The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-08-28

Memorable Log College Dedication.
Pennsylvania PresbyseFians, and in
fact the disciples Of Calvin from all over
the country, have great plans on foot for
September s, when they will assemble hy
the thousand at Neshaminy TO memoria-
lie the old Log College, which Rev.
William Tennent erected near that spot
early in the last century, and which was
the first Presbyterian educational insti-
tuition founded in America. President
Harrison will occupy place on the pro-
gramme on this occasion. Postmaster
General Wanamaker will be on hand as
his host, and Mrs. Harrison, her father,
Rev. DIR. Scott, Governor Beaver, Cover
nor Greene, President Patton and ex-
President McCosh, Of Princeton College,;
President Knox, Of Lafayette College,
and President McTlvaine, Of Hampden-
Sidney, viii be among the throng who
win lend their presence and their voices
to Iaud Presbyterian enterprise and
achievements.
THE OLD LOG COLLEGE.
The old Log College, which was the
predecessor of Princeton, of Washington,
Jefferson, Hampton-Sidney and every
Presbyterian institution of learning in
America, was of most humble origin.
The students of all departments--class
cal, scientific and heological--made their
orations, figured out their problems, and
conned their homilies in q little low
rooted log hut measuring eighteen feet
by twenty. Here II was, 10 1885, on the
high road from New York to the Quaker
City, that Rey. William Tennent, q pious
blue-blooded, blue-nosed Irishman, es-
tablished his academy for the cultivation
of the olassicand Christian graces OF the
youths of the neighborhood.
THEY WE'RE WISE IN THEIR GENERATION.
Tcnnent himself was scholar Of no
mean proportions, who could rattle of
Horatian epodes as readily as he oonld
breathe. He had four blg-brained. sons,
scarcely less pious nor less wise than
himself, and these formed the neucleus OF
his undergraduate force. Among tho
other students who were attracted from
surrounding settlements by Tennents
discipline anc doctrines were quite re-
markabie batch Of men who afterwards
became famous in the annals of Presby-
terianism. One of these was Samuel
Blair. the famous New Londonderry
pastor. and another was his brother John
OF Faggs' Manor. DIR. Samuel Finley,
who afterwards became president Of
Princeton College; Charles Beatty, thu
celebrated missionary to the Indians, and
William Robinson, known as the Apostle
OF Hanover, Va, were also among the
graduates of this primitive institution.
A NEW COUNTRY AND NEW FAITH.
Tennent was originally an Irishmap
and an Episcopalian. In 17i8 he became
an American by immigrating to these
shores, and shortly after the Synod Of
Philadelphia was amazed by an appeal
from him to be received into the Presby-
terrain fold. However, after the why's
and wherefores Of the faith that was In
him and the soundness Of his orthodoxy
had been duly examined by his clerical
fellows his request was granted and be
became Calvanist OF The most rigid
type. His first charge was at Bensalem,
in Bucks county. In 1925 he was called
to Neshaminy, and there, hard BY his
dwelling, and about mile beyond whore
HartsyilIe now stands, with his own
hands and those or his eons--aud his
wife, too, Is said to have lent her add
the rude hut was erected, which, because
of It's vast results, has become almost
world famous. The college carried on It's
work until 174e, when Princeton was
founded.
Benjamin franklin was an intimate
friend of the Tennent family, and George
Whitedeld, the famous evangelist, wrote
In high praise Of the work Of the Log Coll
lege, which he VISITED while In America.
The approaching celebration will he
held IN great tents erected on the property
just opposite the site OF the prlmeval ool-
lego. The actual ground on which the
log hut stood is owned by Quaker, who
positively declined to lease It for the oc-
casion for any consideration the commit
tee deemed reasonable II Is proposed to
memorabilia this celebration by erecting
monumentin the form Of log hut exactly
identical with its predecessor, but owing
to the present owner demanding for tho
old site q price that is ten times too great,
the hut will probably DO erected on the
site Of Tennent's dwelling house.