men may die." In 
 reading the Scriptures, it seemed as though he felt 
 that " correct emphasis is exposition." In reading 
 the psalms and hymns, he threw his whole soul 
 into the exercise, and was much aided by his pas 
 sionate love of sacred poetry. Watts and Cowper 
 were his favorites. In reading the lines, 
 
 " Our love so faint, so cold, to thee, 
 And thine to us so great," . 
 
CH. IX.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN. 183 
 
 he would throw the whole emphasis on the word 
 " so." At a meeting of the General Association of 
 Massachusetts, he once commenced the public ser 
 vices with reading the hymn, 
 
 " Mighty God, while angels bless thee, 
 May an infant lisp thy praise ? " 
 
 and it is said that he produced as deep an impres 
 sion on the audience as is ordinarily produced by 
 the delivery of an eloquent discourse. 
 
 Dr. Griffin insisted that as good an impression 
 might be produced by good reading as by good 
 singing. It was his custom during his last days to 
 devote his Sabbath evenings to songs of praise with 
 his grandchildren. He often spoke of these sea 
 sons as among his most precious means of grace. 
 His love of sacred music, connected with sacred 
 song, never forsook him before he went to join the 
 anthems of heaven. 
 
 A few paragraphs from his sermon, preached at 
 the dedication of the chapel, September 2, 1828, 
 will throw light on his personal history, and the 
 history of the College. 
 
 " In turning to the religious history of the College, and its 
 prospective connection with the Redeemer s kingdom, a subject 
 opens upon us of unbounded interest. 
 
 " The year 1792, it has often been said, ushered a new era into 
 the world. In that year the first blood was drawn in that mighty 
 struggle which for more than twenty years convulsed Europe, 
 and began the predicted destruction of the apocalyptic beast. In 
 that year the first of those institutions which modern charity has 
 planned, and which cover the whole face of the Protestant world, 
 
184 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IX. 
 
 arose in England.* And in that year commenced that series of 
 revivals in America which has never been interrupted, night or 
 day, and which never will be until the earth is full of the glory 
 of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 
 
 " For many years I supposed I had been permitted to see, in 
 my native neighborhood and in my father s house, the first re 
 vival in the series. But it was with deeply affecting associations 
 that I learned, the other day, that the Vice-President of the Col 
 lege [Dr. Hyde] was allowed to take part in two revivals that 
 same year, one of which was certainly earlier than that which I 
 witnessed. 
 
 "It was my happiness to be early carried by the Providence 
 of God to Litchfield County, and to be fixed in that scene where 
 the heavenly influence was to send out its stronger radiations to 
 the different parts of the country ; where thrice twenty congrega 
 tions, in contiguous counties, were laid down in one field of Di 
 vine wonders. There it was my privilege to be most intimately 
 associated with such men as Mills and Gillet and Hallock, 
 names which will ever be dear to the Church on earth, and some 
 of which are now familiar in heaven. Their voices, which I 
 often heard in the silent groves, and in the sacred assemblies 
 which followed, and in the many, many meetings from town to 
 town, have identified them in my mind with all those precious 
 revivals which opened the dawn of a new day upon our 
 country. 
 
 " During the first seven years of the existence of the College 
 (in which ninety-three graduated in six classes), there were but 
 five professors of religion in the institution, exclusive of two, who, 
 seven months before the close of that period, were brought into 
 the Church by the revivals in Litchfield County. The seven 
 were, Jedediah Bushnell, who graduated in 1797, Gideon Bent 
 and Nathaniel Turner, who graduated in 1798, a member of one 
 of these classes, who never graduated here, Caleb Knight and 
 Isaac Knapp, who graduated in 1800, and James W. Bobbins. 
 
 * The Baptist Missionary Society formed at Kittering, by Andrew 
 Fuller and others. 
 
CH. IX.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN. 185 
 
 The last two were those who made a profession in Litchfield 
 County. They were both from Norfolk, both obtained their 
 hope at home, in the fall vacation of 1799, and both joined the 
 Church in the winter vacation. In three of the six classes just 
 named there was not a single professor of religion. From the 
 Commencement in 1798 till February, 1800, there was but one 
 professor of religion in College. From the fall of that year, in 
 the four classes, which afterwards sent out eighty graduates, 
 there were but two professors, and both of these had obtained 
 their hopes in the revivals in Litchfield County and its vicinity. 
 These were, Bobbins, of Norfolk, who was awakened at home in 
 March, 1799, at the beginning of a great revival, which I had 
 the happiness to see commence there, obtained his hope in the 
 fall vacation, and joined his father s church in the following 
 winter. The other was Canning, who, while fitting for College 
 at New Marlborough, obtained a hope, in 1799, in a revival 
 which had extended from Litchfield County, and who joined the 
 Sophomore class in September, 1800. These two young men 
 labored hard, and with many discouragements through the win 
 ter, to establish prayer-meetings. But the next spring the re 
 ligious character of the College received an important change, 
 from the accession to the Freshman class of four young men 
 from Litchfield County, two from Torrington, and two from 
 Norfolk. Of those from Torrington, one was Gillet, son of my 
 early friend, the Rev. Alexander Gillet ; the other was Beach, 
 who fitted for college with him. In this way the influence of the 
 new era gradually crept upon the College, which, from this time, 
 began to rise up to the sacred distinction of being the birthplace 
 of American missions. 
 
 " When I received this account from one of the early actors 
 in that scene, it filled me with gratitude and wonder to discover 
 that the religious destinies of the College, which are now opening 
 with such unspeakable interest upon my age, received such an 
 impression from the revivals in which I spent the labors of my 
 youth ! 
 
 " The spring of 1806 was made memorable to the College by 
 the admission to its bosom of those two distinguished youths, 
 
 16* 
 
186 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. IX. 
 
 Gordon Hall and Samuel J. Mills, the former to the Sopho 
 more class, the latter to the Freshman. Mills was the son of my 
 early friend, the Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torringford, Litchfield 
 County, was known to me from a child, and received his per 
 manent impressions in one of the most glorious revivals I 
 have ever seen, in 1798, though he did not obtain relief till 
 the month of November, 1801. He at once devoted himself to 
 the cause of missions, and, with a heart glowing with this desire, 
 entered on his course of education. When he arrived in this 
 town he found himself in a revival of religion. He had joined 
 a class in which, to say nothing of the living, there were such men 
 as James Richards and Robert Chauncy Robbins. The spirit of 
 God fell upon the class. In the Life of Mills, it is asserted, on 
 the authority of l one of his most valued classmates/ that he 
 was much engaged before the event, and during its continuance 
 was more resorted to than any other by the awakened, and was 
 reputed the principal instrument. And yet his modesty and the 
 peculiar structure of his mind prevented him from taking a con 
 spicuous part in public meetings. 
 
 " This revival/ says the author of Mills s Life, was among 
 the most signal expressions of favor to the Church. He alludes 
 to the well-known fact, that, by means of this influence, Mills pre 
 vailed to diffuse through a circle of choice spirits that zeal for 
 missions which actuated his own breast. On Wednesday after 
 noons, they used to retire for prayer to the bottom of the valley 
 south of the West College ; and on Saturday afternoons, when 
 they had more leisure, to the more remote meadow on the bank 
 of the Hoosac ; and there, under the haystacks, these young 
 Elijahs prayed into existence the embryo of American missions. 
 They formed a society, unknown to any one but themselves, to 
 make inquiries, and to organize plans for future missions. They 
 carried this society with them to Andover, where it has roused 
 into missionaries most that have gone to the heathen, and where 
 it is still exerting a powerful influence on the interests of the 
 world. I have been in situations to know that from the counsels 
 formed in that sacred conclave, or from the mind of Mills him 
 self, arose the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
 
CH. IX.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN. 187 
 
 Missions, the American Bible Society, the United Foreign Mission 
 ary Society, and the African School under the care of the Synod 
 of New York and New Jersey, besides all the impetus given to 
 domestic missions, to the Colonization Society, and to the general 
 cause of benevolence in both hemispheres. If I had any instru 
 mentality in originating any of those measures, I here publicly 
 declare, that in every instance I received the first impulse from 
 Samuel John Mills." 
 
 When Dr. Griffin retired from public life, he re 
 turned to Newark, for the third time, a place 
 endeared to him by a thousand tender and h al- 
 lowed associations. Here he lived a little more 
 than a year. On the 15th day of September, 1837, 
 at a most interesting meeting of the American 
 Board, he was present and closed the services, 
 offering, in a sitting posture, his last public prayer, 
 while the audience were affected to tears ; many of 
 them at the thought that " they should see his face 
 no more." In the house of his son-in-law, Dr. 
 Lyndon A. Smith, he found his last earthly home. 
 Here he was soothed with the kindest attentions of 
 his two daughters, " who witnessed the triumphs 
 of his faith, and watched his progress up to the 
 gate of heaven." He died November 8, 1837, 
 having lived sixty-seven years, ten months, and 
 two days ; and had preached the Gospel forty-five 
 years. 
 
 " Servant of God ! well done ; 
 Praise be thy new employ ; 
 And while eternal ages run, 
 Rest in thy Saviour s joy." 
 
188 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. IX. 
 
 The following is a list of Dr. Griffin s publica 
 tions : 
 
 A Sermon, The Kingdom of Christ, 1805. 
 
 Sermon at Dr. McWhorter s Funeral, 1807. 
 
 Farewell Sermon at Newark, 1809. 
 
 Inaugural Oration at Andover, 1809. 
 
 Sermon at the Dedication of Park Street Church, 1810. 
 
 Sermon at Portsmouth, N. H., Orphan Asylum, 1811. 
 
 Dedication Sermon at Sandwich, 1813. 
 
 Park Street Lectures, 1813. 
 
 Sermon, What wilt thou have me to do ? 1814. 
 
 Sermon, Living to God, New York, 1816. 
 
 Address in behalf of African School, 1816. 
 
 Plea for Africa, a Sermon, 1817. 
 
 Address of Managers of the United For. Miss. Society, 1817. 
 
 Extent of the Atonement, 1819. 
 
 Sermon, Foreign Missions, 1819. 
 
 Sermon, Claims of Seamen, 1819. 
 
 An Appeal on the New Test in the Pres. Church, 1820. 
 
 Address before the American Bible Society, 1820. 
 
 Baccalaureate Address (Commencement Day), 1822. 
 
 Address before the Jews Society, New York, 1824 
 
 Address before the Pres. Education Society, New York, 
 
 1824. 
 
 Sermon, The Art of Preaching, Boston, 1825. 
 Address before the Am. Ed. Society, Boston, 1825. 
 Sermon before the A. B. C. F. M., Middletown, Conn., 1826. 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, Williamstown, 1827. 
 Sermon at the Dedication of the College Chapel, 1828. 
 Convention Sermon, Boston, 1828. 
 Letter on Open Communion, 1829. 
 
 Address before the Am. S. S. Union, Philadelphia, 1829. 
 The Prayer of Faith, a Sermon, National Preacher, 
 
 1830. 
 The Heavenly Mind, a Sermon, National Preacher, 
 
 1830. 
 
CH. IX.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN. 189 
 
 Murray Street Discourse, New York, 1830. 
 Address before the Bible Class, Williamstown, 1830. 
 Regeneration not wrought by Light, National Preacher, 
 
 1832. 
 
 Letter to Dr Sprague, on Revivals, 1832. 
 New Doctrines, and New Measures, 1833. 
 Letter to Rev. A. D. Eddy, 1833. 
 A Work on Divine Efficiency, 1833. 
 Sermon, The Causal Power in Regeneration, National 
 
 Preacher, 1834. 
 
 Dr. Griffin was a contributor to the Connecticut 
 Evangelical Magazine ; and he also wrote a series 
 of articles for the Panoplist, on the history of mis 
 sions. After his death, two volumes of his ser 
 mons, with a memoir, were published, in 1839, by 
 the Rev. Dr. Sprague of Albany ; and in 1844, 
 another volume of his sermons was published, by 
 M. W. Dodd, New York. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT GRIFFIN. 1821 - 1836. 
 
 DR. GRIFFIN had been for some time much inter 
 ested in Williams College, from its connection with 
 the early foreign missionary operations, and from 
 his intimate acquaintance with some of the pio 
 neers in that enterprise, Hall, Mills, Richards, and 
 others, prominent graduates of the institution. As 
 soon, therefore, as he was invited to take the Presi 
 dency, he came directly on to meet the Trustees at 
 Williamstown, and settle the question of his ac-" 
 ceptance. A feeling of despondency had taken 
 possession of the minds of those who were inter 
 ested in the continuance and prosperity of the Col 
 lege ; but his unexpected arrival at that time 
 revived their hopes, and thenceforward things be 
 gan to assume a brighter aspect. 
 
 Having accepted the appointment, Dr. Griffin 
 was inaugurated President and Professor of Divin 
 ity, November 14, 1821. A large number of peo 
 ple were drawn together, from the neighboring 
 towns, by the interest of the occasion. The Rev. 
 Dr. Hyde, the Vice-President, after making a short 
 Latin address to the President elect, and receiving 
 
CH.X.] PKESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTEATION. 191 
 
 his answer, and after the blessing of Heaven had 
 been invoked on the President in his new station, 
 by the Rev. Dr. Shepard, proceeded to invest him 
 with the office in the usual form, and committed to 
 him the instruction and government of the institu 
 tion in a serious and interesting manner. 
 
 An inaugural address was then delivered by the 
 President, in which he traced the influence of the 
 higher institutions of learning upon all the inferior 
 schools, their connection with the happiness of so 
 ciety, the interests of civil and religious liberty, and 
 the cause of vital piety, in our own and other lands. 
 He alluded, with great eloquence, to the exertions 
 of Mills and Hall, which led to the establishment 
 of the American Board of Commissioners for For 
 eign Missions, and waked the churches to a great 
 and long-neglected duty. In the course of this 
 able and elegant discourse, he showed how all the 
 principal branches of study conduce to such valu 
 able results. This was followed by a congratu 
 latory address from Professor Kellogg, in Latin. 
 A sermon was also preached by Rev. Dr. Hum 
 phrey, in the evening, from the encouraging words 
 (1 Samuel vii. 12), "Hitherto hath the Lord helped 
 us." The College choir performed two or three 
 pieces, selected and executed with good taste. 
 
 Confidence was now revived. A comparatively 
 large class had entered, and from this time onward 
 the College began to increase in numbers and pros 
 perity. 
 
 The Commencement of 1821 will ever be a 
 
192 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 memorable one in the annals of the College. It was 
 on this occasion that the Alumni, being desirous of 
 doing something to aid and sustain the College in 
 its depressed situation, formed themselves into a 
 society, to be called "The Society of Alumni." 
 The object of this society is perhaps best explained 
 by the following notice, calling the meeting to 
 gether, which we extract from one of the news 
 papers of that day : 
 
 " A meeting of the Alumni of Williams College 
 will be held, at the College Chapel, September 5, at 
 9 A. M., to consider the expediency of forming a 
 Society of Alumni. The meeting is notified at the 
 request of a number of gentlemen, educated at 
 the institution, who are desirous that the true state 
 of the College may be known to the Alumni, and 
 that the influence and patronage of those it has 
 educated may be united for its support, protec 
 tion, and improvement. A general meeting is re 
 quested." 
 
 To Governor Washburn belongs the honor of 
 having first suggested the above-named project. 
 In the summer of 1821, that dark day in the his 
 tory of the College, he wrote a letter to the Hon. 
 Daniel Noble, urging a general meeting of the 
 Alumni at the next Commencement, for the pur 
 poses named in the above notice. And Mr. Noble 
 issued the call for the meeting. 
 
 The meeting having assembled, pursuant to no 
 tice, in the chapel, in the West College, the follow 
 ing Preamble and Constitution were adopted : 
 
Cu. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 193 
 
 " For the promotion of literature and good fel 
 lowship among ourselves, and the better to advance 
 the reputation and interests of our Alma Mater, 
 we, the subscribers, graduates of Williams College, 
 do form ourselves into a society,, and adopt the fol 
 lowing Constitution : 
 
 " Art. I. This Society shall be called the Soci 
 ety of Alumni of Williams College. 
 
 " Art. II. This Society shall meet annually, at 
 the College, at the time of the Annual Commence 
 ment. 
 
 " Art. III. An address shall also be delivered 
 at each meeting, by one of its members, chosen for 
 that purpose. 
 
 " Art. IV. The officers of this Society shall con 
 sist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and 
 an Executive Committee of three members, to be 
 chosen by ballot at the Annual Meeting." 
 
 The remaining articles specify the duties of the 
 officers, &c., and are of no special interest. The 
 first President was Dr. Asa Burbank. The Hon. 
 Elijah H. Mills, a distinguished United States Sen 
 ator, was elected the first orator. This appoint 
 ment was not fulfilled. The first oration was de 
 livered in 1823, by the Rev. John Woodb ridge, 
 D. D., of Hadley, which was well worthy of the 
 occasion. "The Obligations of Literary Men to em 
 brace with Ardor, and maintain with Constancy, the 
 Divine Religion of the Gospel," was the appropriate 
 and animating theme which he illustrated and en 
 forced with great energy and beauty. The address 
 17 
 
194: HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. X. 
 
 was published and widely circulated. Since that 
 time the annual oration before the Alumni has sel 
 dom failed. This was the first association of the 
 kind ever formed in this country, and the example 
 has since been followed by nearly every college in 
 the United States. And who can tell how great 
 the influence of such associations may become in 
 cherishing kind feelings, in fostering literature, in 
 calling out talent, and in leading men to act, not 
 selfishly, but more efficiently, for the general cause, 
 through particular institutions 1 
 
 The Berkshire Medical Institution, having been 
 established at Pittsfield about this time, was placed 
 under the care and supervision of the College, the 
 degree of M. D. being conferred by the President 
 at the regular Commencements. This connection 
 was dissolved after a few years. 
 
 We have now come to a most interesting epoch 
 in the history of the College. Steadily, under the 
 able and efficient management of Dr. Griffin, was 
 it recovering from the embarrassments under which 
 it had been laboring, when misfortunes again began 
 to gather around it ; and for a time it was doubtful 
 whether it would long maintain its corporate exist 
 ence. The question now came before the Legisla 
 ture whether a third college should be chartered 
 in this Commonwealth. For three successive years 
 the subject had been presented and contested be 
 fore the Legislature. While it had been a mere 
 question of location, the excitement had been prin 
 cipally confined to the western part of the State; 
 
CH. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 195 
 
 but when it was proposed to establish another col 
 lege, it touched the friends of Harvard, and they 
 became interested in the discussion. When the 
 subject was brought before a committee of the 
 Legislature, the meeting was held in the Repre 
 sentatives Hall, and it was crowded even to the 
 galleries. It was an hour of conflict and trial. 
 There was the Hon. Daniel Davis, an eminent ad 
 vocate, and the Rev. Dr. Humphrey, to plead for 
 Amherst. There was Homer Bartlett, a mere 
 youth, who had nobly exerted himself to prevent! 
 the removal of the College, to plead for Williams, 
 firmly and manfully resolved, that, while many 
 were forsaking, and some were opposing her, his 
 Alma Mater should never be able to turn to him 
 and say, " Et tu quoque, mi fili ? " His speech 
 occupied over two hours in the delivery, and was 
 one of great power. Among his auditors were such 
 men as Chief Justice Parker and Amos Lawrence. 
 Mr. Lawrence, at that time a member of the Legis 
 lature, has been heard to say that he then made up! 
 his mind that if ever he aided either of these col-j 
 leges, it should be Williams. 
 
 After a long discussion in the Legislature, a 
 charter was finally granted to Amherst College, in 
 February, 1825, by a small majority. Great efforts 
 had been made to prevent this by the friends of 
 Williams College. It had been often and earnestly 
 urged, as an argument in opposition to that insti 
 tution, that two colleges could not be sustained in 
 Western Massachusetts, and " the inference now 
 
196 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 was that Williams College must die. A panic 
 seized the public mind, and extended to the Col 
 lege. A number of the students immediately took 
 dismissions, while a very small class entered at 
 the ensuing Commencement. The whole number 
 sank from one hundred and twenty to eighty, 
 and little prospect appeared of there being any in 
 crease. It was now seen that, in order to extract 
 the seeds of consumption which had lurked in the 
 College for eleven years, something must be done 
 to convince the public that it would live and 
 flourish on this ground. It was believed that 
 nothing was needed to give stability to the institu 
 tion but to fasten this conviction in the public 
 mind. It was evident, notwithstanding interested 
 reports to the contrary, that it was well situated 
 for a healthful, moderate-sized college, in one of 
 the most beautiful valleys in America, in a region 
 perfectly healthy, far removed from the temptations 
 of cities and large towns, in the midst of a popu 
 lation distinguished for morality and religion, 
 where living was as cheap as in any town in the 
 United States, and where sufficient range was still 
 left for a college." 
 
 As a last resort, therefore, the Trustees deter 
 mined to raise twenty-five thousand dollars, to 
 found a new professorship and build a chapel. 
 This resolution was adopted at the earnest request 
 of Dr. Griffin. Such an addition to the funds, he 
 believed, would certainly restore confidence in the 
 public mind. But this fund was to be raised. 
 
CH. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 197 
 
 " Unless it could be done, and the institution be 
 placed on a stable and prosperous footing, two of 
 the Professors had determined to leave, and a third 
 was apparently sinking into the grave, while the 
 Trustees, disheartened and discouraged by eleven 
 years conflict and troubles, would have given up 
 in despair of doing anything further." It must be 
 evident to every one who reflects on the condition 
 of the College at that time, that the crisis had 
 come, and that its fate was staked on raising the 
 twenty-five thousand dollars ; the subscription being 
 void unless completed before the last day of No 
 vember, 1826. The attempt to raise this sum 
 seemed hopeless. The most practical men pro 
 nounced, with emphasis and concern, that, in the 
 embarrassed state of the country, it never could be 
 done. Notwithstanding, Dr. Griffin, encouraged 
 by a powerful revival of religion, undertook the 
 work, opening the subscription himself with one 
 thousand dollars, and accomplished what, seem 
 ingly, no other man could have accomplished. 
 
 A few days after the resolution to attempt to 
 raise twenty-five thousand dollars had been adopted 
 by the Trustees, Dr. Griffin went to Northampton 
 to attend the annual meeting of the American 
 Board. This was in the fall of 1825. While 
 there he met, one evening, a number of the friends 
 of the College, and stated to them the effort that 
 was about to be made, and the necessity of that 
 effort in order to place the College on a per 
 manent basis. He closed by stating that it was 
 17* 
 
198 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 his intention to open the subscription with one 
 hundred dollars. The late Dr. Porter, of Catskill, 
 a man of a large heart, and a warm friend of the 
 College, at once remarked that if the subscription 
 was commenced with that sum, the undertaking 
 would inevitably fail. He said that Dr. Griffin 
 must commence the subscription with one thousand 
 dollars, and then the work would be accomplished. 
 Dr. Griffin said he could not, and assigned the 
 reasons for it. After a long interview they parted 
 for the night. The next morning, when these 
 friends met, Dr. Griffin stated that he had passed 
 a sleepless night, that he had looked over the 
 whole subject, and had concluded to put down the 
 one thousand dollars. " Now," said Dr. Porter, 
 " the work is done. The twenty-five thousand dol 
 lars are secure." 
 
 And the work was accomplished. At a time of 
 considerable financial embarrassment in the coun 
 try, twelve thousand dollars were raised in four 
 weeks. A Professorship of Rhetoric and Moral 
 Philosophy was endowed, and the building of the 
 College chapel was immediately commenced. With 
 the utmost propriety, therefore, might the President 
 afterwards, in his sermon at the dedication of the 
 chapel, exclaim : " Heaven has decreed that this 
 College shall live." He was convinced that it was 
 " an institution dear to Christ ; " and he devoted 
 his powerful energies to its upbuilding, with an 
 enthusiasm which such a conviction alone could 
 have inspired. He could not but exclaim : " This 
 
CH.X.] PRESIDENT GRIFEIN S ADMINISTRATION. 199 
 
 College has been saved by the Holy Ghost, and to 
 the Holy Ghost let it be forever devoted, as a 
 scene of revivals of religion, to raise up minister 
 and missionaries for Christ and his Church." " . 
 will go and preach this doctrine to the Trustees 
 and Faculty, and students, and the people of the 
 town, and to all the friends of Williams College 
 ( I would it were written on the broadside of heaveni 
 where all the friends of the College might read 
 till the final conflagration." 
 
 Such is a brief history of the darkest period in 
 the annals of the College. From that time it has 
 been felt that the institution is permanent. Its 
 course has since been steadily onward and upward, 
 uniformly doing the work for which it was organ 
 ized and endowed. 
 
 In 1827, Professor Dewey resigned the chair of 
 Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, which he 
 had acceptably filled for seventeen years ; and Mr. 
 Sylvester Hovey, a graduate of Yale College, was 
 elected in his place. Mr. William A. Porter was 
 at the same time chosen Professor of Rhetoric and 
 Moral Philosophy. 
 
 Professor Dewey was born in Sheffield, October 
 25, 1784, fitted for college with the Rev. Mr. Rob- 
 bins of Norfolk, Ct, entered Williams College in 
 1802, and was graduated in 1806, ranking among 
 the first in his class. During his Senior year there 
 was a revival of religion in College, when he was 
 led to consecrate himself to Christ, and to the work 
 of persuading his fellow-men to lay hold on eternal 
 
200 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 life. He studied theology with the Rev. Dr. 
 West, of Stockbridge, and in October, 1807, was 
 licensed to preach the Gospel by the Berkshire 
 Association. During a part of 1807 and 1808 he 
 preached in West Stockbridge, and a part of the 
 year in Tyringham, where he was favored with an 
 extensive and powerful revival. In November, 
 1808, he was invited to a tutorship in his Alma 
 Mater, which was endowed with all the responsi 
 bilities of a professorship. In 1810 he was trans 
 ferred to the Professorship of Mathematics and 
 Natural Philosophy. He continued to occupy this 
 post until 1827. During these seventeen years 
 several extensive revivals were enjoyed. He now 
 became Principal of the Gymnasium at Pittsfield, 
 and in 1836 Principal of the Rochester Collegiate 
 Institute, and in 1850 was elected Professor of 
 Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in Rochester 
 University, N. Y. 
 
 A brief notice is here due to Israel Jones, Esq., 
 who was born at Weston, September 21, 1738. 
 He descended from a pious and worthy ancestry. 
 When a young man, he settled in the central part 
 of Pittsfield, but in 1766 he removed to Adams, 
 and purchased the farm on which Fort Massachu 
 setts stood. The next year he married a daughter 
 of the Rev. Mr. Todd, with whom he lived fifty- 
 nine years. They had nine children. He was a 
 member of the church in William stown, and regu 
 lar in his attendance on public worship. He mani 
 fested a uniform Christian spirit. He ever cher- 
 
CH. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 201 
 
 ished a deep sense of his unworthiness, and looked 
 for salvation through a Redeemer. His assurance 
 of a glorious immortality rendered his expected 
 departure from this world an agreeable subject of 
 contemplation. He was often appointed to posts 
 of civil trust and honor. He was repeatedly a mem 
 ber of the State Legislature. He was a Trustee of 
 the Free School, and then of the College, at Wil- 
 liamstown. On the llth day of September, 1828, 
 in the forenoon, he rode some ten or twelve miles 
 on horseback, in his usual health. After dinner 
 he retired, as his custom was, to rest awhile, and 
 expired suddenly, without a struggle or a groan, 
 about two o clock. 
 
 In 1828 the chapel was completed, at a cost of 
 ten thousand dollars, and on September 2d, of the 
 same year, Dr. Griffin preached the dedication ser 
 mon, from Deut. viii. 2 : " And thou shalt remem 
 ber all the way which the Lord thy God led 
 thee." In this discourse he gave a concise history 
 of the College. The sermon was published, and 
 was well worthy of the occasion. Dr. Hyde offered 
 the dedicatory prayer. 
 
 During this year, the Hon. Joseph Burr, of Man 
 chester, Vt, left to the College a legacy of one 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 This year, too, Dr. Ebenezer Emmons was elected 
 Professor of Chemistry and Natural History. 
 
 At the same time, the Trustees voted that any 
 member of the Corporation who shall hereafter 
 neglect to attend the meetings of the Board for 
 
202 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 three years in succession, without giving satisfactory 
 reasons for such absence, shall be considered as 
 having so far neglected to perform his duties as to 
 vacate his seat. 
 
 In 1829 Mr. Albert Hopkins was elected Pro 
 fessor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, in 
 place of Professor Hovey, resigned. 
 
 In April, 1830, the Rev. William A. Porter, Pro 
 fessor of Rhetoric and Moral Philosophy, died, in 
 the thirty-second year of his age. He was born in 
 Spencertown, N. Y., October 3, 1798, but was 
 brought up in Catskill ; fitted for college with his 
 father, was graduated at Williams College in 1818, 
 when he pronounced the valedictory oration. In 
 1819 he was appointed a Tutor in College, and 
 officiated in that capacity two years. In 1821 he 
 delivered the Master s oration, which was much 
 admired. In the summer of 1825, having spent 
 two years in the study of theology, mostly at 
 Princeton, he was invited to preach at Burlington, 
 Vt, as a candidate for settlement; and while there 
 he received the appointment of Professor of Lan 
 guages in the University of Vermont. He was 
 soon after appointed to the same office in Williams 
 College, it being intended at that time to transfer 
 Professor Kellogg to the department of Natural 
 Philosophy. But Mr. Porter had accepted the in 
 vitation from the University, before receiving infor 
 mation of his appointment in his own College. 
 He remained in Vermont two years. In the fall of 
 1826 he was married to Miss Mary A. Noble, 
 
CH. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 203 
 
 daughter of the Hon. Daniel Noble, of Williams- 
 town. In the fall of 1827 he was called to the 
 new Professorship of Ehetoric and Moral Philoso 
 phy in his Alma Mater. He was much respected 
 for his talents and accomplishments. He was a 
 warm friend, a diligent student, and a devout Chris 
 tian. And, with his acknowledged talents and 
 attainments, it is impossible to say what he might 
 have accomplished in the cause of learning and 
 religion, had he lived to the ordinary age of man. 
 After his death, a small volume, prepared by Pro 
 fessor Kellogg, containing a sketch of his life, a 
 lecture on the domestic relations, four of his ser 
 mons, and his valedictory oration, was printed, but 
 not published. 
 
 " Thou soul of God s best earthly mould, 
 Thou happy soul ! and can it be 
 
 That these 
 
 Are all that must remain of thee ! " 
 
 In August, 1830, Dr. Mark Hopkins was elected 
 Professor of Rhetoric and Moral Philosophy, as 
 successor to Professor Porter, deceased. 
 
 In the fall of 1830 it became necessary for the 
 Hon. Daniel Noble to visit Portland, Maine, on 
 business connected with the College. On his way 
 there he took a severe cold, and died November 22, 
 in the fifty-fourth year of his age, in the chamber 
 which he first entered on reaching that city. 
 
 Mr. Noble was a native of Williamstown, was 
 born July 7, 1776 ; was graduated at Williams 
 College 1796 ; and studied law with the Hon. 
 
204 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 Judge Dewey. He commenced the practice of law 
 in the village of South Adams, where he remained 
 till 1811, when he removed to Williamstown. 
 
 Mr. Noble was a devoted friend and liberal pa 
 tron of the College. He was the first Alumnus 
 who was a member of the Board of Trustees. For 
 sixteen years he had been the College Treasurer. 
 When a powerful effort was made to move the 
 College to Hampshire County, he threw the whole 
 weight of his powerful influence against the meas 
 ure; and though the number who co-operated 
 with him was small, yet their efforts were finally 
 crowned with success.* Mr. Noble was repeatedly 
 
 * The following letter from Mr. Noble to Mr. Glezen will be read 
 
 with interest : 
 
 " WILLIAMSTOWN, January 7, 1820. 
 "My DEAR SIR: 
 
 " I find the public are expecting a Memorial from the minority 
 of the Corporation, in the case of the petition to remove Williams 
 College. I should have been much gratified to have had this writ 
 ten by yourself; but not being able to see you, I have availed my 
 self of a few hours leisure, amidst my almost unceasing calls, to place 
 on paper a few of my thoughts in the shape of a Memorial to the Leg 
 islature. I have been less particular than I should have been had we 
 not a very full memorial from this Town, in which the subjects are dis 
 cussed in detail ; and this Town Memorial is to be printed. I wish you 
 to examine the memorial which I send you, and put your own name to 
 it. You will please leave room for Esquire Jones s came first, yours 
 second, and mine third and last. 
 
 " We feel in tolerably good spirits as to the College question. We 
 mean fairly and honorably to discharge our duty, and be prepared for 
 any result. There has, on the whole, been a noble spirit of liberality 
 manifested on the occasion. Whatever shall be the issue, I trust we 
 shall retain a high sense of gratitude to our friends, in various directions, 
 for the part they have taken upon this interesting occasion. 
 44 1 am very respectfully yours, 
 
 "DANIEL NOBLE." 
 
CH. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 205 
 
 a member of both branches of the State Legisla 
 ture, was two years a member of the Governor s 
 Council, and was once a candidate for the office 
 of Lieutenant-Governor. He was a professor of re 
 ligion, a liberal contributor to the benevolent 
 enterprises, and an earnest advocate of the moral 
 reforms of that day. 
 
 In this connection, we are induced to pay a pass 
 ing tribute of respect to two other members of the 
 Board of Trustees, Mr. Glezen and Dr. Pomeroy. 
 
 Levi Glezen was born at Stockbridge, near the 
 line which separates it from Lenox, December 15, 
 1775 ; fitted for college mostly by himself in his 
 father s house ; and was graduated at Williams Col 
 lege in 1798, ranking among the first in his class. 
 Soon after his graduation he became the first Pre 
 ceptor of Lenox Academy, which was incorporated 
 by an act of the Legislature in 1803, and received 
 a small grant of land, one half of a township in 
 the State of Maine. For a number of years this 
 land was wholly unproductive ; but was finally 
 sold, and produced a small income, the avails of 
 which were appropriated to the support of the In 
 stitution. The Academy acquired under Mr. Gle- 
 zen s tuition a very respectable standing. The 
 institution was generally judicious and thorough. 
 Mr. Glezen was a fine linguist, sustained a fail- 
 Christian character, and was successful in fitting 
 young men for College. He was very near-sighted, 
 and his eyes must have been peculiar. We recol 
 lect handing him a letter one evening in the street, 
 18 
 
206 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 and he read it with ease by starlight. Sometimes 
 a student would take advantage of this short-sight 
 edness, and the result was no little merriment was 
 created in school. Still many students here laid 
 the foundation of their future eminence and useful 
 ness. The first individual who was prepared for 
 college at this Academy, under Mr. Glezen s tui 
 tion, was the Hon. Samuel R Betts, a Judge of the 
 District Court of the United States for the South 
 ern District of New York. The Academy was ex 
 tensively patronized. The average number of stu 
 dents from the beginning was not far from seventy. 
 Mr. Glezen was a Trustee of Williams College 
 from 1813 to 1826, during which time he fitted 
 many young men for admittance to his Alma 
 Mater. When a powerful effort was made to re 
 move the College, he firmly withstood those efforts 
 to the last. In 1824 Mr. Glezen accepted an invi 
 tation to take charge of an academy at Kinder- 
 hook, N. Y., where he remained about six years. 
 He then removed to Sheffield, Mass., where he died 
 October 21, 1843, in the sixty-seventh year of his 
 age. 
 
 Thaddeus Pomeroy, M. D., was born at North 
 ampton, October 23, 1764; was graduated at Har 
 vard College in 1786. He studied medicine, but 
 afterwards became a partner in a druggist s estab 
 lishment in Albany. In 1794 he married Eliza 
 Mason Sedgwick, eldest daughter of the Hon. 
 Theodore Sedgwick of Stockbridge, " a woman 
 whose wisdom and loveliness qualified her to per- 
 
CH. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 207 
 
 feet every good tendency in his nature." In 1806 
 he removed to Stockbridge, and devoted his time 
 to the cultivation and improvement of his farm 
 and the best interests of the town. In his religious 
 opinions he adhered to the faith of his orthodox 
 fathers, but honored Christianity under any name. 
 In the peace and confidence of a Christian he died 
 March 2, 1847, aged eighty-two. Dr. Pomeroy 
 went to Newark in August, 1821, to persuade Dr. 
 Griffin to accept of the Presidency of the College, 
 and by his personal influence Dr. Griffin, who had 
 just declined two similar appointments, was in 
 duced to come to Williamstown and consult the 
 Trustees before giving his answer. 
 
 In 1832 the time of holding Commencement 
 was changed from the first Wednesday in Septem 
 ber to the third Wednesday in August. 
 
 In the same year a measure of great importance 
 was undertaken by the Society of Alumni. In 
 consideration of the meagre condition of the philo 
 sophical and chemical apparatus, it was voted, at a 
 meeting held September 5, to raise the sum of four 
 thousand dollars, to be expended for the benefit of 
 these respective departments. Immediate action 
 was taken upon this subject, and in a compara 
 tively short time the sum (including interest) of 
 $4,511 was subscribed and paid. This sum has 
 since been applied, under the direction of a com 
 mittee, for the purchase of instruments. In the 
 raising and appropriating of this fund great credit 
 is due to Professor Kellogg, for his unwearied and 
 constant exertions. 
 
208 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 In the month of December, 1833, the Rev. Alvan 
 Hyde, D. D., died at Lee, aged sixty-five years. 
 For more than thirty years he had been intimately 
 associated with the friends and patrons of this Col 
 lege. From 1812 until the time of his death he 
 had held the office of Vice-President. He was 
 Chairman of the Prudential Committee of the 
 Board twenty-three years. He had educated four 
 sons at this College. While his funeral services 
 were attended at Lee, there was a service in the 
 College chapel, and Professor Mark Hopkins deliv 
 ered an address to the students, in which he deline 
 ated the character and services of Dr. Hyde. He 
 was born at Norwich, Conn., February 2, 1768 ; 
 was graduated at Dartmouth College, 1788; studied 
 theology partly with the Rev. Drl Backus of Som- 
 ers, Conn., and partly with Dr. West of Stock- 
 bridge, and was ordained in Lee, June 6, 1792. 
 He was a sound divine, an earnest and solemn 
 preacher, and a model pastor. Few ever saw his 
 equal. The many virtues which he manifested in 
 the various relations of life which he sustained, 
 especially the untiring and valuable service which 
 he rendered to the College, will cause his name to 
 be held in long and grateful remembrance by its 
 Alumni and friends.* 
 
 In July, 1829, the Hon. Ezra Starkweather, of 
 Worthington, tendered his resignation as a Trustee 
 of the College. We make a brief quotation from 
 
 * The College has a portrait of Dr. Hyde, a present from his sons. 
 
CH. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 209 
 
 his letter : " Being acquainted with the origin of 
 the College, and early attached to its interest, and 
 believing in its extensive usefulness to the commu 
 nity, it is matter of consolation that, in reviewing 
 its progress, various measures, and their results, to 
 the present time, nothing has transpired to dimin 
 ish my confidence in its rising eminence and im 
 portant benefits to the Church and State. The 
 smiles of Heaven have manifestly attended the 
 institution from the beginning ; and though at 
 times it has been under a cloud, and its affairs 
 somewhat perplexed, the result has uniformly been 
 the elevation of the seminary. And I doubt not of 
 its permanence, and its high standing among the 
 literary institutions of our country. In conclusion, 
 permit me to add that I recollect with pleasing 
 emotions the series of social and devotional meet 
 ings which I have been permitted to attend with 
 my brethren of the Board, in relation to the con 
 cerns of the College. These meetings and services 
 have been among the most agreeable of my public 
 life, and they would be cheerfully continued if age 
 and approaching infirmities did not demand my 
 retirement. Accept the assurance of my prayers 
 that the members of the Board and Faculty may 
 ever be under the Divine protection, and be 
 guided, in all their ways, by that wisdom which 
 is from above." 
 
 Dr. Starkweather was born at Stonington, Conn., 
 December 15, 1754. He was the eldest of nine 
 sons, four of whom lost their lives in the Kevolu- 
 18* 
 
210 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. X. 
 
 tionary struggle. Dr. Starkweather was in the 
 army a short time himself, and left only on account 
 of the failure of his health. Leaving the army, he 
 settled as a physician in Preston, Conn., and re 
 mained there till 1785, when he removed to Worth- 
 ington. There in public and private life he gained 
 that respect which talent, joined with integrity, 
 never fails to win. For many successive years he 
 was a prominent member of the State Senate. 
 And, though filling offices of honor and usefulness 
 in public life for so many years, yet his pacific and 
 controlling character was felt, if possible, more in 
 the church than in civil society. He was a profes 
 sor of religion, and a man of acknowledged piety. 
 He was facetious and affable in his conversation 
 and manners. In connection with his resignation, 
 he sent to the College a present of one thousand 
 dollars, the interest of which goes to aid indigent 
 students. He died on the 27th of July, 1834, 
 aged eighty years. 
 
 June 15, 1834, a church was formed in the Col 
 lege for the sake of giving the students the advan 
 tages of its w r atch and care. The members of the 
 Faculty, and the students who were professors of 
 religion, presented their certificates, and being 
 called on by the President, as Professor of Divinity 
 and Pastor, they arose in the chapel (it being the 
 Sabbath) and publicly assented to the articles of 
 faith drawn up for the new church, and renewed 
 their covenant with God, and entered into covenant 
 with each other, and thus formed themselves into a 
 
CH. X.] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 211 
 
 distinct church. The three first named on the 
 church records are Mark Hopkins, Albert Hop 
 kins, and Simeon H. Calhoun. During a portion 
 of the time Dr. Griffin was President, the students 
 attended worship in the chapel; but uniformly, 
 during the Presidency of Dr. Hopkins, they have 
 worshipped in the meeting-house. They are in the 
 habit of having regular church-meetings, and one 
 communion season in each term, in the College 
 chapel. 
 
 In 1834 Professor Albert Hopkins went to 
 Europe, to procure the philosophical and chemical 
 apparatus for which funds had been previously 
 procured. He went at his own expense ; his salary 
 was, however, continued during his absence. 
 
 A Professorship of Chemistry was established at 
 this time, and Mr. Edward Lasell was appointed 
 to the chair. 
 
 At this time, for the sake of increasing the funds 
 of the College, or rather to keep it from drawing 
 upon its scanty means of support, the respective 
 officers, with a spirit of generous self-sacrifice, vol 
 untarily agreed to relinquish a portion of their 
 salaries ; each professor, from the small salary of 
 $800, giving up $100, while the President, with 
 a salary of $ 1,400, reduced it to $ 1,000. Such 
 a spirit is not often met with in our public men, 
 and is worthy of mention and remembrance. It is 
 to this unity of attachment and feeling that the 
 preservation of the College, during so many and 
 successive misfortunes (greater than which have 
 
212 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 not been encountered by any similar institution), is 
 in a great measure attributable. 
 
 In 1835 the Rev. Joseph Alden, Pastor of the 
 Congregational Church in Williamstown, a native 
 of Cairo, N. Y., and a graduate of Union College, 
 of 1828, and of Princeton Theological Seminary, 
 was elected Professor of the Latin Language, and 
 was afterwards transferred to the department of 
 History, Political Economy, and Rhetoric. 
 
 The Society of Natural History proposed an ex 
 pedition to Nova Scotia during the fall vacation of 
 1835. A company of about twenty members of Col 
 lege, with three of the officers, Professor E. Em- 
 mons, Professor A. Hopkins, and Tutor S. H. Cal- 
 houn, sailed from Boston, August 25, in the sloop 
 Flight, Captain Hallett. They sailed up the Bay of 
 Fundy, and visited many places of interest. The ex 
 pedition brought to the College a large accession to 
 the Cabinet of Minerals, and gave to the members 
 the nucleus of a cabinet, and did much to awaken 
 an interest in the study of mineralogy and geology. 
 
 Dr. Griffin continued to preside over the institu 
 tion with distinguished ability and success till the 
 spring of 1833, when it became evident that his ser 
 vices were drawing to a close, and that the infirm 
 ities of age and disease were gathering upon him. 
 From this time, however, notwithstanding occa 
 sional attacks of paralysis, he continued to exert 
 himself for the College, until 1836, when he found 
 it necessary to resign, which he accordingly did at 
 the meeting of the Board of Trustees in August. 
 
CH. X] PRESIDENT GRIFFIN S ADMINISTRATION. 213 
 
 His resignation was accepted with the deepest re 
 gret that circumstances rendered this step necessary, 
 and with strong emotions of gratitude for the ser 
 vices he had rendered. 
 
 As soon as arrangements could be made, he left 
 Williamstown, the scene of his useful labors, for 
 ever. A few days before he left, the Faculty invited 
 him to a social dinner at the Mansion House. And 
 on the morning of his departure (September 28) the 
 students \vaited on him in a body, to take their 
 leave of him, and presented him with a respectful 
 and affectionate address. He was much affected, 
 and with overflowing feelings replied to them from 
 his carriage. He now returned to Newark, having 
 been President of the College fifteen years. 
 
 Providence appears to have brought him to Wil 
 liamstown just in season to secure the College from 
 extinction. His reputation, his talents, his per 
 sonal efforts, were the means of raising it from 
 obscurity and deep depression, and of giving it 
 rank and standing among kindred institutions. He 
 cheerfully assumed the charge of the College when 
 its only chance of life seemed to stand in the repu 
 tation, ability, and efficiency of its President. 
 When others had declined this responsibility, he 
 cheerfully and confidingly came, and placed his 
 reputation and learning, his eloquence and influ 
 ence, at the service of the College, so completely 
 identifying his interests with its interests that he 
 practically said : " If this College lives, I live ; if it 
 dies, I die." His reasoning was, that an institution 
 
214 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. X. 
 
 which had been so signally favored in the Provi 
 dence of God as Williams College had been, would 
 not, must not, be forsaken now ; and it was a war 
 ranted conclusion. The results have abundantly 
 verified and confirmed the correctness of his reason 
 ing. The broad seal of God s approbation has been 
 placed on his labors. And so, " after he had served 
 his own generation by the will of God, he fell on 
 sleep." " The memory of the just is blessed." * 
 
 * The College has a portrait of Dr. Griffin, a present from his son-in- 
 law, Dr. Lyndon A. Smith. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 KELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE EROM 1821 - 1836. 
 
 WHEN Dr. Griffin assumed the charge of the 
 College, its prospects began at once to brighten. 
 Students in greater numbers now resorted to it. 
 He had commenced his ministerial career, as ap 
 pears from his life, just at the opening of that 
 series of religious revivals which began to be en 
 joyed shortly after the American Revolution. 
 Some of the earliest of them occurred under his 
 personal ministry. Regarding this ground as in a 
 sense sacred, from its character as the birthplace of 
 American missions, he came on, feeling that in so 
 doing he was identifying himself with the cause of 
 God. Though past the meridian of life, he had 
 lost, at this time, but little of his native vigor. 
 Ardent in his temperament, uncommonly com 
 manding in person, and not inferior, perhaps, to 
 any of the pulpit orators of that day, his preach 
 ing was generally admired; and being of a pun 
 gent cast, it was calculated also to work upon the 
 consciences of his hearers. No sensible impression 
 of an awakening character, however, appears to 
 have been felt till the spring of 1824. Quite a 
 
216 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XI. 
 
 number, at this time, were impressed. I conclude 
 that the influence was somewhat deep and general, 
 from a remark made by Dr. Griffin : " Is it possi 
 ble that God has shaken this College to its centre 
 to bring out one conversion ] " We might, how 
 ever, remark, as in the case of Hall, that that con 
 version was worth this ; yes, and infinitely more. 
 It took place in the person of William Hervey, 
 who afterwards died in India, and who, for sim 
 plicity and purity of heart and life and devotion 
 to the great interests of the missionary work, has 
 had few superiors. His name is embalmed in the 
 memory of many here, who afterwards witnessed 
 " how holily and unblamably he behaved himself; " 
 and, although he fell an early prey to death, it is 
 believed that his life told sensibly on the great 
 work of evangelizing the world. It was thought 
 by Dr. Griffin that the idea of the annual fast for 
 the conversion of the world originated with him. 
 
 The two following years were years of great 
 spiritual drought and declension. Iniquity in 
 various forms abounded, and the love of many 
 waxed cold. There was a good deal of dissipation 
 at this period; treating at elections and at other 
 times was common. Drunkenness was an occur 
 rence not unfrequent, when holidays were given. 
 I should think the gravest men in College, cer 
 tainly with one or two exceptions, did not scruple 
 to drink (at least drank) on set occasions. The 
 order of College, at this time, was not good. I am 
 not aware that any religious meetings were held 
 
CH.-XI.] KELIGIOUS HISTORY. 217 
 
 during the week. On Saturday evening and Sab 
 bath morning, there were meetings, but very thinly 
 attended. The majority, probably, did not know 
 that such meetings were held. 
 
 During the summer term of 1825, some of the 
 more considerate and serious Christians began to 
 consult with each other, and to make the condition 
 of things in College a matter of prayerful consid 
 eration. It is understood that, towards the close 
 of that term, a small number met to pray spe 
 cifically for a revival of religion in the College, 
 with a determination to continue the meeting into 
 the next year. In the fall vacation, a member of 
 the Senior class, who had professed religion during 
 his college life, but had not honored it, was re 
 claimed, and came back a new man. There was a 
 solemnity on his countenance which was noticed. 
 There seemed to be a small sound, as it were, the 
 moving of a leaf in the topmost bough, indicating, 
 in the ear of those who had been waiting for it, 
 that a breeze was coming. They began, accord 
 ingly, to bestir themselves. It deserves to be men 
 tioned, that the movements of the Church were so 
 entirely still that those around were not aware that 
 anything was going forward more than usual, ex 
 cept as they gathered this from the countenance 
 and altered deportment of their fellows. I was not 
 aware, until I commenced this account, that deep 
 feeling pervaded the Church so early in the term. 
 An individual has informed me that, returning a 
 few days after its commencement, he was met in 
 19 
 
218 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cii. XI. 
 
 the College yard by his room-mate, with the salu 
 tation, " Chum, God is here." An accidental 
 opening of a door, between breakfast and study 
 hours in the morning, disclosed a band of Chris 
 tians, kneeling and pouring out their hearts in 
 prayer. Other trivial circumstances may have led 
 individuals to suspect something unusual. The 
 impenitent part of the College, however, in the 
 main, had no knowledge whatever of any special 
 movement, during the first two months of the term. 
 I say in the main, for it afterwards appeared that 
 one or two were seriously impressed quite early in 
 the term. 
 
 About the time of the annual Thanksgiving, in 
 the latter part of November, some indications of 
 more than usual wakefulness began to be evident. 
 The author of this notice was called, providentially, 
 just at this crisis, to leave the institution for a 
 season. He well remembers, one morning, of hear 
 ing a very profane young man say to some of his 
 mates standing before the College, " Come, my 
 friends, let us go up and attend to the concerns of 
 our souls." There will be occasion to refer to this 
 young man again. The remark is introduced to 
 show that at this time, probably the day before 
 Thanksgiving, there began to be some impression 
 on the minds of the hitherto unawakened. 
 
 About the middle of the next week there came 
 to Williamstown two delegates from the south of 
 Berkshire, whom the churches, in compliance with 
 the example of primitive times, had sent to look in 
 
CH. XI.] KELIGIOUS HISTOEY. 219 
 
 upon the state of religious affairs in this section, 
 and to pray with and exhort the people. These 
 delegates were the Rev. Dr. Hyde of Lee, and Dr. 
 Field of Stockbridge. As a matter of courtesy to 
 the churches and their messengers, in part, and it 
 is believed not without some strong desires that 
 the anticipated visit might result in the revival of 
 God s work, the church in town agreed to set 
 apart the day of their visitation, and observe it as 
 a fast. Intelligence of this was communicated to 
 the Faculty of College, and it was determined to 
 suspend literary exercises, for the purpose of giving 
 to any who wished, liberty to hear these brethren, 
 and also to furnish to the students an opportunity 
 of prayer and conference among themselves. This 
 was announced, it would seem, at evening prayers 
 the night before, and occasioned no small stir 
 among the students, who had begun to be already 
 somewhat sensitive on the subject. As is usual at 
 such times, Satan took advantage of the natural 
 enmity of the carnal heart, and excited the wicked 
 to throw off the convictions which had began now 
 to hover around, if not to settle upon them. I 
 have been told that there were mock meetings, that 
 night, all over College. There was, also, another 
 meeting at the Junior recitation-room, attended by 
 Dr. Griffin, at which one heart at least was stricken. 
 Next morning, the aspect of things was rather tu 
 multuous. A meeting had been appointed, how 
 ever, at the Senior recitation-room, under the idea 
 that most of the religious part of the College would 
 
220 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XL 
 
 .be present, and some, at least, of the impenitent. 
 The hour arrived, and immediately there began to 
 be a flocking to the place. Some left their rooms, 
 without the least intention of going to the meeting. 
 Their account of it is, that they found themselves 
 there, they knew not how. Few had manifested 
 any particular seriousness. Many were very bold 
 sinners, and came in whirling their hats across the 
 room, as if in derision. The room became directly 
 crowded. Every student from both College build 
 ings at length found his way in. The meeting 
 began with marked stillness, such as is wont to be 
 noticed when a crisis is at hand, and the spirit of 
 God intimately near. Tutor Hervey, who had 
 been from the first, in his meek and quiet way, 
 exceedingly active, and his associate in office, now 
 the President of the College, were present to take 
 the direction of this meeting. In a short time, 
 however, it became evident that the great Master 
 of assemblies was himself present to take the lead. 
 The exercises of the meeting had not proceeded far, 
 when a student, the hitherto notoriously profane 
 one already alluded to, arose in the assembly. The 
 deep solemnity of his countenance, the altered air 
 and strange attitude of the speaker, conspiring with 
 that deep impression of the Divine presence which 
 previously pervaded the meeting, was sufficient to 
 bring about a sudden and most extraordinary crisis. 
 The minds of some were made up before he uttered 
 a word. In a moment, said he, " Will you trifle 
 with your souls 1 " Every head was bowed, the 
 
CH. XI.] KELIGIOUS HISTOKY. 221 
 
 most hardened were melted, and the meeting be-, 
 came a scene of indescribable interest. Consider 
 ing the character of those who composed it, and 
 their position in reference to society and the 
 Church, perhaps few private meetings, in our 
 times, are more worthy of remembrance. 
 
 In the afternoon was the public meeting at the 
 church ; and as little interest as the mass of Col 
 lege took, the night before, in the delegation, prob 
 ably Paul and Barnabas were not more welcome 
 at Antioch than were these messengers of the 
 churches now. During two or three days suc 
 ceeding it was impossible to pursue study; there 
 was a prayer-meeting going on in each College 
 building from morning to night, in some room or 
 other. I do not know that the regular recitations 
 were omitted after the fast. So entirely, however, 
 was the mind absorbed with the great realities of 
 religion, that anything like concentrated attention 
 to any book, except that long-neglected one, the 
 Bible, became impossible. The term was now draw 
 ing to a close, and ended with a religious meeting of 
 deep and affecting interest. The majority of those 
 who were in the religious meeting above described 
 obtained hopes nearly at the same time, and not many 
 days after. 
 
 From the influence which descended on the Col 
 lege, feeling spread immediately into the commu 
 nity around, and a very powerful awakening com 
 menced. College assembled, at the opening of the 
 spring term, to experience a renewal of the same 
 19* 
 
222 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XI. 
 
 scenes which had characterized the closing weeks 
 of that which had preceded. The work went on, 
 with more or less power, until the warm season 
 opened; and a sermon was preached at the close 
 of the term, as had been done in 1812. A synop 
 tical view of the state of the College, at the close 
 of the fall term, which I find among Dr. Griffin s 
 private papers, states the number of actual mem 
 bers of College, at that time, eighty-five ; forty- 
 three hopefully pious before, twenty-seven recently 
 hoping ; total, seventy. Without hope, fifteen ; of 
 these, four on the ground, and eleven absent. 
 Twenty-three of these professed religion soon after 
 wards, of whom two have fallen away. Of six 
 others, who fell away, three are since hopefully 
 converted, and three are dead. Of those who were 
 active spirits in this awakening, some of the most 
 prominent " have fallen asleep." Among these, it 
 is no more than a tribute due to Christian worth 
 to mention the name of Daniel Freeman. Uni 
 formly consistent as a Christian, he was among the 
 first to take the alarm, in view of the awful and 
 increasing degeneracy of the times before the re 
 vival. And probably to no one member of College 
 is so much due as to him, in the way of bringing 
 forward and promoting the work. He was a mem 
 ber of the Senior class, and died about six weeks 
 after his class had graduated. Mr. Hervey, already 
 referred to, was another of the same stamp. Firm, 
 consistent, mild, yet ardent, his example was one 
 uncommonly pure and dignified, and carried great 
 
CH. XI.] RELIGIOUS HISTOKY. 223 
 
 weight with it at that time. To these must now 
 be added the name of the venerable President, Dr. 
 Griffin. The divisions which have since so un 
 happily distracted the Church, in relation to doc 
 trines and measures, were then unknown. It was 
 not necessary to spend much time, either in hunt 
 ing after heresy or guarding against it. Dr. Griffin 
 threw himself into the work, with no trammels or 
 scruples to check the ardor of his feelings. Even 
 ing after evening, for several months, through dark 
 ness, snow, and mud, he went to a school-house, 
 in the east part of the village, and poured out tor 
 rents of truth, with an enthusiasm not inferior to 
 that which characterized his best days.* He seemed 
 to be nerved up to a great effort, and probably 
 never afterwards appeared to the same advantage, 
 or preached with equal power. 
 
 The subsequent year was memorable in the an 
 nals of Berkshire County, as a year of great, and 
 probably unprecedented religious interest. Just at 
 the commencement of the year, or rather toward 
 the close of 1826, what were termed in those days 
 church conferences, originated in the south part of 
 the county.* Radiating from the point of their 
 
 * The author of this history has long been of the opinion that, for the 
 origin of the church conferences in Berkshire County, we must go back 
 to the fall of 1821. Near the close of the great revival, which was en 
 joyed that season, in Pittsfield and Lenox, under the labors of Dr. Net- 
 tleton, the Rev. Mr. Bradford of Sheffield, and the Rev. Mr. Wheeler 
 of Great Barrington, wrote a joint letter to the Rev. Dr. Humphrey, 
 requesting that two of the brethren might come down and tell them of 
 the work of the Lord in Pittsfield. And Deacon Bissell and Deacon 
 
224 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XL 
 
 origin, they illumined all the surrounding region. 
 Scarce a place where the delegates assembled but 
 enjoyed a refreshing. A conference was held in 
 "Williamstown, early in the spring, and attended 
 with happy results. In College, there was little 
 remaining material in the three higher classes like 
 ly to be wrought upon. In the Freshman class, 
 there were eleven hopeful conversions, only six of 
 which, however, proved permanent. 
 
 From the period of which we are now speaking, 
 the religious history of the College became more 
 dark. Various causes may be assigned for this. 
 1. A want of permanence among the officers of the 
 College, operating, of course, unfavorably to the 
 exertion of any systematic religious influence. Of 
 two professors, inducted at the same time into 
 office, one soon left, the other, the lamented Profes 
 sor Porter, just as his religious influence was be 
 ginning to be more sensibly felt, was removed by 
 death. 2. The removal, in the natural course of 
 things, of those who had shared in the awakening 
 of 1825. 3. The influx of an uncommon amount 
 of impiety, men of corrupt principles or no prin- 
 
 Goodrich were designated to go on this mission. They were absent about 
 two weeks, and a revival commenced in both of the towns visited before 
 they returned. These excellent men are now gone, and the manner in 
 which they went down the county in their one-horse wagon ought to 
 be recorded. It was agreed that one should drive half of the time, 
 while the other was engaged in audible prayer. So they alternated. 
 These visits were not long after repeated. And some would go back to 
 this time for the origin of church conferences in Berkshire; though 
 they were not adopted as a system of measures for promoting revivals 
 until the time named by Professor Hopkins. 
 
CH. XL] EELIGIOUS HISTORY. 225 
 
 ciples, and dissolute life, spoiled before coming, and 
 fitted, of course, only to taint and corrupt the 
 moral atmosphere. 4. A general suspension of 
 Divine influences in this region of country. Owing 
 to the influence, mainly, of these four causes, Col 
 lege soon became again corrupt, probably quite as 
 much so as before the revival of 1825. Intemper 
 ance and card-playing prevailed. Also, at this 
 time there was not a little licentiousness. Enjoy 
 ing great opportunities of association, wicked men 
 " waxed worse and worse." The College buildings, 
 or at least the West College, was repeatedly set on 
 fire, there is reason to believe wantonly. The Bible 
 was stolen from the desk, and worse than burnt. 
 This state of things ran on till the fall of 1829, 
 when some engaged Christians instituted a meeting 
 at nine o clock in the evening, which Dr. Griffin 
 used to attend. This continued into the spring 
 term, when there was some seriousness in College, 
 and two hopeful conversions. " This little refresh 
 ing," says a correspondent, " called forth Dr. Grif 
 fin s sermon on the prayer of faith, which was pub 
 lished in the National Preacher, and delivered in 
 the church a little previous. The great difficulty 
 seemed to be, that there was not a general waking 
 up among Christians. An impression seemed to 
 prevail that sinners could not be converted till all 
 the professors were awake. Hence the little re 
 freshing was expended in the church." 
 
 No decided change in the religious aspect of 
 College occurred till the ensuing winter. Dr. Grif- 
 
226 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XI. 
 
 fin had been called that winter to labor at Troy, 
 where was a powerful awakening. This was at the 
 commencement of what were then known as four- 
 days meetings. The Doctor returned, and it was 
 agreed to hold a meeting of this description in 
 Williams town, the first which was held in this 
 State. The third day, Saturday, was a day which 
 will long be remembered. The meeting was at the 
 church. It was not full, but there was "a sound of 
 a going." " I can hear it," said an aged father, 
 rising in the assembly, and addressing the church 
 and the impenitent, after the afternoon s discourse. 
 " On the evening of the succeeding day," says Dr. 
 
 Griffin, in his private journal, " came to see 
 
 me, and so overwhelmed, that, as soon as I saw 
 him, I said to myself, the question is decided, there 
 is to be a revival in Williams College." This was 
 the Sabbath before the opening of the term ; so 
 that there was considerable interest in the things 
 of religion when the term commenced. This was 
 increased by the coming on of one or two from 
 Troy, who had obtained hopes in the revival there. 
 Within three weeks, there was a great breaking 
 down among professors of religion. One of this 
 description came out as a new convert, and, " with 
 in three days," says a correspondent, "more than 
 twenty professors of religion had given up their 
 hopes. I well recollect three calling at my room 
 at one time, to be prayed for as impenitent sinners." 
 This breaking up of hopes probably will furnish a 
 clew to the awful and reigning stupidity and disso- 
 
CH. XI.] KELIGIOUS HISTORY. 227 
 
 luteness of morals before adverted to. I did not 
 mention this among the causes which led on to 
 that state of things, as it exists always in periods 
 of declension, and rivets and seals for a sure work 
 those specific causes of deterioration which are 
 liable at such times to exist. About the time of 
 the monthly concert, in March, the work began to 
 deepen among the impenitent. Several became 
 alarmed, and cried out, in view of their undone 
 condition by nature and practice. Very careless 
 persons became awakened. Moralists, also, of 
 whom, at this period, there were not many, grew 
 convinced that they were standing on unsafe 
 ground. There was a great shaking, particularly 
 in the two upper classes. The doctrine of perfec 
 tion, as that doctrine has since been held by vari 
 ous persons, scattered throughout the country, 
 started, so far as I have been able to ascertain, 
 here at this time. The original principle appears 
 to have been good, but it has since been adulter 
 ated with many things. Of those who were awak 
 ened in this revival, several went back, some of 
 w T hom came in the ensuing spring. Some became 
 infidels, of whom two have died since ; one, how 
 ever, renouncing his infidelity on his dying bed. 
 
 The spring of 1832 was one of religious interest 
 in town. Rev. Dr. Beman held a protracted meet 
 ing here. A number of conversions occurred in 
 College, in the course of the term. Those who 
 came in at this time were, for the most part, made 
 special objects of prayer and labor. They came in 
 
228 HISTOKY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. XL 
 
 lingeringly, one or two in the course of a week, for 
 a considerable time. Not many were awake, but 
 these labored hard. It was a time of much trial in 
 the church, and it is believed that spiritual religion 
 gained ground. The necessity of toiling on under 
 a heavy burden, and working, as it were, at arms 
 length, on account of the sluggishness of the mass 
 of professing Christians, inured those who came 
 under this burden to severe toil, contributed to 
 form habits of patient, persevering effort ; and the 
 College probably has never turned out a more 
 faithful set of working men than those who passed 
 through this ordeal. Indeed, I regard this as in 
 some sense the commencement of a new era in the 
 religious history of the College, and shall take the 
 liberty to enlarge here on what I conceive to be 
 some pretty important principles, which may, per 
 haps,, have in them something of general applica 
 tion. 
 
 In the progress of things towards perfection, 
 light comes by degrees, and new light generally 
 breaks in whilst we are working under the guid 
 ance and impression of that already enjoyed. 
 There are many simple truths pregnant with oth 
 ers; these last remain in a germ or embryo state 
 till the first strike their roots, so to speak ; that is, 
 become fixed and imbedded in the character by be 
 ing applied to some use. It is probable that, in mat 
 ters of religion, no practical judgments have ever 
 been formed in advance of those which have pre 
 ceded, except in compliance with, or at least tacit 
 
CH.XL] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 229 
 
 recognition of that saying of Christ, " That if any 
 man will do his will, he shall know of the doc 
 trine." The Christian system contains in it many 
 things intended to be revealed, not directly, but 
 only in the development of the system itself. So 
 full of truth is this assertion, that no period, prob 
 ably, will come, either in this world or in eternity, 
 in which it may not be said of the Gospel, as then 
 developed, what Paul said of it, comparing his own 
 times with preceding periods, " the mystery which 
 in other ages was not made known." Now, at 
 present, seeing only " through a glass," we make 
 but slow advances, and these safely only so far as 
 the spirit of that precept guides. This is a salu 
 tary and sufficient corrective against vapid and wild 
 theories in religion. The idea, which I think came 
 out more prominently at the period I am alluding 
 to than it had previously done in the history of 
 the College, was the all-important one of a perma 
 nent state of religious feeling, and correspondent 
 course of action. In this respect, the experience of 
 our institutions tallies, probably, pretty nearly with 
 that of the churches. This might be expected, 
 college being, as was observed at the commence 
 ment of this sketch, only society in miniature. 
 Alternations between high degrees of fervor and low 
 states, quite as near and probably nearer the other 
 extreme of the scale, have given to religion a 
 kind of mutable character, and gone to invalidate 
 the force of its testimony, in the judgment of pru 
 dent men, accustomed to regard stability and con- 
 20 
 
230 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XI. 
 
 sistency as the only true criterion for detecting 
 principle, and distinguishing it from its counter 
 feits. I have said that college experience tallies, 
 probably, nearly with that of the churches. The 
 nature of the case would lead us to look for less 
 stability than in the churches generally, on account, 
 first, of the inexperience of Christians ; and sec 
 ondly, numerous cases of excitement, which inevi 
 tably spring up in communities constituted as col 
 leges are, over and above those which exist in 
 society at large, which are of themselves sufficient 
 to inundate, one would think, most of the religion 
 in the country at frequent intervals ; and thirdly, 
 the interruption of feeling and efforts arising from 
 the occurrence of vacations. Whether the fact 
 accords with what the nature of the case would 
 lead us to expect, I shall not now inquire. It is 
 sufficient to say, that in respect to a permanent, 
 straightforward course of Christian living, there 
 has been, at least, as much to complain of in col 
 leges as elsewhere. It should be noticed, also, that, 
 thrown more nearly together, and in various re 
 spects more intimately associated, dereliction of 
 principle and inconsistencies of character are more 
 easily detected, at least force themselves more nat 
 urally, and I may say necessarily, upon the atten 
 tion. It has been said that, of late years, infidelity 
 is increasing in our colleges. Certainly there was, 
 up to the time to which we have advanced in the 
 narrative, a great deal of practical, some avowed 
 infidelity, and, there is reason to believe, much 
 
CH. XI.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 231 
 
 secret scepticism here. This arose, in part, from 
 accidental causes, causes, however, which might 
 have been counteracted, no doubt, and crippled 
 very much, had there been a mass of consistent, 
 steady, concentrated Christian action. Let me ask 
 any man, who was on this ground and conversant 
 with the times of which I am writing, what he 
 imagines would have been the effect on college 
 principles and college morals, had every profess 
 edly religious student here sustained the character 
 of Jesse Lockwood. I mention him, because death 
 has sealed his testimony, and I am sure no one will 
 dare to dispute it. Could the supposition just 
 made have been verified, I imagine that other 
 lurking-places than this would have been sought 
 for infidelity, intemperance, profanity, and licen 
 tiousness to have celebrated their orgies in. 
 
 I am now going to explain in what way I think 
 the revival of 1832 contributed to a more perma- 
 n.ent religious order. It did so, I think, by exer 
 cising the principle of personal exertion and self- 
 sacrifice, till it became habitual, and led on to a 
 system which I shall presently give some account 
 of. The principle of persevering, steady devoted- 
 ness has been firmly established in individual 
 minds, in all ages. But too little has been done 
 to perpetuate this sentiment. One and another 
 has cut his way through the solid rock, and, as it 
 were, filled up the space behind him, so that others 
 have been little benefited, except as they have seen 
 them safe out, and therefore gathered hope, on the 
 
232 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XL 
 
 ground that such a thing was possible. Peter says, 
 to be sure, " The God of all grace, after that ye 
 have suffered awhile, stablish you." But we are 
 not to infer from this that direct means are of no. 
 use toward the confirmation of piety. There is, no 
 doubt, in respect to means, such a thing as a mil 
 lennial order (using the term millennial generi- 
 cally here), and it was towards this that numbers 
 among us were led at this time to look. Having 
 become inured to a pretty steady course of religious 
 action, anxious to persevere in this without falter 
 ing, sensible, at the same time, of the sluggishness 
 of nature, and warned by the experience of the 
 past, the inquiry came up, What corrective can be 
 thrown in, what stimulus to excite us forward in 
 an unwavering onward course of Christian action 1 
 It was in the way of righteousness, " doing his 
 will," that light was thrown on this subject, the 
 doctrine of means. It was resolved by the Chris 
 tians of that period that they would meet together 
 at noon. This, it was thought, would furnish a 
 strong antidote against a tendency, so prevalent 
 everywhere, but perhaps especially in College, to 
 fall in with the tide of worldliness. By setting up, 
 as it were, a dam at midday, it was thought pos 
 sible to check the current, and thus prevent our 
 Christianity from being overflown, and everything 
 relapsing again into a stagnant and dead state, as 
 had been the case after most previous revivals. I 
 must be permitted to say, that I think the idea of 
 a perfect Christianity, that is, of living in perfect 
 
CH.XL] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 233 
 
 conformity to the injunctions of Christ, without 
 regard to seasons or circumstances, and without 
 reference to the feelings or practices of others, has 
 .to do with the institution of this system of means. 
 A very good opportunity was approaching to test 
 it, or at least to test the strength of the resolution 
 which determined on its adoption, namely, the ap 
 proach of the summer term, when there is un 
 common temptation to laxness, and a letting down 
 of the Christian watch. The result proved that 
 the ide a was a very practicable one, and very salu 
 tary in the operation of it. A few, from five to 
 seven, from the two College buildings, met in rainy 
 as well as sunshiny weather, during the term, and 
 felt improved by it. This meeting, somewhat mod 
 ified in its character, has continued to the present 
 time, and has more than answered the anticipations 
 of those who originated it. It has served as a 
 balance-wheel, to check the irregular movements 
 of individual action, to temper well-meaning but 
 injudicious zeal. I am just now in from one of 
 these meetings, consisting of from forty to fifty stu 
 dents. The average sometimes ranges considerably 
 higher than this, in times of awakening, and some 
 times falls short of it. I have introduced this sub 
 ject here, because the religious history of the Col 
 lege cannot be given, from this point, without 
 frequent allusions to this meeting, it having be 
 come a pretty certain criterion by which the relig 
 ious pulse of the College may be judged of. 
 
 During the year 1833, no special awakening 
 20* 
 
234 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XI. 
 
 occurred. The noon meeting increased, during the 
 summer, to fifteen or more, and several persons 
 being attached to it who were devoted to the cause 
 of missions, a spirit of prayer prevailed with refer- 
 ence to that object, more perhaps than at any 
 time since. Towards the close of this year, Mr. 
 Foot, the evangelist, came into the north of Berk 
 shire. He preached in an adjoining town, and the 
 attention of the community was more or less awak 
 ened. A protracted meeting was held in Williams- 
 town somewhat early in the ensuing spring. 
 There was special attention to religion at this 
 time in College. A revival in Northampton 
 affected several students who were spending the 
 winter there. These came on changed men. Oth 
 ers were awakened, some under the preaching of 
 the evangelist, and some under the ordinary means. 
 The work was not very extensive, it did not 
 silence scoffers, "divers persons were hardened." 
 The ensuing year, religion gained ground. A 
 Tutor, the Rev. Simeon H. Calhoun, came in, who 
 was much devoted to the work. The noon meeting 
 had increased so much that it was thought expe 
 dient to divide. The West College set up for 
 themselves, and the silent influence of their opera 
 tions appears to have been considerable. An infi 
 del has told me, lately, one at least who was 
 either tempted or trying to be so at that time, 
 that the prayers and singing kept him constantly 
 uneasy, so much so that at length he divulged his 
 feelings to his teacher, renounced his infidel prin- 
 
CH. XL] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 235 
 
 ciples, embraced religion, and became one of the 
 most steady supporters of the meeting. 
 
 The following general view of the several revi 
 vals which occurred in this College, previous to 
 1832, is extracted from Dr. Griffin s most interest 
 ing letter to the Rev. Dr. Sprague : 
 
 " The earliest revival known to this town commenced in the 
 spring of 1805, and continued between two and three years. It 
 soon extended to the College, where five began to hope. In the 
 spring a new impulse was given to the work. Mills and Hall 
 entered College that spring. The work seems to have continued 
 beyond the summer, for one account says, Thirteen were added 
 to the Church, of whom nine became ministers of the Gospel. 
 Ten others were supposed to be subjects of the revival. An 
 other account says, Besides those who became church-members 
 from the classes that were graduated in 1805, -6, -7, -8, -9, 
 about seventeen have since become professors of religion. 
 
 "In January, 1812, another revival commenced in town, un 
 der the preaching of the Rev. Samuel Nott, one of the first five 
 missionaries who went out that year to India. In April and 
 May it extended to the College, chiefly to the lower classes. 
 Twenty-four were hopefully converted then, and a number after 
 wards. Another account says, Twenty-one were added to the 
 church, of whom thirteen have become ministers of the Gospel. 
 Several others felt the power of this revival, and their lives 
 have since proved that the effects were not transient. 
 
 In June, 1815, the first President, Dr. Fitch, left the Col 
 lege. His parting sermon had a great effect on the students. 
 A third revival followed. Fifteen were hopefully renewed in 
 the course of the summer. Another account says, Twelve 
 were added to the church, of whom nine became ministers of the 
 Gospel. Several others received very salutary impressions, 
 whose lives have since evinced the value of this revival to 
 them. 
 
 " In March, 1824, a fourth revival appeared to commence in 
 
236 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XL 
 
 the person of William Harvey. Twelve or fourteen used to 
 attend the inquiry meetings. Several obtained hopes who 
 endured but for a time. Harvey alone persevered. Of the 
 others that were impressed, one obtained a hope in the summer 
 of 1825, another (President Hopkins) joined the church after he 
 was graduated. 
 
 " When College came together in October, 1825, the arrows 
 of the Almighty stuck fast in several hearts. Some old hopes 
 were scattered to the winds. A fifth revival ensued. During 
 the latter part of the term the power was astonishingly great, 
 affecting almost the whole College. Of eighty-five students, full 
 seventy thought themselves Christians. The impression was 
 kept up during the spring term, but then it ended. In this re 
 vival thirty-five experienced hopes, some of which were soon 
 renounced. For aught I know, from twenty-five to twenty-seven 
 are hoping still, and another who relapsed has apparently been 
 recovered. 
 
 " The sixth revival began about the 1st of March, 1827, and 
 continued till vacation. It spent its chief force on the two lower 
 classes, from which six professed religion. 
 
 " In October, 1828, some seriousness appeared, which contin 
 ued through that and the next term. Nine visited me under 
 some impressions. Inquiry meetings were set up. One ob 
 tained a hope, which was soon renounced. Not an individual 
 held out. Three of them, however, have since given evidence of 
 a saving change. 
 
 " A seventh revival appeared to commence in November, 
 
 1829. That month two gave evidence of piety, who still con 
 tinue. High hopes were entertained, and a determination was 
 taken to pray till the blessing came. Meetings for prayer, ac 
 companied with considerable excitement, were kept up through 
 the term, and through the long winter vacation, and through the 
 spring term. I attended till broken off by sickness in April, 
 
 1830. In the course of the winter two more expressed hopes, 
 one of which proved doubtful. 
 
 " On the evening of January 6, 1831, I was sent for to visit 
 Troy, where the first in the series of protracted meetings in this 
 
CH.XI.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 237 
 
 region had lately been held, and where a great revival had be 
 gun. I went on the 8th, and returned on the 19th. Something 
 hopeful had begun to appear in town before I left home, and on 
 Friday evening, the 21st, I went to a meeting to tell the people 
 what I had seen. One of the students, hearing that a statement 
 was to be made, went, and was awakened. The next week we 
 had a four-days meeting, beginning with a fast and ending with 
 the communion Sabbath. This was the second protracted meet 
 ing in the series, and was attended with an evident blessing. A 
 revival began in town. During the vacation two of the students 
 obtained hopes here, and two more in Troy. When College 
 came together, the 10th of February, it was a time of great 
 solemnity. The month of March was full of power. By the 
 2d of April, twenty, including those already mentioned, were 
 apparently rejoicing in the truth. Of these, four soon renounced 
 their hope ; the other sixteen, for aught I know, still endure, and 
 the greater part appear like devoted Christians. 
 
 " These eight revivals the pity of Heaven has granted to this 
 College in twenty-six years, five of which, including two of less 
 extent, have appeared in seven years. 
 
 " April 18, 1832. There is at the present moment the ninth 
 revival going on in College. On the 18th of January we had a 
 fast in town to pray for such a blessing in the College and con 
 gregation. After that I recommended it to the students, who 
 stayed in vacation, to hold meetings for prayer. The third which 
 we had was on the 1st of February, and I was invited to attend. 
 I found the meeting uncommonly interesting and encouraging. 
 I was then laboring under the commencement of a disease, which 
 confined me till the middle of March. In the interval, a pro 
 tracted meeting was held in town, and a revival commenced 
 there ; and the spirit of prayer was greatly increased in College, 
 and a spirit of inquiry began among the impenitent. The first 
 hopeful conversion in College took place on the 16th of March, 
 two days before I resumed my public labors in the house of God. 
 There are seven students who now venture to hope that they 
 have l passed from death unto life. Everything is conducted 
 with perfect stillness and decorum. 
 
238 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XL 
 
 " The means employed in these revivals have been but two, 
 the clear presentation of Divine truth and prayer. The meet 
 ings have been still and orderly, with no other signs of emotion 
 among the hearers than the solemn look and the silent tear. We 
 have been anxiously studious to guard against delusive hopes, 
 and to expose the windings of a deceitful heart, forbearing all 
 encouragement, except what the converts themselves could de 
 rive from Christ and the promises, knowing that any reliance on 
 our opinion was drawing comfort from us, and not from the 
 Saviour. We have not accustomed them to the bold and un 
 qualified language that such an one is converted, but have used 
 a dialect calculated to keep alive a sense of the danger of decep 
 tion. For similar reasons we have kept them back from a pub 
 lic profession about three months." 
 
was born l 
 mother died 
 
 Stockbridge 
 
 ~. Curtis, ni? uncle, and oartlv at tiiA 
 
 ^a^emy at Lenox and at Clint N. Y f 
 
 ea wmiams College during sophomore 
 
 year, and eraduated In 1824 with first honor 
 
 pi?rfS beican lhe 8tudy of meaiciue at 
 
 jeia ana was appointed tutor at Wii 
 
 i liams in 1825, serving uvo years anrt in itoo 
 
 I sr s^S SsSS 
 
 SBwAl^A 
 
 c wniiams. He was licensed nd 
 preached in 1833, and became president of the 
 college in 1858. The professorship of Chris- 
 Ian theology was endowed and tne president 
 was appointed to the place. He has ; from the 
 tint taught the senior class in anafomy? he2 
 
 SS^ B ?ff&J52!^sa^gS^ 
 
 
 PASSED PEACEFULLY AWAY. 
 
 Death of Ex-President Hop- 
 kias of Williams College. 
 
 Has Long and Useful Career 
 as an Educator. 
 
 Sudden Decease of Rev. Ros- j 
 well I>. Hitchcock. 
 
 NORTH ADAMS, June 17, 1887. Ex-Presi 
 dent Marie Hopkins of Williams College 
 passed peacefully away, at his home in Will- 
 umstown, about I o clock this morning. 
 Wednesday afternoon he took a drive with 
 several friends and visited Cold spring, aoout 
 two miles from his home. He alighted, got 
 over the fence and drank some of the water. 
 He returned to his home and was In his usual 
 Kood spirits, and apparently in vigorous 
 health. Yesterday he felt well, and In the 
 afternoon ordered his carriage, to visit his 
 son who lives in another part of tne village. 
 Just before the carriage was brought, he de 
 cided not to so. He Qld not ar , pear m> and 
 
 Physicians give It as tlielr opinion that a 
 general breaking up was alone the cause of 
 his death. Dr. Hopkins death has cast a 
 gloom over the entire village, where next 
 week begins the 93d commencement of Will 
 iams College. 
 
 DR. MARK HOPKINS, 
 
 Ex-President of Williams College. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRESIDENT HOPKINS. 
 
 THE time has not arrived to write the life of Dr. 
 Hopkins, the fourth President of the College. 
 Still, in order to bring our history down to the 
 present time, to render it more complete and use 
 ful, it is proper to insert the following sketch. He 
 was a native of Stockbridge, and was bo-rn Febru 
 ary 4, 1802, and the foundation of his future at 
 tainments was laid in his early training. His 
 father, Archibald Hopkins, was a farmer in that 
 town, and died January, 1839, aged seventy-three. 
 His grandfather, Col. Mark Hopkins (graduated at 
 Yale College, 1758), was the first lawyer that set 
 tled in Great Barrington, and died at White Plains, 
 1ST. Y., while engaged in the defence of his coun 
 try, October 26. 1776.aed thirty-seven. He mar- 
 
 i - , ^Wr*^** ?H>M^* n -r. i iTT-i 
 
 ried Electa WiffioSb, a haLKiator of Ephraim Wil 
 liams, the founder of the College. Col. Hopkins 
 was a younger brother of the Rev. Samuel Hop 
 kins, D. D., the first minister who settled in Great 
 Barrington, and author of the System of Divinity. 
 
 Mrs. Hopkins, the mother of the President, was 
 Mary Curtis, a native of Stockbridge, and a woman 
 
240 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XII. 
 
 of uncommon strength and excellence of character. 
 She is still living (1860), and has for a few years 
 past resided in Williamstown, in the family of her 
 son. She was present at the first Commencement 
 in Williams College, 1795. 
 
 President Hopkins was the eldest of three broth 
 ers (there were no daughters), one an artist of 
 promising talents, who died young. The other is 
 Professor Albert Hopkins of Williams College. 
 
 President Hopkins was favored with a good early 
 education, and was fitted for college partly at 
 Clinton, N. Y., partly at Stockbridge, under the 
 tuition of his uncle, the Rev. Jared Curtis, and 
 for a short time was a member of Lenox Academy. 
 He entered Williams College in the fall of 1821, 
 joining the Sophomore class, and was graduated in 
 1824, when he pronounced the valedictory oration. 
 
 Directly after leaving College he became con 
 nected with the Medical Institution in Pittsfield, 
 and devoted a portion of the year to teaching in 
 his native town. In the fall of 1825 he was ap 
 pointed a Tutor in his Alma Mater, and officiated 
 in that capacity two years, at the close of which 
 he delivered the master s oration on " Mystery," 
 which was published in Silliman s Journal. The 
 next two years were spent in pursuing his medical 
 . studies and in teaching, partly in Pittsfield, under 
 the instruction of Dr. H. H. Childs, and partly in 
 New York. He received the degree of Doctor of 
 Medicine at Pittsfield in 1829. 
 
 Dr. Hopkins made a public profession of religion 
 in 1826, uniting with the church in Stockbridge. 
 
CH. XII] PRESIDENT HOPKINS. 241 
 
 In August, 1830, just as he had completed his 
 arrangements for a permanent residence in New 
 York, he unexpectedly received an appointment to 
 the Professorship of Rhetoric and Moral Philoso 
 phy in Williams College, then vacant in conse 
 quence of the death of Professor William A. Por 
 ter. This appointment he accepted, and entered at 
 once upon the duties of his office. He was licensed 
 to preach the Gospel, by the Berkshire Association, 
 at a meeting held in Dalton, May, 1833. 
 
 He was married to Miss Mary Hubbell, of Wil- 
 liamstown, December 25, 1832. 
 
 At the Commencement in 1836, Dr. Griffin, in 
 view of his age and infirmities, resigned the Presi 
 dency of the College. This event was not entirely 
 unexpected. And at the same meeting of the 
 Board at which his resignation was accepted, Dr. 
 Hopkins was unanimously elected his successor, 
 and Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philoso 
 phy. To show the views and motives with which 
 he accepted the Presidency of the College, and 
 entered upon his new and responsible position, we 
 insert the following extract from the closing para 
 graph of his Inaugural Address.* 
 
 " I enter upon the duties of the office to which I am called 
 with no excitement of novelty, with no accession of influence to 
 the College from abroad, and with no expectation of pleasing 
 everybody. I have no ambition to build up here what would be 
 called a great institution ; the wants of the community do not re 
 quire it. But I do desire, and shall labor, that this may be a safe 
 
 * Miscellaneous Discourses, pp. 254, 255. 
 
 21 
 
242 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XII. 
 
 College ; that its reputation may be sustained and raised still 
 higher ; that the plan of instruction I have indicated may be 
 carried out more fully ; that here there may be health, and cheer 
 ful study, and kind feelings, and pure morals ; and that, in the 
 memory of future students, college life may be made a still more 
 verdant spot. 
 
 " But deep as is my anxiety when I look at the connection of 
 this College with the interests of science and literature, it is still 
 deeper when I look at its connection with the immortal destinies 
 of those who shall come here, and with the progress of the cause 
 of Christ and the conversion of the world. The true and per 
 manent interests of man can be promoted only in connection with 
 religion ; and a regard to man, as an immortal, accountable, and 
 redeemed being, should give its character to the whole course of 
 our regulations, and the spirit of our instructions. This College 
 has for a long time been regarded, and not without reason, with 
 interest and affection by the churches. Of its whole number of 
 graduates, as many as one third have devoted themselves to the 
 Christian ministry, and recently a larger proportion. It is on 
 this ground that American missions had their origin. It was 
 here that Mills and Hall prayed, and their mantle has so de 
 scended on the institution, that now we can hardly turn our eyes 
 to a missionary station where one or more of its sons are not to 
 be found. Others are on their way, and there is remaining be 
 hind an association devoted to the same glorious work. This 
 College has also been the scene of revivals of religion, pure and 
 repeated and mighty, which have caused, and are still causing, 
 joy on earth and in heaven. It is upon these, and upon the 
 higher standard of consistent piety that follows in their train, that 
 we mainly rest our hopes for the distinguished usefulness of the 
 College. For these let the churches pray, and let them join with 
 us in the words of my venerable predecessor when this building 
 was dedicated, i In devoting this College to the Holy Spirit as a 
 scene of revivals of religion, and to the blessed Redeemer as an 
 engine to bring on the millennial glory of His Church. This 
 would we do, not only as the friends of religion, but as the friends 
 of science, and of a pure literature, and of the freest inquiry. 
 
CH. XII] PRESIDENT HOPKINS. 243 
 
 We would do it that we may disabuse the world of the absurd 
 prejudice that the knowledge of God cramps the mind, and dis 
 qualifies it for the study of his works ; that we may hasten 
 that day, which must come, when it shall be seen and felt that 
 there is a coincidence and essential unity between reason and re 
 ligion ; when the spirit of literature and the spirit of science 
 shall minister before the spirit of piety, and pour their oil into 
 the lamp that feeds its waxing flame ; when study shall be 
 nerved to its highest efforts by Christian benevolence, and young 
 men shall grow up at the same time into the light of science and 
 the beauty of holiness." 
 
 Dr. Hopkins received the honorary degree of 
 Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth College in 
 1837, and from Harvard University in 1841 ; and 
 that of Doctor of Laws from the Board of Regents 
 of New York, in 1857. During his Presidency the 
 course of instruction in the College has been much 
 extended and improved, and the number of students 
 greatly increased. He has uniformly given instruc 
 tion to the Senior class in anatomy, metaphysics, 
 and ethics, and in the department of rhetoric, besides 
 preaching one third of the time on the Sabbath. 
 
 In 1858, Mr. Jackson established a Professorship 
 of Christian Theology in the College ; and the con 
 ditions were such, that " if at any time it should be 
 judged expedient by the Trustees to confer this 
 professorship upon the President of the College, 
 to be exercised by him in connection with his 
 office of President, and his other duties," they are 
 authorized to do so. In accordance with this per 
 mission, and the known wishes of the generous 
 donor, Dr. Hopkins was appointed to this profes 
 sorship. 
 
244 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XII. 
 
 Dr. Hopkins was elected President of the Amer 
 ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 
 at Providence, R. I., in the fall of 1857, then 
 vacant in consequence of the resignation of the 
 Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen. To all the urgent 
 invitations which Dr. Hopkins has received to oc 
 cupy other posts of usefulness, his uniform reply 
 has been, " I dwell among mine own people" From 
 motives of delicacy, we reluctantly refrain from 
 making mention of the acknowledged excellence 
 and efforts of Dr. Hopkins s Baccalaureate Dis 
 courses and other pulpit performances and literary 
 labors, choosing rather to leave these and many, 
 many other intuiting and edifying details for the 
 historian of &BK generation to record. 
 
 Dr. Hopkins has become extensively known as 
 an author. Among his publications, the most im 
 portant are his Lowell Lectures on the Evidences 
 of Christianity, which have already become a text 
 book in some of our colleges. In 1847 twenty-two 
 of his Discourses and Lectures, which had previ 
 ously found their way to the press, were repub- 
 lished in one volume. His course of Lectures on 
 Moral Philosophy, which he prepared during his 
 professorship, and which have since been delivered 
 to successive classes, it is hoped will soon be given 
 to the public. 
 
 The following is a list of Dr. Hopkins s publica 
 tions : 
 
 Agricultural Address at Stockbridge, 1826. 
 Oration, Mystery, 1827. 
 
CH. XII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS. 245 
 
 Review of the Argument from Nature for the Divine Exist 
 ence, 1833. 
 
 Human Happiness, 1834. 
 
 Oration, Originality, 1835. 
 
 Inaugural Discourse, 1836. 
 
 Address at Andover, 1837. 
 
 Lecture^- Taste and Morals, 1837. 
 
 Sermon in Commemoration of Dr. Griffin, 1837. 
 
 Address before the American Education Society, 1838. 
 
 Election Sermon, May, 1839. 
 
 Address before American Bible Society, 1840. 
 
 Address at South Hadley (Mount Holyoke Female Semi 
 nary), 1840. 
 
 Address at Pittsfield (Medical College), 1840. 
 
 Address at East Hampton (Williston Seminary), 1841. 
 
 Alumni Address at Williamstown, 1843. 
 
 Sermon before the Pastoral Association, Boston, 1843. 
 
 Sermon at the Berkshire Jubilee, 1844. 
 
 Sermon before Massachusetts Convention, 1845. 
 
 Sermon before the A. B. C. F. M., Brooklyn, N. Y., 1845. 
 
 Lowell Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity (octavo 
 volume), 1846. 
 
 Temperance Address (for circulation in Massachusetts), 1846. 
 
 Sermon Commemorative of Professor Kellogg, 1846. 
 
 Sermon at Plymouth, December 22, 1846. 
 
 Sermon before the American Sabbath Union, 1847. 
 
 Sermon at Dedication in Pittsfield, 1850. 
 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, Faith, Philosophy, and Reason, 
 1850. 
 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, Strength and Beauty, 1851. 
 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, Receiving and Giving, 1852. 
 
 Address before the Western College Society, Boston, 1852. 
 
 Sermon Commemorative of Amos Lawrence, 1853. 
 
 Oration, The Central Principle, New York, December 
 22, 1853. . 
 
 Discourse before the Congregational Library Association, 1855. 
 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, Perfect Love, 1855. 
 
 21* 
 
246 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XII. 
 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, Self-Denial, 1856. 
 
 Address at Missionary Jubilee, 1856. 
 
 Sermon, Science and Religion, Albany, N. Y., 1856. 
 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, Higher and Lower Good, 1857. 
 
 Sermon, The Promise to Abraham, Bangor, Me., 1857. 
 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, Eagles Wings, 1858. 
 
 Address at Havana, N. Y., 1858. 
 
 The Atonement as related to Sin, and to a Divine Lawgiver, 
 American Theological Review, 1859. 
 
 Baccalaureate Sermon, The Manifoldness of Man, 1859. 
 
 Religious Teaching and Worship, a Sermon at the Dedica 
 tion of the College Chapel, 1859. 
 

 
 M A Iffi K Dfl OX 1 IP K D N S p ID) 
 
 f hMSIJWNT uf 1 WILL 
 FtiESWENT OF THE JMMtfOW 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT HOPKINS. 1836-1860. 
 
 THE appointment of Dr. Hopkins to the Presi 
 dency of the College was in perfect coincidence 
 with the wishes and expectations of the students 
 and the public. He had been designated as the 
 proper candidate for the place. With the circum 
 stances and wants of the College he was familiar. 
 He had officiated as tutor two years, as professor 
 six years, and had heard the recitations of the 
 Senior class the preceding year. Having accepted 
 the appointment, on the 15th day of September, 
 1836, he was inaugurated President of the College, 
 and ordained pastor of the College church. The 
 ceremony was performed in the Chapel in the fol 
 lowing order : Prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. 
 Field of Stockbridge; the Hon. D. N. Dewey read 
 the action of the Board in relation to his election ; 
 the Rev. Dr. Shepard of Lenox then performed 
 the act of inauguration, and delivered the charge 
 to the President elect; the President then delivered 
 his inaugural address, after which he was ordained 
 pastor of the College church, the Rev. Dr. Cooley 
 of Granville offering the installing prayer ; the 
 
248 HISTORY OF, WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 right hand of fellowship was given by the Rev. E. 
 W. Dwight of Richmond, and the concluding 
 prayer was offered by Dr. Griffin. 
 
 During the Presidency of Dr. Griffin, the Col 
 lege had been slowly recovering from its former 
 depression, and its financial condition had been 
 improved. Still there was a great deficiency in its 
 funds, and the number of students was small. The 
 four classes then on the ground furnished one hun 
 dred and eleven graduates. 
 
 During the first year nothing of special interest 
 or importance occurred. In the spring of 1837 
 the building known as the Astronomical Observa 
 tory (the first of the kind on this continent de 
 signed exclusively for such an object) was com 
 menced, wholly on the responsibility of Professor 
 Hopkins. The original plan extended only to the 
 erection of a small edifice, which might serve as a 
 convenient place for the deposit of a small transit 
 instrument ; but it was thought best afterwards to 
 enlarge the design so as to accommodate other in 
 struments which at some future time might be 
 furnished. The exterior of the building was fin 
 ished in the fall of the same year. The work was 
 resumed the ensuing spring, and, in June, 1838, 
 the instruments having been mounted and arranged, 
 the edifice was dedicated by an address from Pro 
 fessor Hopkins. The cost of the Observatory, ex 
 clusive of the fixtures, was not far from two thou 
 sand dollars, to aid in defraying which, four hun 
 dred dollars were subscribed by four gentlemen in 
 
CH. XIII.] PKESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 249 
 
 Worcester, Boston, New York, and Williams town, 
 the remainder devolving upon Professor Hopkins. 
 This sum has since been partially repaid to him 
 by the Trustees, and, in honor of his efforts and 
 generosity, it was unanimously voted that the build 
 ing be called the " Hopkins Observatory." 
 
 In the summer of 1842, with the money thus 
 repaid by the Corporation, Professor Hopkins also 
 constructed and presented to the College a Mag 
 netic Observatory, together with the ground on 
 which it stands. 
 
 In 1838 the Professorship of Mathematics and 
 Natural Philosophy was abolished, the depart 
 ment of Professor Hopkins being termed the Pro 
 fessorship of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, 
 while a new Professorship of Mathematics was 
 at this time established, and Mr. John Tatlock, 
 who had been for two years a Tutor in College, was 
 transferred to the new professorship. 
 
 In the spring of 1840 an expedition through 
 Berkshire County was undertaken by the Lyceum 
 of Natural History, with a view, partly, to study 
 the natural history of the county, to explore its 
 interesting deposits of iron, marble, etc. ; and also 
 to give its members an opportunity to see the beau 
 tiful scenery of the county. The expedition, gen 
 erally, and always when it was desired, held a 
 public religious meeting at night, in the place 
 where they pitched their tent. In this way many 
 useful impressions were made, and much good ac 
 complished. The expedition was accompanied by 
 
250 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 Professor Hopkins, who, like Goldsmith s village 
 pastor, has, for more than thirty years in this 
 College, 
 
 " Allured to brighter worlds, 
 And led the way." 
 
 Sunday, October 17, 1841, the building long 
 known as the East College was destroyed by fire. 
 The fire took in the afternoon while the students 
 were at church, and was communicated, as is sup 
 posed, from a stick of wood falling from the fire 
 place upon the floor, in a room situated on the 
 north hall, fourth story, and west side. The build 
 ing being old, the flames spread with great rapidity, 
 and in a short time the edifice, which fond recol 
 lections had rendered dear to many, and which, 
 for nearly half a century, unscathed, had withstood 
 so many storms and partial burnings, was soon a 
 smouldering ruin. The students were, however, 
 enabled to save most of their furniture and books, 
 with the exception of those which were in the im 
 mediate vicinity of the fire. 
 
 While the south end of the College was burning, 
 the Astronomical Observatory was at times in great 
 danger, and was saved only by covering the com 
 bustible parts with wet blankets. The theological 
 library was entirely destroyed. But the loss that 
 fell with the greatest weight upon the students was 
 the destruction of the rooms belonging to the liter 
 ary societies. These apartments had been but re 
 cently fitted up in this building, and were situated 
 in the third story. The major part of the society 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 251 
 
 libraries and furniture was removed, though not 
 without great injury, the students exerting them 
 selves to the utmost, and not deserting their posts 
 until compelled by the overpowering heat. 
 
 The fire, though severely felt by some, on ac 
 count of the loss of books and furniture, did not 
 break up the regular course of studies, even of the 
 Junior and Senior classes, for more than one day. 
 The students, by the activity of the Faculty, and 
 the kindness of the people of the town, were with 
 out exception furnished with comfortable rooms be 
 fore the close of the next day. There being no 
 insurance, the loss fell heavily on the College, but 
 a meeting of the Trustees being immediately called, 
 active measures were at once taken, and in a com 
 paratively short time nine thousand dollars were 
 subscribed to aid in rebuilding. A petition was 
 also sent to the Legislature for aid, but it was not 
 successful. During the ensuing spring . and sum 
 mer, two new buildings, called East and South Col 
 leges, were erected, at an expense of eleven thou 
 sand dollars. 
 
 In 1842, a full suit of the minerals of the State 
 of New York was presented to the College by Pro 
 fessor Ebenezer Emmons. 
 
 On Wednesday, August 16, 1843, in accordance 
 with previous arrangements, the Society of Alumni 
 celebrated the semi-centennial anniversary of the 
 founding of the College. This occasion -brought 
 together a great number of graduates (probably not 
 far from three hundred), and with them, a large 
 crowd of interested spectators. 
 
252 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 On Tuesday evening, near a beautiful sunset, his 
 Excellency Governor Morton and Lieutenant-Gov 
 ernor Childs were escorted into town from Adams, 
 by a band of music, and a long train of carriages 
 and gentlemen on horseback. 
 
 Agreeably to public notice, the Alumni assem 
 bled in the College chapel at eight o clock, Wednes 
 day morning, and Judge Morris of Springfield, the 
 President of the Society, took the chair. Here were 
 brought together the aged, the middle-aged, and 
 the young, judges, rulers, pastors, teachers, law 
 yers, and literary men, who had passed their 
 days of classical pupilage in this delightful valley. 
 Some who met on this occasion had not seen each 
 other for thirty or forty years. Interesting, yet 
 painful, was it for these venerable men to meet and 
 recognize each other again, and exchange mutual 
 greeting and salutations. It was a most delightful 
 family gathering. The children of a common liter 
 ary parent had come home to acknowledge their 
 " indebtedness for blessings received and hopes ful 
 filled." They had come to be strengthened in all 
 good purposes and resolutions for the future. 
 
 One could almost hear these venerable men, as 
 they looked around upon each other, and on the 
 gorgeous scenery which surrounds Williams Col 
 lege, exclaim, as Wordsworth did on revisiting the 
 banks of the Wye, a spot endeared to him for its 
 many poetic inspirations and youthful joys : 
 
 " Though absent long, 
 These forms of beauty have not been to me 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 253 
 
 As is a landscape to a blind man s eye ; 
 But oft in lonely rooms, and mid the din 
 Of towns and cities, I have owed to them, 
 In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, 
 Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart, 
 And passing even into my purer mind 
 With tranquil restoration ; feelings, too, 
 Of unremembered pleasure, such perhaps 
 As have no slight or trivial influence 
 On that best portion of a good man s life, 
 His little, nameless, unremembered acts 
 Of kindness and of love." 
 
 How many tears were shed, how many tender 
 associations awakened, how many silent prayers 
 went up to Heaven for the long-continued prosper 
 ity and usefulness of our Alma Mater ! 
 
 A book had been provided, in which all graduates 
 present were requested to insert their names, class, 
 and residence, to be preserved and presented at the 
 centennial celebration in 1893. 
 
 Of the graduates of the early classes, there were 
 present : 
 
 1795. Not one (and only one member of the class was then 
 
 living). 
 
 1796. Rev. Thomas Bobbins, D. D., Rochester. 
 
 1797. Not one. 
 
 1798. Judge William P. Walker, Lenox. 
 
 1799. Rev. Samuel Fisher, D. D., New Jersey. 
 " Rev. William Patrick, Canterbury, Conn. 
 
 1800. Rev. Jared Curtis, Chaplain in the State Prison, Charles- 
 
 town. 
 
 " Rev. Caleb Knight, Worthington. 
 " Judge John Dickinson, Amherst. 
 
 1801. Judge Morris, of Springfield. 
 
 1802. Lieutenant- Governor Childs, Pittsfield. 
 
 22 
 
254 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 1802. James W. Bobbins, Esq., Lenox. 
 
 1803. David Buttolph, Norwich, N. Y. 
 " Rev. J. W. Canning, Gill. 
 
 " Rev. Phineas Cooke, Lebanon, N. Y. 
 Jacob Ten Eyck, Esq., Schodack, N. Y. 
 
 1804. Rev. Barnabas King, Rockaway, N. J. 
 
 1805. Judge David Buel, Troy, N. Y. 
 
 1806. Judge Samuel R. Betts, New York. 
 
 " Rev. Professor Dewey, Rochester, N. Y. 
 Thomas A. Gold, Esq., Pittsfield. 
 
 1807. * Rev. John Nelson, D. D., Leicester. 
 " Judge Stebbins, Springfield. 
 
 1808. Judge Joseph Boies, Union Village, "Washington County, 
 
 N. Y. 
 
 " Noah Ely, Esq., Chenango, N. Y. 
 " Rev. F. L. Robbins, Enfield, Conn. 
 
 1809. Not represented. 
 
 1810. Rev. Justin Edwards, D. D., Andover. 
 
 " Judge Daniel Kellogg, Rockingham, Vt. 
 
 1811. Judge C. A. Dewey, Northampton. 
 Rev. Eben L. Clark, Richmond. 
 
 After the reading of the minutes, the Society pro 
 ceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing 
 year, and Judge Betts of New York was elected 
 President. A vote was immediately passed elect 
 ing his Excellency Governor Morton an honorary 
 member of the Society, and Lieutenant-Governor 
 Childs and Judge Betts were chosen a committee 
 to repair to the house of President Hopkins, and 
 inform his Excellency of his election, and invite 
 him to attend, and take a seat on the stage. In a 
 few moments he entered the chapel, amid much 
 applause and waving of handkerchiefs, and took 
 his seat by the side of Judge Morris, who had not 
 
CH.XIH.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 255 
 
 yet left the chair. At this moment, the Rev. Jared 
 Curtis came to the stage to write his name in the 
 book. Judge Morris remarked : " The individual 
 who is now writing his name is the Rev. Jared 
 Curtis ; he was a native of Stockbridge, and be 
 longed to the class of 1800. He is a clergyman, 
 and the only Alumnus of our College who hails 
 from the State Prison." (Loud applause.) "And, 
 inasmuch as his Excellency the Governor is now 
 with us, I would suggest to him whether this 
 would not be a favorable time to present a petition, 
 with the signatures of some of his friends, for an 
 unconditional pardon." Instantly the Governor 
 replied : " It cannot be granted, unless his conduct 
 is different from what it has been." (Loud and pro 
 longed applause.) Mr. Curtis is a clergyman of 
 the old school, puritanical in his sentiments and 
 habits, and has been a judicious and faithful spirit 
 ual adviser to that unfortunate class of men who 
 for so many years were under his pastoral care. 
 
 At ten o clock a procession was formed in the 
 following order, viz. : Graduates of the College, in 
 the order of their graduation ; Trustees and Fac 
 ulty of the College ; Strangers and Undergraduates ; 
 and proceeded to the church, which was filled 
 to overflowing. The exercises were commenced 
 with singing, "Jerusalem, my happy home," etc. 
 Prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Justin Edwards. 
 The audience was then addressed by Dr. Hopkins 
 and by Dr. Robbins. The address of the President 
 was marked by strength and originality of thought, 
 
256 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIH. 
 
 and beauty and elegance of language. So touching 
 and true were some of his allusions, in awakening 
 emotions and recollections of the past, that the 
 eyes of many unaccustomed to weep were suffused 
 with tears. After extending a most cordial and 
 hearty welcome to the Alumni, in his own name 
 and in that of their venerated Alma Mater, " to 
 her quiet seats, to that green spot in the memory 
 of the past, to these familiar scenes, these remem 
 bered walks, to the sound of that bell not unwel 
 come now, to these circling and unchanged moun 
 tains, and the scenery unsurpassed," he briefly 
 reviewed the changes that had passed since the 
 founding of the College. The subject of his ad 
 dress was "The Law of Progress of the Race," 
 and it closed with some remarks on the connection 
 of this College with that progress. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Robbins then pronounced an elaborate 
 address, in which he gave a brief sketch of the his 
 tory of the College, accompanied with many well- 
 digested thoughts in relation to the obligations of 
 students. The benediction was pronounced by the 
 Rev. Samuel Fisher, D. D. 
 
 The services being concluded, the Alumni and 
 invited guests repaired to the East College green, 
 where, under a tent erected for the occasion, a col 
 lation was prepared. The Rev. Dr. Shepard in 
 voked the Divine blessing. After the material 
 repast, the intellectual feast was again renewed in 
 numerous and spirited addresses. Judge Betts of 
 New York led the way, by a glowing description 
 
CH. XIIL] PKESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 257 
 
 of the advantages of this institution, and the bene 
 fits conferred by it, not only on individuals, but 
 also upon the community at large ; and in conclud 
 ing, called upon his Excellency Governor Morton. 
 The Governor responded in a very happy speech, 
 which was received with the liveliest applause. 
 He was followed by Professor Dewey of Roch 
 ester, Lieutenant-Governor Childs of Pittsfield, 
 Judge Dewey of Northampton, Rev. Dr. Nelson 
 of Leicester, Rev. Dr. Edwards of Andover, Hon. 
 Emory Washburn, Rev. Dr. Brigham, Rev. J. N. 
 Danforth, Erastus C. Benedict, Esq., and some 
 others. The company was enlivened by the pres 
 ence of a large number of ladies, and prolonged 
 this delightful interchange of sentiment until 
 evening. 
 
 The remarks made by the Hon. Charles A. 
 Dewey, LL. D.,* of the class of 1811, as they con 
 tain some interesting reminiscences, are here in 
 serted entire : 
 
 " The occasion on which we are assembled is one of thrilling 
 interest. How many themes present themselves to our minds 
 that might well occupy the brief space allowed for the utterance 
 of our sentiments. Prominent is the debt of gratitude we owe 
 to the gallant soldier, the true-hearted philanthropist and patriot, 
 whose name our Alma Mater so appropriately bears. The deep 
 
 * Hon. C. A. Dewey was a native of Williamstown, and resided 
 there eleven years after he entered on the duties of his profession. He 
 was early elected a Trustee and Secretary of the College. During the 
 protracted and painful controversy respecting its removal, his voice and 
 pen were successfully employed in the defence of the College as then 
 located. 
 
 22* 
 
258 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [C H . XIII. 
 
 solicitude he felt for the welfare of those who were to come after 
 him induced him to make an endowment for increasing the facil 
 ities of education. He here laid the foundation for a school of 
 an elevated character, and one promising great benefit to the 
 youth of this vicinity. It soon came to be felt that the cause of 
 sound learning and true piety demanded an institution of a more 
 elevated character, one which might extend its benefits to the 
 young men, not of this town merely, but embracing a large cir 
 cle and an extended region. In the true spirit of our republican 
 institutions this College was chartered, and by its establishment 
 the facilities of a collegiate education were widely extended. 
 Here benefits of a practical character were secured. It occu 
 pied a space remote from other similar institutions ; its expenses 
 were of small amount, and easily brought within the compass of 
 all who desired to obtain an education. In truth, it extended the 
 advantages to a large class of young men who, but for this Col 
 lege, would have been deprived of the advantages of a liberal 
 education ; and many who have now a controlling influence in 
 the affairs of National and State governments ; many who have 
 adorned the liberal professions ; and many who have gone forth to 
 civilize and Christianize the heathen world, would have remained 
 in comparative obscurity but for this institution. The advan 
 tages here offered were eagerly embraced. Young men from 
 every quarter here assembled. Those who would have gone 
 to no other institution were here trained and fitted for strong 
 pillars in church and state, filling the learned professions, occu 
 pying the highest stations in our universities and colleges, hon 
 ored by seats in our legislative halls. 
 
 " Williams College was peculiarly fortunate in its first officers. 
 President Fitch, that good man, w r ho for twenty-two years, al 
 most the half of the whole period of its past existence, presided 
 over it, brought to the presidential chair those qualities which 
 gave him extensive influence, and attracted the attention of the 
 friends of learning and science. Uniting the urbane manners of 
 the good-hearted gentleman, highly respectable talents, much 
 and long-continued experience as a teacher, and a heart abound 
 ing in love to God and towards his fellow-men, he was beloved 
 of all, esteemed of all. 
 
CH.XHI.] PRESIDENT HOPKmS S ADMINISTRATION. 259 
 
 " His associates, as teachers, were men of the highest order. 
 I see there Jeremiah Day, since so long at the head of Yale 
 College ; Henry Davis, who has presided over Middlebury and 
 Hamilton Colleges ; Thomas Day and Warren Dutton, lights of 
 science and literature. 
 
 " The College had indeed its palmy days, and the evidence of 
 its usefulness soon became apparent. If subsequently there have 
 been days of darkness and depression, they have been shared, it 
 is believed, in common with other similar institutions. 
 
 " The period emphatically one of depression as to numbers 
 was that of 1813, 1814, and 1815. The question as to whether 
 a new class was to enter at the new college year was sometimes 
 supposed to depend on the state of things in a private classical 
 school in the little village of Plainfield ; and what numbers that 
 good and venerable man and minister, the Rev. Mr. Hallock, 
 could send us. There, in retirement, besides his parochial duties, 
 always faithfully performed, this venerable man devoted his time 
 most successfully to the classical education of young men. Mr. 
 Hallock never forsook us, and in the days of our greatest need 
 always sent us from his retired cloister a number of goodly 
 youth, and in one instance, I believe, furnished more than one 
 half of the entire class. 
 
 " The accession of Dr. Griffin gave a new impulse to the Col 
 lege. His eminent talents, his high religious character, his 
 ardent devotion to the College as then located, produced the hap 
 piest results. The tide soon turned ; and from that day Williams 
 College has had a glorious onward march. Its enlargement and 
 improvement have corresponded with the progress of the age. 
 Everything requisite for a thorough and useful education is pro 
 vided, so that our sons, to our latest posterity, may come to this 
 fount, and drink freely of those waters so well adapted to secure 
 their intellectual and moral training, and to fit them to act well 
 their parts in the great drama of life. 
 
 " In taking a retrospect of the past, in looking over the names 
 of those who have been trained within these walls, while we are 
 pained to say that some have faltered in their progress, tempted 
 by the love of ease ; some have been the votaries of pleasure, 
 
260 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 and the victims of dissipation ; but many, very many of our num 
 ber have shone as stars of the first magnitude. It would be 
 pleasant to group in appropriate classes those who have thus 
 /honored their Alma Mater. We are fully authorized to say that 
 I the names on our triennial catalogue will not suffer in this respect 
 in comparison with those of the most favored institutions in our 
 \land. 
 
 " Of the sons of Williams, many already sleep with the dead. 
 In recalling the memory of such to my mind, I was forciby 
 struck with the fact, that, among the brilliant lights thus early 
 extinguished, three have been my neighbors and friends in 
 Northampton. Mills, Howe, and Ashmun, all distinguished, all 
 shining lights in the spheres in which they moved. Mills, whose 
 brilliant eye and intelligent countenance bespoke the splendid gen 
 ius within, that could lead captive his admiring hearers, whether 
 in the senate chamber or the judicial forum. Howe, whom 
 so many of us have seen at the bar or on the bench, an example 
 of triumphant success, accomplished mainly by an ardent devo 
 tion to his profession, and whose whole career was distinguished 
 for his love of principle and justice. Ashmun (three years a 
 member of this institution) fell an early victim to disease, but he 
 too lived long enough to acquire the reputation of an accom 
 plished lawyer, and to be counted worthy to fill a professional 
 chair, as an associate with the learned Justice Story, who re 
 spected him while living, and honored his memory in an obituary 
 sketch most honorable to our lamented friend. 
 
 " But let us return from this digression, and contemplate our 
 personal relations to this institution. As individuals, we owe a 
 debt of gratitude to Williams College, for the advantages here 
 enjoyed, for that early training, moral and intellectual, we here 
 received. But the benefits of education are not limited to the 
 consideration of the advancement of the individual. It is society 
 at large that is benefited by institutions like these. This consti 
 tutional government of ours, if it can be sustained at all, is to be 
 sustained by the virtue and intelligence of the people. To this 
 end there must be a general diffusion of education among the 
 masses of the people. They must be educated, but how are they 
 
CH. XIIL] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 261 
 
 to be educated ? Through the instrumentality of those first edu 
 cated at our collegiate institutions. 
 
 " In conclusion, allow me to say that the occasion forcibly re 
 minds us that more devotion is required on our part to the cause 
 of science and literature. Enjoying the blessings of education, 
 and appreciating their value, we ought to be excited to labor 
 that education may be more generally diffused. As sons of Wil 
 liams, let us arouse ourselves, and buckle on our armor in this 
 great cause. Let us especially exert ourselves to preserve and 
 perpetuate this luminary in our intellectual and moral horizon. 
 Long, long may she remain a beacon light, guiding the young to 
 knowledge and virtue. Here may the standard of scholarship be 
 elevated, thoroughly and practically useful. Here may annually 
 issue forth minds, properly trained for the great purposes of this 
 life and that which is yet future. Thus, and thus only, will she 
 satisfy our wants as rational and immortal beings, and answer the 
 full purposes of her existence." 
 
 In January, 1844, while still embarrassed in con 
 sequence of its recent loss, the College received an 
 unexpected donation of five thousand dollars from 
 Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston. It nearly can 
 celled the debt which had been contracted in conse 
 quence of the fore-mentioned loss. In July follow 
 ing, Mr. Lawrence increased his donation to ten 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees in August, this 
 year, in view of the generous donations just named, 
 it was voted that one of the professorships shall be 
 called the Lawrence Professorship. 
 
 In January, 1846, after consultation with Dr. 
 Hopkins, Mr. Lawrence added another ten thou 
 sand dollars to his previous donations. His next 
 gift was the present library building. It was 
 
262 HISTOBY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XIII. 
 
 erected in 1846, at an expense of seven thousand 
 dollars ; and by vote of the Trustees the building 
 is called " Lawrence Hall." 
 
 Soon after, he gave two thousand dollars to es 
 tablish four scholarships, designed for the benefit, 
 primarily, of students from Groton Academy ; a 
 scholarship merely paying the tuition of the stu 
 dent. 
 
 For a number of years Mr. Lawrence was in the 
 habit of inviting some two or three individuals in 
 the vicinity of Boston to attend the annual Com 
 mencement at Williams, at his expense, and bring 
 him a full report of the proceedings. Never will 
 the writer forget the pleasure and profit it afforded 
 him to be for successive years one of these repre 
 sentatives and reporters. 
 
 In 1851, Mr. Lawrence, accompanied by Mrs. 
 Lawrence, made his first and only visit to Wil- 
 liamstown. On viewing the College grounds, and 
 observing their great susceptibilities of improve 
 ment, but lack of room, he authorized the purchase 
 of four acres, south of the East College grounds. 
 
 His next gift was a telescope, which cost about 
 fifteen hundred dollars. 
 
 In addition to these gifts, Mr. Lawrence, at 
 different times, greatly enlarged the library with 
 costly books, the expense of which cannot be as 
 certained. 
 
 In 1845, on Forefathers Day, he sent to the 
 President a check for one hundred dollars, to be 
 used for the aid of needy students ; and he fur- 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 263 
 
 nished at least one hundred dollars annually for 
 that purpose, and regarded the results with much 
 interest. 
 
 Thus, in different ways, Mr. Lawrence gave to 
 the College between thirty and forty thousand dol 
 lars ; and he had expressed the purpose, should he 
 live, of aiding it still further. 
 
 He fully sympathized with the Trustees in the 
 effort, which was commenced just before his death, 
 to raise fifty thousand dollars for a permanent en 
 dowment of the institution. During the last thir 
 teen years of Mr. Lawrence s life there is good 
 authority for saying that his various benefactions 
 were not less than five hundred thousand dollars ; 
 still, no memorial of his will be more enduring 
 than what he did for this College. By this, " he 
 being dead, yet speaketh." 
 
 Mr. Lawrence was once requested to write a few 
 lines in a book which contains, in manuscript, some 
 notice of the principal donors, the Trustees, Presi 
 dents, and Professors of Williams College. He 
 wrote as follows : 
 
 "BOSTON, December 17, 1847. 
 " REV. AND DEAR SIR : 
 
 " On this day, forty years ago, I commenced business 
 
 in this city, without property to the amount of twenty dollars, 
 without any rich friend or any poor friend to speak a good word 
 for me, and made my first sale to a Cape Cod man, of four cot 
 ton handkerchiefs for twenty-eight cents each, on which I made 
 a profit of twenty-nine cents, which is the foundation of my busi 
 ness capital. I told the man my purpose, and if he liked my 
 plan, should be glad to have him call and see and try me again. 
 On a rainy day, about a week after, this same man came peeping 
 
264 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 along into the store-doors (mine had two doors, and was 31 Corn- 
 hill), and as he looked in at the second door, said, l This is the 
 place, boys/ and was followed in .by some half a dozen of his 
 comrades to get fitted out for their return home. I supplied 
 them with such articles as they wanted, and ever after, while I 
 sold goods at retail, these people continued to come to me for 
 what they wanted, because I never deceived them by pretending 
 to keep a cheap shop, but that I would always give them a fair 
 return for their money, and such articles as were not satisfactory 
 might be returned to me, and I would return them the money. 
 In my whole experience of more than ten years with them, they 
 never in any case asked for a return of money. From the 17th 
 day of December, 1807, to this 17th day of December, 1847, 1 
 have not inherited or received as my own property to the amount 
 of a dollar that I have not paid out a full equivalent for, thus 
 possessing the fruits of my own labors, * full measure and running 
 over/ by the blessing of God uniformly on these labors. I de 
 sire to use the talents committed to me so as to receive * THE 
 WELL DONE when called to an account. If I succeed, it will be 
 through the mercy of the Beloved. 
 
 " AMOS LAWRENCE. 
 " REV. CALVIN DURFEE." 
 
 In this connection it may be mentioned, that, in 
 1856, Mr^Amos Lawrence gave to the College five 
 thousand dollars as a library fund. 
 
 In August, 1844, Professor Kellogg resigned 
 his office as Professor of Languages, having been 
 unable for some time, on account of ill health, to 
 attend to all his College duties. He died at Wil- 
 liarnstown, October, 1846, aged fifty-seven, having 
 been connected with the institution for a period of 
 thirty years. Professor Kellogg was born at Ver- 
 non, Conn., October 25, 1789. He entered Yale 
 College in 1807, joining the Sophomore class, and 
 
CH. XIIL] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTEATION. 265 
 
 graduated in 1810, when he pronounced the Salu 
 tatory oration. After teaching two years he stud 
 ied theology at Andover, and was appointed Pro 
 fessor of Languages in Williams College in the 
 spring of 1815. 
 
 In 1845 Professor Tatlock was appointed Pro 
 fessor of Languages, as successor to Professor Kel 
 logg, and Mr. John Darby of Georgia was ap 
 pointed Professor of Mathematics. 
 
 The old laboratory being found inconvenient, a 
 new and commodious building was erected at this 
 time, and the chemical apparatus was greatly en 
 larged. 
 
 In January, 1846, the Rev. Dr. Shepard, of 
 Lenox, died, in the seventy-third year of his age, 
 and fifty-first of his ministry. He was born at 
 Chatham, Conn., November 19, 1772; was gradu 
 ated at Yale College, 1793; was ordained in Lenox, 
 April 30, 1795. He was a man of a quick and 
 vigorous mind ; an earnest and popular preacher ; 
 an able and judicious spiritual adviser. Many were 
 the seals of his ministry. He was remarkably ap 
 propriate and solemn in prayer. There was a rare 
 compass and power in his eloquent voice, the 
 memory of which will long be cherished in the 
 sanctuaries of Berkshire. He was a man of noble 
 personal appearance, and his social qualities were 
 uncommonly interesting and versatile. He was a 
 Trustee of the College thirty-eight years, twelve 
 of which he had officiated as Vice-President. 
 23 
 
266 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 His name will ,long be held in grateful remem 
 brance.* 
 
 In 1846 Professor Darby resigned his connec 
 tion with the College, and Professor Tatlock was 
 re-appointed Professor of Mathematics. The Rev. 
 Nathaniel H. Griffin was appointed Professor of 
 Languages. 
 
 In 1847 the building known as Kellogg Hall 
 was erected. 
 
 At a meeting of the Alumni, August, 1847, the 
 Rev. Dr. Robbins made some remarks, sugges ting- 
 certain improvements in the Triennial Catalogue. 
 In accordance with his suggestions, a committee, 
 consisting of Dr. Robbins, Dr. Davis, Rev. Mr. 
 Durfee, Hon. E. Washburn, and Professor Griffin, 
 were appointed, and requested to report at the 
 next annual meeting. This committee subsequently 
 made a report, prepared by Professor Griffin, for 
 which they received the thanks of the Alumni^ 
 and were continued, and requested to make such 
 other improvements in the Triennial Catalogue as 
 further investigations should warrant, For the 
 great amount of statistical information with which 
 our Triennial Catalogue abounds the Alumni are 
 chiefly indebted to the persevering labors of Pro 
 fessor Griffin. 
 
 In 1848 Ebenezer Emmons, M. D., was elected 
 Professor of Natural History. This year, too, he 
 
 * The College lias a lifelike portrait of Dr. Shepard, a preseut from 
 his daughter, Miss Lucy A. Shepard. 
 
CH. XIII.j PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 267 
 
 presented to the College his valuable cabinet of 
 mineralogical and geological specimens ; a donation 
 of unspeakable value. 
 
 This year the Hon. John Mills and the Hon. 
 Christopher A. Paige received the thanks of the 
 Board for valuable donations of books to the 
 College. N 
 
 In the fall of 1849, a successful effort was 
 made to unite the Theological and the Mills So 
 ciety of Inquiry. The former society had existed 
 for about half a century; the latter was organ 
 ized in 1820. Both societies were small. All the 
 members of the Mills Society were considered as 
 pledged to the missionary work. In connection 
 with this union of the two societies, an effort was 
 made to secure a room for the library. After this 
 organization had taken place, and the library had 
 been greatly enlarged, the number of members was, 
 in a short time, nearly doubled, and much good 
 was accomplished. The leading individuals in this 
 movement were the Rev. P. M. Bartlett and Mr. 
 William D. Porter. The two societies now meet 
 every Sabbath evening at six o clock, one even 
 ing as a theological society, the next as a mission 
 ary association. 
 
 At the Commencement in 1850, Dudley Field 
 of New York was graduated, and delivered the 
 Philosophical oration. On the same day, at the 
 close of the forenoon exercises, his father, David 
 Dudley Field, LL.D., of the class of 1825, delivered! 
 the annual address before the Society of Alumni. 
 
268 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 On the same day, the services in the afternoon 
 were closed with prayer by the Rev. David Dudley 
 Field, D. D., of Stockbridge, father of one and 
 grandfather of the other individual just named. 
 Thus three generations participated in the Com 
 mencement exercises on the same day. 
 
 In 1852 Professor Edward Lasell died, greatly 
 lamented. He was born at Scoharie, N. Y., Jan 
 uary 21, 1809, was fitted for college mostly at 
 home, under private instruction, entered Williams 
 College in 1824, and graduated in 1828, when he 
 pronounced the Valedictory oration. He passed 
 one year as a teacher in a high school at Pittsfield, 
 was elected a Tutor in Williams College in 1829, 
 remained in that capacity four years, and was then 
 elected Professor of Chemistry. He was the founder 
 of the Lasell Seminary, at Auburndale. He lives 
 in the grateful recollection of all who knew him. 
 He married Miss Ruth Whitman, a daughter of 
 Dr. Timothy Whitman ; and Mrs. Laura Whitman, 
 widow of Dr. W r hitman, contributed six hundred 
 dollars annually towards Professor Lasell s salary 
 during his connection with the College. Mrs. Lucy 
 Whitman, widow of John P. Whitman, Esq., gave 
 to the College one thousand dollars in 1842, which 
 is mentioned by Dr. Hopkins in his Jubilee ad 
 dress. These brothers and their wives were among 
 the early and efficient friends of the College. 
 
 In 1852 it was voted that the interests of the 
 College demand that an effort be made to raise the 
 sum of fifty thousand dollars, by the donations of 
 
CH. XIII ] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 269 
 
 the friends of the College. To effect this, Dr. Pe 
 ters was appointed financial agent. 
 
 At the Commencement in 1853, Dr. Hopkins, in 
 behalf of Dr. Stephen West Williams of Deerfield, 
 presented to the College the sword and watch of 
 Colonel Ephraim Williams, its founder. These 
 relics had been carefully preserved in the Williams 
 family. Their acceptance was accompanied by a 
 motion from David Dudley Field, Esq., to erect 
 a monument to the memory of Colonel Williams, 
 on the spot where he fell, near Lake George ; 
 also, if possible, to recover his remains, deposit 
 them in a sarcophagus, and erect over them a 
 monument on the College grounds ; and Mr. Field, 
 Mr. Canning, and Hon. Asahel Foote were ap 
 pointed a committee for this purpose. 
 
 At the next annual meeting of the Society this 
 committee reported, through Mr. Canning as chair 
 man, that, shortly after their appointment, they 
 (Professor Griffin taking the place of Mr. Field on 
 the committee) repaired to the place of Colonel 
 Williams s last conflict and fall. They found that 
 Judge Rosekrans, the owner of the land where the 
 remains of Williams repose, entered warmly into 
 the object proposed, and very readily deeded to the 
 Trustees of Williams College Williams Rock, and 
 a sufficient quantity of land around it for all the 
 purposes required, with right of way to the public 
 road running a few rods northward. In the course 
 of the winter following, the committee obtained of 
 Messrs. Fitch and Son, of Alford, in this county, 
 23* 
 
270 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 a monument, wrought of the gray marble, of 
 Southern Berkshire, a symmetrical obelisk, ten feet 
 and nine inches in height and eighteen inches 
 square at the base, tapering to ten inches, and rest 
 ing on a plinth two feet square and nine inches in 
 height ; making the whole structure, including 
 rock, about twenty feet in elevation. It is in 
 scribed on three sides as follows : 
 
 ON THE EAST SIDE : 
 
 " To the memory of Colonel Ephraim Williams, a native of 
 Newton, Mass., who after gallantly defending his native State, 
 served under General Johnson against the French and Indians, 
 and nobly fell near this spot in the bloody conflict of September 
 8, 1755, in the forty-first year of his age." 
 
 ON THE NORTH SIDE: 
 
 "A lover of peace and learning, as courteous and generous 
 as he was brave and patriotic, Colonel Williams sympathized 
 deeply with the privations of the frontier settlers, and by his 
 will, made at Albany, on his way to the field of battle, provided 
 for the founding among them of an institution of learning which 
 has since been chartered as a College." 
 
 ON THE WEST SIDE: 
 
 "Forti ac magnanimo Eph. Williams, Collegii Gulielmensi 
 conditori, qui in hostibus patriae repellendis, prope hoc saxum 
 cecidit, grati Alumni hoc monumentum posuerunt, A. D. 1854." 
 
 The remains of Williams were not obtained. 
 The committee ascertained that, about twenty years 
 before they visited the place, a relative of Colonel 
 Williams, probably a nephew, Dr. William H. Wil 
 liams, of Raleigh, N. C., had disinterred and carried 
 off the skull. The committee were directed to the 
 
CH.XHL] PEESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 271 
 
 place of Colonel Williams s burial by an aged man, 
 who assisted in the exhumation of his remains, or 
 a portion of them. The disturbed grave was rev 
 erently filled, and a large pyramidal boulder was 
 placed upon it, and the initials, "E. W. 1755," were 
 carved thereon. The grave is some fifteen or twen 
 ty, rods southerly from the monument, by the side 
 of the old military road. 
 
 " To a personal visitation of these localities the 
 committee invite every son of Williams. It is a 
 charming region, rife with the memories of the 
 most stirring scenes in our country s history. They 
 cluster about every crag and mountain,, in every 
 valley, and around the mouldering walls of the 
 many fortresses, and above the placid mirror of 
 the Horicon. The names of Howe, Abercrombie, 
 Amherst, Johnson, Putnam, Stark, Rogers, Wil 
 liams, and a host besides, are not forgotten amid 
 the scenes where they recorded their fame. The 
 committee doubt not they utter the feelings of 
 every Alumnus, in expressing their great satisfac 
 tion, that, after a lapse of almost a century of neg 
 lect, we may now point to an honorable memorial 
 of the founder of our Alma Mater on the field 
 of his last battle, and no longer with a blush ex 
 claim, 
 
 How sleep the brave, who sink to rest 
 With all their country s wishes blest ! " 
 
 The deeded land on which the monument stands 
 was subsequently enclosed by a substantial iron 
 fence, at the expense of the Alumni of the College. 
 
272 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 In the fall of 1853, Dr. Alden resigned the Pro 
 fessorship of Rhetoric and Moral Philosophy, to 
 accept the Professorship of Intellectual Philosophy 
 in Lafayette College, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Rev. I. N. Lincoln was elected Professor of 
 the Latin and French Languages. 
 
 In 1853 Mr. Paul A. Chadbourne, A. M., was 
 elected Professor of Chemistry and Botany, as suc 
 cessor to Professor Lasell, deceased. 
 
 In 1854 Mr. Addison Ballard, A. M., was elected 
 Professor of Rhetoric. At the same time it was 
 voted to establish a Professorship of History, Polit 
 ical Economy, and the German Language; and Mr. 
 Arthur L. Perry was elected to fill the professor 
 ship. Since that time there have been no tutors in 
 this College. 
 
 In 1855 Professor Ballard resigned the chair of 
 Rhetoric, and Mr. John Bascom, A. M., was ap 
 pointed his successor. 
 
 The time of holding Commencement was this 
 year changed from the third to the first Wednes 
 day in August. The Rev. Dr. Peters resigned the 
 office of financial agent, and the Rev. Calvin Dur- 
 fee was appointed his successor. The thanks of the 
 Trustees were voted to Mr. James Orton, of the 
 Senior class, for his aid in the procurement of 
 the means, and for his services in the erection 
 of Jackson Hall. 
 
 The thanks of the Trustees were likewise voted 
 to Nathan Jackson, Esq., of New York, for his 
 generous and munificent donation of three thou- 
 

CH.XIIL] PEESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTKATION. 273 
 
 sand five hundred dollars for the use of the Natural 
 History Society, connected with this College. 
 
 Mr. Jackson was a native of Berkshire County, 
 and was born in Tyringham, now Monterey, March 
 16, 1780, and was the fourteenth child of his par 
 ents. His father, Colonel Giles Jackson, was born 
 at Weston, February 22, 1733, and came to Tyring 
 ham when he was sixteen years old, and afterwards 
 became a leading citizen of the place. He was a 
 magistrate twenty years, and a representative in the 
 General Court fourteen years. He was a member 
 of the first Congress, which met at Stockbridge, in 
 1774; and afterwards a member of the State Con 
 gress, which met at Watertown. He was a com 
 missioned officer in the army of the Revolution, 
 and drew up the articles of capitulation at the sur 
 render of Burgoyne. His grandfather, John Jack 
 son, came from Weston to Tyringham in 1749, and 
 was one of the first settlers of that town, and was 
 the first deacon of the Congregational Church in 
 that place. The mother of Nathan Jackson (once 
 Miss Anna Thomas, of Farmington, Conn.) died in 
 July, 1780, when he was four months old. When he 
 was seven years old his sister, who had had the prin 
 cipal care of him, was married to Mr. David Man 
 ning, afterwards Major Manning, of Stockbridge; 
 and he went to reside with her, where he remained 
 about six years. Near the commencement of 1793, 
 he went with a former acquaintance of his father to 
 Poultney, Vermont, where he remained two years. 
 In 1796 he returned to his father s house in Tyring- 
 
274 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cir. XIII. 
 
 ham, where he remained three years. His father s 
 family at this time was very numerous. His 
 mother at her death left eight sons and six daugh 
 ters. His father, for his second wife, married Mrs. 
 Sarah Orton, widow of Thomas Orton, Esq., who 
 had six children, four sons and two daughters. 
 By this last marriage six children more were added 
 to the family, making twenty-six in all. At one 
 time over twenty children were living together in 
 the family, and seventeen of them attended the dis 
 trict school. 
 
 In 1799, when Nathan was nineteen years old, 
 he left his father s house and went to Boston, in 
 tending to go to sea. But the Captain to whom he 
 and another young man applied for employment, 
 utterly refused to employ " two such greenhorns. 
 Here he remained four years. In 1803, leaving 
 Boston, he went to New London, Conn., where he 
 remained seven years. In 1810, he took up his 
 permanent residence in New York. 
 
 When an individual in subsequent life becomes 
 in any way distinguished in the walks of useful 
 ness, we naturally inquire if there was anything 
 peculiar in his childhood. Now, if our limits 
 would allow, we could relate some anecdotes re 
 specting young Jackson, showing what he was, and 
 foreshadowing what he was to become. But we 
 forbear. 
 
 The question has often been asked, " What 
 first gave Mr. Jackson such an interest in Williams 
 College ? " There are two general reasons. One is, 
 
CH.XIIL] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 275 
 
 he first opened his eyes on the green hills and 
 fertile vales of Berkshire ; and, with his strong 
 local attachments, would naturally cherish a deep 
 interest in the favored institutions of his native 
 county. Another is, the mother of Williams, the 
 founder of the College, was a daughter of Abra 
 ham Jackson of Newton. She died when he was 
 three years old, leaving him and a younger son, 
 Thomas (afterwards Dr. Thomas Williams, of Deer- 
 field), to the care of their grandfather Jackson, 
 " who gave them a good education for the times ; 
 and it is quite apparent," says a historian, " that 
 the first sprouts of Williams College were germi 
 nated in the family of Abraham Jackson." And 
 it is fitting in itself, and interesting to remember, 
 that a lineal descendant of Abraham Jackson, and 
 consequently a near relative of Ephraim Williams, 
 has now personally associated the Jackson name 
 with an institution founded by one of the Williams 
 family. 
 
 Another question has often been asked : " How 
 did Mr. Jackson acquire the means of aiding Wil 
 liams College so liberally?" He commenced the 
 acquisition of property in early life, and has been, 
 in the common acceptation of the term, a fortunate 
 man. In the summer of 1792, while residing in 
 Stockbridge, Barnabas Bidwell, a son of the first 
 clergyman in Tyringham, was a law student in 
 that place. He kept a horse ; and he told young 
 Jackson if he would catch his horse for him, 
 and turn him out, he might have it to ride home 
 
276 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XIII. 
 
 to keep Thanksgiving. He readily accepted the 
 offer, and fulfilled his part of the contract. The 
 day before Thanksgiving, as he was mounted on 
 his horse ready to start for home, Mr. Bid well said, 
 " Nathan, have you any pocket-money ? " " Yes, 
 Sir, I have three ninepenny pieces." Mr. Bidwell 
 then handed him a silver dollar. This was the first 
 dollar he ever had. And what did he do with it 1 
 He did not spend it to see shows, nor for rum, nor 
 brandy, nor cigars, nor tobacco. But he bought a 
 sheep with it, and put out that sheep to double 
 once in four years, and kept on letting out his 
 sheep for forty years. In 1832 his flock amounted 
 to one thousand and sixty-four sheep ; and he then 
 sold them for fifteen hundred and ninety-six dollars. 
 He knew where he could invest this money to good 
 advantage. Up-town lots in New York had re 
 cently been surveyed, and were now for sale at a 
 very low price. He ascertained that a large num 
 ber of them were to be sold at auction. He at 
 tended the sale, and purchased ten lots for two 
 hundred and fifty dollars each. These lots he sold 
 in two years for twelve thousand dollars. Thus, 
 JACKSON HALL, which he erected at Williams Col 
 lege for the use of the Natural History Society, 
 and which, with its fixtures, has cost him near five 
 thousand dollars, has taken only about one half of 
 his Bidwell dollar. 
 
 It is always interesting to trace the developments 
 of Divine Providence. Near the beginning of the 
 year 1855, Mr. James Or ton, then a member of the 
 
CH.XIIL] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 277 
 
 Senior class, prepared a circular, setting forth in 
 strong terms the condition and wants of the Nat 
 ural History Society connected with the College; 
 and stating that twenty-five hundred dollars were 
 urgently needed to erect a suitable building for the 
 accommodation of the Society; and that whoever 
 would subscribe one thousand might give his name 
 to the edifice. During the next spring vacation, 
 while in New York, at Mr. Jackson s, he showed 
 him the circular. Mr. Jackson made particular 
 inquiries respecting the wants and prospects of the 
 College, and offered to correspond with him on 
 the subject of the projected edifice. On the 17th 
 of May, 1855, the first letter which he wrote touch 
 ing this matter was addressed to the President and 
 Trustees of the College, and contained the cheering 
 declaration that he would give the whole amount 
 named in the circular. He says : " After mature 
 deliberation, I have concluded to say, that you may 
 consider funds to the extent of twenty-five hundred 
 dollars .to be provided by me, for the purpose 
 named in your circular ; and you may look to me 
 for that amount whenever it is required. 
 
 " There are many inducements which have led 
 me to this conclusion, among some of which are 
 the following. The founder of Williams College 
 Colonel Ephraim Williams was the son of a 
 sister of my grandfather, thus throwing around the 
 institution the influence of family association. And 
 the interest growing out of the fact that I am a 
 native of that section of the State in which the in- 
 24 
 
278 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 stitution is situated, descended from one of the old 
 est and first families there, whose history has been 
 identified with the history of that part of the State 
 since its first settlement ; and I would erect a mon 
 ument that would cause it to live after, perhaps, 
 all those who bear the name shall have passed 
 away. 
 
 " And the last, though not the least, is, that I 
 esteem it a privilege, as well as a duty, to devote a 
 portion of the means wherewith a beneficent Provi 
 dence has blessed me, to the encouragement and 
 promotion of science, in connection with an institu 
 tion under sound moral and religious influence, 
 as I believe Williams College to be, under the pro 
 found conviction that knowledge obtained and ac 
 companied by such influence is to be the future 
 safeguard of our free institutions." 
 
 When the building was finished, Mr. Jackson 
 inquired what had been the whole cost of it. He 
 was told, thirty-five hundred dollars; and he im 
 mediately sent the College Treasurer a check for 
 one thousand more than he originally promised, 
 "because he could not consent to have others at 
 any expense for a building which bears his name ! " 
 
 In January, 1858, Mr. Jackson wrote to the 
 agent of the College to ascertain its chartered rights, 
 and to know if the house and land situated be 
 tween Mission Park and the West College could 
 be purchased for a reasonable price. On the 16th 
 day of March following, the day that he was 
 seventy-eight years old, he gave the College the 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 279 
 
 house and land just named, which cost him six 
 thousand dollars, and fourteen thousand dollars 
 besides, " for the purpose of establishing a Profes 
 sorship of Christian Ttueology in the College, which 
 is always to be under the control of the President 
 and Trustees, in the same manner and to the same 
 extent as the other professors ; and whose duties 
 shall be the teaching of Christian theology, and 
 such other branches of knowledge, in harmony 
 therewith, as the President and Trustees may from 
 time to time prescribe." This was the consumma 
 tion or accomplishment of a general purpose to do 
 something more for the College, which Mr. Jack 
 son had long entertained. 
 
 The grateful manner in which this liberal bene 
 faction was received was expressed by the follow 
 ing appropriate letter of the President, addressed to 
 Mr. Jackson, which we take the liberty to trans 
 cribe as a part of the history of the transaction. 
 
 " WILLIAMSTOWN, March 18, 1858. 
 " MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 " I have this morning received through a draft from you 
 
 for six thousand dollars, to pay for the Whitman place, and a 
 deed of the place, to the President and Trustees of Williams 
 College ; also a conveyance to the College of fourteen thousand 
 dollars to found the JACKSON PROFESSORSHIP OF THEOLOGY. 
 This is a great, liberal, and most important donation. In my 
 own name and I am sure I may add in the name of the Trus 
 tees, of the Alumni, and all the friends of a collegiate training 
 I thank you most sincerely. I am pleased with it in every 
 point of view. The conditions are liberal, and I think wise; 
 such as must bring great good to the College, as well as give 
 relief and comfort to the hearts of many friends in other lands, 
 
280 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XIII. 
 
 who have left all for Christ. I am pleased that such a thing has 
 been done by a son of BERKSHIRE. It is a credit to the county, 
 and will do its people good. It is fitting, too, as coming from 
 one related as you are to the founder of the College, and I 
 am happy that your name is to be associated, as it will be, with 
 his. 
 
 " And then how remarkable that such a thing should have been 
 done on your seventy-eighth birthday ! It is one of those pleas 
 ing coincidences, that we can hardly consider accidental. How 
 few live to such an age. Of those how few have the means to 
 do such an act ; and of those who have, how very few have the 
 will. While we have cause for gratitude to the Great Disposer 
 of all that you have thus remembered the College, I think you 
 have even greater cause for being enabled and permitted to do 
 an act that has such promise of being a blessing in all time to 
 come. 
 
 " The Festival went off finely ; we only needed to have you 
 there. You will rejoice to know that there is a deep religious 
 interest in the College, and we hope quite a number of con 
 versions. 
 
 " And now, my dear sir, that the promise, He that watereth 
 shall be watered himself, may be fulfilled to you in those spir 
 itual mercies without which all are poor, is the prayer of yours, 
 
 " Truly and gratefully, 
 
 " MARK HOPKINS. 
 
 "NATHAN JACKSON, ESQ." 
 
 Mr. Jackson has made many smaller donations to 
 the College, and to those who are connected with 
 it, which are pleasantly remembered, and deserve a 
 grateful acknowledgment. 
 
 When Mr. Jackson first came to New York, he 
 attended for a few years on the ministrations of the 
 celebrated Dr. John M. Mason ; and for a time was 
 connected with the congregation to which the Rev. 
 Dr. Spring ministers. In 1835 he moved up town, 
 
CH.XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 281 
 
 and became connected with the Collegiate Dutch 
 Church. This was a most important period in his 
 history. Now he was led, as he trusts, by the Holy 
 Spirit, to a sense of his lost condition as a sinner, 
 and a cordial surrender of his heart to the claims 
 of the Saviour. At this time it was that himself, 
 wife, and eldest daughter, the late Mrs. De Motte, 
 made a public profession of their faith in Christ on 
 the same day. 
 
 In personal appearance, Mr. Jackson is above 
 the middling stature, well-proportioned, and with a 
 countenance uncommonly benignant and pleasant. 
 His- portrait in JACKSON HALL does not do him jus 
 tice. His liberal benefactions to the College, espe 
 cially his recent establishment of a Professorship of 
 Christian Theology, entitle him to the gratitude, 
 and will embalm his memory in the unfading recol 
 lections of all its Alumni and friends. His very 
 name has now become so interwoven with the insti 
 tution, that it will hereafter stand high on the list 
 of its benefactors, and will go down to the latest 
 posterity by the side of WILLIAMS and LAWRENCE. 
 
 The Lyceum of Natural History was founded in 
 1835, on the ruins of the "Linnaean Society." It 
 was originally a secret society, called the Phi Beta 
 Theta (Phusis Biblos Theou, Nature, the book of 
 God) ; but dropped its veil in about a year, and 
 assumed its present title. The object of the Society 
 is " the study of the natural sciences, and the pros 
 ecution of antiquarian researches." They formerly 
 had a room in South College, where they met once 
 24* 
 
282 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 in two weeks, and listened to reports from commit 
 tees on the various branches of natural history. 
 The room was well stored with specimens, although 
 many were lost in the fire. They had, and still 
 have, a very valuable library. 
 
 In addition to the expeditions made by the Soci 
 ety of Natural History, others have been under 
 taken from time to time upon a smaller scale, com 
 monly accompanied by some one of the Professors. 
 
 In February, 1857, the Society of Natural His 
 tory, wishing to fill the empty cases in Jackson 
 Hall, resolved on chartering a small vessel, which 
 should convey an exploring party to Florida. 
 Aided by the liberality of Mr. Jackson, and other 
 friends of the Lyceum, the requisite expenses were 
 provided for, and Professor Chadbourne, at con 
 siderable expense and personal inconvenience, con 
 sented to assume the guidance of the expedition. 
 The party was composed of the following individu 
 als: H. C. Allen, Lyman Beecher, G. W. Carlton, 
 W. D. Day, J. E. Darby, S. E. Elmore, W. S. Gil- 
 man, C. J. Lyons, Archibald Hopkins, S. H. Scud- 
 der, J. M. Nichols, N. B. Sherwin, E. P. Willard, 
 R H. Ward, E. M. Wight, H. M. Lyman. Not 
 members of the Society, Dr. Kerr of Franklin, 
 N. Y., Mr. John Blackinton, D. C. Eaton of Yale 
 College, and J. V. Lauderdale of Geneseo, N. Y. 
 The expedition was in a high degree successful. 
 
 As the year 1855 completed a century, from the 
 founding of the College by Williams, it was voted 
 the year previous to have an oration and poem this 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 283 
 
 year, commemorative of the life and character of 
 Colonel Williams. The oration was delivered by 
 the Hon. Joseph White, and the poem by E. W. B. 
 Canning. As an abstract of the oration is inserted 
 in the first part of this volume, we here insert some 
 extracts from the poem : 
 
 " See Williams children, from their various homes, 
 By various fortune scattered, rallying come, 
 To take again their foster-mother s hand, 
 As when in days lang syne shewed their feet 
 Up Learning s mazy paths ; her blessing laid 
 Upon their laurelled brows, and said farewell. 
 Fratres Alumni ! ye are not the men 
 Whose names ye bore when college days were young ; 
 I see the silvered lock, the look of care, 
 And labor s furrows on your manly brows ; 
 And yet, me thinks, the comely grace of youth 
 Hath comelier aspect now, that ye have met 
 The shock of life s great battle, and have proved 
 Your stalwart arms, and the tried steel they bear. 
 The stripling soldier then the veteran now 
 Mayhap with armor dinted, but with hearts 
 Strong for the conflict ye must finish yet. 
 
 / Ye ve seen, in fields of honorable toil, 
 Full many a comrade fallen, and your van 
 In shattered columns stands ; but there is still 
 
 : A baptism for the dead, ye re not alone. 
 Along their honored path, and up to heaven, 
 Like pilgrims pass the venerable men 
 Who watched our wayward youth : wisely they build, 
 In life, their monuments of living hearts, 
 
 I And multiply themselves in those to come. 
 Fathers,* we greet you ! Here our Lares are, 
 Our penetralia ; here the altar-fire 
 Of love burns ever brightly, and we lay 
 Fresh incense on it now. And, honored sire, f 
 
 * The Trustees. f The President 
 
284 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 Whose is its sacred ministry, accept 
 The prayer engraven on our heart of hearts 
 For thee, Ad coelum serus redeas, 
 And, like the Prophet, leave thy mantle here ! 
 
 Brethren Alumni ! pleasant hours 
 
 Were those we spent in Learning s bowers ; 
 
 And pleasant now, though older men, 
 
 To tell the tales of youth again. 
 
 As on we tread the path of years, 
 
 Farther the vista d Past appears ; 
 
 But there are spots in Memory s dream 
 
 Whose green and beauty never dim. 
 
 Such we recall with joy to-day, 
 
 And as we erst were taught to say, 
 
 4 Est bonum amavisse, 
 Let Mantua s bard still ride our wreck 
 Of Latin, forsan olim haec 
 
 4 Juvabit meminisse. 
 Dear Alma Mater, long as stand, 
 Like pillars of our native land, 
 
 These everlasting hills, 
 Thy grateful children shall proclaim 
 In every clime thy growing fame, 
 And deathless glory yield the name 
 
 Of Williams and of Mills." 
 
 A letter from Dr. Abner Phelps, of Boston, who 
 was graduated at Williams College in 1806, may 
 without impropriety be here introduced. 
 
 "BOSTON, July 9, 1856. 
 "DEAR SIR: 
 
 " In reply to your inquiries respecting the Rev. S. J. Mills, 
 and his efforts in the missionary cause, I very cheerfully state 
 that I became intimately acquainted with him during my resi 
 dence in College [I graduated in September, 1806]. I perfectly 
 recollect conversing with him on the deplorable condition of 
 Africa, and the slaves in this country, at different times ; and 
 once on a warm evening we sat down in the East College yard, 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 285 
 
 when he told me his plans of future operation, and what he in 
 tended to undertake. His thoughts were new to me, and were 
 uttered with so much self-devotion and piety that they made such 
 a lasting impression on my mind, that I doubt whether I have 
 ever since seen his name in print, or heard it spoken, without 
 calling to mind his conversation with me that warm evening.* 
 " Respectfully yours, 
 
 " ABNER PHELPS." 
 
 * " P. S. While I was at Williams College in 1806, 1 met with a 
 small book, describing a railway in Wales, one and a half mile long ; 
 made to carry slate from the quarry down to the landing ; in which it 
 was stated that one horse could take down as many as eight horses 
 could in the common road, and bring the empty wagons back. The 
 moment I read that, I said, If one horse can do that for a mile and a 
 half, why not for a hundred miles ? and if he can do it one way, why 
 not the other way ? and why not make it a road for general travel ? 
 No such work existed at that time on the globe. But this thought, sim 
 ple and natural as I should think to every one, has cost me more than a 
 thousand dollars cash, and four or five years labor of all the time I 
 could spare from my profession, and for which I never received any 
 thing but compliments as the first projector of railroads. For more 
 than twenty years I tried to induce some member of our Legislature to 
 propose the construction of a railroad from Boston to Albany, without 
 success, till in 1826, when I brought the subject forward myself, as a 
 member of that body from this city. 
 
 ** On the twenty-eighth page of the fourth Number, Vol. I., of the 
 Christian Library Report (which I send), you will see it stated (by 
 whom I know not), that Dr. Abner Phelps made the first proposition 
 for the opening of a railroad from Boston to the Hudson River, where 
 as I had made the proposition twenty years before. True, the measure 
 was first proposed in our Legislature in 1826." 
 
 We add a word of explanation. In 1808, Colonel Phelps of Belcher- 
 town was a prominent member of the Legislature of Massachusetts. He 
 wrote a letter to his son, saying that the subject of constructing a canal 
 from Boston to Albany had been mooted in the Legislature. The son, 
 now Dr. Abner Phelps, wrote a letter back, urging that a railroad, 
 instead of a canal, should be constructed. That letter is now in ex 
 istence. 
 
286 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. XIII. 
 
 For more than thirty years the precise spot where 
 the haystack stood, under which the first proposal 
 was made to send out foreign missions from this 
 country, was known by no one in Williamstown. 
 Inquiry was often made by strangers, and a desire 
 expressed that it might be designated in some ap 
 propriate way ; but the hope of being able to do 
 this had been nearly abandoned. As illustrating 
 the general state of feeling, the following extract 
 from a letter, by an entire stranger, then and after 
 wards, to all connected with the College, may be 
 given : * 
 
 " In making inquiries, this afternoon, on my first visit to Wil 
 liamstown, in relation to the spot where the haystack stood, so 
 famous in the history of missions as the one behind which Mills 
 and his associates prayed for the Divine guidance and blessing 
 while maturing their plans for preaching the Gospel of the king 
 dom to the heathen world, plans which were carried out so 
 successfully, I regretted to learn that the place was unmarked 
 by tree, shrub, stone, or monument of any kind. 
 
 " Having learned that there had been among some ladies 
 who are, the world over, always ready to every good work 
 some desire manifested to mark the sacred place before it was 
 entirely forgotten, with some memorial, will you please take 
 charge of the enclosed dollar (a gold one), and apply it in any 
 way you may deem best suited to effect the object. It is little, 
 but rain-drops make the shower. If it does no more than pur 
 chase a cedar stake to mark the spot, it will not be in vain ; for 
 long ere that will have time to moulder, wealthy ones will have 
 marked with marble the place where American missions had 
 their birth, and from whence went forth those who were chosen 
 of God to commence the work of making every heathen heart 
 bow at the blessed name of Jesus." 
 
 * It was dated South Williamstown, April 26, 1852. 
 
CH. XIIL] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 287 
 
 This dollar remained as buried seed for more 
 than two years, in the care of Professor Hopkins, 
 and might have continued so ; but in the spring of 
 1854, Hon. Byram Green of Sodus, N. Y., visited 
 Williamstown, and it was ascertained that he was 
 present at the prayer-meeting under the haystack, 
 and could identify the spot. This he did, sticking 
 a stake with his own hand. The circumstances 
 attending the meeting were then stated, and are 
 contained in the following communication which 
 he afterwards furnished : 
 
 " You request a statement of the facts in relation to the prayer- 
 meeting which was held under the haystack, by some students of 
 Williams College, in July or August, 1806. That prayer-meet 
 ing becomes interesting to the Christian community, because it 
 was then and there first proposed to send the Gospel to the 
 pagans of Asia, and to the disciples of Mohammed. The stack 
 of hay stood northerly from the West College, near a maple 
 grove, in a field that was then called Sloan s meadow. 
 
 " Samuel J. Mills, James Richards, Francis L. Bobbins, Har 
 vey Loomis, and Byram Green were present. The afternoon 
 was oppressively warm, which probably detained all those from 
 the East College that usually attended, and some from the West. 
 We first went to the grove, expecting to hold our prayer-meeting 
 there, but a dark cloud was rising in the west, and it soon began 
 to thunder and lighten, and we left the grove and went under 
 the haystack to protect us from the approaching storm, which 
 was soon realized. 
 
 "The subject of conversation under the stack, before and 
 during the shower, was the moral darkness of Asia. Mills pro 
 posed to send the Gospel to that dark and heathen land ; and 
 said that we could do it if we would. We were all agreed and 
 delighted with the idea, except Loomis, who contended that it 
 was premature ; that if missionaries should be sent to Asia they 
 
288 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. , [Cn. XIII. 
 
 would be murdered ; that Christian armies must subdue the 
 country before the Gospel could be sent to the Turks and Arabs. 
 In reply, it was said, that God was always willing to have his Gos 
 pel spread throughout the world ; that if the Christian public was 
 willing and active, the work would be done ; that on this subject 
 the Roman adage would be true, Vox populi, vox Dei. Come, 
 said Mills, let us make it a subject of prayer, under this hay 
 stack, while the dark clouds are going, and the clear sky is 
 coming. 
 
 " We all prayed, and made Foreign Missions a subject in our 
 prayers, except Loomis. Mills made the last prayer, and was 
 in some degree enthusiastic ; he prayed that God would strike 
 down the arm, with the red artillery of heaven, that should be 
 raised against a herald of the cross. We then sang one stanza, 
 as follows : 
 
 Let afl the heathen writers join 
 
 To form one perfect book : 
 Great God, if once compared with thine, 
 How mean their writings look ! 
 
 " The prayer-meetings were continued during the warm season 
 of that year, in the groves somewhere between the village and 
 the Hoosac, and the subject of Foreign Missions was remembered 
 in our prayers. The following is a list of names that usually 
 attended, to wit : John Nelson, Calvin Bushnell, Byram Green, 
 Rufus Pomeroy, Francis L. Robbins, Samuel Ware, Edwin W. 
 Dwight, Ezra Fisk, Harvey Loomis, Samuel J. Mills, and James 
 Richards. Others attended occasionally. 
 
 " The next summer, 1807, the prayer-meetings were again 
 held in the grove ; two were added to our number, to wit, 
 Luther Rice and John Whittlesey. I have several times seen 
 the names of Hall and Rice numbered among those who were at 
 the prayer-meeting under the haystack. That is an error. Rice 
 was not a member of College until October, 1806. Hall was 
 not a professor of religion at that time, and did not attend our 
 religious meetings. He was made a subject of grace in the year 
 1808, about six or eight months before he graduated. After 
 that he was active in the cause 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 289 
 
 " Nothing can be more certain and direct than the connection 
 between this prayer-meeting and the subsequent movements in 
 this country respecting Foreign Missions. They continued to be 
 the subject of prayer, of conversation, and discussion, until, two 
 years after, the first Foreign Missionary Society in this country 
 was formed in this College, a society for the purpose, not of 
 sending others, but of GOING to the heathen. 
 
 " This society, with a modified constitution, has been continued 
 here from that time. A similar society, still flourishing, was 
 founded by Mills, and those who went with him, at Andover ; 
 and from that the proposition was made to the General Associa 
 tion of Massachusetts, which resulted in the formation of the 
 American Board." 
 
 At a meeting of the Society of Alumni of the 
 College in August, 1854, the following resolution 
 was passed : " That the grounds north of the West 
 College, where Mills and his associates used to 
 meet for prayer, and where the first American 
 missions were projected, be purchased by the 
 Alumni of the College, and be called the Mission 
 Park or Grounds." A committee was chosen to 
 effect the purchase, to receive subscriptions for 
 that purpose from the Alumni and others, and to 
 lay out the grounds. 
 
 When the report of these proceedings appeared 
 in the papers, John Tappan, Esq., of Boston, ex 
 pressed his apprehension that the land would not 
 be obtained unless some one should assume the 
 whole responsibility of the purchase. Accordingly 
 he wrote to Dr. Hopkins, requesting him to buy 
 the land, and look to him for the funds to pay for 
 it, in case the Alumni should fail to do it. Thus 
 25 
 
290 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 encouraged, the land was secured, and the deed 
 was given. Funds, however, came in slowly. 
 
 At the Commencement in 1855, it was ascer 
 tained that only a small portion of the funds needed 
 had been obtained. A proposition was then sub 
 mitted to the Alumni by the Rev. J. E. Wood- 
 bridge, that the classes in lustrums, or divisions of 
 fours, engage to contribute two hundred and fifty 
 dollars each ; and in a short time an amount more 
 than sufficient to pay for the land was pledged. 
 As there was some delay in making the last pay 
 ments, Mr. Tappan readily paid the price of one 
 acre of the land two hundred and fifty dollars 
 in addition to what he had previously given. 
 
 At the same meeting it was voted that, " inas 
 much as the year 1856 will complete half a cen 
 tury since the first personal consecrations to the 
 work of effecting missions among the heathen took 
 place on this spot, it appears proper that there 
 should be a general Missionary Jubilee in this 
 Park on the day preceding the next annual Com 
 mencement." A committee, consisting of David 
 Dudley Field, Martin I. Townsend, George N. 
 Briggs, Albert Hopkins, and Henry L. Sabin, was 
 appointed to make the necessary arrangements. 
 Professor Hopkins was chosen to deliver the ad 
 dress. 
 
 In accordance with this resolution, a Missionary 
 Jubilee was held in Williamstown, August 5, 1856. 
 " Preparations had been made for the exercises in 
 the Park, where seats were arranged in the grove, 
 
CH.XIII.]. PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 291 
 
 a bungalow for missionaries, and a haystack were 
 prepared ; but a severe and almost unprecedented 
 storm, forcibly reminding us of the storm that 
 drove Mills and his associates to the haystack, ren 
 dered it necessary to take shelter in the church, 
 where the exercises were held." * 
 
 Hon. David Dudley Field presided, and made 
 the introductory address. The stanza, sung at the 
 close of the prayer-meeting under the haystack, 
 was then sung to the tune of St. Martin s, all the 
 congregation joining, " Let all the heathen writers 
 join." The Rev. Isaac Ferris, D. D., Chancellor of 
 the University of New York, then read the 67th 
 Psalm. The Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, D. D., of 
 Spencertown, N". Y., the chaplain of the day, 
 offered prayer. All then joined in singing the 
 hymn, "Saw ye not the cloud arise]" The address 
 was then delivered by Professor Albert Hopkins. 
 Taking the haystack for his theme, he spoke, first, 
 of the times of the haystack ; secondly, of the men 
 of the haystack ; thirdly, of the relation of those 
 times and men to the problem of the age; and, 
 fourthly, of the position in which we stand, and 
 our duties with reference to the same problem. 
 The address occupied about an hour and a half in 
 the delivery, and was well received. The hymn, to 
 the tune of Lenox, was then sung, " Blow ye the 
 trumpet, blow." 
 
 * See the pamphlet which contains a full account of the proceedings 
 on that memorable occasion. 
 
292 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 A recess was then taken, of fifteen minutes. 
 Very few left the house. The afternoon exercises 
 were inaugurated with singing, to the tune of Cor 
 onation, " All hail the power of Jesus name." 
 After which Dr. Chester Dewey of Rochester, 
 N. Y., led in prayer. 
 
 The chairman remarked, that the speakers who 
 had been invited to address the audience were rep 
 resentative men. The meeting was then addressed 
 by President Hopkins, the Rev. Rufus Anderson, 
 D. D., Senior Secretary of the American Board, 
 Hon. George N. Briggs, LL. D., of Pittsfield, Pres 
 ident of the American Baptist Missionary Union, 
 the Rev. I. N. Wyckoff, D. D., Albany, of the 
 Dutch Church, the Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, D. D., 
 New York, of the Episcopal Church, the Hon. 
 Emory Washburn, LL. D., of Worcester, the Rev. 
 Elias Riggs, D. D., of Constantinople, the Rev. 
 Myron Winslow from Ceylon, the Rev. Gordon 
 Hall of Northampton, and some others, mostly re 
 turned missionaries, made short and appropriate 
 speeches. At four o clock in the afternoon, the 
 audience having been in session six hours (and 
 many would gladly have continued longer), all 
 joined in singing, to the tune of Old Hundred, the 
 72d Psalm, " Jesus shall reign where er the sun." 
 The Rev. Samuel H. Cox, D. D., pronounced the 
 benediction. 
 
 The address of Dr. Anderson contains so many 
 interesting reminiscences that we have concluded 
 to insert a portion of it. 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 293 
 
 " Less than a year ago, it was my privilege to 
 stand on the site of Antioch, where the first foreign 
 missionaries received their special designation from 
 the Holy Ghost. This historical association was to 
 me the principal charm of that beautiful and inter 
 esting spot. Next to Jerusalem and the Sea of 
 Galilee, I have most pleasure in the recollection of 
 Antioch. But where am I now I The mountains 
 yonder are not ranges of Lebanon, nor is yonder 
 stream the Orontes. We are met in the New 
 World. The historical events we commemorate 
 occurred within the memory of some of us. Nev 
 ertheless they are important, and have, and will 
 have, a place on the historic page. And they make 
 this, rather than any and all other places, the Anti 
 och of our Western hemisphere. 
 
 " We may not claim, that the foreign missionary 
 spirit in our American churches had its first devel 
 opment here. The proof is ample that it had not. 
 But, so far as my own researches have gone, the 
 first personal consecrations to the work of effecting 
 missions among foreign heathen nations were here. 
 Here the Holy Ghost made the first visible separa 
 tions of men in this country for the foreign work 
 whereto he had called them. The first observable 
 rill of the stream of American missionaries, which 
 has gone on swelling until now, issued just on this 
 spot ; and I am thankful the spot has been so well 
 identified, and is so convenient of access, and withal 
 so beautiful ; and that it has now been secured and 
 consecrated as a permanent memorial. 
 25* 
 
294 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 " The development and result of this movement 
 meet our reasonable wishes. Samuel J. Mills rests 
 near the shores of Africa. The grave of James 
 Richards I saw in Ceylon. Gordon Hall sleeps 
 among the Mahrattas of Western India. Hall died 
 young ; but a life of rare and consistent devoted- 
 ness, illustrated by noble exhibitions of talent, give 
 him a place in the highest rank of missionaries. 
 
 " The AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR 
 FOREIGN MISSIONS had its origin in the desire and 
 request of young men of the Andover Seminary, 
 including those just named, to be sent abroad as 
 missionaries. These two things stand in the imme 
 diate relation of cause and effect. I am also per 
 suaded, that the forming of the Society of BRETH 
 REN here in this College, in September, 1808, be 
 fore even the conversion of Dr. Judson, and its 
 removal to the Andover Seminary early in 1810, or 
 sooner, had much to do, by its weekly conferences 
 and prayers, in maturing the plans of its members. 
 Its leading object, indeed, as we are assured, e was 
 so to operate on the public mind as to lead to the 
 formation of a missionary society. And its mem 
 bers corresponded on this subject with the men, 
 who actually became the founders of the American 
 Board." 
 
 At the Commencement in August, 1856, the 
 Trustees voted that the agent of the College may 
 solicit donations, on the ground that a new building 
 is one of the wants of the College. A subscription 
 was at once opened, and donations solicited with 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 295 
 
 reference to a new chapel and Alumni Hall. 
 Twelve thousand dollars were secured in one year, 
 and these buildings were soon after commenced. 
 Five thousand dollars were subscribed on the 
 morning of Commencement day, in 1857. To 
 wards this enterprise David Dudley Field sub 
 scribed eleven hundred dollars, and Mr. Jackson 
 one thousand. 
 
 February 24, 1857, at the suggestion of Mr. 
 Jackson, who furnished the entertainment, the 
 anniversary of Colonel Williams s birth was cele 
 brated at the Mansion House by the Faculty and 
 students of the College, and other invited guests. 
 
 In 1857 the Rev. Professor Griffin resigned the 
 Professorship of the Greek Language and Litera 
 ture. The following vote was passed by the Trus 
 tees : " That this Board have received with sincere 
 regret the resignation of Rev. N. H. Griffin, and 
 that, in parting with him after a service of eleven 
 years, we bear our cordial testimony to the marked 
 faithfulness and ability which have characterized 
 his labors as an officer and instructor in this insti 
 tution, and express to him our heart-felt desires for 
 his continued usefulness and success in whatever 
 sphere of labor he may be called to engage." 
 
 Mr. John L. T. Phillips, A. M., was elected Pro 
 fessor of the Greek Language and Literature. 
 
 Voted, that the examination of the Senior class 
 hereafter commence on Tuesday of the sixth week 
 previous to the Commencement; and the Senior 
 appointments be made as soon as may be after the 
 
296 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XIII. 
 
 close of the examination. The appointments had 
 previously been given out at the close of the spring 
 term. 
 
 In August, 1858, Professor Chadburn resigned 
 the Professorship of Chemistry, and Mr. Thomas 
 Edwards Clark of New York was appointed his 
 successor in that department. 
 
 Hon. Daniel N. Dewey died at his residence in 
 William stown, January 14, 1859. He was born 
 in Williamstown, April 4, 1800. He completed 
 his college course at Yale College in 1820. His 
 legal studies were pursued in the office of the Hon. 
 Elisha H. Mills of Northampton. Soon after he 
 was admitted to the practice of his profession he 
 became a permanent resident in his native town. 
 He was a representative to the General Court, a 
 member of the Executive Council, and was a Judge 
 of Probate from 1848 until the time of his decease. 
 He held the responsible post of Treasurer and 
 Secretary of Williams College for twenty-nine 
 years, managing its financial affairs with care 
 and economy. He was a man of unbending in 
 tegrity and uprightness. Though a lawyer by 
 profession, he very much discouraged litigation. 
 Judge Dewey was a religious man, deeply inter 
 ested in the welfare of the Church, of which he 
 became a member in 1838, and was liberal in his 
 contributions for the support of the institutions of 
 religion at home and abroad. 
 
 At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees 
 in April, 1859, the Hon. Joseph White was elected 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 297 
 
 Treasurer of the College. Mr. White was a native 
 of Charlemont, was graduated at Williams College 
 in 1836 ; had been a Tutor in College two years, 
 and for eleven years a Trustee, and during most of 
 that time had been Auditor of the Treasurer s ac 
 counts. This appointment was in accordance with 
 the general expectation and wishes of the friends 
 of the College. 
 
 The Society of Alumni, according to adjourn 
 ment, met in their new hall, at half past nine 
 o clock, A. M., Tuesday, August 2, 1859. Hon. 
 Abraham Olin, M. C., of Troy, in the chair. Mr. 
 Olin called on the venerable Dr. Field of Stock- 
 bridge to open the meeting with prayer. Hon. H. 
 H. Childs was elected President and Hon. James 
 D. Colt, Vice-President. Professor Griffin then 
 read the list of Alumni who had died during the 
 past year, fourteen. 
 
 The President then proceeded to call on the gen 
 tlemen who had been invited to speak in honor of 
 the occupation of the new hall. 
 
 The first speaker was the President of the Col 
 lege, who now extended a most hearty welcome to 
 the Society of Alumni to their new and commodi 
 ous hall. 
 
 The next speaker was the Hon. James D. Colt of 
 Pittsfield, who could make " no apology for asking 
 a few moments consideration of the influence which 
 this College has had upon the growth and develop 
 ment of this good old County of Berkshire." 
 
 William Pitt Palmer, Esq. of New York, who 
 
298 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 has won so many poetic laurels for himself and his 
 Alma Mater, then read a spirited and witty poem, 
 which needed no apology. 
 
 Hon. Stephen J. Field of California not being 
 present, as expected, his brother, the Rev. Henry 
 M. Field of New York, was called out, and his wit 
 and pathos were duly appreciated. 
 
 Samuel B. Sumner, Esq., of Great Barrington, 
 added to his growing reputation as a true poet, by 
 a glowing tribute to his Alma Mater, and to the 
 memory of Colonel Williams. 
 
 The President, Dr. Childs, here called for volun 
 teer speeches, when the writer came forward, and 
 spoke of the portraits on the wall ; all but one he 
 had obtained. Pointing to the remotest one, with 
 out mentioning the name of the original, he charged 
 his own son, and Archibald Hopkins, and Edward 
 H. Griffin, and those of their age, to keep bright 
 the memory of the original of that portrait, as they 
 should meet in this hall in future years. He then 
 announced a donation to the College of ten thou 
 sand dollars, from Dr. Philip Van Ness Morris of 
 Cambridge, N. Y. Dr. Morris was then conducted 
 to the platform, and introduced to the President 
 amid cheers sufficiently loud and hearty for any 
 assembly. Dr. Morris declined speaking. 
 
 Hon. David Dudley Field then arose and pro 
 posed a vote of thanks to Dr. Morris, for this, the 
 largest donation ever made to the College by one 
 of its graduates. The vote was passed with accla 
 mation, which it seemed impossible to exhaust. 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 299 
 
 Governor Washburn was then called on for the 
 closing address. He gave a rapid and glowing 
 sketch of the history of the College, and closed by 
 an eloquent allusion to the death of some of the 
 patrons and friends of the institution. "We are 
 falling," said the speaker, " like the leaves of the 
 forest, leaf by leaf, each to its own resting-place, 
 while our Alma Mater stands like the trees of the 
 same forest, renewing and enlarging her life year 
 by year, in perennial verdure and strength." 
 
 At half past one o clock the Alumni dined to 
 gether at the Mansion House. The blessing was 
 invoked by the Rev. J. E. Woodbridge, the chaplain 
 of the day. When the physical man had been 
 feasted the intellectual repast was resumed, and 
 the following toasts were given : 
 
 " Our Alma Mater, Her jewels are her children, and her 
 children are men." 
 
 Hon. David Dudley Field of New York re 
 sponded. 
 
 " The Memory of Colonel Williams, His blood was the ink 
 wherewith the charter of Alma Mater was written." 
 
 Hon. Joseph White, the new Treasurer, spoke 
 to this sentiment, recalling some of the leading in 
 cidents in the life of the founder of the College. 
 
 " The Old Commonwealth, She has at last remembered her 
 neglected child." 
 
 -Governor Briggs was called to respond, and did 
 so with an eloquent tribute to old Massachusetts, 
 as the liberal patron of learning, and of all benevo 
 lent institutions. 
 
300 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 " The departed Alumni of Williams, Forever green be 
 their graves in our memories." 
 
 Responded to with deep feeling by Judge Bishop 
 of Lenox. He alluded, particularly, to the late 
 Judge Walker of Lenox, who, full of years and 
 honors, had been called home during the past year, 
 sketching the perfections of his character, and pay 
 ing a tribute to the integrity of his administration 
 of the office of Judge of Piobate during the long 
 generation that he held it. 
 
 At three o clock the Alumni marched to the 
 Congregrational church, where prayer was offered 
 by the chaplain, and the annual oration was de 
 livered by Hon. M. I. Townsend of Troy, which 
 was an able advocacy of the duty of labor, and a 
 poem by the Rev. Amos D. Wheeler of Topsham, 
 Maine. 
 
 Thus closed the exercises of one of the most in 
 teresting and memorable days ever witnessed by 
 the Alumni of Williams College. 
 
 The following letter, bearing date July 30, 1859, 
 may, without impropriety, be here introduced. 
 
 "DEAR SIR: 
 
 " You know that for several years I have kept by me an in 
 strument, by which a portion of the pecuniary means, which God 
 has given to me, would, when I had done with them, be carried 
 to certain benevolent societies, to the support of which it has 
 been my privilege to contribute for many years past. 
 
 " You first suggested, what I have adopted as a better way, to 
 embody these in one sum, add to them somewhat, and bestow 
 the whole upon Williams College for the purpose of founding a 
 professorship in that institution." 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 301 
 
 After describing the manner of paying the ten thousand dol 
 lars pledged, he adds : " While I hope by this procedure to pro 
 long the memory of the name I bear, I wish it might, like a mon 
 ument, record still more prominently that of an ancestor (Thomas 
 Morris), who, in 1639, signed the plantation covenant of New 
 Haven, and those of his descendants, particularly a grandfather 
 (Amos Morris), who, for his ardent patriotism, was, in our Revo 
 lutionary struggle, taken from his bed to the prison-ship, and was 
 released because he was an unarmed citizen ; who gave to his 
 son (Amos Morris) the ancestral acres still occupied by his pos 
 terity, each of whom has held in succession, in an evangelical 
 church, the office he did, to the fourth generation." All deacons. 
 
 " Not less dear to memory, nor less worthy of record, are the 
 virtues and excellences of a maternal grandfather, whose name 
 was given to me, whose old Dutch Bible gives evidence, in the 
 note on its margin, in his own hand, of the interest he had in the 
 sacred volume ; who, with his neighbors, at an early day erected 
 a house for the worship of God, where for years it was main 
 tained in the Dutch language. In that house I have stood in a 
 row of children and recited the catechism ; and from that spot 
 came the influences which, in later years, brought about the de 
 cision to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 
 
 " Still dearer is the memory of a father, who chose for himself 
 to become an Alumnus of Yale College, and labor in a profes 
 sion, rather than share in an inheritance of land ; and whose 
 children had given to them, first and foremost of all, the means 
 of education ; and the mother, who sent me to college wearing 
 fine linen and clothing of her own make. 
 
 " If it be permitted to add to these the names of my room 
 mate, Charles Jenkins, of cherished memory, of the sainted Lamed 
 and the living Bryant, all members of the same class (1813), 
 then will all the expectations which could spring from this step 
 be satisfied and fulfilled. 
 
 "PHILIP VAN NESS MORRIS. 
 
 "KEY. CALVIN DURFEE." 
 
 Dr. Morris has an extensive practice as a physi- 
 26 
 
302 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 cian, and a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, 
 beautifully located, and under a high state of culti 
 vation. He has no family. 
 
 In Professor Hopkins s narrative of the revival 
 of religion which occurred in 1812, he mentions, 
 in particular, the conversion of Charles Jenkins, 
 who was Dr. Morris s room-mate at that time. 
 
 This donation of Dr. Morris s was peculiarly 
 timely and acceptable, as the Legislature had, a 
 few months before, passed a resolution to give 
 the College twenty-five thousand dollars ; but not 
 until the College had secured a corresponding 
 amount. 
 
 On Thursday, September 22, 1859, the new Col 
 lege chapel was dedicated. Invocation by the Rev. 
 Mr. Ballard. An anthem, " Peace be within thy 
 walls," was sung by the College choir. Dr. Todd 
 then read select portions of Scripture, and led in 
 prayer. The sermon was preached by Dr. Hopkins, 
 from Matthew v. 25 : " And it fell not ; for it was 
 founded on a rock." From this discourse we in 
 sert a single paragraph : " From the form of this 
 building, its parts have a relation that may be said 
 to symbolize, not inaptly, the proper relation of 
 ideas and ends in a college. In front, prominent 
 and beautiful, is the chapel, which represents the 
 great ideas of religious instruction and worship. 
 Separate from this, yet connected by the tower and 
 spire, heavenward pointing for both, are the rooms 
 for the instruction of the two upper classes ; and 
 over these, united with each and all, is the Alumni 
 
CH. XIII.] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 303 
 
 Hall. So, through worship and instruction, re 
 ligious and secular, but both pointing to heaven, 
 would we raise our Alumni to their own place, 
 and send them thence into the world." The dedi 
 catory prayer was offered, and the benediction pro 
 nounced by the Rev. Dr. Davis. At the close of 
 the service there was a meeting of a number of 
 the Alumni, in their hall, and it was unanimously 
 voted to request a copy of the sermon for publica 
 tion. 
 
 It has been customary at this College for the 
 President to suspend the recitations of the classes 
 for one day in each year, commonly the second 
 Monday of the first term, to give them an oppor 
 tunity to re-gravel the College walks. This has 
 always been called Gravel Day. 
 
 The graduates of this College will not fail to 
 remember the man with whom, since 1817, they 
 have been familiarly acquainted, as he has daily 
 performed the duties of his vocation. His daily 
 visits, his interesting recitals of anecdotes and scraps 
 of history and biography, his amusing statement, 
 that he has seventeen times saved the old West 
 College from being burned up, his genuine sim 
 plicity and kindness of heart and conscientious 
 Christian deportment, have earned for Mr. Thomas 
 Cox a place in the sincere regards of more than 
 forty successive classes of students, and rendered 
 his name not unworthy of an honorable place in 
 these College annals. 
 
 Our readers would deem it a painful omission if 
 
304 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XIII. 
 
 we should fail to make grateful mention of the 
 venerable Vice-President of the College, the Rev. 
 Timothy Mather Cooley, D. D. He was born in 
 Grariville, Mass., March 13, 1772; was the sixth 
 in descent from Benjamin Cooley of Springfield ; 
 and the sixth in maternal descent from the Rev. 
 Richard Mather of Dorchester. At the age of 
 sixteen he. entered Yale College, and was graduated 
 in 1792. He taught school one year in New 
 Haven, and one year in Litchfield, Conn. He 
 studied theology with the Rev. Dr. Charles Backus 
 of Somers, and was licensed to preach the Gospel 
 in 1795. He preached one Sabbath in Granville, 
 and eighteen in Salisbury, Conn., and received a 
 call for settlement in both places. He was or 
 dained in Granville, his native place, February 3, 
 1796. In May following, he was married to Con 
 tent Chapman ; and sixty years from that day, their 
 bridal anniversary, by vote of the parish, was cele 
 brated as a donation visit, by appropriate addresses 
 and religious services. Dr. Cooley has devoted 
 much time to the cause of education ; has been on 
 the school committee forty-five years; over fifty 
 years has been a Trustee of Westfield Academy ; 
 forty-six years a Trustee of Williams College, and 
 since 1846 its Vice-President. He has been uni 
 form and punctual in his attendance at the meet 
 ings of the Board. He has fitted many students 
 for College, some of whom have occupied high 
 places of usefulness in church and state. In the 
 retired parish of East Granville, Dr. Cooley has 
 
CH. XIII.] PKESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 305 
 
 passed a peaceful and prosperous pastorate of more 
 than threescore years. In 1845, by vote of the 
 parish, his jubilee was celebrated, when it was 
 stated that the Church had enjoyed ten years of 
 the right hand of the Lord. On his eighty-fifth 
 birthday (March 13, 1857) he preached a sermon 
 from Joshua xiv. 10: " Lo, I am this day fourscore 
 and five years old." * 
 
 We have now traced the history of the College 
 from its origin to the present time. Sixty-seven 
 years have elapsed since its incorporation. It 
 came into existence at the commencement of a new 
 era, when society was beginning to advance with 
 bolder and more rapid step, and was adopting new 
 views concerning the nature and rights of man ; at 
 a time when that " series of revivals of religion 
 commenced in this country, which has never since 
 entirely ceased, in connection with which this Col 
 lege has been so largely blessed, and in consequence 
 of which alone it has been sustained." 
 
 " The Trustees of this College have always been 
 men who appreciated the necessity of moral and re 
 ligious training, and have appointed, from time to 
 time, those men to instruct who would carry out 
 their views, men of principle and of an active 
 piety, men who would labor for the spiritual wel 
 fare of those committed to their charge. Under 
 such auspices, it might have been expected that the 
 
 * The College has a portrait of Dr. Cooley, a present from his chil 
 dren. 
 
 26* 
 
306 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIII. 
 
 influence of the College would be as good as it was 
 great." 
 
 There is abundant evidence that a strong desire 
 has been felt, and corresponding efforts made, from 
 the earliest days of the College, to preserve the 
 students from vice, and to promote their moral and 
 religious, as well as literary and scientific improve 
 ment. The ultimate end of their existence has not 
 been overlooked, but their spiritual good has ever 
 been regarded as paramount to all other considera 
 tions. They are all required to attend public wor 
 ship on the Sabbath, and to be present at morning 
 and evening prayers in the chapel. The early grad 
 uates will recollect the Saturday evening prayer- 
 meetings, which were conducted by members of the 
 Senior class, in rotation, who were professors of 
 religion, and occasionally by some one of the Col 
 lege Faculty. Class prayer-meetings are frequent. 
 In the early days of the College, prayer-meetings 
 were held every evening. For a quarter of a cen 
 tury prayer-meetings have been held four days in 
 the week, at one o clock, P. M. On Saturday fore 
 noon, the Senior recitation, always conducted by 
 the President, is theological, the Assembly s 
 Shorter Catechism being the text-book. On Satur 
 day evening Dr. Hopkins has uniformly appeared 
 in the conference-room as the College pastor. His 
 exercises on these occasions have comprised a series 
 of familiar lectures, in which are happily blended 
 doctrinal discussions with close and affectionate 
 appeals to the heart. And they have contributed 
 
Ce. XIIL] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 307 
 
 in no small degree to promote the religious inter 
 ests of the College. 
 
 From 1818 to 1825 the condition and prospects 
 of the College were sufficiently dark and discourag 
 ing to shake the confidence and paralyze the efforts 
 of ordinary men. But since the question respect 
 ing its permanent location has been put to rest its 
 number of graduates has been annually increasing, 
 and its future prospects annually brightening. The 
 following statements will show the average number 
 who have graduated under the several Presidents. 
 The whole number who graduated during the twen 
 ty-two years of Dr. Fitch s presidency amount to 
 460, averaging nearly 22 annually. The six classes 
 under Dr. Moore contained 90, averaging 15 annu 
 ally. The fifteen classes under Dr. Griffin con 
 tained 311, annual average about 21. The twenty- 
 three classes under Dr. Hopkins contained 896, 
 annual average 39. Such has been the prosperity 
 of the College, that for ten years past the annual 
 average of graduates has exceeded 50. The whole 
 number up to 1859 is 1756. Not far from one 
 third of these have entered the ministry. In look 
 ing over the history of the College, it will appear 
 that the early classes were small. Yet from each 
 of these some are known to have been more or less 
 distinguished in the walks of usefulness. And it 
 must occur to every reflecting mind that it is a 
 good investment to educate a number for the sake 
 of even a few whose influence is extensively felt 
 for good. 
 
308 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cii. XIII. 
 
 A glance at the history of the College shows that 
 for many years it received no very considerable 
 benefactions, except a few grants from the State. 
 Wealthy men have not heretofore been numerous 
 in Western Massachusetts. One of them, the Hon. 
 Woodbridge Little of Pittsfield, early rendered the 
 College essential aid. Men of moderate fortunes 
 have aided it to some extent. More recently the 
 College has received munificent donations from Mr. 
 Lawrence, Mr. Jackson, and Dr. Morris. Bene 
 factions like theirs to a college are among the 
 most useful acts of charity ever performed by man. 
 The beneficial influence of their various donations 
 upon a perpetuated circle of two hundred and 
 thirty ardent, aspiring young men, no human arith 
 metic can compute. Our Legislature, our courts 
 of justice, our churches and congregations, our 
 common schools, our happy firesides, all daily share 
 in these benefits, and will for generations to come. 
 
 This College has not been sustained, hitherto, 
 without an effort on the part of its guardians and 
 friends. The bounty of Heaven never descends on 
 soil which is not prepared to receive it. To keep 
 the growth of a college, especially at this day, on a 
 level with that of our country, requires not only 
 the fostering munificence of the Legislature and of 
 wealthy individuals, but the wisdom, zeal, and 
 energy of well-qualified teachers, and of those who 
 have the care and management of its concerns. 
 In these respects this College has been highly 
 favored. 
 
CH. XIII] PRESIDENT HOPKINS S ADMINISTRATION. 309 
 
 How far Williams College has answered the end 
 of its enlightened and patriotic founders, and for 
 which it has been hitherto patronized and sus 
 tained, would be an interesting and useful subject 
 of investigation. But to do full justice to it would 
 require an induction of particulars which would 
 extend this work beyond its anticipated limits. In 
 reflecting on her past history, on what, with scanty 
 means, and even struggling at times for her very 
 existence, Williams College has accomplished, we 
 reasonably anticipate that, with increased advan 
 tages, and more than double her former number of 
 pupils, a high and even glorious career of pros 
 perity and usefulness is yet in reserve for her. 
 " SEMPER HONOR NOMENQUE SUUM, LAUDESQUE MANE- 
 BUNT." 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE FROM 1836-1860. 
 
 FROM the fall of 1836 there was nothing of 
 marked religious interest in Williams College for 
 two years. The regular means of grace were well 
 sustained. There was considerable private fasting 
 and private labor, and several interesting cases of 
 conversion occurred. In 1838 the attention to 
 religion was more general. At a noon meeting, 
 held on the 14th of February, soon after the com 
 mencement of the spring term, it was proposed to 
 have a meeting in the evening, and to have preach 
 ing. The meeting was held in the West College. 
 About the middle of the afternoon, uncommon 
 seriousness appeared to manifest itself in the north 
 hall of the East College, mostly in the Senior class. 
 At the evening meeting every member of the class 
 was present. The prospect seemed fair for a great 
 work. Satan, however, took occasion to distract 
 the public mind. An unhappy case of litigation 
 came up, growing out of some things which had 
 occurred in town the term previous. As the Col 
 lege fast was approaching, the Faculty of College, 
 and those among the students who were favorably 
 
CH.XIV.] KELIGIOUS HISTORY. 311 
 
 disposed towards religion, were anxious that a legal 
 process should, if possible, be avoided. A compro 
 mise was proposed, and mutually assented to by the 
 parties the evening before the fast, and high hopes 
 were entertained in reference to the day. When 
 the morning came, however, it was found that some 
 unquiet spirits had been successfully busy in un 
 doing all that had been done in the way of com 
 promise, and probably a more stormy morning had 
 not been known in East College for years. Every 
 thing seemed to be in a complete ferment. The 
 religious part of the College went, as our custom 
 is, in the forenoon, and united with the people of 
 the town, in a meeting for prayer and conference. 
 The usual noon-meeting was held at one o clock, 
 and knowing the turbulent and angry state of Col 
 lege, and feeling the utter hopelessness of the case, 
 without Divine interference, it is believed that the 
 cause was laid over upon the arm of Him who 
 holds the hearts of all men in his hands. At the 
 afternoon exercise, in the conference-room, all Col 
 lege are required to be present. On this occasion 
 there was no preaching, but brief remarks were 
 made by individuals. It began to be evident, be 
 fore the meeting had proceeded far, that a Divine 
 influence had pervaded the assembly. The room 
 became still and solemn. Many were affected to 
 tears. Scarcely a member of College but that felt 
 a kind of awe from God, which lasted several days. 
 With others impressions were more permanent. 
 The work went on, and several, particularly in 
 
312 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. .[Cn. XIV. 
 
 the upper classes, professed submission to Christ. 
 This was a good work, more powerful than any 
 since 1831. It was, however, wanting in depth 
 and thoroughness. The ensuing year passed in 
 general quiet, but with no special religious interest. 
 This brings us on to the year 1840, a year some 
 what memorable in the religious annals of the 
 College. Before proceeding directly to an account 
 of what took place during that year, I wish to 
 make some general statements. I have run over 
 very briefly the eight years previous, confining my 
 self simply to facts. Let me observe them more 
 generally. 1. That since the year 1831 there has 
 been a general improvement in the order of Col 
 lege, petty annoyances have become less frequent, 
 and cases of discipline have been rare. Except 
 one or two 4th of July occasions, there has been 
 next to nothing of an outbreaking character. I 
 have lived during all these years in the East Col 
 lege building, and could not wish in general for a 
 more quiet habitation. This statement cannot be 
 made, with equal truth, in reference to the West 
 College, occupied by the two lower classes. The 
 order there has been, however, generally good. 
 2. The moral tone of College has been elevated. 
 Drunkenness, in the daylight, and open profana 
 tion of God s name, do not show themselves boldly 
 as they once did. Avowed infidelity is extremely 
 rare, and those who have opportunity to know, 
 speak of it as an occurrence extremely uncommon 
 to hear the Christian religion and Divine institu 
 tions spoken of contemptuously or disrespectfully. 
 
CH.XIV.] EELIGIOUS HISTORY. 313 
 
 It would not be easy, perhaps, to trace this grad 
 ually favorable change to all its causes. Indirectly 
 might be mentioned a system of exercise of a 
 somewhat rural character, which has been intro 
 duced amongst us. The occupying of the mind 
 during the warm and open season, when the ave 
 nues to temptation are more open, with tasteful 
 arrangements about the College grounds, spending 
 leisure hours in laying out better plots, cultivating 
 shrubbery, flowers, &c., instead of lounging about 
 in idleness, as was formerly the case, smoking and 
 indulging in various kinds of things not very 
 favorable to good health or good morals. We do 
 not believe, with Combe, in converting men by be 
 ginning with the skin. There is no doubt much 
 religion in nature, if we have grace to find it. It 
 is not easy to be familiar with her forms, without 
 owing, though unconsciously, an influence to a 
 certain extent humanizing, softening, and even 
 purifying. Natural history, also the study of at 
 mospheric laws and of celestial phenomena, to 
 which numbers are beginning to devote themselves 
 assiduously, all come in aid of sound virtue and 
 the peaceful and happy pursuance of those ends 
 for which youth ought to be associated in an insti 
 tution like this. 
 
 Of those causes which have operated directly in 
 the way of bringing about the change above alluded 
 to may be mentioned the temperance reform. The 
 evils arising from the use of strong drink in our 
 literary institutions, as strange and incongruous as 
 27 
 
314 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 such a mixture may seem, have been among the 
 most appalling which they have had to contend 
 with. These evils are not done away, but they are 
 moderated ; they have taken their place among 
 those evils which are committed in the dark, and do 
 not receive the countenance, as formerly, of men of 
 respectable moral character. Another direct cause is 
 that already adverted to, namely, the uninterrupted 
 use of a system of means intended to bear directly 
 on the religious character. Recognizing the Gos 
 pel as the only adequate moral purifier, this system 
 bears directly upon the conscience. It is like a 
 wheel in constant motion, which proves the exist 
 ence of a secret power, and reproves men silently 
 for their vain practices and worldly course of liv 
 ing, to say nothing of outward vice. 
 
 With all these helps to a pure state of things in 
 a moral and religious point of view, and especially 
 after what has been said of the general quiet which 
 has reigned among us for several years, those who 
 read this account will doubtless be surprised at 
 some statements which I am presently to make. 
 Let it be remarked, however, that all these helps 
 are of voluntary application ; we cannot compel 
 men to prefer the cool outward air of a summer s 
 morning and the odor of a flower-bed to a pent-up 
 room filled with the fumes of tobacco. We are 
 obliged to say, however reluctantly, on these points, 
 " De gustibus nil disputandum." In respect to the 
 daily meetings, they have never embraced much 
 over seventy; about half of College, in the best 
 
Ce.XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 315 
 
 times, and this only for a brief period, leaving the 
 rest, ordinarily by far the majority, unaffected by 
 them, except indirectly and incidentally. What 
 has now been said will relieve some statements 
 which I am about to make. 
 
 The College year of 1839 and 1840 opened with 
 no very favorable omens for good. The Senior 
 class, which always gives tone more or less in Col 
 lege, both to opinion and feeling, embodied but lit 
 tle vigorous, active piety. There was no particular 
 deficiency in respect to profession, but the profession 
 of many set so loosely upon them that piety itself 
 came to be greatly depreciated in the estimate of 
 others. There were also various causes of intestine 
 difficulty. About the middle of November several 
 began to feel that they could not live longer with 
 out making an effort to interrupt the prevailing 
 apathy, and lay a check on those influences which 
 were sapping the foundation of all that was vital 
 in Christianity amongst us. As the way did not 
 appear to be open for any direct effort, it was de 
 termined to hold meetings, several evenings suc 
 cessively, in a private house near by ; these meet 
 ings were attended both by Christians and sinners 
 from College, and it is now known that one indi 
 vidual was, about that time, under very deep con 
 viction. These meetings were continued, with more 
 or less frequency, till the close of the term. When 
 College assembled at the 1st of February, there 
 was an uncommon degree of wakefulness among 
 several Christians. The noon meetings were more 
 
316 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 full and solemn than had been usual. The Metho 
 dists were holding a meeting near by, the influence 
 of which was to deepen the feeling in College, the 
 students attending without restriction. About the 
 time of the College fast, two or three meetings 
 were held at the conference-room in the chapel. 
 There was preaching at these meetings, which 
 seemed to produce an awakening influence upon 
 the church, to whom it was mainly directed. After 
 this time the noon meetings thickened, almost all 
 the church being now gathered into them, and 
 some of the impenitent, taking covert under in 
 creasing numbers, came in also. In this state of 
 painful and solemn suspense things remained for 
 several days. Having been brought up before, on 
 more than one occasion, nearly to the point where 
 we were at present standing, there was ground for 
 alarm lest this might prove the case now. Prayer 
 was offered " without ceasing," and it would be 
 no exaggerated statement to say of some, that they 
 appeared to be willing to die, rather than not to 
 see God glorified in the salvation of souls. It was 
 with us, indeed, a great day, " even the time of 
 Jacob s trouble." There was, however, strength in 
 the church to lay hold on the promise, " he shall 
 be saved out of it." God also encouraged some of 
 his people by gracious intimations, which he was 
 pleased to give them, that he would work " for his 
 great name s sake that his name might not be pol 
 luted." There was no movement, outwardly, which 
 went to relieve this suspense, till the 16th of March, 
 
CH. XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 317 
 
 which was town-meeting day, or rather the evening 
 of the day before, which was Sabbath. At that 
 time, numbers of the impenitent had their attention 
 arrested in a more sensible and lively manner. 
 Two or three conversions had occurred before this, 
 but now there seemed to be a breaking away and 
 lifting up of the cloud. That kind of false shame 
 which had hitherto prevented sinners from resort 
 ing to little prayer-meetings, and seeking the com 
 pany and conversation of the pious, was all done 
 away. They began now, indeed, " to flock like 
 clouds, and like doves to their windows." 
 
 The increasing tide of feeling which, up to this 
 point, had flowed harmoniously in the channel of 
 our daily meetings, began to overflow, and require 
 more expansion ; it not being thought best to alter 
 the form of these meetings, which are devoted, in 
 part, to repetition of the Scriptures, and which, 
 therefore, did not give sufficient time for expres 
 sions of feeling. This will be readily understood, 
 when we observe that the Sophomore and Junior 
 recitation-rooms, where these meetings are held, 
 were both much crowded. Meetings, accordingly, 
 began to be held at nine o clock in the evening. 
 These were, many of them, very happy meetings. 
 There was a great deal of freedom in them. Almost 
 every one had something to say. Some, who were 
 older, a word in the way of experience ; some had 
 an invitation or a promise ; some a sigh or a tear. 
 Many had confessions. This was true of the most 
 conscientious among us, whose walk had been irre- 
 27* 
 
318 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 proachable. Under the strong impressions of the 
 Spirit, and the clear light which was now shed 
 upon eternal things, their best services appeared 
 defective, either in motive or in measure. Luke 
 warm persons, who had been living loose and en 
 couraging in wickedness those whose countenances 
 they now saw in the solemn meeting, felt called 
 upon to do something more than confess. Not a 
 few of this description became convinced that they 
 had been building on the sand, renounced their 
 hopes, and took their place among inquirers. Anx 
 ious sinners stated their case, and asked for prayers. 
 And those into whose minds light had begun to 
 break bore testimony to this. In brief expressions 
 of feeling, from individuals in almost every variety 
 of mental frame, time would pass away uncon 
 sciously. I was struck, one evening, with a re 
 mark. It was at a late hour, numbers had ex 
 pressed their feelings, and the meeting was exceed 
 ingly solemn and still. One spoke and said, " I 
 have forgotten what day it is." Such a contrast 
 with the dark and wintry days which had preceded 
 might well throw a transient doubt about the re 
 ality of those scenes which were now passing. This 
 meeting will not soon be forgotten. It closed by 
 singing the words, " O, there will be mourning at 
 the judgment-seat of Christ." The following lan 
 guage of Watts was well suited to this time, and 
 found involuntary utterance from those who had 
 long " waited for it " : 
 
Cn.XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 319 
 
 " When we review our dismal fears, 
 
 T was hard to think they d vanish so ; 
 With God we left our flowing tears, 
 He made our joys like rivers flow." 
 
 From the period before alluded to, when the 
 West College set up for themselves, it had been 
 our custom to have a joint meeting on Friday, at 
 one College and the other, alternately. The recita 
 tion-room being too strait, we adjourned, this week, 
 to the conference-room, in the chapel. Many were 
 affected at this meeting. I may mention, too, in 
 this connection, the existence among us of what are 
 termed class-meetings, on Friday evening, meet 
 ings for the individual classes, an important 
 means of grace, which originated some time during 
 the dark period between 1827 and 1831. The 
 meeting in the Senior class, on the evening of the 
 Friday above referred to, appeared to be accompa 
 nied with a remarkable effusion of the Spirit. On 
 the evening of the succeeding Wednesday, the two 
 literary societies adjourned for prayer, and after a 
 season came together to hear the Word of. God. 
 The same evening a spirit of confession appeared 
 to break out anew in the nine o clock meeting, at 
 the East College. Some confessions of rather a 
 startling character were made by individuals who 
 had confessed before, but it seemed that their con 
 fessions did not go sufficiently deep to satisfy con 
 science, with the amount of light and of the spirit 
 now enjoyed. Statements were made which in 
 volved, more or less, the lower classes in College. 
 
320 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 At least, transactions were confessed to, the influ 
 ence of which upon members of these classes had 
 been injurious. It now began to be evident that 
 things were coming to a crisis, that pride of 
 character, in the two upper classes, was likely to 
 be severely tested. Christianity was getting suffi 
 ciently deep hold to make men honest, a point to 
 which it comes more rarely than is often imagined. 
 Feelings and frames and experiences and happy 
 modes began, at this moment, to look rather dim. 
 The great practical question came up now, Are you 
 willing to turn about, and become an honest man ? 
 Throw off all disguises, make confession of the 
 whole, take high ground, and start anew. Had it 
 not been for this meeting, things might have ran 
 along. The happy state of feeling before described 
 might have continued, and men have blessed them 
 selves in the enjoyment of it. As it was, it became 
 evident that a new page must be turned over in 
 the history of the revival. It says in the Bible, 
 " that man perished not alone in his iniquity." So, 
 now, it was obvious that the sins of individuals 
 were so linked in with those of others, in both 
 buildings, that a general meeting was needed for 
 confession. Such a meeting, accordingly, was 
 agreed upon at the conference-room the next 
 night. Every member of College, it is believed, 
 was present ; and after some remarks in relation to 
 the duty, to attend to which, especially, the meet 
 ing was convened, the work of confession went 
 forward. It is not necessary to specify all the 
 
CH.XIV.] EELIGIOUS HISTORY. 321 
 
 things which were confessed to in this meeting. 
 Among those things which weighed most heavily, 
 were neglect and abuse of the Sabbath and the 
 Bible, lying to officers of College, stealing, card- 
 playing, drinking, keeping liquor at their rooms. 
 The disclosures of this evening were deeply humil 
 iating, not only to individuals, but to human na 
 ture; and probably few scenes are witnessed on 
 earth, ante-dating and foreshadowing more signifi 
 cantly and solemnly the day appointed for the re 
 vealing of secrets, when God " shall both bring to 
 light the hidden things of darkness, and make 
 manifest the counsels of the hearts." Their con 
 fessions, as might be supposed, were cruel darts to 
 the companions of those who had made them, who 
 now stood revealed as guilty of the same things, 
 but without sufficient moral honesty to make con 
 fession of the wrong which they had done. Some 
 of those who confessed this evening had had a 
 good deal of pride of character, and a very fair 
 reputation for honor and integrity. Between these 
 and others, when the scales of the sanctuary were 
 applied as now, there appeared no radical differ 
 ence, and no one, probably, left the meeting with 
 out being convinced of the total depravity of un- 
 sanctified human nature. It seemed for a while 
 as though there were about to be an entire upheav 
 ing and overturning, and a coming out, from the 
 dark and guilty chaos, of order and moral honesty. 
 There began to be a glimpse of what is implied in 
 a pure community, and a hope that such a condi 
 tion was about to be realized by us. 
 
322 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 The meeting referred to did not on the whole in 
 terrupt the solemnity of College ; the work went 
 on with interest and power, conversions occurring 
 from time to time, nearly to the close of the term. 
 Boisterous sports, such as ball-playing, &c., were 
 not resumed this year, as has been usual at the 
 opening of the season. The planting of trees, 
 gardening, and going off, evenings, to a distance, in 
 the outskirts of the town, where a protracted meet 
 ing was in progress, furnished exercise well suited 
 to the time, and to any time. As in 1812 and 
 1825, so now, the exhibition at the close of the 
 term was suspended, and a religious exercise took 
 its place. It deserves, perhaps, to be mentioned 
 here, as evidencing the fact that nature and the 
 Christian religion are not unfriendly, that the day 
 after the close of the term, an expedition started 
 under the auspices of the Natural History Society, 
 consisting of about twenty individuals, most of 
 whom had been affected more or less by the awak 
 ening. Indeed, had it not been for the awaken 
 ing, I question whether the expedition would have 
 moved at this time. There was a disposition to 
 blow the Gospel trumpet around the land, and as 
 news of what the Lord had been doing for us had 
 gone before, it seemed to be taken for granted, that 
 we would hold meetings as we travelled ; which we 
 did, much to our own gratification, and we have 
 reason to believe, in some instances, not without 
 special benefit to others. 
 
 The summer term was one of quiet and religious 
 
CH. XIV.] EELIGIOUS HISTORY. 323 
 
 activity. A kind of Home Missionary Society was 
 formed, consisting of twenty or more, the object of 
 which was to cultivate the waste ground in the 
 vicinity. The 4th of July, which has sometimes 
 been boisterous, and into the celebration of which 
 cannon, powder in other forms, and fireworks, were 
 introduced in the turbulent period between 1827 
 and 1831, was this year very quiet. I shall not 
 soon forget the impression made upon my mind as 
 the young men were assembling to form their usual 
 procession. The place of rendezvous was near the 
 West College garden. Not a discordant sound, un 
 less it might be from neighboring villages, had 
 occurred to interrupt the stillness of the morning. 
 The sun shone bright, and the atmosphere seemed 
 to sympathize with the inward serenity which 
 reigned. When all had come, the music struck up 
 and the procession moved. So deep upon my 
 mind was the impression of moral order, and so 
 strong the conviction, that many pure hearts were 
 beating in unison with the soft but lively air, that I 
 seemed to see, in miniature and in type, and ob 
 tained, through this outward sign, a more vivid 
 view than ever before, of that purer and longer 
 procession, which will be formed on the morning of 
 a brighter day, before which will be uttered the 
 proclamation, " Open ye the gates that the right 
 eous may enter." I felt an involuntary impulse to 
 go and join myself to the procession, which con 
 science had never before permitted me to do. 
 
 A little before this time about twenty were ad- 
 
324 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 mitted to the College church, among whom was 
 one of the officers of College who had shared in 
 the awakening. In respect to those whose minds 
 were deeply affected, but who either hoped not at 
 all, or only faintly, and that for a time, I should 
 say that some of them, so far as human judgment 
 can decide, stand on higher ground in reference to 
 the Gospel than before. I am aware that the prev 
 alent theology will not bear me out in such a sup 
 position. I am compelled, however, to believe, 
 judging from the walk of numbers, which is the 
 best criterion, that an impression was made, at that 
 period, upon their minds, which if it does not issue 
 in conversion, will be favorable to Christianity, and 
 ever prevent them from lightly speaking evil of 
 Christ or of his cause. I do not think there are 
 any flagrant cases where a revulsion of feeling has 
 taken place such as we sometimes witness, though 
 our God has humbled us and left us " to bewail many 
 who have sinned already and have not repented." 
 
 The first term of the College year 1841 fur 
 nished melancholy, though not unexpected proof of 
 the soundness of those views which were enter 
 tained by many, in the spring, in relation to what 
 might be expected to occur if the causes of moral 
 infection were not then thoroughly sifted. Many 
 were grieved, though none probably were surprised, 
 on the entrance of a new class, and the commence 
 ment of an electioneering campaign for members of 
 the various associations, to witness a recurrence 
 of old jealousies and old feuds. To such an extent 
 
CH. XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 325 
 
 did this feeling arise before the close of the term, 
 that on one occasion the quiet of midnight was 
 disturbed by bands of students walking the streets, 
 with loud vociferation and clubs, either for pur 
 poses of attack or of self-defence. It is not neces 
 sary to say, that numbers in College, I believe I 
 may say with truth the mass, shook their hands of 
 all participation in such disgraceful occurrences. 
 The general good feeling of College interposed a 
 barrier against any permanent and spreading ex 
 citement, and so the matter was hushed for a 
 season, and has been kept still by a prevailing 
 spirit, which there is reason to know is nothing 
 less than the Spirit of God. A pretty uniform 
 solemnity, a kind of awe from God, has been among 
 us since the opening of the term in February. 
 One or two hopeful conversions occurred early in 
 the term. The College fast was solemn. Some 
 were awakened then, a few expressed hope after 
 wards. The noon meetings on Friday were ad 
 journed to the chapel, for the want of room. One 
 or two meetings, held at nine o clock, were crowded. 
 As fast as the stumbling-blocks were removed, the 
 chariot rolled forward, and souls flocked to the 
 standard of the Redeemer. 
 
 The year 1841 likewise furnished some evidences 
 of the special presence of God among us. A few 
 conversions occurred in the spring, and towards 
 the close of the year there was a manifest increase 
 of interest in the daily meetings, and generally a 
 more hopeful state of things. An event occurred 
 28 
 
326 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 at this time, apparently untoward, but which was 
 evidently overruled for good. I refer to the burn 
 ing of the East College. This building, erected 
 about the beginning of the century, had witnessed 
 many scenes of deep religious interest. Many of 
 its private rooms had been bethels, and here, espe 
 cially, the daily meetings had long been attended 
 in the Junior recitation-room. The day after the 
 fire we rallied around the spot. It was a desolate 
 place, but the feelings of those who had been wont 
 to gather there seemed rather quickened than de 
 pressed. 
 
 " Those ruins shall be built again, 
 And all that dust shall rise," 
 
 were words which seemed to have a spiritual sig 
 nificance. It was determined not to abandon the 
 meeting, but to adjourn to the Sophomore recita 
 tion-room. We accordingly went over, and the 
 step had a good effect. The lower classes were en 
 couraged by seeing so many, and among them not 
 a few zealous Christians, coming to their support. 
 The meetings became more interesting, and at the 
 close of the term there were some evidences of the 
 special presence of God. 
 
 This state of things continued into the next 
 term ; but during the early weeks of the term no 
 sensible advance was made. Indeed, nothing more 
 hopeful was witnessed till after the midde of March. 
 At that time a death occurred in the neighborhood 
 which was overruled to the awakening of some 
 young persons. The funeral, by request of the de- 
 
CH. XIV.] EELIGIOUS HISTOEY. 327 
 
 ceased, was attended in the church. Numbers from 
 the College went in, and an unusual solemnity was 
 visible in the audience. It was felt, both in town 
 and College, that the time was critical, and called 
 for special effort. A private house near the College 
 was opened for preaching. Several students at 
 tended, and some were awakened. The Sabbath 
 evening following, a somewhat extraordinary meet 
 ing was held in an adjoining house, the members of 
 which were all impenitent, some of them standing 
 up in the entry, and nearly all, to some extent, 
 anxious. The words of the prophet seemed strik 
 ingly verified, "The children are come to the 
 birth, and there is not strength to bring forth." 
 
 Under these circumstances, the pastor of the 
 church, after consultation, wrote to Dr. Bemen of 
 Troy, requesting him to come out. This request 
 was complied with. Several sermons were preached, 
 but with no very marked effect till the day of the 
 State Fast. On the morning of that day the Doc 
 tor read that striking chapter in the prophecy of 
 Zechariah, toward the close of which it is said, 
 " The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the 
 fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of 
 the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and 
 gladness and cheerful feasts. Thus saith the Lord 
 of Hosts, it shall yet come to pass that there shall 
 come people, and the inhabitants of many cities, 
 and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, 
 saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, 
 and to seek the Lord of Hosts. I will go also." 
 
328 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 These and the following verses were the basis of a 
 discourse in which the speaker aimed to set forth 
 the characteristics of a genuine revival of religion. 
 And when, at the close, all anxious inquirers were 
 invited to a neighboring hall, the place was literally 
 thronged. It is rare that such an impression is 
 made upon the young of any community as was 
 visible on that Fast day. The awakening became 
 general, both in College and town. Not many days 
 after, at a meeting in the Sophomore recitation- 
 room, greatly thronged, Dr. Bemen, being present, 
 said, " That if Williams College could always re 
 main in such a state, it would be a little heaven, 
 and he should want to come occasionally over the 
 mountains to get into it." 
 
 A religious meeting at the close of this term took 
 the place of the Junior exhibition. On the whole, 
 the revival of this year was an extraordinary work. 
 Still, in depth and power it fell short of that which 
 preceded it in the spring of 1840. 
 
 The following year, 1843, was marked by no 
 special seriousness till about the middle of the fall 
 term. At that time there were some cases of in 
 quiry. A sudden death, by accident, in College 
 served to deepen the interest. Meetings filled up, 
 and the term closed with a good deal of seriousness. 
 A few dated their conversions from this time. 
 
 The year 1844 was not one of revival; but late 
 in the fall, as in the year preceding, several in the 
 church were stirred up to greater earnestness. This 
 feeling passed over into the spring term. A meet- 
 
CH. XIV.] KELIGIOUS HISTOEY. 329 
 
 ing for scriptual exposition and conference, hard by 
 the College, was attended by many students, some 
 of whom were deeply interested, and before the 
 close of the term expressed hope. 
 
 Towards the close of the spring term of the fol 
 lowing year, 1846, a few cases of inquiry occurred. 
 This was also, and more markedly the case, near 
 the close of the fall term. Quite a number were 
 more than usually impressed. One member of the 
 Junior class seemed to be affected and brought 
 under deep distress of mind at the last recitation. 
 
 The religious history of the four years terminat 
 ing with the year 1846 occupies but a brief space 
 in this narrative ; it was a time of general apathy 
 in the churches, and no marked revival occurred in 
 College during this period. There was not, how 
 ever, during these years, an entire suspension of di 
 vine influences. Whilst the mass of professors, 
 wandering by the " cold streams of Babylon," had 
 hung their harps upon the willows, a few were 
 earnest, prayerful, and anxious to do something for 
 the upbuilding of the church. Sense and sight 
 furnished them but little encouragement ; but they 
 labored on in hope, and gathered some precious 
 sheaves, though no abundant harvest rewarded their 
 toils. " Blessed," says our Saviour, " are they who 
 have not seen, and yet have believed." This blessing 
 no doubt will rest upon a faithful few, who, during 
 these years of comparative barrenness, continued to 
 till the moral vineyard. The name of one may be 
 mentioned, as he has gone to his reward, the be- 
 28* 
 
330 HISTOKY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 loved Brewster, whose bones are mouldering in 
 the soil of China. Rarely, if ever, did he enter a 
 meeting, in those days of discouragement, without 
 some word of exhortation to encourage the hope 
 and strengthen the faith of his brethren. Another 
 of like spirit, contemporary with him, is now reaping 
 a spiritual harvest in the mountains of Oroomiah. 
 
 In the year 1847 another revival was experi 
 enced. Professor Lincoln, then a member of Col 
 lege, has given his recollections of that work in the 
 account which follows. 
 
 " This revival was intimately connected with a general work of 
 grace in the town, in which more than one hundred persons hope 
 fully shared. There were some favorable indications in College 
 before the fall term closed, but the revival proper commenced in 
 town during the winter vacation of the College. When the term 
 opened, the pious students, who had long waited and prayed for 
 such scenes, hastened gladly back and mingled in them. They 
 found several in town already rejoicing in hope, others anxiously 
 inquiring what they must do, and the church generally coming 
 up to the help of the Lord. 
 
 " Gradually, silently, the work progressed in town and spread 
 in College. One after another felt the presence and power of the 
 Holy Spirit; heart after heart glowed and melted under the 
 sacred flame, until few, if any, Christians remained in College 
 who were not awake and at their post. There was much secret 
 and social prayer ; much religious conversation among Chris 
 tians ; much faithful, personal effort with the impenitent. Pub 
 lic meetings were frequent, solemn, and crowded. There was also 
 much heart-searching and trembling, confession and contrition on 
 the part of the church. Several professing Christians, becoming 
 convinced of the worthlessness of their hopes, renounced them 
 and sought again, and found, we trust, the pearl of great price. 
 As the fruit of this revival, some thirty or forty persons indulged 
 
CH. XIV.J RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 331 
 
 hope in Christ. And, so far as my knowledge extends, their 
 lives since have given credible evidence that their professions 
 were sincere, and their convictions that they then passed from 
 death unto life genuine. Some of its subjects are preaching 
 Christ ; others have set their seal to the faith they then professed 
 by peaceful and happy deaths ; others still, then and there im 
 pressed, but not expressing hope, have since been led, as they 
 trust, by a sacred chain of influences, in which those impressions 
 form well-remembered links, and by a way which they knew not, 
 to the Lamb of God. No period in this revival was character 
 ized by great manifest excitement ; it was, on the contrary, emi 
 nently a quiet and thoughtful work. It was most powerful, per 
 haps, about the time of the College fast, though it continued with 
 great uniformity of interest through several months. Some scenes 
 occurred of very marked and thrilling interest. Some instances 
 of conversion very signally illustrated the power of prayer and 
 the sovereign grace of God. The spirit of harmony and of 
 brotherly love which prevailed was wonderful. There was great 
 joy in our hearts. The watchword of the revival, that with 
 which Christians met and parted, was, Hold on, brother, hold 
 on in prayer and in effort ; hold on to the promises ; hold on to 
 God." 
 
 In the spring of the year 1848 there was unu 
 sual religious interest in the College. Before the 
 College fast, there were some cases of awakening. 
 The exercises on that day were solemn, and at a 
 prayer-meeting in the evening it became evident 
 that the Spirit was present, not only in his quicken 
 ing, but in his awakening influences. Several of 
 the impenitent rose and asked the prayers of the 
 church. Next day, at noon, the recitation-room 
 was full, and the meeting, instead of adjourning 
 over till Monday, as had been usual, was appointed 
 at half past one the succeeding day, Saturday. 
 
t 
 332 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 Numbers of the impenitent were present at this 
 meeting, some scoffers, some were in deep dis 
 tress ; these found their way, after the meeting, 
 into a private room hard by, where several engaged 
 Christians without any previous concert had assem 
 bled. The place was solemn as the birthplace of 
 souls. Very rarely has there been a Saturday after 
 noon more still and serious. It is believed there 
 was much ejaculatory prayer, and the watchword 
 seemed to be, " Sanctify yourselves, for to-morrow 
 the Lord will work wonders among you." 
 
 On Sabbatji morning, at nine o clock, the meet 
 ing for prayer and conference was crowded. Chris 
 tians expected this. They had prepared themselves 
 for a solemn day, and were not disappointed when 
 numbers thronged to the place. One who had just 
 obtained hope arose. He seemed to enjoy great 
 peace, he inquired where the cross was. An 
 other then rose, and, said he, " Something holds 
 me back." He then dropped on his knees and 
 prayed most earnestly, first begging his friends to 
 aid him while he endeavored to consecrate himself 
 to God. I believe he rose a new man. At least, 
 from that time, and since, his course has been on 
 ward, and his praise is now in the churches. 
 
 On the afternoon of the same day the President 
 preached ; his subject was the flight of Jonah to 
 Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. This 
 sermon produced a solemn impression. A young 
 man of fine talents, who, before entering College, 
 had indulged hope, but had since abandoned his 
 
CH. XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 333 
 
 Christian hopes and professions, was powerfully 
 wrought upon. Like the prophet, he felt himself 
 to be a fugitive from God, and after service, in 
 deep distress and consternation, he was led by one 
 of the brethren to the room of a friend, where he 
 gave vent to his uncontrollable emotions. He 
 seemed to be crushed and subdued, and before he 
 left the place consecrated himself, it is believed, to 
 the service of God. 
 
 About this time there began to be much excite 
 ment in the lower classes. Meetings were multi 
 plied at the West College. Several there expressed 
 hope. Time, however, showed, in the case of many, 
 that their goodness was " like the morning cloud 
 and early dew." It soon passed away. The work 
 seemed not to be characterized by the genuineness 
 and permanence wilich marked its progress in the 
 upper classes. Here the work, though not very 
 extensive, was deep. I might mention that the 
 individual whose conversion was last referred to 
 not only illustrated and adorned his profession by 
 a devoted life, but experienced, in a happy death, 
 the sustaining power of his hope in Christ. He 
 devoted himself to the ministry, and was called 
 away suddenly, while pursuing his studies at An- 
 dover. 
 
 The year 1849 was more than commonly barren. 
 Wickedness abounded in the lower classes. Nearly 
 half the professors of religion left at Commence 
 ment. The class, however, which then entered 
 contained two or three devotedly pious persons, 
 
334 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 whose influence was like leaven, leavening up 
 wards. Some Christians were powerfully wrought 
 upon during the fall of this year, and in the ensu 
 ing spring a few conversions occurred, not in con 
 nection with any general awakening, but as the 
 result of individual effort. On the whole, religion 
 was at a low ebb during the year 1850. 
 
 The spring term of the ensuing year, 1851, 
 opened with some evidences of the special presence 
 of God. This appeared in the noon meetings, 
 though the number in attendance was not larger 
 than usual. On the evening of the College fast, a 
 stated meeting at the study of one of the Professors 
 was considerably thronged. Some of the impeni 
 tent were present, and appeared wakeful. The 
 next day, at noon, the meeting was at the West 
 College. It was fuller than was expected. There 
 was also something, aside from numbers, which 
 indicated the immediate presence of God. " I re 
 member well/ says a correspondent, " my surprise, 
 on reaching the door, to see the room all black with 
 the crowd. I had never seen anything of the kind 
 before." In the course of this meeting two or 
 three of the impenitent arose and requested prayers. 
 Preaching was demanded, and public meetings, 
 during many successive evenings, were held at the 
 conference-room. A crowd attended these meet 
 ings. Divine truth was armed with power. Some 
 of the most devoted Christians were quite broken 
 down, and their confessions alarmed those who had 
 looked up to them as examples and leaders. A 
 
Cn.XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 335 
 
 very deep work was wrought in the Church, and 
 out of it the impression became deep and general. 
 
 Just four weeks after the Friday noon meeting 
 above referred to, the meeting occurring at the 
 same place, one of the converts, referring to that 
 meeting, said that just thirty days had elapsed, and 
 there were thirty hopeful converts, a convert a 
 day, eventful and solemn month ! " It took," 
 writes one, " all the most diligent and industrious 
 members of our class." 
 
 This work was remarkable for its permanence. 
 Meetings abated not much in number during the 
 summer term. The last Friday noon meeting at 
 tended by the Senior class was particularly solemn. 
 The limits of this sketch forbid much detail, but 
 in general it may be said the work, of whose com 
 mencement some account has been given, extended 
 into the following years, with some alternations of 
 interest and power, but retaining its identity as 
 part of the same movement. The noon meetings 
 were meetings of experience. They continued full. 
 Conversions were not infrequent, though not mul 
 tiplied as at the beginning. During the spring 
 term of 1853 the average attendance at noon, in 
 the two upper classes, was about fifty, and eter 
 nity will show how many were the sanctifying and 
 saving impressions connected with those means of 
 grace. A member of the class graduating this 
 year writes : " Our class, when we entered, num 
 bered twenty-seven. Four were professors of re 
 ligion. We graduated thirty-seven, and all but 
 five or six were indulging hope." 
 
336 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 It was in the course of this revival that the idea 
 of missionary colonies came up, and gave rise to a 
 good deal of animated discussion. The question 
 was raised whether the methods hitherto adopted 
 of evangelizing the world, by the aid of missionary 
 societies, was as well adapted to the end proposed 
 as limited associations of individuals, embracing 
 the different trades, locating at various points, and 
 carrying with them the appliances of Christian civ 
 ilization, planting the Church and family at once 
 at points which might be selected as suitable for 
 the experiment. It was proposed to test this idea, 
 at once, in one of the South American States. The 
 field is open, and it is believed that some movement 
 in this line will speedily be realized. 
 
 Subsidiary, in part, to the scheme just referred 
 to, and suggested by it, was the plan of a mission 
 ary institution to be connected with the College, 
 where all the living tongues should be taught, and 
 facilities furnished for training young men to be 
 teachers and preachers in the missionary colonies. 
 
 While these questions were being discussed, the 
 site of the haystack, so long veiled in mystery, was 
 providentially discovered. This, in connection with 
 the jubilee, gave a new impulse to the missionary 
 spirit. The Society of Inquiry gained strength, 
 and the second half-century, in the history of the 
 missionary enterprise amongst us, is opening with 
 renewed hope and promise. 
 
 It only remains to speak of the revival of 1858. 
 designated, now, as the great revival throughout 
 
CH. XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 337 
 
 the land, and in which the College has largely 
 shared. This work appeared early in the winter 
 term. The noon meetings opened with more than 
 usual solemnity. There seemed to be in the 
 church an earnest desire for a more intimate un 
 ion with Christ. The weighty words of Luther 
 were impressed deeply upon some, " If Christ 
 and I are two, I am lost." 
 
 Towards the last of January those who had been 
 teaching began to return, some of them from the 
 midst of revival scenes. Indeed, the land began 
 now to be extensively shaken. One brother rose 
 in the meeting, and said that out of twenty-nine 
 scholars in his school, twenty-one had been hope 
 fully converted. He had established a noon meet 
 ing in his school. Interesting details were given. 
 Several were affected to tears. On the evening of 
 the same day was the monthly meeting of the Col 
 lege church. The exercises were impressive. It 
 was said, and seemed to be felt, that we needed a 
 baptism of the Holy Ghost. On the ensuing day, 
 at noon, a brother repeated and dwelt on the pas 
 sage, " It is expedient for you that I go away." 
 Another said he had never felt under so great a 
 pressure, but never had greater hope. In the even 
 ing one of the impenitent was found to be under 
 deep impressions. 
 
 The Friday noon meeting of this week was at 
 West College, and was very full. As an encour 
 agement to faith, it was urged that Christ did not 
 say to the Syro-Phenician woman, " Ask what thou 
 29 
 
338 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 wilt, and it shall be done unto thee ; " but this he 
 says now to his Church. The pastor of the church 
 in town was present, and dwelt on the necessity of 
 being humbled if we would be exalted. It was 
 evident that several of the church, particularly in 
 the Senior class, were much roused. 
 
 During the ensuing month of February no 
 abatement of interest was perceived. Conversions 
 occurred from time to time ; in one or two cases of 
 individuals who had given up all hope for them 
 selves. They had seemed like barren trees, against 
 which the sentence had gone out, " Let no fruit grow 
 on thee henceforth forever ; " but now they were 
 softened, humbled; their despairing thoughts left 
 them ; they were led to feel that a spiritual harvest 
 had come, and it became them to make no delay. 
 Some, after resisting the influence for weeks, came 
 forward, confessed their pride, and owned the deal 
 ings of the Spirit with them. Some were impressed 
 with alarming apprehensions lest the Spirit might 
 suddenly leave them. Some were convicted under 
 sermons, and brought to feel that they were barren, 
 fruitless trees, exposed to the just judgment of 
 God. Providences alarmed some. A member of 
 the Senior class died at a distance, about this time. 
 This event deepened the impression of the revival, 
 and was the means of awakening some. One was 
 called away by sickness, and thus cut off from the 
 ordinary means of grace, but God met him in his 
 retirement. He read through the four Gospels, 
 and in the light of what he read became convinced 
 
CH. XIV.] KELIGIOUS HISTORY. 339 
 
 that there was a radical defect in his life. He saw 
 that here a remedy was provided, and that the con 
 dition of receiving it was asking. It was a solemn 
 day when this individual, having returned, came 
 into the prayer-meeting and gave in his testimony. 
 The calmness and decision with which it was ren 
 dered, added weight to it. Others felt that they 
 were standing on unsafe ground, rose and asked for 
 prayers. 
 
 It was now the middle of March, up to which 
 time the interest had not been confined to the up 
 per classes, but had been most visible there. Now, 
 however, the other classes became greatly moved; 
 the West College meeting rose in attendance and 
 interest. Several conversions took place in these 
 classes ; and yet time has shown that the goodness 
 of numbers who then professed hope was like the 
 morning cloud and the early dew which passes 
 away. In the two upper classes I think about 
 twenty conversions were numbered in the course of 
 the work, embracing some of the leading minds in 
 College. 
 
 The meetings at noon were perhaps never more 
 thronged than during this revival, and were an im 
 portant means of grace both to Christians and oth 
 ers. Before closing these sketches it may not be 
 out of place to refer a little more particularly than 
 has been done to the origin of these meetings 
 among us. They were not the fruit directly of a 
 revival, though perhaps indirectly so. It will be 
 recollected that the year 1831 was one of extensive 
 
340 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 awakening in New England, and indeed in the 
 land generally. In connection with this work of 
 grace, numbers had their attention directed to a 
 higher standard of Christian attainment, or some 
 thing which might be reasonably hoped for and 
 sought for. It was felt that our religion had been 
 too vacillating, too much a matter of times and 
 seasons. It was felt especially that it did not per 
 meate as it ought to our every-day life, our secular 
 duties and studies. It was believed that something 
 better was not only attainable, but was actually 
 about to be realized. This view was confirmed by 
 the experience and anticipations of holier men. 
 The life of Dr. Payson, then recently published, fell 
 into the hands of one of the brethren, in which a 
 passage occurs to this effect, that there is a day 
 coming when the ordinary transactions of life will 
 be performed with seriousness of religious duties, 
 when every day will be like the Sabbath, every 
 grove a temple, and every meal like the Sacrament. 
 This View had something elevating and sanctifying 
 in it ; it also tallied strikingly with our own expe 
 rience, and the unconscious prophesyings of at least 
 some in the midst of us. With a view to ante-date 
 such a day, it was determined to assemble at noon. 
 A few, perhaps six in number, assembled accord 
 ingly at that hour. This was in the year 1832, on 
 a pleasant day in June, which will no doubt be 
 vividly remembered by those who were present, and 
 who yet survive. Numbers were on the College 
 green, and under the shade of the maples, as these 
 
CH. XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 341 
 
 brethren, with hymn-books in hand, passed through 
 on their way to the conference-room. By some 
 professors of religion the movement was looked 
 upon with disfavor ; most supposed, no doubt, that 
 it would be ephemeral. But not so. God was 
 evidently in it. Little was said, but the meeting 
 by degrees increased. From that time it has not 
 been intermitted, but has been on the whole a 
 growing power till now. 
 
 After toiling on thus for more than a quarter of 
 a century, reaping present good from the appoint 
 ment, but still not abandoning the original thought 
 of a better day coming, it may well be supposed 
 that the announcement of last winter s n6on meetings 
 in Philadelphia and New York was hailed with 
 deep interest. They were regarded, not as mere 
 local means of grace, but as significant of some 
 thing beyond themselves, as at once the fulfilment 
 of unconscious prophesyings, and as themselves 
 prophesying of a brighter day about to dawn. And 
 when these meetings spread, as they did, immedi 
 ately, almost with lightning speed, through the 
 land, it seemed as though the voice of the " living 
 creatures and of the wheels " could be heard in the 
 movement. 
 
 It would be premature, certainly at the present 
 moment, to assume that these means will be per 
 manent ; but in the light of our experience here 
 we may hope that they will be so, that they will 
 prove, what numbers are beginning assuredly to re 
 gard them, significant tokens and harbingers of a 
 29* 
 
342 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XIV. 
 
 better era soon to appear. This College has borne 
 no subordinate part in those movements which are 
 now undermining the superstitions of the world, 
 and hastening a moral crisis in its affairs. Let her 
 not be recreant to her high calling now, when 
 Providence and prophecy unite in pointing to some 
 great event as nigh, " even at the doors." * 
 
 ^ While this work is going through the press, a letter has been received 
 from an alumnus in Virginia, dated February 7, 1860, which is so much 
 in harmony with what is above written, that the following extract seems 
 to be a fitting close to this chapter. 
 
 " It grieves me to hear that religion is not as prosperous with you as 
 it has been at some other times. Perhaps I may be misinformed, the 
 persons from whom I hear may not be able to judge rightly ; but from 
 all I learn, I should judge that there was nothing like a revival of relig 
 ion among the students. If this is so, I know how it is filling your own 
 heart with sorrow, and I am impelled to say that I feel the sincerest 
 sympathy with you, and if it will be the least encouragement to you, 
 you may know, sir, that I pray with you for the renewal of those blessed 
 and precious scenes which were witnessed eight and ten years ago. 
 You remember that during the three years preceding August, 1853, 
 there was almost a continuous revival. O, sir, were not those blessed 
 days ! My own class I think of, almost all converted, and many who en 
 tered godless, left to preach the Gospel. I shall never forget coming 
 into the Sophomore recitation-room one Friday, to the noon meeting, 
 and finding it perfectly full, not an empty seat ; for months we had been 
 praying there scarcely a dozen of us ; but then God s Spirit was 
 poured out, and on every side sinners rose to ask for the prayers of 
 God s people, to confess their sins, and soon to tell us that they had 
 found peace in believing. Daily meetings were scarcely sufficient. Pro 
 fessors of religion renewed their covenant with God, and came up to a 
 higher Christian life ; the dissipated and profane rose with streaming 
 eyes to acknowledge their guilt, and beseech God s people to pray in 
 their behalf ; passing through the halls of West College at such times, 
 I have sometimes heard the voice of prayer from almost every room as I 
 went along. The whole College sent up incense to God, and it appeared 
 as if it were about to be presented as a whole burnt-offering to Him. 
 
CH. XIV.] RELIGIOUS HISTOEY. 343 
 
 Vacations came, and we bade farewell with regret to these heavenly 
 scenes. O, sir, I love to think of those times ! I went to Williams 
 thoughtless and profane, but I left it, through the grace of God, with 
 some experience of the unsearchable riches of Christ in my heart, and 
 a commission, as I trust, to declare them to others. I do not recount 
 these things because I imagine that they are in the least degree fainter 
 in your memory than in mine ; but because I delight to recall them. 
 Williams College seemed then like a suburb of heaven. The walks, 
 the buildings, the trees, the mountains, the skies, seemed full of God. 
 We thought He had taken up his abode there, and would never go 
 away. O how I wish that the dear brethren who are in the classes 
 now could go back eight years and breathe that air ! Perhaps I am in 
 error, but I feel as if it is not so now. How glad I should be to know 
 that I am wrong, but I must ask the brethren, Are you crowding the 
 daily meetings for prayer ? Do you watch for souls, and esteem their 
 conversion of more importance than anything else, or than all things 
 else ? " 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 BUILDINGS, LIBRARIES, AND APPARATUS. 
 
 IN the biography of individuals we have not 
 only the description of the qualities of the mind 
 and heart which make the man, but also of the 
 personal appearance of the house in which the 
 mind lived. 
 
 In the history of a college we wish to know 
 something of its buildings, the places where the 
 student passes his college life, places always asso 
 ciated in his mind with that life. It must be con 
 fessed, that in the buildings connected with this 
 institution economy rather than elegance has been 
 the leading policy. 
 
 The College began its career in the building now 
 known as "West College." In 1788 the Trustees 
 voted to erect a three-story brick building. The 
 town raised a sum (about $ 2,000) to put on a 
 fourth story. It was erected in 1790, but the 
 rooms in the fourth story were not finished till 
 after the school was opened. It is strongly built, 
 is eighty-two feet long and forty-two feet wide, and 
 cost about $11,700. The rooms were single, large, 
 and intended for the use of two students. The 
 
CH. XV.] BUILDINGS. 345 
 
 south end of the second and third stories was used 
 for the chapel. The library was the end of the 
 hall of the third story. The Librarian could stand 
 in the middle of the library and reach any book 
 which it contained. The northeast corner room on 
 the first story was the Freshman recitation-room, 
 and the corresponding room on the third story was 
 the Sophomore recitation-room. In 1832 the old 
 chapel was made into recitation-rooms and students 
 rooms. The building stands in the highway, and 
 the footpath passed through its centre, and all who 
 walked on the south walk from the church to East 
 College " went through College." It stands sev 
 enty-five rods east of the village church, and fifty- 
 three west of the chapel. In 1855 this building 
 was remodelled. The interior was taken out, a 
 wall was built through the centre, east and west, 
 and entrances made at the north and south ends. 
 The rooms were made with two bedrooms and 
 closets to each. This old building now stands as 
 high in College estimation as any of the more mod 
 ern additions, and promises to outlive them all. 
 
 The next building erected by the Trustees was 
 the President s house. It was built in 1794. 
 David Noble, Esq., gave one acre of land for the 
 house, and sold five acres more for forty dollars per 
 acre. The cost of the house and land was $ 2,400. 
 In this house have all the Presidents of the College 
 lived, and in it not one of them has died. 
 
 In 1798 the old "East College" was built, stand 
 ing on the eastern eminence, sixty rods east from 
 
346 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XV. 
 
 the West College. This was of brick, four stones 
 in height, one hundred and four feet long, and 
 twenty-eight feet broad, containing thirty-two suites 
 of rooms, and cost $11,991.54. This was destroyed 
 by fire on Sunday, October 17, 1841. The fire 
 broke out in the fourth story, in the afternoon, 
 while the students were at church. The library of 
 the Theological Society was burned, and very little 
 was saved out of the building. The people of the 
 village kindly opened their houses to the students, 
 and College duties were not suspended for more than 
 a single clay. This building was replaced in 1842 by 
 two new brick buildings, three stories high, the 
 present East and South Colleges. In the South 
 College are the rooms of the Philologian and Philo- 
 technian Societies, with their libraries. Here also 
 is the Junior recitation-room, and here, on the first 
 story, before the erection of Jackson Hall, were 
 the rooms of the Natural History Society. 
 
 The Trustees as early as 1803 appointed a com 
 mittee to petition the General Court for aid in 
 building a chapel. In 1806 a movement was 
 made towards this end, and also a kitchen for com 
 mons, but nothing came of these efforts. In 1826 
 it was determined to make an effort to raise a fund 
 of $ 25,000, to establish a new professorship, and to 
 erect a chapel. Through the influence and exer 
 tions of Dr. Griffin the fund was raised, and the 
 chapel built. It stands one hundred and thirty-one 
 rods east of the church. It was dedicated on Tues 
 day, September 2, 1828, when Dr. Griffin preached 
 
CH. XV.J BUILDINGS. 347 
 
 a sermon. It is built of brick, three stories high, 
 and cost $ 10,000. The chapel proper, with gal 
 leries, occupies two stones of the west end. The 
 southeast lower-story room was used as the Senior 
 recitation-room, until the Seniors became too nu 
 merous for the space. The second story east is the 
 conference-room, connected with many interesting 
 and solemn associations. The third story con 
 tains the cabinet of minerals, &c., and, previous 
 to the erection of Lawrence Hall, contained the 
 library. The basement of the east end is the 
 laboratory. 
 
 In 1845 a lecture-room was built east of the 
 chapel, connected with the laboratory. Before the 
 erection of the chapel, the laboratory was a small 
 wooden building, which stood at the southeast cor 
 ner of the East College grounds, when they were 
 bounded south by the brow of the hill. The uses 
 and the name of this building will now be modified 
 by the erection of the new chapel. It would not 
 be inappropriate to call the old edifice " Griffin 
 Hall." 
 
 In 1836 the Astronomical Observatory was built 
 by Professor A. Hopkins, and dedicated in 1837, 
 the first building erected in the country exclusively 
 used for this object. It is of stone, consisting of a 
 centre, with two wings, the whole being forty-eight 
 feet in length by twenty in breadth. The central 
 apartment is surmounted by a revolving dome thir 
 teen feet in diameter, and each wing has an open 
 ing through the roof for meridian instruments. 
 
348 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XV. 
 
 Under the dome is an achromatic telescope of nine 
 and a half feet focus. In the east wing is a transit 
 instrument by Troughton, having a focus of fifty 
 inches. In the same room is a compensation clock 
 by Molineux. 
 
 East of this is the Magnetic Observatory. It is 
 of brick and octagonal in form. In it is a large 
 variation transit instrument for the purpose of ob 
 serving the daily variations of the needle. 
 
 In 1846 Lawrence Hall was erected as a library. 
 It is named after the late Amos Lawrence of Bos 
 ton, by whose liberality it was built. It is octago 
 nal in form, forty-eight feet in diameter, each side 
 twenty feet, and is thirty-six feet in height. It has 
 two stories ; the lower one finished in rustic style. 
 The second story is the library proper, containing 
 eight alcoves separated from each other by parti 
 tions proceeding from each of the eight angles, to 
 within twelve feet of the centre, leaving a circu 
 lar space twenty-four feet in diameter. It is 
 surmounted by a dome, supported by eight Ionic 
 columns. It is capable of containing thirty-five 
 thousand volumes. One of the great wants of the 
 College is a larger and better collection of books, 
 important alike to teacher and pupil. The parti 
 tions between the alcoves are supported by brick 
 walls, resting upon the foundation of stone. This 
 divides the first story into eight rooms ; two of them 
 united form the Trustees room, one contains speci 
 mens from Nineveh, and one the daguerreotypes 
 and photographs of the graduating classes. 
 
CH. XV.] BUILDINGS. 349 
 
 Kellogg Hall was built in 1847, in the West 
 College garden, south of the College. This garden 
 was an acre of land purchased by Professor E. 
 Kellogg in 1836, and given to the College for the 
 purpose of a garden, to be cultivated by the stu 
 dents. Hence this building was named after him. 
 It is of brick, three stories in height. The first 
 story is divided into recitation-rooms, and the other 
 two stories into rooms for students. 
 
 Jackson Hall was built by Nathan Jackson, Esq., 
 of New York, for the Natural History Society of 
 the students of the College. It is of brick, consist 
 ing of one main room, with a gallery, and a tower 
 on the east. From this tower is obtained a fine 
 view of the surrounding country, one of the most 
 beautiful valleys in the world. 
 
 The College had outgrown the largest expecta 
 tions of Dr. Griffin when he built the chapel. The 
 Senior recitation-room was too small, and better 
 provision was needed for the Junior recitation-room 
 and for the apparatus. The Alumni and friends of 
 the College nobly responded to these wants, and 
 furnished the means of building a new chapel, to be 
 connected with such other rooms as the means and 
 space might afford. In 1858 and 1859 the chapel 
 was built. It is a stone building, standing on the 
 west brow of the East College ground. It is con 
 veniently and pleasantly located. We copy the fol 
 lowing description of this building from the North 
 Adams Transcript, of a date just preceding the 
 inauguration of the Alumni Hall, August, 1859. 
 30 
 
350 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XV. 
 
 " The chapel walls are constructed in the most 
 substantial manner, of bluish-gray limestone, from 
 the quarry of John Sherman, about two miles west 
 of Williams town village. It is a very hard and 
 durable stone, good-looking withal, though the 
 outside walls are in the rough. The roof and 
 tower are slated with slate of two shades of color, 
 from Rutland County, Vt. 
 
 " The building fronts to the north, and is in a 
 very prominent location, near all the other College 
 structures. Its style of architecture is Gothic. 
 The doorways are all arched, and the doors are of 
 oak. The main building is forty-four by sixty-one 
 feet. The vestibule is twenty-nine by eight feet, 
 with double gable and Gothic arched doorways 
 and windows ; the flooring is of marble, laid in 
 diamond-shaped blocks, and the plastered walls are 
 colored in imitation of stone-work. The chapel- 
 room is forty by sixty feet, lighted by eight pointed 
 windows. The roof is very fine and lofty, all its 
 timbers being shown on the inside ; it is forty feet 
 high in the centre, and sixteen feet where it joins 
 the walls. Both the roof and railings of the seats 
 are of oiled chestnut, a handsome dark wood. 
 The ends of the seats are of iron. It contains 
 seats, arranged in four rows, for three hundred and 
 fifty students. There are a platform and a plain 
 desk for the officiating preacher. The tower is 
 sixteen feet square, stands at the northeast angle 
 of the chapel, and contains a winding staircase 
 which leads to the Alumni Hall. The spire, which 
 
CH. XV.] BUILDINGS. 351 
 
 is somewhat elaborate in architecture, is ahout 
 ninety-five feet high. It contains the rich-toned 
 bell, weighing 1,025 Ibs., which was presented, 
 last year, by Hon. Pierpont Isham of Bennington. 
 This bell is from the foundry of Meneely and Sons, 
 West Troy, N. Y. The tower contains comfortable 
 rooms for the bell-ringers. Strong iron rods, with 
 massive bolts, confine the spire to the tower walls. 
 
 " The rear building, thirty-six by fifty-six feet, 
 contains the Alumni Hall, which is thirty-two by 
 fifty feet, and furnished with a platform and plain 
 desk for speakers, and settees for about three hun 
 dred persons. The roof of this hall is also a 
 pointed arch, about thirty feet high in the centre, 
 and twelve feet where it leaves the wall. The floor 
 is self-supporting. 
 
 " This hall is lighted by two large and three 
 smaller windows, and the sash is painted green. 
 The two windows in the gable ends are of a curi 
 ous shape, resembling a spear-head or the end of a 
 clover-leaf. 
 
 " The lower story of the rear building contains 
 the Senior and Junior recitation-rooms, each eleven 
 feet high, with side entrances, and an apartment 
 for apparatus adjoining the Junior room. The 
 Senior room is thirty-two by twenty-seven feet, 
 and lighted by three large windows. The Junior 
 room is thirty-two by twenty-five feet, and lighted 
 by two large windows. Each room is amply sup 
 plied with comfortable settees for the students." 
 
 Before we close this chapter we must give some 
 
352 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XV. 
 
 account of the libraries and apparatus. No college 
 can be considered as well furnished without a good 
 library. This should be an object of early and 
 continued attention. A well-furnished library to a 
 literary institution cannot be too highly estimated. 
 Next to well-qualified teachers, no department of a 
 college deserves to be more liberally fostered, as 
 equally essential to the improvement and usefulness 
 of teachers and pupils. 
 
 The library connected with this College cannot 
 be considered a well-furnished one. It had a small 
 beginning, and has had a comparatively slow in 
 crease. Since it has been kept in Lawrence Hall 
 it has been much enlarged. Many valuable addi 
 tions have been made to it within a few years. It 
 is furnished with a tolerable supply of standard 
 works in theology and history, but in the sciences 
 and general literature it is deficient. Additions 
 are now made to it from year to year. The num 
 ber of books at the present time somewhat exceeds 
 eight thousand. This number, it is hoped, will 
 soon be so far increased that it will answer all the 
 purposes of a well-furnished institution. 
 
 The libraries of the two literary societies contain 
 not far from ten thousand volumes. The Mills 
 Theological Society, perhaps not far from twelve 
 hundred. 
 
 The Franklin Library contains only such books 
 as are studied in the College course. It was com 
 menced about 1820, for the purpose of aiding needy 
 students. The system worked so well, and the 
 
CH. XV.] LIBRARIES AND APPARATUS. 353 
 
 library was so much enlarged in the course of a 
 few years, that text-books could be obtained from 
 it for all the members of College, for one dollar 
 a year, or four dollars for the College course. In 
 all our libraries, we have from eighteen to twenty 
 thousand volumes. 
 
 The philosophical apparatus had a small begin 
 ning, and it has had a slow growth. The most 
 important additions to this department of the Col 
 lege course were made soon after Professor Hop 
 kins took charge of the department of Natural 
 Philosophy. Some additions in the department of 
 Philosophy and Chemistry have been made from 
 time to time since. 
 
 "We do not propose to give a catalogue of the 
 apparatus in either of the departments, but merely 
 to say, that in Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, and 
 Astronomy, our instruments and apparatus, though 
 needing enlargement, are now sufficient to answer 
 all practical purposes. Besides, with the means 
 now at command, extensive additions to our chem 
 ical and philosophical apparatus may soon be ex 
 pected. 
 
 30* 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 PROGRESS IN THE COLLEGE STUDIES, ESPECIALLY IN 
 THE NATURAL SCIENCES. 
 
 WHEN Williams College was organized, the laws 
 adopted by the Trustees required the following 
 course of study, " so far as it may he convenient." 
 The first year, " The English, Latin, Greek, and 
 French Languages. In the second, the several 
 languages in part, Arithmetic, Geography, Algebra, 
 Geometry, Mensurations, Conic Sections, Rhetoric, 
 and Logic. In the third, Trigonometry, Navi 
 gation, Surveying, Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, 
 and Chemistry. In the fourth year, Metaphys 
 ics, Ethics, History, National Law, Civil Polity, 
 and Theology." 
 
 The original guardians of the College were men 
 of large and enlightened views. Eight of the thir 
 teen original Trustees were graduates of Yale Col 
 lege, and most of them were " men of renown." 
 It was their intention, from the first, to have an in 
 stitution of high order, one that should not be 
 inferior to their own Alma Mater, as soon as their 
 means should enable them to accomplish their pur 
 poses. For obvious reasons the College had a small 
 
CH.XVL] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 355 
 
 beginning, but its advancement has been steady 
 and manifest. If some of its days have been dark 
 and discouraging, others have been bright and 
 cheering. Almost as much Greek and Latin is 
 now required for admission, as was formerly re 
 quired for graduation. Geography, English Gram 
 mar, and Arithmetic formed a part of the early 
 College course. Geography was dropped in 1831, 
 Arithmetic in 1837, and English Grammar in 
 1839. 
 
 In the early provisions for imparting instruction 
 in many branches, now considered essential to a 
 complete liberal education, Williams College was 
 deficient. And the same may be said of other and 
 older institutions at that period. But this defect 
 of the times had its advantages. It threw more 
 labor and responsibility on the inventive powers of 
 teachers and pupils, and stimulated the efforts of 
 genius. There is such a thing as giving too much 
 instruction, of making the student s task too 
 light and easy. It is admitted that Williams Col 
 lege labored long under the disadvantages of a 
 course of instruction too circumscribed, with a 
 corps of teachers too small, and with libraries and 
 apparatus too limited. But " the law of progress " 
 has here been manifest. College officers are now 
 more numerous, our libraries are enlarged by the 
 addition of most valuable books, our instruments 
 and cabinets for illustration are more ample and 
 complete, text-books have been introduced contain 
 ing a wider range of subjects, a more complete 
 
356 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 subdivision of the sciences, a more natural and 
 philosophical arrangement, more clear and precise 
 statements, and more apt and abundant illustra 
 tions. 
 
 In the text-books of the Natural Sciences 
 concerning which we propose chiefly to speak in 
 this chapter (for in these branches Williams Col 
 lege took an early and prominent position) the 
 progress has, for obvious reasons, been most marked 
 and striking. Instead of a single volume (Enfield), 
 containing an outline of Natural Philosophy, As 
 tronomy, and Chemistry, meagre in its data, crude 
 in its theories, often false in statement and in 
 conclusive in reasoning, leaving deficiencies to be 
 supplied by oral instruction and lectures, we now 
 have separate, and comparatively full and well- 
 digested text-books in each of these branches. 
 
 In the text-books of the classic authors of Greece 
 and Rome, where, perhaps, we should least have 
 expected it, there have been marked improvements ; 
 for example, in the substitution of English for 
 Latin notes, and in the use of the excellent modem 
 manuals, designed to aid the student in classic com 
 position. 
 
 History, too, has ceased to be a mere narrative of 
 events, a dry digest of ill-assorted and isolated 
 facts. It has become a system and a science, tra 
 cing everywhere the lines of cause and effect, so that 
 we now have a philosophy of history. 
 
 Nor has advancement been confined to these 
 branches. Mental and moral science have received 
 
CH.XVL] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 357 
 
 valuable elucidations since the days of Locke, 
 Berkeley, and Paley, to which the American mind 
 has not been the least contributor. 
 
 Geology, a comparatively new science, has not 
 improved, but introduced its text-books. The same 
 may be said, substantially, of some other depart 
 ments of Natural History. 
 
 The Natural Sciences received but little attention 
 at Williams College previous to 1816. Prior to 
 1812 the College had but little philosophical, and 
 no chemical apparatus, and anything like a regular 
 or systematic course of experimental lectures on 
 the Natural Sciences had not been attempted. 
 
 In 1808 Mr. Chester Dewey was elected Senior 
 Tutor, and in 1810 was transferred to the depart 
 ment of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. 
 The course of study and instruction from the or 
 ganization of the College up to this time had not 
 been much enlarged or improved. For a few years 
 Professor Dewey taught the Junior class Geometry, 
 Webber s Trigonometry, Mensurations, Surveying, 
 and Navigation, Conic Sections, and some Spherical 
 Trigonometry, the Natural Philosophy of Enfield, 
 embracing Mechanical Philosophy, Pneumatics, the 
 doctrine of Fluids, Electricity and Magnetism, 
 Optics, and Astronomy, with the calculation of 
 Eclipses. Of course his hands were full. But so 
 deeply convinced was he that Chemistry, with ex 
 periments, must become a part of the College course 
 (in Yale it had already become a branch of study), 
 that he urged the matter upon the President and 
 
358 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 Trustees, and offered to lecture on Chemistry, as 
 well as teach it, if they would furnish the labora 
 tory and apparatus. 
 
 This was done. Some funds were raised, and he 
 went to New Haven, in December, 1812, to pro 
 cure the apparatus. Professor Silliman gave him 
 all necessary directions concerning its use, and ad 
 mitted him to his lectures and experiments for a 
 week or ten days. He then returned with appara 
 tus enough to make a beginning, and, in the small 
 building in the southeast corner of the East College 
 lot, commenced operations. This was in the early 
 part of 1813. But it was soon found that this 
 double duty was too much for him. The Trustees 
 then appointed an additional Tutor for the Junior 
 class, and directed Professor Dewey to deliver lec 
 tures, theoretical and practical, on Philosophy as 
 well as Chemistry. 
 
 Some public lectures were occasionally given to 
 all the members of College, in the chapel, directly 
 after evening prayers ; each bearing on a single 
 point and occupying fifteen or twenty minutes in 
 the delivery. Thus the College advanced till 1815, 
 when President Fitch resigned, and Dr. Moore suc 
 ceeded him. At the same time Professor Kellogg 
 was chosen Professor of the Latin and Greek Lan 
 guages. This was a great addition to the corps of 
 instructors. 
 
 In the spring of 1817, lectures on Mineralogy, 
 Geology, and Botany were given to those members 
 of College who chose to attend, by Mr. Amos 
 
.v 
 
 
 
CH. XVI] PEOGKESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 359 
 
 Eaton. A new impulse was now awakened in 
 these sciences. In consequence of Mr. Eaton s 
 labors in the College and in the country (for he 
 now resolved to become an itinerating lecturer), a 
 taste was in a short time acquired for these studies 
 in New England and New York. Men of large 
 and liberal views were soon led to see the practical 
 benefits which would unquestionably result from 
 exact and extensive geological surveys, which be 
 came practicable in consequence of the training of 
 Mr. Eaton s pupils. 
 
 The following communication from Professor A. 
 Hopkins will be read, in this connection, with 
 interest. 
 
 "Professor Eaton was one of the first to popular 
 ize science in the Northern States. For this task he 
 had some special qualifications. He had an easy 
 flow of language, a popular address, and a generous 
 enthusiasm in matters of science, which easily com 
 municated itself to his pupils. I well remember 
 attending a lecture of his in my native town, the 
 first scientific lecture I ever attended, and, if I may 
 judge by the sharp outline of it still in my mind, 
 one of the most interesting and impressive. Per 
 haps the leafy month of June, the subject of the 
 lecture, Flowers^ and the presence of a large num 
 ber of interesting young persons, may have added 
 something to the charm ; but making all due allow 
 ances, I am sure that the lecture itself must have 
 had a good deal of intrinsic merit. 
 
 "Professor Eaton was at this time (1817, 1 think) 
 
360 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 nearly in his prime. His person was quite strik 
 ing, a large frame, somewhat portly and dignified, 
 though entirely free from what is commonly called 
 starch. His face was highly intellectual, the 
 forehead high and somewhat retreating, locality 
 strongly marked, and the organs of observation 
 and comparison well developed. His hair at that 
 time was black, and being combed back, rendered 
 his fine physiognomy still more striking. I well 
 recollect the flowers, which I believe his young 
 pupil Emmons had been employed to collect for the 
 occasion. They were, in the first place, the com 
 mon lilac, which I had probably seen before ; how 
 ever this may be, the small floret, with its salver- 
 form corolla and long tubular throat, into which 
 the Professor dexterously inserted his penknife, 
 with no murderous intent, but to give us a view of 
 the organs which the great Linnaeus had selected 
 as the basis of his classification, this little floret, 
 I say, is the first I now recollect to have seen ; and 
 seen it was, and still is, with great distinctness. 
 Then followed the pedicularis and some plants 
 more difficult in their analysis. In the analysis of 
 these plants Professor Eaton made use of his man 
 ual, descriptive of plants in the vicinity of Williams 
 College, a book which, with some imperfections, 
 was highly valuable as a pioneer work. 
 
 " Professor Eaton was among the first in this 
 country to study Nature in the field with his classes. 
 In pursuance of this idea, he used to make an 
 annual excursion with the Rensselaer School; some- 
 
CH.XVI.] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 361 
 
 times leading these expeditions in person, at others 
 deputing some competent teacher to take the lead. 
 
 " The cause of Natural History in Williams Col 
 lege owes, undoubtedly, a good deal to Professor 
 Eaton. I think his zeal in the department of Bot 
 any led Professor Dewey to direct his discriminat 
 ing mind to the study of plants, a study which 
 he pursued farther than Professor Eaton had done, 
 in certain lines, particularly in Caricography, which 
 was then a kind of terra incognita, and still is, ex 
 cept to the initiated. At this time, also, as has 
 been hinted, Dr. Emmons took the field. In fact, 
 Natural History came in on a spring tide, and has 
 never lost the impulse since ! " 
 
 In the spring of 1819, while I was a member of 
 Lenox Academy, Mr. Eaton came there, at the re 
 quest of Hon. H. W. Bishop, and delivered a short 
 course of lectures on Botany. And I retain a vivid 
 recollection of his manly appearance, his constantly 
 flowing conversation, and his instructive lectures. 
 As Mr. Eaton was an Alumnus of this College, 
 and his name has become so identified with un 
 wearied and self-denying labors in the cultivation 
 of the Natural Sciences, no apology will be needed 
 for giving him more than a passing notice on these 
 pages and in this connection. 
 
 Amos Eaton (son of Abel and Azuba Hurd 
 Eaton) was a native of Chatham, Columbia County, 
 N. Y., and was bom May 17, 1776. His father 
 was a farmer, in comfortable circumstances, a high 
 ly respected citizen, and a deacon of the church. 
 31 
 
362 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 Young Eaton early manifested superior abilities, 
 and his aspirations were for a wide field -of action. 
 He was selected to deliver an oration on the 4th of 
 July, 1790, when but fourteen years of age, which 
 was a creditable performance. About this time, 
 having acted as chain-bearer in surveying some 
 land, he resolved on learning the surveyor s art. 
 But how shall he obtain the requisite instruments 1 
 He soon interested a skilful blacksmith in his be 
 half, who agreed to work for him at night, if he 
 would " blow and strike " by day. An accurately 
 constructed needle (magnetized from kitchen tongs) 
 and a good working chain were the result of sev 
 eral weeks work. This circumstance in his life 
 doubtless gave rise to the remark, found in Silli- 
 man s Journal, that "in 1791 he was an appren 
 ticed blacksmith." The bottom of an old pewter 
 plate, well smoothed, polished, and graduated, made 
 a pretty good compass case ; so that Eaton, when 
 sixteen years old, was in the field with his home 
 made instruments, doing little jobs of surveying in 
 the neighborhood. But he aspired to higher attain 
 ments, a wider sphere of action. Encouraged by 
 his parents, he fitted for college with the late Rev. 
 Dr. David Porter, of Catskill, then of Spencertown, 
 N. Y., and was graduated at Williams College in 
 1799, with high reputation for his scientific attain 
 ments. He commenced the study of law in Spen 
 certown, with Hon. Elisha Williams, September 13, 
 1799, and subsequently continued his studies in 
 New York, with the Hon. Josiah Ogden Hoffman. 
 
CH.XVL] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 363 
 
 It was at this period, and under the instructions of 
 Dr. David Hosack and Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, 
 that Mr. Eaton first became especially interested in 
 the study of Botany and other Natural Sciences. 
 While in New York, in 1802, he borrowed Kir- 
 wan s Mineralogy, then a scarce book, and made a 
 manuscript copy of the entire work. He was ad 
 mitted attorney of the Supreme Court of the State 
 of New York, at Albany, October 30, 1802, and 
 soon after established himself as a lawyer and 
 land-agent in Catskill, N. Y. Here he remained 
 several years ; his position affording him good op 
 portunities for cultivating his growing taste for the 
 Natural Sciences. In May, 1810, he made, in Cats- 
 kill, it is believed, the first attempt in this country 
 at a popular course of lectures on Botany (compil 
 ing for the use of his class a small elementary 
 treatise), for which he was highly complimented 
 by his former teacher, Dr. Hosack, as " first in the 
 field," saying, " you have adopted the true system 
 of education, and very properly address yourself to 
 the senses and the memory." Here we find Mr. 
 Eaton, at this early day, adopting that mode of in 
 struction which he perfected in after life, and which 
 rendered him so pre-eminently successful in inspir 
 ing young men with that enthusiasm which assures 
 success. 
 
 Owing to a concurrence of circumstances, which 
 our limits will not allow us to explain, Mr. Eaton 
 now found his love for the details of his profession 
 diminishing, and his interest in the Natural Sci- 
 
364 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XVI. 
 
 ences fast growing upon him ; he therefore resolved 
 to abandon the practice of law, and to prepare him 
 self to become an efficient laborer in the more con 
 genial pursuits of science. With this end in view 
 he went to New Haven, in 1815, to avail himself 
 of the advantages of Yale College. Here he placed 
 himself under the instruction of Professor Silliman, 
 who threw open to him his lectures on Chemistry, 
 Geology, and Mineralogy, as also his own library 
 and the cabinet of minerals of that institution. 
 Here, also, he found a good botanist in Dr. Eli 
 Ives, Professor of Botany and Materia Medica in 
 the Medical Department of the college, who had 
 accumulated a good library, to which he gave Mr. 
 Eaton free access. With these advantages, and 
 Mr. Eaton s already advanced acquirements, he 
 made such rapid progress that he was soon well 
 qualified to take the field as an explorer, and the 
 desk as a teacher. He now turned towards his 
 own Alma Mater, with whose honorable indorse 
 ment, as a competent teacher, he desired to go 
 forth into the world. He therefore came to Wil- 
 liamstown in March, 1817, and was most cordially 
 received by the Faculty of the College, especially 
 by Professor Dewey, and gave courses of lectures 
 on Botany, Mineralogy, and Geology, to volunteer 
 classes of the students. His influence in the Col 
 lege was remarkable. He awakened a lively inter 
 est in the Natural Sciences, which has never died 
 out. With few books adapted to his department, 
 he accomplished wonders. The graduates of that 
 
CH.XVI.] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 365 
 
 day who were among his pupils always speak of 
 him in terms of the most affectionate interest and 
 gratitude. They published, in 1817, the first edi 
 tion of his Manual of Botany, a 12mo of 164 
 pages, which " gave (as the late Dr. Lewis C. Beck 
 wrote in 1852) an impulse to the study of Botany 
 in New England and New York, as the only de 
 scriptive work which was then current was that of 
 Pursh, an expensive one, with Latin descriptions." 
 This work, improved by repeated revisions and ad 
 ditions, became, in the eighth edition, published in 
 1840, a large octavo volume of 625 pages, entitled 
 " North American Botany," and contained a de 
 scription of 5,267 species of plants. In this edi 
 tion Mr. Eaton was assisted by the late Dr. John 
 Wright. Mr. Eaton always aimed to render scien 
 tific principles and facts useful ; still, he loved sci 
 ence, though it brought no pecuniary gain. To 
 him knowledge was in itself a good; which idea 
 he carried through all the editions of his Manual 
 from the fifth, by introducing as a motto the fol 
 lowing sentence of Linnaeus : " That existence is 
 surely contemptible which regards only the gratifi 
 cation of instinctive wants, and the preservation of 
 a body made to perish." 
 
 The patronage and encouragement which Mr. 
 Eaton received at this time from the Faculty and 
 students of Williams College determined him to 
 give courses of popular lectures, accompanied with 
 practical instructions, to such classes as he might 
 be able to organize in several of the larger towns 
 31* 
 
366 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 of New England and New York. The aid he thus 
 received he gratefully acknowledged in 1818, by 
 inscribing the second edition of his Manual of Bot 
 any to the President and Professors, saying to 
 them, " The science of Botany is indebted to you 
 for its first introduction into the interior of the 
 Northern States : and I am indebted to you for a 
 passport into the scientific world." To Professor 
 Dewey he was warmly attached, and through life 
 regarded him as a successful fellow-laborer ; and 
 his friendship and co-operation were warmly recip 
 rocated. From Williamstown he went first to 
 Northampton, where Governor Strong, the Hon. 
 E. H. Mills, and others, patronized and encouraged 
 him. He gave popular scientific lectures, and 
 practical instructions in many places, with great 
 success. In the course of two or three years he 
 diffused a great amount of knowledge on these in 
 teresting subjects ; and so far excited the curiosity 
 and enthusiasm of many young students, that there 
 sprung up, as the result of his labors, an army of 
 botanists and geologists. 
 
 In 1818, in compliance with a special invitation 
 from Governor De Witt Clinton, he went to Al 
 bany, and there gave a course of lectures before the 
 members of the Legislature. Here he became ac 
 quainted with many of the leading men of the 
 State, interesting them especially in Geology, and 
 its application, by means of surveys, to agriculture. 
 There and then were set in operation a train of 
 causes which resulted in giving to the world that 
 
CH. XVL] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 367 
 
 great work, " The Natural History of New York," 
 so creditable to the State and to those scientific 
 gentlemen who executed it, several of whom had 
 been Professor Eaton s pupils. In this year he 
 published the first edition of his Index to the 
 Geology of the Northern States, which " was the 
 first attempt at a general arrangement of the geo 
 logical strata in North America." Although this 
 and his subsequent works on Geology have been 
 found to contain some errors, still, it is universally 
 conceded that great credit is due him for his early 
 and successful labors in developing the Geology of 
 America. 
 
 He afterwards delivered several courses of lec 
 tures in the Medical College at Castleton, Vt, in 
 which he was appointed Professor of Natural His 
 tory in 1820. Professor Eaton s lectures and prac 
 tical instructions in Troy produced a most happy 
 impression, where, through his efforts, seconded by 
 many of the most distinguished gentlemen of that 
 city, such as Drs. Barrett, Robbins, and Hall, there 
 was established a Lyceum of Natural History, which 
 for many years did much service to the cause of 
 Natural Science. In the fall of 1818 Troy could 
 boast of a more extensive collection oT American 
 geological specimens than could be found at any 
 literary institution in this country. In 1820 and 
 1821 Mr. Eaton, with the assistance of Drs. T. 
 Romeyn and Lewis C. Beck, made, at the expense 
 and under the patronage of the Hon. Stephen 
 Van Rensselaer of Albany, N. Y., Geological and 
 
368 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 Agricultural Surveys of Albany and Rensselaer 
 Counties, reports of which were published. This, 
 it is believed, was the beginning of such surveys in 
 this country, of which Professor Silliman in his 
 Journal remarked, " The attempt is novel in this 
 country ; " adding, " We are not aware of any at 
 tempt on so extensive and systematic a scale, to 
 make them (such surveys) subservient to the im 
 portant interests of agriculture." 
 
 The Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, for many 
 years one of the Trustees in Williams College, 
 the generous patron of merit, employed Professor 
 Eaton to make a Geological Survey of the District 
 adjoining the Erie Canal, and the result was pub 
 lished, in 1824, in a Report of 160 octavo pages, 
 addressed to his patron, with a profile section of 
 rock formations, from the Atlantic Ocean, across 
 the States of Massachusetts and New York, to 
 Lake Erie. 
 
 Of this work of Professor Eaton, Governor Sew- 
 ard, in his Introduction to the Natural History of 
 New York, said : " This publication marked an 
 era in the progress of Geology in this country. It 
 is, in some respects, inaccurate, but it must be re 
 membered that its talented and indefatigable author 
 was without a guide in exploring the older forma 
 tions, and that he described rocks which no geolo 
 gist had, at that time, attempted to classify. Rocks 
 were then classified chiefly by their mineralogical 
 characters, and the aid which the science has since 
 learned to derive from fossils in determining the 
 
PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 369 
 
 chronology and classification of rocks was scarcely 
 known here, and had only just begun to be appre 
 ciated in Europe. We are indebted, nevertheless, 
 to Professor Eaton for the commencement of that 
 independence of European classification, which has 
 been found indispensable in describing the New 
 York system." For, he adds, " After examining 
 our rocks with as much care and accuracy as I am 
 capable of doing, I venture to say that we have, at 
 least, five distinct and continuous strata, neither of 
 which can with propriety take any name hitherto 
 given and defined in any European treatise which 
 has reached this country. Professor Eaton enu 
 merated nearly all the rocks in Western New York, 
 in their order of succession, and his enumeration 
 has, with one or two exceptions, proved correct. 
 It is a matter of surprise that he recognized, at so 
 early a period, the old red sandstone on the Catskill 
 Mountains, a discovery, the reality of which has 
 since been proved by fossil tests." 
 
 In 1824 the Hon. Mr. Van Rensselaer estab 
 lished at Troy, N. Y. a school of science called 
 the Rensselaer School, placing Mr. Eaton at its 
 head as " Senior Professor." Here he continued 
 his labors through the remainder of his life, pub 
 lishing, at different times, several scientific works, 
 required for his own pupils, as well as for the gen 
 eral advancement of science. Among them, a Phil 
 osophical Instructor, several editions of the Manual 
 of Botany, Chemical Instructor, Zoological Text- 
 Book, Geological Text-Book, Botanical Grammar 
 
370 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cii. XVI. 
 
 and Dictionary, Art without Science, &c., &c. In 
 this school Professor Eaton was enabled to perfect 
 and carry out, to a high degree of success, his 
 favorite plan of teaching classes by making his 
 pupils experimenters and workers, in every depart 
 ment of science where it was practicable ; substi 
 tuting, also, lectures by the pupils to each other, in 
 place of the usual system of recitations. This 
 method of giving instruction, and of preparing 
 young men to become successful teachers, has here 
 succeeded most admirably, and has been, in some 
 of its features, introduced into other schools of sci 
 ence. The Rensselaer Institute still exists, with 
 only a slight change of name ; its course of study, 
 though modified and extended, still retains the 
 characteristic features impressed upon it by its first 
 Senior Professor. As a school for practical science, 
 it occupies the very highest rank ; and its gradu 
 ates are to be found in every State of the Union. 
 
 It will thus be perceived that, in developing the 
 Botany and Geology of the Northern States, Profes 
 sor Eaton rightfully ranks among the pioneers of 
 the new era of the Natural Sciences in this country. 
 His efforts in the various departments of Natural 
 History were a rich gift to New England, New 
 York, and even to the whole country, for which 
 the country owes him a debt of gratitude. Many 
 of his pupils have been for years among the most 
 justly distinguished scientific men of the country. 
 As an educator and an active laborer in the general 
 cause of Natural History in America, his memory 
 
CH. XVI] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 371 
 
 will long be cherished. The history of Natural 
 Science on this continent can never be faithfully 
 written, without giving the name of Amos Eaton 
 an honorable place. It was he, more than any 
 other individual in the United States, who, finding 
 the Natural Sciences in the hands of the learned 
 few, by means of his popular lectures, simplified 
 text-books, and practical instructions, threw them 
 broadcast to the many. He aimed at a general 
 diffusion of the Natural Sciences, and nobly and 
 successfully did he accomplish his mission. 
 
 Professor Eaton was a kind-hearted and courteous 
 gentleman. His vast acquirements and simple hab 
 its induced a distinguished lady, who knew him 
 well, to speak of him as AMOS EATON, THE REPUB 
 LICAN PHILOSOPHER. He died in Troy, N. Y., May 
 6, 1842, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, saying, 
 " I submit to my Heavenly Father s will." His re 
 mains are interred in the new cemetery at Troy, 
 N. Y., where, we regret to state, no suitable mon 
 ument has yet (1860) been erected to mark their 
 resting-place.* 
 
 * Three of Professor Eaton s sons, who were educated by their 
 father to follow him in the walks of science, died young. H. Hulbert 
 Eaton, Assistant Professor of Chemistry in Transylvania University, a 
 scholar of great promise, died at the age of twenty-three. Another son, 
 Major A. B. Eaton, resides in New Haven, Conn., was graduated at 
 West Point in 1826, is an officer in the United States Army, a man 
 of scientific taste, and has no small knowledge of Botany. A daughter 
 of Professor Eaton, Miss Sara C. Eaton, is a teacher of the Natural 
 Sciences and the Modern Languages in the nourishing Female Semi 
 nary at Monticello, Illinois. Daniel Cady Eaton, a son of Major Eaton, 
 
372 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 As early as 1815 a cabinet of minerals was com 
 menced in Williams College, and before Professor 
 Dewey left Williamstown a respectable collection 
 of geological specimens, for that day, had been 
 made, which, with the exception of the shelves on 
 which they were placed, cost the College no money. 
 From this cabinet Professor Dewey was able to 
 give much valuable instruction in connection with 
 the course in Chemistry. Still, this was the day of 
 small things with the cabinet, compared with the 
 extensive, rare, and splendid additions which were 
 made to it, twenty years afterwards, by Professor 
 Emmons. 
 
 As early as 1816 and 1817 Professor Dewey be 
 gan to teach Botany, Mineralogy, and Geology, in 
 connection with Chemistry. From this time for 
 ward the Natural Sciences have maintained a steady 
 
 was graduated at Yale College in 1857, and is probably unsurpassed 
 in his knowledge of Botany by any one of his age in this country. 
 
 Professor Eaton published an Elementary Treatise on Botany, 1810 ; 
 Manual of Botany, 1817; Botanical Dictionary, 1817; Botanical Ex 
 ercises, 1820; Botanical Grammar and Dictionary, 1828; Chemical 
 Note-Book, 1821 ; Chemical Instructor, 1822 ; Zoological Syllabus 
 and Note-Book, 1822 ; Cuvier s Grand Division, 1822 ; Art without 
 Science, 1800; Philosophical Instructor, 1824; Directions for Survey 
 ing and Engineering, 1838 ; Index to the Geology of the Northern 
 States, 1818 ; Geological and Agricultural Survey of the County of 
 Albany, N. Y., 1820 ; Geological and Agricultural Survey of Rensse- 
 laer County, N. Y., 1822; Geological Nomenclature of North America, 
 1822 ; Geological and Agricultural Survey of the District adjoining the 
 Erie Canal, 1824; Geological Text-Book, prepared for popular lec 
 tures on North American Geology, 1830; Geological Note-Book, for 
 Troy Class, 1841. Of most of these works, a number of different edi 
 tions were published. 
 
CH. XVI] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 373 
 
 and growing interest in this College. After Mr. 
 Eaton left Williams town, Professor Dewey pursued 
 an independent course, and, unaided except by a 
 few pupils, began an investigation of the Geology 
 of Berkshire, and the neighboring counties. Jour 
 neys were made for the purpose of tracing out the 
 formations, which, after a few years, furnished a 
 stock of materials for a full elucidation of the Geol 
 ogy and Mineralogy of Berkshire County. The full 
 results were published by the Rev. Dr. Field, in 
 his History of Berkshire County. Several impor 
 tant communications were likewise made to the 
 American Journal of Science. And probably these 
 communications embraced all the leading points 
 respecting the Geology of Berkshire, as well as the 
 adjacent counties in Vermont, and a large portion 
 of the old county of Hampshire. 
 
 In the earliest period of Professor Dewey s career 
 in Natural History, his earnest attention was turned 
 to the study of Botany ; and the results of his in 
 vestigations in this department have been eminently 
 successful and honorable, especially in the depart 
 ment of Cartography, a difficult branch of in 
 vestigation, in which he has few if any superiors. 
 Some of the valuable results of his investigations 
 in this department were published as early as 1824, 
 with plates, in Silliman s Journal. 
 
 It was about this time that the late Professor 
 Olmstead of Yale College, made a geological sur 
 vey of North Carolina, the results of which were 
 published in 1825. Regarding the study of Nat- 
 32 
 
374 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 ural History as receiving a new and practical im 
 pulse, about the year 1816 (it was at this time that 
 Professor Cleveland of Bowdoin College published 
 his treatise on Mineralogy and Geology), without 
 wishing to detract from other individuals or insti 
 tutions in the least, we may safely say that Wil 
 liams College had a large share in the initiatory 
 work. Much was here done to open and prepare 
 the way for those further investigations and dis 
 coveries which have since been made. Professor 
 Hitchcock was employed to make a geological sur 
 vey of the State of Massachusetts, and his report 
 was published in 1839, in two quarto volumes. 
 The survey of New York was commenced in 1836, 
 and one of Professor Dewey s pupils, Professor 
 Emmons, to whom we have already alluded, was 
 appointed one of the principal geologists of that 
 State. He was connected with that survey until 
 1851, when he was appointed by the Governor of 
 North Carolina to take charge of a similar work 
 there, in which he is still engaged. Besides the 
 five annual reports made by Professor Emmons, five 
 quarto volumes have issued from his pen, and three 
 reports in an octavo form have been made by him 
 since the Carolina enterprise was undertaken. 
 
 Professor Emmons was also appointed a commis 
 sioner on the Zoology of Massachusetts, by Gov 
 ernor Everett, and published one report on the 
 mammals of the State. 
 
 In 1825 Professor Emmons published a Manual 
 of Mineralogy, which was adopted as a text-book 
 
CH. XVI.] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 375 
 
 in the Renssalaer Institute. A second edition of 
 this work was published 1832, both of which are 
 now out of print. 
 
 Professor Emmons is now engaged in the prepar 
 ation of a work on American Geology, of which 
 several numbers have already appeared. In this 
 work will be embraced the results of his researches 
 in the various fields, which he has personally ex 
 amined.* 
 
 In the department of Natural Science Professor 
 Dewey made an early and excellent beginning. 
 What he accomplished was of vast consequence to 
 the College and to the country. A very low esti 
 mate had previously been placed on such studies. 
 In a great measure he had to be his own teacher. 
 Very few books had, up to his time, been pub 
 lished on these subjects in this country. But cir 
 cumstances have changed. Original investigations 
 have placed Natural History and its collateral 
 branches on a new footing. Every part of our 
 country has been explored, and almost every sub 
 ject has been elucidated ; and information on these 
 subjects, instead of being confined to a few learned 
 
 * Professor Ebenezer Emmons was a native of Middlefield, fitted for 
 college with the Rev. Mr. Perkins of Amherst and the Rev. Mr. Hal- 
 lock of Plainfield; was graduated at Williams College in 1818, with 
 high attainments in the department of Natural History. His class has 
 long been regarded as one of the best the College has produced. 
 Among its prominent members are Barnard, Bartlett, Benedict, Dan- 
 forth, Emmons, Esterbrook, and Porter, to mention no others. It is 
 not often that more than one third of a class make their mark in the 
 world. 
 
376 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. XVI. 
 
 men, has become, as it were, like the light and air 
 which surround us, common property. 
 
 Professor Dewey resigned his post in Williams 
 College in 1827; but Natural History maintained 
 its advanced position, and still continued to be cul 
 tivated with spirit and success. The Trustees and 
 Faculty have uniformly given these studies their 
 hearty approbation and efficient support, having 
 early seen their importance in an educational point 
 of view. It is especially due to Professor Albert 
 Hopkins to say that a species of enthusiasm pre 
 vailed in consequence of his own early example, 
 and the lead which he took in exploring expedi 
 tions. What College in this country sent out a 
 large scientific expedition prior to 1835 ] It is un 
 necessary to state in detail all the facts respecting 
 the progress of Natural History in this institution. 
 It is sufficient if we refer to the causes of its emi 
 nent success, which have become obvious to the 
 public in consequence of the organization of a so 
 ciety for its special cultivation ; the erection of a 
 large hall by Mr. Jackson (and we never know 
 which to admire most, the aspirations which called 
 for it, or the benevolence which caused its erection), 
 the collections which have been made, and the nu 
 merous scientific journeys which have been under 
 taken, some of which were formidable and expen 
 sive from their extent, and the difficulties attending 
 their execution. 
 
 The ground of success to which we have alluded 
 has been no doubt due to the practical turn which 
 
CH. XVL] PROGKESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 377 
 
 these sciences have taken under the guidance of its 
 teachers, and the original investigations which have 
 been encouraged from the first. The fruits of these 
 special encouragements are seen in the published 
 works of many of the graduates, especially in the 
 production of the Rev. Moses Ashley Curtis, D. D., 
 of Hillsborough, North Carolina, a native of Stock- 
 bridge, and a graduate of Williams College in 1827. 
 His work on Cryptogamian Botany is of great 
 value. His labors have by no means been con 
 fined to this interesting family of the vegetable 
 kingdom. 
 
 Nor must we pass over the works of Professor 
 John Darby, a native of Adams, and a graduate of 
 Williams College in 1831. He has published an 
 elaborate and valuable work on Southern Botany, 
 and is still zealously and successfully engaged in its 
 perfection, by personal explorations in all parts of 
 the Southern States. 
 
 Professor Edward Lasell, a native of Schoharie, 
 N. Y., and a graduate of Williams College in 1828; 
 cut down in early life, he did not publish any work 
 on this subject, yet had made more than ordinary 
 attainments in the department of Chemistry. He 
 was extremely happy in the presentation of a sub 
 ject to an audience, and accompanied his lectures 
 with very beautiful experiments. 
 
 Mr. David A. Wells, of the class of 1847, also 
 acquired a taste for Natural History while here. 
 Instead, however, of confining himself to one de 
 partment, he has pursued a more general course, 
 32* 
 
378 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [CH. XVI. 
 
 which led him, in connection with another individ 
 ual, to project the plan of a Scientific Manual, of 
 which he is now the sole proprietor. This work 
 has a wide circulation in this country and Europe. 
 His various publications amount to twenty-seven 
 volumes. 
 
 rofessor Paul A. Chadbourn, a native of -rTflSrt 
 [., and a graduate of Williams College 
 in 1848, is successfully devoting his time to the 
 study of Botany, and though he has not published 
 anything more than some fugitive articles on his 
 favorite department, yet as a teacher and lecturer he 
 is as accomplished and successful as those we have 
 named, and is fast rising to distinction. 
 
 We feel it due also, in this connection, to mention 
 the name of Samuel Hubbard Scudder, a native of 
 Boston, and a member of the class of 1857. He is 
 devoting his time entirely to the study of Natural 
 History, and gives promise of future eminence, 
 having already distinguished himself for his exact 
 knowledge and extensive attainments in the science 
 of Entomology. 
 
 We may err in our views respecting the causes 
 which have imparted so much interest to this 
 branch of education in this College. The course 
 pursued here has been such, to a great extent, as 
 to enkindle a love for Natural Science, a love 
 which, in many instances, verged upon enthusiasm, 
 if it did not really become so. Let the pupil adopt 
 a different course. Let him suffer himself to be 
 content with his text-books, or with the mere hear- 
 
CH. XVI.] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 379 
 
 ing of lectures, and his feelings are not sufficiently 
 interested and enlisted to lead him to make any 
 marked or useful attainments. Now let him wan 
 der over regions of beauty and magnificence, where 
 everything is suggestive and is inviting to thought 
 and improvement ; let him study nature in the field, 
 under the guidance of competent Christian teachers, 
 and thoughts and feelings are awakened "that shall 
 perish never." 
 
 But in addition to the advantages named, Natu 
 ral History is regarded, in Williams College, as a 
 part of a system of education, designed and adopted 
 more especially to improve and strengthen the ob 
 serving powers. Some students acquire a taste for 
 Botany, others for Zoology, others still for Miner 
 alogy and Geology. Now; it matters but little to 
 which the student directs his attention, so far as 
 his improvement is concerned. Patient investiga 
 tion is indispensable to the study of Natural His 
 tory. A knowledge of external nature, if acquired 
 by personal application, is of unspeakable impor 
 tance in a system of education. In connection 
 with Natural History, the study of Anatomy is pur 
 sued in this College as an introduction to the study 
 of the intellectual and moral man. The study of 
 external nature, in her varied forms, the structure 
 and composition of man s physical organization, 
 and of comparative anatomy, open and prepare the 
 way for the investigation of man s higher nature, 
 his relations to law, to government, and to 
 God. 
 
380 HISTOEY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVI. 
 
 " I will mention one idea more," says Dr. Hop 
 kins, in his Jubilee Address,* " which we have of 
 late attempted, in this College, to realize. It is 
 that of making the College studies have the im 
 pression and effect of a system on the mind of the 
 student. Laying the power of expression, whether 
 by writing or speaking, SaT of the question, we 
 divide our course into the Languages, Mathematics, 
 Physical Science, and Man, as he is in himself, and 
 in his relations to his fellow-creatures, and to God. 
 Pursuing Mathematics and the Languages in the 
 manner already spoken of, we take up the physical 
 man, and endeavor to give, as by the aid of the ad 
 mirable preparation of Auzoux we are able to do, 
 an idea of every organ and tissue of the body. We 
 then take up the intellectual man, and investigate, 
 first, and classify his several faculties ; then the 
 grounds of belief and the processes of the mind in 
 the pursuit of truth, with an explanation of the 
 inductive and the deductive logic ; then the moral 
 nature, together with individual and political moral 
 ity, comprising a knowledge of constitutional his 
 tory, and of the rights and duties of American 
 citizens ; then the emotive nature, as taste and the 
 principles of the fine arts ; then natural theology 
 and the analogy of the natural to the moral gov 
 ernment of God. Perhaps other and better sys 
 tems have been adopted elsewhere ; but I know 
 that formerly, here, the studies were pursued as 
 
 * Miscellaneous Discourses, p. 297. 
 
CH.XVL] PROGRESS IN COLLEGE STUDIES. 381 
 
 separate and isolated, and there is reason to sup 
 pose that the idea of system, of the communication 
 of one great organized body of knowledge, answer 
 ing, in unity as well as diversity, to the universe of 
 God, is too little regarded." 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN, AND PLACES OF INTER 
 EST IN ITS VICINITY. 
 
 THE location of Williams College, if we regard 
 the pleasures and advantages of natural and roman 
 tic scenery, is perhaps unsurpassed by that of any 
 other college in the country. Environed as it is 
 by some of the loftiest mountains in New England, 
 in a region replete with scenes of historic interest, 
 and abounding in wild and picturesque views, the 
 surrounding country, as might be expected, pre 
 sents many objects well worthy of the attention of 
 the tourist and geologist, and which, by numerous 
 and delightful associations, have become hallowed 
 in the memory of every graduate. The climate is 
 not as cold as has been generally supposed. The 
 average temperature here, during the winter months, 
 is higher than in towns many miles south. The 
 average temperature for some years past has been 
 46 Fahrenheit. The prevailing opinion respect 
 ing the elevation of Williamstown has been very 
 erroneous. Stockbridge village is 827 feet above 
 Hudson River at Albany. Pittsfield, 1,035. Wil 
 liamstown, where the College chapel stands, is only 
 
Cn.XVIL] SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 383 
 
 730. The giant mountains which surround this 
 place, muffled in their winter drapery, protect it 
 from the bleak winds which howl in vain for ad 
 mittance. However, we have breezes enough to 
 ventilate the valley, and to refresh and invigorate 
 our bodies. The weather in summer is not so 
 warm as to be enfeebling. On the whole, the cli 
 mate may be called salubrious. It is easy of access. 
 The Troy and Boston Railroad, now in successful 
 operation from Troy to Adams, passing within 
 half a mile of the College, joins us to the net-work 
 of railroads, which now pervade our country.* 
 We cannot but regard the situation of Williams 
 College as most fortunate, as calculated to awaken 
 those finer feelings in the heart of every student, 
 which arise from a frequent contemplation of the 
 sublime and beautiful, and the influence of which 
 may, in some measure, account for the ardent and 
 cherished attachment which has ever characterized 
 the Alumni of this institution. In this chapter we 
 propose to accompany our reader to some of the 
 most interesting places, and point out, as well as 
 we are able, the distinctive features and history of 
 each. 
 
 The first place of note which we propose to visit 
 
 * FIRST TRAIN FROM TROY ! On Thursday morning, December 
 30, 1858, a locomotive and two freight cars entered North Adams from 
 the West, and were greeted by a crowd of spectators. They came to 
 obtain bridge timber, which was required in Pownal, and on the way 
 received several passengers. This train carried back a lot of warps 
 from S. Johnson & Co. to R. Carpenter & Co. of Pownal, the first 
 business freight over the road. 
 
384 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVII. 
 
 is the site of Fort Massachusetts, situated about 
 three miles from the College, on the road to North 
 Adams, and interesting both from the historical 
 associations connected with it, as well as from the 
 few scattered relics that yet remain upon the 
 ground. " The plough has passed over its rude 
 lines, but what scenes of humble heroism and al 
 most forgotten valor are associated with its name. 
 It was the bulwark of the frontier in the day of its 
 infancy. The trembling mother, on the banks of 
 the Connecticut in the heart of the Commonwealth, 
 clasped her babes closer, at an idle rumor that Fort 
 Massachusetts had given way. A hundred villages 
 reposed in the strength of this stout guardian of 
 New England s Thermopylae, through which, for 
 two generations, the French and Canadian foe 
 strove to burst into the colonies." 
 
 This fort was built in 1741 -42, and was part 
 of the line of defence erected to protect the north 
 ern and western settlements of New England 
 against French and Indian hostilities. It was at 
 that time the most extreme northern outpost, in 
 the very centre of the wilderness, the nearest set 
 tlements being Albany and Springfield. The enemy 
 directed their principal movements towards Con 
 necticut River, but some came down the Hud 
 son, and, proceeding eastward up the Hoosac, ap 
 peared, at intervals, in the neighborhood of this 
 fort, beneath whose walls many bloody skirmishes 
 took place. 
 
 The first action of any importance occurred on 
 
CH. XVIL] SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 385 
 
 the 20th of August, 1746, when an attack was 
 made by upwards of nine hundred French and In 
 dians, under General Vaudreuil. The garrison at 
 that time consisted of thirty-three persons, includ 
 ing women and children ; of this number twenty- 
 two only were effective men, who were miserably 
 supplied with ammunition. Notwithstanding these 
 unfortunate circumstances, the fort was most bravely 
 defended for forty-eight hours, when they were com 
 pelled to surrender, the means of defence being 
 wholly exhausted. The terms of capitulation stip 
 ulated that none of the prisoners should be deliv 
 ered into the hands of the Indians ; but this con 
 dition was most shamefully violated on the succeed 
 ing day, on the plea that there was danger of 
 mutiny in the army, the Indians being irritated 
 because they they were cut off from the profits of 
 the conquest. One half were accordingly delivered 
 up, the sick and infirm immediately butchered, and 
 the remainder carried captive to Canada. The en 
 emy lost forty-five men, a portion of whom, from, 
 the quantity of bones discovered, during the sum 
 mer of 1846, in the rear of the Magnetic Observa 
 tory, possibly were buried in that place. The fort, 
 which was destroyed, was rebuilt the succeeding 
 summer by Colonel Williams, who was attacked 
 on the 25th of May, 1747, by a large party of the 
 enemy, who came with the design of hindering the 
 undertaking, but were repulsed with considerable 
 loss. In 1748 another action took place. Colonel 
 33 
 
386 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [On. XVII. 
 
 "Williams was compelled to retire, after some sharp 
 fighting, within the walls. 
 
 After the death of Colonel Williams, the com 
 mand of the fort devolved on one Captain Wyman. 
 The last attack was in June, 1756, when the enemy 
 killed a few men whom they unexpectedly surprised 
 in the fields. 
 
 The Rev. Stephen West, afterwards Dr. West, 
 and first Vice-President of the College, was sta 
 tioned at this fort, as chaplain, from 1755 to 1757. 
 
 The following incident is said to have occurred 
 in 1 746. It was the daily custom of an old Indian 
 to come upon a ledge of rocks (by the side of which 
 the present road now passes), in full sight of the 
 garrison, and provoke them with insulting gestures 
 and taunting exclamations. The old fellow had 
 cautiously calculated the intervening distance, and 
 safe beyond the reach of shot from the fort, would 
 calmly await any attempt to approach him, when 
 he would retire to the adjoining woods, where, on 
 account of the numbers and strength of the enemy 
 scouting in the vicinity, it was highly imprudent to 
 follow. This scene was daily repeated for some 
 time, and what measures to take the garrison were 
 for a time at a loss to know. To submit to these 
 repeated outrages was not to be thought of by the 
 stern old settlers for an instant. 
 
 Among the various topics that formed the sub 
 ject of conversation at that time, the merits of a 
 famous long gun, celebrated along the borders for 
 its power to send a ball to a great distance, held a 
 
CH. XVII.] SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 387 
 
 prominent place. This gun was owned in Spring 
 field, and without delay a messenger was despatched 
 on the long and perilous journey of seventy-five 
 miles, through a trackless wilderness, to obtain it. 
 In five days, the man, fortunately escaping the ene 
 my s outposts, returned, having effected, his object, 
 and when the unsuspecting Indian again made his 
 appearance, a sure and fatal shot prevented him 
 from ever repeating the performance. So the story 
 runs, as narrated by Israel Jones, one of the early 
 Trustees. That the shot was a long one, any one 
 who will take the trouble to examine the distance 
 will not for a moment doubt. 
 
 The locality of this fort is still indicated by the 
 print of the cellar, and by horse-radish, which was 
 planted by the soldiers, and still grows upon the 
 spot. Beneath an apple-tree, a short distance from 
 the road, are two rude monumental stones, one of 
 which bears the following inscription : 
 
 1746, 
 
 JUNE 26, 
 ELISHA NIMS. 
 
 The inscription upon the other, with the exception 
 of the date, 1748, and a few other rude characters, 
 is nearly obliterated. Tradition having asserted 
 that the gallant Nims was shot in the back by the 
 Indian above referred to, while carrying water to 
 the garrison (from the spring which still bubbles at 
 the foot of the hill), a party of students, a few years 
 since, while making some explorations in the vicin- 
 
388 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVII. 
 
 ity, opened the grave designated by the stone as his. 
 A skeleton was there found, with a bullet imbedded 
 in one of the vertebrse; having been undisturbed 
 and in a good state of preservation for nearly a 
 hundred years. The vertebrae containing the ball 
 is still to be seen in the Museum of the Lyceum of 
 Natural History. The foundations of the chimneys, 
 together with some traces of the walls, were at the 
 same time discovered. 
 
 It was probably while stationed at this fort (from 
 1747 to 1755), that the mind of Colonel Williams, 
 foreseeing that brighter days were yet to dawn 
 upon the infant settlement, and that the little 
 groups of log-cabins, the smoke from whose chim 
 neys had just began to curl up amid the lonely and 
 mysterious woods, would soon give place to pros 
 perous and thriving villages, resolved thus early to 
 devote his property to the cause of future educa 
 tion, the result of which, fifty years afterwards, was 
 the establishment of Williams College. 
 
 Leaving Fort Massachusetts, and proceeding 
 about a mile across the fields, towards the eastern 
 extremity of Saddle Mountain, you enter a wild 
 and beautiful gorge, which is well worthy the at 
 tention of all lovers of romantic scenery. Follow 
 ing the mountain stream, that rushes in miniature 
 cascades along the narrow bottom of the ravine, 
 now half concealed by the thick foliage, and at 
 times apparently lost amid the huge boulders and 
 broken trunks that are scattered in every direction, 
 you come at last to a beautiful waterfall, falling, by 
 
CH. XVII] SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 389 
 
 a series of successive leaps, a distance of about sixty 
 feet over the opposing precipice into a circular 
 rock basin, whose placid and mirror-like surface 
 presents a pleasing contrast with the turbulence 
 and foam of the stream above. The scenery around 
 is of the wildest and most romantic character. 
 
 The steep moss-covered rocks that rise on either 
 side, the lofty and primeval forests that crown their 
 summits and hang over the gulf, the accumulated 
 rocky masses below, all remain unmodified by the 
 hand of man, just as the mighty agencies of nature 
 have left them. This spot, although so near the 
 College, is so effectually concealed among the re 
 cesses of the mountains that its very existence was 
 comparatively unknown until about 1840. In 
 honor of the generous benefactor of the College, 
 this place has received the name of LAWRENCE 
 GORGE. 
 
 Two miles east of Fort Massachusetts, situated 
 in the town of Adams, is a natural bridge. A 
 small stream, flowing over the soft white limestone, 
 has excavated for itself a deep chasm, from fifteen 
 to twenty feet wide and thirty rods in length. The 
 rocks terminate on the south in a steep precipice, 
 over which the waters of the brook once fell; but 
 finding in some places natural fissures, and wearing 
 away the rocks themselves in others, the present 
 stream now flows far below its former bed, leaving 
 two masses of rock, which connect the opposing 
 sides and form natural bridges. The upper bridge 
 is now much broken ; the lower one, which is yet 
 33* 
 
390 HISTOEY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVII. 
 
 perfect, is beautifully arched, and spans the stream 
 now flowing fifty feet below. Singular and gro 
 tesque cavities, of different figures and dimensions, 
 worn by the action of the water, appear on either 
 side of the precipice, while the adjoining rocks, 
 even in some places that appear inaccessible, are 
 covered with the names and initials of numerous 
 visitors. The scenery about the bridge is very fine, 
 and the place itself is well worthy of a visit. 
 
 But the principal object of attraction in the 
 vicinity of the College is Saddle Mountain ; so 
 called from the appearance which its summits have 
 been fancied to have, at a distance, though we 
 think it would be somewhat difficult to trace the 
 resemblance. This mountain, properly speaking, 
 does not belong to either of the three great ranges 
 that traverse the State in various directions, but is 
 in fact an insulated eminence, connected at its 
 southern extremity with the Taconic, and at the 
 northern with the Hoosac, ranges of mountains, 
 running diagonally between them, and surrounded 
 by valleys. This mountain, with the exception of 
 some peaks of the White Mountains, is the most 
 elevated point in New England, rising by baro 
 metrical measurement 3,600 feet above the tide 
 water of the ocean, and 2,800 feet above the situa 
 tion of the Colleges. It is chiefly the insulated 
 character of this mountain that renders it so strik 
 ing an object in the surrounding scenery ; and seen 
 from the adjoining towns, to the south and east, it 
 presents a grand and imposing appearance. The 
 
CH. XVII j SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 391 
 
 highest peak has received the more poetical desig 
 nation of Greylock, from the singular and fantas 
 tic appearance of the frost, which, wreathing itself, 
 during the winter months, along the dark ever 
 greens, and extending for a great distance in an 
 apparently horizontal line, it needs no great effort 
 of the imagination to regard as the gray locks of 
 the venerable mountain. This distinct line of con 
 gelation, sinking lower and lower as the cold in 
 creases, and covering more of the mountain with 
 its gray and sparkling mantle, and exhibiting a 
 contrary result from an increase of temperature, is 
 a most interesting and beautiful phenomenon. 
 
 Greylock is to the student in his rambles what 
 Mecca is to the Mahometan ; and a pilgrimage to 
 the summit is considered necessary, at least once 
 during the collegiate course. There is an ancient 
 and time-honored custom which has existed from 
 the establishment of the College, of granting to the 
 students, once a year, a certain day of relaxation 
 and amusement, known by the name of " Mountain 
 Day." It usually occurs about the middle of June, 
 when the weather is most favorable for excursions 
 to the mountains and other places of interest in the 
 vicinity. It is customary on this, and other occa 
 sions during the summer, for parties to pass the 
 night upon the summit, both for the novelty of the 
 thing, and also to enjoy the unrivalled prospect at 
 sunrise next morning. We invite our readers to 
 accompany us upon one of these excursions; for 
 we think that the general features of the mountain 
 
392 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Ce. XVII. 
 
 can be better described in this way than in any 
 other. The summit of Greylock is accessible by 
 various routes ; but the one usually preferred by 
 students is to pass directly over the nearest point 
 (called Prospect Mountain), and descending the 
 other side, join the main road that comes up the 
 Hopper. 
 
 We will suppose our party, each amply supplied 
 with provisions and a huge pile of blankets, to 
 leave the College about the middle of the after 
 noon. After proceeding about a mile over the 
 adjoining fields, we arrive at the base of Prospect 
 Mountain ; and here our labor properly begins. 
 The elevation to be overcome is about 1,800 feet. 
 The sides of the mountain are extremely steep, and 
 covered with a thick growth of trees and under 
 brush. After toiling up the lower part of the 
 mountain, which to some extent has been cleared, 
 and stopping here and there to refresh yourself with 
 the wild berries, which, in tempting profusion, 
 flourish on every side, or to admire the green valley 
 below, you pass from the broad, clear sunlight, to 
 the thick gloom of the almost impenetrable woods. 
 And now for the ascent : " Hie labor, hoc opus, 
 est," as every one will readily say who has experi 
 enced it. Now clambering over the trunks of fallen 
 trees, catching at this and that twig to assist us ; 
 now stopping to dislodge from the bed, where the 
 last deluge had left it, some nicely poised boulder, 
 and send it crashing down the precipitous side ; 
 now resting, and then pushing forward with re- 
 
CH.XVH.] SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 393 
 
 newed zeal, we at last, weary, and ready to sink 
 with exhaustion, reach the summit. The view 
 which unexpectedly bursts upon you here is sur 
 passingly beautiful. Below you is a valley, com 
 pletely encircled by a huge wall of mountains, 
 with two silver-like streams crossing it in opposite 
 directions. In the centre is the village of Wil- 
 liamstown, and on an eminence in the midst stand 
 the Colleges and the Astronomical Observatory. 
 On your right, the vast slope of the Hoosac Moun 
 tains, stretching far away into Vermont; on the 
 left, the Taconic range, stretching northerly still 
 farther, while in the far-off horizon* you witness 
 peak after peak towering one above another, until 
 blended in the distance. Behind you Greylock 
 rises in silent grandeur, and the vast gulf of the 
 Hopper is a thousand feet below you. The view 
 from Greylock may have more of sublimity and 
 grandeur, but that from Prospect Mountain we re 
 gard as by far the most beautiful. 
 
 But our time is short, and the way is yet long ; 
 so once more resuming our bundles, we again 
 commence our march, by descending the southern 
 slope, which is divested of trees, and is compara 
 tively a gentle declivity. On reaching the bottom 
 we again commence the ascent, but now by a car 
 riage road, which was constructed with great labor, 
 some years since, by the contributions of the inhab 
 itants of the adjoining towns. The ascent is mod 
 erate, the road circuitous and winding, now 
 descending amid seemingly impenetrable thickets 
 
394 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVII. 
 
 of evergreens and the decayed accumulations of 
 centuries, and now mounting up and catching a 
 faint glimpse of the world beneath. In about three 
 hours after leaving the Colleges, we reach the sum 
 mit. Here, in the midst of a cleared space of about 
 an acre, was once a wooden building of two stories, 
 from the top of which arose a tower, with an eleva 
 tion of about fifty feet from the ground, erected 
 partly for meteorological purposes, and partly in 
 order to aiford to visitors a more uninterrupted 
 view of the surrounding country. The second 
 story formerly contained an ingenious apparatus for 
 registering the strength and direction of the wind, 
 together with some other instruments; but the 
 apartment was forcibly entered, and the whole 
 machinery shamefully destroyed or carried away 
 by some persons unknown. The tower and build 
 ing, which have suffered considerably from the 
 action of the elements, and still more from the 
 destructive propensities of visitors, is yet in a toler 
 able state of preservation. 
 
 On reaching the summit, a huge fire is speedily 
 kindled, spruce boughs are collected for beds, and 
 fuel for the fire during the night. After perform 
 ing these duties, and witnessing the gorgeous spec 
 tacle at sunset, the party proceed to supper with 
 an appetite not a little heightened by their long 
 and fatiguing walk. The evening is generally spent 
 in merriment and conversation around the fire (for, 
 although the heat in the valley below may be most 
 oppressive, there are few times in the course of the 
 
CH. XVII.] SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 395 
 
 season when a fire on Grey lock is at all uncomfort 
 able), or in enjoying the singular appearance of the 
 sentinel-like peaks below you, seen through the 
 thick gloom of the evening. One of the most im 
 pressive circumstances at this time and spot, if the 
 air be clear and the winds at rest, is the solemn 
 stillness which pervades the whole place, and the 
 feeling of solitude which invariably steals over you. 
 Not a light can be seen from any human habitation, 
 not a sound breaks in upon the serene quiet which 
 there reigns, while the appearance of the surround 
 ing forest, so wild and unreclaimed from a state of 
 nature, greatly heightens the sublimity of the scene. 
 As the evening advances the circle around the fire 
 by degrees breaks up, and each, wrapping himself 
 in his blanket and selecting the most comfortable 
 place among the spruce boughs, lays himself away 
 for a night s rest. 
 
 The scene at sunrise, from the top of the tower, 
 is unequalled, and any description would fail of 
 giving any adequate idea of the magnificence of the 
 spectacle. "I know of no place," says President 
 Hitchcock, in the Geological Survey of the State, 
 " where the mind is so forcibly impressed with the 
 idea of vastness, and even of immensity, as when 
 the eye ranges abroad from this eminence. Towards 
 the south, you have a view, more or less interrupted 
 by spurs from the Taconic and Hoosac ranges of 
 mountains, of that fertile valley that crosses the 
 whole of Berkshire County. On your right and 
 left you look down upon, or rather overlook moun- 
 
396 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVII. 
 
 tains, which, from the valley beneath, seemed of 
 towering height and grandeur." In the distance, 
 is tl-e Hudson, winding majestically through a re 
 gion of country thick with countless towns and 
 villages, while far beyond, standing in bold relief 
 against the western sky, the blue peaks of the Cat- 
 skills are distinctly visible. In another direction, 
 the principal towns of Berkshire, interspersed here 
 and there with some beautiful sheets of water, are 
 spread out before you as upon a map ; while far 
 ther to the east, the eye wanders over the valley of 
 the Connecticut, checkered with cultivated fields 
 and forests, the view being limited by Mount Tom 
 in one direction, and Monadnock at the farthest ex 
 tremity, on the other. As the sun rises, the scene 
 becomes changed. The mist, gradually rising and 
 filling the whole valley, presents the appearance of 
 a vast sea of vapor, 
 
 " Where vales and mountains round 
 Stand motionless, in solemn silence bound ; 
 Like leaning masts of stranded ships appear 
 The pines that near the coast their summits rear ; 
 Of mountains, woods, and plains, a pleasant shore, 
 Bound calm and clear the chaos still and hoar." 
 
 This mist, by a refraction of the sun-rays, as 
 sumes, at times, a beautiful golden appearance, as 
 if the beauties of the landscape below, resolved by 
 some magic power, had risen in vast and gorgeous 
 exhalations around us. 
 
 Descending the mountain by a different route, 
 and following the naked summit of Bald Mountain 
 
CH. XVII.] SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 397 
 
 (the southwest peak of Saddle Mountain) nearly to 
 its extremity, you find yourself upon the edge of a 
 gulf, at least a thousand feet deep, the four sides 
 of which apparently converge to a point at the 
 bottom. This place, from its peculiar form, is 
 called the Hopper. The sides, which are extremely 
 steep, are covered, for the most part, with bright 
 patches of evergreens and other trees of various 
 species ; but in some places the rocks are left bare 
 for hundreds of feet, exhibiting the strata, in some 
 instances, to the very base. On the northern side 
 may be seen traces of several avalanches, by which 
 the trees and loose soil have been swept away, in 
 some cases from a height of sixteen hundred feet, 
 and of considerable width. The most remarkable 
 of these slides occurred in 1784, when a vast accu 
 mulation of earth, trees, and rocks, descending 
 from an elevation of fourteen hundred feet, pro 
 duced a sudden deluge in the narrow valley of the 
 Hopper below, destroying, in its course, a dwelling- 
 house, the inmates of which barely escaped with 
 their lives. A similar slide took place in 1823, 
 and several smaller ones have since occurred, the 
 paths of which are yet destitute of vegetation. 
 Vestiges of earlier avalanches may be perceived in 
 other places, through the stunted growth or the 
 peculiar character of the trees that have sprung up 
 since. Traces of diluvial action, seen in furrows 
 and scratches on the rocks, occur in various places 
 on Bald Mountain. There are some other places 
 of interest connected with Saddle Mountain, and 
 34 
 
398 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVII. 
 
 an excursion there in the summer will not fail to 
 furnish ample gratification. 
 
 To the north of the College, on the road leading 
 to Bennington, is a curious geological phenomenon, 
 called the " Weeping Rock." The water exuding 
 from the limestone cliff, heavily impregnated with 
 calcareous matter, drops continually upon a mass 
 of sand and gravel, which it has cemented into a 
 firm and solid rock. Specimens of conglomerate 
 may be obtained here, most singular in their aspect, 
 and sometimes beautiful in their appearance. 
 
 There is a legend about these gray old rocks, 
 which runs as follows : That as the last Indian, 
 standing here, bade adieu to the homes and the 
 graves of his forefathers, to his rivers and moun 
 tains, and recounting his tale of oppression and 
 wrong, turned away from them forever, the rocks 
 wept, and since that time, through sympathy, have 
 continued to pour out fountains of tears. Hence 
 the name " weeping rocks." 
 
 A few miles farther north, upon the summit of a 
 neighboring mountain, is a natural curiosity, known 
 by the name of " SNOW HOLE." Here, in a huge 
 crevice or fissure, of unfathomable depth, the snows 
 that accumulate during the winter are preserved 
 unwasted and in all their original purity through 
 out the year. This place is considerably resorted 
 to during the summer months, on account of the 
 beautiful prospect to be obtained from the sum 
 mit, as well as to enjoy the novelty of snow-balling 
 during the months of July or August. The moun- 
 
CH. XVII.] SCENERY OF WILLIAMSTOWN. 399 
 
 tain is situated in New York, and forms a portion 
 of the manor of Van Eensselaer. 
 
 In an adjoining valley, near the route by which 
 you ascend the mountain, is a stone monument, 
 marking the three corners of the three States of 
 New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont, which at 
 this place intersect with one another ; one side of 
 the stone being in New York, another in Massa 
 chusetts, and a third in Vermont. The curious 
 may here gratify themselves by visiting, in a short 
 space of time, three different towns, each situated 
 in different counties and States- 
 There is a mineral spring in this town, about 
 one mile northwest from the College, a few rods 
 from the road that leads to Pownal. It is a place 
 to which the students often resort. It greatly re 
 sembles the waters at Lebanon, N. Y. It is warm, 
 contains very little saline matter, is very soft to the 
 skin, and has a very favorable influence on several 
 cutaneous diseases. If some enterprising individ 
 ual would here provide suitable accommodations, 
 this might be made a place of much resort. 
 
 The battle-field of Bennington, to which excur 
 sions are sometimes made, is situated fourteen miles 
 to the north of the Colleges. 
 
 In preparing this sketch of a few of the numer 
 ous and beautiful places of resort in the vicinity of 
 Williams College, we have of necessity been obliged 
 to omit many, which some may deem more worthy 
 of a place than those we have mentioned ; but we 
 think it sufficient to say, in closing, that if wild 
 
400 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE. [Cn. XVIL 
 
 and romantic scenery, the sharp bold mountain, 
 the craggy and precipitous cliff, the beautiful cas 
 cade, or the gently winding river, can add anything 
 of attraction or interest to a place, then surely the 
 country in the vicinity of Williams College pos 
 sesses these attractions. 
 
 " Scenes of such beauty, varying in the light 
 Of living nature, cannot be portrayed 
 By words, nor by the pencil s silent skill, 
 But is the property of him alone 
 Who hath beheld it, noted it with care, 
 And in his mind recorded it with love." 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 34 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 No. I. 
 
 PRESIDENTS AND ORATORS OF THE SOCIETY OF 
 ALUMNI. 
 
 THE following is a catalogue of those who have been elected 
 Presidents and Orators of the Society of Alumni. It is impossi 
 ble to ascertain just how many of the Orators have fulfilled their 
 appointments ; some have failed. 
 
 PRESIDENTS. 
 
 1821. Asa Burbank, M. D. 
 
 1822. Rev. Ebenezer Jennings. 
 
 1823. Rev. Jared Curtis. 
 
 1824. Rev. Isaac Knapp. 
 
 1825. Hon. William P. Walker. 
 
 1826. Hon. Elisha Mack. 
 
 1827. Professor G. S. Olds. 
 
 1828. Rev. Ezra Fisk, D. D. 
 
 1829. Rev. Ezra Fisk, D. D. 
 
 1830. Hon. David Buel, Jr. 
 
 1831. Hon. David Buel, Jr. 
 
 1832. Hon. David Buel, Jr. 
 
 1833. Hon. William P. Walker. 
 
 1834. Rev. Sylvester Burt. 
 
 1835. Professor Chester Dewey. 
 
 1836. Dr. H. H. Childs. 
 
 1837. Hon. Samuel R. Betts. 
 
 1838. Hon. Henry W. Bishop. 
 
 1839. Rev. Emerson Davis, D. D. 
 
 1840. Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D. 
 
 1841. Hon. Oliver B. Morris. 
 
 ORATORS. 
 
 Hon. Elisha H. Mills. 
 Rev. John Woodbridge, D. D. 
 Hon. Samuel Howe. 
 Rev. Ezra Fisk, D. D. 
 Hon. James McKown. 
 Hon. John K. Paige. 
 Rev. Justin Edwards, D. D. 
 Rev. Darius O. Griswold. 
 Rev. Azariah G. Orton, D. D. 
 Hon. William Porter. 
 Rev. Justin Edwards, D. D. 
 Hon. Henry W. Bishop. 
 Hon. David Buel, Jr. 
 William H. Dillingham, Esq. 
 Dr. Henry H. Childs. 
 Hon. Julius Rockwell. 
 Rev. Orville Dewey, D. D. 
 Hon. Timothy Childs. 
 Hon. E. C. Benedict. 
 Hon. Elisha H. Allen. 
 
404 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 1842. 
 
 PRESIDENTS. 
 
 Hon. Oliver B. Morris. 
 
 1843. Hon. Samuel R. Betts. 
 
 1844. Hon. Homer Bartlett. 
 
 1845. Dr. Ebenezer Emmons. 
 
 1846. Rev. Emerson Davis, D. D, 
 
 1847. Hon. Charles A. Dewey. 
 
 1848. Hon. Henry W. Bishop. 
 
 1849. Joseph Hyde, Esq. 
 
 1850. Hon. Homer Bartlett. 
 
 1851. Hon. Oliver B. Morris. 
 
 1852. Hon. Charles K. Williams. 
 
 1853. Hon. Martin I. Townsend. 
 
 1854. His Excel. Gov. Washburn, 
 
 1855. Hon. Patrick Boise. 
 
 1856. Hon. David Dudley Field. 
 
 1857. Hon. William C. Kittredge 
 
 1858. Hon. Abraham Olin. 
 
 1859. Hon. Henry H. Childs. 
 
 1860. Hon. James D. Colt, Pres 
 
 ident elect. 
 
 ORATORS. 
 
 Rev. Nicholas Murry, D. D. 
 ( Rev. Mark Hopkins, D. D. 
 < Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D. 
 
 Hon. D. D. Barnard. 
 
 Hon. Emory Washburn. 
 
 Hon. James M. Howard. 
 
 Rev. Jonathan E. Woodbridge. 
 
 Rev. Aaron W. Leland, D. D. 
 
 Rev. Professor Tatlock. 
 
 Hon. David Dudley Field. 
 
 Hon. Homer Bartlett. 
 
 Hon. Harvey Rice, Poem. 
 
 Rev. Joshua N. Danforth, D. D. 
 
 William Pitt Palmer, Poem. 
 ( Hon. Joseph White. 
 I E. W. B. Canning, Poem. 
 
 Professor Albert Hopkins. 
 
 Rev. Willis Lord, D. D. 
 
 Rev. John Morgan, D. D. 
 ( Hon. Martin I. Townseud. 
 t Rev. Amos D. Wheeler, Poem. 
 
 Rev. Parsons Cook, D. D., Ora 
 tor elect 
 
 Charles N. Emmerson, Esq., 
 Poet elect. 
 
 No. II. 
 
 WE have concluded to insert the will of Colonel Williams ; 
 the Petition of the Trustees to the Legislature for permission to 
 remove the College ; the Remonstrance of the town of Williams- 
 town against the measure ; and the Report of the Committee of 
 the Legislature on that subject ; presuming they will be objects 
 of interest to our readers in general, and of curiosity to the anti 
 quarian in particular. 
 
THE WILL OF COLONEL WILLIAMS. 405 
 
 THE WILL OF COLONEL WILLIAMS. 
 
 In the name of God, Amen. I, Ephraim Williams, of Hatfield, in 
 the County of Hampshire, in New England, now at Albany, in the 
 province of New York, on my march in the expedition against Crown 
 Point, being of sound and perfect mind and memory (blessed be God 
 therefor), but not knowing how God in his providence may dispose of 
 my life, and remembering the uncertainly of it at all times, I do there 
 fore make, and publish this, my last Will and Testament, in the follow 
 ing manner : 
 
 First, I give my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and my body 
 to the dust, from whence it was taken, humbly hoping for pardon, ac 
 ceptance, and a resurrection to immortal glory, through the merits and 
 mediation of a glorious Redeemer ; and as touching such worldly estate, 
 wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, bequeath, 
 and dispose of the same, in manner and form following, that is to say : 
 
 Item. It is my will and desire, that my just debts and funeral charges 
 be first paid and discharged by my Executors, hereafter named, out of 
 my estate. 
 
 Item. It is my will and desire that the deed I gave my brother Eli 
 jah Williams, of my house and homestead at Stockbridge, and my note 
 of hand, payable for one hundred pounds, in twelve months after my 
 parents decease, as also his mortgage deed and his bond to me, be de 
 stroyed, and made of none effect. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved brothers, Josiah Wil 
 liams and Elijah Williams, and the heirs of their bodies, my homestead 
 at Stockbridge, with all the buildings and appurtenances thereunto 
 belonging, with all the stock of cattle, and negro servants now upon 
 the place, to be equally divided between them, upon the following 
 conditions, and not otherwise, viz. : That they pay annually to my hon 
 ored mother, for her support, twenty-six pounds thirteen shillings and 
 four pence, and also, provided they fulfil the obligations I laid myself 
 under, in a certain bond to my honored parents, for their support, and 
 decent interment, exclusive of the money I then obliged myself annu 
 ally to pay her ; provided also, that they pay unto my sister Judith 
 Williams, or the heirs of her body, the sum of one hundred pounds, 
 and to the heirs of my sister Abigail Dwight, born of her body, the sum 
 of one hundred pounds, to be paid them severally, within twelve months 
 after my honored mother s decease. In case my sisters, Judith or Eliz 
 abeth should come to die without heirs, then it is my will that her, or 
 their part or parts shall devolve to the heirs of my sister Abigail 
 Dwight. 
 
406 APPENDIX. 
 
 Item. It is my will, that in case one of my aforesaid brothers die 
 without issue, then the whole of the above bequest revert to the sur 
 vivor, and the heirs of his body, provided he fulfil the above obligations 
 laid on them both ; but in case my said brothers die without issue, then 
 my will is that the above-mentioned estate be sold, and the money be 
 put out to interest, and that the said interest shall be used for some 
 pious or charitable purposes, as the propagating Christianity, the sup 
 port of the poor in the County of Hampshire, or for schools on the 
 frontier, in the county aforesaid, to be at the direction of my Executors, 
 hereinafter named, and after their decease to be at the direction of the 
 justices of the sessions for the county aforesaid ; but in case my brother, 
 Elijah Williams, should deny, or refuse to destroy the above-mentioned 
 writings, as above directed, then it is my will he pay to my honored 
 mother, annually, for her support, twenty-six pounds thirteen shillings 
 and four pence, and also the sum of thirteen pounds six shillings and 
 eight pence, to my brother Josiah Williams, annually, until my honored 
 mother s decease, after which, to pay to my sisters, and the heirs of my 
 sister Abigail D wight, as above directed, and that, within one twelve 
 months after my honored mother s decease ; also to pay to my brother 
 Josiah Williams, or the heirs of his body, the sum of four hundred 
 pounds, and in case my said brother Josiah should die without issue, 
 then it is my will that my brother Elijah shall pay the said sum of four 
 hundred pounds to my Executors, to be appropriated by them to some, 
 or all the public uses above mentioned. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved brother, Thomas Wil 
 liams, one hundred pounds, to be paid him out of my bonds ; but in 
 case of his decease in the present expedition, to be equally divided 
 amongst his five daughters, viz. : Elizabeth, Anne, Cynthia, Mary, and 
 Martha. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved cousin, Thomas Williams, 
 son to my brother, Thomas Williams, nine hundred dollars of land, 
 known by the name of the Equivalent, and joining upon the township 
 of Stockbridge ; and in case he dies without issue, I give it to my be 
 loved cousins, Erastus Sergeant and John Sergeant, to be equally 
 divided between them ; but in case one dies without issue, the whole to 
 go to the survivor ; if they both die without issue, the whole to be 
 appropriated to the public uses, as before mentioned. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath to my loving cousins, Elijah Graves, 
 Moses Graves, John Graves, and Martha Graves, children of Moses and 
 Martha Graves, the sum of one hundred pounds, to be equally divided 
 between them ; in case any dies without issue, then the whole to go to 
 the survivor or survivors ; and in case they all die without issue, then 
 
THE WILL OF COLONEL WILLIAMS. 407 
 
 the said hundred pounds to be appropriated to the public uses, as above 
 directed, the said money to be taken out of Moses Graves s and Elisha 
 Chapin s joint bond, and to be put on interest until the children come 
 of age. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved cousins, James and John 
 Gray, sons of James and Sarah Gray, fifty acres of land lying north of 
 the great pond, in Stockbridge, so called, bounded upon land of their 
 father, James Gray, on the east, by Josiah Jones s land on the west, by 
 the great pond on the south, and the town line on the north, to be 
 equally divided between them ; but in case they die without issue, then 
 the said land to be disposed of for public uses, as aforesaid. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath to my loving cousins, William Williams 
 and Israel Williams, sons of Israel Williams, Esq., and Sarah, his wife, 
 two lots of meadow land in Hatfield, Great Meadow, the contents of 
 which, and the bounds, may be seen in a deed given to me of the same, 
 by Moses Graves, of Hatfield. The lot lying nearest to Pine Bridge, I 
 give to William, and the other to Israel, and in case one of them dies 
 without issue, then both lots to go to the survivor ; if they both die 
 without issue, then the lots to be disposed of for public uses, as above 
 directed. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved cousins, Eunice Williams, 
 Jerusha, Elizabeth, and Lucretia Williams, daughters of Israel Wil 
 liams, Esq., and Sarah his wife, the sum of twenty pounds each. In 
 case any of them die without issue, their part to be equally divided 
 among the survivors ; and in case they all should die without issue, the 
 money to be disposed of for public uses as aforesaid. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath to my loving cousin, Elizabeth Williams, 
 over and above the twenty pounds above mentioned, my silver cream- 
 pot and teaspoons. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath unto my loving brother, Thomas Wil 
 liams, all my wearing apparel, and my shoe-buckles ; but in case my 
 said brother should die, I then give them to my surviving brothers, to 
 be equally divided among them. 
 
 Item. I give to my beloved friend and kinsman, Israel Williams, 
 Esq., of Hatfield, my sorrel mare, now at Northampton, and my bald 
 colt, now at Sheffield. 
 
 Item. I give to my trusty and well-beloved friend, John Worthing- 
 ton, Esq., of Springfield, my Chambers s Dictionary, with the whole of 
 Pope s works, and some other books that came in the same box, now in 
 his hands, and also my French firearm, my case of pistols and hanger, 
 in case the French don t get them ; but if he dies without issue, then 
 
408 APPENDIX. 
 
 the above articles to be given to the eldest male heir in Colonel Israel 
 Williams s family. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved brother, Thomas Williams, 
 my firearm, now in possession. 
 
 Item. I give the remaining part of my library, not yet disposed of 
 (excepting my large Bible and Ridgley s Body of Divinity), to my 
 beloved brothers, Thomas and Elijah Williams, to be equally divided 
 between them ; but in case my brother Thomas dies, his part to go to 
 his son Thomas ; and in case my brother Elijah dies without issue, then 
 his part to be given to my cousins, William and Israel Williams, to be 
 equally divided between them, over and above the lots of land be 
 queathed them above ; and it is my will and desire, further, that my 
 cousin William Williams, above mentioned, shall have the perusal of the 
 books hereby given to my brothers, Thomas and Elijah, any reasonable 
 time upon his desire. 
 
 Item. I give and bequeath unto my brother Thomas Williams s two 
 eldest daughters, three silver spoons, now at Hatfield, and a silver tank 
 ard now at Stockbridge, and what silver may be bequeathed me by my 
 aunt Cooke in New Town. 
 
 Item. I give to my brother Josiah, my large Bible and Eldgley s 
 Body of Divinity. 
 
 Item. I give to Solomon and Israel Stoddard, sons of my great bene 
 factor, John Stoddard, deceased, my two colts now at Northampton. 
 
 Item. I give and devise and remit to the poor, distressed, and im 
 prudent Captain Elisha Chapin, the sum of one hundred pounds, to be 
 deducted out of the bond given jointly by Moses Graves and said Elisha 
 Chapin ; the said hundred pounds to be remitted out of said Chapin s 
 part. 
 
 Item. It is my will and pleasure and desire that the remaining part 
 of lands not yet disposed of shall be sold at the direction of my Execu 
 tors, within five years after an established peace, and the interest of the 
 money, and also the interest of my money arising by my bonds and 
 notes, shall be appropriated towards the support and maintenance of a 
 free school (in a township west of Fort Massachusetts, commonly called 
 the West Township), forever, provided the said township fall within the 
 jurisdiction of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and, provided 
 also, that the Governor and General Court give the said township the 
 name of WILLIAMSTOWN ; and it is my further will and desire that if 
 there should remain any moneys of the above donation, for the said 
 school, it be given towards the support of a school in the East Town 
 ship, where the fort now stands ; but in case the above provisos are not 
 
THE WILL OF COLONEL WILLIAMS. 409 
 
 complied with, then it is my will and desire that the interest of the 
 above-mentioned moneys be appropriated to some pious and charitable 
 uses, in manner and form as directed in the former of this, my last Will 
 and Testament. 
 
 Lastly. I nominate and appoint my trusty and well-beloved friends, 
 Israel Williams, Esq., of Hatfield, and John Worthington, Esq., of 
 Springfield, in the County of Hampshire, and Province of Massachu 
 setts Bay, of New England, to be Executors of this my last Will and 
 Testament, and thereby revoke, disannul, and make void all former 
 Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made, done, or executed ; and 
 I do hereby confirm and allow this, and no other, to be my last Will 
 and Testament, and desire it may be observed as such. 
 
 In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal, the twenty- 
 second day of July, in the twenty-ninth year of his Majesty s reign, and 
 in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-five. 
 
 Signed, sealed, published, pro 
 nounced, and declared, by the 
 said Ephraim Williams, as his 
 
 last Will and Testament (the -ri-pTT-p A nvyr ^TTTTTATVTC /c i\ 
 erasure at the word Hatfield, EPHRAIM WILLIAMS (Seal). 
 
 being first made), in the pres 
 ence of us, who were present 
 at the signing. 
 
 WILLIAM WILLIAMS, JR. 
 NOAH BELDING. 
 RICHARD CART WRIGHT. 
 
 The following letter has recently come to light : 
 
 ALBANY, July 21, 1755. 
 DEAR SIR: 
 
 Enclosed I send you my last Will and Testament, and desire you to 
 consult with Mr. Worthington whether it be legal, if it is not, please 
 to write one that is, send it up and I will execute it. I have altered 
 my mind since I left your house, for reasons, as to what I designed to 
 give (which should have been handsome) to one very near to you ; 
 have given a small matter to others, as near to you, whose conduct to 
 me has rendered themselves most amiable. Also since I left your house, 
 for reasons, I have altered my mind, as to what I designed to give to 
 the children of my great benefactor ; have given but a small matter to 
 two of them only. You will perceive I have given something for the 
 
 35 
 
410 APPENDIX. 
 
 benefit of those unborn, and for the sake of those poor creatures I am 
 mostly concerned, for fear my will should be broke. I believe, sir, it 
 would have been more agreeable to you if I had given it for an acade 
 my at Hadley. I turned the affair over and over in my mind, found so 
 many difficulties, I thought it was better to give it in another shape. I 
 desire that you and Mr. Worthington would inquire into the affair of 
 
 the Stockbridge Indians, which my Honored [manuscript torn] 
 
 left in charge ; by no means let them be I desire you to pay 
 
 20 to your nieces, at a venture upon know that I owe them 
 
 one quarter of it, but for fear I do, I will put enough in. Also please 
 to pay the following persons whose names are hereafter mentioned, if 
 they are to be found, being soldiers under my command. I received 
 the money out of the treasury, but never could find the men ; have 
 paid all but these: Daniel Wood, 4105. 8rf. ; Jonathan Comally, 
 1 IBs. Gd. ; Nathaniel Sawyer, 2 12s. ; William Williston, 1 16a., 
 lives near Rehoboth. These things above mentioned are most material. 
 I shall conclude by recommending myself to your prayers, and you and 
 your dear family to the Divine protection. 
 
 I am, with great esteem, your honored, 
 
 Most humble, and most obliged servant, 
 
 EPHRAIM WILLIAMS. 
 To ISRAEL WILLIAMS, ESQ. 
 
 P. S. In my will you will find I ordered some money for the benefit 
 of the lost town. I don t know that it will be enough for the will, but 
 so far as it goes will pay well, and then some good will come out of it. 
 
 E. W. 
 
 P. S. 2d. Let no one but yourself and John Worthington know 
 what my will contains. 
 
PETITION TO BEHOVE THE COLLEGE. 41 1 
 
 No. III. 
 
 PETITION OF THE PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES TO 
 REMOVE THE COLLEGE TO NORTHAMPTON. 
 
 To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assem 
 bled: 
 
 The President and Trustees of Williams College respectfully repre 
 sent, that Williams College was incorporated and established at Wil- 
 liamstown, in the County of Berkshire, in the year of our Lord one 
 thousand seven hundred and ninety-three. That at that time there was 
 no similar institution in operation in the State of Vermont, and none in 
 the State of New York, except in the city, and said College was de 
 signed by its founders and patrons for the parts of those states adjacent 
 to Williamstown, as well as for the western counties of this Common 
 wealth, and was expected to derive from them, in a very considerable 
 degree, its support, and did, for a number of years after its establish 
 ment, receive a considerable proportion of students from those States. 
 That by the establishment of other colleges since that time in the State 
 of Vermont, and in the State of New York, one of them less than fifty 
 miles from Williamstown, Williams College receives much less support 
 from the inhabitants of those states than it formerly did. That for sev 
 eral years past Williams College has been resorted to almost entirely by 
 students from the four western counties of the Commonwealth, and is 
 now almost wholly dependent on those counties for support and useful 
 ness. That the College is now at Williamstown, remote from the 
 greater part of the population which supports it, and far less convenient 
 of access than it would be in another situation. That its removal to 
 some place on or near Connecticut River, has long been considered a 
 desirable object. That your petitioners have taken such measures as to 
 them seemed most proper for determining to what place the College 
 may be removed with most advantage to the institution, and most satis 
 faction to the western section of the Commonwealth, and those meas 
 ures have led to the selection of Northampton, in the County of Hamp 
 shire, as the future site of the College ; and that such subscriptions in 
 aid of the College have been made, on condition of its removal to 
 Northampton ; fifty thousand dollars having been already subscribed for 
 that object, and such are the expectations of future assistance, if it is 
 
412 APPENDIX. 
 
 placed there, that in the opinion of your petitioners the removal will 
 very much conduce to the prosperity of the institution. 
 
 Your petitioners further represent, that a college in the western part 
 of the Commonwealth will promote the interests both of religion and 
 literature in tKe western counties. They are too distant from the prin 
 cipal institution in the Commonwealth to share conveniently, and in full 
 measure its advantages. Opportunities not unsuitable to the present 
 state of education in this country may be enjoyed by them at a college 
 placed at Northampton, at a less expense than they can at the Univer 
 sity at Cambridge, or at the institutions of neighboring States. 
 
 Williams College has repeatedly experienced the favor and liberality 
 of the Legislature in grants of money and lands. But the Trustees are 
 concerned to state, that the funds of the institution are very small and 
 inadequate, and do not permit them to make any enlargement of the 
 number of instructors, or material addition to the other means and 
 helps of education at the College. They are therefore of opinion, that 
 the College in its present situation cannot be made to serve effectually 
 the interests of the western parts of the Commonwealth. At North 
 ampton it would both be more central and more convenient of access to 
 them, and might be expected to receive such assistance from a generous 
 and enlightened public as would perpetuate its reputation and useful 
 ness. 
 
 Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray your honorable body, that 
 they may be permitted to remove Williams College to Northampton, 
 with such of its funds and other property as it shall be found lawful and 
 expedient to remove, without affecting, however, the right in law and 
 equity of the inhabitants of Williamstown to any moneys or other prop 
 erty derived to them by the late Colonel Ephraim Williams, for the 
 support of a free school in said town of Williamstown. And as in duty 
 bound, &c. 
 
 By order, and in behalf of the Trustees, 
 
 ZEPH. SWIFT MOORE, President 
 
 WILLIAMSTOWN, November 2, 1819. 
 
 House of Representatives, January 17, 1820. Read and committed 
 to Messrs. Sullivan of Boston, Lewis of Gorham, Mosely of Newbury- 
 port, Williams of New Bedford, with such as the Honorable Senate 
 may join, to consider and report- Sent up for concurrence. 
 
 TIMOTHY BIGELOW, Speaker. 
 
 In Senate, January 17, 1820. Read and concurred, and the Hon. 
 Messrs. Gay, Hobart, and Adams are joined. 
 
 JOHN PHILLIPS, President. 
 
REMONSTRANCE AGAINST THE REMOVAL. 413 
 
 No. IV. 
 
 THE REMONSTRANCE OF THE TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN 
 AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF THE COLLEGE.* 
 
 To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assem 
 bled: 
 
 The memorial of the inhabitants of the town of Williamstown, in 
 legal town meeting assembled, respectfully showeth : 
 
 That they have witnessed with no small degree of surprise, the vari 
 ous proceedings of the President and Trustees of Williams College, 
 having for their object the removal of that institution to the County of 
 Hampshire ; proceedings highly important in their consequences to the 
 public, and deeply affecting the rights and privileges of the inhabitants 
 of this town and its vicinity. 
 
 Constituted as the Trustees of Williams College were, the guardians 
 of a literary institution, located in the town of Williamstown, and 
 vested only with powers to superintend its interests in this place, to us 
 it has ever seemed that in the various steps hitherto taken by the Trus 
 tees in relation to this subject, they were transcending the powers 
 granted them, and usurping those which belong exclusively to the Leg 
 islature. But whatever measures may have been adopted in relation to 
 this object, by the Trustees, your memorialists feel the most perfect 
 confidence that those proceedings will never receive the sanction of 
 your honorable body, until a full and impartial investigation shall have 
 produced in your minds a decided conviction of the expediency and 
 justice of them. With these views of the principles which would guide 
 the Legislature in deciding the question of the removal of Williams 
 College were we to await in silence your decision, we are well satisfied 
 that the result would not be otherwise than favorable to the continuance 
 of the College in its present location ; but lest silence as to our claims 
 should be mistaken for indifference, lest the neglecting to expose the 
 fallacy of the arguments urged in favor of removal should be construed 
 into an admission of the reasonableness of them, we have deemed it 
 proper to submit to you the reasons which lead us to declare that the 
 
 * This paper, it is said, was drawn up by the Hon. Charles A. Dewey. 
 
 35* 
 
414 APPENDIX. 
 
 proposed removal is alike inexpedient as regards the public, and unjust 
 as respects the inhabitants of this town. 
 
 Why has the agitation in relation to Williams College taken place ? 
 Why are you at this time called upon to change the location of an in 
 stitution established in this town by an act of the Legislature more than 
 twenty-six years since ? Has the College failed of success in its present 
 location ? Can it no longer progress at Williamstown upon the plan 
 contemplated by the Legislature at the time of its establishment ? 
 
 These are questions worthy the serious consideration of your honor 
 able body, and the answer to each of them will, it is believed, be found 
 highly favorable to the continuance of the College in its present loca 
 tion. 
 
 So far as we can understand the petition and other public documents 
 of the Trustees, the avowed arguments in favor of removal rest wholly 
 on three points. 
 
 1. That since the erection of Williams College, the establishment of 
 two colleges in the State of Vermont, and of two others in the State of 
 New York, has so far interfered with its operations that it receives 
 much less support from those States than it formerly did. 
 
 2. That it is not in the local centre of that part of the Common 
 wealth upon which it is, in a considerable measure, to depend for its sup 
 port and usefulness. 
 
 3. That the funds of the institution are small, and its resources such 
 that it must be removed or soon become extinct. 
 
 In regard to the first of these positions, we have to remark, that, how 
 ever much plausibility it may carry on the face of it, it is perfectly un 
 satisfactory to those acquainted with all the circumstances. It is indeed 
 true that the number of colleges to the north and west have somewhat 
 increased since the incorporation of the College in this place, though it 
 is not true to the extent stated by the advocates of removal. Burling 
 ton College, in the State of Vermont, was founded 1791, two years 
 earlier than Williams, and Union College was established in 1794, only 
 one year later than Williams. With the exception of Hamilton Col 
 lege, an institution established one hundred and fifty miles to the west, 
 all those institutions, the establishment of which are now for the first 
 time discovered to have an important bearing upon the prosperity of 
 Williams College, and which are said to render its immediate removal 
 absolutely necessary, have been established twenty years or more. Ten 
 years after all these institutions were in successful operation Williams 
 College enjoyed its full share of prosperity. If at a subsequent time it 
 partially declined, the late increase of its members, and the bright and 
 animating prospects which had attended it for the last three years, fur- 
 
REMONSTRANCE AGAINST THE REMOVAL. 415 
 
 nish conclusive evidence that its diminution of numbers a few years 
 since was not to be attributed to its local situation. 
 
 It seems to us that it is only necessary to bear in mind that Burling 
 ton College was established two years earlier than Williams, Union 
 College, in the State of New York, the year succeeding, Middlebury, 
 twenty years since, and that Hamilton College is one hundred and fifty 
 miles distant, to satisfy any candid mind that these are not the moving 
 causes of the present agitation about removal, however formidable a 
 shape they may be made to assume on paper. 
 
 But suppose the number of students in Williams College has been 
 somewhat lessened in consequence of the influence of other colleges in 
 the adjoining States. How will you remedy the difficulty by removal ? 
 The farther you place the College to the east or south, instead of lessen 
 ing, you greatly increase the evil by approaching more important semi 
 naries than you withdraw from. 
 
 Place Williams College in the vicinity of Harvard and Yale, and will 
 they be less likely to take students from it than Union and Middlebury 
 now are ? And if it were possible, would it be expedient to make Wil 
 liams College a great and splendid institution at the expense of our 
 University at Cambridge ? We know indeed that this is a favorite 
 plan with many of those who are the zealous advocates of removal, but 
 to us it seems such an object is as improper as it would be imprac 
 ticable. 
 
 In answer to the argument that Williams College is not located in the 
 centre of the western part of the Commonwealth, and ought therefore 
 to be removed, the first objection which naturally presents itself would 
 be as to the time of originating this point. To us we confess it appears 
 not a little singular that this circumstance is called in to aid the present 
 attempt at removal, when the local situation of the College has in no 
 respect changed, as regards the people of the Commonwealth since it 
 was first established. The Legislature of 1 793, which established Wil 
 liams College well knew that Williamstown was not the local centre of 
 the western section of the State, but finding many powerful induce 
 ments to erect a College in Williamstown, they did not deem the cir 
 cumstance of its not being a local centre a sufficient one to prevent 
 them from establishing it in this place. Much less will your honorable 
 body, after the establishment and successful operation of the College 
 twenty-six years, deem the want of a local centre a sufficient cause for 
 removal. 
 
 It is further urged that the resources of the College are small, and 
 therefore it must be removed. It is true that the funds of this College, 
 
416 APPENDIX. 
 
 like most other country institutions, are small ; but small as they are, they 
 are fully adequate with the present number of students to support a 
 very respectable college establishment, and leave a decent surplus for 
 the purpose of increasing the advantages of education. 
 
 But how are the funds to be increased by the proposed removal ? 
 We are told, indeed, that the people of Northampton and its vicinity 
 believing that the removal " would advance the pecuniary interest of 
 the town," have offered to the Trustees a subscription of thirty-five 
 thousand dollars, and a bond for the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, 
 payable in ten years hence, with interest, with this condition annexed : 
 " unless they shall in the mean time procure said sum for said Trustees, 
 by subscription, donation, grant, endowment, or otherwise." It must 
 appear obvious to your honorable body that hopes are entertained that 
 you will be disposed to grant the last sum out of the public funds in the 
 course of a few years, and if so we can hardly conceive why it should 
 be less burdensome to the treasury to endow the College at Williams- 
 town than at Northampton. 
 
 But if this call is never made on the Legislature, and the whole sum 
 of fifty thousand dollars is paid by the subscriptions, and the signers of 
 the bond, we would ask what sacrifices are to be made to obtain this 
 proffered bounty ? The Trustees have at Williamstown two large and 
 commodious brick edifices, one containing thirty -two rooms for students, 
 and the other twenty-eight rooms for students, and a chapel, two dwell 
 ing-houses for the President and a Professor, with several acres of land 
 connected with the same, and also a building for a Laboratory. They 
 have a cash fund they received from our Academy, of more than nine 
 thousand dollars, and subscriptions for the benefit of the College in case 
 of its continuance in Williamstown, for the sum of eighteen thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 The real estate owned by the Trustees (and which must be almost 
 entirely sacrificed in case of removal), could not be replaced in North 
 ampton at less than thirty-four thousand dollars. This with the funds of 
 our Academy, which must remain at Williamstown, and the subscrip 
 tions for the benefit of the institution at that place, will amount to sixty- 
 one thousand dollars, leaving the Trustees, in case of removal, with 
 eleven thousand dollars less than they now have. If you deduct from 
 this sum three thousand dollars, which is the highest estimate that can 
 be made on the avails of the real estate left at Williamstown, in case of 
 removal, the Trustees still suffer a loss by removal of eight thousand 
 dollars. In reference to this part of the subject, we ought to say that 
 there has been a material change in the situation of the institution since 
 
REMONSTRANCE AGAINST THE REMOVAL. 417 
 
 the meeting of the Trustees, and one which it is believed has not been 
 without its effects in changing the views of many gentlemen as to the 
 general question of removal. 
 
 As connected with the resources of the institution, we may here with 
 propriety call the attention of the Legislature to the reports which 
 have been circulated with some degree of zeal, of the rapid diminution 
 of students, and the necessity of taking immediate measures to prevent 
 the College from becoming extinct. A few facts will enable you to 
 judge what foundation there is for these reports. Williams College has 
 now eighty-seven students, a greater number than Hamilton, Burling 
 ton, or Bowdoin College, and about the same as Middlebury. It has its 
 President and Professor of Divinity, Professor of Mathematics and 
 Natural Philosophy, a Lecturer on Chemistry, Professor of Languages, 
 and the necessary Tutors ; and all these the present funds, with the in 
 come from the term .bills, will honorably support. It has given a com 
 plete collegiate course to 512 students, averaging 20 graduates each year 
 since its first establishment. For the last ten years the average number 
 exceeds this. The number of candidates for the first degree at the 
 ensuing Commencement is now 21. In view of these facts, we ask 
 whether the reasons assigned for the proposed removal are not unsatis 
 factory, and such as become insignificant when compared with the evils 
 to be sustained by the measure ? Will the advantages arising to the 
 students from a more central and populous place bear any comparison 
 with the injury which they must suffer from increasing the expenses of 
 their education, and the greater exposure of their morals ? Will the 
 treasury of the College be enriched by the positive loss of more than 
 eight thousand dollars. Why then abandon the certain prospect of 
 usefulness here to enter upon untrodden ground ? Why put at hazard 
 so much, when you have so little, when, indeed, you have nothing to 
 gain V 
 
 In the view we have thus far taken of this subject, we have consid 
 ered it as though it were fully open for discussion, but we apprehend 
 that we have rights which are not to be unnecessarily sacrificed, rights 
 which your honorable body will readily recognize when you shall have 
 attentively considered the facts on which they rest. 
 
 Colonel Ephraim Williams, a gentleman whose name will long be 
 remembered with gratitude by the inhabitants of this town, gave by 
 will a liberal donation to be expended in Williamstown for the purposes 
 of education. By the generous donations of the inhabitants of this 
 town and vicinity, and the aid of a lottery granted by the Legislature, 
 the donation of Colonel Williams was considerably increased, and we 
 were enabled to build a large and commodious brick edifice, and make 
 
418 APPENDIX. 
 
 all necessary arrangements for a large public school. Our institution 
 commenced under the most favorable auspices. The cheapness of edu 
 cation, the good habits of our citizens, and the few temptations to vice 
 that our local situation presented, soon gave it a high reputation. So 
 bright were its prospects, such the promise it gave of being an ornament 
 to our County and State, that its friends became solicitous, that an insti 
 tution rivalling in usefulness the established seminaries, should receive 
 a more appropriate name, and enjoy those privileges which peculiarly 
 belong to incorporated colleges. The Legislature, coinciding in these 
 views, and deeply impressed with the importance of giving the institu 
 tion its full aid and support, granted a charter for a college, and at the 
 same time vested all the funds of our Academy, as well those received 
 from the donation of Colonel Williams, as those received by the gener 
 ous subscriptions of the people of this town and vicinity, and also those 
 procured by the aid of a lottery (the profits of which were realized al 
 most solely from the sale of tickets in this and the adjoining towns, and 
 which was therefore in its operation a tax of so much upon the inhab 
 itants), in the hands of a Corporation by the name of the President and 
 Trustees of Williams College. Subscription papers, which were then 
 in circulation to procure further funds for the Academy, were immedi 
 ately withdrawn that others might be substituted for the benefit of the 
 College. Lands were generously given for the erection of a second 
 college edifice, and a house for the President. 
 
 The inference to be drawn from these facts is too plain to be misun 
 derstood. The Academy and College now became one and the same. 
 Can your honorable body for a moment doubt but that the Legislature 
 when they established a College in this town, and transferred to it our 
 private funds, gave a most solemn pledge that the institution should be 
 permanent here ? Can it be supposed that the inhabitants of this town 
 who gave so liberally of their money and their lands, gave upon any 
 other principle than this ? Would they have parted thus freely with 
 their property to endow an institution which was to be temporary as to 
 its location among them ? Are you ready to sacrifice our rights and 
 privileges, in fact in a degree to impoverish us, merely to enrich another 
 town, or for the less worthy purpose of aiding the designs of those who 
 have other objects at heart than the mere propagation of literature and 
 science, or the pure principles of our holy religion ? Is a measure 
 which originated in the selfish and illiberal views of a few individuals, 
 but which was wholly undesired by the great body of the people, wor 
 thy of your countenance and support ? 
 
 We have the most perfect confidence that you will not hesitate to de 
 clare that neither justice or expediency will permit the proposed 
 
REMONSTRANCE AGAINST THE REMOVAL. 419 
 
 removal of Williams College. Before you come to a different result 
 we entreat you to weigh well the consequences. Recollect the injury 
 you are inflicting upon that portion of the community who have done 
 so much towards originating, supporting, and establishing the institution ; 
 but more particularly bear in mind the disastrous effects of such a 
 measure upon the people, as regards their loss of confidence in the pub 
 lic authorities of the land. 
 
 The views we have presented you are not the views of this town 
 only. We carry with us the entire County of Berkshire, and, as is be 
 lieved, a very decided majority of the people of the four western coun 
 ties of the Commonwealth. To this we add, that there are feelings of 
 no small interest in the adjoining counties of the States of New York 
 and Vermont. 
 
 We are gratified to have the pleasure of stating that the public ex 
 pressions which have been made in favor of the continuance of the 
 College at Williamstown have been accompanied with the most satis 
 factory evidence of their sincerity. Subscription papers bearing the 
 names of respectable gentlemen for the amount of eighteen thousand 
 dollars, for the use of the College in this town, have already been 
 placed in the hands of the Treasurer of the College. 
 
 With this exposition of our views and feelings, we leave the subject 
 with your Honorable body, renewing the expression of our perfect con 
 fidence that when you shall have attentively considered all the facts 
 which have a bearing in relation to this subject you will not hesitate in 
 deciding that Williams College shall remain in its present location. 
 
 At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Williamstown, holden De 
 cember 27th, 1819, It was unanimously voted that the foregoing memo 
 rial be presented to the General Court as expressive of the feelings 
 of the inhabitants of this town in relation to the removal of Williams 
 College. 
 
 Attest: STEPHEN HOSFORD, Town Clerk. 
 
 House of Representatives, January 17, 1820. Read and committed 
 to Messrs. Sullivan of Boston, Lewis of Gorham, Mosely of Newbury- 
 port, Williams of New Bedford, with such as the Honorable Senate 
 may join. Sent up for concurrence. 
 
 TIMOTHY BIGELOW, Speaker. 
 
 In Senate, January 17, 1820. Read and concurred, and the Hon. 
 Messrs. Gay, Hobart, and Adams are joined. 
 
 JOHN PHILLIPS, President. 
 
420 APPENDIX. 
 
 NO. y. 
 
 THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF BOTH BRANCHES 
 OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE SUBJECT OF THE 
 REMOVAL OF THE COLLEGE TO NORTHAMPTON. 
 
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
 In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty. 
 
 The joint committee to whom was referred the petition of the Presi 
 dent and Trustees of Williams College, pray leave, respectfully to state 
 that the petition has been supported and opposed before them with 
 great ability, and with the most commendable candor. 
 
 That the committee have diligently attended to all that either party 
 have seen fit to offer, and hope that they do not assume too much in 
 saying, that in hearing, deliberating, and in deciding, they have sought 
 only to understand rightly, and to judge \i\\h fidelity, as well in relation 
 to the interested parties as to the Commonwealth. 
 
 It appeared to your committee that in the year 1755, Ephraim Wil 
 liams, Esq., made his last Will and Testament, and therein devised as 
 follows, viz. : " Item. It is my will, desire, and pleasure, that the re 
 maining part of the lands not yet disposed of, shall be sold at the discre 
 tion of my Executors within five years after an established peace, and 
 the interest of the money, and also the interest of my bonds and notes 
 shall be appropriated towards the support and maintenance of a free 
 school, in a township west of Fort Massachusetts, commonly called the 
 West Township, forever, provided the said township shall fall within 
 the jurisdiction of the province of Massachusetts Bay, and provided 
 also the Governor and General Court give the said township the name 
 of * Williamstown, and it is my further will and desire, that if there 
 should remain any moneys of the above donation for the school, it be 
 given towards the school in the East Township, where the fort now 
 stands ; but in case the above provisos are not complied with, then it is 
 my will and choice that the interest of the above-mentioned moneys be 
 appropriated to some pious and charitable uses, in manner and form as 
 above directed in the former part of this my last Will and Testament." 
 
 That in the year 1785, the Executors of the said Ephraim Williams, 
 Esq., represented to the General Court that such devise had been 
 made, and prayed legislative aid to carry the will of the testator into 
 effect. 
 
THE EEPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 421 
 
 That on the 8th day of March, 1785, an act was passed, declaring that 
 the donation made in the before recited clause of the said testator s will 
 ought to be applied to the use and maintenance of a free school in Wil- 
 liamstown, and that if the annual interest of the donation should be 
 more than sufficient to support such school, that the surplus should 
 be appropriated to the support and maintenance of a free school in the 
 town of Adams ; and in and by the same act, a body politic was erected 
 to be a corporation, forever, by the name of " The Trustees of the Do 
 nation of Ephraim Williams, Esq., for maintaining a free school in Wil 
 liamstown," and by the same act Trustees were appointed. 
 
 The said corporation was placed under the visitation and direction of 
 the Supreme Judicial Court The possession, management, and dispo 
 sition of the whole interest and estate, real and personal, which was 
 given and devised by the aforesaid clause of said will, was vested in said 
 Trustees, and their successors, forever ; to erect and maintain a free 
 school within the town of Williamstown, for the instruction of youth in 
 such manner as most effectually to answer the pious, generous, and 
 charitable intention of the Testator. 
 
 In pursuance of the said will, and of said act of the Legislature, the 
 said Executors delivered over property to said Trustees amounting to 
 the sum of $9,157. 
 
 On the llth of February, 1789, the Legislature authorized the Trus 
 tees of Williamstown Free School to raise by lottery 1,200, for the 
 purpose of erecting a building for the accommodation of the scholars. 
 From this lottery $ 3,459.68 were realized, and to this sum was added, 
 by subscriptions, for the above purpose $ 903.58, making $ 4,363.26, 
 which sum was applied to the purpose intended. 
 
 The Williams Free School being thus founded at Williamstown, it 
 continued until the 22d day of June, 1793, when an act was passed es 
 tablishing Williams College, and erecting a corporation to conduct and 
 manage this institution. 
 
 The ninth section of this act is in these words : " The Legislature of 
 this Commonwealth may grant any further powers to, or alter, annul, 
 limit, or restrain any of the powers by this act vested in the corpora 
 tion, as shall be judged necessary to promote the best interests of the 
 College ; and may appoint overseers or visitors, with all necessary powers 
 and authorities for the better aid, preservation, and government thereof." 
 
 The tenth section is in these words : that all the property, real and 
 personal, belonging to the Trustees of the Williams Free School, be, 
 and the same hereby is, vested in the corporation which by this act is 
 created. 
 
 36 
 
422 APPENDIX. 
 
 The eleventh section gives 1,200 out of the treasury to Williams 
 College. The College being thus established, several donations were 
 made thereto, and among others, one from Woodbridge Little, Esq., of 
 Pittsfield, in the month of May, 1811, as follows, viz : 
 
 " And it is always to be understood that the principal of the above 
 sum, together with such further sum as I have it in contemplation to 
 leave to said College, by my last will and testament, shall constitute a 
 fund separate from the ordinary funds of said institution, to be called 
 Woodbridge Little s Charitable Fund, the principal of which shall 
 forever remain in the hands of the President and Trustees of said Col 
 lege, not to be expended, and the annual interest thereof shall be from 
 year to year applied in the manner following, viz. : The President of 
 said College, for the time being, with two other persons whom the cor 
 poration of said College may appoint a committee for that purpose, shall 
 select from the members of said College, such persons as said committee 
 or a majority of them shall consider suitable objects of charitable aid 
 and assistance, and such as intend to prepare themselves by their edu 
 cation for the ministry ; who shall always be persons of good moral 
 character, and whose talents promise eminent usefulness in the profes 
 sion for which they are designed ; and those members of said College 
 who shall be thus selected by said committee shall be entitled to receive 
 such portions of the annual income of said donation as said committee 
 shall from time to time determine ; not less in ordinary cases to any one 
 student than at the rate of twenty-five dollars per annum, nor more than 
 fifty dollars ; but it shall be in the discretion of said committee in cases 
 of peculiar need of such pecuniary assistance, and of characters highly 
 deserving and meritorious, to increase the allowance to such student or 
 students, to a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars per annum, and if 
 in any one year the whole income of said donation shall not be applied 
 as aforesaid, the interest shall be added to the principal, to increase the 
 fund hereby established, or, at the discretion of the said committee, it 
 may be applied to similar appropriations in the manner aforesaid, in 
 subsequent years. Whenever the corporation of said College shall 
 accept the above donation, on the terms above mentioned, this deed to 
 have full and complete effect." 
 
 Donations of land were made to the College Corporation, whereon 
 the College buildings are erected ; and sums of money were subscribed 
 and paid by persons in Williamstown and its vicinity, and some by per 
 sons in Vermont, and in the State of New York. 
 
 Four townships of land have been granted to Williams College, and 
 it has an interest in a certain gore of land. It has also its three six- 
 
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 423 
 
 teenths of the bank tax, as expressed in the act making the apportion 
 ment thereof. 
 
 The College edifices are two brick buildings (one of which was the 
 original Free School building), containing fifty-four rooms, a house for 
 the President, a house for a professor, a chapel, and a laboratory. 
 
 The whole number of students which have been graduated is five 
 hundred and twelve ; the number resident has varied at different 
 times ; in the year 1815, the number vs& fifty-eight ; in 1819 the num 
 ber was eighty-seven. 
 
 In the year 1815 a project for removal commenced, and subsided. 
 In 1818 the proposal was revived, in consequence of an application of 
 certain gentlemen, members of the academic association at Amherst ; 
 a proposal was made about the same time to remove the institution to 
 Northampton ; a committee, consisting of highly respectable individu 
 als, was empowered to decide on location in case of removal ; they 
 decided that Northampton was the preferable place. Nine out of 
 twelve of the present Trustees are decidedly of opinion that the inter 
 ests of the College would be greatly promoted by removal, and that it 
 will languish and expire in its present location ; three of the twelve 
 are as decidedly of opinion that the College may, and will be main 
 tained, as well as it has been where it now is. 
 
 In contemplation of removal, subscriptions have been made to the 
 amount of fifty thousand dollars, and on the final and permanent fix 
 ing of the college in its present place, subscriptions have been made 
 payable to the amount of fourteen thousand and five hundred dollars. 
 
 The committee herewith present a statement which contains, as 
 they believe, a view admitted or proved by parties interested as to 
 funds, viz. : 
 
 Condition of the College if it retain its Location at Williamstown. 
 
 Net balance of disposable property, ... $ 28,432.55 
 
 Net amount of subscriptions, to take effect if the institu 
 tion be fixed at Williamstown, . . . 17,681.65 
 
 $46,114.20 
 
 Whole expense annually at the present establishment, $ 4,100.00 
 To meet which, 
 
 1. Interest on $46,1 14.20, . . . $2,766.85 
 
 2. Income from term bills, room-rent, back 
 
 tuition, . . . . . 2,396.00 
 
 5,162.85 
 Leaving a balance in favor of the institution of . . $ 1,062.85 
 
424 APPENDIX. 
 
 Condition of the College if removed to Northampton. 
 
 From the amount disposable funds, viz. . . $ 28,432.55 
 
 Deduct the Williams Free School fund, . . . 9,157.00 
 
 $ 19,274.89 
 
 Subscription on condition of removal, . . . $50,000.00 
 
 Net proceeds of real estate belonging to the College at 
 
 Williamstown, < . . . . . * 2,500.00 
 
 $71,774.89 
 
 Expense of land, buildings, &c., at Northampton, 
 viz. : 
 
 2 Colleges, . . . . $ 24,000 
 6 Acres of land, . . . 3,000 
 
 2 Houses, . . . . 6,500 
 
 Laboratory, . . . . 500 
 
 34,000.00 
 Balance, . . . . $37,774.89 
 
 Annual income of balance, * . . . $ 2,266.49 
 Income from tuition, room-rent, quarter bills, 
 &c., of course, contingent. 
 
 The committee apprehend that this petition must be decided upon 
 principles of great importance, and they have attended to the duty 
 assigned to them with no small anxiety. They experience, however, 
 a welcome relief in the fact that a revision of their doings by both 
 branches of the Legislature remains to the interested parties. 
 
 Two questions seem to the committee to arise out of the facts and 
 arguments which have been presented for their consideration. 
 
 First. Has the Legislature power to grant the prayer of the peti 
 tion ? If it has, 
 
 Secondly. Is it expedient to exercise their power in the manner 
 prayed for ? 
 
 The committee assume that every corporation created by Legislative 
 authority is that, and that only, which the act of its creation makes it to 
 be ; or after its creation it is that which the Legislature, with its consent, 
 enacts it to be. 
 
 That when a donation for charitable purposes has been made, and 
 the Legislature is petitioned to for a grant of power to use and apply 
 such donation, the Legislature can grant no other power than such as 
 is consistent with the original intention of the donor. 
 
 That no power exists in or out of the Legislature to appropriate any 
 
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 425 
 
 charitable donation to any other purpose than that which the donor 
 intended, without his consent. By the act of the 8th of March, 1785, 
 Trustees were incorporated to apply the funds which were given by 
 Ephraim Williams, Esq. 
 
 In the creation of this corporation, the Legislature appears to have 
 done not more nor less than was necessary to give effect to his known 
 intention. The individuals incorporated were William Williams, 
 Theodore Sedgwick, Woodbridge Little, John Bacon, Thompson J. 
 Skinner, Seth Swift, Daniel Collins, Israel Jones, and David Noble. 
 
 On the 22d of June, 1793, this corporation existed, and was in the 
 full exercise of all the faculties which the Legislature had conferred. 
 On the last-mentioned day, a new corporation was created. The 
 natural persons on whom the corporate powers were conferred, were 
 the nine persons who were incorporated in 1785, together with Stephen 
 West and Elijah Williams, and the President of the institution ex 
 officio. 
 
 The first mentioned corporation was not expressly dissolved by the 
 act which created the second, but all the estate, real and personal, 
 which had been vested in the first corporation was transferred to the 
 second ; and from that time the first corporation ceased to act under 
 the law of 1785. 
 
 From these facts one of three consequences necessarily arises : 
 
 First. The corporation of 1785 and that of 1793 are still exist 
 ing ; or, 
 
 Secondly. The corporation of 1785 was by its own consent, and by 
 consent of the natural persons, incorporated in 1793, and by consent 
 of the State dissolved; or, 
 
 Thirdly. The act of 1793 was a new charter to the corporation 
 erected in 1785, enlarging its faculties and giving it a new name, 
 which were by that corporation accepted. 
 
 The committee reject the first supposition, and are of opinion that 
 there are not now in existence two corporations. 
 
 The committee reject also the second supposition, and are of opinion 
 that the act of 1793 did not dissolve the original corporation. 
 
 They adopt the third supposition, because the act of 1793 was either 
 an exercise of power not delegated to the Legislature, whereby the 
 Williams fund was perverted from the uses intended by the donor ; or 
 it was a confirmation of faculties already given to use that donation 
 consistently with the donor s intention. 
 
 The committee think it must be understood to be the latter, because 
 the act of 1793 arose out of the petition of the Trustees of the Wil- 
 
 36* 
 
426 APPENDIX. 
 
 Hams fund ; because it must then have appeared to the Legislature 
 that this fund, together with other funds which had been acquired, and 
 those which the Legislature had it in view to grant, would justify the 
 erection of a collegiate establishment on the foundation of the Williams 
 Free School; because the Legislature in the act of 1793, seems, by the 
 name and location of the new institution to have had in view the origi 
 nal donor, and the place which he had selected for the application of 
 his charity forever ; because the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, 
 who were made the visitors of the corporation first erected, must be 
 presumed to have assented to the act of 1793, although they are not 
 made visitors of the new institution ; because, 
 
 The second Corporation seems to have considered itself a continua 
 tion of the first one ; the records of the second are kept in the same 
 book with those of the first ; the funds of the first institution have been 
 applied and used jointly and indiscriminately with those of the second, 
 and no separate and distinct accounts between the one and the other 
 have been shown to the committee. 
 
 If the first corporation, and the natural persons who were made a 
 corporation in 1793, and the State, jointly assented to the present insti 
 tution, as appears to the committee to have been the fact, it seems to 
 follow, as an unavoidable consequence, that there was an assent of 
 these parties to the establishment of it at Williamstown. 
 
 By what process, in what form, and by what parties, is that assent to 
 be now annulled, and the Williams fund separated from the College 
 fund, and the latter transferred to be used in another place ? 
 
 The petitioners admit that the Williams fund cannot be removed ; 
 but what natural or political body now exists to act in separating these 
 funds ? And if the Williams fund, after the lapse of six and twenty 
 years, can be distinguished and set apart from all others, who is to re 
 ceive and apply that fund according to the original intention of the 
 donor, after the present corporation shall have been removed to 
 another place ? If a new corporation must be created to receive and 
 apply the Williams fund before the proposed separation can be made, 
 there are not now before the Legislature any petitioners who seek to 
 be invested with this authority. 
 
 The committee consider the act of 1793, creating the College at 
 Williamstown, not as changing the destination of the funds of Wil- 
 liamstown Free School (for that would necessarily imply an illegal ex 
 ercise of power in the Legislature), but as extending its powers, and 
 increasing its capacity ; that it was promotive of the views of the be 
 neficent Testator as well respecting the general object, viz. the dissem 
 ination of learning, as the particular one, the location at Williamstown. 
 
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 427 
 
 That, in short, the Williamstown Free School fund was at all times to 
 be considered as the stock, located and rooted there, on which public 
 and private munificence might be occasionally engrafted. 
 
 This construction is strengthened by the fact that the residuary leg 
 atees of Colonel Williams have never claimed these funds as forfeited 
 by any supposed illegal interference of the Legislature by the act of 
 1793, and by the complete and absolute amalgamation of the funds of 
 the Free School, with those of the College, and the absolutely undis- 
 tinguishable manner of their appropriation to a common object, all 
 which seems necessarily to imply a single institution. 
 
 And this is a construction in which the contingent claimants under 
 the will of Colonel Williams unquestionably acquiesce. The commit 
 tee respectfully submit that the Williams fund cannot be lawfully sep 
 arated (even if it were practicable to do so) from the other funds of 
 Williams College. That the Legislature, and all parties interested, 
 and lapse of time, have concurred in making the original donation the 
 vital principle of this corporation. And that the Legislature, after 
 having first raised the Free School to be a College, and after having 
 sanctioned its existence so long in the latter relation to the public, and 
 to the memory of the founder, cannot now break up this connection 
 and transfer the College to another place, and leave the Free School to 
 the contingencies of the future. 
 
 The committee have supposed it to be their duty to notice that 
 Woodbridge Little, Esq., of Pittsfield, and some persons in Williams- 
 town, and some in Vermont, and some in the State of New York, have 
 made donations to Williams College, and the committee suppose that 
 they ought not to disregard the presumption that the location of this 
 seminary constituted some part of the motives to this bounty, and the 
 committee cannot but doubt the justice of removing, and consequently 
 the power to remove this seminary to any place not contemplated by 
 such donors, to be the site of the future use of their charities. 
 
 The committee have expressed this opinion on the law with the most 
 unaffected diffidence. But they have thought it their duty to express 
 some opinion hereon, because the two Houses must judge of, and de 
 cide upon, the legal principles which arise on this petition, since this is 
 not a case, as the committee believe, in which the opinion of the Su 
 preme Judicial Court may be required. The constitution authorizes 
 the aid of such opinions only in cases where no private rights are in 
 volved. It is apparent that this subject relates to parties who may, 
 hereafter, possibly become suitors in that court, and whose rights can 
 not be judged of until they are first heard. 
 
 The committee, however, have this grateful certainty, that if they 
 
428 APPENDIX. 
 
 have erred in opinion, they may safely rely on those to whom they re 
 port, to save the interested from the evil of this error. 
 
 The second inquiry is on the expediency of the proposed removal. 
 
 The committee admit that if the question were now, whether a Col 
 lege should be established at Northampton or at Williamstown, well 
 informed and honest men might fairly differ in opinion. The principal 
 arguments urged in this behalf were grounded (on the one side) on the 
 central position of Northampton, on the mass of industrious, moral, 
 wealthy, well-informed, and truly respectable population of the coun 
 ties which are traversed by the Connecticut, and on the superior facilities 
 of access, and the attractions which arise from the aggregation of edu 
 cated men. These considerations were resisted (on the other side) by 
 arguments intended to show that seclusion is favorable to literary pro 
 ficiency, and to purity of morals ; and that the advantages of compar 
 atively smaller expenditure in the process of education were more 
 attainable in Williamstown than in Northampton. 
 
 The committee beg leave to state, with great deference, and in the 
 sincere hope that they shall not prejudice either party in the future 
 consideration of this subject, and in conformity also with their conclu 
 sions on the first great question in this case, that they are of opinion 
 that so important a measure as the removal of Williams College ought 
 not to take place without a reasonable and unembarrassed conviction that 
 some great benefit will result therefrom not attainable in the present loca 
 tion. The committee are by no means satisfied that mere location de 
 termines the degree of estimation and respect in which any literary 
 institution may be held. It is reputation which constitutes the attrac 
 tion, and this is founded on the modes and means of instruction ; and 
 although it might be a very interesting question whether fifty thousand 
 or a hundred thousand dollars should be originally expended at North 
 ampton or at Williamstown, yet considering the length of time which 
 has elapsed since the establishment of Williams College in the place 
 where it is, that a considerable part of its funds were given in contem 
 plation of its permanency there, and considering too that no change of 
 very imposing cast is likely to be effected immediately, or before the 
 lapse of some years, in the future usefulness of this institution, if at all, 
 by removal, the committee have come to the result that it is inexpedient 
 to remove Williams College to Northampton. 
 
 In concluding, the committee pray leave to state that they do most 
 highly appreciate, and most profoundly respect the motives of the peti 
 tioners ; these are unquestionably founded in a truly honorable and 
 elevated desire, to extend the usefulness of this respectable College in 
 promoting learning, virtue, piety, and religion ; and, under these im- 
 
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 429 
 
 pressions, the committee feel the most sincere regret that their percep 
 tion of duty compels them to submit to the two Houses, that it is 
 neither lawful nor expedient to grant the prayer of the petition ; and 
 for these reasons, respectfully report, that the petitioners have leave to 
 withdraw their petition. All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 EBEN. GAY, per order. 
 February 1, 1820. 
 
 In Senate, February 8, 1820. Read and accepted. Sent down for 
 concurrence. 
 
 JOHN PHILLIPS, President. 
 
 House of Representatives, February 14, 1820. Read and con 
 curred. 
 
 E. H. MILLS, Speaker pro tern. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 A. 
 
 Adelphic Union Society, formed, 80, 
 81. 
 
 Administration of President Fitch, 
 78-109. 
 
 Administration of President Moore, 
 145-165. 
 
 Administration of President Griffin, 
 190-214. 
 
 Administration of President Hop 
 kins, 239-309. 
 
 Aldcn, Rev. Joseph, appointed Pro 
 fessor, 212. Resigned, 272. 
 
 Alumni, Society of, formed, 192. 
 
 Anderson, Rev. Dr, Address of, 292- 
 294. 
 
 Apparatus, Chemical and Philosoph 
 ical, 353. 
 
 B. 
 
 Backus, Gurdon H , 76. 
 
 Bacon, Hon. J , Notice of, 87. 
 
 Ballard, Kev. A., appointed Profes 
 sor, 272. Resigned, 272. 
 
 Bascom, Rev. J., appointed Profes 
 sor, 272. 
 
 Bishop, Hon. H. W., Remarks of, 
 300. 
 
 Bishop, Samuel, 79. 
 
 Brigham, Rev. J. C., Letter from, 
 142-144. 
 
 Bryant, W. C., Letter from, 106- 
 109. 
 
 Bushnell, Rev. J., Letter from, 110 - 
 112. 
 
 Burr, Hon. J., Donation of, 201. 
 
 C. 
 
 Cogswell, Samuel, 72. 
 
 Canning, E. W. B., Extract from 
 
 Poem, 283, 284. 
 Catalogue, Annual, 81. Triennial, 
 
 82. Improvements in, 266. 
 Celebration, Semi-centennial, 251 - 
 
 261. 
 Chapel, Dedication of, 201, 302, 303. 
 
 Described, 349-351. 
 Chadboume, P. A., appointed Pro 
 fessor, 272. Notice of, 378. 
 Church, College, organized, 210- 
 
 211. 
 Church Conferences, Origin of, 223, 
 
 224. 
 
 College, Organization of, 61 - 67. 
 College, East, burnt, 250, 251. 
 Clark, Rev. B. F., Letter from, 168. 
 Clark, T. E., appointed Professor, 
 
 296. 
 Collins, Rev. Daniel, Notice of, 89, 
 
 90 
 
 1 Collins, John, 79. 
 Cooley, Rev. Dr., Notice of, 303, 305. 
 Commencement, First in Williams 
 
 College, 79, 80. Time of holding, 
 
 changed, 207, 272. 
 Cox, Mr. Thomas, 303. 
 Curtis, Rev. Jared, 255. 
 Curtis. Rev. M. A., 377. 
 
 D. 
 
 Darby, John, appointed Professor, 
 265. Resigned, 266. Notice of, 
 377. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 431 
 
 Davis, Henry, 79. 
 
 Day, Jeremiah, 79. 
 
 Dewey, Chester, appointed Professor, 
 
 99. Notice of, 99, 100. 
 Dewey, Hon. C. A., Jubilee Address, 
 
 257-261. 
 Dewey, Hon. Daniel, Notice of, 102- 
 
 103. 
 
 Dewey, Hon. D. N., Notice of, 296. 
 Difficulty in College, 92-96. 
 Doddridge s Lectures, 84. 
 Durfee, Rev. C., appointed Agent, 
 
 272. 
 
 E. 
 
 Eaton, Amos, Notice of, 361 -371. 
 Emmons, E., elected Professor, 266. 
 
 His Donation of Minerals, 251. 
 
 Notice of, 375. 
 Expedition to Nova Scotia, 212; 
 
 through Berkshire, 249 ; to Flor- 
 
 ida, 282. 
 
 F. 
 
 Field, David Dudley, 267, 268 ; pre 
 sides at Missionary Jubilee, 291 ; 
 donation of, 295. 
 
 Fitch, Ebenezer, Sketch of, 68-77. 
 Administration of, 78-109. 
 
 G. 
 
 Glezen, Levi, Notice of, 205, 206. 
 
 Goodrich, C. A., elected President, 
 162. 
 
 Griffin, Rev. E. D., elected President, 
 163. Sketch of, 171 -189. Ad 
 ministration of, 190-214. 
 
 Griffin, N. H., elected Professor, 266. 
 Resigned, 295. 
 
 Green, Byram, Letter from, 287, 288. 
 
 Gravel Day, 303. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hall, Griffin, erected, 346, 347. 
 
 Hall, Jackson, erected, 272 ; de 
 scribed, 349. 
 
 Hall, Kellogg, erected, 266 ; de 
 scribed, 349. 
 
 Hall, Lawrence, erected, 261, 262; 
 described, 348. 
 
 Hallock, Rev. W. A., Letter from, 
 169. 
 
 Haystacks, prayer-meeting, place of, 
 identified, 287, 288. 
 
 Ho kins, Albert, elected Professor 
 202 ; went to Europe, 211. 
 
 Hopkins, Rev. Mark, elected Pro 
 fessor, 203 ; elected President, 
 241. Sketch of, 239-246. Ad 
 ministration of, 247 - 309. Letter 
 from, 279, 280. Ordination of, 
 247, 24 1 
 
 Hopkins System of Divinity, 84. 
 
 Hovey, Sylvester, appointed Pro- 
 fesspr, 199. Resigned, 202. 
 
 Hyde, Rev. Dr., Notice of, 208. / 
 
 I. 
 
 Inauguration of President Moore, 
 
 146. 
 Inauguration of President Griffin, 
 
 190, 191. 
 Inauguration of President H )pkins, 
 
 247, 248. 
 
 Institution, Berkshire Medical 194. 
 Isham, Hon. P., donation of a bell, 
 
 351. 
 
 J. 
 
 Jackson, N., Notice of, 273-281. :> 
 Jones, Israel, Notice of, 200, 201. 
 Jubilee, Missionary, 290 - 294. 
 Judson, Rev. Ephraim, 73. 
 
 K. 
 
 Kellogg, Ebenezer, elected Professor, 
 
 104. Notice of, 264, 265. 
 Keut, Hon. James, 149. 
 
 L. 
 
 Lasell, Edward, elected Professor, 
 211 ; died, 268. Notice of, 377. 
 
 Lawrence, Amos, 261 - 264. 
 
 Lester, John, 61. 
 
 Libraries, 352, 353. 
 
 Lincoln, I. N., elected Professor, 272. 
 
 Little, Woodbridge, Notice of, 99, 
 100. 
 
 Lusk, Chauncy, 79. 
 
 Lyceum of Natural History, 281, 282. 
 
 M. 
 
 McAuley, Rev. Dr., elected Pres 
 ident, 161. 
 
 Mackay, Professor Samuel, 79. 
 Minerals, presented, 251. 
 
432 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Monument, Williams, 269, 270. 
 Morris, Dr. P. V. N., Letter from, 
 300, 301. 
 
 N. 
 
 Nims, Elisha, 387. 
 
 Natural History Society, Expedition 
 
 to Nova Scotia, 212 ; through 
 
 Berkshire County, 249, 250; to 
 
 Florida, 282. 
 Noble, Hon. Daniel, Notice 0* 203, 
 
 204. Letter from, 204. 
 Noble, Hon. David, Notice of, 86, 87. 
 
 O. 
 
 Observatory, Astronomical, 248, 347. 
 
 Observatory, Magnetic, 249, 348. 
 
 Olds, Gamaliel S., appointed Pro 
 fessor, 88. Notice of, 97, 98. 
 
 Orators, Alumni, 403, 404. 
 
 Ordination, President Hopkins, 247, 
 248. 
 
 Orton, James, 272. 
 
 P. 
 
 Pay son, Rev. Seth, 149. 
 
 Perry, A. L., appointed Professor, 
 272. 
 
 Peters, Rev. Dr., appointed Agent, 
 269. Resigned, 272. 
 
 Petition to remove Williams College, 
 411,412. 
 
 Phclps, Abner, Letter from, first Pro 
 jector of Railroads, 284, 285. 
 
 Phillips, J. L. T., appointed Pro 
 fessor, 295. 
 
 Pomeroy, Thaddeus, M. D., Notice 
 of, 206, 207. 
 
 Porter, William A., appointed Pro 
 fessor, 199. Notice of, 202, 203. 
 
 Presidents of Society of Alumni, 403, 
 404. 
 
 Publications, Dr. Fitch s, 74, 75. 
 Dr. Moore s, 141, 142. Dr. Grif 
 fin s, 188, 189. Dr. Hopkins s, 
 244-246. 
 
 R. 
 
 Bobbins, J. W., Letter from, 76, 77. 
 
 Robbins, Rev. Thomas, D. D., Ad 
 dress of, 256. 
 
 S. 
 
 School, Free, 54-61. 
 Scudder, Samuel H., 378. 
 Sedgwick, Hon. Theodore, appointed 
 
 Professor, 67. Notice of, 103, 104. 
 Shepard, Rev. Samuel, D. D., Notice 
 
 of, 265, 266. 
 
 Skinner, Hon. T. J., 99. 
 Smith, Hon. N., 149. 
 Society, Mills and Theological, 267. 
 Society, Philologian and Philotech- 
 
 nian, 80, 81. 
 
 Starkweather, Hon. Ezra, 208 -210. 
 Stone, Daniel, 79. 
 Swift, Rev. Seth, 89. 
 
 T. 
 
 Tappan, John, Esq., his Offer and 
 Donation, 289, 290. 
 
 Tatlock, John, appointed Professor 
 of Mathematics, 249 ; appointed 
 Professor of Languages, 265 ; re- 
 appointed, 266. 
 
 V. 
 
 Van Rensselaer, Hon. Stephen, No 
 tice of, 151. 
 
 W. 
 
 Washburn, Governor, suggested So 
 ciety of Alumni, 192. Remarks 
 of, 299. 
 
 Wells, D. A., 377, 378. 
 
 West, Rev. Stephen, D. D., Notice 
 of, 101, 102. 
 
 White, Hon. Joseph, appointed Treas 
 urer, 296, 297. 
 
 Whitman, Dr. and J. P., 268. 
 
 Williams, Elijah, Esq., Notice of, 
 151. 
 
 Williams, Colonel Ephraim, Notice 
 of, 31 - 53. Will of, 405 - 409. 
 Letter from, 409, 410. 
 
 Williams, Hon. William, Notice of, 
 90, 91. 
 
 THE END. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 115, for "1805," read "1806," in three instances. 
 
 " 239, 7th line from bottom, for " Electa Williams, a half-sister," read 
 
 " Electa Sergeant, a niece" of Ephraim Williams. 
 " 244, line 15, for " our generation," read " another generation." 
 " 245, " 7, for "Lecture," read "Two Lectures." 
 " 264, " 24, for " Mr. Amos Lawrence," read " Mrs. Amos Lawrence." 
 " 378, " 7, for " Great Falls, N. H.," read "North Berwick, Me." 
 " 380, " 7, for " and," read " out." 
 
432 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Monument, Williams, 269, 270. 
 Morris, Dr. P. V. N., Letter from, 
 300, 301. 
 
 N. 
 
 Nims, Elisha, 387. 
 
 Natural History Society, Expedition 
 
 to Nova Scotia, 212; through 
 
 Berkshire County, 249, 250; to 
 
 Florida, 282. 
 Noble, Hon. Daniel, Notice of; 203, 
 
 204. Letter from, 204. 
 
 XT^Ul^ TI n ^{A -NTntJnP nf Rfi S7 
 
 Bobbins, Rev. Thomas, D. D., Ad 
 dress of, 256. 
 
 S. 
 
 School, Free, 54-61. 
 Scudder, Samuel H., 378. 
 Sedgwick, Hon. Theodore, appointed 
 
 Professor, 67. Notice of, 103, 104. 
 Shepard, Rev. Samuel, D. D., Notice 
 
 of, 265, 266. 
 
 Skinner, Hon. T. J., 99. 
 Smith, Hon. N., 149. 
 Snriptv. Mills and Theological. 2,67. 
 
 rnmtcrmons, ur. men s, 74, 75. 
 Dr. Moore s, 141, 142. Dr. Grif 
 fin s, 188, 189. Dr. Hopkins s, 
 244-246. 
 
 R. 
 
 Bobbins, J. W., Letter from, 76, 77. 
 
 VV hitman, LJr. and J. P., 268. 
 Williams, Elijah, Esq., Notice of, 
 
 151. 
 Williams, Colonel Ephraim, Notice 
 
 of, 31 - 53. Will of, 405 - 409. 
 
 Letter from, 409, 410. 
 Williams, Hon. William, Notice of, 
 
 90, 91. 
 
 THE END. 
 

 
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