Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-30

Chatty Letter frsA Oar own Cores
pendent.

Glasses in colleges are characterized bv
some particular trait. One in Colby il noted
for the noise it makes.-When will Colby,
guardians realize that the lives of the stu.
dents are in constant jeopardy from the lack
of fire escapes on the buildings?-S. X.
Marsh of 81, teaching at Brownville writes :
Il have a school numbering 81 students,
which can't be beaten for brightness and
mother wit. Studies pursued Greek, Geom-
etry and Latin, &C.. &c."-F. B. Cushing Of
81, teaching at Milbridge, writes: 81 never
had a better time away from home; school
easiest ever had, the people are very cor
dial, and Colby students in demand"-By the
kindness of the Faculty the students were
enabled TO spend Xmas at their homes; reci-
taiions were suspended from Friday noon till
Monday noon, which made many happy
The Seniors who elected to study Mineralogy
speak in glowing terms of the way the recita-
tons are conducted, of the scholarly manner
in which the experiments are presented, and
the interest they have in the study. Prof.
Elder never fails to cause students to feel
that time spent in his department, is spent
very proitably.-The Senior class has re-
ceived from DIR. Robins kind and affection
ate answer to their letter of the llth. regret
ing his inability to comply with their request.
He says ''The fact that am compelled to re-
linquish my work with you costs me much
pain. but it is the will of Him who never errs.
and l submit. Rev. Samuel X. Smith,
d. d., Acting President of Colby University.
graduated at Waterville college in As. was
Principal at Townshend Academy for six
months. DR. Anderson, then Professor of
Rhetoric at Waterville college, having been
Frustrated by severe illness, Mr.. Smith was
invited as tutor to teach that department;
he remained at Waterville college two wears
in that capacity, then going to Newton Theo-
logical Seminary, where he remained one
year. The Baptist denomination in looking
The field over for a man competent to take
charge of its organ, The Portland Advocate,
had its eyes turned towards the Newton
student. S. X. Smith, who became edit0r-in-
chief in 1S47. Two years afterward in 1850
the chair of Rhetoric at Waterville College
being vacant it was rendered to him, and was
accepted. In 1871 Colby University con-
ferred upon him the degree Of ID. ID. DIR.
Smith has been connected with the college
for greater length of time than any other
Professor excepting DR.. Cbamplin. DIR.
Smith is a man of great physical and mental
power, one that nature has dealt generously
with. Possessing large and sympathetic
heart united with vigorous practical and
systematic mind, with store house of knowl-
edge, such as one might be proud of, man
of decision and frmness, of indomitable en-
ergy and force of character, disdaining every
thing bordering upon meanness, always cour-
teous kind. and generous in his feelings and
sympathies towards the students, he commands
the respect and secures the confidence of all.
In the classroom he is power, master of
what he teaches, an original thinker. great
scholar and enthusiast and gentleman.
In the social meetings for prayer, his face
ever is welcome one ; he makes known the
profound truths of the Gospel in a beautiful
and tender manner constantly pressing upon
the attention of the students that genius, in
tellect soul and body must be baptized into
Christ that if man seeks real glory and
immortal power he will fndit as he endeavors
to lift Some fallen one up to Il higher life.
In his daily intercourse with the students his
attitude is that Of father. Students al
ways feel free to go to him for advice and
counsel. and they never go in vain. "Ah!
he is a good man." is a common expression
on the campus, and il comes from the heart.
The denomination may well congratulate
itself that it has such man in the pres
ent emergency TO direct the affairs OF such
an important institution; that the students
do, may be seen by reading the january
number of the Colby Echo.--The Senior
class the other day received the instructive
information that ''sheep and similar animals
have full sets of front teeth but lack some
of the back ones" When some demur was
made they were told that such animals would
have some difficulty in living upon grass If
such was not the case Such are the dangers
Of applying the priori method Of reason
ing to the facts of nature. We would adj
wise deep students in Political Economy. TO
ponder this little anecdote well. and to OBJ
serve its bearing on the question of the
division Of Labor" Within it are con
cealed the materials for most instructive
essay. The Colby Echo in It's
Xmas cover is very tasty in appearance. and
the matter compares favoraby with that OF
any other College publication-There are IN
Colby number of students who have
preached from time to time through the State
and who would be glad of the opportunity OF
supplying oftener than they do; some would
like chance to supply this coming vacation.
ANY church needing supply will be fur
nished by applying to Acting President
Smith,