The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-18
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.

Baccnlnurente Discourse by DIR. Cummings
The lucfIicioncy OF the Church and the
Tendcucy to Sinful Fashions of the buy
The War in Europ. and Its Lessons to
Christ's Soldiers.
MlDDLET0wN, Conn. July u, 1870.
The commencement exercises OF the Wesleyan
University will continue throughout the week. Al.
ready the hotels and private residences are filed by
distinguished alumni and friends OF the graduates,
who are attracted hitler by the prosperous condl-
ton OF this celebrated institution Of learning and
to congratulate its trustees upon the brilliant
prospects Of the future. The University was organ
tied in $780, The trustees of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, having purchased as foundation the build
lngs occupied by military academy, proposition
was made to call from England DR.. Adam Clark, the
renowned biblical commentor to preside over the
institution, but was abandoned by the selection OF
OF DR.. Fisk, who became its first Presi.
dent, and was a man Of rare intellect.
uality. At his death he was superseded by
Dr.. stephen DIN, whose fame as a profound
thinker and pulpit orator Ia worldwide. The pres
ent President DR.. Cummings was elected in 1867,
and although poss essed Of brilliant qualities as
speaker, makes up in solidity and good sense what
he may lack in oratorcal brilliancy 1t was signia
cant TO hear from the lips Of man who is in active
sympathy with the great movements Of the present
age, and who is enthusiastically devoted to the
education OF young men, such words as wero
uttered in his discourse this morning respecting the
ineniciency of the Church and the tendency to the
SINFUL FASHIONS OF THE DAY.
During the administration of DIR. Cummings the
endOwments have been largely increased and new
buildings have been erected, such as a gymnasium
fine library building the gift OF Isaac Rich and
memorial chapel, which was built in memory OF the
students who fell in the contest for the life OF the
nation. The completion Of the chapel drags for
want OF funds which IL ia hoped will soon be forth
coming, 1t Is very desirable and necessary that
This e1idCe should be finished without delay. A
few months since the prlncely sum or $40 600 as
beginning was donated by Mr.. orange Judd, OF New
| York, to his Alma Mater for the erection of hall
OF science account OF the laying Of the corner
| stone OF which appeared In the HERALD few weeks
| since. Mr.. Judd mas made MiddetOwn his tempo.
rary abode for the summer and Is recreatng by in
fusnR into the wOrknlen his own ind0mtable energy
and go-aieadattvenesS; so that the building, which IL
the finest structure in this CITY, Is rapidly approaching
| completion. The Alumni Record, to which DR.. Cum
mings gracefully alluded in his sermon, was COM
| piled by Mr.. Judd ut his own expense, and Is q
monument OF interchangeable industry. After years OF
patient labor, performed In the hours allotted for
| physical recreation by sleep, formidable volume
has been prepared, giving the leading events In the
personal ahd public history OF each graduate. There
have been about 200 graduates 400 OF whom devoted
themselves to the ministry, and the majority OF tho
| Others to teaching. Judging from the records,
| Tne Alumni OF tile Wesleyan University have not
been Union savers In the political sense OF the term
although the critical hour OF the countrys history
very large percentage Of her sons did noole service