Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-05-14

~ of being a great educat1Onai
centre. She Is looked upon by
her neighboring cities and towns as
focus of learning from which
radiate the many paths of knowledge
through which hundreds of her chill
dren are guided year after year not
only to develop their own physical
and mental faculties, but also to aid
the city in it's material welfare and
prosperity.
Among the many private ii1stitu-
tions of Newark one of the oldest is
st. Benedicts College. situated on
High street. Although not far from
the heart of the city, 1t is sufficient
~ free from the noise and din of
traffic, being surrounded by extern
sive open grounds and private resi-
dences. This seat of learning was
founded in the year 1868 by the late
Right Rev. Boniface WINNER, arch
abbot of the Benedictine Order. and
has always been in charge of the
fathers of the Order of st. Bene-
dict. This is the oldest teaching or
der of the Catholic Church. being in
existence since about the year 500 A.
d. Its members are noted for their
ability and eruditIon both in this
country and especially in Europe,
where there are many communities.
The First Classes.
When the college was founded
classes were conducted in small
two -and-a-half story frame house,
one of Newark's old landmarks. The
number of pupils at that time was
very small, but the increased number
of applicants soon demanded better
and more modern schoolhouse Ac-
cordingly, in less than three years
the frame house was sold and imme-
ditely removed. and in its place was
set UP four-story brick structure.
This edifice contained ten class
rooms, with accommodations for
about 100 students. 1t was solemnly
dedicated, amidst imposing cere-
monies. in 1872 by the Rt. Rev. James
Roosevelt Bayley, then bishop of the
Newark diocese. Many prominent
prelates and laymen from Newark
and its vicinity were present.
ST. Benedict's College was originally
designed to give the children of
Catholic parents thorough classical
education, together with instructions
and training in the Catholic religion
and discipline, and thus send her
pupils out into the world not only
with a good foundation in learning,
but also firm foundation in char
acter to aid them in the trials and
struggles of this life, but to help
them to become useful and honorable
members of society.
From its beginning the new school
was largely attended by students
preparing for the higher professions
Among its alumni 1t can be proud of
many men distinguished for their
high standing. both in professional
and social life. A large number of
men who are locally prominent today
received their early training at the
Benedictine institution.
In 1881 it was found necessary TO
add to the classical a commercial
course to meet the demands for a
thorough business education.
In March of the same year an act
of the Legislature of New Jersey en-
powered the college to confer 1.-THE
usual academic and other degrees
granted by any other college in the
State"
The number of pupils was now in
creasing very rapidly Owing to many
students desiring to prepare them
selves for the higher colleges. it was
decided to. enlarge both the physical
and chemical laboratories in order to
equip the boys with a thorough
knowledge of the practical work in
these two branches To do this an
other addition had to be made to the
college. This was done in 1906. The
new wing contained up-to-date work.
rooms and a number of extra class
rooms.
Course of Study Revised.
About this time the courses of study
were thoroughly revised and adapted
to the requirements of the Board of
Regents of New York, as well as the
Board of Education of New Jersey.
Both these bodies gave their full APP
prevail to the courses as fulfilling all
their requirements Besides Latin
and the modern languages. the study
of Greek is made compulsory to stu
dents pursuing the classical course.
This language has been taught for
many years by the high colleges of
Europe and is also being revived in
our American Institutions. 1t has
been proven that the study of the
Greek language does Just as much
towards developing the brain cells OF
the mind as mathematics.
The accretion of students was now
so rapid that the old building of ten
class-rooms was found to be made