New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-18
LOG COLLEGE.
HONORS TO THE CRADLE OF AMERICAN
PRESBYTERIANISM.

Hartsville Penn, Aug. II (SpecIsD. Preparations
for honOrng the longvanished q cradle Of American
Prcsbytcnanism' are now practically complete, and
it certain that the gathering here on September
D Will be imposing In size and most interesting in
character Hundreds of Presby erian clergymen from
all parts of the country Will attend The President
Of the United States will be here and the Postmaster
General and probably the secretary of and other
members Of the Cabinet. The Governors of Pennsyl-
vania and NewJerscy have promised 10 be present,
as have also President Patton and eAPTesldent Nc
Gosh, of Princeton College; President Knox, of La
fayette College; President McIlwain, Of Hampden-
sydney College, and numerous other eminent ueo
ogans and educators The exercises VIII, of course.
all be of religious character The exact programme
cannot yet be announced, but it is understood that
there Will be brief addresses by the President and tho
Two state Governors mentioned and also by Mr. wanna
maker The Rev. DR. 7. Murphy, OF Philadelphia,
will preslde since It his research and zeal thai
the entire interesting commemoIaton IS due.
some years ago DR.. Murphy, under the patronage
Of the North Philadelphia prcsbytery, set out TO write
a history Of the Presbyterian Church in this part Oh
the country In his researches he began TO
meet with references TO the Log College, This was
almost unknown institution to the present gen.
Grafton, and he found no adequate record OF 1t In
existence. he set vigorously work to trace out It's
origin its history and its Influence upon Presbyterian
ism In Pennsylvania and indeed throughout America
the Rev. William Tennent, whose name is famous In
the early history of Presbyterianism in this country.
He lived here and there theological school
here or near here, anywhere within reach. where
he could educate his sons for the ministry 30 hs
built Log College. 1t stood just across the road from
his house, and, as It's name implies was literally
log building 1t was something LEES than twenty
feet square, and consisted OF single room' MI.
Tonnont built largely with his own hands, and when
~ mod forN ha himself
and faculty. and his four were the students
From this humble beginning the institution grew to
National Importance. Its entire stence was
included within the compass Of about twenty
years OF It's course of study, and Of its students
and alumni, there is complete authentic record.
Among the graduates, however, are known to have
been Mr. Tennent's sons, who all became eminent;
the chief promoters of the famous Mecklenbrg Decla-
ration of Independence, and the Rev Samuel Finley,
who came TO America from Ireland in his boyhOod'
and In 1861 chosen president OF Princeton college,
In 1899 the college visited by George Whitfield,
who has left record his impression that it seemed
10 resemble greatly ancient school OF the pToph-
etss This was the only theological school in Amer
ca ont side OF New England, and it very success.
full Mr. Tennent apparently a natural educator.
with the faculty of winning the friendship Of his pupils
and imbulng them with his scholarly earnestness
He was Irishman by birth and training, and had
been a priest OF the Episcopal Church in Dublin, bus
on coming to this country became a Presbyterian. In
l7I2 he withdrew from active work, and died four
years later at the age Of seventy three years. His
eldest son, Gilbert became teacher in the college,
and was afterward an eminent preacher. He was
close friend and travelling companion of Whitfield
He was also a friend Of Benjamin Franklin. William
Tennent. lr., the second son, also an eminent
preacher, When he had finished his college course no
hal a cataeptic f and lay for weeks seemingly aeda
When ne recovered he found himself deprived OF all no
had ever learned, not remembering how to real
and write lie began his elementary studies oyes
again, but few months later he was stricken VITA
what he described shock IN the head and nus
OF MS learning came back to him insiantaneousy. no
always maintained that during his trance ne was ID
Heaven: and he professed at other times IN ms tle
10 have hal supernatural visions. lie was IounneI
and for forty -four years pastor OF the FAMOUS tgn.
Church at Freehold y. j., where OeDera "asnins'o"
occasionally worshpped. - 49,.
After twenty years the Log COLLEGE was OUT
grown aud il gave way 10 larger Institutions, Oh when
both the predecessor and parent. Among mo
colleges and academies which direct ouigrowtns
of il NAV be enumerated the College Of NewJersey'
best known as Princeton; the Hampdcn sydney S0i'
Iege: Faggs Manor Academy, In Chester County,
Penn, and the Poquay Academy, at Lancaster. Ihs
1854 anniversary of the founding of +" Log College,
what is To be celebrated september ). The eNer-
cses will be held I'm two tabernacles erected for
the purpose on the site OF William Tennents
house together capable of seating 600 persons. aDd
i, expected that they VIII be crowded to teir utter
most capacity. \ choir OF 100 voices is IN training
for the musical part Of the services.