Muhlenberg College - Ciarla Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

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also among the first to defend the rights of the Colonies in the Revolutionary War and their own rights in the Civil War. Hymn 629, “Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us,” was sung by the audience, after which Dr. E. T. Horn pronounced the benediction. During the noon hour, guests and friends were cared for by the College at the Hotel Allen. The afternoon exercises beginning at two o’clock were held on the college campus, where a large tent with a platform at one end had been erected. There were about fifteen hundred people under the canvass, forming an audience of a rare nature. The students, directed by our song leader, Mr. Katz, and cheer leader, Mr. Frederick, and accompanied by the Allentown Band (which Dr. Ettinger claimed tried to outshine him), furnished music throughout the program and greatly added to the interest of the occasion. The afternoon exercises were opened by prayer by Rev. H. Douglas Spaeth of Selins- grove. The first speaker of the afternoon was our honored President, Dr. J. A. W. Haas, D.D. He spoke at some length on the importance of the smaller colleges of to-day, and claimed that they, as well as the larger institutions had an important part to play in the edu- cational world. He said that the smaller colleges are by no means deteriorating or diminishing, but that, on the contrary, having an importance which is being felt more and more, they are being looked upon as the best molders of character in Christian men. Among other things, he outlined the aims which he sets for the Muhlenberg man. His earnest eloquence moved the hearts of many, and his clear statements opened the eyes of not a few. As always his re- marks were enjoyed by all. After the students showed their Muhlenberg spirit in a spirited song Dr. Ettinger in his well known humorous style introduced the representatives of the various universities and colleges. Prof. Warren P. Laird, who brought us the greetings from the University of Pennsylvania assured us of the hearty co-operation of his colleagues with us in the celebration of so great a man. The Dean of Dickinson College, James H. Morgan, brought us the compliments of his college; this was followed by the greetings from Franklin and Marshall by Prof. H. M. J. Klein, who is “half Muhlenberg and half F. M.” He gave us the most cordial tribute from a college whose relations are somewhat closer than any of the others, because Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was one of the founders of Franklin Col- lege. Prof. Klein read to us extracts from Muhlenberg’s diary, which was very interesting. President W. G. Granville of Pennsylvania College brought us our heartfelt greetings from “Our Mother,” as he termed Gettysburg. The following tributes or remembrances of the Page Fifteen

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The morning exercises were held in St. John’s Lutheran Church on South Fifth street, Allentown, at 10 o’clock. A 1 arge procession consisting of the speakers of the morning, the Faculty of Muhlenberg College, the representa- tives of the Universities and Colleges, the Alumni of the College, the visiting clergy, and the students of Muhlen- berg College and of the Allentown Preparatory School marched into the Church and took their seats on the rostrum and in the front of the Church, which was well filled with friends who had assembled to celebrate the birth of the illustrious patriarch. The hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,’’ was then sung. Dr. Haas, who presided over the morning exercises, introduced Rev. H. Branson Richards, a grandson thrice removed from Muhlenberg, who offered a fervent prayer. Prof. H. E. Jacobs, D.D., LL.D., D.S.T., then spoke in a pleasing man- ner upon “Muhlenberg’s Ideals”. He discussed at length some of the influences which tended to mold Muhlenberg’s character, before he came to America, and brought out the import- ance of the wonderful work he wrought here in practically establishing the Lutheran Church of America and instilling into the Pennsylvania Germans the desire for religious knowledge. Then followed the brief, but most cordial greetings from the Mimsterium of Pennsylvania by its President, Prof. E. T. Horn, D.D., LL.D., of the Faculty of the Mt. Airy Theological Seminary. Following these greetings a solo, much enjoyed by the audience, and entitled “Praise the Lord,” was rendered by Mrs. E. S. Sieger. Dr. Wm. F. Muhlenberg, of Reading, next brought the greetings from the Muhlenberg family. Doctor Muhlen- berg is the oldest living descendant of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, the first President of Muhlenberg College, and he is also a member of the graduating class of 1 868. In giving the greetings of the family he assured us that he took what he considered justifiable pride in the honor of being a direct descendent of this great man. He de- preciated an attempt to shine by the lustre of his illustrious ancestors, but emphasized the value of a great ancestry as a model for imitation in the practice of virtues, exemplified in the character of such a man as the assemblage had met to honor. Then followed the greetings from the Pennsylva- nia German Society by Dr. H. M. M. Richards, who is a grandson twice removed of the patriarch. Dr. Richards paid a glowing tribute to the Pennsylvania Germans, who, besides being staunch defenders of the faith of Christ, were Page Fourteen

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greatness of the occasion were given and gratefully received: Lafayette, by President Dr. Warfield; Haverford, by President Sharpless; State College, by Mr. Buchman ; Susquehanna, by President Ackins and Dr. Manhart; Ursinus, by Dr. George Omwake and Professor W. Kline; Lehigh, by Vice President, N. M. Emery and Professor W. C. Thayer, who very kindly assured us of their co-operation in the celebration; and Temple University, by Dr. Hydl Delk. These greetings were greatly enjoyed by all and the more so, because it evi- denced that the importance of the celebration was not only recognized by Muhlenberg, but also by the colleges of other denominations and of the state. Professor J. C. Schwab, Librarian of Yale University, then gave a lengthy discussion on “Muhlenberg’s Antecedents.” This, indeed, was a work of literature, and if space allowed we would be delighted to publish the entire speech, because it contained many points which showed that Muhlenberg was beyond dispute a man of high intellectual and moral standing and his antecedents were of such a character as to make possible so great as the one whom the assemblage was paying tribute. Hon. Samuel W. Pennypacker, ex-governor of Pennsylvania, then gave a splendid talk on “Muhlenberg at Home.” The former Governor, who lives near Trappe, where Muhlenberg lived and labored, and was buried, claimed that more influential men have come from Muhlenberg’s birthplace than from any other place of its size. He made his talk very interesting with practical examples, and showed the audience a book containing the only true picture of Muhlenberg. Following the conclusion of the Ex-Governor’s remarks the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on the following eminent gentlemen: Former Governor Pennypacker of Swenksville, Pa. ; Dr. William F. Muhlenberg of Reading, Pa.; Professor J. Christopher Schwab of Yale University, New Haven, Conn. Quite a number of the lineal descendants of Muhlenberg were present at these cere- monies. Among them were Dr. H. M. M. Richards and family of Lebanon, Pa.; Rev. H. Branson Richards; Dr. William F. Muhlenberg and family of Reading, Pa.; Miss Kath- arine and Mr. Fred Muhlenberg and wife; George and Fred Gregg of Reading; Miss Anne T. Mombert of Paterson, N. J. ; Miss Mary E. Muhlenberg of Columbia, Pa.; Mrs. E. Z. Schmucker, and Professor Schwab and family of New Haven, Conn. The conferring of degrees concluded the celebration, notable because of the high char- acter of the man commemorated, because of the enthusiasm of the commemorators, and because of the grand success of the commemoration. Page Sixteen