The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-06-02
WENTWORTH COLLEGE.
BY II. z. JOHNSON. D. D.
4 O. Christian Advocate.

be well for the college that | make SOM
explanation, for my position IN the eolleg'
is not understood and probably never vii
be. | dislike, however, to present mysei
before the public.
In 1861, | was President of Madison
College. The trustees met every week ol
two to provide money, to give directions
etc They were faithful men and did tht
very best they could, but financial troubles
arose that were unavoidable. | was elected
President of Whitworth College In 1861.
with the distinct understanding that
should employ my own teachers, pay thelr
salaries, manage the college under the
Methodist Church, and when my admins
tration proved unsatisfactory, retire. 1hls
| understanding was the result Of my expe-
! rience at Sharon.
| The college was already III debt; ana
I other debts were made providing clsterns
and a new building, absolutely necessary, in
all about $4,000. The college was IN an
ger of being sold under the Sheriff's ham
/ mer At the urgent request of the trustees,
/ | leased the college for twenty years,
assumed all the debts, and undertook certain
repairs with the understanding that the
college should remain under the direction
of the church. But before | consented to
| the lease, | required Bro. Whitworth TO
| deed in fee simple to the college an addi-
/ blOudl DlOCh VI idDl, duu VI
| another block for twenty years, which he
| cheerfuly did. At the next Conference a
| distinguished minister made speech against
| confirming the action of the board, because
| twenty years Is long time, and the college
| would cease to be d church institution.
When he was told that the lease was neces-
sary to give me credit, and that the build
ers had released their liens on the college
and accepted my individual notes, he with
4 n III. rha Oft
board was confirmed. But that speech
brought forth fruit, and to this day, from
that and other causes, Whitworth has been
regarded by many as Johnsons College, a
mere private institution.
In 1877, having recovered from financial
pressure, on account of the debts of the
college, proposed to cancel the lease and
let the colegs return fully under the man
agement of the trustees; but they positively
declined for the reason that | was bound 10
keep up the college, and that was all they
wished. During the time, put up another
building, introduced steam heaters, and
made various Improvements. | got no con-
tributiOns and asked for none, thereby en-
couraging the opinion, | suppose, that the
college was my own.
In 1876, | bought three-fourths of the
block in front of the college, and put up
improvements which cost about 81, 900. In
1870 ! put up Tic DIlCA WOIlH
about $4,000 including steam heaters. |
gave a written pledge to the board that
would convey the land to the church if they
would aid in the work, but aid WAS
granted by them.
1t was objected by some persons that the
new building was not put on church land
but the church had no land to put it on.
Others said that here is college going up
on lot adjoining Whitworth and that it
Ia How J, fuufNr fh tha
kline did the fatOnes, but it was replied that
the two should be one, and both should be
the property of the Methodist Church. But
the opinion was strengthened that Whit
worth was private school.
In June, 1879 | transferred the new
brick building and the lot on which it
stands, not including furniture and heaters
to the church, unencumbered in any way
whatever. | transferred the other part of
the block which belonged to me, on which
there was a lien of $1,000 to the church
reserying a life estate for myself, wife and
youngest child. Bro. Nugent, of Jackson,
gave 81 900 and Bro. Millsaps, now of St
Louis, gave 81 900 on the brick building at
the time of the transfer. l also surrendered
my lease which the board accepted, The
board accepted my deed on condition that
the church would pay me $4,000 in addi-
ton to the subscriptions of Bros Nugent
and Millsaps, and this action was confirmed
by the Conference at Meridian in 1879.
The payment of the $4,000 was intended to
meet the 5000 and interest, for which
was bound, and thereby relieve me and
the church property under mortgage and
aid me in putting up the centre building,
very much needed now.
During this year and last, improvements
have been made costing about 81 800. The
board has not been consulted. The i'm
prOvements were necessary. | asked for no
contributions and no advice, except from
mechanics, knowing that the board would
not object, but would approve. But this
course of mine, which perhaps is not the
best, fosters the opinion among outside
people, that the college belongs to johnson.
But it does not any more than Vanderbilt
belongs to me- The board can turn me out
of office tomorrow, just as readily as the
Board of Trust of Vanderbilt can discharge
any Professor in that University.
Therefore, have not sold one-half or one
third or any part of Whitworth College to
..ay one, and never expect to; for 1t Is not
mine and eau act possibly become mine to
sell. But on account vi Tic large Increase
of my labors and Mrs. Johnson's, and for
the better working of the college, have
accepted proposition of Mrs. Kidd, most |
estimabe lady who has been two years in |
the college and has given the very best sat |
isfaction. By that agreement, Mrs. Kidd |
becomes the owner of some personal effects |
in the college, becomes identified with the |
success of the college; gives her time, her |
talents, her enterprise to the college. She |
is willing to work with her head, her heart, |
her hands in the building up of the college. |
Did l believe otherwise, or that it would |
not conduce to the greater success of the |
college, | would not have consented to any |
arrangement by which she probably becomes |
permanently connected with the school, ! |
remain here as President of the college, Mrs. |
johnson will aid all she cam my daughters |
will continue to work in their proper places I; |
the faculty will continue unit and work |
smile upon US; "Guzman" will write APP
provingly, and let all the people say
Amen.
But if the trustees do not approve and
the Mississippi Conference objects, then let
them speak, and their voice will be heeded, |
L have recently discharged the 900
mortgage which was held by Bro. Millsaps.
So there is now no lien upon the real estate.
had hoped that the church would do this,
but it was overlooked or the church had not
the ability. Where does the money come
FROM
BY strict economy, working hard, Give
members of my family working without 4
salary,) faithful theaching, caring for all
our pupils the school yields the money,
and it is all turned back into the college.
Bro. "Guzman," do you think that there
is much danger of the church losing Whit
worth College?
| am thinking of erecting the center
building, but bishops and other leading men
say no. Has any one any advice TO give or
money?
WENTWORTH COLLEGE, April 2s, 1881.
This is the Latest.