Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-24
DEAN SIlLS PAYS
TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO
PRESIDENT HYDE

Brunswick Me-, Sept. 23.-Services in
memory of President William Dewitt
Hyde were held at the Bowdoin College
chapel exercises at ) O'Clock this after
noon, it being the first Sunday of the
college year. By coincidence it is also
the anniversary of the birth of President
Hyde. who was born in Winchendon,
Mass, Sept. %, 1855. Todays services
were Cor the student body. 1t is planned
to hold public services later.
Address of Dean Stills
Dean Kenneth c. NJ. Sills, who has been
acting president since the death of DR..
Hyde. presided at the exercises and spoke
as follows:
Here in the chapel which he loved so
we'll and whence his words have often
gone forth to exercise an influence nation
wide, by a strange coincidence on the
anniversary of his birth we are gathered
this afternoon to pay our tribute Of af-
lection and of gratitude to the memory
of that great leader, who on the 18th day
Of last June, 'at the noontide of the day
and of his life" laid down his earthly
burdens. 1t seems but yesterday that he
was here with us advising. guiding, con-
trolling, his eager spirit steadfast until
the end to push forward and to achieve.
1t were futile within these walls to utter
words that would be formed in the fash
ION of eulogy. His work, more enduring
than monuments of bronze, is far too
great for any praise of ours. All that
we can do is to think, each one of us of
his influence on our own lives and on the
college. At times in the history of an in
stitution, in the history of a nation,
a great man arises and makes the period
under his mastery epochal Such terms
President Hyde would be the first to re-
sent if used about himself and yet those
of us who have studied closely the history
of the college realize even now thae when
her work shall be finally assessed he will
! be acclaimed as one who helped more
than any other single person in his time
to make her great.
But on such an occasion as this it Is
not on the wide and national scope Of the
presidents life and influence that we
would dwell: rather in the quiet intimacy
of this chapel service we should aim to
recall characteristics of the man him
self, apart from his fame; for fame. after
ALL is a vain and fleeing attribute of any
man, The things that make the man him
self, these abide. The quality that sep
arates greatness from mediocrity na,
never been defined There was I'm Presi-
dent Hyde that intangible elusive quality.
that quiet distinction, that marks the I'M
usual; to analyze it is as unnecessary TO
MI
we may seen in part whence this great
ness came, for had it not been based on
enduring qualities it would pass like snow
Defore the sun. First Of all, there was in
teilectual insight. A friend of the pres-
ldent said once that he has the most ac
tive brain with which he had ever come
in contact. His whole career in scboo,
and college, and seminary, in the univer-
sity and in his long presidency here Was
marked by hrilliance of mental arbiay.-
ment Every one of you who has sat a,
MS rect in the classroom or listened 10 his
talks mere in chapel. knows how keen WAS
ms power to start other minds thinking
remember his address nj the first Sun
day chapel last year. on Cain and Anal
ana the social responsibility of man 70
MS brother There are 400 AbeIs ber.
and probably q Gains" was the ,ror,a,.
opening sentence. on another occasio,.
Life is like a relay race: don't he dis
ou''keu y your side loses provided you
have done your hest" Every ma, ~ -,
mas stored IN memory such aphorisms.
o'"i''h'' Keen. fuil Of insight into human
need
Ana then there was his courage tho
| thora' courage OF 4 man sure Of hi,,so,,
ana Or the rectitude OF his position t,a
| never Hinched from taking n stand ru,
wise man he would count tho coo, a.,
Out he never feared unpopularitv r,,s
dha'''y always gave y ringing tone "a his
messages and To his sermons. Error. :,
Judgment there might have heen. ,houv,
there wcro few. so keen was his ins,yb,
mo men ana into affairs. hut uncertain
" ana hesitation. and aide-atepninr u,cr,
entirely foreign TO his actions and IN HE
character
Notable too. was the prosiao,,..
ilherAliSing power. ON men Ma
bound by tradition. on situations .,,~
nant and hcfogsod with nrocod,n,s 10.
words OF advice would come with az
inc strengthening force OF n cleo
northwest wind after murky aor.
Manv student NJ Rowdotn I'm. 10,
~" thoughts freed and started on IA
eehtnrous JOURNEYS from casual words
hposen by the President and from
pregnant sentences from his book.
Nor "id THIS power rtop with inaiy,d.
"ais' Few Of lis here and now can
realize how Great waa the tpf,uonc,
ne eSerted on the liberation Of our
own college, conserving with wisdom
all that was best in the old. urging
such reforms as would keep Bowdoin
alwnyF in the liberal ranks.
And all these qualities blended IN |