The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-11
Twenty-Five Years of Educational
Progress

The work which the Baptists Of Maine
have done during the past twenty-five years
in placing their educational institutions
upon a sound financial basis is worthy of an
extended notice. This work was COM
menced in 1864 The classes in the college
at Waterylle had been depleted by the civil
war then in progress. In fact in some of
the classes not enough fer a corporal's guard
remained, to such an extent had the patriotic
spirit manifested Itself among the students
But with Grant at the head of the army, 1t
was confidently believed that the war would
soon be brought to close and that students
again would resort TO the college as in earlier
DAYS.
The college then had three old buildings
and about $1,000 of cash endowment.
One day it was told to DIR. Champlin,
the president of the college, that Gard
ner Colby of Boston, some Of whose
earlier years were spent in Winslow
and Waterville, might be induced to rem
der it financial aid. DR.. Champlin soon af-
ter called on Mr.. Colby, and as result of
this interview Mr.. Colby attended the COM
mencement exercises at Wateryiile in August
1864. While he was In Waterville, having
inspected The college and having become ac-
quainted with its needs, Mr.. Colby, August
10, addressed a note to DIR. Champln in
which he announced his purpose to give the
college $4,000 provided the friends of the
college would raise an additional 100000
This was challenge which summoned the
Baptists Of Maine to heroic endeayor. DR.
Cbamplin, Prof. Hamlip, Prof. Lyford and
nth t,pl l,all of+
struggle which none but those who partci-
pated in it knew, the conditions made by
MIR. Colby were met, and the entire $1500OO
secured. Then followed the erection of
Memorial Hall, which cost about $40, and
for which additional subscriptions were
generously made. Later Coburn Hall was
erected, Mr.. Colby, Gov. Coburn, Hon. j.
Warren Merrill and Judge w. K. Wording
each contributing $4,000. Still later the
two dormtories and the old chapel were en-
tirely reconstructed. and within'a few years
a gymnasium has been erectt at an expense
of about $1,000
When MIR. Colby died Ia 1879, he be-
queathed tc the college Sl25.OOO, which with
his former gifts made the total Of his bene-
factions TO the college about 100000 But
much as he had given to the college, Dr.
Champlin often said that his influence in
interesting others in the college was OF even
greater value. IT was Mr.. Colby who very
largely was the means Of securing Gov
Columns confidence in the future success OF
the college. Gov. Coburn generously re-
sponded TO the needs of the college while he
was living, and in his will he bequeathed to
the college 100000, SO that the total of his
benefactions exceeded that of Mr.. Colby. In
fact the entire amount which the college re-
ceived from Gov. Coburn's bequest was
$2106l9. The largest gift sof any alum
nus Of the college is the recent gift of Col.
Il. e. Shannon Of New York, whn + now
erecting for the college an observatory and
physical labratory at an estimated expense
of $4,000. In twenty-five years, therefore,
the progress at Waterville may be- stated
briefly as follows; Instead of three old build
ings as in 1864, Colby University has six
buildings in good condition, two of them
built Of stone, four of brick, and anew build.
ing is in process Of erection. Instead of
LOCO cash endowment as in 1864, the col
lege, according to the report Of the tr asilrer
at the recent Commencement. has Il cash en-
dowment Of $505, 767 90, a much larger sum
than that Of any other educational insttu-
ton in Maine. Nor is this all. In 1872, at
the meeting of the Maine Baptist Educational
Society at Bath, il was voted on motion of
DR.. Champlin, That it is eXpedient that AN
effort be made to endow Waterville CLASH
cal Institute by starting subscription TO
raise for it fund of $4,000. The money
was TO be committed for safe keeping tc the
trustees OF Colby University, who shall
cause the interest on it, as it accrueS, to be
applied to paying the salaries of the teachers
ana other expenses OF the institution" at
the meeting OF the same society in 1873, a
committee was appointed to confer with the
trustees Of Colby University in reference to
this matter. One of the results Of that can
ference was the passage of resolutions by the |
Board Of Trustees recommending ''ihat an |
effolt be made to raise 100000 at the earliest |
day practicable for the endowment of three
preparatory schools, one of which Shall be
located at Waterville, one at some place in
the eastern section Of the State, and one in
the western section" At the meeting of the
Education Society in 1874, it was announced
that eX-GOv. Coburn had offered to give $780,
600 for the endowment Of Waterville CLASH
cal Institute provided $4,000 additional
should be raised for the endowment OF the
other two proposed schools. Rev. A. r.
Crane, ID. d., undertook the work of raising
this $4,000, and Gov. Columns condition
was met. Subsequently, as memorial of
his brother, Stephen Coburn, and his nephew