New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-16
HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

The election of Professor JAMES WALKER
to the Presidency of Harvard College has
already been announced. He succeeds to the
Chair about TO be vacated by the resignation
of President SPARKS, and viii enter upon the
duties Of the Office at the commencement OF
the next collegiate term. The choice of DR..
Walker, we are assured, will be gratifying TO
the friends Of the College, not only in Massa-
chusetts but elsewhere. His sound learning,
genuine liberality, admirable judgment, and
high sense of duty, eminently qualify him for
the Office to which he has been elected and
we have no doubt his administration will form
a brilliant era in the history of the venerable
University We find the following just trib-
ute to the qualifications Of DR.. Walker in
The Boston Post:
The selection Of Professor James Walker for the
Presidency of Harvard University is as honorable to
the faculty as il is Just 10 this eminent Individual us
history may be given in few words. lie was born IN
Burlipeton Mass in 1874 graduated Harvard in 1914,
and was settled the Unitarian Society OF Clarea-
town in April 1918 Here he quietly pursued his voca'
ton as Christian minister twenyone years, refusing
all calls settle other societies he won the love
of his people and the universal respect Of the community
by his fdelity berality learning and eloquence. he
did not jeopardize his influence as a clergyman by
ofcous meddlng with other pursuits. He foroore TO
minele in politics so tar as to waive an exercise OF
the right OF Suffrage he engaged In exciting local
aeirs; never shone leader In contested questions
of reform; and in his chosen sphere rather exhibited
the praces the Christian character than the zeal OF the
secarinn And yet II not charged that he was lack
ing in doing good either to his society or to the commu
nifty at large for the interests of bonevolence tenn
perance and education felt the weight OF his influence
Thus he moved in the beautiful and interesting rela
ton Of pastor in uninterrupted harmony with his peo
pie And when In 1899 the acceptance OF professor
ship in Harvard rendered adissouton of his connection
with them necessary his request for a dismissal was
granted with the touching testimonial of grateful
united and prosperous society. 1t was benediction
richly earned and sincerely bestowed
From 1889 TO the pr sent time Professor Walker has
filed the place of Afford Professor OF Moral Phi.
losophy in the University. The varied excellence OF
character and solid learning that such universal
respect in the community where he had passed the best
portion OF his life, attracted to him the love and
fdence OF successive casses OF Young men whose
praiseworthy ambition he encouraged and whose studies
he directed. He has there, ALSO quietly continued in
his sphere of usefulness. He is OF the rery good
preachers of this vicinity and has not declined pulpit
abors Once too he went far rs deliver at the re.
quest of the Lowell Institute Course of Lectures on
Natural Religion, extending three winters They
largely attracted public attention. Their thoroughness
and ability universally acknowledged, and they
added to his already established reputation With these
exceptions he seems 10 have confined himself TO the
duties Of hk proessorshp And he takes but his proper
place at the head Of the University.
The administration of President Sparks has been
emnenty successful, and his resignation was deeply
regretted His will bring to the discharge of
the duties OF this position not only mind OF the most
thorough cultivation and the spirit of Progressive Phi
College detail large sense, and administrative
talents OF high order.