Lycoming College - Arrow Yearbook (Williamsport, PA)

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The Methodist General Conference dis- solved the East Baltimore Conference and formed the Central Pennsylvania Conference in May, 1868. The first session of the Cen- tral Pennsylvania Conference was held in Danville, Pa., from March 10-15, 1869. Two days before the Conference convened the Pennsylvania Legislature had chartered the Preachers Aid Society. The new organiza- tion was formed for the purpose of afford- ing relief to the itinerant ministers of said conference, their wives, widows, and children, and for the education of the latter. The Society was an outgrowth of the East Balti- more Conference ' s Preachers ' Aid Society and was given $36,635.63 as its proportionate share for the churches in the new conference. On October 23, 1868. a local newspaper. The Bellefonte Watchman printed an article scandalizing the Seminary. This was later carried by the William sport Daily Standard. The trustees promptly met and issued a de- mand for a retraction. It was granted. Thus, probably as a result of this unfavorable pub- licity, the Williamsport Dickinson Seminary became the main topic of discussion at the Central Pennsylvania Conference session of 1869. The founder, Rev. B. H. Crever, who had left his teaching position many years be- fore, introduced the proposal: Resolved, That we now re-affirm our interest in our insti- tution of learning at Williamsport, and pledge ourselves anew to support it to the full extent of our opportunity. According to Crever, one of the main values of the Seminary was that it has been recruiting the ranks of the ministry with young men from among its graduates, many of whom now hold no small space in the public eye. Part of a committee report to the Confer- ence stated: Though liaving confidence in the present owners of the stock, yet cir- cumstances may urge them to a dif- ferent disposition of their invest- ment, and in that case this noble in- stitution tvould be lost to the Church. Are we prepared for this? It is understood that some of the larger stockholders are ready to sell their stocks to the conference at par . . . As there are in all 165 shares of stock, the Conference, in order to obtain this control, must have at least 83 shares. But as the Conference is not in pos- session of the needed funds, and as our share of the funds of the Preach- ers ' Aid Society of the East Balti- more Conference will now be placed in the hands of our Preachers ' Aid Society, which has been duly organ- ized under the charter recently ob- tained from our Legislature: There- fore, Resolved, that should the managers of the Preachers ' Aid Society of the Central Pennsylvania Conference find that a sufficient amount of the stock can be obtained at a fair price, to secure the conference controlling power in said institution, and in their judgment deeming it a safe in- vestment, we recommend them to make such investment. The Conference directed the Preachers ' Aid Society to secure the Seminary stock. On March 25, 1869, the society Board of Mana- gers appointed a committee consisting of B. H. Crever, Colonel J. Sallade, and I. H. Tor- rence, which was given the power of purchas- ing a majority of the stock. At the second session of the annual conference President Mussina reported: At a meeting of the board, held June 3, the committee reported the number of shares of seminary stock to be 168, and that 80y of these had been secured to the Aid Society, at a cost of $9,150, and that 6 shares had been given, making 86 2 shares in all, and that subscriptions had been obtained to reduce the actual outlay for S6I 2 shares to $8,225. At the same meeting of our board the directors of the Seminary were re- quested, should they find it expedi- ent, to cancel the lease with Dr. Mitchell at a cost of $1,000; to issue stock to that amount, to be pur- chased by the Aid Society. This was accordingly done. Since then, two new heaters have been put into the Seminary, for payment of which seven shares of stock have been is- VII

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SUMMER TERM 6 A.M. to 8 A.M.; 2 P.M. to 6 P.M. 9 A. M. to 12 M. : 8 P. M. to 9 P. M. During the hours of study the students shall not be unnecessarily absent from their rooms. At no time shall any student loiter in the halls, or about the doors, or indulge in jump- ing, loud talking, whistling, or any other un- necessary noise, or in the use of Tobacco in the buildings. The students shall not be absent from their rooms at night after 7 o ' clock, during the Fall and Winter Terms; or after 8 o ' clock during the Summer Term; nor shall they, .it anv time, attend parties, or mixed assemblies, without permission from one of the teachers; nor hall they, at any time, visit the taverns, eating-houses, or otlwr places nl public resort. or on anv occasion indulge in the u c of in- toxicating li(iuor ' -. All profane and indecent language, play- ing at games of chance, injuring the property of the In-titution. or of the citizens, quarrel- ing, fighting, or the carrying of firearms, or other dangerous weapons, is strictly forbid- di ' n. The Teachers and Steward must, at all times, have access to the students ' rooms, and if it be judged necessary, the rooms will be cleaned at the expense of the occupants. Cleanliness of person and of apparel, and a gentlemanly and lady-like deportment mu-l be observed by all. No water, dirt, or other material, -hall be thrown from any window in either build- ing. The occupants of the Boarding House must have their rooms swept and in order by 6 o ' clock, A. M.. and their lights extinguished by half past 10 P. M. The Sabbath must be strictly observed by all. No walking about, or visiting, or re- ceiving of visits, will be allowed. All must attend i)ublic wor liip tuice during the day at such place as they or their guardians may prefer. The Rev. Mr, Bowman continued as prin- cipal until March, 1858, when he resigned. Rev. John H. Dashiel was appointed princi- pal at the Conference in March of 1858. Ed- ucated at Dickinson College and former resi- dent of Maryland, Mr. Dashiel resigned in 1860 to return to a pastorate. Financial difficulties became paramount and in 1860 the Seminary was sheriff ed at a public auction. Four businessmen and ardent -upporters: Abraham Updegraff, 10 year member of the City Council and bank pres- ident: Honorable John Smith, associate judge of the Lycoming County Courts; Colonel Jac- ob Sallade, owner of two saw mills; and Levi Hartman. contractor and builder who con- tructed the middle portion of Old Main in conjunction w ith Sallade. purchased the school for $16,.500. They oiTcred to sell the Acad- emy to the East Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church for this price. The Con- ference formed a joint stock company issu- ing 165 shares at $100 each and bought some of the shares. On March 26, 1860. the chart- er was approved by Governor Packer. In March, I860, Thomjison was appoint- ed principal of the in-titution with a salary of S800 per year. He changed the name of the Academy to Williamsport Dickinson Semin- ary and the title of its head man from princi- pal lo |)rc-i(lcMt. Mulberry Street Methodist Cluirch bciamr the official Seminary Church. Student- could now arrive in Williamsport, one of the most beautiful and healthful plac- es in the -tate. by railroad. A new rule had been added to the by-laws: The Ladies and Gentlemen mu-t not visit each others ' apart- ment, walk or ride together, without permis- -ion: nor conver-e together from the win- dows. The school did allow for slight as- sociation in the recitation-room, at the table, and in the public exercises of the Chapel. 186.3 marked a significant point in the mo- dernization of Old Main: rniuiing water was introduced into the building. By 1866 there were 4.% students enrolled in the Seminary. Dr. Mitchell made a proposition to the directors on June 20, 1866. He wanted to lease the school for five years. On July .3rd of that year a formal document allowing this was executed and signed. It stipulated that Mitchell was to receive the uncollected assets of the institution and was to erect an addition on the west end at his own expense. Mitchell, making all the decisions, consequently ran the school as though it were privately owned. VI

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sued, making in all 185 shares. The board has continued to buy stock, until we now own 132 of the 185 shares at an actual outlay of $12,- 900. The par value of these 132 shares, is $13,200; but their value, as based on offers actually made to members of the board, for the semi- nary property, is $25,300; and even this as compared with other proper- ty in the city of Williamsport, is far below their real value. By the time of the annual meeting of stock- holders of the Seminary on June 23, 1869, the Preachers ' Aid Society had 89 o votes. Ten shares were given to Mitchell. He can- celled the lease and donated some of his stock to the Preachers ' Aid Society. On March 20, 1872, President Mussina reported that the Preachers ' Aid Society owned 162 of 185 shares of the Seminary stock. He advised the Conference to purchase all of the shares and assume direct management of the Seminary. The final push to acquire the remaining 21 Shares was made at the conference of 1876. A committee of the conference reported that if the Seminary vvas properly managed and sustained; it will he immediately and per- petually remunerative to the members of the society, in educational facilities and moral influence. In 1878 the last of the 18.5 shares were purchased. Dr. Thompson Mitchell had been a good administrator and had brought the school its first prosperity. Upon his resignation in Au- gust. 1869, the Rev. W. Lee Spoltswood was elected. A later president. Dr. Gray, in de- scribing him said: Dr. Spottswood brought to the position those qualities which are em- bodied in mature age, wide culture, ripe scholarship, and dignified character. On De- cember 4, 187. ' 5, the Board considered a stu- dent petition raised against Dr. Spottswood. Dr. Spottswood resigned on Dec. 16, 187.S, the resignation to take effect on January 8, 1874. In spile of the student activities and problems with some of the faculty. Dr. Spotts- wood s administration was termed a success. S8,787.65 of improvements had been made on the building. On February 13, 1874, the Rev. Dr. Ed- ward J. Gray, then forty-one years of age, was elected to the presidency. Under his efficient management the Seminary took its place among the best institutions of its kind, and its prosperity was greater than ever before. A report of 1882 compiled by a visiting commit- tee from several of the church ' s Annual Con- ferences showed the place Williamsport Dick- inson Seminary held in the admiration of the church. The order and discipline of the School are among its marked features, and while it is not denominational in any narrow sense, it maintains very thoroughly the creed of our great aggressive Evangelism, and hence re- vivals are common among the students, and nearly all of them are professors of religion. It has happened in other schools, to the great grief of Christian parents, that their children have returned, after graduating, that if not actually lost to the Church, with yet only a nominal religion; but we feel assured that the voung people in this Seminary have all the helps and stimulants to a thoroughly Christian life which are to be found in our best Christian homes, and that it is as much the desire of the excellent President and his assistants to develop the religious character of those entrusted to their care as to promote their intellectual growth and culture. To the character of the school was added the further advantage of its location in Williamsport. Ac- cording to the school ' s catalogue of 1884: The city is situated on the West Branch of the Sus(iuehanna River, has a population of twenty thousand, is widely known for its in- telligence, its enterprise, the taste displayed in the character of its public buildings and private residences, and the moral appliances with which it is furnished. In small towns and villages the facilities for culture — intel- lectual as well as aesthetic and moral — are generally limited, rarely reaching beyond the institution itself, and hence student life must become monotonous, lacking the inspir- ation which a larger place with wider oppor- tunities affords. Twenty-seven churches, an active temperance organization and a branch of the Young Men ' s Christian Association, embracing many of the most earnest Chris- tians in the community, with a large library free to all, and accessible at all times, indi- cates some of the religious influences brought to bear upon the young in Williamsport. The accomplishments of the Williamsport VIII