The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-19

SZOO, ,UUO. A SclenunC department. Is IN prac-
tical operation, the course extending through
a period of three years. The catalogue for
1866-67 shows the following number of
students in Attendance
Seniors.
juniors
ophomores.....".....,...... ......"...........l5
10
Scientific SCHOOL,
Special Students............ ......--........."....
SecOnu ClaSs......",
Third ..........l6- ~
Total........................................ los
The annual commencement took place ON
the 10Th of June last.
Dickinson College,
of the principal institutions of the Methodist
Episcopal denomination, was established at
Carlisle, Pennsylvania in the year 1888, and
for many years was, next to the College of
New Jersey at Princeton the leading College
of the Presbyterians in this country. The
Hon. John Dickinson, an eminent statesman
of that period, and DR.. Benjamin Rush were
the leading spirits in the association which
originatedit. In the language of the charter, it
received it's name Sin memory of the great
and important services rendered to his country
by His Excellency John Dickinson, Esq, Pre-
sident of the Supreme Executive Council"
and in gratitude to him for very
| liberal donation at the outset. In 1855
| the Rev. Charles Nisbet, D. D., an eminent
and influential Scottish divine, arrived in this
country to occupy the Presidency of the insti-
| tuition. But he was soon discouraged by the
difficulties surrounding the position, and by
sickness in his family, so that within year
he resigned the Presidency, intending to re-
turn to Scotland. He was induced to remain,
however; and, bending all his energies to the
task before him, his labors were not unre-
warded. In 1887 the first class of 8 members
graduated, and in 1892 the number of gradu-
ates rose to 80. During the remainder of
President Nisbet's term, which closed with his
death in 1904, the number fiuctuated between
5 and "a.
From 1904 to 1888, when the institution was
transferred by the Presbyterians to the Metho-
dists, the Presidency was held by the follow
lng-Rev Robert Davis, d. D., pro tenn, from
1904 to 1909; Rev. jeremiah Atwater, DID,,
from loO9 to 1915; Rev. John Mcknight, D. D.,
pro tem., from 1878 to 1916; Rev. John M.
Mason, ID, from 1921 to 1924; Rev. William
Nein, ID, from 1924 to 1929; and Rev.
Samuel B. How, DID,, from 1880 to 1882.
From 1916 to 1921 the College was closed. in
consequence of financial endorsements. For
a lew years previous, and for some time sub
sequently, the number of graduates averaged
about 70 per year, the class of 1929 rising to
~. President James Buchanan graduated
with the class of 1909, which consisted of Is
, members. The late Chief Justice Roger B.
|, fancy graduated at the institution in the year
1875, and Associate Justice Robert c. Grier in
; the year 1872. In these early days of its his
\ tory it also educated the Presidents of eleven
other Colleges, and Bishop of the Episcopal
Church, the Right Rev. Samuel McCrosky,
DID,, of the Diocese of Michigan.
Notwithstanding its periods of prosperity,
the institution was frequently so embarrassed
that it was obliged to close its doors. At one
o of those periods of depression, the trustees
transferred it to the care of the Methodist
g Episcopal Church, which was then about tc
. . renew its attempts to establish permanent
= educational institution. The board of trus,
tees is constituted selfperpetuating body by
the charter and the only ceremony necessary
& was the resignation of those of the Presbyte.
rian denomination and the election of Metho.
n dists in their place. At the time of the trans.
fer the property consisted of the grounds. a
! single building and a library containing some
rare and valuable works, worth altogether
, about S25, 900. Since then, additional ground
! has been purchased, two new buildings
J erected, large additions made to the cabinets
j of natural history, and the various libraries
connected with the institution increased Il
: about 26, 600 volumes. The entire property is
q now worth about $150,000, and is burdened
= with debt of 100000.
The Rev. John p. Durbin, d. D.. one of thu
q most eminent and popular divines in the de
' nomination, was elected President under the
new management, retaining the position unit
lS46. But he deemed an endowment O
3S $4,000 indispensable to its success. anC
would not consent to the reopening of the in
sutution until at least $45, 900 was invested
ana paying interest. But on the faith of ;
4s subscription of 5000 only half of which was
81 ever realized, full faculty was appointed
n ana ana IN 1887 class of members was gradu
~ ~ 1,eq. aSeS-tne hrst since 1881. The old fnancia
y ~ lpaIIassments then returned, but were. il
u time, relieved by the sale of SCHOLARSHIPS, ant
OF year agO the entire fund of the institution
aRNTs tSs to ssC 100000 over ant
ed centennial offerings of the past yssr 0 nerou
ne was total subscription of 1926 600 in bebsi
Of the aISd Godlege Gg 9% which it is expected tha
o inlly SdVoTVT ~ n;n %l Dc realized. The 6nancia
n placed on secure basis, and its az las
of the Church and the community ~ Iao y
I'D no longer be impeded as it has been n gb' A.
N past.
TO Since the resignation of the Raw n. ~.
", bin, the Presidency has been filed by the lat
at Bishop Robert Emory, ID. d. (lS45-1 s4eS