History of Randolph-Macon College, Virginia / The Oldest Incorporated Methodist College in America

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE, VIRGINIA: THE OLDEST INCORPORATED METHODIST COLLEGE IN AMERICA by Richard Irby (A. B. 1844)

PREFACE.

The following resolution, adopted at the last annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, will answer as a preface to what will be given as a history of the oldest incorporated Methodist college in America now in existence, and can be pleaded as an excuse, if any be needed, why one so inexperienced in authorship should make this effort to rescue from oblivion what is left of the records and information now obtainable in regard to this, comparatively speaking, venerable college.

"On motion of J. J. Lafferty and W. H. Christian,

"Resolved, That the thanks of the Board be tendered to Richard Irby, Esq., for his labors in the collection of material for a connected and authentic historical account of this college, and that he be requested to continue and perfect this work, and that all friends of the college be requested to give him their cordial aid and co-operation."

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE

EARLY EFFORTS OF METHODISTS TO FOUND SCHOOLS.

JOHN WESLEY, the founder of Methodism, was in every sense a highly educated man. His education began at the knee of one of the wisest and most accomplished women that ever lived to bless the world. It was continued at Oxford, but did not stop there; for he believed, and acted on his belief, that a man's education should continue as long as his intellectual energy survives.

The great business of Wesley was to spread scriptural holiness over the world, beginning at his own home. To accomplish this great end he sought and utilized every practicable agency. Early in the course of the great movement he put in motion, he established the Kingswood School, which he aimed to make as thorough, practically, as Oxford and Cambridge, and free from the surroundings which hindered evangelical believers in attendance on those schools, where he and his co-workers had encountered so much opposition and ridicule. At this school were to be allied in holy matrimony religion and learning, which godless hands had sought to put asunder; for he valued education and learning severed from, and unhallowed by, religion as worse than worthless.

Following the example of this great leader, Asbury, the "Pioneer Bishop of America," sought at an early day to carry out the same plans. But the difficulties he encountered were different from those Mr. Wesley met in many respects. At the close of the Revolutionary War, he found a continent over the broad area of which was spread a population of about three million of people. These people had just come out of a war of seven years, impoverished in every species of property except their broad acres of forest land, worthless until subdued by the sturdy husbandman. The currency of the country was well-nigh worthless and irredeemable in gold and silver. The great and controlling idea of the people was the restoration of wealth and material resources. This meant and required hard and constant work, which pushed aside schools and all other enterprises of the kind considered as of secondary importance. At that time only about eight colleges were found in the States, and these were slimly endowed, if endowed at all, and but poorly patronized.

But bold, and trusting in God, Asbury began the work of establishing schools, hardly waiting for the clearing away of the smoke of battle. At the time he was made General Superintendent, or Bishop, (1784), there were in the United States 14,988 members in the Methodist Episcopal Church. These were scattered broadcast over the States bordering on the Atlantic Ocean, from New York to Georgia. The bulk of the membership was found in the Southern States. The Minutes for that year give New York City sixty members and Brunswick Circuit (Virginia) four hundred and eighty-four, and other circuits in Virginia more.

In the year 1784 Dr. Cummings (in Early Schools of Methodism, New York, 1886) thinks Bishop Asbury founded the first Methodist academy ever established in America. It is reasonable, however, to put the date a little later, say 1785, for his services as General Superintendent did not begin till later, inasmuch as Mr. Wesley's letter appointing him to the place bears date September 10, 1784. This school or academy was located in Brunswick county, Virginia, on the road leading from Petersburg to Boydton, at a point about midway between the two places. He named it

[Illustration: EBENEZER ACADEMY]*

*The Ebenezer Academy building is still standing, but it has been changed somewhat since it ceased to be used for school purposes. The cut used here was made from a pencil sketch of it made by Mr. Short, who lives near, and sent by Rev. J. Carson Watson, in whose circuit it is located. The walls are of stone, one of which has become injured; otherwise, the old house would be good for another century.

For a number of years this academy was controlled by trustees appointed by the Bishop or by the Annual Conference, and enjoyed such supervision as the Bishop was able to give, which, with such arduous labors as demanded his energies, was of necessity but slight and occasional. On this account, and other accounts incident to the times, the control of the academy was lost to the Methodists, and went into the hands of the county authorities, which control never was regained by the Church. But it was kept up as an academy for many years, and at it many of the most prominent men of the county and counties adjacent were educated wholly or partly. In this way it did a good work for the people of its day, and was the forerunner and prophecy of another school not far away, which, under better auspices, though not without difficulties, has lived to bless the Church and the world in this nineteenth century.

The first regularly incorporated Methodist college in the United States was Cokesbury College. It was located near Baltimore, Md. It was in operation only a few years. Augusta College, Kentucky, was the next. That has long since ceased to exist. In the period preceding the division of the Methodist Episcopal Church, there were thirty-one literary institutions controlled by this Church, of which three were exclusively for females and several, co-educational. Seventeen of these were located in the Southern States. Of the thirty-one, only seven colleges have survived, viz.: Randolph-Macon College, chartered February 3, 1830; Wesleyan University (Connecticut), chartered May, 1831; Emory College (Georgia), 1837; Emory and Henry (Virginia), 1838; Wesleyan Female College (Georgia), 1839. Dickinson College (Pennsylvania) chartered in 1783, but did not become a Methodist college till 1833, and was opened as a Methodist college September, 1834. Alleghany College (Pennsylvania) was chartered in 1818, and came under the control of the Methodist Church in 1833, and was opened as a Methodist college the same year.

It will thus be seen that all these male colleges which survived, were opened under Methodist patronage, nearly simultaneously, viz.: Wesleyan University, October, 1831; Randolph-Macon, January, 1832; Alleghany College, November, 1833; Dickinson College, September, 1834. This point of time thus became a marked starting-point in the history of Methodist colleges. Since this turning-point was passed, the number of them has increased as rapidly as the membership of the church, and can now be counted by the hundreds, making the Methodist Church foremost in the great work of Christian education.

It may be noted here that all of the above-named colleges succeeded to buildings which had been used for school purposes, more or less complete, while those of Randolph-Macon were built wholly out of new material.

It is probable that the idea and purpose moving Bishop Asbury to found church schools, had never gone entirely out of the minds of the Methodists of Virginia, notwithstanding all the failures and disasters which had befallen the early enterprises. They found no school in the Conference territory of high grade where they felt safe in sending their sons. William and Mary College was under the control of the Episcopalians, and its location was noted for excess in worldliness and free-living, which did not invite Methodists, whose rules forbade such customs. The atmosphere of the college and town was unsuited to Methodists, and they were looked upon as unfit for the society of the so-called best people. Hampden-Sidney College, originally non-sectarian, had come under the control of the Presbyterians, with whom, in those days, Arminian Methodists did not think it safe to let their sons remain too long, lest they should become Calvinists. Washington College was then a feeble school, and remote from the eastern portion of the State, and outside the Virginia Conference. Under these circumstances, and for what were esteemed good reasons, the Methodists of the Virginia Conference, then composed of the eastern and middle portions of Virginia and North Carolina, moved in the matter of establishing a college of high grade.

A resolution, adopted by the General Conference of 1824, recommending "that each Annual Conference establish a Seminary of learning under its own regulations and patronage," had the effect to direct the attention of the church throughout the connection to the subject of education. So almost simultaneously the New York Conference, with the Virginia Conference, moved towards the establishment of a college, as recommended by the General Conference, the result of which was the founding of the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., and of Randolph-Macon College at Boydton, Va., the two oldest Methodist colleges, originally incorporated as such, now existing in America.

The credit of first planning or founding Randolph-Macon College has been awarded to Rev. Hezekiah G. Leigh and Gabriel P. Disosway. The former was a prominent minister in the Virginia Conference, and was justly esteemed by his contemporaries as an orator second to but few, if any, of his time. Dr. Bennett, in Memorials of Methodism in Virginia, says: "Perhaps no man ever left a deeper impression on the hearts of the people among whom he labored. In every city where he was stationed, in every district, in every circuit, there are thrilling recollections of his preaching…. He was not simply an eloquent preacher, he was a wise, skillful, practical workman in the vineyard." Dr. W. A. Smith, third President of Randolph-Macon College, said of him: "Dr. Leigh had few equals in the pulpit. He filled a large space in public attention, and wielded a wide and undisputed influence among his brethren in the ministry." He was a native of Perquimans county, N. C., born November 23, 1795, but for many years prior to his death resided on his farm near Boydton, Va.

Gabriel P. Disosway was a native of the city of New York, of Huguenot ancestry, born December 6, 1799. He took his A.B. degree at Columbia College, New York, in 1821. In early life he became a citizen of Petersburg, Va., and married a Virginia lady. He was a pious and devoted Methodist, and by his superior education and literary abilities exerted a wide and salutary influence on the church circles of his town and day. Having been a college-bred man, he may have suggested to Dr. Leigh the founding of a college, or the latter may have sought the advice and co-operation of Mr. Disosway, and thenceforth the two worked together as co-laborers in this good cause. Dr. W. A. Smith inclined to the latter view of the matter, for he says (Funeral Discourse on Rev. H. G. Leigh), "Regarding all the circumstances, the prominent position held by Dr. Leigh in originating all the preliminary measures, and his personal activity in advancing them, we have always considered him in a good sense the founder of Randolph-Macon College." Mr. Disosway returned to New York in 1828, and thus the college ceased to have his active co-operation with Dr. Leigh, which might, and doubtless would, have been very acceptable and beneficial. He lived to an honorable old age, giving much of his valuable time to the great interests of the Church of his choice, and also to the great religious institutions of his State and the country, with a number of which he was closely identified as manager or director. He also wrote frequently for the press, and was the author of several books, one of which particularly was highly esteemed, viz. The Old Churches of New York."

The college, many years ago, recognized the claims of these co-founders to the gratitude and remembrance of succeeding generations by placing on the walls of the chapel marble tablets, suitably inscribed and dedicated to their memory.

The enterprise of establishing a college in the Virginia Conference took definite direction, and resulted in practical action at the session of the Virginia Conference held at Oxford, N. C., March 2, 1825. In the minutes is this entry: "After some discussion on the recommendation of the General Conference (of 1824), 'That each Annual Conference establish a Seminary of Learning, under its own regulations and patronage,' the whole question was referred to a committee of twelve—six ministers and six laymen—to consider and report the best method of establishing such a Seminary with suitable constitutional principles." The following constituted the committee ordered: John Early, Hezekiah G. Leigh, Caleb Leach, Charles A. Cooley, William Compton and George M. Anderson, of the Conference; and Gabriel P. Disosway, Joseph B. Littlejohn, John Nutall, Lewis Taylor, Joseph Taylor and Jesse H. Cobb, of the laity…. "The College bill, which was laid on the table, was taken up, and, after some amendment, was adopted." It would appear from the constitution of the committee, that John Early made the motion to appoint the committee, and this was probably the case, because he was then, and for many years afterwards, a leader in the business of the Conference, and, therefore, the prime mover in the enterprise, had enlisted his active interest in the matter. We shall see that this prominent position was held by him for many years afterwards.

This was all that was done at this Conference. At the next Conference, held in Portsmouth, Va., February, 1826, the committee was increased by adding George W. Charlton and James Smith, ministers, and Robert A. Armistead, Arthur Cooper, Jesse Nicholson, local preachers, and J. C. Pegram, Cary Jennings, laymen. On the 20th the committee made a report, and the report Was laid on the table. On the 22nd the College bill, which was laid on the table, was taken up, and after some amendments it was adopted. On the 23rd the "Select Committee," recommended in the bill adopted on the days previous, was appointed, viz.: Hezekiah G. Leigh, George W. Charlton, James Smith, John Early, Thomas Crowder, Ethelbert Drake, ministers, and Gabriel P. Disosway, Robert A. Armistead, William Clarke, John C. Pegram, laymen. This committee reported at the succeeding Conference (1827) a "Constitution" for the College, which, after some amendments, was adopted; and it was further "Resolved, that every member take a subscription paper and use his influence and best exertions to obtain subscriptions for the benefit of the College contemplated to be founded within the bounds of this Conference."

At the Conference of 1828 a new committee of seven was appointed "to see that all the preachers pay a due and diligent attention to every regulation and matter appertaining to the establishment of the College contemplated, and to employ an efficient agent to make collections and obtain subscriptions for the same, and to maturely consider the advantages of every place proposed for its site, and to report thereon to the next Conference upon which the location of the College shall be fixed."

LOCATION AND NAMING OF THE COLLEGE.

At the Conference of 1829 the committee appointed the year previous made a report. The Committee had met at Zion Church, in Mecklenburg county. The citizens of Brunswick offered $20,000 in subscriptions on condition that the College be located at Physic Springs, about four miles from Lawrenceville, the county seat, and not very far from the old Ebenezer Academy. The citizens of Mecklenburg offered a parcel of land near Boydton, the county seat, at a very low price, and $10,000 in subscriptions, with some possible advantages from the Boydton Academy. The location was fixed at or near Boydton, probably, mainly through the influence of Rev. Hezekiah G. Leigh, the prime mover in the College enterprise, and Howell Taylor, a very influential Methodist of the county, together with Hon. William O. Goode and Col. William Townes, men of great popularity. The site selected was also very near the line dividing the States of Virginia and North Carolina, and probably more accessible to the people of the two States at that time than any other eligible location, and was considered healthful, as well as the centre of a refined community. The county of Mecklenburg was one of the largest and wealthiest in the State, and its people and the people of the adjoining counties of North Carolina were friendly and homogeneous.

The report of the Committee was confirmed by the Conference, and the Committee was authorized to apply to the General Assembly of Virginia for a charter. This the Committee proceeded to do, and Mr. Goode, of Mecklenburg, presented a bill to incorporate the "Trustees of Henry and Macon College" Friday, January 15, 1830. After going through the several readings required, and having several amendments made, on motion of Mr. Alexander, of Mecklenburg, the title was changed, making it to read, "An act to incorporate the 'Trustees of Randolph-Macon College.'" The bill so amended was passed by both houses, and became a law February 3, 1830. The Act in part is as follows:

"1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That there be, and is hereby erected and established, at or near Boydton, in the county of Mecklenburg, in this Commonwealth, a seminary of learning for the instruction of youth in the various branches of science and literature, the useful arts, agriculture, and the learned and foreign languages.

"2. And be it further enacted, That the said seminary shall be known and called by the name of Randolph-Macon College.

"3. And be it further enacted, That Hezekiah Leigh, John Early, Edward Cannon, W. A. Smith, William I. Waller, Thomas Crowder, Moses Brock, James Boyd, William Hammett, Caleb Leach, Matthew M. Dance, Lewis Skidmore, Augustine Claiborne, Ethelbert Drake, Henry Fitts, John Nutall, James Wyche, John P. Harrison, Grenville Penn, Walker Timberlake, John G. Claiborne, Howell Taylor, James Smith, Joel Blackwell, John Y. Mason, James Garland, Richard G. Morris, John W. Lewis, William O. Goode, and Nathaniel Alexander be, and are hereby, constituted and appointed trustees of said college, who and their successors shall be a body politic and corporate by the name of the 'Trustees of Randolph-Macon College,' who shall have a perpetual succession and a common seal, and by the name aforesaid they and their successors shall be capable in law to possess, purchase, receive and retain to them and their successors forever, any lands, tenements, rents, goods, chattels or interests of any kind whatsoever, which may have been already given, or by them purchased for the use of said College; to dispose of the same in any way whatsoever they shall adjudge most useful to the interests and legal purposes of the institution; and by the same name to sue and implead, be sued and impleaded, answer and be answered, in all courts of law and equity; and under their common seal to make and establish, from time to time, such by-laws, rules and ordinances, not contrary to the laws and constitution of this Commonwealth, as shall by them be thought essential to the good order and government of the professors, masters and students of said College."

It will appear above that thirty were constituted trustees. Of the thirty, twelve were travelling preachers of the Virginia Annual Conference, and eighteen were local preachers and laymen. The name of Rev. Hezekiah G. Leigh heads the list, as, by courtesy, was proper. All were members of the Methodist Church, except the following: Judge John Y. Mason, John W. Lewis, William O. Goode, and Nathaniel Alexander, the three latter prominent citizens of Mecklenburg county. Of these a number lived to take an active part in the affairs of the college for many years. The last to pass away was Judge Garland, of Lynchburg, who died a few years since at a very advanced age.

It is well known for whom Randolph-Macon College was named—John Randolph, of Roanoke, and Nathaniel Macon, of North Carolina. How it came about that a Christian and Methodist college should have been named for men who were not professed Christians, and who had never, so far as is known, shown any preference or kindly interest for the Methodist Church, has been a question of interest and speculation. The most probable solution of the question is that the name was determined very much by precedent. The oldest college in the State, William and Mary, founded primarily and specially for educating "the savages" in Christianity, was named for the King and Queen then on the throne. Washington College was named for Washington, the hero of the day (1782); Hampden-Sidney for the champions of liberty and human rights (1783), all of them Christian colleges, but named for public men, representatives of the sentiments of the periods uppermost when they were founded. Following the precedents set by these colleges, the names then most prominent in Virginia and North Carolina were selected, John Randolph, of Roanoke, and Nathaniel Macon, one living on the south side of the Roanoke River and the other on the north side. Neither of these men was in any way connected with the College, nor did either, so far as is recorded, ever manifest any interest in it by making a contribution to it or otherwise, but both were very popular in their native State, in whose service they literally spent their lives. John Randolph has been called an infidel by some Northern writers, but those who knew him best represent him as far from having been such, though he lived at a time when infidelity was far from being uncommon among public men. At one time, at least, he was a professed believer in Christ, and never gave up his belief, however inconsistent in his life, at times, he may have been.

Hon. J. K. Paulding, a distinguished author and public man, in a letter accepting membership in one of the literary societies of the College soon after it was built, wrote of these men:

"Randolph-Macon combines the names of two very distinguished men, with whom I was acquainted; with the former, long and intimately. Mr. Macon was one of the wisest, most virtuous men I ever knew. His integrity as a private man was only equalled by his devotion to his country and to the great principles of liberty, of which he was a most faithful and devoted advocate. Indeed, I may say, with perfect truth, that in the simplicity of his habits and character, as well as in the purity of his principles, he realized more than any man I ever knew the example of a steadfast, stern, inflexible republican.

"With Mr. John Randolph I was on terms of intimacy for more than twenty years. He was a very extraordinary man, whose life and character should be delineated by one who could analyze them thoroughly and explain their strange apparent inconsistency. To me it always appeared that but for the weakness of his physical constitution and the almost perpetual sufferings it entailed upon him, he would have been one of the highest models of a high-minded gentleman, as well as one of the wisest, most consistent statesmen of the age. But his physical infirmities and sufferings impaired the vigor and consistency of his mind, while they often soured his temper, and caused those sudden caprices, which lost him many friends, and made his greatest admirers almost afraid to indulge in the society of one the charm of whose conversation was otherwise irresistible. This, however, I will say of him, that whatever may have been the infirmities of his temper, his principles were of the most high, and, indeed, lofty character. His integrity was exemplary, and his devotion to the great principles of liberty consistent and profound.

"The life and character of Mr. Macon young men may safely make the objects of their imitation throughout, while Mr. Randolph is rather a subject of admiration and wonder. Virginia should be proud of him as an orator without an equal among his contemporaries and as a man who, with all his faults, was possessed of many virtues of the very highest order."

Looking at the matter from our present standpoint, it seems strange that a more suitable name was not selected more in accordance with the special character of the object of the institution, the blending of the highest culture of the mind with the elevation of Christian character.

[Illustration: REV. JOHN EARLY. First President (1832-1868) of the
Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, and Bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.]

FIRST MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

The first meeting of the Board of Trustees appointed under the act of incorporation, was held at Boydtown (so it reads), Mecklenburg county, Va., April 9, 1830.

The following members were duly qualified and took their seats, viz.:
Rev. Hezekiah G. Leigh, Rev. John Early, Rev. William A. Smith, Rev.
William I. Waller, Rev. Moses Brock, Rev. James Boyd, Rev. Caleb Leach,
Rev. Matthew M. Dance, Rev. Lewis Skidmore (members of the Virginia
Conference), Rev. John G. Claiborne, Rev. James Smith (local ministers),
Jas. Wyche, Howell Taylor, J. W. Lewis, William O. Goode, and Nathaniel
Alexander, Esqs. Rev. John Early was elected chairman, and Rev. William
A. Smith secretary.

A committee was appointed to draft rules for the government of the
Board, and one to obtain drafts of buildings for the College. H. G.
Leigh, J. W. Lewis, James Boyd, and L. Skidmore constituted the latter
committee.

H. G. Leigh, who had been acting as Agent for the College in securing subscriptions and funds for the College enterprise, under the appointment of the Virginia Conference, was elected Agent to continue the same work. A committee was also appointed to secure land for the location of the College.

This was the work of the first day.

At the second session—the next day—Rev. H. G. Leigh, from the Committee to Draft Rules, etc., reported the rules for the government of the Board, which were adopted.

Rev. W. I. Waller submitted the following resolutions, which were adopted:

1. That a committee be appointed to prepare an address to the public generally, and to the ministers and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church particularly, requesting their aid and co-operation in procuring funds for the establishment of Randolph-Macon College.

2. That a copy of the address be sent to each presiding elder and preacher in charge of circuits and stations within the bounds of the Virginia Annual Conference.

William A. Smith, Moses Brock, H. G. Leigh, and William I. Waller were appointed on this committee.

It was further resolved that an additional Agent be appointed.

John W. Lewis was elected Treasurer of the Board.

H. G. Leigh, from the Committee to obtain drafts for the College Building, reported three—one to cost $30,182, one $20,569, and one $19,238.

The first resolutions adopted in the direction of building was to appropriate $14,000 towards the purchase of land and the erection of a College building.

It was also resolved "that it is expedient to establish a Preparatory School to Randolph-Macon College as soon as the building can be prepared for that purpose," and $1,500 was appropriated to its erection.

A "Committee on Building" was appointed to obtain the best model for the College building, and contract for, and superintend the construction of, the same, and also the building for the Preparatory School.

Rev. H. G. Leigh's salary as agent was fixed at "the usual salary of a
Methodist itinerant preacher."

The first financial report by the agent was made as follows:

Monies subscribed, . . . . . . . . . . . $9,135 90 Monies collected of this, . . . . . . . . . 399 79 of this doubtful, $380. $8,736 11

The offer of the trustees of Boydton Academy to sell the same was not accepted.

The committee authorized to purchase land for the College made report, and the committee was empowered to purchase land from several parties at an average of about $5.50 per acre.

The agent reported that the subscription of Mecklenburg county was $10,000. It was ordered that the subscription paper be deposited with the Treasurer.

The first Building Committee appointed was as follows: Hezekiah G.
Leigh, John W. Lewis, James Smith, Matthew M. Dance, Moses Brock, and
John Early; and here the deliberations of the first meeting of the Board
ended.

With a subscription list of less than $20,000, including the county subscription, a large portion of which, in those days, as in the present, was uncollectable and worthless, this band of workers went forward, "not knowing whither they were going," but, like Abraham, trusting in the Lord, whose spirit had prompted the enterprise, that he would bring about a successful issue. Could they have foreseen the difficulties ahead, the work probably would never have been undertaken, nor would Columbus ever have discovered a new world if he had foreseen the difficulties which were before him.

It is not untimely to pause and dwell on some of the actors in this work.

The chairman, Rev. John Early, who was afterwards Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was at this time in the prime of life. He was not a college-bred man. He probably valued college education as highly as he did because he felt so keenly the need of it. He was, however, in the best sense, an educated man, and a man among men. From his early manhood his brethren and fellow-citizens manifested their appreciation of him by calling him to the highest positions in the church and in the state. The latter, however, were not accepted by him. It may be safely said that no man ever lived in Virginia who was more intimately or more widely known than John Early. No man ever knew more men. Few ever had more seals to their ministry. Not neglecting his own peculiar work in the church, he was always foremost in everything that he esteemed promotive of the good of the church and the state. From the outset he threw into the college enterprise all his great energy, and gave it the benefit of his large practical sense, because he felt that the church, as well as the state, was in need of such an agency. Under the charter, as subsequently amended, he was elected President of the Board of Trustees, and retained that position for about forty years, rarely ever failing to attend the annual meetings, when attendance involved days of tedious and difficult travel over rough roads. When over eighty years of age he was found at his place in the Board. Doubtless his latest prayers were for the success of the cause to which he gave many of the years of his manhood's prime. Randolph-Macon College will never let the name of John Early be forgotten. His portrait adorns the Trustees' room, and his eyes look down every June on his successors in the Board of Trustees, who are laboring to carry forward the work which he and his co-laborers commenced in 1825.

The first secretary, Rev. William Andrew Smith, was another man of power, a self-made man, as such men are commonly called. He accepted the "call from on high" to do great things. He was endowed with a wonderfully fertile and active mind. When fully aroused in any cause his heart espoused, he was a power with the people and with deliberative bodies. Commencing active service for the College as Secretary of the Board, he lived to become the President of the College from 1847 to 1865. When he took charge of it, the College was at the lowest condition financially as well as in patronage, that it ever reached. Full of faith and zeal himself, he infused new life into it and animated its friends with fresh courage and zeal. Realizing that an endowment was absolutely essential, in 1855 he undertook to raise $100,000 for it, and succeeded. Of this endowment more will be said further on.

[Illustration: REV. LEWIS SKIDMORE. Original member of Board of
Trustees.]

Another self-made man among the corporators present was Lewis Skidmore. In native talent of a peculiar order, he was second to none of his associates. He had, however, none of the ambition of some of the others. For power of argumentation on any subject he took in hand, he was equal to the foremost. He said once, when asked at what college he had graduated, "I graduated at the anvil." When the hammer of his logic struck it shaped or shivered the object it struck. As punctual as a clock, the day before the Trustees were to meet, his rotund form would be seen about the same hour rising over the western hill as the sun was going down.

Space will not allow particular reference to the other members of the
Board. All of them were men of mark in their callings. Three of
them—laymen, citizens of Mecklenburg county—were not members of the
Methodist church.

William O. Goode was a representative man. He was a member of the Legislature, and brought forward the College bill. He was a member of the State Convention of 1829 and of the Congress of the United States for several sessions.

Nathaniel Alexander was a wealthy planter and a man of fine education, and represented his county in the Legislature more than once.

John W. Lewis was a lawyer of prominence, and served as Treasurer of the
College as long as he lived.

The fact that these men were on the Board will show that sectarian bigotry was not so strong in olden times as some have been inclined to believe.

Rev. John G. Claiborne served on the Board for many years faithfully and efficiently, and outlived all of the original members.

At the second meeting of the Board of Trustees, held October 30, 1830 (Rev. John Early, chairman, presiding), the Building Committee reported the plan for the main College building, with cost of erection. William A. Howard and Dabney Cosby were the contractors. The plan embraced a centre brick building fifty-two feet front by fifty-four deep, with wings east and west sixty-seven and a half feet each, making a total front of one hundred and eighty-seven feet, all four stories high. The contract price for the same, except painting, tin roof, casement of the library, and seats in the chapel, to be finished in "a plain, workman-like manner, of the best materials," to be $14,137, and it was to be ready for occupancy by the spring of 1832. The committee also reported the purchase of two hundred and fifty-seven acres of land from several parties, including previous purchase, the several tracts forming a solid body.

Rev. H. G. Leigh, Agent, made report as to the finances, as follows:

Monies collected to date, . . . . $ 941 59
Subscriptions deemed good, . . . . 27,762 70
Total,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28,703 29

Rev. William Hammett, an eloquent Irish minister, was appointed agent for soliciting additional funds.

Of the subscriptions made by citizens of Mecklenburg county, the name of William Townes heads the list with $1,000, the largest subscription to the College funds in early times. He was not a Methodist, nor a member of any church, but he was one of the earliest and best friends of the College.

On the early subscription lists there were about five hundred names.
Next to the subscription of Col. Townes, there were none above $300.

The third meeting of the Board of Trustees was held April 15, 1831, Rev. John Early, chairman, presiding. The following items of business transacted are noted:

Rev. Thomas Adams, a local minister, of Lunenburg county, was elected in place of Rev. James Smith, who resigned his membership.

A "Stewards' Hall" was authorized, the cost of the building of which was not to exceed $4,000.

The chairman of the Board was authorized to advertise that the Board would proceed to elect at the next meeting (in October, 1831) a President, Professors, and Masters.

The salary of the President to be elected was fixed at $1,000 for the first year; salaries of the Professors for the first year, $800.

The fourth meeting of the Board was held October 13, 1831, Rev. John
Early in the chair.

At this meeting Rev. H. G. Leigh, Agent, reported subscriptions amounting to $9,873, and Rev. William Hammett, $13,047, in all $22,920.

The South Carolina Conference was formally invited to unite and co-operate with the Board in the support of Randolph-Macon College, with the proviso that should the Conference agree so to do, the Board would elect six members Trustees from the bounds of that Conference.

Rev. Martin P. Parks was appointed the Agent to communicate with said
Conference and to solicit subscriptions.

The Building Committee reported the centre building walls up and covered in and the wings well under way; also, the purchase of additional land.

The committee to whom was referred the matter of nominating a President
and Professors reported, and the following elections were made: Rev.
John Emory, D. D., of New York, President and Professor of Moral
Science; Rev. Martin P. Parks, of North Carolina, Professor of
Mathematics; Landon C. Garland, of Virginia, Professor of Natural
Science; Rev. Robert Emory, of New York, Professor of Languages.

Mr. William O. Goode, member of the Legislature, of Mecklenburg county, was appointed to ask of the General Assembly of Virginia aid for the College.

FIFTH MEETING OF THE BOARD.

A called meeting of the Board was held April 4, 1832. At this meeting letters were presented and read announcing the declination of Dr. John Emory to accept the presidency of the College, and of Rev. Robert Emory to accept the chair to which he was elected. The letters were as follows:

New York, February 17, 1832.

"REV. AND DEAR SIR: My conviction of the importance of time to enable you to make suitable arrangements for the opening of Randolph-Macon College at the appointed period, induces me to avail myself of the occasion of your assembling in Conference to communicate to you the conclusion to which I have come, on mature reflection, in regard to the high and honorable post to which you have kindly invited me in that institution.

"I trust I need not repeat here how sincerely my best wishes attend your exertions in the cause of education, nor the pleasure I should take in contributing any small service in my power towards your success.

"Considering, however, the confinement which such a situation would require of me, the studies to which it would oblige me to devote myself in order to discharge its duties as I would wish, and the effect which such a course would be likely to have upon my health, already needing rather relief from the arduous duties of my present post, I am under the necessity of declining the acceptance of your kind invitation, and beg you for me to make this communication to the Board over which you preside.

"Be pleased, at the same time, to accept for yourself personally, and to convey to the members of the Board, the assurance of the deep sense I entertain of the obligations you have laid me under, as well as in behalf of my son as in my own; and that you may at all times command any service which it may be in my power to render as friends of the important institution under your care.

"Very respectfully, Rev. and dear sir, yours,

"J. EMORY."

"To the Rev. John Early,

Chairman, etc.. of the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, Va."

"New York, November 3, 1831.

"REV. AND DEAR SIR: Yours of the 15th ultimo was duly received, and would have elicited an earlier reply but for the absence of my father, whom I wished to consult previously to communicating my own views of the subject.

"I take, however, the earliest opportunity after his return to express through you, to the Board of Trustees, the high sense which I entertain of the flattering honor which they have been pleased to confer upon me, and at the same time my regret for the necessity which I am under of declining its acceptance.

"My anxiety to prosecute thoroughly and with an undivided attention the study of a profession is such that neither my desire to promote the interests of education, nor even the temptation of the honorable post which you have offered me, and the agreeable society which I should enjoy in Virginia, are sufficient to withdraw me from a course in which my father has had the kindness to yield me his acquiescence. With the best wishes for the prosperity of your institution, and a hope that you may secure for it the services of one whose ability (though certainly not his desire) to serve you will be far greater than mine, I remain with great respect,

"Yours, &c., R. EMORY.

"To the Rev. John Early."

Prof. Landon C. Garland and Rev. Martin P. Parks accepted the chairs to which they had been elected at the previous meeting. Their letters of acceptance were as follows:

FROM LANDON C. GARLAND.

"WASHINGTON COLLEGE, December 13, 1831.

"DEAR SIR: Circumstances not altogether under my control have prevented me from replying to your communication of October 15th as early as I wished. Having given to its contents that mature deliberation which their importance surely demanded, I feel myself prepared to give a final decision.

"The only ambition of my life has been to devote all my time and talents to the promotion and welfare and happiness of our common country; and that situation which would enable me to do this most efficiently I have ever esteemed most eligible. Contemplating in this spirit the important and extensive field of useful labor which Randolph-Macon College presents, I have felt it a duty incumbent upon me to obey the call which you so politely communicated in behalf of its Trustees. And through you I beg leave to assure them that this discharge of duty accords with every impulse of the heart; and I do trust that by a vigorous and united exertion with those associated with me, we shall in some humble measure redeem the pledge, which by our acceptance we make both to that body and to the world.

"Yours very sincerely,

"LANDON C. GARLAND.

"To the Rev. John Early."

FROM M. P. PARKS.

PETERSBURG, VA., April 3, 1832.

"REV. AND DEAR SIR: I hereby acknowledge the receipt of your official letter informing me of my election to the professorship of mathematics in Randolph-Macon College. My answer has been delayed until the present that I might have an opportunity of consulting the Virginia Conference, of which I am a member, before replying definitely to your communication. The Conference at its last session having advised me to the acceptance of the professorship tendered, it is hereby accepted. And in accepting it, which I cannot do but with diffidence, in view of the important duties and high responsibilities therewith connected, I beg that you will present to the Board of Trustees my acknowledgements for the favorable light in which they have been pleased to view my qualifications for the department to which I am called.

"For the institution now growing under their auspices I cherish the warmest regard, and so far as devotion to its interests can ensure success, I hope not altogether to disappoint the expectations of the Board. More, it is presumed, need not be promised; less could not be required. Offering through you to the Board my most Christian regards, I have the pleasure to subscribe myself, dear sir,

"Very respectfully yours,

"M. P. PARKS."

Dr. John Emory was subsequently elected Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was one of the most honored and beloved Bishops that church ever had. It was soon called to mourn his sudden and untimely death, which occurred while he was in the prime of life and in the height of a most useful career. His name is made honorable by its association with two colleges of the church—Emory College, Oxford, Georgia, founded in 1837, and Emory and Henry College, Virginia, founded 1838.

His son, Rev. Robert Emory, was subsequently president of Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, and was most highly esteemed by the church. His name is known and repeated to this day as the christian name of children whose fathers were under his care and tutelage at Dickinson College.

At this meeting the Board found the Preparatory School in operation. It had been opened in January, 1832. The first principal, Rev. Lorenzo Lea, A. M., was not able to take charge of it promptly because of a previous engagement at Chapel Hill University, North Carolina. He did commence his work, however, early in the year. His place was temporarily supplied by Mr. Hugh A. Garland, brother of Prof. Landon C. Garland, a graduate of Hampden-Sidney College, who afterwards was clerk of the House of Representatives of the United States, and the author of "The Life of John Randolph, of Roanoke."

The Preparatory School had during the first term a patronage of thirty-eight. The Board ordered for this School an assistant teacher.

In order to extend the influence and patronage of the College, the Board took steps to secure the cooperation of the Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, offering a representation on the Board of such as should be nominated to it by the Conference.

SIXTH MEETING OF THE BOARD, JULY 4, 1832.

Rev. Martin P. Parks, professor-elect, requested by the Board at its last meeting, appeared and delivered "a learned, eloquent, and patriotic address" before the Board and the public.

The same gentleman, who had been appointed by the Board to visit the South Carolina Conference to invite their cooperation in the College enterprise, made a report of his mission, and laid before the Board the response of the Conference, which was as follows: "The committee to whom was referred the address and resolutions of the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, report:

"That they have had the same under consideration, and been favored With an interview With the esteemed agent of the Board, Brother Parks, and from all that has been presented to them, and which they have duly weighed and examined respecting the College, have come unanimously to the conclusion that the Conference ought to regard it with favor, and accordingly do recommend the following resolutions:

"Resolved, That the establishment of a well-endowed college, purely literary and scientific, in a desirable place in the Southern Atlantic States, and under the direction and control of a Faculty and Board of Trustees, consisting, and perpetually to consist, of members and friends of our church, is an object of first importance, vitally interesting to our Zion, and deserving of the best wishes and assistance of all our friends.

"Resolved, That Randolph-Macon College, of Virginia, instituted under an ample charter, of the State of Virginia, and now shortly to be opened under the auspices of the Virginia Conference, possesses every reasonable prospect of soon becoming in all respects all that the friends of literature and religion, and those of our own church, especially, could desire, and is entitled to, and ought to receive, the preference and patronage of this Conference.

"Resolved, That we earnestly recommend the Randolph-Macon College aforesaid to all our brethren and friends of the South Carolina Conference, and will cordially receive an agent and second his efforts when such an one shall be sent to solicit aid for the College.

"Resolved, That we accept a share in the supervision of the College approved by the Board of Trustees, and nominate six suitable persons of the ministry and membership of the church indifferently within our Conference limits to be elected into the Board of Trustees on our behalf.

"All of which is respectfully submitted.

"(Signed) W. CAPERS, Chairman.

"On motion, it was resolved unanimously that the above report he adopted.

"The Conference then proceeded to nominate the following Trustees, viz.:
Col. Thomas Williams, Major Alexander Speed, Rev. Dr. William Capers,
Rev. Wm. M. Kennedy, Rev. William M. Wightman, and Rev. William Holmes
Ellison.

"Teste: WILLIAM M. WIGHTMAN,

"Secretary.

"DARLINGTON, S. C., January 30, 1832."

The above nominees of the South Carolina Conference were elected members of the Board.

George W. Jeffries, of North Carolina, was elected a trustee in place of
John Nuttall, deceased.

The Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was invited to unite and co-operate with the Board on the same terms and conditions offered the Georgia Conference. An agent was appointed to visit these Conferences in order to secure their co-operation. John Early was appointed to visit them.

The Holston Conference was likewise invited to cooperate with the Board, and Rev. William Hammett was appointed to visit that Conference.

The Finance Committee reported the receipts and expenditures to date, as follows:

Receipts, . . . . . . $11,350 02
Expenditures,. . . . . 10,516 26
Balance on hand, . . . . $833 76

Appropriations for the first year (including salaries of agents of the
College, $300), $4,500.

A steward for the Boarding Hall was elected. The price of board of students was fixed at six dollars per month at the Steward's Hall.

On motion of Rev. William Hammett, Rev. Stephen Olin, of Franklin
College, Georgia, was unanimously elected President of the College.

It was ordered that the College be opened for students on October 9, 1832.

Prof. Edward Dromgoole Sims, A. M., of LaGrange College, Alabama, was elected Professor of Languages.

Dr. Olin and Prof. Sims subsequently accepted the positions to which they were elected. Their letters of acceptance were as follows:

"Rev. John Early,

"DEAR SIR: I hereby announce to you, and through you to the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, that I accept the presidency of that institution, as conferred upon me in July, 1832. I design to resign my professorship in Franklin College as early as I can, consistently with duty and propriety, and hope to be at Randolph-Macon at least as early as the next commencement.

"Yours very respectfully,

"S. OLIN.

"ATHENS, GA., January 9, 1833."

"LAGRANGE, ALA., August 7, 1832.

"DEAR SIR: Your letter communicating the result of the late election of officers for Randolph-Macon College was received eight or ten days ago.

"In relation to the Professorship of Languages, to which the Trustees have done me the honor to invite me, I have to say: In a previous letter to you on this subject entire freedom to accept or decline was reserved by me until I could procure more satisfactory information from Brother Paine concerning the prospects of the institution. At this time there exists no objection in my mind, and accordingly I now make known to you, with pleasure, my acceptance of the appointment, and desire you to communicate the same to the Board of Trustees.

"Please accept for yourself and them my sincere regard and best wishes.

"With brotherly love, ED. D. SIMS.

"REV. JOHN EARLY"

The acceptance of Dr. Olin completed the Faculty, when it came, several months after the College was opened. Rev. M. P. Parks, professor-elect, acted as president until Dr. Olin entered on his duties. The first Board of Instruction was as follows:

Rev. Stephen Olin, A. M., D. D. (Middlebury College, Vermont), President and Professor of Moral Science.

Rev. Martin P. Parks, graduate West Point Academy, Professor of
Mathematics.

Landon C. Garland, A. M., Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia, Professor of
Natural Science.

Rev. Edward D. Sims, A. M., Chapel Hill (N. C. University), Professor of Languages.

Rev. Lorenzo Lea, A. B., Chapel Hill (N. C. University), Principal of
Preparatory School.

It will be appropriate and interesting to give sketches at this point of the men composing this first Faculty of the oldest Methodist College now in existence in America by date of incorporation; not simply on that account, but because they were mostly men of great ability, and made their mark on the times in which they lived in a way and to an extent that few others, if any, have ever done in the South.

Dr. Stephen Olin was a native of Vermont, as was Dr. Wilbur Fisk, who, contemporaneously with him, was moving on a parallel line at the Wesleyan University, in Connecticut. These names, Olin and Fisk, the Church, and the alumni of the colleges they presided over will never let die. Wherever the initials "S. O." and "W. F." are seen in any catalogue, it will be readily understood that they respectively stand for these names, and they are common now, over a half-century after the principals ceased to live.

President Olin was a graduate of Middlebury College, Vermont. He took the first honor in his class. From too much confinement and over-study his health gave way. On this account he went to South Carolina, and took charge of an academy at Cokesbury.

He was fortunate in casting his lot in a very religious community, whose leading men, patrons of the academy, were pious Methodists. He had had no acquaintance with Methodists. He was not only not a Christian, but he had been much troubled in his religious belief, and was inclined to he skeptical. His views were changed by reading Butler's Analogy and Paley's Evidences.

It was the rule and custom at the Cokesbury Academy to open the school with the reading of the Scriptures and prayer. This requirement he had to carry out. One day while engaged in prayer he was powerfully convicted, and immediately sought pardon, and found peace in believing. Very soon afterwards he felt called to preach, and entered the ministry, and after a few years he joined the Conference, and was appointed to a church in Charleston, S. C. His health, however, allowed him to remain but a short time in the itinerancy. He accepted a professorship in Franklin College, Athens, Ga., at which institution he remained till he left to become President of Randolph-Macon College.

[Illustration: REV. STEPHEN OLIN, D. D., First President of
Randolph-Macon College.]

Rev. Solomon Lea, who was associated with Dr. Olin during his presidency at Randolph-Macon, gives the following points in regard to him:

"In his physique he had large frame and limbs, but was well proportioned. He had dreamy eyes and sallow complexion, indicating deep affliction. He never saw a well day, and yet he faithfully attended to all his duties. I have heard it said that he thanked God for his affliction. Like Paul he could glory in his affliction. He preached but seldom on account of his health. I shall never forget his sermons. The impression made by them seemed to follow me day and night for weeks and months. His style and manner were peculiar, differing from any other man I ever heard. His language was simple, pure English, free from technicalities and pompous words. His manner rather labored, not from loudness of voice, nor from gesticulation, but his profound thoughts elaborated in his giant mind seemed to struggle for utterance. There was no attempt at what is called eloquence. I have heard most of the great preachers of the day, some of them yery great, but I never heard the equal of Olin."

Rev. Leroy M. Lee, D. D., long a member of the Virginia Conference, and editor of the Conference paper, said of Dr. Olin: "He was the only truly great man I have ever seen of whom I do not feel constrained to say, on analyzing his character,

"'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view.'"

Rev. W. M. Lewis, D. D., of Missouri, who spent several years of college life under him, said of him: "He was of large and majestic form, a physical and intellectual giant, a paragon of moral and religious excellence, a perfect model of a Christian gentleman and scholar and pulpit orator. In my opinion the church has never had a better or greater man."

Rev. W. B. Rowzie, long connected with the College as Financial Agent and also as Chaplain, said: "He was a genial companion. No one could he in his society without feeling that he was in the company of one of the first men of the age, and yet he was modest and unassuming, as if unconscious of his greatness."

Dr. John E. Edwards, who visited the College frequently in its early history, wrote: "Dr. Olin's personal appearance impressed me as no other man ever impressed me. The Greeks would have deified him as a god."

W. F. Samford, LL. D., of Alabama, who graduated at Randolph-Macon College in June, 1837, wrote: "Physically, intellectually and morally, Stephen Olin was a giant—as veritable a one as Og, king of Bashan. He might well rank with the 'mighty men who were of old, men of renown' facile princeps among all the great men I have ever known. The etymology of this word, by which I have designated him, gigas, suggests its appropriateness—a man of violence and terror. Without the restraints of divine grace his passions were volcanic, his ambition boundless. He once told me that before his conversion to Christianity he 'would have bartered a crown in heaven for a seat in Congress.' How humble, how patient, how loving he became as a disciple of Christ! 'Great, humble man!' exclaimed Dr. Leroy Lee, of Virginia, when he met him at the Conference in Lynchburg in 1835. Olin had disclosed his whole heart to Lee in a rebuke which he administered to him for a display of untempered zeal in a debate on the Conference floor—'What business have you with any feelings in the matter? A man of God should be gentle and easy to be entreated.'"

It may be thought that the estimates of Dr. Olin above given were partial, and hence not fully reliable. It is proper, therefore, to give the opinion of Rev. Theo. L. Cuyler, D. D., one of the most distinguished ministers of the Presbyterian Church, and one of the best writers of the present century. He speaks of him as President of Wesleyan University, Connecticut, about ten years after he left Randolph-Macon:

"In physical, mental, and spiritual stature combined, no Methodist in the last generation towered above Dr. Stephen Olin. He was a great writer, a great educator, and preeminently a great preacher of the glorious gospel. During the summer of 1845, While I was a student for the ministry, I spent some time at Middletown, Conn. Dr. Olin was then the President of the Wesleyan University, and was at the height of his fame and usefulness. Like all great men, he was very simple and unassuming in his manners; with his grand, logical head was coupled a warm, loving heart. When his emotional nature was once kindled it was like a Pennsylvania anthracite coal-mine on fire. These qualities of argumentative power and intense spiritual zeal combined made him a tremendous preacher. No one doubted that Stephen Olin had the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

"In physical stature he was a king of men; above six feet in height, he had a broad, gigantic frame and a lofty brow that resembled the brow of Daniel Webster. The congregation of the principal Methodist Church in Middletown always knew when Dr. Olin was going to preach; for the astral lamps were moved off the pulpit to prevent their being smashed by the sweep of his long arms. He was a vehement speaker, and threw his whole man, from head to foot, into the tide of his impassioned oratory. In the blending of logical power with heat of spiritual feeling and vigor of declamation, he was unsurpassed by any American preacher of his time. His printed discourses read well, but they lack the electricity of the moment and the man. Thunder and lightning must be heard and seen: they cannot be transferred to paper. As I recall Olin now (after the lapse of five and forty years); as I see him again in the full flow of his majestic eloquence, or when surrounded by his students in the class-room, I do not wonder that the Middletown boys were ready to pit him against any president or any preacher on the American soil. There are old graduates of the University yet living who delight to think of him and to speak of him, and to assert that

"'Whoso had beheld him then.
Had felt an awe and admiration without dread;
And might have said,
That sure he seemed to be the king of men.
Less than the greatest that he could not be
Who carried in his port such might and majesty.'

"In August, 1851, I paid a visit to Professor Smith, whose wife was my kinswoman, and on my arrival I learned that the President of the University was dangerously ill. The next morning my host startled me with the announcement, 'Dr. Olin is dead!' He had fallen at the age of fifty-four, when he was just in his splendid prime. There was great mourning for him throughout the whole Methodist realm, for he was a prince in their Israel, who held an imperial rank above any of his contemporaries. He took a large life with him when he went home to heaven; and valuable as were his writings, yet his imposing personality was greater than any of his published productions."

Rev. Martin P. Parks, Professor of Mathematics, acted as President of the College from its opening session, in October, 1832, until Dr. Olin took the place, March, 1834. He was a minister in North Carolina when elected professor. He had been educated at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where mathematics was taught more thoroughly than at other schools of that day. He was a brilliant preacher, and on that account he was put forward frequently, like his contemporaries, Hammett and Maffitt, to advance the enterprises of the church. Of his administration of the College not much can be said. His military education had much to do with making the laws exacting and minute. Rev. Solomon Lea (quoted above) said of Professor Parks:

"Professor Parks was a great and good man, a fine preacher, was of a sad, morose temperament, arising, no doubt, mainly from his physical condition, as he was a great dyspeptic, and the most nervous person I ever met. He could not bear the crowing of a rooster or the bleating of a calf; this, together with other considerations, had the tendency to make him suspicious, cold, and envious, so much so that Dr. Olin remarked to me that he had to go often once a month to Parks' house, read a portion of the Bible, and then pray together, and part with expressions of mutual love and kind feelings. This was often done by Dr. Olin. Poor Brother Parks, great and good man as he was (for I never doubted his piety), finally yielded so much to his temperament and jealous feelings as to resign his position, withdrew from the Methodist Church, and joined the Episcopalians."

Professor Landon Cabell Garland, first professor of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Geology, was a native of Nelson county, Va., of which his father was the clerk. He was born March 24, 1810. At the age of nineteen he took his degree of A. B. at Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia. Immediately afterward he was elected to the chair of Chemistry at Washington College, Lexington, Va., where he continued till October, 1832, when he took charge of the same chair at Randolph-Macon. Bishop Fitzgerald, in Eminent Methodists, says of him: "His change from Washington College to Randolph-Macon was characteristic of Dr. Garland. There was more money in the one place, but more usefulness in the other. He was a Methodist, and he felt that Methodism had a paramount claim to his services." This was indicated clearly in his letter of acceptance of the place. Few men ever filled chairs at two colleges at an age just past twenty-one. This will indicate what estimate was placed on him at so early an age, and what was proven in this case to have been fully correct, by his long service of sixty-five years as an educator. Nothing but a most natural and remarkable modesty prevented him from becoming as conspicuous as he was well entitled to be, unless it was that he spent his long life in the South, the Nazareth of the nation, out of which few "prophets can come," if we judge by The Cyclopedia of Biography, which side-tracks such men as Garland and Duncan, whose names will shine "forever and ever" when thousands of those given in full, with portraits, shall have been forgotten, as if they never had lived.

If a man could be too modest and retiring Dr. Garland was such a man. Notwithstanding this, he lived to become President of Randolph-Macon College from 1836, after Dr. Olin left, till 1847, then Professor and President of the University of Alabama, Professor in the University of Mississippi, and finally Chancellor of the Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tenn. In all these high places he influenced for good hundreds of young men whose praise is in all the churches and homes of the land. When he died, in 1895, these multiplied hundreds rose up and "called him blessed." If Virginia ever gave birth to a man who did more real service to the manhood of the South, his name and place would be hard to find.

Prof. Edward Dromgoole Sims was born in Brunswick county, Va., March 24, 1805. He was the grandson of Rev. Edward Dromgoole, one of the pioneer Methodist preachers in the State of Virginia, and one of the trustees appointed by Bishop Asbury for Ebenezer Academy, before referred to as the first Methodist school of its kind in the State.* He was a man of talents and great influence, and a member of the original Virginia Conference. One of his sons, George C. Dromgoole, was a member of Congress for many years, and was probably the most talented and influential member of the Virginia delegation in his day.

* This school was established in 1796, instead of 1786, as the
Records of Brunswick County, recently found, show.

Prof. Sims took his A. B. degree at the University of North Carolina in 1824, and his A. M. degree in 1827, and was a tutor at that University for three years. He was a Professor at LaGrange College, Alabama, at the time he was elected Professor at Randolph-Macon. Like Dr. Olin his personal appearance was very marked. He was a man of great dignity and gentlemanly manner, and a most devoted Christian. Though not endowed by nature with the mental power of others of his associates, he nevertheless, by industrious application, became a fine scholar and a model professor. He was the originator of the "English Course" in colleges, of which more will be said further on. His department embraced the "Ancient Languages."

The Preparatory Department was under the control of Rev. Lorenzo Lea, an A. M. of the University of North Carolina, and a native of North Carolina. His contemporaries spoke well of him as a man of fine accomplishments and skill as a teacher. He also had been a tutor at his Alma Mater.

Thus equipped, Randolph-Macon College entered on its career—a career full of unforeseen trials and difficulties. It was to a great extent a new experiment, and the great need of the College, without which few, if any, have ever lived beyond a sickly existence, that is, a proper endowment, was a desideratum unprovided for at this time. The funds on hand and subscriptions did not suffice to supply the buildings necessary and other outfit. Other colleges of the Methodist Church in distant States had entered on the same course. They had gone down or were soon to go down. This one now to be launched, under the good providence and blessing of God, was to survive the chill of poverty and the disasters of war—cast down often, but not destroyed. After over a half-century of struggle it was to anchor in a safe haven. Hope kindly blinded the eyes of those who launched the ship and prophesied a prosperous voyage. Faith sowed in tears ofttimes, and after many days gathered in the precious harvest. It was to be indeed Alma Mater to many sons, and daughters, too, and a mother of many other Methodist colleges, blessing every State in the South, some of them surpassing in outfit and endowment the mother. As a loving mother rejoices with and in her daughters, so does Randolph-Macon rejoice in the colleges of the church she has lived to see grow and flourish.

Before proceeding further, let us look at the location and outfit of the
College at the opening day.

The first College building erected stood on gently rising ground, one mile west of the village of Boydton, in the centre of what had been a race-track. On the north was an "old field," once cultivated, but now partially covered with pine and broom-sedge, a part seamed with gulleys. One splendid sweet-gum tree fronted the west wing. On the south there were small oaks of second growth, just large enough to furnish partial shade. Outside of the campus further on were thickets on both sides of the avenue leading to the Clarksville road. The campus contained about four acres, and was enclosed by a heavy wooden fence. The style of the building is shown on the opposite page.

[Illustration: RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE. Main Building, 1832.]

The centre building contained the chapel on the north side—a room about fifty-two feet by thirty-two, with galleries on all sides but one. The other parts of this building were arranged for lecture-rooms, laboratory and halls for the literary societies. The wings of the centre building contained each twenty-four dormitories, each large enough for two occupants. Until the Professors' houses were built there was not a dwelling-house nearer than Boydton. Soon after the College was built, an avenue was opened from it to Boydton, bringing the College building and the village in sight of each other. Clarksville, a town of some importance in the tobacco trade, was twelve miles distant. Here was a bank and mercantile and tobacco houses.

The country around was such as was usual in the uplands of South-side Virginia, fairly productive of tobacco and grain. Petersburg was the nearest town of much size. To this town, about seventy miles away, much of the products of the country was wagoned over a dirt road, indifferently good in some seasons and almost impassible in others. The people around the College were kind and hospitable, representative of old Virginia in those days, not Methodist particularly in their persuasion; the more wealthy inclined to the Episcopal Church. There was an old Methodist Church in Boydton, but after the College was built the chapel became the worshipping place for the Methodists of the community.

The Preparatory School, a building containing two school-rooms, stood about a mile away from the College. The "Steward's Hall," a two-story brick building, fronted the College building on the north, intended to afford board for the students. In "old Virginia" style, this was several hundred yards distant from the College building.

The President's house stood about the same distance away. It was a plain brick building of one story. To the south and southwest other professors' houses were located, all with a sufficiency of land for gardens and lawns.

"The Hotel" was built soon after the College was opened, about a quarter of a mile to the south, on the Clarksville road. This had about a dozen rooms in it, and was intended mainly for the boys at the Preparatory School and to accommodate visitors.

It will be seen that the Building Committee had much to do before suitable accommodations could be provided for the professors and students. That many mistakes were made in this work, and in the location of the buildings and other matters, was not to be wondered at. They were the result of inexperience in the men in charge, not of any want of good intention and effort on their part. When it is considered that all the lumber for the buildings had to be sawed by the old-fashioned "pit-saw," and much of the other material had to be wagoned for seventy miles, we must not wonder that two years were consumed in bringing the buildings to partial completion.

As the buildings stood when completed, they were as good as those of any other college in the State had, and possibly better. The University of Virginia, opened in 1825, had better and more extensive ones.

The regular exercises of the College proper commenced on the day appointed, October 9th, 1832, Prof. M. P. Parks acting as President, in the absence of President Olin.

If any account of the opening-day exercises were published it has not come down to us. The first schedule of expenses was as follows:

Tuition fee for session of ten months, . . . . $30 00
Board (meals only), . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 00
Bedding and washing, . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 00
Fuel,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 00
Lights,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 00
Deposit fee, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 00
Total, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$120 00

The first meeting of the Board of Trustees after the opening was held
February 5, 1833.

At this meeting the following communication from the Georgia Conference
Was received:

"LAGRANGE, Ga.

"We feel a deep interest in the success of Randolph-Macon College. We have full confidence in its moral and literary character and prospects, and we will recommend it to the patronage of all who may be disposed to send their sons or wards beyond the limits of the State to be educated.

"We will appoint four Trustees agreeable to the proposal made by Brother
Early, the Agent of the College, who visited us. Whereupon the
Conference nominated the Rev. Ignatius Few and Rev. Lovick Pierce,
members of the Conference, and Seaborn Jones and John C. Poythress,
Esquires, for that purpose.

"Resolved, That the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College be invited through their representative, the Rev. John Early, to send an agent, whenever they may judge it most suitable, to obtain donations within the Conference in aid of the institution; and that Brother Early be, and he is hereby, invited to take up contributions.

"(Signed) JNO. HOWARD,

"Sec'y Georgia Conference."

The nominees named above were elected Trustees of the College.

Rev. I. A. Few and Rev. L. Pierce were, by resolution of the Board, requested to act as agents for the College in the Boards of the Georgia Conference for securing funds for the College.

Rev. Robert G. Loving, A. B., was elected assistant teacher in the
Preparatory School.

Rev. John Early was appointed Agent for the College in the place of Rev.
H. G. Leigh, resigned, and Rev. W. A. Smith was appointed Assistant
Agent in place of Rev. William Hammett who had signified his intention
to resign.

The salary of President Olin was fixed at $1,500.

The first report of the Faculty, made through its Secretary, Prof.
Garland, gave the following points of interest:

Though the session opened under many difficulties and embarrassments, with buildings not entirely completed, still great satisfaction was expressed at the success attained, and at the spirit and character of the students who attended the first term. A number of these were from the States of North and South Carolina and Georgia. The progress made in the College course had been marked and satisfactory. The main drawback had been in some cases a want of preparation for the course.

The Faculty made a strong appeal for apparatus for the Natural Science Department and for a library. In response to this appeal, the Board made an appropriation of $2,600 to the former and $1,000 to the latter.

The first session closed July 4, 1833. At the close Rev. William M. Wightman, one of the trustees from South Carolina, delivered the first literary address before the students and the public, at the request of the Washington Literary Society. This Society had been organized February, 1833. As it has been one of the main features of the College, along with its sister society, the Franklin, it will be interesting to give the names of its officers and members from the original records:

President, ROBERT T. MARSHALL, Virginia. Vice-President, THOMAS ADAMS, Virginia. Secretary, JOHN G. PARKS, Virginia. Treasurer, ADDISON LEA, North Carolina. Collector, ISAAC C. CROFT, South Carolina. Censor, J. G. BANKS, Virginia.

Members.

ADAMS, R. E. G., . . . . Va.
BAIRD, CHARLES W., . . . Va.
BLACKWELL, THOMAS, . . . Va.
COLEMAN, J. J., . . . . Va.
GOODE, ROBERT S., . . . Va.
HAMLIN, JOHN F., . . . . Va.
INGRAM, ROBT. M., . . . N. C.
ISBELL, THOMAS M., . . . Va.
JONES, JAMES R., . . . . Va.
JONES, ROBERT T., . . . Va.
PRICE, NATHANIEL S., . . Va.
SOMERVILLE, R. B., . . . N. C.
SMITH, WILLIAM B., . . . Va.
TUCKER, JOHN E., . . . . Va.
WATKINS, J. W.,. . . . . Va.
WILLIAMSON, JAMES J.,. . Va.
WILLIAMS, JAMES M.,. . . Va.
WINFIELD, JOHN O., . . . Va.
WINFIELD, W. S., . . . . Va.

Immediately after the organization the following were introduced and made members:

BLAIN, GEO. W.,. . . . . Va.
BURNEY, JAMES, . . . . . N. C.
CALDWELL, JOHN H., . . . N. C.
CUTLER, ROBERT E., . . . Va.
DORRELL, AUGUSTUS, . . . S. C.
DRINKARD, W. R., . . . . Va.
DU PRE, WARREN,. . . . . S. C.
GAYLE, ALEX. T., . . . . Va.
GUNN, ALLEN M.,. . . . . N. C.
JENNINGS, JONA. B.,. . . S. C.
LYNCH, MONTGOMERY, . . . Va.
OWEN, WASHINGTON A., . . Va.
PERKINS, J. Q. A., . . . N. C.
STEWART, THEO.,. . . . . Ga.
STRATTON, R. B., . . . . Va.

To this Society was assigned the northeast room on the fourth floor of the centre building. One of the first acts of the Society was the formation of a library, which rapidly increased, and in ten years numbered two thousand volumes.

Not only did the society rapidly accumulate a library, but the hall was fitted up with a beautiful rostrum, president's chair, etc. A full length portrait of Washington was purchased, which to this day is the chief ornament of the hall.

Professor Warren Du Pre, class of 1836, one of the original members, who was a member when this portrait was bought, wrote an account of the inauguration of it to the author, which is worthy of preservation.

"MARTHA WASHINGTON COLLEGE,

"ABINGDON, VA., May 30 1877.

"MY DEAR OLD COLLEGE FRIEND: I have forgotten the name of the artist, a rising young man in New York, who copied it from a painting belonging to a wealthy gentleman of that city. Dr. Olin was on a visit to New York, and we put the matter in his hands. The artist was very highly recommended to him by good judges. His price was $600, but when informed by Dr. Olin that it was for a college literary society, he agreed to deduct one half. The frame, I think, cost $60, and freight about $20, making a total of $380.

"Dr. Olin scolded us for our extravagance, but when the portrait was finished, moderated his wrath. The amount was raised by subscription, altogether, among the members of the society—we numbered then over sixty members, as well as I can recollect. I. C. Croft and myself were on the committee, with one other, probably, J. O. Wingfield.

"When the portrait arrived and was placed in the hall, old John Blackwell, with his horse-collar legs (as Croft called them) was appointed to unveil it and make a speech. This he did in his peculiar style; and I think Old George was pleased with the eulogy delivered on him.

"Yours truly,

"WARREN DU PRE."

Rev. John Early, who had been appointed to visit the Baltimore Annual Conference of the M. E. Church, reported to the Board that the Conference had declined to cooperate in the College enterprise, with kind expressions of interest in it. Dickinson College had recently been made a Methodist College, and the Conference preferred to patronize that, it being more accessible to their people.

The charter of the College having been amended, so that a president of the Board could be elected by that body, Rev. John Early was elected President.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted by the Board:

"The Board take great pleasure in giving a cordial expression of their thanks to the Faculty of this institution for the very able and faithful manner in which they have discharged the duties of their several stations. We consider them as having acted on the great principles on which the College was founded, and upon the continuance of which its prosperity in the future depends; and we have full confidence in their ability and disposition to support these principles in their future administration, and they are therefore worthy of the same confidence from the numerous friends and patrons of the College and the warm affection of the young gentlemen who may be placed under their care.

"It is the pleasure of the Board that these resolutions be read to the students of the College."

The second session of the College opened September 4, 1833, under favorable circumstances. A laboratory and library had been purchased, and the latter had been increased by donations. Bishop J. O. Andrew had donated forty-three volumes, and Judge A. B. Longstreet thirty.

A few days after the session opened another literary society was formed. It was first styled the Union Literary Society, but on the 7th of September, at the next meeting, the name was changed to Franklin. At the organization George Stewart, of Georgia, presided, and William C. Knight, of Virginia, acted as secretary. The following constituted its first regular organization:

President, JAMES L. BROWN, Virginia. Vice-President, JOHN A. TALLEY, Virginia. Secretary, GEORGE STEWART, Georgia. Treasurer, THOMAS S. JACOCKS, North Carolina. Collector, JOSEPH B. PANNILL, Virginia. Censor, FRANCIS W. BOYD, Virginia.

Members.

BATTE, W. C.,. . . . . . Va.
BETTS, WILLIAM S., . . . Va.
BLAKE, CHARLES H., . . . Va.
BLAND, WILLIAM R., . . . Va.
BLUNT, WALTER F.,. . . . Va.
BOISSEAU, GEORGE F., . . Va.
CARROLL, JAMES . . . . . Va.
CLAIBORNE, FIELD,. . . . Va.
CLEGG, BAXTER, . . . . . N. C.
CLEMMONS, JUNIUS L., . . N. C.
DAVIS, ARTHUR, . . . . . Va.
DORTCH, ISAAC F.,. . . . N. C.
DRINKARD, WILLIAM R.,. . Va.
EVANS, AUGUSTUS C.,. . . N. C.
HICKS, BENJAMIN L.,. . . Va.
HITE, BENJAMIN W., . . . Va.
JEFFRESS, LUTHER C., . . Va.
JONES, ALBERT C.,. . . . Va.
JONES, AMOS W.,. . . . . N. C.
JONES, JOHN J.,. . . . . N. C.
JONES, JOSEPH S.,. . . . N. C.
KNIGHT, WILLIAM C.,. . . Va.
MULLEN, FRANCES N.,. . . N. C.
OLDS, LEWIS P.,. . . . . N. C.
PERKINS, NATHAN, . . . . N. C.
ROSE, GARLAND, . . . . . Va.
STEDMAN, EDWARD, . . . . N. C.
STOCKWELL, JOHN M.,. . . Va.
TILLETT, JOHN, . . . . . N. C.
WILLIAMS, SOLOMON P.,. . N. C.

[Illustration: [Uncaptioned portrait of William C. Knight, inscribed
"Yours truly, W.C. Knight.">[]

The Franklin Hall was immediately under the Washington, on the third story. The rivalry between these societies was from the first strong, but regulated by conventional rules. The membership took in every student in the College at the beginning and for many years afterwards. There was only one from Georgia for many years a member of the Washington Society, and no one from South Carolina was ever a member of the Franklin. Students from the other States were divided about equally. Robert E. Cutler, of Virginia, gave tone to the oratorical style of the Washington, and William F. Samford, of Georgia, to the Franklin. The difference was thought to be observable for thirty years, until the year the societies were temporarily disbanded.

No catalogue of students was published in the early years of the College. The only publication made was "The Charter and Laws of Randolph-Macon College, with the Names of the Trustees and Faculty, and the Course of Studies. Richmond: Printed by Nesbitt & Walker. 1833." This prescribed four courses in the College, viz., Languages (Latin and Greek), Mathematics, Natural Science, and Ethics. Upon the completion of these four courses the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred by the Trustees, on the recommendation of the Faculty. No A. M. degree course was prescribed, but all A. B. men could claim A. M. degrees who could show that they had continued their studies or pursued courses of professional study for three years.

Dr. Stephen Olin, president-elect, gave up his place at Franklin College, Georgia, December, 1833, and made his preparations to take the presidency at Randolph-Macon. Of this move he wrote Bishop I. O. Andrew:

"Upon the whole, I trust the hand of God is in these indications, and that our church will see and obey it. My vocation may have given a wrong bias to my views, but I must regard the subject of education as the highest after the living ministry; nor do I believe it possible for our church to maintain its ground, to say nothing of its fulfilling its high obligation to Christ and the world, without a great and immediate reformation. I was never so convinced that we must educate our own youth in our own schools, and there is no work to which I so desire to consecrate myself." On his way to Virginia he visited the South Carolina Conference at Charleston. Here he ably advocated the College and secured a pledge from the Conference to endow a professorship, the first we hear of endowment. The whole journey was made in his private carriage, his wife accompanying him. To her he dictated his "Inaugural Address," which she wrote out. Reaching the College after a long and tedious journey, he delivered the address in the College chapel. This address produced a profound impression on those who heard and on those who read it. It was published in the journals of the day, and was highly praised. Governor Tazewell said he had "never heard or read any similar address of equal ability so well suited to such an occasion." It is well worthy of republication in this history, but space will not permit. To show its chief point, the following extracts are given:

"In proportion as virtue is more valuable than knowledge, pure and enlightened morality will be regarded by every considerate father the highest recommendation of a literary institution. The youth is withdrawn from the salutary restraints of parental influence and authority and committed to other guardians at a time of life most decisive of his prospects and destinies. The period devoted to education usually impresses its own character upon all his future history. Vigilant supervision, employment and seclusion from all facilities and temptations to vice are the ordinary and essential securities which every institution of learning is bound to provide for the sacred interests which are committed to its charge. But safeguards and negative provisions are not sufficient. The tendencies of our nature are retrograde, and they call for the interposition of positive remedial influences. The most perfect human society speedily degenerates if the active agencies which were employed in its elevation are once withdrawn or suspended. What, then, can be expected of inexperienced youth sent forth from the atmosphere of domestic piety and left to the single support of its own untested and unsettled principles in the midst of circumstances which often prove fatal to the most practiced virtue! I frankly confess that I see no safety but in the preaching of the cross and in a clear and unfaltering exhibition of the doctrines and sanctions of Christianity…. Christianity is our birthright. It is the richest inheritance bequeathed us by our noble fathers. Are the guardians of public education alone 'halting between two opinions'? Do they think that, in fact and for practical purposes, the truth of Christianity is still a debatable question? Is it still a question whether the generations yet to rise up and occupy the wide domain of this great empire, to be representatives of our name, our freedom, and our glory before the nations of the earth, shall be a Christian or infidel people? Can wise and practical men, who are engaged in rearing up a temple of learning to form the character and destinies of their posterity, for a moment hesitate to make 'Jesus Christ the chief corner-stone'?"

When President Olin took charge of the College he found the system of departments somewhat elective. This was changed on his recommendation, to a curriculum of four classes, by the unanimous vote of the Faculty.

At the annual meeting of the Board, June, 1834, an additional college building was ordered to be built, a four story brick one, to contain thirty-two dormitories, adjacent to the main building. This was to supply rooms for the increased number of students.

The salaries of full professors was fixed at $1,000. The following resolution was adopted:

"That whereas the South Carolina and Georgia Conferences have manifested a deep interest in the permanent establishment of Randolph-Macon College by each agreeing to raise a sum sufficient to endow a professorship, and in consideration of which professorships they ask the privilege of sending, perpetually, the former Conference five and the latter seven students, to be educated free of tuition fees; and whereas we highly appreciate the generous spirit of said Conferences, therefore we hereby agree to receive ten from each of these Conferences free of tuition fees."

As further evidence of the interest felt by these Conferences, it was noted that Rev. W. M. Wightman, of South Carolina, and Dr. Lovick Pierce and Mr. E. Sinclair, of Georgia, attended the meeting of the Board at this session.

At the annual meeting held June, 1835, Professor E. D. Sims was granted leave to visit Europe to prosecute the study of Modern Languages, and particularly Anglo-Saxon and Gothic, preparatory to the more thorough teaching of the English language. This, so far as we know, was the first move made by any college in America, and marks an epoch in that department. Prof. J. B. Henneman, in the Sewanee Review, in a sketch of the teaching of English, in American colleges, gives the credit of inaugurating the English course to Randolph-Macon College.

A distinct and special effort was made at this meeting of the Board to endow a professorship, and the President of the Board made a subscription towards it of two hundred dollars. This was to be called the Virginia Conference Scholarship.

To fill the vacancy caused by Prof. Sims' absence in Europe, Rev. George
F. Pierce, of Georgia, was elected Professor of Languages.

[Illustration: JOHN C. BLACKWELL, D. D., (A. B. 1835).]

At this commencement the first degree of A. B. was conferred. The recipient was John C. Blackwell, of Lunenburg county. He was a typical alumnus, the leader of a great host that followed him, who lived to bless the world by their example and teaching. Beginning his active life after graduation as a tutor in Randolph-Macon College, he continued to teach until he became enfeebled by age. He founded the "Hinton Hill Academy" in his native county, and taught there for nine years. He was then, in 1848, elected President of the "Buckingham Female Institute," a school for girls, founded by the Virginia Annual Conference, one of the best, as it was the first, built by the church, in the State. He was, after this school was broken up by the war, made President of the Petersburg Female College. This, too, was broken up by the war. After the war he was elected Professor of Chemistry in Randolph-Macon College, just prior to the removal of the College to Ashland. He closed a long and useful life as President of the "Danville School for Young Ladies." During all his active life he was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and preached as he had opportunity. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from his Alma Mater. The number of young people brought into the church through his instruinentality have been counted by the hundred. The first to receive a degree, he was the first alumnus to have a son and a grandson to receive the same. He died February 1, 1885. He was elected tutor in the College June, 1835.

Changes had occurred during the year. Fisher A. Foster had been elected Principal of the Preparatory School in place of Lorenzo Lea. Rev. Jno. A. Miller and Rev. John Kerr had been elected assistant agents in place of Rev. W. A. Smith and Rev. Thos. Crowder. The Treasurer, John W. Lewis, had died during the year: Beverly Sydnor was elected in his place. Bishop J. O. Andrew was elected a Trustee in place of Major Speer, of South Carolina: Hugh A. Harland in place of J. W. Lewis, deceased, and M. M. Dance in place of Green Penn, resigned.

COLLEGE YEAR 1835-1836

This year was successful under the guidance of President Olin, who was still in feeble health.

[Illustration: REV. ALFRED T. MANN, A. B., D. D. An Effective Minister in the Georgia Conference Sixty Years Ago.]

Prof. M. P. Parks resigned at the close of the session; Prof. Garland was transferred from the chair of Natural Science to fill the vacancy thus made. Robert Tolfree, of New York, took Prof. Garland's chair. Rev. Mr. Tomlinson was elected to the chair of English Literature.

The degree of A. B. was conferred June, 1836, on the following
graduates: John O. Winfield, Virginia; Addison Lea, North Carolina;
Robert S. Goode, Virginia; Charles W. Baird, Virginia; Alfred T. Mann,
Georgia; Thomas M. Isbell, Virginia.

So feeble had the health of Dr. Olin become that he asked, in June, 1836, leave of absence to visit Europe, which was granted with great reluctance by the Board.

The following quotation from the Life and Letters of President Olin is given as a closing reference to his presidency. He saw the College for the last time March, 1837:

"The last Commencement at which Dr. Olin presided during his connection with Randolph-Macon College was in June, 1836….

"The conviction grew upon him, from many unmistakable indications, that his health must rapidly break up, unless a year or two of retirement from intellectual labor and all kinds of mental excitement, and devoted to foreign travel, should, under the blessing of God, restore him. The return of cool weather in the autumn and approaching winter failed to recruit his shattered nerves or restore his health. His course was then at once decided on. After making several ineffectual efforts to have his place supplied, he consented, at the earnest wish of the Board of Trustees, to retain at least a formal connection with the College while in Europe, leaving the future, then so uncertain, open to the indications of Providence. To supply the vacancy in the Faculty, an additional officer was elected, and Professor Garland was appointed chairman of the Faculty and president pro tempore….

"The day of his departure came. His last interview with the Faculty was very touching. He was too feeble to sit up, but, reclining on a couch, he spent some half-hour in conversation respecting the affairs of the College. He felt satisfied, from the lengthened experiment he had made, that there was little or no hope of his being able to do efficient labor in a Southern climate, even though his health might be improved somewhat by his contemplated voyage. Although the Board of Trustees had declined to accept his resignation, and had given him as long a furlough as the exigencies of his health might require, yet he was persuaded that the time of his final departure from Randolph-Macon had come. It was very doubtful whether he should ever again see the face of any of his colleagues. His parting words had all the tenderness and dignity of a Christian who bowed with uncomplaining submission to the will of God—of a philosopher who looked calmly at the future, whatever its developments might be, whether bright or dark—of a friend who was about to carry with him the warm attachments of a heart alive to every generous sentiment and affectionate impulse. At the close of the interview his brother officers, with moistened eyes, knelt around his couch, and Professor Wightman, at his request, offered up a fervent prayer to the throne of the heavenly mercy, that God would graciously preserve in his holy keeping the life of their brother and friend, restore his health, and bring him back to his native land, prepared for greater usefulness than ever to the church and cause of Christ.

"At the close of this affecting interview the doctor was supported to his carriage, and left the College, never to see it again. His presidency had been a brief but brilliant period in its fortunes. He had manifested the highest adaptation to the responsible office which he held there. His unrivaled judgment, his shining talents, his far-seeing sagacity, his prudence in administration and firmness in government, his masterly grasp of influence, wielded for the highest good of the young men who came from far and near, attracted by the prestige of his name, his genuine love of learning, and enthusiasm in communicating knowledge, formed a combination of great qualities very rarely met with in men of even the highest reputation. No student or graduate of the College who enjoyed the benefits of a personal acquaintance with Dr. Olin will think the foregoing estimate of his worth as a presiding officer strained or overstated in the least particular."

Professor Hardy, of La Grange College, Alabama, who was a student at Randolph-Macon College during Dr. Olin's administration, has retained the following distinct remembrances of him:

"Dr. Olin left the College of Randolph-Macon in the spring of 1837, a few months before the class of which I was a member took their first degree. We waited on him in a body, and asked him to put his signature to our diplomas, for we cherished for him a filial affection, and felt that his name was indispensable. Many youthful hearts were sad the day he left the College for his European tour. The students met in chapel, adopted appropriate resolutions, and appointed two of their number to attend him to the railroad, a distance of sixty miles. He was worn down by disease, and we had no expectation of seeing his face again. He rode in his carriage on a bed, and preferred to go with no one attending him save his faithful, devoted wife. We bade him farewell, as children shake the hand of their dying father, and we saw him no more."

This was the marked event in the history of the College for the fifth year, 1836-'37.

Professor L. C. Garland was made President pro tempore. Rev. Mr.
Tomlinson having declined to accept the chair of English Literature,
Rev. William M. Wightman was elected to it, and accepted it. Professor
David Duncan was elected Professor of Languages in place of Rev. Geo. F.
Pierce who had declined to accept it.

[Illustration: REV. W.M. WIGHTMAN, D. D.]

Professor William M. Wightman was an alumnus of Charleston College, South Carolina, and a member of the South Carolina Conference. He took the chair of English Literature and Rhetoric which Professor E. D. Sims was expected to fill after his return from Europe. He was a man of decided talent and culture, and was in the prime of life, and well fitted for the work assigned him. He remained until Professor Sims returned from Europe, and then returned to South Carolina. He filled other very important and prominent positions in after years, viz.: The editor's chair of the South Carolina Christian Advocate, the Presidency of Wofford College, Spartanburg, S. C., and the Southern University, Greensboro, Ala. While at the latter he was elected, in 1866, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which office he served till his death, February 15, 1882. He received the degree of D. D. from Randolph-Macon College.

[Illustration: PROFESSOR DAVID DUNCAN, A. M.]

Professor David Duncan was a native of Ireland, and a graduate of Glasgow University, Scotland. At the time of his election to the chair of Ancient Languages he was conducting a flourishing classical school in the city of Norfolk, Va. The whole of an extended manhood was spent in teaching, the prime of it from 1837 to 1857. To his high scholarship was added a singularly genuine character and gentlemanly and genial deportment, which made him acceptable to his associates and popular with his classes. He was brimming full always with wit and humor. He was the father of Rev. J. A. Duncan, D. D., President of Randolph-Macon College, 1868-1877 and Bishop W. W. Duncan of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He died at Wofford College, where he was Professor of Ancient Languages, in 1881.

The year 1836-'37 was marked by the first report of the raising of a considerable instalment of the proposed Virginia Conference endowment of a Professorship. Rev. Jno. Early reported eighty-seven subscribers of two hundred dollars each, making $17,400. It was also a prosperous and satisfactory year in College work. The report of the Faculty made to the Trustees referred with emphasis to the good deportment and studiousness which had characterized the student body during the closing session. Their report also for the first time indicated the distinctions in the graduating class, which were as follows:

1. JAMES W. HARDY, . . . . . . . . . . Georgia.
2. FRANCIS N. MULLEN,. . . . . . . . . North Carolina.
3. JUNIUS L. CLEMONS,. . . . . . . . . North Carolina.
4. LEWIS W. CABELL,. . . . . . . . . . Virginia.
5. ROBERT M. INGRAM, . . . . . . . . . Virginia.
6. WARREN DU PRE,. . . . . . . . . . . South Carolina.
ADAMS, RICHARD E. G., . . . . . . . Virginia.
BEARD, CLOUGH S., . . . . . . . . . South Carolina.
BLAIN, GEORGE W., . . . . . . . . . Virginia.
CROFT, ISAAC C.,. . . . . . . . . . South Carolina
GEE, JESSE, . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia.
HORSELEY, WILLIAM A., . . . . . . . Virginia.
MONTGOMERY, HENRY T., . . . . . . . Virginia.
SAMFORD, WILLIAM F.,. . . . . . . . Georgia.
STEWART, THEOPHILUS,. . . . . . . . Georgia.
WILLIAMSON, JAMES J., . . . . . . . Virginia.

In all sixteen.

The first-honor man pronounced the Valedictory Address; the second-honor man, the Latin Salutatory; the third, the Philosophical.

[Illustration: PROFESSOR WARREN DU PRE, A. M. Tutor at Randolph-Macon
College; Professor at Wofford College, South Carolina; President Martha
Washington Female College, Virginia.]

COLLEGE YEAR 1837-'38.

This year, under the presidency of Professor Landon C. Garland, acting president, the college made good progress. In the annual report of the Faculty made to the Trustees June, 1838, they say: "The past year has been one of peculiar interest and pleasure on account of the highly respectable conduct and praiseworthy diligence of the students generally, the number of whom has amounted to one hundred and ten in the College, and over fifty in the Preparatory School."

On the recommendation of the Faculty the following degrees were conferred, viz.:

Bachelor of Arts.

1. JOHN T. BRAME, . . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina.
2. EDWARD H. MYERS, . . . . . . . . . . Florida.
3. JAMES R. THOMAS, . . . . . . . . . . Georgia.
4. EZEKIEL A. BLANCH, . . . . . . . . . Virginia.
5. JOHN W. LEAK,. . . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina.
6. FRANCIS A. CONNOR, . . . . . . . . . South Carolina.
BAXTER CLEGG,. . . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina.
GEORGE F. EPPES, . . . . . . . . . . South Carolina.
JAMES M. FITTS,. . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina,
CHRIS. D. HILL,. . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina.
THOS. J. KOGER,. . . . . . . . . . . South Carolina.
HENRY E. LOCKETT,. . . . . . . . . . Virginia.
JOHN A. ORGAIN,. . . . . . . . . . . Virginia.
THOS. B. RUSSELL,. . . . . . . . . . South Carolina.
JAMES R. WASHINGTON, . . . . . . . . North Carolina.
JAMES. W. WIGHTMAN,. . . . . . . . . South Carolina.

Master of Arts: (Honorary).

REV. GEORGE F. PIERCE, . . . . . . . Georgia.
PROF. DAVID DUNCAN,. . . . . . . . . Virginia.
GABRIEL P. DISOSWAY, . . . . . . . . New York.

Doctor of Divinity.

REV. THOMAS JACKSON, . . . . . . . . England.

Steps were taken by the Board to endow the fourth professorship in the
College.

[Illustration: REV. JAMES R. THOMAS, LL. D., President Emory College,
Georgia.]

Rev. John Early, agent, reported that further efforts to endow a professorship by the Georgia Conference would be suspended, that Conference having resolved to establish a College in its bounds. The amount reported as raised on said endowment was $16,000. He also reported the amount of endowment raised in Virginia as $20,000.

At this meeting we have reported the first intimation of financial embarrassment in the affairs of the College. Notwithstanding this the salaries of the full professors were raised to $1200 per year. The acting president, Landon C. Garland, was appointed to prepare an address on the pecuniary condition of the College, the same to be published in the papers.

Professor E. D. Sims having returned from Europe, Rev. William M. Wightman, Professor of English Literature, tendered his resignation, which was received with complimentary resolutions to him for his efficient services. Prof. Wightman returned to his native State, South Carolina, and to the itinerant ministry. The Faculty as reorganized for the session of 1838-'39 was as follows, viz.:

LANDON C. GARLAND, A. M., Professor of Mathematics, and Acting
President.
EDWARD D. SIMS, A. M., Professor of English Literature and Oriental
Language.
DAVID DUNCAN, A. M., Professor of Ancient Languages.
JAMES W. HARDY, A. B., Professor of Experimental Sciences.
EZEKIEL A. BLANCH, A. B., Tutor.
SOLOMON LEA, A. M., Principal of Preparatory School.

This college year was marked by the first serious rupture between the Faculty and the students. The occasion was a requirement made on the Senior Class to attend a recitation on the "Evidences of Christianity" on Monday morning before breakfast. The result was the leaving of a number of students involved in the contest.

At the close of the year, June, 1839, the annual report of the Faculty made to the Board gave the following item: "The affairs of the College for the session have proceeded with tolerable prosperity and quietness." The following were recommended for the degree of A. B., June, 1839, and the same received it:

AMOS W. JONES, . . . . . . . . . North Carolina.
CHARLES W. BURNLEY,. . . . . . . Virginia.
JOSIAH F. ASKEW, . . . . . . . . Georgia.
THOMAS H. GARNETT, . . . . . . . Virginia.
JAMES F. SMITH,. . . . . . . . . South Carolina.
WILLIAM H. BATTE,. . . . . . . . Virginia.

[Illustration: REV. A.W. JONES, D. D., For fifty years President of the
Memphis Conf. Female College.]

The resignation of President Stephen Olin, tendered in 1836, was accepted at the meeting of the Board, all hope of his returning to the College having been abandoned. Prof. Landon C. Garland was then elected by unanimous vote President, and he accepted the office. Prof. David Duncan was elected rector of the Preparatory School, and Amos W. Jones, A. B., principal. William L. Harris was elected a tutor of the lower classes in languages.

[Illustration: LANDON CABELL GARLAND, LL. D.]

On motion of Rev. John Early, the following resolution was adopted: "That, as soon as practicable, the trustees of Randolph-Macon College will establish a Normal School as a department in the College, in which a good and liberal education can be obtained, and which, in its organization, shall be especially fitted to educate students for common-school teachers, and that the Professor of English Literature be the rector of said school."

This action of the Board, showing such remarkable foresight and wisdom, ought to be emphasized. So far as the State of Virginia is concerned, it is believed to have been the first move in the establishment of a normal department for fitting teachers for their special work. Many years afterward (1884) the State established such a school. The first established in the United States was in the year 1839. This important move was never fully and specifically carried into operation, for the same reason which forbade other projects of the Board—that is, want of means.

Another important step taken at this meeting was the action in regard to the issue of scholarships. At the previous annual meeting a resolution was adopted providing that any person paying $600 into the treasury of Randolph-Macon College shall be entitled to send one student free of tuition fees so long as he shall live or have a son to educate; and any minister who shall collect and pay into the treasury a like sum shall be entitled to the like privilege. At the meeting in 1839 this action was rescinded, and the following was enacted:

On motion of John Early,

"Resolved, That any person who shall pay into the hands of the treasurer five hundred dollars, or any minister who shall collect and pay into the hands of the treasurer five hundred dollars, shall be entitled to a scholarship in Randolph-Macon College in perpetuity, and all persons who have agreed to take scholarships at $600 shall be entitled to the benefit of this resolution.

"Resolved, That any person who shall secure by bond or otherwise five hundred dollars, the principal of which shall be paid within five years, and who shall pay the interest semi-annually, shall be entitled to a scholarship in perpetuity, but the certificate of scholarship shall not be issued until the principal is paid."

This was an unfortunate move, because it never brought into the treasury the amount it was expected to bring—not exceeding eight thousand dollars. The evident intention that such scholarship should be considered as an "heir-loom" in the family was in the years after the war, never before, violated, and parties bought them on speculation, getting money-rent for them, when such a course was never contemplated. When they were issued, fees were $33 per session. Since the war fees have been $75.

My readers will pardon me for here giving some personal recollections, inasmuch as it was in 1839 I matriculated as a student of the College.

Mounted on my black filly, I, with several from my native county, Nottoway, made the journey of forty miles to Boydton, where we were guests of Col. George Rodgers, who then kept the Boydton Hotel. He was then, and for years afterwards, a great friend and liberal benefactor to the College.

The next morning I saw the belfry of the College in the distance for the first time. The same day I took up my abode in "Texas," a portion of the western building, so-called. To a boy not quite fourteen, the experiences of matriculation, examination for entrance, and for the first time coming into contact with young men from distant States, can never be forgotten. "Hazing" was then unknown, though it was not uncommon for some of the "green ones" to have a little fun poked at them.

We had four classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior. To the "Fresh," the "Seniors" looked very dignified, and the latter usually felt their dignity, but generally bore it gracefully. The Seniors and Juniors generally did most of the debating in the Society Halls, and generally dealt most in "Calico."

The student body at this time was composed very largely of men from States south of Virginia, the Senior class of that year having been wholly from South Carolina and Georgia.

At this session Professor Landon C. Garland was inaugurated a full President, after having acted as such since Dr. Olin left for Europe. We looked up to him with marked reverence, though he was not quite thirty years old. It was his dignity of character which caused us to do this. Few men ever possessed more than he. No man ever trifled in President Garland's lecture-room. The rules of discipline were felt rather than seen. His familiar designation was "Old Landon."

President Sims was much like President Garland in his official character and conduct. He was a high man in person and every way. Thoroughly imbued with the love of his native English, he threw his heart and mind into his teaching. Unable to get text-books in Anglo-Saxon, he wrote the elementary exercises on the blackboard. Some of these are remembered to this day. We did not realize nor appreciate the fact that our classes were the first in a course which is now magnified in all the colleges and universities in the land.

Professor Duncan was the genial, humor-loving Irishman. His shillalah was ever ready for any exposed head, but he had no murderous intent, and did not mind when the subject hit back, but rather enjoyed a repartee. A broad smile always foretold his sally of wit, and sometimes it was so slow coming that the victim would have time to "cut." Dear, dear "Old Pad," as we called him, it was hard to say whether he enjoyed most his fun with the boys or his ancient languages, with the love of which he seemed to be fully saturated. A kinder heart never beat in human frame.

"Old Jim" (Hardy) presided in the Laboratory on the third story. He was a third-story man every way. Though a young man, and the first alumnus of the College made a full professor, his manner was austere, and hence he had but little popularity with the students. Some excuse for his so appearing was due to the fact that he had to study hard to keep up with the expectations of his classes.

"Old Zeke" (Blanch) our tutor in mathematics, was a fine instructor and bright every way. He, too, was fond of humor when out of his lecture-room, but very strict while in it.

Oh! for a Dickens to picture Tutor Harris. Pardon me for taking up more room with him than is given all the rest. But such a character is not often found, and deserves the space he takes.

My first classical instructor was one of the tutors. He was the first Virginia University man ever elected to fill a chair at the old College. Deeply imbued with a love for his subjects, he looked upon the ancient languages as having, potatoe-like, the best parts at the root. The "particle" was his especial delight. So much absorbed was he in discoursing on it, that he was not particular whether his pupils listened or not. They might go to sleep or do anything, so they did not break the thread of his lecture. It was amazing to see how many learned authorities in the shape of books he would daily lug to the room. Doubtless this digging at the root was very deep and thorough—too much so for the average "fresh." Some of the most scholarly appreciated the exercise, or pretended to do so. To the latter the tutor mainly directed his attention.

Not only did the tutor pursue this absorbing search indoors, but it seemed to monopolize all his thoughts, even while going to his meals and returning. It made him oblivious to all else for the time being. He would, while thus absorbed in thought, kick a chip before him for a mile, and would not recognize the best friend he might meet in the way. All he asked then was the full "right of way."

His abstraction or absent-mindedness was exhibited in many ways. Some mischief-lover barred up his door one morning and thus made him tardy at recitation hour, which gave occasion to the boys to "cut"—that is, leave and miss recitation. He went to the President and said, "Sir! is there any way to have a young man up, when you don't know who he is?" The President was a great mathematician, but he could not solve that problem.

"Sheep-ear" collars were in fashion in those days, just the reverse of those now or lately fashionable—I mean those with turned-down points and rising high at the back of the neck, making one look like he had on a mustard-plaster. The "sheep-ear" collars had points with acutest angles, which came up to the corners of a man's mouth. When starched and stiffened they looked as if great danger would be incurred by a sudden turn of the head. Now just picture to yourself a sober-looking man coming into a parlor in the morning with these "sheep-ears" pointing to the back of the neck instead of to the front, and you will realize how very peculiar the tutor looked one morning when he came down. This I was eye-witness of, and if I laughed I hope no one will accuse me of want of due respect. It could not be helped, certainly by one who has been known to enjoy a hearty spell at times.

The tutor was by no means a pharisee in spirit, for he was one of the "meek of the earth." But his inveterate habit made him liable to be pronounced as pharisaic. When officiating at public prayers in the chapel he would sometimes forget that after prayer came recitation or lecture and then breakfast, and his prayer would seem to be interminable. Knowing his absence of mind, one morning while thus engaged some good-intentioned or irreverent fellow prompted him by a hearty amen! This brought the prayer to a speedy conclusion, but the tutor was highly displeased—so much so that he sent for the most mischievous one of the auditors, whom he naturally charged with the offence, and said to him, "Mr. Blaze, I have sent for you, sir! to say to you that you shan't say amen to my prayers."

The tutor was very economical—some would say, penurious. Not so. He was generous and warm-hearted—as much so as an old bachelor could be. A true Christian, he felt it to be his duty to save every dime he could, that he might have the more to meet the demands of charity. This conviction caused him to discard pins as extravagant. In his room would be seen what Adam and Eve used when their first garments were donned, to furnish which conveniently he kept a thorn bush hung up behind his door. This he kept up until he was convinced that the damage thus caused to one's collar exceeded the cost of pins.

Candles being expensive, he thought the twilight sufficient to enable him to make up his morning toilet. This economy, combined with his other besetting habit, got him into a most ludicrous scrape. It happened thus: In writing out his voluminous notes he used many quill pens, which from time to time accumulated on his table. He took these—quite a number—one night, just before retiring, and washed them in his bowl, leaving the water in the bowl very much the color of the blue ink he was wont to use. The next morning in the dimness of twilight he failed to observe this discolored fluid when he went to perform his ablutions; when he finished he was blue—yes, very blue. Not taking time to look into his glass, he went to the chapel and took his place on the rostrum ready to officiate at the appointed hour, wholly unconscious of the very remarkable visage he wore, and thus unprepared for the scene which was to follow.

As the boys dropped in each one would stop, and look, and wonder, and then break out into most uproarious laughter, as perfectly uncontrollable as a storm in its fury. There was no use to attempt to be devout that morning. How the tutor got through with the reading and the prayer I can't say, but I fear he was not in a very devotional mood himself. How could he be when every one was laughing, while he could not see what was making them laugh. He was utterly disgusted with such rudeness and irreverence.

But he did get through. When some one informed him of his cadaverous appearance, he suddenly recollected the blue pens he had washed in his bowl. Then it was his turn to laugh, and laugh he did with a vim.

But lest I weary you, I will here conclude this reminiscence of the olden times by saying that with all the oddities of this old tutor I still cherish the highest respect for his character as a good and deeply pious man. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." I doubt not that he will be of that number in the great day when the jewels are counted.

[Illustration: PROF. DAVID S. DOGGETT, A. M.]

These made the Faculty of 1839-1842. In the latter year Rev. David S. Doggett succeeded Professor Sims in the English course. He was an eloquent preacher, in the prime of life, a diligent student, and dignified in his deportment. The pulpit was his place of power, and he did not remain long away from it. He was afterwards a Bishop in the church, after having served the church as editor of the Methodist Review for a number of years.

So much for the professors and tutors. What of the students under them? Taking the men who received degrees during the five years 1840-1844, it is pleasant, though it may seem invidious, to mention a part where it is not possible to name all.

The first name in the roll of his class (1840), and the first in honor, David Clopton, of Georgia, made his mark at College, and his after life was what his college life predicted.

He represented the Montgomery (Alabama) District in the United States
Congress prior to the war, and the same district in the Confederate
States Congress. Afterwards he served for many years as Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama. He was also very prominent in
the church.

James F. Dowdell, of Georgia, was a member of the United States Congress from Alabama prior to the war, and was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

Tennent Lomax, of South Carolina, also moved to Alabama. He was editor, soldier in the Mexican war, and was prominent in politics. He was killed while leading his regiment into battle at Seven Pines, Virginia, May, 1862, just after having received a commission as brigadier-general.

James L. Pierce was an eloquent speaker, a Doctor of Divinity, and
President of Lagrange (Georgia) Female College.

In this connection it might be interesting to mention that Clopton's roommate was Robert Lanier, of Macon, Ga., a member of the Sophomore Class. He and Burwell Harrison, also of Georgia, married Virginia ladies, whose acquaintance they formed while they were at College. Lanier's son, Sidney, has been called the "poet laureate of the South."

Coming to the next class (1841), George B. Jones, first-honor man, was a fine scholar, but turned from teaching to business life. He was killed at Petersburg in 1864, while defending his city in Kautz's attack on it.

Thomas H. Campbell was a distinguished lawyer, served in both houses of the General Assembly of Virginia, and was president of the Southside Railroad Company.

Edward Wadsworth was a prominent minister in Virginia and Alabama, a
Doctor of Divinity, and President of the Southern University,
Greensboro, Ala.

In the class of 1842, Thomas C. Johnson, of Virginia, first-honor man,
became a prominent lawyer in St. Louis, Mo., and a member of the
Legislature of that State. After the war he served two years as
President of Randolph-Macon College (1866-'67, 1867-'68).

William G. Connor, D. D., of South Carolina, was for many years a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Texas.

Ira I. Crenshaw, of Virginia, was tutor in Randolph-Macon College several years, and professor at the Female Institute, Buckingham, Va., and a minister of the Virginia Conference.

Dr. Samuel D. Saunders was professor at the Southwestern University.
Georgetown, Texas, for a number of years.

Of the class of 1843, George W. Benagh, of Virginia, first-honor man, was a professor at the University of Alabama, succeeding Dr. Landon C. Garland, his old preceptor. He died young by accidental drowning.

Edward S. Brown, of Virginia, an eminent lawyer and member of the
Virginia Legislature, is still an active, vigorous man (1897).

William H. Lawton was a faithful itinerant in the South Carolina
Conference for nearly fifty years.

Richard H. Powell was a prominent man in church and state for many years in his State (Alabama).

A number of the members of this class died in early manhood.

Coming down to my own class (1844). This class in the Freshman year numbered thirty-three. Of these only nine took degrees. Four others came in after the opening year, making total graduates thirteen.

John Lyon, of Petersburg, was the first-honor man of this class. He entered the class in the junior year, when he was in his sixteenth year. Before his entrance there were several candidates for the first honor. It was not long before their hopes began to fail. He was precocious, but his precocity was not short-lived, as it so frequently is. Mathematics, the great rock on which so many aspiring men were wrecked, was apparently a pastime with him. President Garland, a natural-born mathematician, had no mercy on men not like gifted with himself. His course was beyond the power of nine out of ten. John Lyon was the one of ten, and was head and shoulders above all the others in the class in this course, while not equal to others in other courses, but high in all. His brilliancy made him in after life a successful lawyer. He died in Washington, November, 1897, aged seventy.

The second-honor man was William C. Doub, of North Carolina. He was an untiring student, gifted especially in the acquisition of language. He was a teacher all his life, having spent the most of it as professor in Trinity College, North Carolina, and Greensboro Female College. He was very prominent in the Methodist Church. He died in the high noon of life.

The third-honor man, William M. Cabell, of Virginia, was a man of clear-cut intellect, and he had the power of concentration in a high degree. This power was shown in his early life, and afterwards made him distinguished and feared at the bar and in the Virginia Legislature. He is still living (1897).

The fourth-honor man was Holland Nimmons McTyeire. Brought by his old preceptor, James R. Thomas, to Randolph-Macon, when otherwise he might have gone to a state school, he entered the Sophomore Class in 1841. College life was no pastime for him. His ambition would make it a stepping-stone to high position—as at first desired and designed—in the State. Like Dr. Olin, no place lower than the highest would satisfy his ambition. To attain to this, all the power of an iron will moving the enginery of a somewhat slow but giant mind was bent and made subject. Had not a change come to divert him from his original intention, he would doubtless have become as notable in the councils and courts of the State as he became in the church. When he first came to College he appeared indifferent in church matters, though it was known he was a member. Whether this was the result of a lapsed religious life, or was the result of a struggle to still the promptings of conscience, is not known. But the call to a higher life, heard, doubtless, before, but a while unheeded, was emphasized in one of those sweeping revivals which Dr. Olin valued more than laws of discipline, and which he pronounced as indispensable in college work. Worldly ambition ceased to be the mainspring of his action, and he began to seek to "have the mind which was in Christ." But it was no easy work to bend such a will in a new direction. It was like turning the mighty steamship on a different course. The passion to rule men around him, the gift of so doing (and it is the greatest gift with which man is endowed), was constantly asserting itself. It probably was "strong in death," but it was tempered and sanctified to other than selfish ends by that good Spirit which subdued a Luther, a St. Paul, and a John Knox. What Randolph-Macon did for McTyeire in strengthening his mental powers for what he was to become as editor and bishop and builder of a great university, in sobering and elevating his ambition and aspirations, and fitting him for the work he was called to do in and for the church, cannot be computed. He has made his mark as high as any son of his alma mater, possibly higher than any other.

Space will not allow me to dwell upon the names of Thomas H. Rogers, of Virginia, for a while a tutor in the College, afterwards M. D.; of Richard S. Parham, of Virginia, a clever student and lawyer, who died in the prime of life, in his adopted State, Tennessee; of "Judge" Fanning, of Georgia, the frequent butt of Prof. Duncan's wit, who was said (poor fellow) to have chewed his brains out along with his teeth; of B. F. Simmons, a prominent young lawyer, who died prematurely, and of Willie M. Person, a M. D., who also died young.

John Howard has been since early youth a prominent lawyer in Richmond, ranking very high in his profession. He was noted when at College for his love for, and proficiency in, English literature and composition. He is still living (1897).

Of my most intimate friend in the class, Archibald Clark, I quote what
Bishop McTyeire wrote of him: "The most useful local preacher in
Southern Georgia, is what his presiding elder said of him."

Among those who were students with me at the College, but left without taking degrees, the following were the most notable: William T. Howard, of Virginia, who became a distinguished physician and professor in the University of Maryland; Lucius I. Gartrell, of Georgia, who became one of the foremost lawyers of his State, and a general in the Confederate army; Chas. E. Hooker, of South Carolina, Attorney-General of the State of Mississippi, colonel in the Confederate army, and for many years a member of Congress; Colonel Joel B. Leftwich, of Virginia, for a number of years a member of the General Assembly of Virginia; Smith W. Moore, of North Carolina, a Doctor of Divinity in the Memphis Conference, author of several books, and poet. He was associated with Bishop McTyeire on the Board of Trust during the early years of the Vanderbilt University. James N. Ramsey, of Georgia, colonel in the Confederate army; Robert Ridgway, of Virginia, the brilliant editor of the Richmond Whig, and member of Congress from Virginia; Walter L. Steele, of North Carolina, a member of Congress, and prominent in business and state, matters; W. L. Blanton, a minister of the Virginia Conference, eloquent and zealous, who died in early manhood; James D. Crawley, a most estimable man, and a local minister for many years; W. K. Blake, of North Carolina, a prominent merchant in Spartanburg, S. C., and trustee of Wofford College; John Wesley Williams, a member of the Virginia Conference, whose useful life was early cut short by consumption.

Nearly all of my college-mates sleep in the dust of the earth. Many of them were "wise, and shall shine as the brightness of the firmament," and some "turned many to righteousness," and shall "shine as the stars, forever and ever."

[Illustration: GEN. TENNENT LOMAX, CLASS 1840. Killed at Seven Pines,
Va., 1862.]

We go back now and take up the record regularly. At the close of the session of 1839-'40 the report of the Faculty notes the year as successful, and makes mention of the introduction of Anglo-Saxon into the course as the basis of the proper study of English. The Bible was also recommended as a part of the course of study. At this meeting the first legacy to the College, made by Rev. Robert C. Jones, of $3,000, was reported.

[Illustration: DAVID CLOPTON, LL. D.]

The following degrees were conferred June, 1840:

A. B.

DAVID CLOPTON, of Georgia.
JAMES F. DOWDELL, of Georgia.
BURWELL K. HARRISON, of Ga.
JAMES L. PIERCE, of Georgia.
TENNENT LOMAX, of S. C.
WOODSON L. LIGON, of S. C.

A. M.

JOHN C. BLACKWELL, of Va.
R. E. G. ADAMS, of Virginia.
J. W. HARDY, of Georgia.
F. N. MULLEN, of N. C.
JOHN TILLET, of North Carolina.
JUNIUS L. CLEMONS, of N. C.
WARREN DU PRE, of S. C.

[Illustration: D'ARCY PAUL]

The "Centennial of Methodism" occurred in 1839, and was celebrated by the church. Considerable collections were taken up during the year to increase the endowment of the College. This year a name, clarum et nobile, appeared for the first time on the records of the Board, D'Arcy Paul, of Petersburg. In the good providence of God, he was permitted to act as trustee for many years, and to exert a great influence in saving the College from financial wreck. At the time of his election he was a leading Methodist in his city, and probably the most prominent layman in the State. As a merchant, he had been very successful, and enjoyed the unbounded confidence of the business world. His liberality towards all church and benevolent enterprises was such as probably had never before been witnessed in Virginia. He was by birth a native of Ireland, but his whole life, except his early boyhood, had been spent in Virginia, and no son "to the manner born" was more enthusiastic in pushing forward all interests that enured to its welfare. When he accepted the place of trustee his heart and hand and credit were put at the service of the College. Taking the helm of the ship as Financial and Investing Agent, he held it for nearly thirty years, and it is not going too far to say that to him, more than to any other man, the College owes its continuation to the day when age and feebleness forced him to turn over to other hands the trust he had so long and faithfully borne on his shoulders. If it had the means, it should erect a monument to perpetuate his memory. Happy am I here to pay this feeble tribute to his worth, and to give the portrait, faint representation, though it be, of one who is worthy of all the honors that could be bestowed on him. His form was so erect that age could not bend it. His character, which beamed forth in a face of more than usual manly beauty, was still more true to the line of truth and righteousness.

[Illustration: EDWARD WADSWORTH, D. D., President of the Southern
University, Ala.]

The report of the Faculty for the year ending June, 1840-'41, makes favorable mention of the work of the session and of the conduct and scholarship of the students. The financial condition of the College was found to be such as to call for an address asking of the patronizing Conferences needed relief.

The degrees conferred at the close of the year were:

A. B.

GEORGE B. JONES, Virginia.
THOMAS B. GORDON, Georgia.
ROBERT C. GILLIAM, S. C.
WILLIAM H. DENTON, S. C.
WILLIAM H. BASS, Virginia.
MARCELLUS STANLEY, Georgia.
THOS. S. ARTHUR, S. Carolina.
THOS. H. CAMPBELL, Virginia.
THOMAS H. JONES, Virginia.
WM. W. HEREFORD, Mississippi
SAMUEL B. SCOTT, Virginia.
EDWARD WADSWORTH, N. C.
OLIVER P. WILLIAMS, S. C.

A. M.

CHARLES W. BAIRD, Virginia.
THEOPHILUS STEWART, Georgia.
JOHN T. BRAME, N. Carolina.
EDWARD H. MYERS, Florida.
JAMES M. FITTS, N. Carolina.
HENRY E. LOCKETT, Virginia.
JAMES R. THOMAS, Georgia.
EZEKIEL A. BLANCH, Virginia.
GEORGE W. BLAIN, Virginia.

YEAR 1841-'42.

At a called meeting of the Board held April, 1842, Prof. E. D. Sims tendered his resignation. The law of Virginia at that time prohibited a person from marrying the sister of his deceased wife. The Professor was about to marry Miss Andrews, the sister of his former wife, daughter of Prof. Andrews, author of Latin Grammar, and therefore was compelled to leave the State to marry her.

The loss of a Professor so capable and eminent as Professor Sims was much regretted by the trustees and the friends of the College. Under the circumstances, it could not be remedied, for there was no one to take his place in the special English course. He had been elected to take the chair of English in the University of Alabama, which he accepted. At this institution he formulated a course of instruction in English based on Anglo-Saxon, similar to the one he had taught at Randolph-Macon. Here he proceeded with the work on the Anglo-Saxon Grammar and Dictionary. This work he was not long permitted to prosecute. He died in 1845. Forty years after his death the manuscripts of his Anglo-Saxon works came to Randolph-Macon in an unexpected way. Rev. Mr. Stephan, of Missouri, found them at a second-hand bookstore in St. Louis, and noticing the name of Professor Sims on the title-page, he purchased the lot, embracing other papers, and sent them to the writer. Prof. Sims labored faithfully, but "others have entered into his labors."

[Illustration: SAMUEL D. SANDERS, A. M., M. D., Professor Southwestern
University, Texas.]

Rev. Dr. Capers, of South Carolina, was elected to fill the vacancy, and also president of the College, President Garland having tendered his resignation.

In the annual report in June, 1842, the Faculty say: "Our pecuniary embarrassments are becoming serious, and unless effectually relieved, it will be impossible to keep up the operations of the institution much longer. The trustees cannot give this matter too much patient reflection; and if it be practicable to sustain the institution in this respect, we have no fears for its success in all others."

The reorganization of the Faculty was recommended, also some modifications in the course of study; also, the establishment of a "School of Law." This school was established, and Edward R. Chambers, an eminent lawyer of Boydton, elected Professor.

The degrees conferred June, 1842, were:

A. B.

THOMAS C. JOHNSON, Virginia.
JOSEPH SUTTON, Virginia.
ALEX. B. PIERCE, N. Carolina.
BENJAMIN Z. HERNDON, S. C.
WILLIAM G. CONNOR, S. C.
SAMUEL D. SANDERS, S. C.
IRA I. CRENSHAW, Virginia.
THOMAS R. EPES, Virginia.
JOSEPH T. REESE, Georgia.
LUCIEN H. LOMAX, S. Carolina.
GEO. E. WYCHE, N. Carolina.

A. M.

ISAAC C. CROFT, S. Carolina.
WILLIAM H. BATTE, Virginia.
JOSIAH F. ASKEW, Georgia.
CHARLES F. BURNLEY, Virginia
AMOS W. JONES, N. Carolina.
JAMES W. WIGHTMAN, S. C.
JAMES R. WASHINGTON, Ga.
Rev. DAVID S. DOGGETT, Virginia (honorary).

Rev. David S. Doggett was elected to the chair vacated by the resignation of Professor Sims.

1842-1843.

This year the second decade of the College commenced. The year was marked by great financial pressure, which was partially relieved by the sale of some of the funds of the College. A part of the proceeds of the sale was used to pay off a debt on building account and the rest for current expenses. At the low rates of college fees, the current receipts failed to meet salaries and other expenses.

In the annual report of the Faculty mention is made of a decrease in patronage, caused by the financial condition of the country and the establishment of colleges in other Southern Conferences; so that it was again necessary to ask the Board to do something to increase the income of the College.

This year a French course was introduced for the first time, and E. A.
Blanch was elected tutor of French.

At the annual meeting, June, 1843, a committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Chambers, Rogers, Alexander, Leigh, and Early, to recommend a plan for the relief of the College from financial embarrassment. This committee reported as follows:

1. That it is absolutely necessary to raise a permanent fund of $20,000 to sustain the institution, and if we fail in doing so, it must and will go down.

2. That the Agent be instructed to endeavor to obtain one hundred subscribers of $500 in money or in bonds, the interest to be paid annually at the sessions of the Virginia and North Carolina Conferences, and the principal within a period not to exceed ten years, no subscription to be binding until $10,000 shall have been subscribed, the principal to be kept as a permanent fund.

The Faculty of the College showed their spirit of liberality and self-denial by the following communication:

"The Faculty, with a view to contribute all in their power toward the establishment of the College, propose to give to the Board of Trustees the sum of five thousand dollars, the same to be paid in five years by a relinquishment annually of $1,000 on their salaries upon the following conditions, viz.:

"1. That the balance of their salaries be paid promptly.

"2. That the donation shall cease before the expiration of the five years, unless the exigencies of the institution shall require it."

[Illustration: GEORGE W. BENAGH, A. M., Professor, University of
Alabama.]

It being necessary to raise funds to pay the professors, Messrs. H. G. Leigh, D'Arcy Paul, Dr. Archibald A. Campbell, George Rogers, and Edward R. Chambers offered to loan the College $500 each, and Messrs. H. B. Cowles and Landon C. Garland $250 each, on the 25th of December next; and Rev. W. B. Rowzie, Agent of the College, offered, that if the amount of his collections should fall under $500, to make up the deficiency in a loan.

[Illustration: JUDGE EDWARD R. CHAMBERS, Professor of Law 1842-'43.
Trustee of the College. Judge Circuit Court. Member of Virginia
Convention 1851 and 1861.]

The above record is given to show the great financial strait of the College and to bring to mind the liberality of the members of the Board and the Faculty. But for this liberal action the College would have ceased its work, as so many others were forced to do.

Some steps were taken at this meeting to establish a Medical Department in the College.

The following degrees were conferred, June, 1843:

A. B.

GEORGE W. BENAGH, Virginia.
EDWARD S. BROWN, Virginia.
HAMPDEN S. SMITH, N. C.
THOMAS E. MASSIE, Virginia.
WILLIAM H. LAWTON, S. C.
FELIX H. G. TAYLOR, Miss.
RICHARD H. POWELL, Alabama.
THOMAS W. BLAKE, N. C.
HENRY B. ELDRIDGE, Virginia.
WALLER MASSIE, Virginia.
JOHN F. RIVES, Mississippi.
NATHANIEL R. WADDILL, Va.
JOHN C. WALKER, Virginia.

A. M.

JAMES F. SMITH, South Carolina.

D. D.

Rev. ROBT. NEWTON, England.
WILLIAM WINANS, Mississippi.
LOVICK PIERCE, Georgia.
WILLIAM A. SMITH, Virginia.

1843-1844.

The dark cloud resting on the prospects of the College in June, 1843, still hung over it the succeeding year, notwithstanding the efforts made to relieve the embarrassment. Patronage continued to decrease. The session opened with sixty matriculates in the College and thirty in the Preparatory School, the smallest number in the history of the College up to this year.

The President, in the annual report, alludes to the depression of Faculty and patrons, neither of whom "could feel proper interest in an institution which might close its doors at any time." This feeling of despondency seemed to have pervaded also the members of the Board, for a bare quorum were in attendance at the opening session. The president, in his report, said: "We shall regard it as a calamity if you leave this place without making some definite arrangement by which our future may be relieved from all embarrassment."

[Illustration: HOLLAND N. MCTYEIRE, A. M., D. D., Bishop of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South; Regent Vanderbilt University.]

That grand layman, D'Arcy Paul, in this dark hour, came to the relief of the College by guaranteeing the salaries of the professors to the amount of $5,000 on certain conditions. Thus, in the good providence of God, the life of the College was prolonged.

[Illustration: COL. WM. TOWNES, TRUSTEE. Elected 1844.]

The following received degrees June, 1844:

A. B.

JOHN LYON, Virginia.
WILLIAM C. DOUB, N. C.
WILLIAM M. CABELL, Virginia.
HOLLAND N. MCTYEIRE, Ala.
ARCHIBALD CLARK, Virginia.
THOMAS H. RODGERS, Virginia.
JAMES G. FANNING, Georgia.
JOHN HOWARD, Virginia.
RICHARD IRBY, Virginia.
RICHARD S. PARHAM, Virginia.
WILLIE M. PERSON, N. C.
BENJAMIN F. SIMMONS, N. C.
J. L. GILLESPIE, Virginia.

A. M.

THOMAS B. GORDON, Georgia.
GEORGE B. JONES, Virginia.
Rev. EDWARD WADSWORTH, Va.
FRANCIS A. CONNOR, S. C.
Rev. THOS. H. JONES, Virginia.
WILLIAM H. BASS, Virginia.
HENRY F. JONES, N. C.

Rev. Henry B. Cowles having declined to accept the office of Agent, to which he had been previously elected, was again elected.

Warren DuPre resigned the tutorship, and Holland N. McTyeire was elected to fill the place.

It would be an omission if, in describing and relating other matters, the description of an old-time Annual Commencement should be left out. These occasions were notable events in the first two decades of the College. In those days preparations were begun four weeks before the Commencement day by releasing the Seniors from regular daily exercises so as to give them time to prepare their orations, which each one had to write and commit to memory and rehearse before the Professor of English, who was authorized to make corrections in matter, style, and also in manner of delivery. The Commencement generally was held the third Wednesday and Thursday of June. The Sunday previous a sermon was preached by some eminent minister appropriate to the occasion. Selecting one occasion that the writer witnessed as a specimen, that of 1842, the following description is faithful: The visitors, in the main, began to fill up the boarding-houses around the College and the hotels of Boydton on Tuesday. The Board of Trustees assembled on Tuesday at an early hour, holding their meeting, strictly private, during the day. Friends of the graduates from Virginia and the Carolinas were largely in attendance on Wednesday in time for the opening of the exercises in the chapel. On this occasion the far-famed evangelist, Rev. John Newland Maffett, had been selected to deliver the annual oration before the literary societies. He arrived on Tuesday by private carriage, having travelled over seventy miles. The Alumni Society orator had also arrived.

The exercises of Wednesday opened at 11 A. M. The band had been discoursing musical selections for hours previous on the campus, and continued in the gallery of the chapel, to which they and the crowd had repaired. The chaplain invoked the blessing of God on the College and the young men. The president introduced the alumni orator, who delivered his address to the Society and the audience. The applause of the auditors would have been prolonged but for their anxiety to hear the silver-tongued orator, whose fame was as wide as the country. He was in the prime of life. His dress was faultless; his black locks were unruffled, as when he left the hair-dresser's shop an hour before, for it was said he held his hat in his hand all the way from Boydton as he rode in the carriage to the chapel. Be that as it may, every lock was in perfect order. He was a native of the Emerald Isle, but was thoroughly naturalized. His manner was well-nigh perfect, possibly a little too dramatic; his voice musical, his enunciation rolling and faultless.

What was the theme memory cannot recall. All that is remembered is his action, voice, and the general effect on the auditors. The house was packed; the crowd outside was as great as that inside. The oration over, all breathed naturally again; the boys applauded, the ladies waved their handkerchiefs and fans, and the band struck up enlivening notes, and all said, as the morning exercises closed, "We have heard an orator to-day."

In the afternoon the representatives of the Washington and Franklin Societies—George Benagh and Felix Taylor of the former, and Marcellus Stanley and Rives Waddill, of the latter—did their societies great honor as their representatives by delivering in the chapel eloquent orations.

At night the Societies held their annual meetings, at which the presidents-elect, distinguished honorary members, presided and made addresses. In the debates following the honorary members were expected to take part. The Society medals and honors were delivered to graduate members. These meetings were held in the halls, and were not open to the public.

At night the parlors of private houses and the hotels were radiant with the wealth of beauty gathered mainly from the Old Dominion and the old North State. If there were ever fairer and more lovely women since the days of Helen this deponent never saw them.

The next day the graduating class made their last bows to a College audience, having, according to custom, appeared three times before in the last year of their course. It would be hard to decide which did best, if the verdict had to be given by the fair auditors who heard them.

The "Latin Salutatory" came first, delivered by the second-honor man. This was followed by the orations of others, without regard to grade. The closing "Valedictory" was delivered by the first-honor man, who in a manner represented the whole class. Then each graduate received his "sheep-skin," delivered by the President, who, in Latin, said, "Accepe hoc diploma," as he handed the diploma.

The graduating class was complimented by a "party" given in their honor by the students at the Steward's Hall, which was largely attended. This closed the Commencement.

So great was the interest in the Annual Commencements that parties came for long distances, even as far as South Carolina. Some of them came in coaches drawn by four horses with out-riders.

COLLEGE YEAR 1844-'45.

The tendency in patronage this year was still downward. The number of students was smaller than ever before.

A movement was made to carry out the project to raise $20,000 for endowment. The salaries of the Faculty were reduced, so that the President only got $1,250; the professors, $1,000; Tutor, $600; Principal of the Preparatory School, $600. This was done in the face of the fact that the dues to the Faculty at this time amounted to $7,000. This unfortunate condition of affairs was brought about and aggravated by several causes. The poorly paid officers worked without hope of remuneration. Students failed to attend because the impression was becoming prevalent that the College would be forced to close its doors. Besides, the farming community were receiving low prices for their crops. In 1845 the severest drought prevailed in Virginia ever known since 1816.

At the Commencement, June, 1845, a case of smallpox was reported on the morning of the first day. This threatened the total suspension of the exercises, and many visitors did return home. The exercises were held at Boydton, and the address of Rev. Dr. William S. Plumer, one of the greatest men of his day, served to put all in good humor and restore quiet. The next day the services were held in the chapel.

[Illustration: TURNER M. JONES, A. M., D. D., President Greensboro
Female College, N.C.]

Degrees were conferred as follows:

A. B.

CHARLES B. STUART, Va.
JOHN G. BOYD, Va.
THOMAS T. BOSWELL, Va.
JAMES T. WRIGHT, Va.
WILLIAM F. BLACKWELL, Va.
JOHN W. SHELTON, N. C.
TURNER M. JONES, N. C.

A. M.

JOSEPH T. REESE, Ga.
GEORGE E. WYCHE, N. C.
THOMAS S. ARTHUR, S. C.

At the close of this year I. I. Crenshaw and H. N. McTyeire resigned
their places as Tutors. The former went to the Buckingham Female
Institute, and the latter took work as an itinerant on a circuit till
Conference.

[Illustration: O. H. P. CORPREW, A. M., LL. D., Professor in
Randolph-Macon College and Central College, Mo.]

Williams T. Davis was elected Principal of the Preparatory School.

COLLEGE YEAR 1845-'46.

The drought referred to continued till late in the summer. Many farmers had to buy corn at one dollar per bushel, and in some cases had to go as far as thirty miles to get meal.

At the close of the year in June, at the meeting of the Board, great financial embarrassment was reported. A bond to be secured by mortgage on the real estate of the College for $5,000 was authorized to raise funds to meet pressing indebtedness.

The following received degrees June, 1846:

A. B.

JOHN DAVIS, Va.
OLIVER H. P. CORPREW, Va.
FRANK X. FOSTER, S. C.
EDWARD T. HARDY, Va.
SAMUEL HARDY, Va.
WM. G. de GRAFFENREIDT, Va.
OLIN M. DANTZLER, S. C.
BENJAMIN F. LOCKETT, Va.
THOMAS J. LOCKETT, Va.
THOMAS P. JERMAN, S. C.
GEORGE HOWARD, Va.

A. M.

JAMES F. DOWDELL, Ga.
WILLIAM F. SAMFORD, Ala.
JOHN F. RIVES, Miss.
THOMAS H. CAMPBELL, Va.
WILLIAM G. CONNER, S. C.
JOHN C. WALKER, Va.

D. D.

Rev. W. M. WIGHTMAN, S. C.
EDMOND W. SEHON, Ky.

The session of the College, 1846-'47, opened very inauspiciously. In addition to (and probably in large measure growing out of) the financial troubles which had been thickening for years past, a want of harmony and co-operation between the President and some of the members of the Faculty began to be shown. This led to disorder and insubordination among the students. To inquire into the matter at issue a meeting of the Trustees was called in September, 1846, at which, after reciting a history of the troubles, President Garland tendered his resignation, and requested the immediate acceptance of the same. This was followed by the resignation of their positions by Professors D. S. Doggett and David Duncan, and Tutor Thomas H. Rogers.

The resignation of the President was not accepted for prudential reasons. That of Professor Doggett, to take effect at the close of the session, was accepted, as was that of Tutor Rogers. Professor Duncan was induced to withdraw his.

The Board then adjourned to meet in the succeeding November, at the session of the Virginia Conference, which was to meet at the College.

At the adjourned meeting held November 13, 1846, the Board accepted the resignation of President Garland. Rev. Wm. A. Smith, D. D., of the Virginia Conference, was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of President Garland. The Faculty, as re-organized, was as follows, viz:

REV. WM. A. SMITH (President), Prof. Moral and Mental Philosophy.
REV. CHARLES F. DEEMS, A. M., Prof. Latin and Belles Lettres.
EZEKIEL A. BLANCH, A. M., Prof. Pure and Applied Mathematics.
DAVID DUNCAN, A. M., Prof. Greek Language and Literature.
JAMES W. HARDY, Prof. Experimental Science, Astronomy and Optics.

The severance of President Garland from the College, after a service of fourteen years in various capacities, was a source of great sorrow to his old pupils and friends. However deficient he may have been in some qualifications for the presidency, which from the first he not only did not seek, but frequently declined, he preserved all along the unqualified respect of all as an able professor and scholar. So devoted was he to the prosecution of his favorite study, Astronomy, that he generally broke himself down every year by attempting to perform the arduous work of the president and also of full professor. Added to this he was for years Treasurer. To a sensitive nature like his, the demands of creditors made on him when he could not meet them was a burden of itself heavy enough for any one to bear. If the College had had an endowment fund large enough to pay the expenses as they were incurred, and had allowed him to retain a professorship at a fair salary, with a president taking on his shoulders the duties which in most colleges devolved on the president, his valuable services could probably have been retained—certainly if the dissension had not arisen in the administration of the College. It is proper here to state that this dissension was only with Professor Hardy, and was not participated in by the other members of the Faculty, and did not lead to the resignation of several of them.

President Garland accepted the Chair of Mathematics in the University of Alabama, at Tuscaloosa. He never returned to his native State except on visits. The whole of a long life was spent, first, at the University to which he went, then at the University of Mississippi, from which he was called to take the Chancellorship of the Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn., which he accepted and filled for many years. Here in connection with his old pupil, Bishop McTyeire, he did valuable work, till age and feebleness forbade active work. Then he was made Chancellor emeritus. He died suddenly, but not unprepared, at the Vanderbilt University.

The closing years of President Garland's administration were the darkest in, the history of the College. Many of its friends were hopeless of its ever rallying again. Others gathered new hope, and their faith "staggered not" in this dark hour. All the older Methodist colleges had gone down, or were tottering to their fall. So much the greater faith was needed at Randolph-Macon.

It was a fortunate circumstance that this re-organization took place at the session of the Virginia Conference, which was held at the College, and presided over by Bishop Capers.

[Illustration: REV. WM. B. ROWZIE.]

Rev. W. B. Rowzie, who for many years had been Agent, resigned the position. A better friend the College never had.

At the request of the Board, Rev. B. R. Duval and Rev. Nathaniel Thomas were appointed Agents for the College. They were men of extraordinary energy and zeal, and they at once entered on a thorough canvass of the Conference in raising funds for the College. President Smith entered on his duties with characteristic zeal. He was fortunately possessed of an unconquerable will and a buoyancy of disposition, without which he would have quailed under the discouragements under which he labored.

"Wm. A. Smith was born in Fredericksburg, Va., November 29, 1802. His mother was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and in death prayed that her son might live to preach the glorious gospel. His father was a man of honorable character and position. Both died when he was of a tender age. For a time the orphan boy had rough usage; but he was afterwards adopted and raised by Mr. Russell Hill, a friend of his father, and a worthy merchant of Petersburg. When seventeen years old, he was converted, and joined the M. E. Church. He had received a good English education, and had commenced the study of the classics; but feeling that he was called of God to the ministry, and not being able to attend college as he desired, he studied privately one year at the home of his uncle, Mr. Porter, in Orange county, and taught school two or three years in Madison. In 1824 he travelled the Gloucester circuit under the Presiding Elder; in February, 1825, he was admitted on trial into the Virginia Conference. In 1833, while Agent for Randolph-Macon College, then in its infancy, he met with a fearful accident: the carriage which he was driving upset and fell on him, breaking his right thigh and dislocating his left hip, and badly laming him for life. He was a delegate to the General Conference of the M. E. Church every session from 1832 to 1844, and occupied a high position in that great council as an adviser and debater. In the memorable appeal case of Harding, and in the yet more important extrajudicial trial of Bishop Andrew, which led to the division of the church, he won a reputation wide as the United States, and inferior to that of no minister of any denomination, for the highest deliberative and forensic eloquence. He was a member of the Louisville Convention which organized the M. E. Church, South, and of all the General Conferences of this church to the date of his death. He commanded universal respect and confidence among his brethren by the sincerity of his zeal, the wisdom of his counsels, and the power of his reasoning. His impress will long remain on the legislation and institutions of Southern Methodism. In 1846 he was called from the regular pastorate, by the urgency of the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, sanctioned by the Virginia Conference, to the Presidency of this institution. He was selected for that place because his courage, energy and strength of intellect seemed indispensable not only to the prosperity, but even to the saving of this noble institution. Twenty years of his life was consecrated to this cause—years of self-sacrifice, of unremitting toil, of courageous battling with difficulties and victory over them; of hope where others desponded, of faith where others doubted, of resolution where others wavered. He was diligent in his study, diligent in his lecture-room, diligent in his travel through Virginia and North Carolina to collect money and to arouse interest in behalf of the College. The number of students steadily increased, the standard of scholarship was elevated, and through the joint efforts of Dr. Smith and the agents of the College an endowment fund of $100,000 was raised. Then came the terrible war, which emptied those classic halls and swept away the funds which had been gathered with so much toil. Yet not in vain had he labored. Scores of ministers, hundreds of pious young men, educated under his care, moulded by his influence, are this day in their several spheres carrying on the same grand work to which he was devoted, and have learned, from his teachings and example, never to surrender, never to despair of Randolph-Macon.

"We have not spoken of Dr. Smith as a preacher and pastor. He soon rose to eminence in the ministry, and stood with the foremost in the pulpit and pastorate for faithfulness, ability and success. He had a deep, distinct, happy, constant experience of the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus. His zeal for the cause of religion was pure, steady, consuming. He was fully consecrated to the work of the ministry. The doctrines and polity of our church had no stronger, nobler expounder and champion than he. His sermons were "logic on fire"—grand and solid discussions of the leading truths of the gospel, animated with deep emotion. Thousands were converted under his ministry; many of them became preachers of the word in our own and other denominations; the churches he served were ever edified and trained, not less by his pastoral fidelity than by his luminous discourses.

"As a man, he was of marked character. Who that ever saw him could forget that bold, frank, noble face and forehead, which revealed at a glance the lofty attributes of his intellect, the loftier attributes of his heart! Cunning and deceit he knew not; to fear he was a stranger; his convictions he was ever ready to avow and maintain. Yet, with all his courage and indomitable energy of will, he had a tender, sympathetic heart, and much of a child-like spirit, simple, unselfish, trustful, easy to be entreated." *

* Copied from Memoir in Virginia Conference Minutes.

Rev. C. F. Deems did not accept the chair of Latin, and O. H. P. Corprew was elected professor pro tempore, and filled the place.

At a meeting of the Board held March 31, 1847, an effort was made to establish a medical department of the College, but it never resulted in any permanent success.

[Illustration: BENNETT PURYEAR, A. M., LL. D., Professor Chemistry
Randolph-Macon College; Chairman Faculty and Professor Chemistry,
Richmond College.]

At the meeting of the Board held June, 1847, President Smith reported that the session had been pleasant and the prospects of the College improving. The success of the Agents in their work gave promise of better financial conditions. A committee was appointed to reorganize the Preparatory School system, and it was proposed to establish one or more at salient points.

[Illustration: WM. A. SMITH, D. D., President of Randolph-Macon
College, 1846-1866. President Central College, Missouri.]

Professor J.W. Hardy tendered his resignation, which was accepted. He had been elected President of La Grange College, Alabama, where he died after a short service.

The following received degrees:

A. B.

BENNETT PURYEAR, Va.
JOHN MOODY, Va.
R. H. BEALE, Tenn.

A. M.

W. C. DOUB, N. C.
JOHN LYON, Va.
T. C. JOHNSON, Mo.
ARCHIBALD CLARK, Va.
THOMAS H. ROGERS, Va.
JOHN HOWARD, Va.

D. D.

REV. D. S. DOGGETT, Va.
REV. EDWARD WADSWORTH, Ala.

At a meeting of the Board held at Charlottesville November 17, during the session of the Virginia Conference, a further issue of life-scholarships was authorized.

The committee on Preparatory Schools reported in favor of retaining the old school at the College under certain rules, and the establishment of one at Ridgway, N. C., under a contract with the Trustees of the Ridgway Academy, with William C. Doub, A. M., as Principal; also of one at Garysburg, N. C., with C. B. Stuart, A. M., as Principal.

At the close of the year, June, 1848, the President in the annual report reported increased patronage, and a session marked by studiousness and good order among the students. The number in the College and the Preparatory School was about one hundred and forty.

The graduates receiving degrees June, 1848, were—

A. B.

JOHN C. GRANBERY, Va.
JOHN H. CLAIBORNE, Va.
JAMES R. BRANCH, Va.
JOHN S. MOORE, Va.
DALLAS SMITH, Ala.
TAZEWELL HARGROVE, N. C.
RICHARD G. MORRIS, Va.
GEORGE W. FRIEND, Va.
CHARLES E. WILLIAMS, Va.
JAMES D. BLACKWELL, Va.

A. M.

CHARLES B. STUART, Va.
TURNER M. JONES, N. C.
WILLIE M. PERSON, N. C.
J. W. SHELTON, N. C.
THOMAS B. RUSSELL, Ga.
JOHN G. BOYD, Va.
WILLIAMS T. DAVIS (Hon'y), Va.
BENJAMIN JENKINS (Honorary), Missionary M. E. Church, South, in China.

[Illustration: JAMES R. BRANCH, A. M., Colonel Artillery, C. S. A.]

D'Arcy Paul, Investing Agent and Chairman of the Finance Committee, reported the probable income for coming year at about $3,500, $2,000 of which amount to come from fees and the balance endowment dividends.

[Illustration: JOHN C. GRANBERY, A. M., D. D.]

We pause again in this narrative to give a reminiscence of College life as written in 1882 by a distinguished member of the class last named, John C. Granbery, who delivered the valedictory as first-honor man. The distinction then achieved was but a presage of his rank in the several positions he has been called to fill—Pastor, Chaplain to the University of Virginia, Chaplain in the Confederate army (in which service he was severely wounded and taken prisoner), Professor in the Vanderbilt University, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (elected 1882), and author of several works. At this writing he lives at Ashland, and is the President of the Board of Trustees.

"As the earliest of the American Methodist Colleges now extant, Randolph-Macon may be called venerable, if not ancient. But I use the prefix old in order to distinguish the College as it was at Boydton from the College as it is at Ashland. The features of contrast are many and important. In the old days slavery was, as we thought, a fixed and lasting institution; civil strife had not swept away lives and fortunes, and the South was proud, independent, fiery and enthusiastic, chivalrous withal, generous, genial; now we are just beginning to adjust ourselves to the new social and political conditions which have been imposed by a disastrous war. Then there was a single degree, Bachelor of Arts, for which the students strove, and the course of four years was prescribed, with its regular gradations of Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors; now the studies are eclectic, and the matriculates may select any one of several degrees, or study without reference to graduation. Then the lumbering stage brought up the tri-weekly, or perhaps daily, mail and passengers, and the word of the driver rang forth cheerily, but no shrill whistle of steam-engine or thunder of lightning trains disturbed the silence of the classic groves, and the attractions and distractions of the crowded, hurrying, clamorous city were out of reach and out of thought; now the steam-car and the steam-press are familiar objects, the capital is less than an hour's distance, and the stage-coach is a tradition.

"A change has taken place in the manner and measure of collegiate discipline. This is due not to the change of locality, but to the spirit of the age. It has come to be a maxim that the best government is that which governs least. We seek the minimum of restriction on liberty that is compatible with the ends of government, viz., order, morality and diligence. Formerly the dormitory system prevailed; students were required to be in their rooms during certain hours of the day and night; professors and tutors visited the buildings, seeking to surprise the inmates, in order to ascertain whether the rule was observed; there were many minute regulations which have since been abandoned. This continued exercise of authority and plan of watching provoked insubordination and evasion; the wits of the boys were set to work in order to deceive the teachers, and to break the rules without detection, or, at least, with impunity. The risk gave to mischief and lawlessness a relish they would not otherwise have possessed. Unwholesome suppers were stealthily brought to the rooms by negroes at late hours of the night; calathumps aroused the neighborhood with most hideous music; blackboards were greased; the bell-rope was cut, and old John had to blow his horn at daybreak in every row of the buildings, as a call to prayers and recitations. This provoked him greatly, and he used to say, 'If you won't be rung up as gentlemen, I must blow you up as hogs.' How heartily I have heard Dr. Smith laugh as he repeated the old negro's complaint at such times, 'We have the worstest young men, and the mostest on 'em, I ever seed!' Practical jokes, sometimes of a very disagreeable sort, were played on professors in their nocturnal rounds of inspecting the premises. Calves were hauled up into lecture-rooms, and other silly tricks were perpetrated. I am glad that these follies have passed away, that faculty and students treat each other as gentlemen and friends, and that the public sentiment of the College would not tolerate any rudeness, though disguised under the name of fun. It is well to appeal to the conscience, gentlemanly propriety and honor, and generous and kindly sentiments of young men, rather than resort to espionage and multiplied restraints.

"I appreciate the arguments in favor of locating institutions of learning on the great lines of travel, and in or near large towns. It should be easy to get to them, and get away from them. The frequent mail and the time-destroying telegraph are now indispensable where students are a small minority of the population, and where there is a vigilant and effective police many disorders are prevented, and faculties and boards of trust are saved much trouble. Low vice is cheap, and will go to the most secluded spot in search of victims; but the city presents many refined pleasures which may serve to draw off ingenuous youth from haunts of sin and projects of mischief. But there are advantages on the side of the more quiet and retired situation. It favors concentration of interest on books, lectures, and light collegiate exercises. The whole life at the country college becomes student life. There is no division of mind and heart. There is nothing to tempt the earnest youth from his proper work. The esprit du corps of old Randolph-Macon was very strong. There were hospitable and cultivated homes in the neighborhood, and most charming maidens; those who visited them found entangling alliances for life, if the fair sex consented. But the number of young ladies sufficiently near to be easily visited was small, and many of the students were not, if I must use the modern slang which was unknown in my day, calicoists. The two literary societies were centres of enthusiasm. A new Randolph-Macon student can hardly understand the intensity of devotion "Washs" and "Franks" had for their societies in those times. All students were members of the one or of the other, and were ready to brag for it, quarrel for it, and, if need be, fight for it. They did not all attend regularly the meetings, or take part in discussion and other literary exercises; their lack of presence or performance was amply atoned for by the payment of their fines, for we were always eager to replenish the treasury. But a number studied carefully the questions of debate, reading largely, and thus, forming a fondness for books and habit of reflection; they prepared their speeches, and often waxed very warm. Indeed, bitterness and strife would sometimes arise, but they soon passed away. A frequent and effective debater of rather waspish and contemptuous temper alluded one day to the arguments of his opponents as flimsy cobwebs, as he quoted one after another, and answered it, 'I brush that cobweb away,' said he. A modest, merry-hearted man on the other side—he is now one of Lee's one-armed heroes—responded: 'The gentleman called my arguments cobwebs, and it may be that they are; but to-day is not the first time that I have seen a fly caught in a spider's web, and vainly struggling to get loose.' Colonel R., an intelligent gentleman of the community, said to me more than once, when he had been listening to a spirited debate, 'It is not inferior to the best debates I have heard in the Legislature of Virginia.' Some of the most skilled debaters in church and state would give a large share of the credit for their power in deliberative assemblies to the inspiration and training of those old Randolph-Macon halls. Many foolish things were spoken there, I must admit. 'I don't know I did the thing with which I am charged,' said an excited Frank; 'but if I did, I oughtn't to be fined, for I did it with malice aforethought.' 'With malice aforethought!' responded the censor, who was our honored and beloved Duncan; 'who ever heard before of that being an excuse?' 'I said it, and I repeat it, that I did it with malice aforethought; and if the gentleman doesn't understand, I will explain that it is a law phrase, and means I didn't go to do it!'

"There were many traditions in my day of giants who had been at old Randolph-Macon. They told how Dr. Olin, the first President, a man of great head and heart, would send for an idle or offending student, place his feet on the chair where the delinquent sat so as to hold him, a close prisoner, and talk to him faithfully, yet tenderly, until with burning cheeks and floods of tears the youth promised never again to offend. It was a memorable event when the great man preached; solid thought in vast masses was driven to the mark with resistless power. There was a story of an eloquent and mighty sermon from Dr. Lovick Pierce, of Georgia, from a text which astonished every listener: 'Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.' There were glowing reports of the wonderful pathos and power of Russell, of Georgia; how he melted the cold, stone hearts of the Faculty, who were bent on sending him home, but they had all their resolves converted into admiration and sympathy for the youth who pleaded eloquently his own cause; how often he electrified his society. It was my good fortune to see and hear him in the pulpit and on the platform, when he visited the College as Commencement orator."

During the session of 1847-'48, a man of more than ordinary distinction and talent became connected as Professor with the College, Rev. Charles Force Deems. He was a native of New Jersey, and a graduate of Dickinson College. In very early manhood he came to North Carolina to represent the American Bible Society in that State. He was there only a short time before he was elected to a chair at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When Dr. Smith was elected President in November, 1846, he was elected Professor of Latin and Belles Lettres. He did not accept the chair at that time. In December, 1847, he did accept another, and the January following entered upon his duties as Professor of Chemistry. He remained that year and then returned to North Carolina, and entered on the regular work of an itinerant minister. It is not known why he so soon severed his connection with the College, for which he always to his latest day expressed an attachment, evidenced by more than one or two acts of interest and generosity. It is probable that there was little kindly feeling from some cause not known, or congeniality between him and the President of the College. This doubtless was the root of the bitter feud between him and Dr. Smith in after time, culminating in the alienation of many friends from each other and the North Carolina Conference from the College.

The portraits of the two now hang near together on the wall of the Trustees' room in the library, and it is hoped that all "bitterness and wrath" having been laid aside they together share the blessedness of heaven.

COLLEGE YEAR 1848-'49.

The report of the President and Faculty gives the following items for the year 1848-'49:

Students in College proper, 61; in Preparatory Schools, viz.: at the
College, 51; Ridgway, N. C., 20; Garysburg, 40; Lowell, N. C., 21;
Richlands, N. C., 20; in all, 213.

"The schools in North Carolina from the last quarterly returns are in a prosperous condition, and promise in reasonable time to operate as valuable auxiliaries."

Professor Deems resigned the chair about December, 1848. The vacancy was filled, or arranged to be filled, by Charles B. Stuart, of the class of 1845, with the privilege extended to him to spend about a year at Yale College, where Agricultural and Analytical Chemistry were made specialties. This arrangement was carried out.

At the meeting of the Board, June, 1849, a department of Agricultural
Chemistry was provided for, to be in charge of Professor Stuart.

[Illustration: RICHARD W. LEIGH, Major C. S. A.; killed at Murfreesboro,
Tenn.]

The following degrees were conferred:

A. B.

JAMES A. DUNCAN, Va.
WILLIAM G. FOOTE, Miss.
JAMES W. JACKSON, Va.
RICHARD W. LEIGH, Va.
LEWIS MILLER, N. C.
R.S.F. PEETE, Va.
B. CRAVEN (Honorary), N. C.

A. M.

LUCIEN H. LOMAX, S. C.
EDWARD T. HARDY, Va.
O.H.P. CORPREW, Va.
FRANCIS X. FOSTER, S. C.

COLLEGE YEAR 1849-'50.

The attendance this year at the Home Schools was 134 (College, 62; Preparatory, 72). Improvement reported in general morals and habits of students.

Great financial embarrassment reported, and urgent appeals for active measures to secure needed relief.

[Illustration: EDWIN E. PARHAM, A. M., President of Warrenton,
Petersburg, and Hampton Female Colleges.]

Early in the session of 1849-'50, Professor E. A. Blanch resigned the Chair of Mathematics on account of continued bad health. Professor John C. Wills, a distinguished graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, was elected to fill the vacancy, and entered on his duties. He was a local minister in the Methodist Church, and a man of fine character and an accomplished teacher. The College was fortunate in securing such a man.

The Faculty now consisted of the following; Dr. Smith, President; Professors Duncan, Stuart, Wills, Corprew (Tutor), and Williams T. Davis at the Preparatory School near the College.

In June, 1850, they reported the Preparatory School as having done well, and the reception from it of twenty students for the next session, and four from the Ridgway Preparatory School. The school at Garysburg, N. C., had been discontinued. The schools at Lowell, N. C., and Richlands, N. C., in successful operation and accomplishing much good.

From the above it will be seen that the establishment of academies as feeders to the College was a fact accomplished before the late effort in 1889. They were all in North Carolina, and the subsequent alienation carried them away from the College with whatever patronage they were bringing to it.

Degrees were conferred as follows, June, 1850:

A. B.

EDWIN A. THOMPSON, N. C.
EDWIN E. PARHAM, Va.
EDWARD A. ADAMS, Va.
JOHN F. DANCE, Va.
WILLIAM A. BRAME, N. C.
ROBERT H. WINFIELD, Va.
BENJAMIN C. DREW, Va.
THOMAS F. FITZGERALD, Va.

A. M.

REV. N. F. REID (Hon'y), N. C.
BENNETT PURYEAR, Va.

COLLEGE YEAR 1850-'51.

Number of students reported this year: In College, 91; in Preparatory
School, 62—total, 153.

The schools in North Carolina, except Ridgeway, prosperous.

The year was not satisfactory in the deportment of students generally, nor in finances.

[Illustration: PROF. WILLIAM T. DAVIS, Principal Preparatory School.]

In June, 1851, the following degrees were conferred:

A. B.

WILLIAM H. CHRISTIAN, Va.
HUGH D. BRACEY, Va.
WILLIAM M. CRENSHAW, Va.
HENRY F. DRAKE, N. C.
ARMSTREAT E. FOWLKES, Va.
JOHN H. GUY, Va.
HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, Jr., Va.
JOHN S. LONG, N. C.
JAMES O'HANLON, N. C.
JACOB M. PALMER, Va.
REUBEN PALMER, Va.
WILLIAM MCK. ROBBINS, N. C.
RICHARD H. WILLIAMS, Va.
HENRY W. WINGFIELD, Va.

[Illustration: WILLIAM MCK. ROBBINS, Member of Congress from North
Carolina.]

A. M.

RICHARD H. POWELL, Ala.
DAVID CLOPTON, Ala.
THOMAS J. KOGER, S. C.
JAMES F. DOWDELL, Ala.
TENNENT LOMAX, Ala.
JAMES L. PIERCE, Ga.
EDWARD WADSWORTH, Ala.
ADDISON LEA, Miss.
Rev. B. CRAVEN (Honorary), N. C. President Trinity College.

The Finance Committee reported to the Board that the sum of $57,000 had been raised in subscriptions, bonds, etc., towards the endowment of the College.

COLLEGE YEAR 1851-'52.

A number of changes took place this year. Williams T. Davis, A. M., who had for many years successfully conducted the Preparatory School, retired to go to Petersburg, where he spent the balance of a useful life in the education of young ladies. He was temporarily succeeded by W. G. Foote, A. B., and later by James S. Kennedy, A. B., of Emory and Henry College.

O. H. P. Corprew, A. M., tutor, was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Dean.

The annual report mentions better financial condition; decrease in patronage, due in part to changes of teachers; the introduction of the "Demerit system," which is noted as having worked satisfactorily; also the establishment of the degree of "Bachelor of English Literature and Science," allowing a degree without taking classical studies.

The Preparatory School at Ridgway, N. C., was discontinued. The other schools were reported as doing well, but no statistics as to numbers in attendance were given. The first volume of the Randolph-Macon Magazine, containing ten numbers and three hundred pages, was published in 1851. The Editors' Table states that "the primary object of our publication is the enlargement of our Society libraries."

The following is another extract from the Editors' Table: "The time is at hand for us to throw off our dependence upon the North, and establish an independent Southern literature."

The old Southern Literary Messenger was then published, and several Reviews, more or less literary. None of permanent standing are published now. Southern independence in government and literature seem to have both surrendered at Appomattox. Some of these young men laid down their lives for one, some have been too busy fighting "the wolf at the door" to do much for the latter. While we lament their defeat, we admire their pluck.

The following is the title-page of Volume I.:

[Transcribers' Note: In the printed book, the editors and agents are
listed in two parallel columns. The left-hand column is headed "From
F.L. Society." and the right-hand column is headed "From W.L.
Society.">[

THE RANDOLPH-MACON MAGAZINE.

PUBLISHED BY THE STUDENTS OF THE R.-M. COLLEGE.

"Adeo in teneris consuescere, multum est."

EDITORS:

From F. L. Society.
ROBERT M. MALLORY.
WILLIAM Y. PEYTON.
JOHN WILLIAMS.

From W. L. Society.
CHARLES H. HALL.
JOHN S. JACKSON.
THADDEUS L. H. YOUNG.

AGENTS:
From F. L. Society.
JAMES SANGSTER.
THOMAS C. THACKSTON.

From W. L. Society.
LEROY M. WILSON.
EDWARD M. PETERSON.

———————————-

PRINTED BY CHAS. H. WYNNE, 150 Main Street, Richmond Va.

———————————-

The following degrees were conferred June, 1852:

A. B.

ROWLAND DOGGETT, Va.
ROBERT A. JACKSON, Va.
SAMUEL LANDER, N. C.
ROBERT M. MALLORY, Va.
BENJAMIN W. OGBURN, Va.
JOHN F. OGBURN, Va.
HORACE PALMER, Jr., Va.
RUFUS R. PEGUES, S. C.
HENRY H. WILLIAMS, Va.
JOHN WILLIAMS, N. C.

A. M.

JAMES W. JACKSON, Va.
JAMES A. DUNCAN, Va.
R.S.F. PEETE, N. C.
WILLIAM G. FOOTE, Miss.

COLLEGE SESSION 1852-'53.

At the annual meeting, June, 1853, the report of the President and
Faculty was duly made, but, from some cause, it was not recorded.

[Illustration: SAMUEL LANDER, D. D., President Williamston Female
College, South Carolina.]

The following degrees were conferred:

A. B.

CHARLES H. HALL, N. C.
JOHN S. JACKSON, Va.
EMBRY MERRITT, Va.
HENRY D. MILAM, N. C.
JAMES D. PROCTOR, Va.
JAMES E. SEBRELL, Va.
RICHARD W. THURMAN, Va.
JAMES SANGSTER, Va.

A. M.

E. W. ADAMS, Va.
JOHN H. CLAIBORNE, Va.
RICHARD W. LEIGH, Va.
EDWIN E. PARHAM, Va.
GEORGE HOWARD, Va.
LEWIS MILLER, N. C.
ROBERT H. WINFIELD, Va.
Rev. JOHN E. EDWARDS, Va. (Honorary).

D. D.

Rev. HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, North Carolina Conference.
Rev. CHARLES F. DEEMS, North Carolina Conference.

[Illustration: REV. CHAS. H. HALL, Of the Virginia Conference.]

COLLEGE YEAR 1853-'54.

There were in attendance this year 111 students in College and 43 in the Preparatory School. Great gratification was expressed on account of the good order of the session. The financial condition, however, was still very embarrassing. The scholarships sold had added something to the endowment fund, but the number of students paying tuition fees was reduced, and thus the current receipts were not increased. This embarrassed the officers of the College, because, while they preferred to remain, higher salaries elsewhere invited them away. The President stated that he visited the Virginia Legislature and made strenuous efforts to induce the body to pass an act which would give all incorporated Colleges $20,000 in State bonds for every $30,000 invested by them in State bonds. Though the project seemed to meet with great favor, nevertheless it failed, as all efforts to get the State to aid denominational colleges have done.

Dr. Smith adds: "But if the hope of succeeding with this scheme be not sufficient to justify you in making better provision for your officers, and another should not present itself to your minds affording better grounds of hope for success, it is respectfully submitted whether it be not better to close your doors until such of the officers as you shall deem proper to employ shall succeed in raising from the public an endowment fund sufficient to meet the wants of the institution."

The venerable Professor David Duncan resigned the Chair of Ancient Languages, September, 1853, to take effect June, 1854. So in June, after a continuous faithful service of twenty-one years, he bade farewell to Randolph-Macon, and went to Wofford, the scene of his labors to the end of a long life.

Professor O. H. P. Corprew, A. M., was transferred from the Chair of Natural Philosophy to fill the vacancy occasioned by Professor Duncan's resignation. Professor Corprew had been elected to the Professorship of Natural Philosophy in the previous December. H. G. Leigh, Jr., resigned as Tutor of Languages, and was succeeded by T. H. L. Young, A. B. Wm. H. Bass resigned the place of Principal of the Preparatory School, and was succeeded by John W. Stuart.

[Illustration: THOMAS C. ELDER, A. M., Of the Staunton, Va. Bar.]

John S. Moore, A. M., was elected to the Chair of Natural Philosophy, vacated by the transfer of Professor Corprew.

At the annual meeting in June, 1854, the following received degrees:

A. B.

JESSE P. BAGBY, Va.
JOHN G. S. BOYD, Va.
RICHARD BOYD, Va.
WILLIAM H. CHEEK, N. C.
THOMAS C. ELDER, Va.
GEORGE W. HAMLIN, Va.
GARLAND B. HANES, Va.
GEORGE W. MAGRUDER, N. C.
ADOLPHUS W. MANGUM, Va.
A. C. MASSENBURG, N. C.
SAMUEL MOORE, Va.
THOMAS C. THACKSTON, Va.
L. O. RIVES, Tenn.
LEROY M. WILSON, Va.
THADDEUS L. H. YOUNG, Va.

A. M.

WILLIAM M. CRENSHAW, Va.
BENJAMIN F. SIMMONS, N. C.
WILLIAM MCK. ROBBINS, N. C.
HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, JR., Va.
EDWARD S. BROWN, Va.
ARMSTREAT E. FOWLKES, Va.

B., Eng. Lit. and Science.

ALEX. HOGG, Va.
J. KIRKPATRICK.
W. H. SHAY.

D. D.

REV. T. B. SARGENT, Balt. Conf.
REV. ALFRED T. MANN, Ga. Conf.

At a called meeting held July 26, 1854, which was well attended, a further effort was made to secure aid from the Legislature of Virginia.

At this session of the Board the following important action was taken:

Rev. Robert O. Burton offered the following resolutions:

1. That in view of still further elevating the institution and securing its permanency we will endeavor to increase the endowment to $100,000.

2. That whenever the amount of $100,000 shall have been secured, or the interest on the endowment fund shall amount to $6,000, this Board will grant to the ministers of the Virginia and North Carolina Conferences the right to educate their sons free of tuition fees for thirty years.

3. That one or more agents be appointed to raise the money, and that we earnestly ask the co-operation of all the ministers of the Virginia and North Carolina Conferences.

4. That subscriptions of $500 may be paid by the subscribers either during their natural life or twelve months after death, with interest from date, to be paid annually.

5. That Rev. H. B. Cowles be appointed agent, and that Dr. William A. Smith be associated with him.

[Illustration: REV. L. M. LEE, D. D., Editor: Richmond Christian
Advocate.]

These resolutions were adopted, and the agents appointed were requested to make arrangements for the prosecution of the work as soon as practicable. It could not be done at once, as the Agent elected had to be assigned to the work by the Conference, which did not meet till November. So it was arranged that the work should be commenced next spring.

In the interval Dr. Leroy M. Lee, then editor of the Richmond Christian Advocate, proceeded to write and publish from time to time a series of articles on "Christian Education"—articles probably not surpassed in force and pertinence by any ever written on the subject. He kept the matter of the canvass which was to be inaugurated the coming year before the Methodist public, and thus effectually paved the way for better success.

In May, 1855, the agent and president of the College began the active field work to raise the amount to one hundred thousand dollars at Crenshaw's Church, on the Nottoway circuit, near Blacks and Whites station, on the the (then) Southside Railroad. At this church a mass-meeting was held, lasting several days. There were present, in addition to the leaders above named, Dr. Leroy M. Lee, editor, who was much interested in the effort.

Dr. Smith was the chief speaker, and he never appeared to better advantage, having the sympathy and interest of the audience with him from the start. Dr. Lee followed him. Agent Cowles struck while the iron was hot and took the subscription, which, in addition to what was secured in the circuit in the next few days, amounted to five thousand dollars. This gave the enterprise a good send-off, and was received and accepted by the church at large as an augury of final success, which proved to be true. The agents did not relax their efforts till the limit was reached.

There were several circumstances which made this effort a success. The men in charge were the right men. Dr. Smith was a great man before the people. Few men who lived in the State ever equalled, fewer still ever surpassed him. His colleague, while not deficient in public speaking (he was a most excellent preacher), was gifted with good business address and tact, well versed in reading and managing mankind in general, and thorough in his business transactions, securing all the benefits which were possible. Both were largely acquainted throughout the Conference.

The times were propitious. The decade beginning 1851 was the golden era in the material prosperity of Virginia. The spirit of improvement in lands, building railroads, and plank roads, and other roads was at its height. Most of the great lines throughout the State were built during this decade—the Richmond and Danville, the Southside (Petersburg and Lynchburg), the Virginia and Tennessee (Lynchburg to Bristol), the Orange and Alexandria (Lynchburg and Alexandria), and the Roanoke Valley (Clarksville and Ridgway, N. C.), and others were built or projected. The last named brought railway communication within twelve miles of the College, and Keysville, on the Richmond and Danville, was within thirty-five miles of the College. Besides these improvements, a plank road was built from Petersburg to Clarksville, which was, as long as it lasted, a great improvement. Another plank road from Blacks and Whites, on the Southside Railroad, was built through Lunenburg in the direction of Boydton, but its terminus was twenty miles short of reaching it.

The Crimean war, involving the great Powers of Europe, raised the price of wheat to a price seldom, if ever, reached previously. It sold in 1853-'54 for $2.35 per bushel, and good prices were maintained for the balance of the decade. Lands in the State, which had been low in price, were increased in value one hundred per cent. and other property in something like the same ratio. All this made people more ready to contribute as well as more able.

COLLEGE YEAR 1854-'55.

This College year was marked by no special change or event. The President's report notes: matriculates in College during the session, 134, 72 of whom were on scholarships.

[Illustration: DAVID R. DUNCAN, Major C. S. A.; Senator S. C.
Legislature.]

Professor Samuel Lander, A. M., entered upon his duties as Adjunct
Professor of Languages, and W. A. Shepard was Assistant in the
Laboratory.

At the annual meeting, June, 1855, degrees were conferred:

A. B.

GEORGE E. BOOKER, Va.
JAMES B. DUGGER, Va.
WILLIAM N. CARTER, Va.
JOHN E. CHRISTIAN, Va.
THOMAS A. GATCH, Va.
JAMES C. HANES, Va.
PETER A. MOSES, Va.
ROBERT N. SLEDD, Va.
DAVID R. DUNCAN, S. C.
OLIVER G. SMITH, N. C.

A. M.

THOMAS E. MASSIE, Va.
SAMUEL LANDER, N. C.
ROWLAND DOGGETT, Va.
JOHN F. DANCE, Va.
JOHN F. OGBURN, Va.
ROBERT M. MALLORY, Va.
HENRY W. WINGFIELD, Va.
BENJAMIN W. OGBURN, Va.
SAM'L B. PAUL (Honorary) Va.

COLLEGE YEAR 1855-'56.

The celebrated trial of Deems vs. Smith took place at the Virginia
Conference held in Petersburg, November, 1855. The charges were
presented by Dr. C. F. Deems in person, and defence made by Dr. Smith.
The verdict was almost unanimous, finding Dr. Smith not guilty.

The result of this unfortunate affair was the resignation of quite a number of the Trustees from the North Conference, that Conference having espoused the cause of Dr. Deems by a very large majority.

At the meeting of the Trustees in June, 1856, Dr. Smith tendered his resignation as President of the College. The Board refused to accept the resignation, only two voting to receive it.

This year the first catalogue, as printed, comes to us. Others had been printed, but no copies preserved.

Of the original charter members of the Board all had died or retired but John Early, William A. Smith, Mathew M. Dance and John G. Claiborne. All the original members of the Faculty had resigned. Students in College, 93; in Preparatory School, 36—total, 129.

We have no mention of the several Preparatory schools in North Carolina.
Thos. A. Gatch, A. B., was Principal of the Home School.

[Illustration: W. T. BAILEY, Killed at Gettysburg; buried on the field.]

A resolution was adopted by the Board asking the Legislature to establish a school of "military tactics" in connection with the College, but nothing ever came of it.

In January, 1856, a most remarkable fall of snow occurred, with a temperature of ten degrees below zero. The snow was fifteen inches deep.

In June, 1856, the following received degrees:

A. B.

W. T. BAILEY, Va.
GREEN A. JACKSON, Va.
THOMAS L. JACKSON, Va.
WILLIAM T. MERRITT, Va.
JOHN P. FULLER, N. C.

A. M.

JAMES E. SEBRELL, Va.
WILLIAM A. BRAME, Va.
JAMES D. PROCTOR, Va.

COLLEGE YEAR 1856-'57.

The changes in the Faculty this year were the resignation of Assistant Professor Samuel Lander, whose place was not filled, and the substitution of Charles W. Crawley, Principal of the Preparatory School for Thomas A. Gatch, resigned.

In June, 1857, Professor Charles B. Stuart resigned the Chair of
Chemistry and Geology, and Professor N. T. Lupton succeeded him.
Professor O. H. P. Corprew at same time resigned the Chair of Ancient
Languages, and Professor William B. Carr succeeded him.

The degrees conferred June, 1857, were—

A. B.

GEORGE W. ARMISTEAD, Va.
WILLIAM I. COWLES, Va.
RICHARD W. JONES, Va.
JOSEPH E. LEIGH, Va.
EDWIN G. MOORE, N. C.
WILBUR F. DAVIS, N. C.
JOHN B. WILLIAMS, N. C.
WILLIAM W. PENNY, Mo.
WILLIAM A. SHEPARD, Mass.

A. M.

WILLIAM G. CONNOR, Tenn.
L. O. RIVES, Tenn.
GARLAND B. HANES, Va.
THAD. L. H. YOUNG, Va.
JESSE P. BAGBY, N. C.
ADOLPHUS W. MANGUM, N. C.
SAMUEL MOORE, Va.
THOMAS C. ELDER, Va.
THOMAS C. THACKSTON, Va.
WILLIAM H. CHEEK, N. C.

Number of students during the session, 144, including those at the
Preparatory School (34).

The worst blizzard ever known in Virginia occurred in January, 1857; thermometer ten degrees below zero. Some suffering in the College for want of fuel.

COLLEGE YEAR 1857-'58.

This year was reasonably prosperous. Some dissatisfaction was expressed in the president's annual report on account of salaries.

[Illustration: RICHARD W. JONES, A. M., LL. D., Major C. S. A.;
President Mississippi Industrial Institute; Professor Mississippi
University and Randolph-Macon College.]

In June, 1858, Prof. Lupton resigned the chair of Chemistry and Geology, which was subsequently supplied by the election of Prof. Bennett Puryear, of Richmond College.

Dr. W. A. Smith again tendered his resignation, for reasons personal to himself. At the urgent solicitation of the students, the Alumni Society, and the Board, he withdrew his resignation.

[Illustration: REV. RICHARD FERGUSON, Virginia; Adjutant Eighteenth
Va. Regiment.]

Degrees were conferred as follows:

A. B.

BENJAMIN H. THACKSTON, Va.
RICHARD FERGUSON, Va.
VICTOR M. BRANDON, Va.
RICHARD B. HOLSTEAD, Va.
ROBERT S. ISBELL, Va.
ALEX. MALLORY, Va.
ROBERT MOORE, Va.
CLAUDIUS G. PHILLIPS, Va.
PITTMAN R. VENABLE, Va.
RICHARD O. WYATT, Va.

B. L. AND S.

WALTER M. IRBY, Virginia.

A. M.

GEORGE E. BOOKER, Va.
PETER A. MOSES, Ark.
THOMAS A. GATCH, Va.
ROBERT N. SLEDD, Va.
JAMES C. HANES, Va.
Prof. JOHN C. WILLS (Honorary), Randolph-Macon College.

Students in College this session, 109; in Preparatory School, 16-total, 125.

THE ENDOWMENT RAISED TO $100,000.

At a called meeting of the Board December 27, 1858, the following action was taken:

"The Board, being satisfied, from an examination of the bonds and subscriptions obtained by the agent, that the endowment fund of the College, in bonds, cash, and valid subscriptions, has been raised to and above one hundred thousand dollars; therefore be it

"Resolved, That the following notice be given through the newspapers of the State, viz.: 'By order of the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, at a meeting held this day, notice is hereby given to those persons who have contributed by bonds and subscriptions to increase the endowment of the College that the said fund has been raised to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars in bonds, cash, and valid subscriptions, that their obligations have become absolute, and it is hoped that they will discharge them, in order that the money may be invested in permanent form as soon as practicable.'"

The herculean task of raising the largest endowment fund ever contributed to any college in Virginia or in the South up to this date by public subscription was thus confirmed. When it is considered that the larger part of this amount was contributed by individuals in sums ranging from five to one thousand dollars (the latter sum the largest contributed by one subscriber), the immense labor and difficulties of the undertaking may be, to some extent, estimated. But the large number of subscribers evidenced one gratifying fact, that after the subject of education had been ventilated in mass-meetings, the people had become interested in Christian education, and had given practical proof of that interest.

[Illustration: HENRY B. COWLES, Virginia Conference; Agent
Randolph-Macon College.]

The friends of the College were jubilant over this great event, which seemed to insure new life and energy to the College, the subject of so many hopes and prayers. The three great moving and active agents in consummating the work—President W. A. Smith, Dr. Leroy M. Lee, and Agent Rev. Henry B. Cowles—are worthy of all honor, and their names should be handed down to succeeding generations as the benefactors of their State and church.

At the commencement, June, 1859, there was a large re-union of the Alumni of Randolph-Macon to rejoice over the endowment secured and to consult together about the interests of the College. Prominent among those present were Rev. President John C. Blackwell, the oldest alumnus; Rev. Holland N. McTyeire, D. D., editor of the Nashville Christian Advocate; Rev. James A. Duncan, Hon. Thomas H. Campbell, etc. A banquet of the Society was held, which was attended by many of its members and invited guests. The Society of Alumni adopted the following preamble and resolutions:

"Whereas the Bible, as the word of God, contains the highest wisdom as well as the highest truth; and whereas it is the oldest as well as the best of books, and bears a vital relation to literature and civilization as well as to religion; and whereas a knowledge of its teachings and the history of those religious opinions and institutions which have exercised a controlling influence upon the character and destiny of mankind is necessary to a broad, liberal and complete education; therefore,

"Resolved, 1. That the Bible, as a text-book, ought to occupy a central place in education, as it does in morals.

"2. That it is eminently proper for the church, in conducting education, to give the Bible such a place and distinct recognition.

"3. That we, the alumni of Randolph-Macon College, recommend and respectfully urge upon the Board of Trustees the creation of a Chair of Biblical Literature, whose instruction shall be accessible to all students of the College who shall desire to include them in their course of study, and shall be extended free of charge to any young men who are studying with a view to the Christian ministry.

"4. That we recommend that the Virginia Conference rand the friends and patrons of the College everywhere take measures for speedily endowing a Chair of Biblical Literature.

(Signed) "HOLLAND N. MCTYEIRE.

"JOHN C. BLACKWELL."

[Illustration: REV. WILLIAM S. DAVIS, Of the North Carolina Conference;
General of Cavalry in the C. S. A.]

This was the most pleasant and cheering commencement occasion which had occurred for many years. The catalogue showed the attendance to have been: Students in College, 119; in Preparatory School, 22—total, 141. This year the old curriculum of four years was abandoned, and the course was made elective, with the following departments, viz.:

[Illustration: THOMAS J. JARVIS, LL. D., Ex-Governor of North Carolina;
Senator in U. S. Congress; Minister to Brazil.]

1. Ancient Languages, 2. Mathematics, 3. Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, 4. Moral Philosophy, 5. Modern Languages, 6. Preparatory.

A. B. and A. M. courses for degrees were established.

Professor J. C. Wills resigned the Chair of Mathematics. He left much to the regret of the Board and the Faculty to take a professorship at the Southern University, Greensboro, Ala. Mr. Robert T. Massie was elected to fill the vacancy. Robert S. Isbell was Principal of the Preparatory School.

The following degrees were conferred:

A. B.

WILLIAM S. DAVIS, N. C.
AURELIUS T. GILL, Va.
ADAM C. BAGBY, Va.
JOHN L. JOHNSON, Va.
HENRY B. COWLES, JR.; Va.
JOHN DAVIDSON BLACKWELL, Va.
WILLIAM H. DAVIS, Va.
JOHN T. HUMPHREYS, Va.
THOMAS J. OVERBY, N. C.
JOHN L. CHAMBERLAIN, N. C.
EDWIN S. HARDY, Va.
JOHN W. JONES, Va.
WILLIAM G. STARR, Va.
CHRISTOPHER THROWER, Ark.
LEROY S. EDWARDS, Va.
LUTHER WRIGHT, Va.

ENGLISH AND SCIENCE.

J. W. HEARTSFIELD, N. C.
THOMAS W. BRANCH, Va.
F. X. MILLER, N. C.

A. M.

DR. SAMUEL D. SANDERS, S. C.
WILLIAM T. MERRITT, Va.
GREEN A. JACKSON, Va.
ARGYLE HALEY, Va.
JOHN E. CHRISTIAN, Va.
JOHN WILLIAMS, N. C.
ALEXANDER HOGG, Texas.

D. D.

Prof. A. M. SHIPP, Wofford College, S. C.

COLLEGE YEAR 1859-'60.

This was the first year under the new system of instruction. At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, the committee on "The course of instruction and new system of government" reported very favorably on the results, and advised continuance of the same, with some modifications.

The Preparatory School was abolished this year, after an unsuccessful course generally, for about twenty-eight years. The number of students in attendance this year was: in College, 149; in Preparatory School, 16—total, 165.

[Illustration: B. W. ARNOLD, A. M., Professor of Vanderbilt University;
Member of the Virginia Legislature.]

Degrees conferred June, 1860, under new course:

A. B.

JOSEPH D. ARNOLD, Va.
WILLIAM P. HILL, Va.
THOMAS J. JARVIS, N. C.

A. M.

BENJ. W. ARNOLD, Va.
ANTHONY DIBRELL, Va.
GEORGE B. FINCH, Va.
P. FLETCHER FORD. Va.
WILLIAM M. JONES, Va.
JAMES H. PEAY, Va.
BENJAMIN I. SCOTT, Va.
JOHN W. TAYLOR, Va.

A. M., under the old course.

WILLIAM I. COWLES, Va.
RICHARD W. JONES, Va.
JOHN B. WILLIAMS, N. C.
WILBUR F. DAVIS, Va.
EDWIN G. MOORE, N. C.
GEORGE W. ARMISTEAD, Va.
WILLIAM A. SHEPARD, Va.
JOHN L. GILLESPIE, Va.

COLLEGE YEAR 1860-'61.

This College year reached into the first year of the civil war. The matriculation at the opening was fairly good, but during the second term many of the young men left to enter the military service. The Commencement exercises were dispensed with, and the Board conferred only a few degrees. Those receiving them were—

A. M.

B. L. ARNOLD, Va.
B. J. HAWTHORNE, Va.
RICHARD B. HOLSTEAD, Va.
RICHARD O. WYATT, Va.

A. B.

JOHN THOMPSON BROWN, Va.

D. D

REV. JOHN C. BLACKWELL, A. M., Pres. Buckingham Female Inst.

Under the discouraging circumstances the Board determined to suspend the exercises of the College—a very wise move, but unfortunately it was countermanded at a subsequent meeting.

COLLEGE YEAR 1861-'62.

At a called meeting of the Board held August 29, 1861, the previous action of the Board was rescinded, and it was resolved, "That the College be opened at the usual time under a complete system of military government, and Rev. Major William H. Wheelwright Was elected Professor of Military Tactics."

At a subsequent meeting of the Board, Professor Lewis Turner was elected to the Chair of Mathematics, vacated by the resignation of Professor Massie, who had entered the military service; Professor W. A. Shepard had also entered the service, but his place was not filled.

At a meeting held in Norfolk, Va., November 22, 1861, a committee was appointed to secure a change in the charter, authorizing the military feature proposed for the College.

At a meeting of the Board held January 20, 1862, J. E. Blankenship was elected Professor in place of Major Wheelwright, who declined to accept the position offered him. On the 20th February the military organization was completed by the action of the Executive Committee. It was as follows, viz.:

REV. WM. A. SMITH, D. D., Col. Commanding Corps Cadets.
J. E. BLANKENSHIP, Major, Professor Mathematics and Military
Science.
BENNETT PURYEAR, Captain. Professor Chemistry. WILLIAM B. CARR,
Captain, Professor Ancient Languages.
G. STAUBLY, Captain, Professor Modern Languages.

A long schedule of military rules was adopted—too long for their insertion here, and much longer than their existence would have justified.

Those who reversed the deliberate action of the Board at the annual meeting, carried away with the excitement of the times, thought they were doing the best, but, as we look at it now, it appears a solemn farce. It was also an expensive one.

At the close of the year, June, 1862, the following received degrees:

A. M.

WILLIAM A. ARCHER, Va.
J. E. BUTLER, Ark.
R. A. COMPTON, Va.
WILLIAM S. WILLIAMS. Mo.

GRADUATES OF FORMER YEARS.

WILLIAM G. STARR, ROBERT S. ISBELL, JOHN D. BLACKWELL.

A. B.

WILLIAM E. EDWARDS.
B. L. ARNOLD, Va.

[Illustration: WILLIAM E. EDWARDS, D. D., A. B., 1862.]

At the annual meeting, June, 1862, of the Trustees, the following resolution was adopted:

"This Board, having the utmost confidence in the ability of the Confederate States to maintain their independence, and that it is safe to make investment in their stocks (bonds), is of the opinion that it would be judicious to sell out our stocks which do not pay an interest of more than six per cent., and to invest the same in Confederate States bonds, bearing an interest of eight per cent. And that the President of the College be requested to confer with our Investing Agent on the subject, and that if the investing Agent concur with the Board in the propriety of the exchance of stocks, that he proceed to make it."

Under the military regime the session opened as usual in September, 1862. The number of students in attendance was small, as might have been expected.

The board of students was fixed at $25 per month, with the following bill of fare at the Mess Hall:

"For breakfast—Sugar, coffee (or substitute) or milk (those using the one will not be entitled to the other), flour-bread, viz., loaf bread and biscuit, and either batter-bread, waffles or muffins, butter, cold or fried bacon, or hash.

"For dinner—Boiled bacon and cabbage, or other greens, and one of the following kinds of meats, viz., beef, mutton, shoat or fowls, with the vegetables of the season, and corn-bread.

"For supper—Sugar, coffee (or a substitute) or milk, as at breakfast, flour-bread, viz., loaf-bread and biscuit, and either batter-bread, waflles, muffins, or toast-bread and butter."

What soldier could not fight on such fare as this!

In October, 1862, Professor Staubly resigned, and soon afterwards went to Petersburg, along with Professor W. B. Carr, to teach in the Petersburg Female College. They were thus engaged till the 9th of June, 1864, when General Kautz attacked the Home Guards, under the command of Major F. H. Archer. In this engagement Professors Carr and Staubly were participants, and the latter was killed, along with Geo. B. Jones, a Randolph-Macon alumnus.

At a called meeting of the Trustees held December 18, 1862, the President presented to the consideration of the Board the condition of the College, with an exhibit of receipts and disbursements.

After much deliberation, it was ordered that the operations of the College be suspended from and after the 5th of February, 1863, to the opening of the fall term, in September following.

"Dr. W. A. Smith was placed in charge of the property. At a meeting of the Trustees held July 24, 1863, the President in his report in regard to the closing term said:

"The College opened September, 1862, with about twenty students, which number gradually increased to forty-four. The Conscript Act then went into operation, and took nearly half that number.

Then, on motion, it was ordered that the exercises of the College be
suspended until otherwise ordered. The Virginia Conference of the M. E.
Church, South, held its annual session at Broad-street Methodist Church
November, 1863. At this Conference the following resolution was adopted:

"Resolved, That we recommend the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College to remove it from its present site to some more eligible locality, and we call their attention specially to the advantages presented by Lynchburg as the place to which it should be transferred."

A meeting of the Trustees was called to consider the resolution of the Conference, and the Trustees assembled at Broad-street Church November 26, 1863.

As there were only nine members in attendance, the Trustees adjourned to meet in the city of Petersburg on the 20th of January, to consider the recommendation of the Conference, and an order was made that notice of the adjourned meeting be given in the newspapers of Richmond and Petersburg.

The Trustees of Randolph-Macon College met, pursuant to adjournment, at the Washington-street M. E. Church, Petersburg, Va., on Wednesday, January 20, 1864. There were present seventeen members. The chairman, President Smith, presented the resolution of the Conference, given above.

After considerable discussion, the following was agreed upon as the sense of the Board:

"Resolved unanimously, That while the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College are not prepared to take decisive action on the resolution of the Virginia Conference in relation to the change of location of said College, yet this Board so far concurs in the spirit of their resolution as to appoint five members as a committee of the Board to take immediate steps to ascertain the comparative advantages offered by other localities with a view to its removal; and that the committee be requested to perform their duty with dispatch, and report to an adjourned meeting to be held in Petersburg, Va., on Wednesday, March 9, 1864."

The following were appointed said committee: Rev. W. A. Smith, chairman, Rev. L. M. Lee, Rev. J. C. Blackwell, E. R. Chambers, and R. M. Smith; and, on motion, Captain Richard Irby was added to the committee.

The Trustees met, pursuant to adjournment, in Washington-street M. E.
Church, Petersburg, Va., March 9, 1864.

The committee appointed at the meeting January 20 last made report, as follows:

"The committee to whom were referred the comparative claims of the different localities which have been spoken of as offering the most encouraging prospects of success beg leave to submit, that such is the unsettled state of public opinion as to the financial condition of the country at this time, and for some time to come, that no enlightened judgment can be reached by your committee as to the advantages offered by other localities compared with the present location of the College, we beg, therefore, to be relieved from the further consideration of the subject.

"(Signed) WM. A. SMITH, Chairman."

The following order was adopted in regard to the report, viz.:

"Resolved, That the report of the committee be referred back to the same committee, with instructions to take into consideration all the subjects committed to them at the meeting held in Petersburg on the 20th January last, and report to a subsequent meeting to be held in Petersburg at the call of the President, or when he may be requested to call a meeting by any five members of the Board of Trustees."

This meeting was never called. The committee never formulated any further report. In a few weeks after the meeting was held, Petersburg was invested by the Federal army, under General Grant. This investment was continued until April, 1865, when General Lee's right wing was turned, Petersburg and Richmond evacuated, and the final surrender at Appomattox.

The following reminiscences of the last days of the College before the suspension are given by Rev. Dr. W. E. Edwards, who was at the College till near the close:

"The years 1860-1862 were among the most memorable in the history of the College. In 1860 the College, perhaps, had attained the climax of its ante-bellum prosperity. It had met difficulties and conquered them. It had grown and developed into commanding importance. A future of great promise opened up before it. Dr. William A. Smith was now at the zenith of his great popularity as a college president and as an instructor in Moral Philosophy. The changes which from time to time he had introduced in the management of affairs bore continually-increasing fruit in the orderly conduct of students and in their closer application to books; nay, more, his adaptation to the professorial duties which he had assumed shone out conspicuously before the church and the state. He was endowed with splendid abilities—an intellectual giant. Especially was he a born metaphysician. He possessed a power of introspection and an aptness for the logical arrangement of truth that fall to the lot of but few men in life; and now, by patient toil, he elaborated and delivered to his classes a course of original lectures upon the various subjects in his special department, which of itself would justly entitle him to a high rank among the instructors of the country. It is to be regretted that these lectures were never written out in extenso and given to the public. No doubt, at certain points, they would disclose a lack of thoroughness, due to the absence of large and general reading; still, they would manifest a marked degree of original and profound investigation, and would prove, what cannot be said of all that today is taught in our colleges under the name of Moral Science, exceedingly helpful in the proper culture and discipline of character. In other words, the Doctor, in the plan and order of his talent, was practical rather than speculative.

The dark cloud of civil war, so long anticipated and dreaded, now appeared with threatening aspect upon the horizon. The presidential nominees were made. Intense excitement pervaded every department of society. Still the attendance of students upon the fall session of the College for 1860 was not much abated. Of course, the storm without was felt in the narrower circle of college life; all the circumstances of a regular political campaign was here faithfully enacted. Parties were formed; electors were chosen; speeches were made; votes were cast. The majority upon which so important a decision was made (to the best of my memory) was five, yet, in spite of this political strife, studies were pursued with the zest and regularity of former years. A few months passed by. The great American people, despite the students of Randolph-Macon College, decided who should be the President of the country, and declared in favor of Abraham Lincoln, 'the rail-splitter of Illinois.' The College participated more and more in the effects of the increasing excitement. Many students from the seceded States returned to their homes. At length the 4th of March, 1861, arrived. Mr. Lincoln was inducted into office. Immediately he called for seventy-five thousand men to crush the 'rebellion.' Virginia, so long standing aloof, and hoping against hope, now compelled to make a decision, unhesitatingly cast her fortune with that of her Southern sisters. The wildest enthusiasm prevailed among the students. Bondfires were kindled; a great torchlight procession was formed; the different professors were visited, and, after the most approved style, called on for speeches. Then the march was continued to Boydton, to the manifest delight of the citizens of that little town; and then, at a late hour of the night, the line was broken, and every one was left to find his way as best he could back to his room. It is a time long to be remembered.

"Soon students in large numbers left for their homes to prepare for war. The country was converted into an immense camp. So great was the depletion in the number of students, and so great was the excitement that prevailed throughout the country, that the College authorities deemed it inexpedient to hold the regular commencement exercises for this year. So closed the term of 1860-'61.

"A word at this point: In those days it was not deemed improper or unbecoming for ministers of the gospel to have decided views upon questions of state. There were clerical Whigs and there were clerical Democrats, and very stoutly did they maintain the cause of their respective parties. Of course, they never entered the political arena, but in private and around the fireside there was often no small war waged by these 'gentlemen of the cloth' over the great issues of the day. Dr. William A. Smith was a Democrat of the Calhoun stamp. He believed implicitly in the right of secession, a sacred right guaranteed by the constitution, and was not slow to give the reason for the opinion which he cherished. Still, in the earlier part of 1861, he did not recognize the necessity for the exercise of this right on the part of the South. He thought that some compromise might be effected and the Union saved; yet when Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated, and his policy forecast in the call for seventy thousand men to crush the rebellion, he no longer hesitated, but claimed rights which before he was willing to ignore; and the South had no stauncher friend or more zealous advocate than he during all those dark days of fratricidal strife, even to the close, when drums ceased to beat and the battle-flags were furled.

"We start a new era. Vacation begins. The excitement in the land, if possible, becomes more intense. There is volunteering for service, drilling, hurrying on to the front. Everything is placed under contribution to facilitate and render successful the mighty trial of arms which is impending. The battle of Manassas is fought. The South is the victor; yet the fruits are not what were desired and anticipated. The war cloud, instead of vanishing, grows denser. The evidences of a protracted and sanguinary conflict become manifest. The trustees of the College, under existing circumstances, were embarrassed. They knew not what to do; yet in the early part of July they declared against the opening of the doors of the institution for the coming year. Later on, however, they reversed this decision, and the College began its fall session at the usual time. Several important changes are here to be noticed. First, the number of students was perceptibly smaller than usual; the whole body, perhaps, did not exceed sixty-five or seventy. A few of these were manifestly parties desiring to shirk military service; yet the great majority was composed of persons under the age of conscription and of persons who were already far advanced in their college course and looked forward to a speedy graduation.

"Again: there was a change in the complexion or membership of the Faculty. Professor Massie resigned to accept a call to governmental work in Richmond, and Professor Turner was elected to fill the Chair of Mathematics. He, however, resigned at the close of the half session, and Professor Blankenship was chosen as his successor. Professor Shepard resigned, and entered upon active military service in the field. No one was appointed to fill his place, as the exigencies of the case did not demand it.

"Once more: the style of the College was changed from a purely literary to a semi-military institution. A regular uniform was prescribed; drills were daily observed, and other things of a similar character were enjoined, all looking to the preparation of the student for the duties that awaited him in defence of his country.

"The Commencement exercises for this year were exceedingly interesting and for the times very largely attended. Dr. James A. Duncan delivered the address before the two societies. His presence among the scenes of his boyhood was a joy to his old acquaintances, and his address was highly appreciated for its worth and for the sake of the man who delivered it."

The record of the meeting held March 9, 1864, given above, closes the official history of the College prior to the surrender.

We give the names of the trustees following those who were named in the charter of February, 1830, with date of their election:

NAME. STATE. YEAR.
NATHANIEL MASON,. . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1833
THOMAS ADAMS, . . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1833
THOMAS WILLIAMS,. . . . . South Carolina, . . . 1833
ALEXANDER SPEAR,. . . . . Georgia,. . . . . . . 1834
W. H. ELLISON,. . . . . . Georgia,. . . . . . . 1834
Rev. WILLIAM CAPERS,. . . South Carolina, . . . 1834
Rev. W. M. KENNEDY, . . . South Carolina, . . . 1834
Rev. W. M. WIGHTMAN,. . . South Carolina, . . . 1834
GEORGE W. JEFFRIES, . . . North Carolina, . . . 1834
BEV. SYDNOR,. . . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1834
Rev. I. A. FEW, . . . . . Georgia,. . . . . . . 1834
Rev. LOVICK PIERCE, . . . Georgia,. . . . . . . 1835
SEABORN JONES,. . . . . . Georgia,. . . . . . . 1835
J. C. POYTHRESS,. . . . . Georgia,. . . . . . . 1835
Rev. JAMES McADEN,. . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1835
Rev. ABRAM PENN,. . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1835
WILLIS LEA, . . . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1835
Bishop J. O. ANDREW,. . . Georgia,. . . . . . . 1835
HUGH A. GARLAND,. . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1835
Rev. STEPHEN OLIN,. . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1835
HORACE PALMER,. . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1837
Rev. JAMES JAMEISON,. . . North Carolina, . . . 1837
Rev. B. T. BLAKE, . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1837
M. M. MCPHERSON,. . . . . Georgia,. . . . . . . 1838
THOMAS W. WILLIAMS, . . . South Carolina, . . . 1838
S. K. HODGES, . . . . . . South Carolina, . . . 1838
L. C. GARLAND,. . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1840
D'ARCY PAUL,. . . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1840
A. A. CAMPBELL, . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1840
Rev. D. S. DOGGETT,.. . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1841
Rev. A. M. FORSTER, . . . South Carolina, . . . 1841
Rev. HENRY B. COWLES, . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1842
GEORGE ROGERS,. . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1842
EDWARD R. CHAMBERS, . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1842
WILLIAM TOWNES, . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1844
WESLEY YOUNG, . . . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1845
Rev. R. O. BURTON,. . . . North Carolina, . . . 1845
Rev. WILLIAM B. ROWZIE, . Virginia, . . . . . . 1845
ELLIS MALONE, . . . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1846
THOMAS BRANCH,. . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1846
Rev. L. M. LEE, . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1846
THOMAS W. HARRIS, . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1846
RICHARD B. BAPTIST, . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1846
CHARLES R. EATON, . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1848
MASON L. WIGGINS, . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1848
CHARLES S. HUTCHESON, . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1848
WILLIAM IRBY, . . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1848
JAMES J. DALY,. . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1848
Rev. R. I. CARSON,. . . . North Carolina, . . . 1848
Rev. JAMES REID,. . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1848
G. W. S. PARHAM,. . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1848
GEORGE WILSON,. . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1848
GEORGE D. BASKERVILLE,. . North Carolina, . . . 1848
Rev. ANTHONY DIBRELL, . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1849
Rev. WILLIAM CLOSS, . . . North Carolina, . . . 1852
Rev. THOMAS S. CAMPBELL,. North Carolina, . . . 1854
THOMAS H. CAMPBELL, . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1854
RICHARD IRBY, . . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1854
CHARLES SKINNER,. . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1854
Rev. GEORGE W. NOLLEY,. . Virginia, . . . . . . 1855
JOHN G. BOYD, . . . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1855
Rev. LEO ROSSER,. . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1855
Rev. J. P. MOORE, . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1855
Rev. R. E. G. ADAMS,. . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1855
Rev. P. W. ARCHER,… . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1855
Rev. N. F. REID,. . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1855
Rev. WILLIAM CARTER,. . . North Carolina, . . . 1855
Rev. J. E. EDWARDS, . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1857
N. MILAM, . . . . . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1857
Rev. G. W. CARTER,. . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1858
RICHARD M. SMITH, . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1858
Rev. JOHN C. BLACKWELL, . Virginia, . . . . . . 1858
THOMAS P. JERMAN, . . . . North Carolina, . . . 1858
LEROY M. WILSON,. . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1859
O. H. P. CORPREW, . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1859
WILLIAM A. SMITH, . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1860
W. T. SUTHERLIN, . . . . Virginia, . . . . . . 1860

Secretaries of the Board.

Rev. WILLIAM A. SMITH,
Rev. WILLIAM M. WIGHTMAN,
Rev. JOHN G. CLAIBORNE,
Rev. EDWARD WADSWORTH,
Rev. HENRY B. COWLES,
RICHARD B. BAPTIST,
RICHARD IRBY,
WILLIAM A. SHEPARD.

Treasurers.

JOHN W. LEWIS,
ALEXANDER BOYD,
BEVERLY SYDNOR,
LANDON C. GARLAND,
DAVID DUNCAN,
CHARLES B. STUART,
Rev. WILLIAM A. SMITH.

Agents.

Rev. H. G. LEIGH,
Rev. WILLIAM HAMMETT,
Rev. M. P. PARKS,
Rev. JOHN EARLY,
Rev. WILLIAM A. SMITH,
Rev. THOMAS CROWDER,
Rev. JOHN A. MILLER,
Rev. JOHN KERR,
Rev. S. S. BRYANT,
Rev. R. O. BURTON,
Rev. WILLIAM B. ROWZIE,
Rev. R. I. CARSON,
Rev. BENJAMIN R. DUVAL,
Rev. N. THOMAS,
Rev. HENRY B. COWLES.

Rev. JOHN EARLY,
Chairman Board of Trustees, 1831.
President " " 1833 to 1872.

In the body of the history sufficient prominence has not been given to a number of the Professors and Agents. They in many instances richly deserved this prominence, but it seemed to be impossible to get portraits of them. A search for some of them for years failed to secure them.

The good work, as agents, of Rev. B. R. Duval and Rev. N. Thomas, more particularly the former, deserved a much more extended notice and commendation.

WAR HISTORY.

The war history of the College and its Professors and sons is and must remain very imperfect. It is impossible for the writer to gather up the scattered threads of this history. No approximate estimate can be given of the number who went into military service, nor of the casualties which befell them. That many of them were killed and wounded and many died of sickness is well known.

Six Randolph-Macon men were enrolled in one company, and the casualties which befell these are here given from actual data. Whether this is a fair sample of the rest is not known with certainty. There is no reason why it should not be assumed as a fair average.

In Company G, Eighteenth Virginia Regiment, Army Northern Virginia, the following casualties occurred, viz.:

Richard Irby, class of 1844, first lieutenant and captain, wounded twice at Second Manassas, 1862.

Samuel Hardy, class of 1846, first lieutenant, lost an arm and disabled at Gaines' Mill, 1862.

Richard Ferguson, class of 1858, first lieutenant (and adjutant of the regiment, 1863), wounded at Gaines' Mill, Frazier's Farm, Second Manassas, and captured inside the cemetery wall at Gettysburg; in prison to the close of the war.

Edward H. Muse, class of 1861, second lieutenant, wounded at Frazier's farm, Gettysburg, and Sailor's Creek.

Anthony Dibrell Crenshaw, class of 1858, third lieutenant, killed at
Five Forks, 1865, and buried on the field.

Benjamin I. Scott, class of 1860, corporal, killed near Boonsboro, Md., 1862, and left on the field.

The writer can give the history and portraits of these, because he had the honor to command the company in which they served, and preserved their records and portraits.

The College premises were occupied after the close of the war for some time by the Federal forces. The main building was used as headquarters of the Freedman's Bureau, and the rooms filled with the "wards of the nation." The damage done to the property was assessed at about five thousand dollars, which is unpaid to this day, and will doubtless so remain to the end of time.

This closes the ante-bellum record.

[Illustration: OFFICERS COMPANY G, EIGHTEENTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT. No. 1.
Captain Richard Irby. No. 2. Lieut. Richard Ferguson. No. 3. Lieut. S.
Hardy. No. 4. Lieut. E. H. Muse. No. 5. Lieut. A. D. Crenshaw. No. 6.
Corpl. B. I. Scott.]

INTERLUDE.

BEFORE entering upon the subsequent history of the College, this writer would take this occasion to refer to one of many omissions, which he has noted in revising the pages already printed, a point of special interest and importance. This is the religious element in Randolph-Macon College.

The College was the child of the Methodist Church, established, in large measure, to educate young men for the ministry in accordance with the ideas and usages of the church of that day. Religion was the first and foremost consideration—religion as taught and emphasized by the Methodist Church—religion allied with education. At the first opening of the College a chaplain was appointed for it by the Conference, a man who was as complete a model of the Methodist minister as could be found, William B. Rowzie, a walking, living epistle of Christ, "known and read of all men." One better than he could not have been found to inaugurate the religious life of the College.

Never in the history of the church in Virginia has Methodism, in its spirit and economy, been more thoroughly exemplified than it has been at Randolph-Macon. The morning and evening sacrifice of prayer and praise noted every day of work. Preaching in the chapel was had twice on Sabbath and prayer service was held on Wednesday evenings. Students were required to attend morning and evening prayer and Sunday morning service. Besides this, the members of the church were organized into classes with leaders, according to Methodist usage, and class-meetings were regularly held once a week. Thus was exhibited a complete practical example of Methodist economy as prescribed in the Discipline. The result and fruit of this work was a high state of religious life. Every year, or oftener, this life took the form of great religious activity, and sweeping revivals occurred, bringing well-nigh all in the College and many outside under spiritual influence, and many converts into the church. There were few years, if any, when some such revival did not take place. Of many it could be said, "This and that man was born there"; many who not only became Christians themselves, but went forth from the College to preach the gospel throughout the Southern land. Many here were drilled in Methodist usages, and thus prepared to become class leaders, stewards and Sunday-school teachers and superintendents after they left College. A large proportion of these became presidents of colleges and principals of high schools and academies, in which they inaugurated the same system of "religion in earnest." These schools shared the same benign and gracious influences, and in turn became "fountains in the desert," from whence "streams broke out," reaching even to the ends of the earth, "making glad the city of our God," and causing "the wilderness to bloom and blossom as the rose."

It may be thought strange that fathers belonging to other churches and others not religious were ever found sending their sons to a college which was thus permeated with religious life as taught and practiced by Methodists. But in many cases they did send them.

This writer, whose acquaintance with the College extends over a period of nearly sixty years, makes bold to say that he has never known a student to change his church membership during all that time and become a Methodist. He has known class-leaders who had been at home Presbyterians and Episcopalians, but after leaving College they resumed their work in their fathers' churches, none the worse for having for a time worked in "Methodist traces."

As to calculating the ultimate effects of all these causes and influences in time and eternity, it were as vain to try to calculate or measure them as it would be

"To bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades
Or loose the bands of Orion."

COLLEGE HISTORY AFTER THE WAR.

THE period immediately succeeding the surrender of the Confederate army at Appomatox was one of the darkest and most discouraging that any civilized people was ever called to face. Virginia had been for four years the battle-ground over which great armies had marched and counter-marched and fought. Every home had felt the torture that "tried men's souls." Widows gathered their fatherless children around them to share the last crust of bread together, not knowing whether even that much could be found to-morrow. For miles along the highways over which the armies had marched, the bare chimneys only, marked the sites where comfortable houses had sheltered happy households. The farmer had his land left—that could not be carried away; but few had any teams to break the ground, and many had not the seed needed to sow the fields. The last cow was in many cases driven away or killed. A noted Federal general had boastfully reported to the general-in-chief that so completely had he devastated the fairest and most fertile section of the State that a crow could not travel over it without carrying his rations with him.

Richmond, the capital city, after withstanding two sieges successfully, had been, in large part, made a bank of ashes. Petersburg, beleaguered so long, was a scarred and battered wreck. Fredericksburg, Winchester, Norfolk, and many other towns, were little better off. Some of the railroads were stripped of their rails—all of them in bad plight and almost without any equipment for business, if any business were to be found. The labor system, which had for centuries been used to cultivate the land and gather the crops, had been at one stroke subverted, and virtually destroyed. None had been found for months afterward to take its place. With the people at large it was a struggle for existence and a fight with famine.

One of the saddest scenes this writer ever witnessed was at Nottoway courthouse. A few days after the surrender at Appomattoax, he was summoned with other citizens of the county to attend a meeting called to confer with the military officers as to the best plans to be devised to prevent suffering among the people. Just as he entered the courthouse, where a number of people were assembled, he saw a venerable man of more than three-score years and ten standing before the officer, with tears streaming down his furrowed cheeks, and heard him say: "Every scrap of meat, every grain of corn, everything in the way of food I had, has been taken from me. I know not where I shall get my meat or bread to-morrow." This man had been for many years one of the foremost men in the county, a Senator in the General Assembly of Virginia, and for many years a Trustee of Randolph-Macon College.

But poverty and penury were not all. The people were humiliated and despondent. Their State, "the mother of States and statesmen," had now the tyrant's heel upon her neck, and was styled "District" (No. 1), a "conquered province"—her governor, first a refugee, then a prisoner. Military satraps filled the seats of judges and magistrates. The ignorant slave was often shown more deference than his former cultured master. Most of the flower of the manhood of the State had died by the sword or disease. The boys and girls of the next generation were growing up without the means of education, and helping to eak out a living for their widowed mothers.

Such, in brief, was the condition of Virginia in the period succeeding the close of the war.

What could the Trustees of the College do under such circumstances as now surrounded them? The endowment gathered at such an expenditure of time and labor was in large part lost. The investments made were in bonds and stocks of more than uncertain value, some not worth the paper on which they were printed. The College buildings, libraries and laboratories had all been impaired and damaged by non-use or abuse. There was no money in hand to repair and refit them. Our own people were too poor to furnish it. Those who had devastated the property, and added injury to insult, could not be expected to restore what they had destroyed.

Nevertheless, it had been but a few months after the surrender before a meeting of the Board was called to be held in Petersburg, August 23, 1865.

At this meeting a quorum was lacking, and the Board adjourned to meet on
September 13 following, at the residence of Richard Irby, in Nottoway.
This adjourned meeting was held, and a quorum was present.

One of the first matters attended to was the appointment of a committee consisting of President W. A. Smith and four others "to estimate the damage to the College incurred by the occupation of it by the United States troops after the surrender, and in behalf of the Trustees to make application to the proper authorities of the government for payment."

On motion of D'Arcy Paul it was—

Resolved, That all the Professor's chairs be declared vacant.

A provisional arrangement was made to open the College for school purposes, but this arrangement was not carried out.

A further plan was provided for taking care of the College property, and the Board adjourned.

The next meeting of the Board was held at the College July 11, 1866, with eighteen members in attendance. The chairman of the committee appointed at the last meeting to assess and press claim for damages to College, reported that the committee had not been encouraged in their efforts by the military authorities in Virginia.

Judge E. R. Chambers was appointed to prosecute the claim.

It may save time here to say, as has been said before, that this claim was never recognized by the government.

The Finance Committee made a report of the Endowment fund and liabilities of the College:

Bonds of the city of Petersburg and interest, . . . . . . $19,000
Bonds of the State of Virginia, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000
———-
(Classed available),. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,000

Bonds Southside Railroad Company, guaranteed
by city of Petersburg,. . . . . . .$15,800
Stock Petersburg Railroad Company, 8,000
———-
$23,800
———-
$45,800
———-
Private or personal Endowment bonds, . . . . . . . . . . .$24,900
Legacy of W. B. Jones, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500
———-
$25,400
=======
Confederate bonds, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $37,000
Confederate currency, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,536
———-
$44,536
=======

Leaving out the Confederate bonds, which were worthless, the balance
of available and possible assets were $71,200
Liabilities as far as known, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,854
———-
Net assets, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $62,346

This, under all the circumstances, might be considered a favorable showing, and the credit of it is due to the faithful Investing Agent, who also showed his skill and faithfulness by bringing through the war the "Savings and Insurance Company," of which he was president, free from wreck.

The resolution of the Virginia Conference in regard to the removal of the College had been allowed to sleep since the committee's report, in March, 1864. It was again brought forward by the following resolution, offered by Richard M. Smith, Esq.:

"Resolved, That a committee of ——— be appointed to ascertain what accommodations and on what terms and what inducements generally can be obtained for transferring Randolph-Macon College to Petersburg, Richmond, Lynchburg, or any other place, and also the earliest day at which accommodations can be at command, and report to an adjourned meeting of this Board."

This resolution was defeated by a vote of 12 to 6.

The following, offered by Judge E. R. Chambers, was then adopted:

"Resolved, That it is inexpedient and injudicious to change the location of the College."

The ayes and noes on this were recorded, as follows:

Ayes.—William Townes, Sr., C. S. Hutcheson, W. B. Rowzie, William Townes, Jr., William Carter, T. P. Jerman, R. B. Baptist, N. Head. J. P. Moore, O. H. P. Corprew, N. Alexander, E. R. Chambers, L. M. Wilson—13.

Noes.—Richard Irby, D. S. Doggett, R. M. Smith, J. C. Granbery, T. S. Campbell, J. C. Blackwell—6.

Dr. W. A. Smith, at his own request, was excused from voting.

It was resolved to take steps to re-open the College as soon as practicable.

The degree of A. M. was conferred, under the law, on the following: Leroy S. Edwards, Thomas J. Overby, and J. Davidson Blackwell, A. B.'s of former years.

Dr. William A. Smith tendered his resignation as President of the College, to take effect at once. The resignation was accepted by the Board, and resolutions were adopted expressing the high appreciation of him and his work, which had extended over a period of nearly twenty years.

The Board resolved to adjourn to meet again on the 18th of August following to elect a president and three professors. The salaries of these were fixed—Guaranteed, to the President, $1,000; to the professors, $750 each, and, in addition, the tuition fees of the students in attendance.

At the adjourned meeting, August 15, 1866, the following elections were made:

RICHARD W. JONES, A. M., Professor of Mathematics.
O. H. P. CORPREW, A. M., Professor of Ancient Languages.
Rev. JOHN C. BLACKWELL, A. M., D. D., Professor of Chemistry.
ERNEST LA GARDE, Professor of Modern Languages.

The election of a President was postponed to an adjourned meeting, and Dr. John C. Blackwell was appointed to act as President until a president should be elected.

At an adjourned meeting held October 16, 1866, on the nomination of William Townes, Sr., Col. Thomas Carter Johnson, A. M. (Class 1842), was elected President and Professor of Moral Philosophy.

The Board then adjourned to meet at the session of the Virginia Annual
Conference, November 22, 1866. Colonel Johnson was then a citizen of
Montgomery, Ala., practicing law. He accepted the office tendered,
but did not take the position until near the close of the year.

At the adjourned meeting held at Norfolk, November 22, 1866, the Board, on motion of Dr. William A. Smith, resolved to establish "The School of Commercial Science" in the College. This was never done.

At this meeting a representative from Ashland, Hanover county, Va., presented a communication from owners of property in that town offering to sell certain property in case the Board should determine to move the College. A committee, consisting of D'Arcy Paul, R. M. Smith and D. S. Doggett, were appointed to investigate and report in regard to the matter.

At the adjourned meeting in December, held at the College, President-elect Johnson appeared before the Board and was formally inducted into office. He was requested to visit the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which had recently adhered to the Southern Church, and endeavor to secure the patronage and co-operation of that Conference; also, to visit Baltimore and other cities with a view to securing financial help for the College.

An overture was also made to the North Carolina Conference with a view to the restoration of former relations and the securing of its patronage.

President Johnson subsequently reported the result of his visit to the Baltimore Conference, and submitted the action of that body, which was as follows:

"BALTIMORE CONFERENCE, M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.

"REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON COLLEGES.

"The Committee on Colleges submit the following report:

"Resolved, 1. That the Conference accepts the proposition of the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College to give its patronage to said institution and to participate equally with the other patronizing Conferences in its government and privileges, and we hereby nominate four suitable persons to be elected Trustees from this Conference to represent our interests on said Board.

"Resolved, 2. That when a Trustee shall locate, it shall be his duty to resign.

"Resolved, 3. That we will give the full weight of our influence in extending the patronage of Randolph-Macon College."

"(Signed) S. S. ROSZEL, Chairman."

These resolutions were adopted by the Conference March, 1867.

On the recommendation of the Baltimore Conference the following
gentlemen were elected Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, viz.: Rev. S.
S. Roszel, Rev. John Poisal, Rev. S. S. Register, and Rev. John
Landstreet.

At the first annual meeting of the Trustees held at the College, June 25, 1867, after President Johnson had assumed control, eleven Trustees were in attendance.

Ex-President W. A. Smith had gone to Central College, Fayette, Missouri, of which he had been elected President.

The President's report stated that the attendance for the session of 1866-'67 had been in all forty-five students; a large proportion of them were on scholarships. The net receipts from fees were necessarily very small.

The degree of D. D. was conferred on the following: Rev. Nelson Head,
Rev. John E. Edwards, and Rev. W. W. Bennett, of the Virginia
Conference; Rev. Samuel S. Register, Rev. S. S. Roszel, Rev. John
Poisal, and Rev. John S. Martin, of the Baltimore Conference; Bishop
Enoch M. Marvin, of the M. E. Church, South, and Rev. Smith W. Moore, of
the Tennessee Conference.

The degree of LL. D. was conferred on Bishop George F. Pierce, M. E.
Church, South, and Hon. James F. Dowdell and William F. Samford, of
Alabama.

The degree of A. M. was conferred on Thomas J. Jarvis, of North Carolina (class of 1860).

REMOVAL OF THE COLLEGE.

The College year, 1867-68, was not a prosperous one. The financial condition of the country was anything but favorable to a successful year. The dissatisfaction with the location of the College had been increasing since 1863. At the annual meeting in 1868 it was to culminate. The President had become convinced that something must be done or the College would have to close its doors. Some who had opposed removal heretofore now favored it.

In the notice for the meeting a special request was made for a full meeting, and the object was generally understood. The meeting commenced its session June 24, 1868. There were present the following: Revs. James Jamieson, H. B. Cowles, Robert O. Burton, W. B. Rowzie, L. M. Lee, T. S. Campbell, Geo. W. Nolley, L. Rosser, J. P. Moore, Wm. Carter, John E. Edwards, J. C. Blackwell, Nelson Head, J. C. Granbery, John Landstreet, and Messrs. N. Alexander, D. Paul, E. R. Chambers, Wm. Townes, Sr., Thos. Branch, R. B. Baptist, J. J. Daly, R. Irby, R. M. Smith, T. P. Jerman, T. M. Jones, T. C. Johnson, C. S. Hutcheson, W. Townes, Jr., and O. H. P. Corprew—thirty in all.

President T. C. Johnson presided, and Professor Corprew was secretary. The feeling prevailed generally that this meeting would decide the question of removal. There was early skirmishing by the opposing sides, and it was some time before the decisive vote was reached and taken.

Finally, the motion of Dr. J. E. Edwards, which was as follows:

"Resolved, That in the judgment of the Board of Trustees for the greater prosperity of the institution, Randolph-Macon College should be removed from its present to a more accessible and eligible location"—was adopted by the following vote:

Ayes.—Paul, Cowles, Burton, Rowzie, Branch, Lee. T. S. Campbell, Irby, Nolley, Rosser, Edwards, R. M. Smith, Jerman, Blackwell, Head, Granbery, Jones, Johnson, and Landstreet—19.

Noes.—Alexander, Chambers, Townes, Sr., Baptist, Daly, Moore, Carter, Townes, Jr., and Corprew—9.

[Illustration: REV. JOHN ELLIS EDWARDS, A. M., D. D., Virginia
Conference, M.E. Church, South.]

On motion of D'Arcy Paul, the Board took steps to secure the authority of the constituted authorities for the necessary change of the charter, so as to allow the change of location.

On motion of Dr. J. E. Edwards it was—

"Resolved, That so soon as the gentlemen (Messrs. Branch, Irby, Snyder and Watts) who have purchased the property and premises at Ashland are prepared to make a tender of the same to the Trustees for the use of Randolph-Macon College, free from any encumbrance as to title, and so soon as the legal authority is secured for the transfer of the institution, the Trustees bind and pledge themselves to make the transfer and removal to Ashland; and also pledge themselves further to open the next session of the College exercises at that place; provided the above-named conditions are complied with in time to enable the Trustees to carry out this pledge."

A committee, consisting of D. Paul, R. M. Smith, Drs. L. M. Lee, J. E. Edwards and N. Head, were appointed to secure the legal authority to remove the College to Ashland, and to secure proper title to the property to be used for the location of the College.

The President was authorized to employ an Agent to have the furniture, libraries, apparatus, etc., removed to Ashland.

Thus ended the struggle in regard to moving the College. The majority, while taking this step, which they deemed absolutely necessary in order to carry out the object sought in the establishment of the College, took it with the greatest reluctance. They could not grieve so generous a people as those living in the vicinity of the College without feelings of the utmost regret and pain.

The minority could not see what had been the pride of the community and section taken away, without feelings of sorrow. Many of them had for many years been the strongest and warmest friends of the College, and had often manifested their friendship by generous acts and steadfast devotion to it in adversity and prosperity.

After transacting a few items of business, one of which was the
conferring the degree of D. D. on Rev. Robert S. Moran, of the North
Carolina Conference, the Board adjourned to meet again in Centenary
Church, Richmond, Va., July 29, 1868.

After the adjournment of the Board the opponents to the removal of the College sued out an injunction restraining the Board from taking the step contemplated.

When the adjourned meeting of the Board assembled in Centenary Church, Richmond, July 29, 1868, this action was reported, "whereupon a motion was adopted to appoint a committee to wait on General Stoneman, in charge of the District."

This committee addressed the following communication to General
Stoneman:

"RICHMOND, VA., July 29, 1868.

"Major-Gen. Stoneman, Commanding General District No. 1:

"SIR,—We are instructed by the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, now in adjourned session in this city, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, addressed to a previous committee of this Board, touching the interests of the College under their management.

"Since the communication on behalf of the Trustees, to which your letter of the 8th instant was in reply, a contingency then contemplated has arrived. A minority of the Trustees have sued out an injunction restraining the Board from making the contemplated removal of the College, the writ being returnable on the first Monday in August at Charlotte Courthouse for hearing before Judge Marshall. We are advised that the suit will prove very tedious as well as very expensive, and will thus operate very disadvantageously to the interests of the College whatever the decision. We therefore add to the former application made to you in behalf of the Trustees, that you will issue an order protecting us, both from obstruction and from delay, through these appeals to the courts, until such time as the legislative authority of the State, of which you are at present the sole representative, shall be regularly organized and open to the application usual in such cases.

"Very respectfully yours,

(Signed) "J. EARLY, ETC., ETC.,

"Committee."

To this communication General Stoneman submitted the following reply:

"HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT,

"RICHMOND, VA., July 29, 1868.

"GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the commanding General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date in relation to the subject of the removal of Randolph-Macon College, and in reply thereto, to inform you that authority is hereby given to the Trustees of that College to remove that institution, with all the appurtenances and fixtures thereunto belonging, to such place and at such time as the majority of the Trustees may think proper, this removal to be subject to the conditions set forth in a former letter from these headquarters, dated the 8th instant.*

*This letter is not found in the record.

"I am, gentlemen, very respectfully,

(Signed) "S. F. CHALFIN,

"Assistant Adjutant-General"

"To Messrs. John Early, D. S. Doggett, Richard Irby, R. M. Smith, and others, Committee of the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College."

The owners of the property at Ashland, who had purchased the same for the Trustees, submitted the conditions on which they proposed to turn it over to the Trustees, and the same were, on motion, accepted. This property embraced all the buildings then standing on the thirteen acres, now constituting the campus of the College at Ashland, with some other lots adjacent. Thus the location was provided for the College with accommodations for professors and students, and the way was cleared for the removal of the College to it.

At this juncture President Johnson submitted the following communication:

"RICHMOND, VA., July 30, 1868.

"Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College:

"The experiment upon which you are about to enter, with my aid and approbation, seems to me to demand that you should have the widest field for the choice of a man to fill the position I now hold. The general troubled condition of the country, excluding many distinguished men from the arena of politics, in which the talent of Virginia and the South has heretofore been employed, and also the returning to this State of many unemployed scholars and literary men, affords you a wide field of selection for this purpose. I feel that in your straitened condition, having to make a new appeal for students and for friends to re-endow your College, you are entitled to every possible advantage in your arduous undertaking. A son of the College, I love her too well, and the church which has founded and supported her in the past, to stand in the way of any possible effort that may give prestige to your labors to put her once more on the high road to prosperity.

"With this view and the kindest wishes to every member of the Board, I hereby resign the presidency of the College.

"Very truly, your obedient servant,

(Signed) "THOMAS C. JOHNSON."

On motion of Rev. J. C. Granbery, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, That in accepting the resignation of President Johnson it is due to ourselves as well as to him that we express the high esteem which we feel for him as a Christian gentleman and our admiration of the great zeal and fidelity with which he has discharged the duties of his oflice at a most critical and embarrassing juncture in the history of the College, also our warm appreciation of the disinterested and generous motives which have prompted him to tender his resignation."

On motion of Dr. N. Head—

"Resolved, That in the absence of a Legislature having obtained authority from General Stoneman to do so, the College be removed from Mecklenburg county to Ashland, in Hanover county, Va., and that a session of the College be opened at that place on the first day of October next.

"Resolved, That in deciding to change the site of Randolph-Macon College this Board has been actuated only by the solemn conviction that it was imperatively demanded by the educational interests of the church and community at large, and that the opposition which has been offered to this action by a minority of the Trustees is deeply deplored by their colleagues of the Board, who here now and hereby respectfully request that those members will withdraw that opposition, as injurious to the interests dear alike to all, this earnest and fraternal appeal being prompted and encouraged by the very high esteem and respect entertained for the gentlemen to whom it is addressed by their associates of the Board."

On motion of Richard Irby—

"Resolved, That this Board holds itself in readiness to make such arrangements as will secure to the county of Mecklenburg a High School at the present site of Randolph-Macon College on terms such as may be desired, said school to be a preparatory school to the College."

Preparatory steps were taken to have the College furniture, libraries, etc., removed at once to Ashland.

The Board then proceeded to fill the place of President, vacated by the resignation of President Johnson.

Dr. Landon C. Garland, of the University of Mississippi, was unanimously elected President.

A committee of nine members was appointed, who were authorized, in conjunction with Dr. Garland, to elect the professors of the College; and in the event that Dr. Garland declines to accept the presidency, then said committee shall be authorized to elect another man to be President.

The following were then, on nomination, elected to constitute said
committee, viz.: Bishop John Early, Bishop D. S. Doggett, Drs. N. Head,
L. M. Lee, J. E. Edwards, L. Rosser, Rev. H. B. Cowles, Rev. J. C.
Granbery, and Richard Irby.

Professors Corprew, Jones, Blackwell, and La Garde severally submitted their resignations.

The duty of removing the College and preparing the buildings and premises at Ashland, and making other necessary arrangements, was devolved on the "Executive Committee, which consisted of Richard Irby, Dr. N. Head, D'Arcy Paul, Thomas Branch, and Rev. T. S. Campbell.

THOMAS CARTER JOHNSON.

In Memoriam.

Colonel Thomas C. Johnson was born near Lynchburg, Va., on the 22nd of March, 1820. He was converted and joined the Methodist Church in his seventeenth year. In 1842 he graduated with the highest honors of his class at Randolph-Macon College. In the fall of the same year he was married to Martha R. Scott, daughter of H. B. Scott, of Nelson county, Va., and was soon after appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in the Female Collegiate Institute in Buckingham county. This position he filled ten months, when he removed to Potosi, Washington county, Mo., whither the parents of his wife had preceded him. Here he accepted a position in a classical school, in the meantime assiduously prosecuting the study of law. He was soon after admitted to the bar, and took a position with the foremost in the ranks of the profession in his district. The year 1849 was an eventful one. He conceived the idea of building the Iron Mountain railroad, and suggested it to the people of the county. He was by them nominated and elected to the General Assembly for the purpose of securing the passage of a bill for the establishment of that road.

In June, 1849, the cholera raged in Potosi. He was stricken down, and, while violently ill, his wife and infant daughter died of this disease. The following winter he served in the Missouri Legislature, and secured the passage of the bill for the Iron Mountain road. He was subsequently largely concerned in developing and mapping the entire railroad system in that State.

In 1851 he removed to St. Louis, and was appointed land agent and attorney for the Pacific railroad. In the year 1853 he was married, the second time, to Pattie B. Scott, eldest daughter of Rev. Robert Scott, deceased, of the Virginia Conference. He was elected in 1858 a member of the Missouri State Senate from the city of St. Louis. In this body he at once took a prominent position, and was a member of nearly every important committee of the body. In the session of 1860-'61 he was chairman of the Committee on Federal Relations, at that time the most important committee of the Senate.

He was decidedly conservative in his views, and anxious to secure the preservation of the Union, if it could be done consistently with the rights of the South; but when the Peace Congress proved a failure, the Crittenden Compromise was rejected, and Virginia seceded, he became a secessionist, and was heart and soul with the South throughout the struggle. His position and opinions on the vexed question forced him to leave Missouri. Without hesitation he sacrificed all for his principles, left his family in St. Louis, and joined the forces under General Sterling Price, on whose staff he served for two years as volunteer aid. Being convinced that the many reverses in that department, at that period, were due in a great measure to lack and inferiority of transportation, he called the attention of the authorities at Richmond to this point. He was soon after authorized to establish the Confederate Transportation Works at Columbus, Ga. To this important interest he directed his whole energies, and succeeded in establishing one of the best arranged, most extensive and complete machine shops in the Confederacy. This position he retained until the close of the War, when he removed with his family to Montgomery, Ala., and returned to the practice of law. While there he was elected to the Presidency of Randolph-Macon College. On reaching Virginia and entering upon his duties he found great difficulties in his path. But with characteristic energy he at once addressed himself to the task of re-establishing the College. Nearly two years of unremitted toil, under the most discouraging circumstances, convinced him that success could never crown his efforts at that location. He felt that to make the College a success it must be removed to a more accessible point. Fortunately, just at this juncture of affairs, the hotel property at Ashland was thrown upon the market. With his quick foresight, Colonel Johnson realized the importance of securing this eligible location.

It was not to be expected that the removal of the College would be accomplished without strong opposition on the part of some of its warmest friends. But in the midst of the contest Colonel Johnson bore himself like a Christian gentleman. He could appreciate the views of others, while he felt that the very existence of the institution depended on its removal to a more suitable site. We believe, indeed we have reason to know, that he entertained for those who opposed him in his plans no other feelings than those of friendship and Christian affection. To his particular friends, who were often indignant at the hard speeches uttered against him, he would reply, "Never mind, I keep my heart right before God." Believing that he was acting for the best he went forward like a true and earnest man in what he regarded as the path of duty.

Having seen the removal of the College determined upon, to relieve the Trustees of all the embarrassment in the election of a Faculty, he generously came forward and tendered his resignation, and soon after started to the West, the scene of his early labors and successes. It was while en route to St. Louis (on August 8, 1868,) that he met with the terrible accident that in a few hours closed his noble and useful life. The death of Colonel Johnson was a calamity to our church and to our country. He had passed the period of life when men are seized by ambition and borne off in pursuit of wealth or fame. He had gained both; the former he had lost in standing for his native land and State rights; the latter he still possessed in a more valuable form, as purified by the power and faith of his religion. Repeatedly has he said to the writer, "I only wish to live to do good." To the Christian education of the young men of the South he was ardently devoted, and to this work we know he wished to devote the energies of a manly and mature intellect.

The spontaneous tributes to the memory of this good man will best show how he was appreciated by those who knew him.

In a letter now before us from Rev. Charles K. Marshall, D. D., of Mississippi, to his bereaved family, that eminent minister says: "From my first acquaintance to this hour my affections took to and clung around him as one of the highest and noblest types of exalted manhood, as a true, steadfast, appreciating friend; and as a brother in Christ with whose inward spirit it was a joy to commune. Few men cherished so high and sacred views of the dignity and ends of life. Usefulness was the keynote of his being. Unselfish, wide-minded, spiritual, transparent, pure, he was a living epistle known and read of all. His life was hid in Christ, and the highest ambition of his soul was to live to and for Christ."

Rev. Dr. Deems, of New York, says: "His abilities and virtues rendered him one of the most useful men I have ever known. Every interview I have had with him since our acquaintance began has served to deepen my respect for the loftiness of his character."

Bishop McTyeire, who was a fellow-student with him at Randolph-Macon, says: "In church and state it seemed to me he was just such an one as we need now. With gratitude I remember his high Christian influence as a student. Our meeting and reunion at Montgomery, twenty-five years after, was one of the most pleasing events of my life. Who of us has not coveted his gifts?"

Such is the testimony, voluntarily given, by this eminent minister.

We are enabled to give a more detailed account of this sad event from a letter written by the proprietor of the hotel at Mattoon:

"When Mr. Johnson came out of the saloon of the sleeping car, the conductor told him to 'hurry up.' Thinking he would be left if he did not make haste, Mr. J. went quickly forward through the car, and was just in the act of stepping across to the forward car when the cars separated, and he fell on the track, and before he could recover himself he was struck by the rear car and fatally injured. His right leg was crushed in two places and his back broken. As soon as possible he was taken from under the car. His first words were, 'My friends, my name is Thomas C. Johnson, of Boydton, Va.; take your pencil and write it down.' A stretcher was then procured, and he was brought to my house. We did all we could for him. Doctors were at hand from the moment he was hurt until he died. The injured leg was amputated; and on further examination it was found that his back was broken. He was then told that he was fatally injured and could live but a short time, and that any directions he had to give must be given quickly. He then gave directions as to the disposal of his body, requesting it to be sent to his friends in Virginia. He was emphatic in saying that his death was caused by the mismanagement of the railroad officials. Before his death, at his request, a notary public was sent for, and his testimony as to the cause of his death was legally taken. He was sensible to the last moment, and spoke with deep feeling of the overwhelming effect the tidings of his terrible and sudden death would have upon his family. I sat by his side and heard every word he uttered. The general opinion of the public here is that the railroad company is responsible for Mr. Johnson's death."

[Illustration: JUDGE W. J. KILBY, Trustee of College.]

[Illustration: PROF. MANSFIELD T. PEED, A. M., 1877. Prof. Emory
College, Ga.]

Such was the end of a most useful and devoted Christian. In the midst of strangers, mangled, and bleeding, he died. By the grace of God he was sustained and comforted. Calmly he surrendered his life into the hands of his Creator. How wonderful are the ways of Providence! The workmen die, but the work goes on. Is the doctrine of premonition true? We often incline to the belief that it is. In many cases there appears to be a conviction that the work of life is finished, and the soul feels itself nearing the portals of eternity. Speaking of Colonel Johnson's experience, one who knew him well says, "I can but think that the last six months of his life was a period of preparation for eternity. I was deeply impressed with his growth in grace, the fervor and earnestness of his piety, and his forbearance and patience under severe trials."

The close of life was in happy accord with his previous religious experience. A letter from Mattoon says: "He died in perfect peace. I never saw a more peaceful expression than rested on his face after death." He leaves to his family the priceless legacy of a pure and noble Christian life. May they move on to the meeting and reunion in the house of our Father in heaven.—W. W. BENNETT, in Richmond Advocate.

The committee of nine appointed to elect professors and a president (in case of Dr. Garland's declination to accept) met August 7, 1868. Dr. Garland having declined to accept the presidency, the committee, all being present, elected Rev. James A. Duncan, of the Virginia Conference, and an alumnus of the College (class of 1849), president, at a salary of $2,500 per annum, and use of residence. Subsequently, on the first day of September, the committee, all being present except Bishop Doggett, in conjunction with the President-elect, Duncan, who had accepted the presidency, proceeded to fill the chairs of instruction. Thomas R. Price, M. A., was elected Professor of Ancient Languages; Harry Estill, A. M., Professor of Mathematics; Richard M. Smith, Professor of Natural Sciences. Their salaries were fixed at $2,000 per annum with houses of residence.

[Illustration: PROF. THOMAS R. PRICE, M.A., LL. D., Founder of the
School of English.]

[Illustration: REV. JAMES A. DUNCAN, D. D., President Randolph-Macon
College, 1868-1877.]

Subsequently, at a meeting of the Board October 1, 1868, the chair of
Modern Languages was filled by the election of W. W. Valentine, of
Richmond.

The sudden and lamented death of the late President Johnson was announced to the Board, and appropriate resolutions in regard to him were adopted.

At a meeting of the Board, held November 20, 1868, Rev. Wm. B. Rowzie was appointed Agent of the College in the bounds of the Virginia, and Dr. Nelson Head Agent (till the succeeding Baltimore Conference), in the latter Conference.

[Illustration: PROF. HARRY ESTILL, A. M., Professor of Mathematics, 1868-1878.]

The College opened at Ashland, October 1, 1868.

With great labor and many embarrassments the College furniture, laboratories and libraries had been transferred from Boydton to Ashland, under the special superintendence of Rev. T. S. Campbell. The buildings on the campus had been remodeled and repaired, and were in fair condition for occupancy, and for the work and use to which they had been converted. They had in former years been used for a summer resort, to which many visitors annually repaired for health and dissipation. The largest building was the hotel, which had several buildings attached. In the centre of the grounds was the ball-room, flanked by dressing-rooms. This building was converted into a chapel and society halls, while the hotel became the main dormitory building. The bowling-alley and other buildings also became dormitories. Three buildings were fitted up for professor's houses. The rooms on the lower floors of the hotel were made lecture-rooms. Though the buildings were extemporised, the whole arrangement was comparatively convenient and comfortable. What was defective and might have been complained of was more than compensated by the superb Faculty of instruction provided for the students in attendance. First and foremost was the President, Rev. James A. Duncan, D. D. Of him we will let others who were associated with him speak. His colleagues were Professor Thomas R. Price, M. A., Professor Harry Estill, A. M., Professor Richard M. Smith, Professor W. W. Valentine.

[Illustration: PROF. RICHARD M. SMITH.]

[Illustration: MAIN COLLEGE BUILDING, ASHLAND, 1868-1875.]

Rarely has such a combination of teaching ability been found in any college, or one which met the needs of the time more fully.

The name of the President had drawn from his far-away Southern home one of the most original characters the College ever had among its matriculates, John Hannon, of Montgomery, Ala.

JOHN HANNON'S SKETCH OF DR. DUNCAN.

"In the autumn of 1868 upon the train I first met Dr. James A. Duncan, as I was going to Ashland. Full-orbed, approaching his zenith, this pulpit star thus came into my sky. Though he has years since set behind the grassy hills of Hollywood, the light of his great character still lingers in the valleys and on the high places of my being.

"It is impossible in a sketch like this to give the full spectrum of a character so rich as that of Dr. Duncan. There were X-rays, delicate gleamings of light from his presence, that could be felt, but do not photograph themselves upon the plates of a biography. He was not a man easy to forget.

"There is a sense in which every man is a word of God, or a syllable of the word. But in some the divine articulation is not so distinct. Regarding humanity as a written word, such characters are what scholars would call a 'disputed text.' Not so with James A. Duncan. Looking upon him no man could doubt the authorship. The divine autograph was there in capital letters. A look at him shook our faith in man as an evolution. We felt that that man was a creation.

"Would I had a presence,' said one of our brainiest men to me. A lady of my congregation asked a friend in a Boston dining parlor who a certain man was, remarking that she knew he must be a distinguished person, for she said, 'He has a presence.' The man was Phillips Brooks.

"Dr. Duncan had a presence. Who will ever forget that Napoleonic build? That physique, the very motion of which was silent music.

[Illustration: REV. J. W. COMPTON, R. M. C. 1867-'68—1868-'69. Removed with College from Boydton to Ashland. Pioneer preacher Pacific Coast for twenty-three years.]

[Illustration: REV. W. WADSWORTH, D. D., Author and Minister
North-Georgia Conference.]

"Tremendous was to be the draft on this superb physique during the ten years that followed the day I first looked on it. The College with its endowment had gone down amid the ruins of the Confederacy. The outlook was gloomy; but it was resolved to remove the tree to Ashland. Here the railway system of the South would renew its roots and make it bud and bloom again. Jefferson Davis was thought of for the presidency, but in a happy hour Dr. Duncan was chosen to lead the forlorn hope in its rebuilding. Without funds, without laboratory, without proper buildings, he addressed himself to the task. Providence came to his rescue. By one of those flashes of common sense, which not always light up church enterprises, a Faculty pre-eminently adapted to the work had been chosen. Professor Thomas R. Price, a name synonymous now with scholarship, was in the chair of Ancient Languages. Harry Estill filled the chair of Mathematics. Professor Richard M. Smith brought the ripe wisdom and experience of his distinguished life to the chair of Natural Sciences. W. W. Valentine held the keys of the Modern Languages.

"It has been said that what a university needs is not so much an endowment as a man. Randolph-Macon had men, and Dr. Duncan, a man among men. The Faculty itself was an endowment. Good material gathered around them as students. 'Facile princeps' among these were Wm. W. Smith, now LL. D., and President of the Randolph-Macon System of Colleges and Schools; Charles Carroll, now a brilliant lawyer of the Crescent city; Rhodes, since a judge in Baltimore; J. F. Twitty, of blessed memory, and a number of others.

"Dr. Duncan, while not technically trained as a teacher, yet showed himself a great teacher. What an inspiration he imparted to the band that gathered around him! How he lit up every dreary field of text! Blessed, yea, thrice blessed, was that school of young prophets. While himself the finest of models, nothing was farther from his thought than to make little 'Duncans' of every student. Bring up a boy in the way he should go, according to his bent, this was his idea. He would never have been guilty of putting the toga of Cicero upon Charles Spurgeon. With him good 'pork and beans' was not to be made into bad 'quail on toast.' 'Sing your own song,' only let that song be the best possible to you. Broad, Catholic-hearted Duncan!

"Making a great teacher did not spoil a great preacher in Duncan's case. On a 'star-map' of the pulpits of that day, the pulpit in the old ball-room chapel at Ashland would shine as a star of 'the first magnitude.' His sermons were not like Robertson's eruptions of internal volcanic fires lifting up new heights of thought; they were not Munsey's great, gorgeous cathedrals of polished words; neither were they Keener's cyclones filling the air with boulders of logic, cutting a pathway through forests of prejudice as old as our being. His eloquence was not the glacial magnificence of Wilson's great icebergs floating in polar seas with grassy shores; it was not Galloway's mountain torrent with 'optimism,' that music of heaven in its splash and the swiftness of redeeming love in its rush to the low places of earth. Very different was it from Sam Jones' wild tanglewood of tropic forest of mingled fruit and flowers and thorns. His sermons were the expression of what Carlyle would style a healthy nature. There was nothing wild or abnormal. They were like landscapes in a civilized land—great, like the movement of the seasons, like the coming of the tides—as the processes of nature are great; great as a summer day is great. The introduction was morning!—sunrise! not striking, not surprising. The thoughts not larks soaring heavenward, were rather sparrows on the sward. But we could see great stretches of thought before us. Now the morning changes into high noon. It is the sermon proper. We are now in the midst of vast grain-fields of ripe thought. Divisions barely visible above the heads of the choicest of the wheat waving now in the zephyrs of pathos. Shouts at times among the listeners, as like reapers they garner ripe sheaves into their bosoms; orchards now growing with ripe fruit.

"The peroration comes naturally, as evening follows noon. We hardly know when it comes. A splendid sunset, often tears like the dewdrops in the flowers of new resolves, now springing in the soul; solemn impressions, like shadows, growing larger; a deep hush upon everything. The sermon closes. It is night. But stars of hope are shining in the sky of the soul.

"At Haslup's Grove, in the seventies, in a great sermon, the rush to the altar was so great that the enclosure had to be torn down. It was pentecostal.

"I heard him on two great occasions. In 1876, along with Dr. Landon C. Garland and Lovick Pierce, he was fraternal delegate from our church to our sister Methodism at the General Conference in Baltimore. After years of estrangement the two Methodisms were meeting again. It was an occasion. You could feel it. The great building was thronged. When the time came for Duncan to speak he threw his soul into the 'God speed you!' of seven hundred thousand Southern Methodists. The audience for awhile it seemed would go wild. The day was a great triumph.

"During that same Conference the princely 'Jeff. Magruder' organized a great mass-meeting of the Sunday-schools of the Southern Methodist churches in Baltimore. Bishop Vincent, Secretary of the Sunday-School Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church, then in the prime of his powers, General Clinton B. Fiske, and Dr. Duncan were to speak. The speeches of Vincent and Fiske had been so superb that a gifted minister remarked to me, 'I am sorry for Duncan.' I responded, 'I am sorry for any man who has to follow two such speeches.' But I found that I did not yet know him. He pulled out new organ stops in his great soul that afternoon. His speech was a brilliant improvisation. The audience was captured. Southern Methodists who gloried in the flesh were radiant.

"When going to New Orleans, in 1877, I met him going to Washington City to preach the first sermon to the President-elect, R. B. Hayes. It was not long before wires flashed to me the startling news of his death. Duncan, Marvin, A. T. Bledsoe, Doggett, in a single year. Heaven was drawing heavily upon our beloved church. Duncan's old pupil, President Smith, took up the work he and the sainted Bennett laid down.

"The Randolph-Macon System of Schools and Colleges is a worthy monument to the memory of our dead Duncan. May the graduates of these schools be living stones in the living shaft, ever rising higher and higher to the memory of Olin, Garland, Smith, and their successors, who spent their best days for the advancement of Christian education at our alma mater."

The number of students matriculated the first session was 67. Under all the embarrassments and difficulties of the situation, this number was as great as could have been expected. The income from such a small number was insufficient to meet the expenses, and here ensued the old trouble, which had been such a clog in the past, that is, straitened finances. The condition of the country was anything but favorable to any effort to raise funds for the College. Various plans were proposed, some of which were adopted, but none of them brought speedy relief, and the embarrassment became very onerous and trying. By the efforts of the Agent, Rev. W. B. Rowzie, and the securing of a loan by D'Arcy Paul, Esq., the College was carried through the first session.

The first annual report of the President was made June 21, 1869. The following synopsis is given:

Congratulates the Board on the increase of patronage; the zeal and efficiency of the Faculty; the diligence and good order of the students; the general healthfulness and pleasant harmony of all connected with the institution, and the increased confidence of the public in the permanency and success of Randolph-Macon College; expresses the conviction that the only condition prerequisite to complete success, under the providence of God, is a determined and energetic purpose to succeed; affirms that the demand for such an institution to secure important interests of Methodism is imperative;…. refers to his visit to the Baltimore and North Carolina Conferences and the cordial reception given by these Conferences; recommends a fiscal secretary or director, whose duty it shall be to take entire control of the financial interests of the College, except as to matters in the hands of the Proctor, and to do all he can by travelling and speaking for the College.

The following degrees were conferred, on the recommendation of the Faculty, viz.: LL. D., on Professor Francis H. Smith, of the University of Virginia; D. D., on Rev. James L. Pierce, of the Georgia Conference, Rev. William G. Connor, of the Texas Conference, and Rev. John C. Granbery, of the Virginia Conference. The commencement in June was well attended, especially by visiting Trustees and others from the Baltimore Conference.

An excellent dwelling for the President had been erected by the liberal aid of a friend in Richmond. At an adjourned meeting of the Board, held in Richmond, Va., next November, there were several causes for encouragement. The Agent reported subscriptions amounting to over $13,000. Of this Samuel O. Moon, Esq., of Albemarle, gave $5,000 in Virginia bonds; the Society of Alumni, $1,200; Major W. T. Sutherlin, of Danville, $1,500 ($300 per annum for five years to meet current expenses). But the most important action taken was on the suggestion of Rev. W. H. Christian, an alumnus of the College (class of 1851.) In response to this suggestion, the following resolutions were adopted:

"Resolved, That we request the Virginia Conference to order that the deficiency in the yearly revenues of the College (which shall be reported by the Board to each annual session of the Conference) shall be divided among all the districts of the Conference, and sub-divided among all the stations and circuits by the district stewards, as in case of the Conference collection, and shall be raised by collections in every congregation, and embraced in the annual report of the recording steward of every charge to the Financial Board of the Conference.

"Resolved, That when the Virginia Conference shall have adopted the plan proposed, all its ministers shall be entitled to send their sons of proper age and acquirements to College without payment of tuition fees; that the Baltimore Conference, by adopting the same plan, shall be entitled to the same privilege, and that $2,500 be fixed as the amount to be raised by each of these Conferences for the next year."

This action has been considered, and rightly so, to have been for the time and under the embarrassments of the surroundings the most important and efficient ever taken by the Board. With a small assessment of about five cents on each member of the church in the two Conferences, the annual income was in a short time increased by the sum of $4,000, which was equal to the dividends on an endowment of about $70,000. The Conferences adopted the plan, and have annually raised a large percentage of the assessment, the Virginia Conference having in 1882 increased its assessment to $3,500.

[Illustration: REV. W. H. CHRISTIAN, D. D., Virginia Conference.]

In looking back on the period since, nearly thirty years, it really looks as if, without this action, the College could not have continued its work. Certainly this work would have been greatly narrowed and restricted. Great honor, therefore, should be bestowed on the name of William H. Christian as the mover of this plan, and the friends of Christian education in the State should render to the Conferences grateful thanks for having, under the promptings of the good Spirit, acted so promptly on the suggestion and carried it out for so many years.

[Illustration: JOHN HOWARD, A. M.]

The year 1869 was otherwise a notable year. In the latter part of the year the first general election for State officers and a Legislature was held since the close of the war. With the inauguration of the Governor elected at this election and resumption of the legislative functions by the General Assembly, the State resumed its normal condition, and military rule ceased to exist.

At the meeting of this first Legislature, a committee, which had been charged with that duty, appeared before the body and asked and obtained the change of the charter, and the sanction to the removal of the College from its original site to Ashland. The amended charter reads as follows:

"[Section] I. That the removal of the aforesaid College is hereby ratified and confirmed, and that there be, and is hereby, established at Ashland, in the county of Hanover, in this Commonwealth, a seminary of learning for the instruction of youth in the various branches of science and literature, the useful arts, agriculture, and the learned and foreign languages."

The suit which was instituted to enjoin the removal of the College never came to an issue. It was ably defended on the part of the majority of the Board by John Howard, Esq., of Richmond (class of 1844), and the argument was printed. It is worthy of reprinting here, but space will not permit.

The second session of the College had a larger attendance than the first by fifty, of which number twenty-five were ministerial students.

About the close of the first term of the second session (1869-'70) one of the professors was taken from the College by death—Richard M. Smith, Professor of Natural Science. He was the oldest man of the Faculty.

The following preamble and resolutions, drafted by Professor Price and adopted by the Faculty, was endorsed and adopted by the Trustees at an adjourned meeting held in Richmond, February 23, 1870: