The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-24


Bind If this object Is carried into effect it
will render the place a more important as
we'll as desirable post for a clergyman.
CATER period of litigation" Mr.. Ander-
son continues, ''the will Of Mrs. Burr was
confirmed, q charter was soon obtained,
and the effort commenced to raise the
money required to establish the seminary"
MIR. Aiken was one Of the executors Of this
will, and probably drew up the form of the
act of incorporation, and Immediately on
the organization of the board of trustees,
he took very prominent and active part
in all of the proceedings. The plan for the
seminary buildings "as furnished by him,
and the contracts for the erection OF the
same, together with know not how many
other papers requiring skill and judgment
to give them a binding and legal character
came from his hand. He was the first clerk
of the board after the organization was per-
fccted, bylaws and needed regulations es-
tablished, a member also Of the PRUDENTIAL
committee, and finally treasurer of the in
stitution. In all these relations he devoted
himself with untiring energy to the various
duties involved to the great sacrifice often.
| think, of his private ane personal duties
and interests. Few at the present day have
any idea of the strain and struggle involved
in the establishment of this institution in
all of which he bore his part in full proper
ton.
1t may be said that Providence provides
for the doing of that which is ordained TO
be done. But had the presence, the inter-
est, the capacity, and persevering efforts of
MIR. Aiken been absent in this emergency,
it is difficult to see how by any other agency
of the board, then visible, the establishment
of the seminary could have been rendered
success. Not that he toiled alone, for
there were many others who labored dill
gently to promote the same object. The
names of Governor Skinner, Judge Bennett
and certain others of our citizens are iden-
tilted with the early history of this institu-
ton. Rev. DIR. Proudft, DIR. jackson, DIR.
Walker, Rev. Mr.. Shepherd and others
from abroad gave their time and influence
to promote its welfare, while Rev. Dr.
Coleman, upon his taking charge of the in
stitution as principal rendered most valn-
able and indispensable service, the nature
of which was clearly shown at the former
re- union.
1t remains only to notice that at the end
of more than three years OF struggle and
effort the point was gained, and the institu-
ton, with due formalities, was opened, and
speedily filled with as fine class Of young
men as were ever collected in a public SEM
mary.
Mr.. Aiken then accepted the appointment
of associate principal with DIR. Coleman,
and as long as he remained here filed this
position with great ability and success"
OF Mr. Aiken as teacher one of his pu-
pills who, himself, afterwards taught for
many years thus writes "The school was
originally designed = xclusively for young
men, and especially for those preparing for
the ministry. do not think that he ever
intended to remain as teacher permanent
ly, though highly qualified for the position
in the best sense. The number of students
at the opening of he school was about one
hundred and twenty; half or two.thirds OF
them il remember rightly, were studying
the classics with the design of entering col
lege, or taking a shorter course into the
ministry. re had great tact in managing
the school. He was kind and conciiatory,
securing the confidence::and affection of his
pupils in remarkable degree; and yet in
all matters which he saw needful to be ac-
complished he was "as firm as the hills. y
lie had the faculty Of advancing his schol-
ars in a way by which they saw for them
selves that they were making real progress.
His christian influence was decided. He
had noble aims, and inspired the young
men with the same spirit Dr. Coleman,
associate speaks of him as "having admira-
BILE qualifications as an instructor, practi-
cal, persevering. clear, methodcal, and
thorough, kind, circulating and atlable in
his intercourse with his pupils. commanding
at once their confidence and respect, and
gentle, decided and efficient in govern
ment
In concluding this portion of the biogra
ply, permit me to add that it is with feel
ings of profound gratitude to the givrr o
our blessings that | to-day am permitted tC
see for the first time, upon this interesting
occasion, and in this place the scene Of
their mutual labors, over forty years ago,
him OF whom | have so often heard, my
fathers early friend and associate, one
worthy of admiration on account of his
scholarly attainments, and of reverence
for his moral worth.
On leaving this sphere of usefulness fol
one of different nature and in some re-
spects more extended, Mr.. Aiken still took
n deep interest in the cause of education
lie always retained :, thirst for knowledge
and he frequently took up the text books
with which he had been familiar in order
to renew his acquaintance with them. He
loved to assist his children in their studies
If one of them had come across Difficult
problem in arithmetic or algebra which III
could not solve, the father would 90 t
work with pleasant eagerness, and whel
it was done would laughingly eXclam
''Wc have done it !" 1t was real pleasure
to him to work on some such knOtty prob
lem until he had Strengthened it out" 81
also his interest in the classics continued
during his whole life, and he was sharp
but kindly critic OF composition. ''Strik
out all superfluous words" was his advice
His letters to his eldest son, now Professo
in Princeton theological seminary, AM
lately president of Union college, when h
was student at Dartmouth, shows how
deeply he was interested in the cause of ed
ucation as well as in the intellectual pro
gress of his boy. In one of these letter
he says, 81 must take up the tracts yol
have been reading from Cicero or acknowl
edge myself beat, for | have not yet rea,
them. have strong desire to revieS
some of my earlier literary readings, bein
conscious of having neglected, more tina
is meet this department of letters. An
Ipropose to take up course of readln
with you, and that we make our reading
the subject of our future correspondent
to such extent as we may find both proita
bic and pleasant. Our glorious old Enc
lish language contains mines of intellectuf
wealth of the value of which you hay
scarcely dreamed"
He always took a lively interest in tn
welfare of his Alma Mater, and would OF
ten speak of it with filial pride. 1t was
great pleasure to him to take up the trier
meal catalogue aud look over it, common
ing as he did so upon the attainment
scholarship or characteristics of his ow
classmates, or of the members of othC
classes in college at that time.
| have also often heard him sneak i'm a(