Randolph Macon College - Helianthus Yearbook (Lynchburg, VA)

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REV. PETER NICVICAR, D.'D

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illrefcuse. QGQGQ This the first volume of the HELIAN'l'HUS comes before the Washburn public, the humble offering of the class of '96, We realize that there are many faults in the volume and that it may seem to some to fall short of what it might be, but a start has been made, and if a foundation has been laid which can be made use of by coming classes in building up work which shall bea credit and an honor to Alma Maier, we will con- sider that our Hunks and sleepless nights and premature gray hairs have not been altogether in vain, even though the book may not fulfill the expectations of some and the desires of ourselves. We would offer our most grateful acknowledgements for the almost universal hearty support we have received from Faculty, Students, and Alumni. We have even heard it rumored that in one of the lower classes a resolution was introduced that each member of the class bring his time, his talents, his purse, and his all, and lay them on the altar of the HELIANTHUS. Though such action, perhaps, was not formally taken by all the classes, yet it seems to have been the spirit that all have acted under, and we would return our thanks. Trusting that our work may be as leniently judged as it has been heartily aided, we present the HELIANTHUS '96. ' Q THE JUNIOR CLASS. 5 1

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ilreeaihent Meter QHI1: iran. QGQOQ President McVicar has entered upon the twenty-fifth year of his presidency of this institution, and it is fitting that gt Sketch of his life though brief and inadequate, should be given to our readers. A Having been born just over the line, in the province of New Bruns- wick, he is ineligible to our national chief magistracy, but his Whole lgfe has been identified with this land of the free and home of the bravef' After graduating with honor from Beloit College in 1856, he spent a year as instructor in that institution. I-le then took a theological course at Union and Andover Seminaries, graduating from the latter in the summer of 1860. Kansas had recently been the theater of stirring events, and gave promise of rapid development, and important influence upon our national welfare. The attention of the nation was turned this way. It presented an attractive field for a young man, anxious to be of service, and willing to undergo privations. In October, 1860, Mr. McVicar.arrivcd at Topeka. The Congrega. tional Church was then pastorless, and he received and accepted a 0311, A correspondent at the time wrote to one of the religious journals of the fact, saying, We are sincerely thankful for so large an addition to our ministerial force. I-Ie continued in this position for six years, a period which included first, the disastrous drouth of 1860, and following that, four yearsiof war, in which Kansas sent a larger proportion of her men into the field than any other state in the Union, and bore on its own soil its full share of the loss and devastation of the conflict. It was a discouraging time for the upbuilding of Christian churches. Yet during those years his church made steady progress, completed its edifice and paid up its debts, thanks to the same financial ability which has stood Washburn so good a turn during later years. 7