Dickinson College - Microcosm Yearbook (Carlisle, PA)

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destiny-deciding document, Dickinson was the only member of that body who immediately took up arms to face the enemy. He believed in the God of nations no less than in the God of individuals. Dr. Rush refers to him as a gentleman who unites with the iinest accomplishments of the man and the patriot, a sacred regard to the doctrines and precepts of Christianity. In this first Board of Trustees was another man whose name should ever be linked with that of Dickin- son 3 this man was Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of tl1e Declaration of Independence. He was active in the organization, and earnest in the perpetuation of the early interests of the college. At one time he was concerned about the healthfulness of location, at another time about the character of the men who should com- pose the faculty, and the equipment of the several departments. Governor Dickinson and Dr. Rush, at a later meeting of the Board, suggested the seal of the college which was adopted. It consisted of a bible, a telescope, and a cap of liberty. The suggestiveness of the symbols is readily interpreted. Among the 'first contributors to the college funds may be mentioned Hamilton and Jefferson, the French Ambassador CCon1te de la Luzerej, and seventeen members of Congress. It is also interesting to note that many Englishmen sent over funds to increase the offering to education. The first college building was of brick, two stories high, with four rooms. It was situated at the corner of Bedford street and Liberty alley. In this unpretentious building college exercises were conducted for twenty years. Repeated efforts were made to procure other accommodations, until finally the present college campus was purchased, and a building erected on it i11 1803. Fire destroyed this first edifice. Its destruction, however, roused to a flame the slumbering spark of interest in the hearts of people everywhere. Within twenty-four hours a subscription was started, and in August, 1803, the iirst stone of the present West College was laid. The first President was the Reverend Charles Nesbit, D. D., of Montrose, Scotland. On tl1e fourth of july, 1785, he arrived in Carlisle. A company of citizens met him at some distance from the borough and him to the town. Soon after his arrival, Dr. Nesbit was stricken with a fever. He became discouraged and regretted that he had ever left Scotland. He resigned his position, but upon his recovery from his illness he was reelected for the Presidency, and continued at the head of the institution until his death in 1804. For nineteen years hezlabored in the interests of young Dickinson, and by his untiringeiforts did much to place the college upon a firm footing. ' Associated with President Nesbit in the first faculty of Dickinson College were three other men. The Reverend Robert Davidson, D. D., was Professor of History, Geography, Chronology, Rhetoric, and Belles escorted .-IS-