The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-01-26
STUDENT AT SEVENTY.
A Queer Character Who Believes He Haa
"A Mission to Live For.

A Queor Character Who Believes He Has
a Mission to Live For.
The Princeton Theological Seminary,
writes the st. Louis Globe Democratic New
York correspondent, has some students
who are rather older than the general run
of men who seek education, such as those
who, for some cause or other, have beep
compelled to delay the finishing touches
until such time as their financial resources
would prove sufficient, or until favorable
opportunity would present itself. And since
"Eeminoles," like other n1ortals. do not care
to delay marrying too long, it follows that
quite number Of the present classes are
already enjoying married life. 1t is not an
uncommon sight to see ''stately junior
or ''grave old seniors going away from
the class room with little toddler by his
side. In one or two classes the "Semi-
noles'" wives are as ardent students as
their husbands, and at some period can
render valuable assistance to their better
halves.
But by far the oldest student in the
Princeton or any other seminary, is "Old
Henry" Chapman, who confesses to an age
Of seventy-two years, and who by his de-
crepit form and wrinkled face shows marks
Of antiquity that can not be mistaken.
There is much that is pathetic In Mr.. Chap
mans story. Over fifty years ago he was
q student struggling to get through Lafay-
cite College While there he was class
mate of William II. Green, vino is now pro-
lessor Of Hebrew in Princeton Seminary
end one Of the trustees OF the college.
Their college careers over, the two young
men separated, Green to enter cloisters ct
study and Chapman to strive to gain COM
petence from business. How Prot Green
attained the high position he now holds OF
being the first Hebrew scholar In America
is well known, but Mr.. Chapman's strug-
giles were in obscurity. On leaving college
he went to Louisiana and there, for nearly
fifty years, struggled to gain respectable
living, striving in odd times Of business
to do what good he could. About this
period Of his life tEe old gentleman is very
reticent, and, indeed, will scarcely mention
it.
But about four or five ytsrs ago there
came q change BY the unexpected death
Of his brother, Mr.. Chapman received On
income sufficient to keep him in comfort the
rest ct his life. Instantly he formed the
scheme TO resume his studies where he had
been compelled to leave thena 50 long be-
fore. Communication with Prof. Green was
entered INTO, and, being accepted as g stu
dent COR the ministry, MIR. Chapman began
to attend the seminary lectures.
It was not long before evidences OF ecceM~
tricity began 70 show themselves, and soon
belief deepened into deep-seated conviction
thai sold Hen" was in o mild degree insane,
Enthusiastically SO and incurably so. HIS In
sanity betrays itself in the peculiarly and
wildness OF his schemes for reviving the
world from it's darkness aud sin, in which
revival he is going to work among the Gro
Giles ct Louisiana, Tor which duty he consid-
ers himself peculiarly well fitted.
AT times the old gentleman assumes
charge OF meetings to which other leaders
havs previously been chosen, and thna
causes 81 little ripple On the otherwise
smooth stream Of seminary life.
1t Is dfa'lls matter to dispose Of Mr.,
Chapman. The seminary accepts no dues
from hira, nor Go the professors ask an ex-
animation, although he imagines he is 8.
far advanced as any one. Last vacation
Prof. Green lett q note with oae OF the jan
itors telling the old student not 10 return,
oat it had no effect, tor when he was in.
formed that the inflow OF uaw Students
would necessitate tho use Of his room he
Immediately secured lodgings i'll tho Town
xs2aers. ho is now dolnic!lcd.
The ether students respect aud pity him,
ssna he needs it, for some time there will
come 1t day when. like all the other friend
lesa AND lonely, he will fall by the wsyside,
and sink iNto NamelaSs crave.