Beloit College - Codex Yearbook (Beloit, WI)

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barles El. JBacon TII1 !ID6mOl'i8lh1 HE external facts and dates regarding any life furnish only the frame in which is set the personality that we have known, but even so they have their interest. Charles Alfred Bacon, son of the Reverend William F. Bacon, was born Feb. 24, 1862, at Brattleboro, Vt. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1883, and taught at Hallowell, Me., and at Wakeneld, Mass. On the recommendation of Prof. A. W, Burr, who had known his reputation at Hallowell, Mr. Bacon was appointed Instructor in Mathematics and Director of the Observatory in Beloit, and came here in the fall of 1885. In 1886 he was made Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Observatory, in 1888 he took charge of the Library. In 1888, and again in I89O, he enjoyed several months of residence and professional study abroad. In 1893 he was married to Mrs. Alice G. Sheldon. In 1899 he gave up the Observatory and assumed the chair of French. His death occurred Nov. 6, 1901. Professor Baconls work for the college was thus devoted chiefly to Astronomy, the Library and French. In the astronomical department, to which he first gave his atten- tion, he applied himself with ingenuity to supplementing the equipment, and brought the Observatory into notice by supplying a time service to neighboring cities, and by writing for the press on astronomical subjects. He conducted an important series of observations on sun-spots, and enlivened by his genial presence the tedious night-watches of star- gazing students. When his physical disabilities, in 1899, compelled him to give up the Observatory, he threw himself with characteristic vigor into the teaching of the classes in French which he assumed. His methods, whether in drill in the elements, or in the reading of his favorite authors, were his own, and called for a large expenditure of vitality on the part of the instructor, and close attention to business by the students. In 1888 the care of the Library, which Prof. Emerson had carried since 1848, was laid upon the shoulders of Professor Bacon. He was not dismayed by the cheerless environ- ment of tl1e upper room where it was then quartered, but addressed himself vigorously to the improvement of heating and lighting, and the extension of the library-hours. He re-arranged the books according to the Dewey system, and carried through the task of making a card-catalogue. Dr. Horace lfVhite came to his assistance with a timely gift, in 1895, and in the Spring of that year the books were brought down to the lower Hoor of Memorial Hall, which had been fitted up as it now appears in accordance with the care- planning of Professor Bacon. The number of bound volumes has increased from 13,700 in 1888 to over 28,ooo in 1901. The Library as it exists today is his monument. His presence and suggestion inspired the remarkable esprit de corps of his student assistants, and his tactful advice brought the resources of the Library within reach of many an untrained 34

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3osepb Emerson TII1 !ID6m0I2iEllTl HERE was a man of large gifts and of rare beauty and strength of character, who put his life into the building of Beloit College. He was apicked man, set apart, in the beautiful plan of God, as by the laying 011 of hands for a divine mission. He had heard the Master's voice, bidding him give his life to the building of a college which should stand for all that was deepest and most genuine in Christian character. And joseph Emerson obeyed the call. The work to which he gave his life was worthy of the offering made. It was large enough to take in and put to the finest uses his largest possi- bilities of growth and of service, for all his years of life on earth. And of the students in his classes-what shall we say? Did such a teacher attract only such scholars, or did he make them such by the transforming power of his own life? Of the early students, there was not one who did not feel the uplifting power of this 1.nan's life, not one who had not caught something of the enthusiasm of his high purpose. If there were exceptions they were rare. Altogether the relationship of teacher and scholar had never been more beau- tifully exemplified. Perhaps Professor Emerson gave to President Chapin and Professor Bushnell and the first Trustees of the College-grand men they were-a little deeper,warmer place in his heart than he could give to any that came after. They and he stood together at the beginning of the life of the college, had shared great thoughts of heart as they planned great things, and, as they talked with God in prayer, had caught the wider outlook of the Kingdom of Christ, of which they were a part. But for everyone there was room and a welcome in his great heart. He loved the college and everyone in it. He took the interests of the students deep into his heart. He believed in them, and trusted them for the best things. He saw the largest and finest possibilities in each life. He expected that each life would be lifted up to a higher plane, from contact with his own riper experience and clearer vision. Those who gathered in his class room were to be trained for great service, some- where in the Kingdom of Christ. The Master had need of them, a place for each one to nll, a place large enough to call for each one's best, a place that none other could nll so well. It was a joy to him to help them. It was a joy to see mind and heart open under his teaching, and from his outlook get the clearer and broader vision of the great things of God. From the serene heights where he dwelt he had this vision, and he wanted them to have it too. Trained and disciplined and polished they must be for highest beauty and highest use, in the Temple of God, and he must help them. The loved and honored teacher saw it all so clearly, and felt it all so deeply, and he could help his scholars to attain it, asrfew teachers can. W'as it not in part, at least, because he loved them all so well, and loved the Kingdom of his Lord with a love so loyal and so true? , WII,I,IAM PORTER. 35

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GDHITICS B. JBHCOI1-1111 fIlSCl1IOICl8lTl-GOl1Iil1ll6O reader. Besides what was done in the departments directly under his care, Professor Bacon gave to general interests much thought and effort. He sought to make the Library useful in every possible way to the college, to students, to -Alumni. He was jealous of the reputation of Beloit on the athletic Held and in the arena of intercollegiate oratory and debate, and entered enthusiastically into the men's preparation for the contests. His time was at the disposal of every man whon1 he could help. Very many of Beloit's grad- uates look back with especial gratitude to him as guide, philosopher and friend. The charm of his conversational powers, the readiness of his response to whoever came to him for counsel, the interest with which he followed the Alumni into their after careers, all endeared him to many hearts. LastQSeptember, from the hospital, Professor Bacon was driven to the door of Memo- rial Hall, and looked for the last time upon the walls within which so 11111011 of his work had been done. He ordered his wheel-chair, so familiar to those who frequented the Library, to be taken up stairs, he was not to use it again. But that' invalidls chair repre- sents the most heroic aspect of his life, his ten years' struggle with spinal disease, mysteri- ous, painful, incurable. Too long, perhaps, for his own good, he carried on his wonted work, now walking with a cane, then with crutches, finally depending upon the aid of the students who carried him so tenderly from carriage to couch or chair. Every form of treatment that promised relief he faithfully tried, the limitations which the progress of the disease imposed he accepted, but he refused to allow it to conquer his spirit. It would be a paradox to say that this physical disability enabled Professor Bacon to do more than he could have done without it, but it certainly enabled him to do some things which he could not else have done. It was the controlling force, for those later years, in determining his character and infiuence. It called out that courage of endurance which was the admiration of all who saw him. It nerved him to more strenuous activity himself, and increased his hold upon others. It tested the fiber of his faith, and devel- oped that tenacity of purpose which sustained him in the unequal iight. The long struggle is ended. But the memory of his energetic personality, his pene- trating mind, his incisive teaching, his heroic bravery, will long perpetuate his influence for good. R. C. CHAPIN. 1 35