The Indianapolis journal., 1885-05-03
WHY DIR. BERRY RESIGNED.
ARenliniscence of Asbury University in
the Days Of It's Second President.
DR.. Berry Forced to Leave the Presidency
A Cruel and Fatal Blunder-Recol-
lectiOns and Suggestions.
written for the journal by Rev. W, G. Smith.

Written for the Journal By Rev. w, G. Smith.
The apprecative sketch Of the late Dr. Lucian
w. Berry, the second president of the Asbury
University, has revived the memories Of thirty
years ago, and has suggested that am in pos
session of scrap of unwritten history in con-
nection with the turning point of that great
mans life, which may be both interesting and
profitable 1t must have struck the thoughtful
reader of the sketch referred to as little strange
that person of such mark in the prime of young
manhood should exchange the presidency of AS
bury University for that of Mount Vernon, La.
This transaction has an explanation, and per-
haps alone survive of all who could give it.
He had been five years at the head of the insti-
tuition, succeeding Bishop Simpson, whose won
derful social qualities were not inferior to his
pulpit or administrative abilities As to erudi-
ton and massive eloquence, and gen.
eral administrative tact no one ever sug-
gested that DR.. Berry was Sec
ond to his predecessor, but there
was lacking that rare personal magnetism which
SO marked Dr. Simpson, especially toward those
not intimate with him. Besides this, Berry
came to the throne after years interreg-
rum. DR. Simpson had been absent year, and
the government. if it might be called such, was
in the hand of Vice-president Larrabee one of
the most genial of men, and not wanting in
scholarship, but utterly devoid of management.
Dr. Berry found 1t necessary to at once gather
up the reins. Perhaps he did it too abruptly,
considering the circumstances. This much is
certain, 'order reignedi in Warsaw" and the stu
dents gave attention to business. 1t is further
certain that no FIVE consecutive classes Of equal
size ever furnished more men who became emf
nent in after life, or who retained q more pro-
found regard for the president who signed their
diplomas In most cases it bordered on adora-
ton. Fifteen of them became professors or
presidents Of literary institutions, and some Of
them yet remain among the most eminent edu
Gators in America. To the outside world the
University had never appeared more prosperous,
except only, that contributions TO the endowment
fund we're few But there was causo for this
wholly outside Of the University's management.
A few years before DR.. Berry's election to the
prSsidency, and over his most earnest protest,
there sprang up perfect mania for establishing
Methodist colleges everywhere, under which,
within ten years, twenty-three were begun.
These were more or less under the patronage of
the several conferences, and were located at
Brsokville, Moore's Hill Centervile, Jefferson
vile, Stockwoll, indianapolis, and elsewhere.
These appealed to local interest, and for nearly
ten years almost wholly absorbed the educa-
tional contributions of the church.
Thus things were at the meeting of the board
in July 1854. had been elected trustee the
preceding year. President Berry was to deliver
a baccaiaurcate sermon on the Sunday preceding
the commencement and many of the trustees
and visitors were present His text was, Quit
You Like Mon," and the sermon was one Of the
most eloquent appeals to the young men to be
bold and courageous that any man had ever
uttered, and it became an inspiration which
influenced not only the graduating class, but all
who heard it. There had been mutterings
from the first against DR.. Berry's rigorous
government. and many of the trustees and
visitors had listened only too readily to the
complaints. Finding the trustees and visitors
ready to listen. the students and the students
special friends(g the people of Greencastle,
always ready to take the side of the students
against the faculty, began to pour complaints
into the ears of the trustees and visitors all to
one point-Dr. Berry is not accessible, he is too
cold and distant-and all longed for the genial
Simpson. AS if there ever was duplicate of
that great man! Dr. Berry's scholarship was
conceded. and every other qualification, except
the hail-fellow- well-met habit, was freely ac-
knowledged on all hands. But he was not So
cial. To illustrate this defect will give an
east side of the square on Monday afternoon in
that familiar conversation that always felt
invited to indulge in, when we met two young
men. They spoke politely to u.s. but DR.. Berry
made no response. ''Who are those young
men9" inquired He looked around and rec
ognizing them, he said. ''Those are two Of the
brightest members of the senior class, splendid
young men, who will make their mark in the
world. n.Dd you notice that they spoke to you and
seemed anxious to attract your attention" said
l. ~ did not" he replied in tone that in
dicated modification at failing to speak to them
This habit Of abstraction seemed constitutional
with him. A warmer heart towards those who
were admitted to it no man ever had, but he was
not open to approach by everybody and by so
much he evidently lacked one element of popu-
larity, and by so much, also, he lacked one quail
fcation for the presidency of the University.
Yet no man would listen more patiently or ten
derly to any sorrows or complaints or go further
to help the needy than this same abstracted DIR.
Berry. The complaining of those students who
had not beer by their rectations, brought into
personal contact with his great intellect and
warm heart, but who had chafed under his un-
bending discipline aided by that class of citizens
who, from the day the University was opened
until now, have always been ready to encourage
revolt by tanning any spark of discomfort that
member of the faculty, were such that trustees
who were early on the ground, and who lent
listening ear to the complaints, were
ready, by the time the board met. to
appoint u cOmmlttee TO Walt on Dr. Berry
and ask his resignation. 1t fell to my lot to be
a subcommittee of that committee to broach
the matter 10 him. 1t was the most painful
duty ever had to perform, for DR.. Berry and /
were like David and Jonathan It came upon
him like clap of thunder in cloar sky. could
give him but one reason. for only one had been
urged; his want of sociability, though many of
us suspected then what we knew certainly after.
wards that it was the unrest Of the younger
students under his stern discipline and the
mischief making gossip of class of citizens who
were ever ready to make themselves solid with
the rebellious element in the college, by assum-
ing their side of every controversy between them
and the faculty. OF course the resignation was
sent in and accepted; but DIR. Berry was never
the same man afterward, and may add that the
University received stab which was in the near
of that wound does not yet remain to enfeeble
II and to occasionally break out in unwise say