Susquehanna University - Lanthorn Yearbook (Selinsgrove, PA)

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At the second meeting of the Board, on Jan. 6, 1857, the resolution to locate in Baltimore Co., Md., was rescinded, and Dr. Kurtz was elected Superintendent and Professor of Theology. At this earl} ' stage in the development of this institution Dr. T. Stork said of it: Scores of men, whose talents and piety would other- wise be comparatively lost to the church, might through the instrumentality of such an institution be brought into the active duties of the ministry. Concerning the opposition of some to the plan and to the qualification of the students, Dr. Kurtz said: They will be well acquainted with the Bible and church history, able sermonizers, and living, self-denying, serious and common sense preachers and industrious and faithful pastors. If any one choose to stigmatize such men as ' half educated, ' ' half fledged, ' ' quacks ' etc., let him gratify his peculiar and amiable penchant. At the meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod at Lancaster in 1857 it was resolved, that we would urge on the consciences of many who have arrived at a more advanced age to devote themselves to this work, the preparation for the ministry. At the meeting of the Maryland Synod in 1857, the Board was severed from relation to the Synod, owing to the proposed location outside the bounds of that Synod; the Board was also made self perpetuating. A number of places urged their claims and presented inducements for the location, but at a meeting of the Board, May 3, 1858, in consideration of the fact that Selinsgrove, Pa., made offer of $15,012, this place was decided upon as the location. At a meeting held at Selinsgrove from May 12 to 14, 1S58, the Board by changes and additions was constituted as follows: Dr. B. Kurtz, Rev. G. Diehl, Rev. F. R. Anspach, Rev. J. G. Butler, Dr. W. M. Kemp, Mr. Wm. Bridges, Mr. J. Ream, Col. A. C. Simpson, Mr. John App, Mr. Geo. Schnure, Rev. H. Zeigler, Rev. S. Domer, Rev. P. Born, Rev. C. C. Culler, Rev. C. G. Erlenmyer, Rev. J. G. Anspach, Rev. D. H. Focht, Col. W. F. Wagenseller, Mr. C. A. Moyer, Mr. Leonard App, Mr. H. Ritter, Mr. B. Schoch and Mr. L. R. Hummel. Arrangements were at once made to open the Classical school in the brick building at the rear of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church ; this, with the use of the lecture room, was tendered to the Board by the congregation. The officers of the Board were: President, Dr. B. Kurtz; Vice Presidents, Rev. S. Domer and Rev. H. Zeigler ; Recording Secretary, Col. A. C. Simpson ; Corresponding Secretary, Rev. H. Zeigler ; Treasurer, Mr. Jas. K. Davis. An annoucement was made that the institution, so located, was ready to receive applications for admission. The Classical Department, under the management of Prof. Theo. Weaver, later assisted by Prof. Wm. Noetling, — 25 —

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was signed, among others, by Revs. J. G. Morris, C. P. Krauth, W. A Passavant, Benj. Sadtler, Chas. F. Schaeffer, S. C. Wedekind, Jacob Fry and Reuben Hill. For the need voiced by such men, he had a help in his plan of the Missionary Institute. A few months later he makes explicit statement of his desire and purpose — to take up sensible and pious men, partially educated, possessing aptness to teach and willing and anxious to labor in the ministry, and after judicious training for a year or two, sending them forth to tell the simple story of the Cross to our desti- tute churches, and preach repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. Our mark is a Missionary In- stitute something like that established at Basle. For the special benefit of this description of men we have long prayed to God and pleaded with our brethren that some provision should be made. At the meeting of the Maryland Synod, in 1856, a report was read by Dr. Kurtz on the subject of establishing a Missionary Institute for the education of lay men of decided talents and adequate mental discipline for the Gospel ministry. The institution is designed for the theological training of pious, strong-minded lay men, who are somewhat advanced in life, and men of families. The report was adopted and the following committee was appointed to carry it into effect: Dr. Kurtz, Rev. J. McCron, Rev. G. Deihl, Rev. F. R. Anspach, Rev. J. G. Butler, Dr. W. M. Kemp, Mr. Wm. Bridges, Mr. C. W. Humrichouse, Mr. J. Ream and Mr. W. C. Wisong. The first meeting of this committee was held on Dec. 15, 1856, in Baltimore, when it was resolved to locate the institution in Baltimore Co., Md. Statutes for the government were also adopted. The design is thus stated: This Institution shall be established and carried forward for the education of pious and sound- minded men (irrespective of age or domestic ties ) for the office of the holy ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. After stating the subjects of theological study it was also added that, provision may also be made by the managers for instruction in the various branches of an acadimical and scientific course. No formal appeal was yet made to the church, but the first donation, afterward followed by other gifts from the same source, was of $10 from Mrs. S. E. Winter, widow oi Rev. John Winter, a Lutheran minister. In Feb. 1857, an appeal and a statement were made to the church, in which Dr. Kurtz asserted his deep faith in his work and his assurance of support from the people: To them we look and to their Christian sympathy we appeal. They have heart to feel and throb in union with ours ; they also have money to consecrate to the cause of God and the furtherance of his Kingdom, and from the lessons taught us in our Lutheran Zion by more than forty years ' experience, we believe they will come to our aid and pour out their gifts with a freeness and richness, which, under God, will insure success. — 24 —

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was opened on June 14, 1S58, the Theological Department on Oct. 7, 1858. The former had at once about 75 scholars, the latter began with twelve. Work was at once begun on the new building, 80 ft. by 43 ft., with three stories, of which Dr. Kurtz says, it will be finished without one dollar of debt, the requisite money being already provided for by the generous and whole hearted folks of Selinsgrove. ' ' - The course of study announced for the Theological Department was as follows: Biblical Archaeology, Mental Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, History, Hermeneutics, Exegesis, Catechetics, Systimatic Divinity, Homileties, Chronology Pastoral Theology, Church Government and Missionary Instruction. A very full and interesting account of the laying of the corner stone, on Sept. 1, 1S58, appeared in the Lutheran Observer of Sept. 17, 1858. The addresses made on this occasion by Rev. R. Weiser, Hon. A. Jordan and Hon. Joseph Casey, with those made at the dedication on Nov. 9, 1859, by Rev. E. W. Hutter and Rev. D. Steck, and also those delivered Nov. -24, 1858, at the inauguration of the Theological Professors, by Rev. S. Sprecher, D. D., and Rev. P. Rizer, with the inaugurals of Dr. Kurtz and Rev. Zeigler were published and give a clear and impressive expression of the plan and motive of the institution. During the first year there were 133 students, 26 studying Theology and 107 in the Classical Department. The arrangements for the management of the Classical Department being temporary, until the fitting up of the new building, in May 1859. Rev. P. Born was elected Principal of that department, entering his work Sept. 22, 1859, as Principal and Professor of Ancient Languages. This position he filled until 1881. He had been intimately associated with Dr. Kurtz and Rev. Zeigler in all the preliminaries and arrangements. Under this management the work of the institution was continued with increasing success, until the death of Dr. Kurtz in Dec. 29, 1865. Dr. H. Zeigler was now elected Superintendent, and without any change of policy, but with growing efficiency, the school was continued until 188 1. When Dr. Zeigler resigned, Dr. P. Born was elected Superintendent and Rev. John B. Focht Principal of the Classical Department. The latter resign- ing in 1882, Rev. J. R. Dimm was elected Principal, serving in that position until 1895. Rev. P. Born, D. D., resigned the position of Superintendent in 1893, yet continuing as an instructor until his death in 1S99. He was succeeded by Rev. F. P. Manhart, who filled the office of Superintendent until 1895. During 1894 the commodious building known as Gustavus Adolphus Hall was erected to meet the need for better accomodations for recitation rooms, halls, etc. In the same year the course of study was extended and rearranged to include the Junior and Senior years of a college course, with the conferring of degrees, the institution assuming the title of Susquehanna University. Rev. J. R. Dimm D. D., well qualified by experience and attainments, was — 26 —