Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-25
DR.. RANKIN RESIGNS
SEWERS RELATIONS WITH THE
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
Action Assigned to Advanced Age and
Ill Health-Dr. Hamlin Chosen
Temporary Successor.

Rev. DR J. e. Rankin, at a meeting Of
the board Of trustees Of Howard Univer-
sity held yesterday afternoon, rendered his
resignation as president Of that institu-
ton. The resignation was accepted and
Rev. DR.. Teunis 8. Hamlin, a member Of
the board of trustees, and pastor Of the
Church OF the Covenant, was elected presi-
dent pro tenn. Of the university.
At the meeting Of the board, which was
largely attended by it's members, steps
were taken toward securing permanent
president as soon as possible DR.. Rankin
stated that he resigned owing to advanced
years and infrmities and because Of Sc
rious illness in his family.
DR.. Rankin has occupied the position OF
president of Howard University for the
past thirteen years, and his work has been
regarded as emnently satisfactory. After
accepting the resignation the trustees
adopted resolutions to the effect that they
recognize with sincere regret the condition
of health that mas led President Rankin to
resign the position; that they are grateful
for the thirteen years Of patient and faith
full service that he has given the university,
rounding out in this congenial work life
devoted with pure unself1shness to his TEL
low men and to his Divine Master.
His genial spirit, noble literary attain
ments and high Christian character have
deeply endeared him to us all, ana nave
left a lasting impression upon the many
students that have come under his care and
influence. We are grateful for his pro-
tracted and useful labors and for our happy
fellowship in the management OF the uni
versity, and we invoke upon him, In we'll
earned rest, the blessing of our Heavenly
Father.
1--WE desire also to put on record our ap-
probation of the Jealous and sympathetic
interest which President Rankin has ex-
hibited both during his administration Of
fha ira Of no nj
vious life in this city, In the welfare of that
race, now nine million strong, whose edu-
cation and elevation are of such great I'M
portance to our country.
Sketch Of DR.. Rankin's Career.
jeremiah Games Rankin was born in
Thornton, N. H., January 2, 1928, the eldest
son Of Rev. Andrew and Lois Eames Ran
kin. His ancestors came from Scotland
and were among the first settlers of New
Hampshire. He was graduated from the
academy at Middlebury, VT, in 1S4s. and
for several years thereafter taught school.
He entered Andover Theological Seminary
and graduated from that institution in 1854.
He was pastor of Presbyterian and Congre-
gational churches in Potsdam, N. Y, st.
Adams, VT, Lowell and Boston, Mass, and
later in this city, where he preached for
fifteen years. In 1884 he became pastor Of
a church in Orange, N j., and served there
until 1889, when he was elected president
of Howard University.
He was trustee Of that institution from
1870 until 1878, and for six years occupied
the chair of homiletics and pastoral theolo-
gy In the university. He has attended
number of large conferences Of religious
bodies as a delegate and has been promi-
nently identified with Christian work in
this country.
In November, 1854, he was married to
Miss Mary Howell Birge. He received the
degree of D. D. from Middlebury. In 1859,
and the degree Of LII. D. from the same
institution in 1889. He has served as editor
of several religious periodicals and has
been a contributor to many periodicals. DR..
Rankin has written may songs and poems
One Of his best known hymns being God
Be With YOU He has also translated a
number of German lyric and other works.
Foremost in tho Work.
DR.. Rankin is regarded as one Of the fore
most workers In behalf of the coiored race
and has devoted a great deal Of his time
and talent toward securing their rights and
for their elevation. Frederick Douglass
said of him. He has done more to secure
the rights Of my race than all the legisla-
ton of Congress"
Since he became president Of Howard
University there has been a large increase