New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-19

imprpSsOn the sermon maze upon TIC dui'NO' ~ %
NOT easy even for those who were present, to carry
themselves back and TO separate their original and
unbiased Judgment from the glow Of admiration
which subsequent events taught them to feel 1t Is
unite certain that they had no conception that they
were listening to a sermon which was to mark an
era in the history of the missionary enterprise BUT
there were very few persons chiefly Deacon Loring
and his SON. who were united in business as prnters
who insisted that the discourse must be pGbllshedj
and. saws the author, i was brought seemingly by
accident into q position in which L was Obliged,
really against my WILL to publish it, 1t was issued
The first edition, which appeared in December, was
almost Immediately exhausted, and second was
issued in February. Soon this was exhausted ana
another and cheaper edition was published; which
in turn was followed by others 1t was adopted by
the American Tract Society of their permanent
SERIES and has had place in several published
volumes Of sermons. In proportion to the population
and the numbers then found in America 1t is doubt
full if its circulation has been exceeded by any Amef-
can sermons and certainly no other has held It's place
so permanently. With the exception OF the close OF
Webster's reply to Hayne, 1T may be questloheu
whether any passage in American literature has Deeh
more often quoted than the paragraphs which define
ate the conquering march of the early church"
The impulse thus given to his reputation among
enhanced by subsequent performances of similar
merit Yet his ministry At this time could scarcely
be called prosperous. His congregation remained
nearly stationary. Their pecuniary affairs were III
an embarrassed state. His salary proved inadequate
TO the wants Of an increasing family, he became hs-
couraCed with his want of and was LED 10 nc
cept an appointment to the Professorship OF Mathe
MATES in Union College. Meantime, the Presidency
of Brown University had become vacant, and III ODE
dcnce to the wishes of many friends of the College
he was selected for the post and in the beginning oil
1921 after short residence at Schenectady. he re-
moved to Providence, and entered upon tins work as
president
brilliant There were few undergraduates. Dlscl-
pline had been neglected Frequent controversies
had arisen between the president and the trustees
and other members of the faculty. The reputation
of the college in the community had suffered and not
without cause The first business of the new presi-
dent was to frame new set Of laws Obsolete usages
were abandoned and new duties were required both
of instructors and pupils. The standard of admission
was raised, and the course of study udiciousy en-
larged. The result was encouraging, The character
of the students was materially improved. lntemper-
ance and ideness disappeared Hard study came to
be regarded as an honor But in some quarters, the
changes introduced by the president gave ohense.
Efforts were made TO break down the new arrange
ments and to bring odium upon their author. por-
tion Of the press took sides against him. and their
exertions were not without effect The new system,
however, was at length successfully introduced,
and in a few years everything moved on with the
utmost harmony. faithful description Of the labors
Of Dr. Wayand al this time forcibly illustrates the
view we have taken of his character
His untung industry; his close attention 10 details,
where moral principle involved. the general wei
fare OF the college concerned; lis determination 10
discharge feaTlcssy the duty which lay directly before
him; his habit Of asking what right, rather than
what seemed for the time eXpedent DE- Keen and ever
standard Of excellence ia his chosen calling, leading him
TO be satisfied with nothing short OF the highest ATTAIN,
able periecuOn ms love u exact justice; MS scoIh OF az
sham aud 81 every form ~ dCccpuOu bis freedom nom
anything like pride oi opinions ms ycueraOn for truth,
IN reference 10 every doctrine Wlch nc 9Iscus7eu wv
pressing conviction upon al Who heard nm, OF ms
courage and his caudor the liberal and catholic spirit
with which he approached the consideration of every
subject; the strength Of his moral convictions and the
~ Pupiis, am s =, o, should be- no., only
qualities found ample exercise and abundant inustauoG
from the commencement 10 the close OF MS adllhSda
ton Of the affairs Of the University.
The history Of President Wayland's connection
with Brown University, which is given at length in
these volumes is full OF interest. and forms "a con-
spicuous feature in the progress OF practical oduca
ton in this country. The reforms which he At
tempted in that institution grew out Of convictions
which he ardently cherished.
His ideas upon the subject OF education were Of the
most advanced and liberal character lie clearly
the defects of traditional collegiate system AID
especially its non-adaptaon TO the wants Of the age
and the necessities Of the country In several re-
spccs he was singulary fortunate in his educa-
ton. Enjoying long personal intimacy with men Of
culture and power such DR.. Mott Professor Aonzo
Potter, and Professor Stuart; himself Baptist yet
Of
tional institution; 10y profession a clergyman, yet
having a medical education, and a thorough train
ing in the sciences Of nature the foundation OF
his later studies all the circumstances of his own
training conspired 10 favor breadth of view and
| independence Of Judgment upon educational
questions. An earnest student of mind aud char
acter he made the general philosophy of education
subject of systematic study. and interested in
every movement which had reference to the improve
ment of public instruction.
Dr. Wayland was the first president Of the American
Institute of instruction and in an address before
that body twenty-five years after its organization he
gave expression 10 lbs views concerning the defcien-
ces of the prevailing culture. Those opinions were
further uDf0ldcd in an able address delivered at
Union College The occasion of the fitch anniyer-
sary of DR.. Motifs presidency; and still more
deliberately in a report to the Trustees of Brown Uni
VeISlty recommending iaclcaI chdnge ia the eduCa
tiona policy Of that institution.
twill thus be seen that President Wayland's views
were not merely speculative or critical; they were
pOstiveand settled convictions organized into definite
form, with view to practical working embodiment
in the institution under his own charge. lie recog-
nized and affirmed the failure of the existing Ameri
can college system. He saw that it was losing the
confidence of the public because it failed to furnish
II ba mon doruonded Nv tho fintea Ioe;no u,11;o
ronagc TO the degree that it is incapable of sefsnp
port it prefers living by private donations or State
charity rather than conform its policy TO the clear
rol.,-irnrnn q liz Tho .nnnnou II IL --