The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-10
PRESIDENCY OF PRINCETON.
DR.. McCosh's Resignation Accepted and Prof.
Patton Chosen as His Successor.

PRINCETON, N. j., Feb. 9.-At the regular
February meeting or the board of trustees Of
Princeton College, held to-day, the resignation
of President McCosh was accepted, to take
effect at the end Of the present school year. A
minute was adopted making provision for his
future relations with the college. He will re-
main at thu head of the school of philosophy,
and an honorarium established for his bene-
fit of 50, 500 q year. The board then received
the report of it's committee on the selection of a
successor to DR.. McCosh. The committee unan
imously nominated Prof. Francis L. Patton, D.
D., LII d., for president The board elected
him unanimously on the first ballot, there being
no other nomination made
Francis Landey Patton, D. D., LII d.. was
born in Warwick. Bermuda, Jan. %, 1843. He
was educated classically at University College,
Toronto, Ont; theologically at Knox College,
Toronto, and Princeton Theological Seminary,
graduating from the latter institution in 1865.
After his ordin alton hs served the following
torates: Elghty-fourth-stres Presbyterian
Church, New York city. 1S65-'67; Nyack Presby
terrain Churcn, Brooklyn. is71l72; jefferson
Park Presbyterian Church. Chicago 1S74-'S1.
During the period of 1873 '76 he edited the In
terror, and from 1S71-'81 was professor of ddac-
tic and polemic theology in the Presbyterian
Seminary of the Northwest, at Chicago. In
May. 1874, DR.. Patton commenced his famous
prosecution
cago. 1t was this prosecution which first
brought him prominently before the people
and Presbyterian Church and really established
his reputation. In 1881 there especially
founded in the Princeton Theological Seminary
the Stuart professorship of the relation of phi
losophy and science to the Christian religion,
which position he now holds. Dr. Patton soon
after his arrival at the seminary, began to
lecture regularly on ethics in Princeton College,
and in 1885 was elected to the Stuart professor
ship of sthics in that institution. This chair he
AclIc tim IN
the country. His lecture-room is always crowd
ed with students outside of the regular
classes, and his lectures are brilliant in diction
and thought.
During this period of less than score of
years DIR. Patton's efforts have not been
fined entirely to the pulpit and the professors
chair. In addition to his connection with the
Inter rior already mentioned, he has for several
years filled the position of associate editor to
both the Presbyterian Review and the New
Princeton Review Chief among his publica-
tions are .sInspiration of the Scripturesn and
Summary of Christian Doctrine" OF his 900
OF more magazine and press articles the more
Divine Retribution." '1Tne Philosophy of Pun
ishment" s'Shields's Final Philosophy "The
Place of Philosophy in the Theological Curric-
ulum,n i'The Dogmatic Pentateuchal Criti-
csm." 'sThe Education of the Ministry ETC.
Besides he has written still larger number of
editorials and other anonymous articles in
DR.. Patton does not lack honorary dis
iinction. Besides being tho recipient
of ordinary college and university degrees, the
honorary degree OF Doctor of Divinity was con-
ferred upon him in 1872 by the faculty and the
trustees of Hanover College, Indiana Later, in
1878. he was further hoEored by the degree OF
LIZ D., conferred by the Wooster University.
Ohio. President McCosh in a recent interview
remarked IT consider DIR. Patton the ablest
defender of the faith in this country. He is
fully master of every department of philosophy.
He is an excellent teacher. unfolding his views
with great point and precision. He is greatly
admired by the students. particularly the think
ing students. Personally he 10 much liked. His
views of education by means narrow
or sectarian, but are enlarged and lib
DIR. Patton has especial qualifications
and ability, and while acute thinker pol
isfed writer and effective speaker he has like
wise a personal magnetism, especially for young
men. Prof. Alexander Johnston, professor of
political economy, says: CDR. Pattons intel
lectual powers aud great versatility are univers-
sally recognized here l presume that be is
orthodox in theology, but his sermons in the col
leee chapel have always shown sympathy with
advanced thinking and frank and hearty treat
ment Of honest doubt which have made him one
of the most popular of preachers with the
studies. and would have made capital lawyer
or judge. He Is, in short. broad minded man
OF extraordinary ability and of judicial balance
who has succeeded in everything else, and would
no dcubt be equally successful in the presi
dency."
DIR. Patton is considered by everybody, both
East and West, the giant of the Presbyterian
Church In America. No subject can be men
toned with which he is not thoroughly convers-
ant His mental characteristics are peculiarly
striking. As a debster, Dr. McCosh has lkened
him to a two-edged sword, cutting on every side.
AS a philosopher, he is deep and marked with
great originality. He is an erudite classical
scholar. well yersed in political economy and as
a iurist would have been invincible An eminent
poll fical economist has remarked that in what
ever profession he might have figured his genius
would have placed him in the first rank.