June 19th, 1867

Go out in a boat to see the race between the Alpha Delta Phi boat, Meerschaum and the Sigma Phi boat, Ariel – a three-mile row. The Alpha Delta Phi’s beat by two minutes and one second – bad beat. The scene on the lake was very gay – a great many boats out filled with gentlemen and ladies. Mr. Bogart of Aurora, presented a flag to the victors, with a neat speech. The water was a little rough, which was against the Sigs – their boat lying low in the water.

April 5th, 1867

Write on my sermon in the morning. It would be easier to write a book than a sermon on such a subject. Meeting of the DeLancey Society. I opened with prayers and, urged, I presided.

March 22nd, 1867

Meeting of the DeLancey Society in the College Chapel in the evening. Brown read a paper showing the causes and reason which lead anyone in the sacred ministry. One of Goulburn’s sermons was read by Van Voast.

March 2nd, 1867

One of the students talked with me about the DeLancey Association – had fault to find. Bishop Coxe was with Bishop Williams yesterday. I think it not impossible that he may remonstrate so vigorously against any movement to make me President of Trinity College, as to stop it at once.

March 1st, 1867

Second meeting of the DeLancey Association. A good meeting. We sang the 180th. hymn. Wells read a good essay on “Sympathy” and Neely read Bishop Williams’ sermon before the Society for the Increase of the Ministry.

February 17th, 1867

Early Communion at nine. The Alpha Delt’s were almost the only students present.

February 8th, 1867

At 7 P.M. acted as Chaplain and President at the first meeting of the DeLancey Association – to consist of students looking forward to Holy Orders – for the purpose of aiding and encouraging each other in maintaining a high Christian character, and of imparting information to each other on the state of missions, and of the Church, &c. I opened it with the Lord’s Prayer and Collects, and we sang a hymn. We adopted a constitution and some by-laws. There were present Southgate, Wells, Neely and Brown (seniors), Bostwick and Van Voast (juniors) and others.

It was an interesting meeting. Exercises were assigned for the next meeting – an essay from Wells and one from Southgate for the meeting four weeks hence. We propose to meet every two weeks on Friday evening. I hope for much good from this Association.

February 4th, 1867

Wrote out Constitution for the DeLancey Association- a proposed Association of all those students who are looking to entering the Ministry, for mutual improvement.

October 1st,1866

Go to the cars and say good-bye to Mr. Williams, who left for Boston. Mr. Lockwood was there, and a few Alpha Delta Phi’s, but no others. I am sorry on many accounts to part with Mr. Williams but I think it best that he should go under all circumstances. I fear he would have made trouble for us here. He is impracticable to a certain extent, and I am afraid will be running his head against posts all through his life. He is very conscientious and faithful, but he is painfully self-conscious – never forgets self, but makes it a disturbing center of influence. I certainly recognize many fine qualities of mind and attainment, and earnestness and devotion in him, and I certainly wish him well, and I pray God that he may be prospered in his new work.

Read prayers in Chapel. I shall be the Chaplain now. I hear the sophomores in Natural Theology. At noon I have the seniors in debate. From two to four I have the College Register open and hear excuses.

December 15th, 1864

The new catalogues arrived and I distributed five each to all who came. After Prayers I said a few parting words to the students. Then they met in the Philopeuthian Society room and chose orator, poet and reader for Washington’s Birthday. Have a students’ party in the evening- dancing. The whole College was invited by classes, orally.

July 13th, 1864

Preside at the speaking for the White Rhetorical at 10:30. The prize was given to Robie, though all were highly praised.

I met the Committee on Honors at the Bishop’s at four.

The Sigs had a poem and oration before their Society to-night. I could not attend, being very busy.

February 21st, 1864

The singing in Chapel was unusually good, particularly the Te Deum.  Mr. Neely arranged it with the Sigs, who are the best singers in College, to take charge of the music on the side of the cantoris.  The offer came from Chester on behalf of his brother Sigs.

            Had a long talk with Neely about the secret societies, their relations to him, &c.  They claim that he is unfriendly to them and trying to root them out and hence they felt unfriendly to him.  Mr. Neely said that they knew perfectly well his sentiments, for they had sent delegations to him and he had told them fully that when they did well (upheld good morals and good order) he favored them;  when they did not he went against them.

October 3rd, 1861

Trustees meeting, but no quorum and consequently no business.  Meeting of the Christian Brotherhood of Hobart College.

September 30th, 1861

Tried to get a meeting of the Christian Brotherhood but finally postponed it.

September 19th, 1861

The recusant students yesterday sent in a proper apology to the Faculty. It was the one I wrote for them, and was signed by all except Mumford, who was sick. But they had put after their names Σ Ε Ι – a symbol for a sophomore society for training freshmen. I immediately sent for them all. Wrote a new paper and made them sign it without any sign or title. They did not like to do it, but there was no help for it. I then sent them to their recitation room, and so this great matter was ended.

June 27, 1861

Commencement Day.

Trustees met at quarter past eight. Passed degrees of A.B. and A.M. in course; elect Mr. Pierrepont and Mr. Hull trustees, &c. Procession formed at twenty minutes to ten. Exercises began at quarter past ten. Hall crowded; not a great number of Alumni present. The speaking was not above the average. The music (Poppenberg’s Band) excellent. the seven recusant Sigs were not on the programme and did not join their class when the Valedictory was spoken. Exercises over at half past one. Dinner at the Franklin House at half past three. Ninety-two dined. Speeches by the President, Rev. J.M. Clarke, S.R. Woolworth (Secretary to the Regents) J.W. Fowler and General Stewart. Levée at President’s in the evening. Very full, and reception at Linden Hall. Everything passed off well except the schism in the senior class.

June 11, 1861

Have a Faculty meeting at ten to discuss position of certain Sigs. Afterwards talk with Dr. Wilson about alteration of his recitation room and of the staircase in the middle building.

March 1, 1861

Waterloo

Talked up the endowment with Judge Know, Messrs, Fatzinger, Mr. Cook, Mr. Freebody and Judge Hadley. Most of them spoke favorably and we shall, I hope, raise a thousand dollars here. Attended the meeting of the Christian Brotherhood of Hobart College in the evening. No essay. Question about Church Reform in Italy way pretty freely discussed.

I consulted Judge Know about the validity of Mr. Ayrault’s subscription. He says that being confirmed in his will, it is valid, but would not be otherwise.

February 12, 1861

Faculty meeting to consider the project now on foot of uniting the Hermean and Philopeuthian Societies in one, to get a better library and better debates. The Faculty were unanimously opposed to it on two grounds, first: the Societies hold their library in trust, and have no right to alienate or transfer them: Second: it is inexpedient to unite the Societies because two are necessary in College and if they were united a new one would soon be formed.

February 6, 1861

Attended the funeral. After we returned to the house the will was read. He leaves Hobart College twenty thousand dollars on condition that we fill up the subscription we are now raising to the amount of sixty-three thousand dollars by one year from his death. He also leaves the College a residuary legatee of two-fifths of one-third of his residual property. Thus he has been very liberal towards the College- a good friend to it.

Present at the meeting of our Christian Brotherhood in the evening.

January 31, 1861

Talk with Anderson about his father’s opposition to his joining the Alpha Delta Phi Society, and wrote a long letter to his father, as I did the other day, endeavoring to obviate his objection.

December 12, 1860

At half past twelve, Litany ended, the election of orator, poet and reader for February 22^nd took place in Dr. Towler’s room. The combination was, of Alpha Delta Phi and Theta Delta Chi versus Sigma Phi and the Chi Phi’s – the neutrals being divided. The Sigma Phi’s &c. found they would be defeated and stayed out. I presided. The Faculty were present except Dr. Wilson. Everything was conducted with good order. The election was by nomination and viva voce – there being no opposition – though they had printed ballots in their hands.

October 26, 1860

Got a letter to-day from Dr. Beach of Binghamton suggesting to me that it would be better to postpone my efforts there to a later day, and expressing doubts if I can do much there at any time. This is very discouraging, as Dr. Beach at Convention encouraged me very much and wanted me to come to Binghamton soon. In the evening attend the meeting of the Christian Brotherhood of Hobart College. Dunham read an essay on Bishop Hobart’s life. With this was the discussion of the question of educating clergy not in Colleges, but by themselves.

October 23, 1860

Did not sleep till two or three o’clock last night- some noise in College. Got up and went over at half past one and found ten or a dozen fellows playing antics before going to bed in Allen’s and Brewer’s room. They were the Alpha Delta Phi’s, who had had a meeting and came up late and felt full of fun. No drinking or bad spirit. They were greatly amazed at my sudden appearing, but all was quiet at once.

October 2, 1860

College books open at 2 p.m. In the evening attend the meeting of the Brotherhood. Duff reads his inaugural, and Walsh his essay. Both excellent. Duff’s, general, and Walsh’s on meditation,- a subject I suggested to him.

June 26, 1860

Trustees met at ten. At four, preside over reading of White Prize essays. In the evening go to Scotch Presbyterian Church to hear Dr. Morgan’s address before the Brotherhood – a brilliant thing, admirably delivered, to a small audience.

At the meeting of the Board everything passed off pleasantly. There were no parties there and no sinister objects appear. The business men of the Board seem thoroughly to understand its financial affairs, income, expenditure, investments, securities, &c; and in all other matters relative to the organization, discipline of the college, appointments of officers, &c. they seemed to place the greatest confidence in me and are willing to carry out my views. It is very pleasant to see such confidence, for I cannot live in an atmosphere of distrust.

June 29, 1859

Thursday. 8 A.M. Service at Trinity Church – a public thanksgiving to Almighty God on account of the return of Bishop DeLancey, recently from Europe. I read the Te Deum. The Bishop spoke words of congratulation.

The Trustees then returned to the library in order to accept a marble bust placed in the library to serve always to the honor of Rev. Dr. Hale (the former President of this College), and in his memory. This bust was given by the Alpha Delta Phi Society to the College. Prof. Wheeler made the speech of presentation, — elegant and suitable. I answered extemporaneously for the Trustees.

 

 

A portion of Dr. Jackson’s address at the Presentation of Dr. Hale’s bust, by the Alpha Delta Phi.

 

The Rev. Dr, Jackson, on behalf of the Trustees, spoke in substance as follows, addressing Prof. Wheeler:

“I am requested to say, on behalf of the Trustees of this Institution, that they receive with sincere pleasure this token at once of your loyalty to Hobart College, and of your grateful appreciation of the distinguished services of its late President. They will take care that it be preserved amongst the sacred treasures of this Institution of Learning, that all future generations may learn to recognize the form and features of one who will always remember with reverence and gratitude within these classic Halls [capitalization, sic]. We know, indeed, that marble and brass are frail and perishable – that the only imperishable likeness is that of the mind itself – forma mentis aeterna est – that likeness, stamped on the minds of his loving pupils by him whose character you have just now portrayed with a hand at once so delicate and so faithful, will remain there forever. Nay, it will reproduce itself in more or fewer of its lineaments in other minds, and so, send out a widening circle of beneficent influences, whose remotest pulsation no human eye can reach far enough to see. Hobart College will ever cherish this marble so cunningly wrought, because it will serve to remind her children, of every generation, of one of their earliest and greatest benefactors.

We are reminded, sir, by this whole occasion, as well as by your special references, that this gift which we have accepted at your hands is the offering of a secret society. And, we here find ourselves in some sort drawn into a public recognition of one of the secret Fraternities of this Institution. We do not regret it. Your, sir, have brought the character of the body which you represent on this occasion distinctly to our notice; and, so doing, you have enunciated much that is both true and important. Secret societies are powers in college. Their existence and their influence for good or for evil are facts which cannot be overlooked or ignored. Doubtless they involve a mixture of both. And the wisest course to peruse in relation to them is to deal with them in a manner at once frank and friendly – to recognize their power for good – to endeavor, so far as we can, both by authority and discipline acting on individuals, and by the force of a sound public opinion in College acting on the members at large, those tendencies to evil which unhappily exist in such associations. I gladly recognize, as a fact attested by experience, that the young men who compose these societies have in general a high sense of character and are keenly stung by the reproach of misconduct in any of its members. It should then be our aim to cultivate in them a strong sentiment or admiration for all that is generous and elevated in character, and by friendly relations with them draw them to uphold rather than obstruct the government, and stimulate them to rescue for evil influences rather than to corrupt their members. I know that our efforts in this direction will not be in vain. Sometimes, unhappily, they are found in antagonism, and prove themselves obstructive to order and discipline. But I feel confident that if they meet with frank and impartial dealing at the hands of the government they will rarely fail to give it their active moral support. Prejudice or passion my blind them for a time, but they will presently do justice to the wise and well-considered action of those in authority.

 

The Rev. Dr. Hale, in his reply, also spoke of secret societies. He said that he had often found them very useful.

 

 

Dr. Hale spoke also, happily. The whole scene was impressive and delightful to all.

At the same hour the White Rhetorical prize speaking was going on. Vail carried off the prize.

At four p.m., Hon. J.D. Doolittle, U.S. Senator, gave an oration before the alumni on the Succession of Empires and a Universal Republic. Finally delivered. At 7:30, Hon. John Cochrane gave a address before the Sigma Phi’s on the Liberal Arts, and William Starke recited a poem in the Presbyterian Church. At the same hour O.S. Ackly gave an address in Linden Hall before the Hermean Society. Hindered by negotiations I do not advance.

 

Difficulty in the Hermean Society.

Certain persons having failed to carry out the election of a poet for Commencement in the Philopeuthian Society, considering that they have been unfairly used, applied for admission to the Hermean Society. One or two of those who sought admission into the Hermean Society had not been members of the Philopeuthian. It being perceived that they would, by their vote, strengthen the minority, and enable them to carry the election of the Orator for Commencement, (a sharply contested point), their admission was refused. Then the minority, having the president of the Society on their side, got notions of a special meeting for March 17^th at eleven o’clock p.m. (!) and had the notices posted on the doors of the north and south buildings ten minutes before five p.m.; but it would seem as if they were immediately torn down, as no one of the majority ever saw them; and it was indeed admitted on both sides that they did not remain up. But no one could tell who took them down. It was admitted by the party calling the meeting that the other party, (majority) should know of the meeting. Accordingly no member of the majority was present. At this meeting certain persons were elected and inducted. At the regular meeting, March 19^th, 1859, these persons, (six in number, I think) appeared. The majority objected that certain persons, not members, were present; which, according to a by-law, blocked up the meeting by those present. Accordingly nothing further was done except to adjourn. The Society continued blocked to the end of the term. Finally they agreed to what the Faculty recommended last term when the matter was brought before them by the majority, viz; to refer the whole matter to referees, whose decision should be final. They accordingly, by mutual consent, who decided as follows. (Wheeler and Van Deusen appeared for the majority, and Pringle and Gibson for the minority. The Committee met first on the 3^rd of May and heard statements and arguments, and again on the 4^th, and had their final meeting May 10^th).

 

Report of Committee of Arbitration. Hermean Society.

Hobart College, May 10^th, 1859.

The Committee of arbitration, considering of the four senior members of the Faculty, viz; Drs. Jackson, Wilson, Metcalf and Towler, to which was refereed the controversy between different parties in the Hermean Society, after due deliberation on the points at issue, decides as follows, viz; That the persons whose membership is in dispute are not members of the Society, because the Society being competent to decide on the legality of the meeting of March 17, at which certain persons were alleged to have been elected and initiated, and having decided that the meeting was illegal, their decision is final.

Three members of the Committee decide that the meeting of March 17^th was illegal in itself for want of due and proper notice.

One member of the Committee deems it inexpedient for him to pronounce on the legality of that meeting without further investigation, but he considers it wrong and improper on moral grounds.

On behalf of the Committee,

A. Jackson,

Chairman.

 

June 28, 1859

Last Morning Prayers, after which College is dismissed, except for the public exercises. Trustees meet in library morning and afternoon. At four the White Prize essays are read in Medical College. First prize given to C.D. Vail; second to B.F. Lee. I presided. In the evening Rev. C.H. Platt gave an oration in Linden Hall before the Philopeuthian Society. Eloquent and fine.

May 23, 1859

Recitation with the juniors. Met the Sigma Phi’s about their “dedicatory entertainment” on the evening of the Wednesday before Commencement. They were accustomed to assemble at Linden Hall. Thus the strife between the adverse parties in the Hermean Society is carried outside into the whole College, and all take sides. My advice to them, therefore, is that they should be permitted to fight out this matter to the end.

The earth now is full of leaves, grass, flowers and the shining of the sun: the air is fragrant with sweet odors.

May 21, 1859

Heard yesterday that the Theta Delta Chi’s had rented Linden Hall for the evening next before Commencement. I was indignant that they had done this, because the Hall at this time is considered the right of the College. There is, however, a strong contention between different parties in College, viz: Theta Delta Chi’s and Sigma Phi’s; and both societies meet on this night to listen to orations. I learned beyond a doubt that this was done in a hostile manner, not against college authority, but between themselves.