Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-15
an ooD oLD STUDENT OF 1870.
Queer character OF Princeton who
Believes SO uas 4 Mission
to Live for.

The Princeton Theological Seminary
has some students who are rather older
than the general run of men who seek
education, such rs those who, for some
cause or other. have been compelled 10
delay the finishing touches until such u
time as their financial resources would
prove sufficient, or until fayora-
bic opportunity would present Itself.
and since Scminolos." like other
mortsls. 90 not care TO delay marry
ing too long, u follows that quite num-
her OF the present classes are already EN-
loving married life. it Is not an uncom-
mon sight to sec "statelv junior or
grave Old senior gong away from the
classroom with n little fodder 10y his
side. IN one or two cases the "Semi-
nolcs' wives are az ardent students "a
their husbands, and at some periods can
render valuable assistance to their better
halves.
But 10y far the oldest student in the
Princeton or any otherscminary Is "Old
Henry Chapman. who confesses TO III
age Of seyenty-two years, and who 10y
his dccrep.t form and wrlnkled face
shows MARKS of antiquity that cannot be
mistaken. Thore is much that is pa
thenc in Mr.. Chapmans story. Over
fifty years ago be was a student etrug-
Cling to get through Lafayette College.
While there he was a c.ass-mate OF
William h. Green, who is now pro-
lessor Of Hebrew in Princeton Semi
nary and one of the trustees of the
college. Their college careers over the
two young men ssporated, Green TO
enter clOistors Oh study and Chapman 10
strive 70 gam competence from bual-
ness. How Professor Green attained
the nigh position he now holds of being
cine first Hebrew scholar IN America Il
well known, but Mr. Chapman's strug
rles were in obscuriiy. On leaving coli
.ere he went 10 Louisiana, and there for
nearly fifty years struggled TO gain a re-
spectacle living, striving IN odd times Of
business TO 90 what good he could.
About this period Of his life the old gen
tleman is very reticent and, indeed, viii
scarcely mention it.
But about four or five years ago there
came change BY the unexpected
death Of bis brother Mr. Chapmsn re-
coived an income sufficient TO keep him
I'm comfort the rest OF his life. Instantly
me formed the scheme 10 resume his
studies where he Lad been compelled
20 leave them SO long before. COmmu-
nicatiun with Professor Green was enter
ed into, and. being accepted as student
for the ministry, Mr.. Chapman began to
attend the seminary lectures
40 Was not long before evidences OF
ecceutuciiy began 10 show themselves,
and soon belief deepened INTO deep
seated conviction that "Old Hen" was
I'm . mild degree insane. unmistakably SO
and incurallv $50. Ills insanity betrays
itself in the peculiarly and wildness OF
his schemes for reyiylng the world from
los darkness and SIN, IN which revival he
is going to work among the creoIes Of
Louisiana. for which duty he considers
himself a. peculiarly well fitted.
At times the old gentleman assumes
charge OF meetings 10 which other lead
ers have previously been chosen, and
TINS causes little ripple on the other
wise smooth stream OF seminary life.
It's a difficult matter TO dispose OF
Mr.. Chapman. The seminary accepts 10
dues from him, nor do the professors ask
any examinations, although he lmagines
he ia "a far advanced as any one. Last
vacation Professor Green left a note
with one of the ianltors telling the OLD
student not to return. but il had no eff
foot for Wheu he WAS informed that the
inflow Of new students would necessi-
tate the use Of his room lie Immediately
secured lodgings in the town, where he
is now domiciled.
The other students respect and pity
him, and be needs it, for some time
there will come day when. like all the
other friendless ami lonely. he will fall
by the wayside and sink into nameless
grave.