The Portland daily press., 1896-12-24

ance IN the absence OF the faculty. IL WI
could have felt any reasonable c0nfldsno'
that even the existence of the seminary
could have been preserved, we should
have postponed everything till the facul-
ty was re-assem bled. Many of cur best
citizens were looking upon the seminary
as nuisance, more to be dreaded than
cholera or plague. It Is impossible FOL
outsiders to realize the state of the pub
lie mind on these subjects. If once ex-
cited, we may as well tamper with the
whirlwind and the lightning"
These resolutions made the students
at once rise in rebellion. No anal ac-
ton. however, was taken for some days,
it being hoped that DIR. Beecher, on his
return, would right matters. The trus-
tees, however, declined to wait for DR..
Beecher, and ordered that the resolutions
be made law. AT once the students de-
cided to leave in a body. "If had ar
lived little sooner,'' writes DIR. Beech
er, Il should have saved them, but it was
too late" The faculty at once issued
the obnoxious resolutions: but it WAS
too late. After the students had gone
away DR.. Beecher was determined to
make one more effort for reconciliation.
He insisted that the laws should be re-
vised and the Objectionable features
struck out. (" The trustees consented.
The laws were restored to nearly tho
same form as before the rebellion. DR..
Beeoher sought out those hs thought
were the most sober and discreet among
them. "They worked like beavers to
form reaction, but said they could not
do IT."
FIFTY ONE STUDENTS LEAVE.
Fifty-one students left Lane and locat-
ed at Cumminsville. Here they remained
four months. At first they intended to
establish a rival theological seminary.
Arthur Tappan offered to send them
S.. 600 and endow professorship. They
were about to close with his offer when
they were visited by John L. Shipherd,
of Oherlin. He invited them to come to
Oberlin and establish theological semi
nary there. Oberlin had been planted
only the year before in a swamp wilder
ness in Northern Ohio. The conception
Of the founders they were ascetios-was
and narrow. To gain these stu.
dents would mean the bi th of the greater
Cherlin. But gese students refused to
listen to Shipherd until tho trustees Of
ing that students would be received
9 irrespective of color This request
1 brew Cherlin inc a state Of excitement.
Her trustees discussed the resolution ut
length and earnestly. 1t was finally
carried by the deciding vote of Father
Keep, tine President of the board, declar-
ing that ''the education of tie people Of
color is matter Of great interest, and
should be ercouragod and sustained in
this institution" 1t was closa shave
FOR the future greatness Of Oberlip. On
Bhe passage of the re olution thirty of
5he Lane students came to Oberlin, of
whom eleven finally graduated.
1hersupon arthur Tappan gave Ober-
in $40, 600 for building, and, with the
lid Of ether gentlemen East. started a
association for the endow-
nent of eight professorshirs." This also
brought Finney to Oberlin, as we'll as
Asa Mahan, the first President Of Ober-
n, who was a pastor in Cincinnati,
Ind Trustee of Lane, and also Prof |
Morgan, who was teaching in Cincin-
lati. Oper!in's greatness really began
With the foundations laid by her great |
quartet, Tappan, Finney. Mahan and |
Morgan.
This recital will be quite incomplete
without the aid Of aideli2hts. Many |
bought in those days-many still think |
that Lane and her faculty were pro-
layery. Quite the CONTRARY liz true. DR.. |
5eecher, whose three sons were promi-
tent abolitionists, in letter to Arthur
Eappan, says: ~ am not apprised Of the
round of controversy between the col
IN zationists and the abolitionists.
IN, myself, both, without perceiving in
myself An inconsistency.
BEFORE THE LovEJOY MURDER.
1t must be remembered, too, that Gin
innati is further south than Baltimore
nd Washington; that half of Maryland
nd West Virginia lie north of Cincin-
lati. Lane Seminary was thrust down
ITO the old slavery section. Cincinnati
Vas the scene of many riots. The fears
f the trustees were entirely natural.
he times must be remem bered. Few
dvocates of immediate abolition had ap-
cared. Garrison was inst beginning his
fe wo:k. 1t was three years before Love
" was brutalIy murdered. The great
majority of antislavery advocates looked
II the gradual emancipation of tn e
ayes. Lane was just at the period of
s2inning. Thore was little endowment.
] was the experimental age of the semi
ary's life. New rules were to be made
nd presidents established.
In her treatment of the colorsd people
ane was far in advance of the times.
ames Bradley, once slave, was mem
81 of the first class. DR.. Beecher wrote.
i 1888, In regard to admitting colored
udents: 1--WE have taken no order
the subject, as none is needed, and, [ /,
ust, never will be- Our only qualitioa-
o,r for aG m gsinn to clio caypiuarv ara