History of Ontario County , New York
Return Home Return to History Index
Welcome to Ontario County, NY, History and Genealogy. This is is a central point of entry to independent
not-for-profit web sites with historical or genealogical content. Although independent, it is affiliated with
The American History and Genealogy Project. To learn more about this group, click the link above.
Kindly transcribed by Deborah Spencer
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE HISTORY OF
HOBART COLLEGE, GENEVA, NY. (William Stevens PERRY, D.D., LL. D.,
President)
EARLY in the present century, the academy at Fairfield, in Herkimer county, was among the most flourishing educational institutions
in the State west of Albany. In the year 1806, the Rev. Amos G. BALDWIN, who had just received deacon's orders at Utica, from
the hands of the Right Reverend Benjamin MOORE, D.D., on his first visitation of western New York, began missionary labors in
Fairfield, there being at that time in the whole of the State now comprised in the dioceses of western and central New York but two
clergymen of the church. These were the Rev. Davenport PHELPS, of Geneva, and the Rev. Jonathan JUDD, deacon, officiating in
Utica and Paris. The conviction was forced upon the mind of the Rev. Mr. BALDWIN, in the midst of his extended labors, that there
was a "necessity of training up ' the sons of the soil ' in our institutions, in order to secure them to the church, and provide ministers
for her altars." (Baldwin MSS., in College Archives.) "At that time," continues Mr. BALDWIN, "the schools were everywhere in the
hands of non-Episcopalians, and we had few clergymen near the academies which were flourishing in western New York, and there
was not a chartered college in this part of the
State."
The Fairfield academy occupied a large building erected for the double purpose of serving as a house of worship and a school. In
this academy the worthy missionary officiated on occasional Sundays, and speedily secured the support of a large portion of the
community. Perceiving the advantages likely to accrue to the church from the possession of the academy, after the organization of
the parish had been effected and its prosperity assured, Mr. BALDWIN sought, in 1811, to obtain the aid of Trinity church, New
York, to sustain a clergyman at Fairfield, the "application being grounded on the influence which the services of a clergyman would
have on the minds of the youth educated in the academy there." (Ibid.) Writing to Bishop MOORE under date of October 8, 1811,
Mr. BALDWIN proceeds: "We do feel, my venerable diocesan, that in asking aid for the church in Fairfield, we are pleading the
cause of the church in the western district of this State. The academy in that place is very flourishing, and were a clergyman of learning
and piety settled there, the young men educated in that seminary would have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the church,
and the advantages to the church would be great." (Ibid.) It was with this far-sighted vision that the excellent Mr. BALDWIN took
the initiatory steps which resulted in the foundation of Hobart College
in Geneva.
A vacancy in the headship of the Fairfield academy occurring within a few months subsequent to the writing of this letter, immediate
measures were taken to fill the vacancy with a clergyman of the church. Petitions soliciting the aid of Trinity church, New York, were
drawn up, and finally a plan was digested by the indefatigable BALDWIN, which was communicated to the Rev. Professor BOWDEN,
D.D., of Columbia College, a leading clergyman of New York, and interested in the missionary operations of the Society for the
Promotion of Religion and Learning, in that city. The plan was as follows: "The trustees of the academy authorize me to say that
they will give the principal thereof $550 per annum, and allow him to instruct four divinity scholars free of charges for tuition. The
other part of the plan is that Trinity church gives to the church at Fairfield $250 per annum, and to the clergyman that may be settled
then $250, as theological instructor in the institution, and that he divide among the divinity scholars $50 per annum, in the proportion
he may think proper." (BALDWIN MSS.) The resolutions adopted by the trustees of the academy, the plan of obtaining a collegiate
charter was proposed, it being stipulated in the event of securing the aid desired from Trinity church, "that the president of said college,
if a charter should be obtained, shall
forever thereafter be an Episcopal clergyman."
The plan thus warmly advocated by Mr. BALDWIN and the Fairfield trustee received the favorable notice of the leading members
of the corporation of Trinity church. The rector, the Rev. Dr. BEACH, the Honorable Messrs. Robert TROUP and Peter Augustus
JAY, Thomas L. OGDEN, Esq., together with Professor BOWDEN and Bishop HOBART, who had succeeded to the episcopate
of the State, won by the importunity of the earnest and far-sighted BALDWIN, entered heartily into the scheme proposed, and the
grant from Trinity church, by means of which Fairfield academy was secured to the church, was obtained. Subsequently the original
grant of $500 per annum was increased to $750, so as to provide for an assistant in the work of instruction, it being a condition of
the gift "that eight students shall always receive the whole course of their classical and literary education, and afterwards of their
theological instruction, free of any charges or tuition." (Thos. D. BURRALL's Report and Memoranda, 1868, p. 7.)
The Rev. Bethel JUDD was the first principal appointed under this new arrangement, but in consequence of his removal to
Connecticut, he failed to "fulfill
his contract." (BALDWIN,
MSS.)
The Rev. Virgil H. BARBER subsequently entered upon the charge of the academy, being succeeded in January, 1817, by the Rev.
Daniel McDONALD, at that time rector of St. Peter's, Auburn. With his incumbency began a new epoch in the history of the
institution founded by the labors of BALDWIN, and shortly to be developed, on its transplanting to another site, into the free
"college planned by
the Fairfield academy trustees at the time of their first application
for the aid of Trinity church, New York.
In the year 1817, the subject of theological education, which had been brought prominently before the church as a matter of vital
importance, received the careful consideration of the triennial general convention, and measures were taken for the establishment
of a "general theological seminary." The following general convention, in 1820, ordered the removal of this school from New York
to New Haven, Connecticut. In the autumn of the same year the diocesan convention of New York proceeded to make provision for
theological education, and instituted "The Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society in the State of New York." (Journal
of N.Y. Diocesan Convention, 1820, p. 25.) To this society was intrusted the power of establishing a theological school or schools,
professorships and scholarships, and, in fact, the adoption of any measures-that might tend to the promotion of theological education.
The bishop, in his address, had indicated the policy of affording "facilities for retired and for a public education for the ministry." To
secure this the bishop suggested that "it may be wise to make theological endowments both in the country and in the city." To this
idea the bishop again and again recurred, and it was the strong conviction forced upon him by his wide experience, of the necessity
for the provision of the means of theological education at various centres of population and influence, that secured for Geneva
College the bishop unvarying friendship and support.
Before the next convention, measures had been taken, under the auspices of the new Theological Educational Society, with the
approval of Trinity church, and at the suggestion of the bishop, by which a "branch" of the theological schools established in New
York city was instituted at Geneva. The vestry of Trinity on the 8th of January, 1821, resolved to transfer the annual grant to Fairfield,
the Geneva school; and, a month later, the managers of the society definitely selected Geneva as the site of the "branch" seminary,
on condition that the inhabitants of this village would erect a suitable building for the accommodatic of the theological students. The
same month, under date of February 15, 1821, the following subscription
paper was circulated in the village of Geneva, viz:
"The vestry of Trinity church, in the city of New York, having heretofore liberally endowed the academy at Fairfield, in Montgomery
county, on certain conditions, have recently agreed to transfer the endowment to the academy established at Geneva, (We give, as
of special interest in this connection, from the originals preserved among the papers of Hobert College, the list of "Subscriptions to
Geneva Academy, 11th January, 1813," and a copy of the charter of the institution, thus merged into Geneva College, as stated
in the text:
SUBSCRIPTION
PAPER
"Whereas, the general diffusion of knowledge, in a country where the government emanates immediately from the people,
is of the utmost importance to the preservation of liberty, and an academy having for many years been established in the
village of Geneva, and been in a considerable degree useful; and, whereas, we the subscribers are confident its usefulness
and respectability may be much promoted by an increase of its funds, and the procuring its incorporation under the
regents of the University of
the State of New York, and becoming subject to the visitation of the
said regents,---
"We, the subscribers, for the purpose of increasing the funds of the said academy, promise severally and not jointly to
pay to the trustees, hereafter to be appointed for the said academy, for the use of the said academy, the sums opposite
our respective names, or to secure said sum by mortgage on sufficient real estate to the said trustees and their successors
forever, so that the interest thereof shall be annually paid to the said trustees and their successors forever, for the use of
the said academy, and, in default thereof, the real estate so mortgaged, on which said interest has not been paid, may be
sold by the said trustees or their successors, and the said sum of money, with the interest so secured by said mortgage,
retained by said trustees, with the costs, for
the use of the said academy.
"[Signed] January 11th, 1813.
Polydore
B. WISNER......................................................One
hundred dollars.
*H.H.
BOGERT...................................................................
do.
*R.W.
STODDARD............................................................
Fifty dollars.
*Samuel
COLT.................................................................
One hundred dollars.
*William
HORTSEN......................................................... Fifty
dollars.
do......................................................................................
do.
*Jonathan
DOANE........................................................... One
hundred dollars.
*Thomas
Lowthrop & Co...............................................
do.
*James
REES....................................................................
do.
*James
CARTER...............................................................
do.
*John
NICHOLAS..............................................................
do.
*David
COOK
.....................................................................
do.
*John
WOODS...................................................................
do.
*Thomas
D. BURRELL...................................................... Fifty
dollars.
Joseph
STOW..................................................................
do.
*Walter
GRIEVE...................................................................
do.
*Robert
SOOT......................................................................
do.
*F.A.
DE ZENG.......................................................................
Fifty dollars on demand.
*William
TIPPETTS..............................................................
Fifty dollars.
Abner
COLE........................................................................
do.
*A.
DOX..................................................................................
One hundred dollars.
One
thousand six hundred dollars.
"Mortgages
have been received from all
except three, not marked, agreeable to the written arrangement.
"June
24, 1822. H.
H. B., late Treasurer."
"The
Regents of the University of the State of New York.
"To all to
whom these presents shall or may come, greeting :
"Whereas, Jedediah CHAPMAN, Samuel COLT, Polydore B. WISNER, John NICHOLAS, Davenport PHELPS,
James REES, H.H. BOGERT, Walter GRIEVE, Robert SOOT, F.A. De ZENG, Thomas LOTHROP, John WOODS,
William HORTSEN, David COOK, Jonathan DOANE, William TIPPETTS, Abner COLE, Thomas D. BURRALL,
R.W. STODDARD, A. DOX, by an instrument in writing, under their hands and seals, bearing date the twelfth day of
January one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, after stating that they had contributed more than one-half in value of
the real and personal property and estate, collected or appropriated for the use and benefit of the academy erected at the
village of Geneva, in the county of Ontario, did make application to us, the said regents, that the said academy might be
incorporated and become subject to the visitation of us and our successors, and that the Rev. Jedediah CHAPMAN,
Polydore B. WISNER, James REES, Samuel COLT, John NICHOLAS, Herman H. BOGERT, Robert SOOT, David
COOK, Thomas LOWTHROP, Jonathan DOANE, Walter GRIEVE, William TIPPETTS, and Frederick A. De ZING
might be trustees of the said academy, by the name of "The
trustees of the Geneva academy."
"Now, know ye that we, the said regents, having inquired into the allegations contained in the instrument aforesaid and
found the same to be true, and that a proper building for said academy has been erected and finished and paid for, and
that funds have been obtained and well secured, producing an annual net income of at least one hundred dollars, and
conceiving the said academy calculated for the promotion of literature, do by these presents, pursuant to the statute in
such cases made and provided, signify our approbation of the incorporation of the said Reverend Jedediah CHAPMAN,
Polydore B. WISNER, James REES, Samuel COLT, Thomas LOWTHROP, John NICHOLAS, Herman H. BOGERT,
Albert SOOT, David COOK, Jonathan DOANE, Walter GRIEVE, William TIPPETTS, and Frederick A. DE ZENG, by
the name of "The trustees of the Geneva academy,' being the name mentioned in and by the said request in writing, on
condition that the principal or estate producing the said income shall never be dimished or otherwise appropriated, and
that the said income shall be
applied only to the maintenance or salaries of the professors or tutors
of the academy.
"In testimony whereof, we have caused our common seal to be hereunto affixed, the twenty-ninth day of March, in the
year one thousand eight hundred and
thirteen.
L.S.
[Signed]
"Daniel D, TOMPKINS."'
Endorsed,
"Charter
of the Geneva Academy.
"State
of New York, Secretary's Office, Recorded in Lib. Deeds
"M.
R. R., page 482, etc., the 25th day of February, 1814.
"Fees,
$1, paid by Mr. BOGERT
[Signed]
"ARCH'D.
CAMPBELL, Dep. Secretary"
in the county of Ontario, with the intent to use all practicable means to raise the academy to the highly useful station of a college;
the transfer, however, to be subject to the reasonable condition that the inhabitants of the village of Geneva and its vicinity shall
furnish at their own expense a suitable lot of land and building thereon. Now, we, the subscribers, in consideration of the premises,
and to secure the transfer of the said endowment to the trustees of the Geneva academy, do hereby severally promise and agree to
and with the said trustees, to pay them the sums of money set opposite to our names respectively, and to do and perform the
several acts and undertakings hereafter promised by us respectively, at such times in such manner as shall be required of us by the
said trustees for the purposes
aforesaid."
To this paper were affixed the names of Samuel COLT, James REES, F.A. DE ZENG, Abraham DOX, William HORTSEN, J.
DOX, Robert W. STODDARD, Thos. D. BURRALL, H.H. BOGART, H. DWIGHT, Nicholas AYRAULT, David HUDSON,
and others, resident
in the village of Geneva.
In the month of February, 1821, Bishop HOBART "visited the western part of the State, induced to this journey at this unfavorable
season principally with a view to consecrate the churches at Rochester and Buffalo, and to make arrangements with respect to the
branch theological school which had been fixed at Geneva." (Address to Convention, Journal 1821, p. 14.) On the 25th of April
the school was formally established at Geneva, under the charge of the Rev. Daniel McDONALD, D.D., who had been the head
of the Fairfield academy, and with the co-operation and assistance of the Rev. Orin CLARK, D.D., the able and learned rector of
Trinity church, Geneva.
On the 11th of June the branch theological school was opened in the vestry school-house belonging to Trinity church, Geneva, and
standing in the rear of the church, and nine young men were reported as in attendance, with the prospect of a speedy increase in
numbers.
In his address to the convention of the diocese, in 1821, Bishop HOBART thus refers to the measures which had been taken in
furtherance of his plan for the
promotion of theological education:
"The Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society, established by the last convention, has gone into operation, and the
report of the trustees, which will be laid before you, will inform you of their proceedings, and of the present state of the schools
which they have founded. The principal theological school is placed in the city of New York, and a branch of it in the village of
Geneva, in the western part of the State. The reasons for this arrangement, by which are secured to the candidates for orders the
advantages of a retired and of a more public education for the ministry, having been detailed in my address to the last convention, it
is unnecessary to repeat them. It is proper, however, to observe, that it is not designed to consider these institutions as entirely
distinct, but to afford to those students who, from preference or from circumstances of peculiar convenience, have pursued their
studies in the branch school at Geneva, an opportunity of completing or revising their course in the theological school in the city
of New York. By this arrangement they will enjoy the advantages which retirement affords for diligent application, and for the
formation of those serious dispositions and habits which are essential to the ministry, as well as the benefits resulting from the
theological establishment in New York, where the number of the clergy and the congregations of the church, and the opportunity
of more extended social intercourse, will afford to the candidates for orders peculiar facilities for strengthening and refining their
minds for obtaining that knowledge of human nature which is so important and useful, and for improving themselves in the
performance of
the various offices of the desk and the pulpit.
"In the city of New York, Columbia College, which is constantly rising in reputation, affords advantages inferior to no other
institution in the Union, for the studies preparatory to the ministry; and the corporation of Trinity church having transferred the
annuity granted to the academy at Fairfield to a similar institution at Geneva, opportunities will be thus furnished for these
preparatory studies.
"The handsome stone building which is erecting for the use of the academy, in which also accommodations are to be afforded for
the theological school, is situated in the village of Geneva, immediately on the bank of the Seneca lake, commanding a view of this
extensive and beautiful sheet of water, of the cultivated shores that confine it, and of the mountains that bound the distant prospect.
It
is considered by all who have viewed it as one of the most interesting
situations which are anywhere to be found.
"Its relative advantages are not less important. Geneva is situated in the midst of a very populous, fertile, and highly cultivated
country, having a water communication of a few miles with the grand canal which passes through the State, and being thus of easy
access from the extensive countries watered by the western lakes, and from those on the Atlantic border. And, indulging the
reasonable expectation that the academy there will, at some future period, be advanced to the privileges of a college, we must be
forcibly struck with the immense advantages of the contiguity of our theological school to an institution of this description. The
principal school in the city of New York, and the branch school at Geneva, both enjoying the advantages of colleges in which there
will be no influence unfriendly to the church, will be placed under as commanding circumstances as could well be expected."
(Journal of Convention,
1821, pp. 20, 21.)
At the same
convention the board of managers of the Theological Education Society
reported as follows:
"In the course of the last winter, several communications were received from the vestry of the church and the academy at Fairfield,
and from the rector, vestry, and the academy at Geneva---also from the corporation of Trinity church, New York, expressing their
willingness to transfer a certain annual grant from the institution in Fairfield to one in Geneva, should the board deem it expedient to
fix their interior school at a latter place. On mature consideration this change was determined upon, and the western branch of the
seminary was permanently located at that village, and is styled the
' Interior School of Geneva. '
"The
professorships for the Interior School of Geneva are as follows:
"A Professorship
of the Interpretation of Scripture, of Ecclesiastical History, and of
the Nature, Ministry, and Polity of the Church.
"A Professorship
of Biblical Learning.
"A Professorship
of Systematic Divinity and Pastoral Theology.
"As soon as the funds of the society admit, the salaries of these professors will be at least $800 per annum; and in the mean time,
and while they are engaged in other duties and receiving other emoluments, their salaries are to be fixed by the board of managers,
as circumstances may render expedient.
"The office of librarian for the Interior School is also instituted, with the same duties as are assigned to the librarian of the school
in the city of New
York.
"Until statutes shall be prescribed for the regulation of the two schools respectively, they are to be governed by such rules as the
professors in each, with
the approbation of the bishop, shall adopt.
"The following professors have been appointed for the seminary in this city, viz: The Right Rev. John Henry HOBART, Professor
of Systematic Divinity and Pastoral Theology; Mr. Clement C. MOORE, Professor of Biblical Learning, the department of
Interpretation of Scripture being added; Mr. Gulian C. VERPLANCK, Professor of the Evidences of Revealed Religion, and of
Moral Science in its Relations to Theology; and the Rev. Benjamin T. ONDERDONK, Professor of the Nature, Ministry, and Polity
of the Church, the department of Ecclesiastical History being annexed; and the Rev. Henry J. FELTUS is the librarian. For the
Interior School of Geneva, the following are the appointments made by this board, viz: The Rev. Daniel M' DONALD, Professor
of the Interpretation of Scripture, Ecclesiastical History, and the Nature, Ministry, and Polity of the Church, and librarian; the Rev. J
John REED, Professor of Biblical
Learning; and the Rev. Orin CLARK, Professor of Systematic Divinity and
Pastoral Theology."
From a report of the professors in Geneva, it appears that two of them commenced their duties in June last, that there are now
ten students under their care, and that a building is in progress which will contain thirty rooms for students and a chapel, to "be
ready for the reception of theological and classical students on the first of May next." The report of these professors is also added:
"Report of
the Professors of the Branch Theological School at Geneva.
"To the Right Rev. Bishop HOBART, president of the board of managers of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Education
Society, in the diocese of New York, the
professors in the branch theological school at Geneva respectfully
report that---
"The branch theological school was opened in the vestry school-house of Trinity church, Geneva, on the 11th day of June last,
and the following young gentlemen, intending to enter the ministry of the church, have been admitted members of the school, viz:
Marvin CADY, Richard SALMON, William W. BOSTWICK, Orsamus H. SMITH, Burton H. HICKOX, John A. CLARK, John
GAVOTT, Thaddeus GARLICK, and Ira WHITE. In addition to which, Henry GREGORY, Alanson BENNETT, and Seth
DAVIS are daily
expected.
"The trustees of Geneva academy are now erecting, in an eligible situation on the bank of Seneca lake, a commodious stone building,
(Now called "Geneva Hall," the oldest of the college buildings), containing thirty rooms for students, besides a convenient chapel.
The building will be ready for the reception of theological and
classical students on the first of next May.
"Daniel
McDONALD,
Professor of Ecclesiastical
History and
Scripture Interpretation.
"Orin CLARK, Professor
of Systematic Theology.
"The board of managers have also directed their attention to the munificent bequest of the late Mr. SHERRED. They have made
arrangements for appropriating it in such manner as shall most securely effect the objects intended by the liberal donor. Twenty
thousand dollars are appropriated to the support of a professorship in the school of the city of New York, which shall bear his
name; $10,000 to the support of a professorship in the branch interior school at Geneva, also to bear his name. And further (should
the board of trustees approve the measure), two sums of $5000 each are appropriated to complete the establishment of the two
first professorships of $20,000 each, towards each of which $15,000 shall be paid by any congregation or society, or individual or
association of individuals, in the city of New York, on or before the 1st of May, 1822, and two further sums of $3000 each (should
the board of trustees approve) are appropriated to complete the establishment of the two first professorships of $10,000 each in the
interior school at Geneva, towards each of which $7000 shall be paid by any congregation or society, or individual or association
of individuals, not resident in the city of New York, on or before the 1st of May, 1822: the interest only of these sums to be applied
to the above objects
respectively."
In furtherance of the measures already taken by the Education Society, or indicated as of importance in their report, the convention :
"Resolved, That the proceedings of the said society, in the establishment, under the authority of the Convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in this State, of the seminary for theological education in this diocese, and in the organization of two schools for
this purpose, one in the city of New York, and the other at Geneva, as detailed in the said report, be, and they are hereby, approved
and confirmed by this convention."
The convention at the
same time
"Resolved, that this convention will concur in any proper plan for consolidating the said seminary with any seminary, for the like
purpose, which the general convention may, in its wisdom, see fit to establish and permanently fix within this diocese; all the
essential provisions and regulations of the seminary now established, under the authority of the convention of this State, being
preserved, and a just influence in the management and control of the general institution being secured to each diocese within which
contributions may be obtained, or donations made towards its funds. Provided, that the terms of such consolidation be approved
by the bishop of this diocese, and the clerical and lay deputies from the convention of the church in this State to the approaching
special General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States; and that those terms be submitted to, and also
approved, by the trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Theological Education Society in the State of New York, or the board of
managers acting under their authority."
A special general convention was called to determine the questions arising from the "Sherred bequest," referred to above. This
convention was held at Philadelphia, October 30, 1821, and on the 2d of November a compromise of the conflicting interests was
effected: the general theological seminary was removed to New York, and permanently established in that city, while the "Interior
School of
Geneva," by the terms of the compromise, became a
"branch" of the Geneva Theological Seminary of the American
church.
The success which had attended the establishment of the theological school at Geneva emboldened the friends of the church in this
village to secure a college of their own. An interesting letter from the Rev. Drs. McDONALD and CLARK, to the bishop of the
diocese, gives us the inner history of this incipient movement towards a college and theological school combined. We print it from
the Hobart MSS. in the possession of the general
convention of the church:
"Geneva, 8th
December, 1821.
"RT. REV. SIR,---We take the liberty of stating to you the present situation of our academic school, the difficulties which meet us,
and what we suppose to be the best means of procuring relief. We have tried the experiment of the academy since June last, and
have not found the results to answer our expectations. Not more than eight scholars, on an average, have attended the school,
besides the theological students. The receipts for tuition have been only about fifty-seven dollars, leaving a deficit of about two
hundred and seventy dollars to be paid by the trustees, who have a full call for all the funds that they can raise to finish the academy;
so that unless some plan can be devised for our relief, the academic school must be necessity cease. The following causes tend to
prevent us from having more scholars: 1. It is industriously insinuated that this is exclusively a theological school, thus some are
prevented from attending. 2. It is also insinuated that we will receive none but language scholars. 3. An opposition school is
maintained in the village. You can readily judge what class of religionists try to do us this harm. To counteract the evil of these
obstructions, we propose to appoint an assistant teacher, who shall keep a regular day school for reading, spelling, arithmetic,
and writing, and admit quite young scholars. Such a course, we think (and we have the concurrent opinion of the chief churchmen
here), would repel the insinuation that we are merely a theological school, and must have everything Episcopal; that we refuse all
English studies below collegiate; would break up the opposition school, and, what is of great importance, would be a nursery always
at hand and under our own direction to form somewhat of a supply of scholars for the classical department. But as this school will
do no more than defray its own expenses, and must be adopted at present for self-defense, we think it necessary that some different
division of the principal's time should be made, and a different source be provided from which he can derive a part of his salary. It
is proposed that he should devote half of each day to the classical department, and the other half to the theological; and that the
theological school in New York permit him to draw upon their treasurer for two hundred and fifty dollars per annum in lieu of the
same sum now charged upon the trustees of Geneva academy. The salary will then be paid as follows: five hundred dollars from
Trinity church; two hundred and fifty from the theological fund, and two hundred and fifty from the trustees of the Geneva academy.
Such an arrangement would leave the academy the following annual expenses: two hundred and fifty to the principal, two hundred
and fifty to the assistant, five hundred,---together with repairs and incidental expenses; and we believe that the academy can do no
more, certainly not at present, than meet these demands. We, therefore, take the liberty of suggesting to you, as president, and
through you to the trustees of the theological school, their committee of finance, or any other committee that can take cognizance of
the proposition, that they will direct the principal of the Geneva academy, as being professor in the branch theological school, that
the devote one-half of his time to hearing theological recitations, explaining or lecturing before the theological class, in conformity
with the duties of his office as professor, and receive from the theological fund two hundred and fifty dollars per annum in lieu of the
same sum now paid to him by the trustees of the Geneva academy. The advantages of devoting so much time to the theological
scholars are: We have found, by experience and observation, that our lectures should not be before the school of unconcerned
students. If before the school, many idle remarks will be retailed by such students as are not churchmen; for it is impossible, before
the theological class, not to call in question the opinions of others, and jealousy is much alive on such points. The expense that
devolves on theological students being considerable, seems to demand that they should have as much of the professors' time and
attention as can well be spared. By making the proposed arrangement, we can probably proceed one year (until the funds are all
called into action), without being very burdensome to the theological treasury, less burdensome than if we proceed as we now are;
because the academical part does find it
extremely difficult to be supported, while the academy is unfinished and
the debts unpaid.
"Further, we would remark that we conceive our plan to be a reasonable one, when it is considered that the trustees could hardly
have suspected that any expense would have to be incurred by them during the building of the academy, save for the building; and
this remark is of more weight when it is recollected that scarcely none but churchmen have subscribed anything, and that some
persons, not churchmen, have manifested a disposition not to pay their subscriptions, alleging that the thing is altogether Episcopal,
in which thing they claim to have been deceived. Now we know from what source all this springs, but still the burden lies hard on
the churchmen; they will do what they promised, and they can do no more. The academy will cost seven thousand, and the land is
worth two thousand more; nine thousand, all of which, save about five hundred, comes of churchmen. We hope you will give us
an immediate answer, or at least your opinion of what we may safely expect, for we must commence on some different plan from
the present one, in the first week in January next.
We are laboring with a project for a college here, but not having mastered any plan, we say but little now; hereafter, and that soon,
we will send you a detailed account of our scheme. In the mean time we hope a few of your thoughts, and those of our energetic
friend, Mr.
VERPLANCK, will be turned to the subject of an Episcopal
college at Geneva.
"We
are, etc., most respectfully,
[Signed]
"Daniel McDONALD.
[Signed]
"Orin CLARK."
Recurring to the
matter referred to at the close of this interesting letter, the two
professors were shortly ready with their plan for Geneva College.
"Geneva,
December 13, 1821.
"RT. REV. SIR,---We take the liberty of communicating to you our views relative to a college in this place. The necessity of having
one west of Clinton is obvious, and some other place will soon advance pretenses to it if we do not. We shall say nothing to a
person as well acquainted with the west as you are, relative to our claims, founded on local circumstances. But the necessity of our
having a college is pressing. A college gives great weight and influence to that denomination that has it and manages it well. We
could educate more young men, and better, too, in a college than in an academy; because it would be popular, and possessed of
better discipline. Such is the charm of a diploma to a youth, that he will ever prefer a college to an academy. Hence some will
leave us. A diploma, like an oath in disputes, cuts off all controversy, and the possessor is admitted by the world as competent,
without further examination. But what is worthy of deep attention in ecclesiastical concerns is this: he that goes to college must,
and thinks he must, proceed through regularly. He that is a member of an academy thinks himself at liberty to study as much as he
pleases and no more. Hence a college is indispensably necessary to us if we mean to have a learned clergy. Fifty thousand dollars,
exclusive of academy buildings and lot, will be required by the regents, before they will permit us to exercise college functions. To
obtain this sum to the satisfaction of the regents, we propose: 1st. To get the regents to accept of the Sherred professorship as a
part of the required fund (if acceded to by the trustees of the theological school), which is $10,000. 2d. We hope Trinity church
would, in case we could obtain a charter, convert her donation into an annuity, which would count $11,000 more. 3d. We would