New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-27

opening before il at University Heights. IL
was the frs, OF May. and one OF the loyeliest
May days that ever dawned. There were
speech making and ode reading and singing IN
the time-worn chapel, and then, carrying with
them upon trucks some OF the carved stones
from the battlements OF the building, the
senior class led procession OF the whole uni
versity away beyond the Harlem to the new
site, where one Of the stones from Washington
Square was laid by the class president as the
corner stone Of one of the new buildings.
1t was in 1899 that "Dr John" was called to
be president OF Westminster College, in Mis-
souri,, and there he spent four years Of much
profit to that worthy institution. He was in
Germany on his way 70 get his Pm. d., at
Halle when cable dispatch overlook him, in
forming him that he had been elected presI-
dent of Westminster College, an institution
not one of whoH professors or trustees he
had ever met.
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE DURING
THE CIVIL WAR AND AFTER.
This college had been founded by the Pres
byterian Synod OF Missouri some fifty years
before At the outbreak OF the Civil War the
Synod had been split in twain and the college
had gone with the Southern side. Now, after
a generation of schism, the trustees, and par
ticularly the eminent Judge Hockaday, be-
eved that they needed support OF the North
ern Synod. So they decided to secure as presi-
dent man who filed three requirements: He
must be a Northerner; he must be so young
- vy,t
either side in the Civil War, and he must be,
while educated in theology, layman. For
such man they made inquiry among the col
leges of the North, and in due time they re-
ceived from Dr. Henry M. Baird, the distin-
gushed and venerated professor of Greek In
New York University and dean of the College
of Arts, the suggestion of John Henry Mac
Crackers name.
The young president at once set about re-
storing fraternal relations between the two
Synods. He spoke before both bodies and
when the Southerners suggested giving to the
Eortherners only one-third of the board of
trustees Of the college, he persuaded them to
give them one-half. In year the partnership
was arranged. few Southern alumni visited
the college and babe it farewell, saying, Good
by, Alma Mater The Yankees have got
youp Then week later the two Synods
pa-took of the Lords Supper together at ST.
Louis, and some Northerners said, Bless usl
Did you ever think you would commune with
these Rebels" But despite this verbal spar
ring, there was effected a genuine union Of
hearts.
"Dr. John" secured the building Of fine hall
of science, and a residence hail. and greatly
strengthened the endowment Of the college.
Then ne organized an association of the heads
OF nearly score of Presbyterian colleges in
the Middle West, which first met in Chicago
in 1902 and out of which has grown the impor-
tant Presbyterian College Board, with head
quarters in New York, of which he has for
some years been president. But with all this
good work, he presently cut short his stay at
Westminster, to the regret of all connected
with that institution. In 1908 the health of his
father, Chancellor MacCracken was so inn
paired by his labors as to make efficient as
sistance necessary. Accordingly "Dr. John"
was recalled to his Alma Mater to fill the
newly-created Office of syndic, second only to
that Of chancellor in Importance; and also to
fill one OF the chief professorships in the Grad
uate School Upon the resignation of his
father he served at the request of the council
as acting chancellor until a new chancellor
was chosen and installed; and he has since