The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-03
KENT's HILL.
Manual training Not Successful
Years Ago.
How Or. Tcrsey as Student Painted
other CoIors than Red.
Review OF the History, Work and
Prosperity Of a Model Maine School.
Correspondence Of the Press.l

N%+eAt~~-
ter, none is leaving so lasting an imprint on
the public mind as the seminary at Kent's
Hill. This opinion Is not lthe result Of i'm
pulse, OF of denominational pride, for the
writer is not a Methodist, and has had
more or less intimate acquaintance with the
practical workings and methods in vogue for
term of years. While the institution is
controlled by the great body of Methodists,
and is therefore UNCONVENTIONAL In its char
aeter; it is not seetarian, as we usually ap-
ply that term. The trustees are selected
from all the denominations because Of their
business qualifications and special interest
In educational matters. Young men and
women of other forms Of belief are here
allowed to hold their views unmolested,
while all the time higher type of Christian
character is aimed at Thus the school be-
comes truly catholic, while negleeting none
of its duties to the great body it represents
The large buildings are located just on the
western slope Of one Of the high hills in
Northern Kennebec, In the town of Read
field, and command an extensive view Of
the hills and mountains in all directions.
The first endowment was in 1921 by
Luther Sampson, who bought out the priv
ate school in Augusta, known under the
name Of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and
moved it to Kent's Hill, where it was char
tered as the Readfeld Religious and Char
| table Society. This first gift in land and
| buildings amounted to about $4,000, and
| was specially given with the desire that chill
| dren Of Methodist clergymen and young
| men preparing for the ministry should re-
| ceve allIthe assistance possible.
| Soon after the State made an appropria-
| ton, conditional ON the establishment of a
manual labor department, where the students
| should be allowed pay for their services and
| thus helped in their struggles for an educa-
| tion. While this was good in theory, 1t did
| not succeed in practice, and gradually the
| ins titutiOn became embarrassed, and this
feature was dropped. IL could hardly be
| considered a failure for il was during these
| years that the men graduated who have
| since contributed so much TO It's character
| The muscular training and frugality neces-
| sary to cover the actual expenses brought
| out all the resources Of the man. aud gave us
| class of students unexcelled in later years.
| When DR.. III. p. Torsey first entered the
| school he received four cents per hour for
| his labOrs in the paint shops. As he became
| proficient, this was increased to eight cents
/ and half Others who had learned trades
| before entering the school, received as high
/ as twelve cents.
| Among the young men who took advantage
| of this opportunity to support themselves
| while fitting for college or life's work, were
DR.. Edward Cook, afterwards president Of
| Lawrence University, Appleton. Wis. JOS.
/ Cummings, ID. ID. LII. d., president North
| Western University: Hon.T. 0. Howe, after
wards Postmaster General; Hon. Geo. w.
Lakin, Judge Of the Superior Court Of WIS,
the Maine Senate for several terms Rev:
| Chandler Robbins, president OF Emory and
| Henry College West Virginia; Judge Tuck
Of Frankfort; DR.. J; p; Weston, presl-
| Episcopal rector in New York
| Hon. L. X. Smart, formerly leading politl-
| clan in Maine; Hon. Elihu Washburne, poll
Clark, of the NJ. f. Church; Rev. Charles
| Collins, professor in Carlisle College, Pa {;
| Hon. David w. Armstrong, u. 5. Senator
| from Wisconsin, Wm. III. Allen, LII. d.,
| president Of Girard College; Prof. John
| Johnston, professor Of natural sciences in
Wesleyan University, MiddIetown, Conn.
| Rev. Thomas Sewall, ID. d., Washington. ID.
| c.; and Rev. IL. L. T0rsey, ID. d., LII. d.,
the Nestor Of teachers.
| Nearly all Of these were in attendance in
1895, and constitute part Of the memorable
| class Of that year. The responsible posi-
/ tions named are those held by each one at
some later period, while many have occupied
/ others equally responsible. The list might
i be still further increased, but this serves to
| Illustrate the character Of the young men
called together by this self-supporting oppor-
tunity. 1t Is to be regretted that this. and
all similar attempts elsewhere, have proved
disastrous, for 1t would open the way for
hundreds now unable to avail themselves OF
| all these advantages.
This department was dropped In 1910, and
/ the financial embarrassments continued un-
| til DIR. Torsey took command In 1874, after
| The old building was replaced by a safer
| one in 1S45, and that abandoned in 1860 for
Sampson Hall, the large four,story brick
building now used as boarding house.
| Later came Bearce Hall, and in 1888 Blethen
| Hall. the home of the president.
| r.TOrsey was in charge thirtY-fOur years,
/ saw the school rise to high standard, placed
| upon sound financial basis, over twenty
/ five thousand scholars aided in their efforts
| for an education, and the character of the
| institution made second to none. lie intus-
| ed his own courage and indOmitable will in
| to the school, gave the best work OF his life
| freely, and left 1t in splendid condition. mo
| one takes deeper interest in its welfare to-
| day than he, and no one guards 1t more
| closely.
The main work Is seminary work. The
| school was designed and established for the
| the people, and the plan and purpose was to
have school where all the advantages could
| be secured by those in INDECENT circum-
| stances. This object never has been lost
| sight Of, and today all that is needed Is funds
| sufficient to build the necessary additional
| buildings and offer increased advantages at
| reduced expense. The school has outgrown
present limits. New buildings are necesSa-
| ry for the proper accommodation OF schOl-
| ars and classes. III the necessary amount
| can be raised, one at least will be erected
| the coming season to contain rooms for the
music and art departments, the library and
| reading rooms.
Another important matter demands atten-
| tion, that of warming tine buildings. These
| are now supplied with furnaces and stoves,
but must soon give way to steam, and the
| sooner the better for all concerned. This
much secured, and an adequate water sup
| ply provided, and far greater safety Will be
ensured to all.
The total value of the property Is now
| about $4,000, which allows an income suf-
| ficient to pay all expenses, yet not enough
| to enable the efficient corps OF professors
| and teachers 10 carry out all their wishes, or
perfect all their plans; -. Here y grand op,
| be bestowed where the greatest possible
| good will result.
The library is large, containing between
| five and six thousand volumes, carefully Sc
| lected, well classified and Systematically
managed by Prof MeIntire- There is a fair
| amount of chemical apparatus In charge OF
| thoroughly competent teacher. Prof.
| Strong. The cabinet Of minerals and shells
| Is good, also the collection Of curiOsities.
| The thoroughness of the work done here
| can best be measured when we know that
| over nine thousand teachers have been sent
| out, and they have proved remarkably sue
i ceSSIul.
Within the past few years a commercial
| department has been added, and the trustees
| were very fortunate in securing the services
/ of Prof w. A. Barton, man well qualified
| for the position. The success Of this feature
| fully justifies athe first steps, and though
| Prof. Barton has been obliged to sever his
| connection ON account of i'll health, the good
| work goes on in charge of one Of his pupils,
| Prof. A. l.. Lyford.
1t may be that here, and in the Art depart
| ment that most marked changes are TO be
/ seen, The commercial class Is large, the
course thorough. yet intensely practical, ana
| the same applies TO the class In art under
| the direction of Miss Sara NJ. Maxson, Pm.
| NJ p. b. 1t Is seldom one finds person 50
| peculiarly fitted as to inspire class with
| zeal and courage to take up the fundamental
| work in all departments of art, yet Miss
/ MaxsOn seems to be as successful with her
| scholars in modelling, as in painting, in free
| hand drawing, as in etching, and the work
| done in the several branches reflects great
| credit on the institution.
The health and comfort OF the students Is
| in good hands, Mr.. French, the steward, and
| his estimable wife being devoted to the work
The corps OF professors is composed Of
/ comparatfyely young men, devoted to their
| work. and each one carrying forward his or
her department. TO the highest possible at
Ssha Irasidant prof II nj Saith xyho hos