Macalester College - Quid Nunc Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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The Macalester Mic-iliac. EDWARD D. NEILL, D. D. In the history of the institutions of higher learning in America no names are surrounded with more glamour or remembered with more reverence and gratitude than those of their founders. The East especially is fortunate in being able to point to men like John Harvard and Elihu Yale for the establishment of institu- tions of this kind. Though Macalester has not, like the colleges of the East, the prestige that comes with years, it has as great a right to think with pride of the one through whom it was called into existence, a man who, by general consent, was one of the noblest and most broadly cultured gentlemen of this state. Rev. Edward Duffield Neill, D. D., was born in Philadelphia, August Q, 1823. After completing the sophomore year at the Uni- versity iof Pennsylvania, he entered Amherst College, where he received the degree of A. B., in 1842. He then went to Andover Theological Seminary, where he spent one year, after which he completed his theological studies under the direction of Rev. Al- bert Iiarnes and Rev. Thomas Brainerd of his native city. Imbued with the missionary spirit, he came VVest and was licensed in 1847 by the presbytery of Galena, Illinois. In 1849 he arrived at St. Paul, and entered upon his work with great enthusi- asm. In November of that year he organized the first Presby- terian church of the city. Between 1851 and 1854 he was territorial superintendent of public instruction. Later he organized the House of Hope Church. He had much to do with the establishment of the State University and was its first chancellor. In 1861 he en- tered the army as chaplain of the First Minnesota regiment and took an honorable part in the battles of Bull Run, Fair Oaks and Mal- vern Hill. While serving as hospital chaplain in the military hospi- tal in Philadephia, he was appointed to a secretaryship under Presi- dent Lincoln. This position he held until after President Grantis inauguration, when he was appointed consul to Dublin. Resigning in 1870, he returned to Minnesota and entered enthusiastically upon P II g 0 16

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The Macalester Mic-Mac. No other quarters being available, many of these with their families were compelled to live in what is now the east wing of the building, which was then the only part completed. 1887 saw the completion of the main building, but the obligations assumed to bring this about nearly proved fatal to the College's existence. Many promises of aid were not forthcoming. Financial reverses came, and, but for the steadfast devotion of a few friends, it would have been wrecked ere the struggle for existence had fairly begun. In 1891 President McCurdy was succeeded by Rev. A. VV. Ring- land, D. U., who was at the head of affairs until the spring of 1893, when he resigned to assume pastoral work. It was some time before a successor was secured, but finally, much against his wishes, Dr. James VVallace, who had for a number of years so eminently filled the chair of Greek, consented to take up the duties of the office. His administration had hardly begun when the finan- cial panic of 1893 swept over the country. It was, indeed, a critical period in the history of the struggling institution. But those in whose hands the destiny of Macalester's affairs had been left were not men of little faith, theirs was the faith which removes mount- ains. lflow much they surrendered. how much they sacrificed, will never be known. Their hopes have been realized, and through their devotion Macalester faces the future full of hope and confi- dence that its commission will be fulfilled. In 1895, following the example of many other western colleges, the institution was made co-educational and the doors were thrown open to women. Up to 1898 every year had seen a deficit, but since then each commencement day has found every obligation met. Feeling that the future was secure and that the arduous duties of the presidency could rest on a younger man, much against the wishes of the Board of Trustees, Dr. XN'allace tendered his resignation in 1902, which however was not acted upon, and he continued in office until June, 1906. Un February 12th, 1907, Professor T. Morey Hodgman, the newly elected President, assumed charge of affairs. Inspired by the devotion of those who have gone before, believing in the fidelity of the friends, of the present, Macalester's ever broadening future is secure. Page I5

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The Macalester Mic-Mae E RVN' I'lJXY XRD D. NICILT.. D, 11. cItQ'C17