College of Wooster - Index Yearbook (Wooster, OH)

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location at Springfield, since the failure to collect funds arose in large part from dissatisfaction with .former location agreed upon. In 1860 both Synods united in the new project, the newly organized Synod of Sandusky joining in the movement. The shadow of civil war now beclouded the scene. Most of the students of colleges and many from the academies hastened to enlist in the army. In some cases whole classes organized themselves into companies, with a favorite Professor as captain. Thus the proposed Synodical college scheme Went down in the political storm, for the time being. We have detailed these facts to show how persistent and determined were the Presbyterian frends of higher education in Ohio in pushing the Synodical college idea during these early years, and what it cost to secure a University for our church in the State. And be it remembered that at that time there were only one-third as many ministers in the State as there are now and less than one-fourth as many church members, with far less material wealth. Surely some earnest, indefatigable hands were necessarily behind all these movements. Of these two names in the northern Synod stand out as preeminent. They were the venerable Drs. James Hoge of Columbus and John Robinson of Ash- land. These stood ever at the fore among the enthusiastic and resolute leaders whose determination and unflinching persistence at length secured the desired end. These two boldly advocated the project from year to year, had place on all the Synodical Committees and committees of conference and were elected Trustees for West Liberty and Springfield, after having served steadily on the committees on location. When one effort failed they inaugurated another and by their enthusiasm kept the project as were alive from the dead. It was because of this unswerving cooperateration on the part of Dr. ,Hoge in pushing this Synodical college idea that a few years later Mrs. Prof. Wormley of Columbus was induced to present to the University the admirable portrait of Dr. Hoge that hangs in the chapel. And for the same reason still later a professorship was endowed and given his name. The tablet in the hall of the University in memory of Dr. Robinson also bears permanent record of his love for the Institution to which he devoted such indefatigable labor both in its origination and in its early history for over twenty years. His part in the organization of the University however will not be adequately recognized until a professorship in the Institution shall bear the honored name of john Robinson. And now we take up the brief thread of the remaining impulses toward organization of the Synodical Univer- sity. The civil conflict had not yet closed when in 1864 the Synod of Ohio renewed its actiou under the lead of Dr.

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establishing a college of its own in the State was introduced and thoroughly discussed in the Synod of Cincinnati. A Committee of twelve was appointed to examine the subject and report upon the feasibility of founding a Synodical Presbyterial College within its bounds. This was the formal opening of the movement that ended after more than a quarter of a century of discussion and effort, in the organization of W'ooster University. . Discussion of projects by this Synod was continued with Committees in 1845, '46 and '47, with appropriate resolutions. In this latter year the Synod of Ohio, covering the northern half of the State, also moved in the same direction and appointed a Committee to con- sider the question. The next year, 1848, each of these Synods appointed a Committee for joint conference in this matter. The age of Committees is the Eozoic period where the first signs of life appear. In 1849 these Committees reported inability to agree and both bodies dropped the subject and lapsed again into the Azoic age.. In 1852 the Synod of Ohio moved again for a joint Committee to which the sister, Synod responded favorably the following year. The joint Committee thus formed, after long conference, concluded that it was inexpedient to attempt the enterprise at that time, Both Synods however continued their Committees the next year, 1854. In 1855 the Synod of Cincinnati simply renewed its Committee, but the Synod of Ohio, more persistent because most of the other colleges were within its bounds, resolved that The time to commence incipient measures had come, and renewed its Committee while hearing a delegation from Bellefontaine advocating the location of the new college there. The subsequent year, 1856, the sister Synod consented to a new joint Committee, which in time received propositions from Chillicothe and West Liberty, in addition to Bellefontaine. After hearing the report of the joint Committee that year, the Synod of Cincinnati took action toward formal organization of the institution to be located at West Liberty within its own bounds. To this proposition the Synod of Ohio agreed, substituting however Chilicothe, also in the Synod of Cincinnati, in place of West Liberty. Thus the choice of locality was the main hitch. A convention of the two Synods to unite upon a site was subsequently held in Columbus, December 1856, at which West Liberty prevailed by a close vote. This action was reluctantly confirmed in 1857 by both Synods, Trustees were elected and steps taken to raise adequate funds. The next year the Synod of Cincinnati in view of the failure to secure sufficient endowment within the limited period agreed upon, moved to close up the matter on their part and the other Synod had nothing left it but acquiescence. Thus the University of West Liberty passed below the horizon. Another joint Committee was appointed CI85QD to attempt a

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Robinson and others, Dr. Hoge having in the nieanwhile passed away. The other two Synods were summoned to re- enlist in the good warfare. Sandusky immediately responded. But the time of funds was not yet, In 1865 the town of London offered a subscription of 550,000 for the location, which offer was after considerable discussion declined. An intimation was also received at the same time from Wooster looking toward a proposition. A Committee was appointed by the Synod of Ohio, response not having been received from the other Synods, with power to settle the question of locality should the sum of fIO0,000 be oifered at any point. In the autumn of 1865, the civil war being ended, the sum required was proitered by citizens of Wooster and' Wayne county on conditions of location at Wooster, concurrence of the three Synods and a pledged endowment by the Synods of f300,000. This olfer was accepted by the Synod of Ohio in 1866, trustees were elected and the other Synods were invited 'Co cooperate. Sandusky responded at once and elected its trustees, These trustees of the two Synods met in November 1866 and organized the Board, making arrangements for articles of incorporation and the formal founding of the Institution. The next year Cincinnati heartily joined in and chose its portion of trustees. The institution was thus at last fairly launched. What effort its existence had cost may be realized from the fact that for more than twenty-three years preceeding, action had been taken every year by one or more of the Synods involved. Well may we record the words of Dr. Robinson at the culmination of his labors speaking as the first President of the Board of Trustees: Long and earnestly had prayer been made all over the State on behalf of this project, and now the answer is just at hand. Many hearts are full of gratitude at this. 4 At the inauguration of Dr. Lord, the first President of the University, Dr. Robinson madea historic statement in the form of an address covering the ground herein gone over with many additional details. This was published at the time with other proceedings of the inauguration. But nearly thirty years having elapsed, and the pamphlet having become quite rare, it has been deemed best to revive these 'historical data, with minor corrections from original sources, full credit being given to the detailed statements of Dr. Robinson.