Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-11-18

George Washington University's
need of an appropriate gallery for
the display of it's art treasures was
emphasized by President William
Mather Lewis at exercises In the
university chapel yesterday after
noon ats which the student body,
alumni and faculty united in paying
tribute TO Dean William Allen Wilbur
of Columbian College.
AS he accepted, on behalf Of the
university. magnificent portrait Of
Dean Wilbur. an outstanding work
OF Richard S. Meryman, President
Lewis spoke regretfully Of the insti-
tution's lack of BETTING place to
hang the canvas.
The portrait was presented to the
university by Miss Elizabeth Peet,
former president Of the Columbian
women. 1t was unveiled by Miss
Jane-Lewis Elizabeth Parks, Dean
"ilbur's granddaughter.
Outlines Deans Record.
President Lewis outlined briefly the
part that Dean Wilbur has played
IN the upbuilding of the institution.
MISS Peet described his qualities Of
deep learning, culture, courtesy and
also was paid 10 the dean by Elmer
Louis Kayser, secretary of the uni
versity. who introduced him to those
who had come to do him honor.
William Allen Wilbur was born on
August Is. 1864" said Miss Peet. Any
one Of you can read In Who's Who.
that he was graduated from Brown
University with the degree Of bache-
lor OF arts, in 1888; that he was
married on December IS, 1889: that
he no ~ aofo nf
arts. in 1884. and the degree of doc
tor Of letters. in 1916; that he taught
In Vermont Academy in 18Ss-1SSs. In
Colby Academy in 18S9-18s0. and In
from 1890 to 1895: that he was ap-
pointed dean of Columbian Academy
tthe old preparatory department OF
Columbian College) in 1895. and that
he has been professor Of English In
George Washington University since
1897. and has also been dean Of CO.
lumbar College since 1904.
But what you cannot read in WHO'S
Who" Is the simple friendliness OF the
man. his quiet but keen sense Of humor.
his gentle courtesy. his wise counsel. his
deep learning and culture as we'll as
his profound knowledge OF his particu-
lar subject. his wide influence as an
educator, his self-sacrifice for loyalty
to this university. his beautiful home
life with his devoted wife and children
and his sincere religious convictions.
He Is widely known for his tex book on
English rhetoric, of which his classes
In the university had the beneht be-
fore it's publication, and copy OF which
he is holding in the portrait here. And
one does not need to be a Baptist TO
have heard Of his Chronicles Of Cal
vary Baptist Church" in this city. pub
lished in 1918. Then there Is his book
on Shakespeare. real labor OF love.
extending over many years. but not yet
given to the publishers. His influence
is not confined to the university, for he
has had in Calvary Church since he
first came to Washington large Bible
class, which some of the children Of the
original members arc now attending;
and the gathering that can get Dean
Wilbur to speak on either literary or
religious topics counts itself fortunat&
indeed. Our university is to be con-
graduated upon having as a member
of it's faculty man who Is such a
power for good in the community.
Explains ships on Canvaa
$50 many have inquired as to the
Significance of the ships that are in
the background of the portrait that
II may be well to relate the story con-
nected with them. even at the risk of
repeating II to those to whom II is
already familiar. 1 wish you could all
hear Dean Wilbur himself tell the
story. No one else can do 1t Justice.
seems Indt lc CoiHco ALoth a
long line of sea-faring and God-fear-
ing ancestors. His father was captain
of a ship bound from San Francisco
to Liverpool. and his fathers brother
captain Of another ship sailing from
New York to San Francisco. The
brothers had not met for some years.
There was just one point at which
the courses of the two vessels might
cross-off Cape Horn-and the two
men prayed each day that 1t might
be given them to have their ships
pass, so that they might see one
another once more. On the morning
of the only day that this could hap
pen. Dean Wilbur's father opened his
daily reading upon the words: What
soever we shall ask in prayer. be-
ueying, we shall receive" Just at
dawn came a shout. ship ahoy!." and
as she drew nearer, Capt. Wilbur
gave orders to heave-to, and then,
as the day grew lighter, the other
shin circled slowly around, three
times, and the two brothers hailed
one another across the water
THE words that they wrote in their
log and their journal, respectively,
showed clearly that they firmly be-
lieved that this meeting was a d.
rect answer to their prayers. When
Capt. Wilbur reached Liverpool he
had a picture painted to commemo-
rate this event and until recently
that picture hung In the Wilbur home
in Mystic, Conn. The deans mother
told him that he might have 1t. but
he felt 1t would be almost sacre-
ligious to remove 1t from the spot