Baldwin Wallace University - Grindstone Yearbook (Berea, OH)

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REV. JOHN WHEELER, D.D

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'An outbound bark is on the sea Swift speeding day by day, And wheresoe'er the harbor be It is not far away. Voyaging. H . A . F. That bark- It bears most precious store, Beyond all count of cost- A soul's belongings evermore ! Though faint and tempest-tossed Fear not, O soul ! be true and strongg Yon unsee11 shore is fair, All upper lights to thee belong- Faith's fixed star is there : It waits thee somewhere out of sight- That isle of sweet surprise Upon whose coastline of delight No chilling shadow lies. Steer straight, sail on, and though to-day Thick clouds thy way obscure. Yet shalt thou make the quiet bay Where anchorage is sureg T Where day shall have a golden west And toil a glad surcease. God's blessed years are full of rest, The Land ahead is peace. I4

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REV. VJOHN WHEELER, D. D . The first President of Baldwin University was born at Portsmouth, England, April 15, 1815. In 1820 he came to America with his parents and settled at Bellefontaine, O. He was a student at Norwalk Seminary, O., Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., and Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind., graduating from the latter Institution in 1840. For two years he served as Principal in the Franklin Institute, Indianapolis, Ind., and then became Professor of Latin in the Indiana Asbury University, at which time he received the degree of D.D. from his Alma Mater. In 1855 Dr. Wheeler became the first President of Baldwin University where he labored faithfully under great difiiculties for fifteen years. For the next five years he was President of Iowa Wesleyan University, and in 1875 entered the ministry and served as Pastor and Presiding Elder until his death, June 18, 1881. To those who knew Dr. Wheeler well, any mention of him will bring to mind certain characteristics from which it would be diiiicult to separate his memory. His friendly interest, his gentlemanly bearing and courteous manners, his ready sympathy in joy or grief, his conscientious regard for the rights of others all left their impress upon those with whom he was associated. He was quick to foresee and meet emergencies, and never faltered in the path of duty though difficulties mountain high beset him. He had a rare gift to see and recognize opportunities, seeming to take in ata glance their possibilities, while to others they seemed of but doubtful results, or beyond hope of achievement. Once recognized he had the courage of his convictions, and brought to bear upon them his untiring energies and his steady, persistent faith. To these qualities German Wallace College owes its existence to-day, as well as the enlarged vista opened to B. U. so soon after he came to it. But for that enlargement it must long ago have followed in the footsteps of Norwalk Seminary. His long-repressed desire for a thorough education, and his difficulties in obtaining it gave him a tender sympathy, for the many in like stress of circumstances, and a readiness to aid such to the utmost, to aid themselves. No student was more certain of a hearty welcome from Dr. Wheeler than he who came burdened and distressed between the desire of a liberal education and the poverty that seemingly forbade such aspirations. In the recitation room he was an inspiration g in the pulpit strong, scholarly and instructive, presenting the truth with the directness and earnestness of one sent with a message. He always carried with him the feeling that an unconverted student was a burden on his soul, a charge for which he must give account. ' Wherever Dr. john Wheeler was met, whether in his own home circle, or in society, in the class rooms or the pulpit, he was ever and always the cultured, courteous Christian gentleman. 16