Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-12
THE OLD LOG COLLEGE.


til 1742, when Princeton College was
founded and it my be said that the
Princeton institution of learning sprang
up from the primitive college established
by Tennent When yesterdays celebra-
tion was first talked of. President Harri-
son promised to attend. He was accom-
panied by Postm mlster-General Wana-
maker, Mrs. Harrison. Rev. j. w. Scott
and Private Secretary Halford. The
President and party arrived from Wash
ington Wednesday evening and spent the
night at Mr.. Wanamaker's country home
at Jenkintown.
Early yesterday morning the Presiden-
tial party started for the place where the
exercises were held. driving in carriages
over the old York road, a distance of about
eight miles. The route along which the
party Travelled was profusely decorated
with flags and bunting, the farm houses
fences and trees showing evidences of the
peoples intention to make the Presidents
journey memorable. Tents had bsen erect
ed on the Tennent farm and an immense
crowd from the surrounding country and
Philadelphia aud including prominent
Presbyterian divines from all over the
country was present A long programme
of exercises had been arranged, divided
into two parts, aud at 11:20 the services
of the day were opened by the reading Of
a verse of the Scripture by Rev. Joseph
Beggs, D. D, of the Falls of SchuylkilL
Philadelphia. Then followed prayer by
Rev. L. w. Ackard, of Arlington, Pa, to
whose energetic work the success of the
days celebration was due. At 10:5) the
President, leaning on the arm of Mr.
Wanamaker, entered the large tent and
was given a most enthusiastic welcome.
The President spoke as follows: II have
had illustrated to me here to-day one of
the consiS ent graces and tenets of the
Presbyterian Church. Nothing, | assure
you, short of a robust embodiment OF The
doctrine of the perseverance of the saints
in the person of our distinguished brother,
the chairman, who has just introduced
me, could have overcome tns difficulties
which seem to be in the way of those who
attend celebra tions. l have also had illus
trated to me, regret to say, another of
the results of persistent Presby terrain
ism. l never at any time promised TO
make any address here to-day. Laugh
ter. / never authorized any one to say
So There are many embarrassing things
to be encountered in this life, am ong them
there is none more embarrassing than be-
ing associated in the platform or sitting
at the table next to gentlemen with manu-
scripts in their pockets when one is not
similarly provided. [Great laughter.l l
thank you for your hospitable treatment
of me and mine to-day, and L must say l
have much pleasure in being here for
every impulse of honest pride which stirs
your hearts moves mine. l am glad to
start here at the source of a great move
ment. have seen the Mississippi river
pouring out its enormous volume into the
Gulf and / have had the pleasure o.
standing at the source of the great Mis-
souri,, but what is the force and energy im-
piled by these rushing streams when COM
pared with the movement inaugurated
here. [Applause-l L am glad to be here
to help celebrate one of those great i'm
pulses springing from a small beginning,
and yet how far-reaching in its results
and effects. don't want unduly to exalt
the Presbyterian Church, and yet l think
historians. who have been untouched by
partisanship. testify that it has been mag
nificently pressed onward. Let US take
no backward steps. Let US continue to
merit the favor of God and His work until
the world shall cease to move. Steadfast-
ness is our characteristic. Our enemies
have called it obstinacy, and there are oc-
casions when even that trait and that
have its service. Let US,
my friends, continue to be steadfast to
the faith nurtured and strengthened on
this sacred spot"
In concluding his address the President
said: "Let me kindly thank you for this
most cordial and brotherly greeting. Let
me wish that this day will close as aus
piclously as it has opened. Let me hope
that the scholarly addresses which you
have heard read from manuscript laugh
teri will convey new thoughts TO your
m nds, and that you will carry away from
here pleasant recoilections of the days
oa1abrafiop