Taylor University - Ilium / Gem Yearbook (Upland, IN)

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A building was then projected. Before this building, H. Maria Wright Hall, was completed the work halted for want of funds, until a number of men of this community came forward and borrowed money sufficient to finish the outer structure and the interior of the two main floors. They took as security for themselves deeds to certain lots furnished by the Land Company- These men had this loan to pay, and Dr. Reade tried to satisfy the dissatisfied ones by purchasing the lots, paying for them in negotiable scholarships. The lots on which the cottages belonging to the University now stand were obtained in this manner. While the Wright Hall was under construction, classes were held in store rooms and in the churches in town, mostly in the old frame M. E. church, of which Rev. J. C. White was pastor at this time. Rev. White was very active and helpful in these early days of struggle and had much to do with the location and early development of the school here. In those days of rebuilding the students and teachers were few and the range of courses rather narrow, but more than enough to tax the powers of tne small faculty who had in some cases to teach a very wide range of sub- jects. Dr. Reade was an ardent advocate of the classical languages, so ottered strong, extensive courses in Latin and Greek. He believed Latin to be essential to a good knowledge of English, and believed every preach- er should know Greek. For the first four or five years Dr. Reade maintained his office in town in connection with a printing office which was operated for the school by his brother, Mr. David Reade. Later the printing outfit was moved into a building nearer the University, and Dr. Reade opened his office in what is still the president ' s office. In these early days of development. Dr. Reade had to assume person- ally the entire financial burden of maintaining the school. He put into the work three or four thousand dollars which he had saved while in the pastorate. He lived a simple life on the same plane as the students, rooming in Sammy Morris Hall and boarding at the Boarding Hall, which had a much more simple menu than now. In employing his teachers, he became personally responsible for their pay. The unmarried teachers were paid only a small cash salary and their board and room. Every member of the faculty undertook the work with a sacrificial spirit, ever inspired by the sacrificial spirit of Dr. Reade. While Dr. Reade was simple in his life it would be a great mistake to regard him as undignified or uncultured. He was scrupulously clean in person, neat and tidy in dress, with well-fitted garments, covering an erect, manly form, about six feet in height, well-built, verging toward the sinewy rather than fleshy type. An open, almost upturned face, slightly angular, but pleasant, was an index of hope, and faith, of noble self-re- spect and broad charity. His eyes were pale blue, rather deeply set, be- neath a smooth high forehead. Hair rather thin on top, and early grown gray, and beard almost white, well trimmed and kept, blended in perfect harmony with the fair skin of a face that never tanned. Such was his physical portrait. Tender in emotion, broad in sympathy, generous in charity, tolerant in spirit, but firm in conviction, kind in speech. Trusting pepole even to his own hurt, he was often imposed upon by those whom he tried to help. Unwilling to turn away a poor but worthy student and so thoroughly be- y- F 3 IIIIIIIIHII IdJjJ iJUJFTO

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wrote the wonderful story of the Life of Sammy Morris which has been rea d by millions of people. It was run through many editions and has been translated into many foreign languages. It has become known as a great religious classic. Thus these two lives, the author and the subject of the sketch, fused into one dynamic message, go on continually with their call to faith and consecration. This book has been a wonderful factor in building up the school. For a number of years after the school was moved to Upland, student after student would say in testimony meeting: I was brought to Taylor University through reading the ' Life of Sammy Morris ' . Many also opened their hearts to the baptism of the Holy Ghost through reading it. Not only did this story of a wonderful life bring students here but the sale of the book was so large that it yielded a considerable sum which was used by Dr. Reade to help pay school expenses of many a poor boy. It was also by advertising on the cover of this book the appeal for a Faith Fund that many people sent in their small gifts — out of their poverty often — to help support poor and worthy students. In this way many poor students were helped through school. The Sammy Morris Hall, which was the first Dining Hall and Dormitory was paid for from funds that came in through the influence of this booklet. No student of Taylor should fail to read the story of this wonderful life. The real Taylor spirit would be greatly stimulated if every student and every teacher would re-read it each year. But the reference to Sammy Morris, which could not be omitted from the biography of President Reade has carried into the life of the school in its present location. After the sale of the buildings and grounds at Ft. Wayne to liquidate indebtedness, it was thought best to rebuild the school in another town or city. Dr. Reade felt that he could develop the type of school he desired, near a village better than in a great city. The free- dom from allurements and temptations of the city; the simple, unpam- pered, robust, selfdenying life which would be fostered ; the good, pure air, free from smoke and dust; the contact with nature — all these — were considerations that had weight with this man of poetic temperament. It was his ambition to make life so simple and inexpensive that a college ed- ucation would be brought within the reach of the poorest boy and girl who had brains enough to receive the training, and who was industrious enough to work and self-denying enough to live in small, meagerly fur- nished rooms, and live on very plain, coarse but wholesome food. It is said that when Dr. Reade started out with prayer for guidance, to seek a location to which the school might be moved he felt impressed, as his train approached Upland, to get off here. He felt that this impres- sion was from God, so he obeyed. This was at a time when this part of Indiana was in the natural gas boom and every town and city was trying to develop. Upland, like most other towns, had a land company which was promoting various interests to build up the town. Through this or- ganization a deed to ten acres, our present campus, was secured. The land lying between the campus and the town was plotted and incorporat- ed into the town of Upland, as the University Addition. Through the efforts of Dr. Reade and local men some money was raised here, and Dr. Reade secured some gifts from elsewhere, the largest being one thousand dollars from H. Maria Wright, of Washington, D. C. rMUl i PCgjM P iim MWin

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lieving in humanity that he thought all would pay if they could.and when they could he suffered in his own paying power. The only criticism ever heard against him were by his creditors whose claims he could not prompt- ly meet. Thus the reproach of many poor fell on him and he bore it vi- cariously. While humble in spirit he never regarded the work he was do- ing small and never seemed to think of the institution of which he was the head as insignificant. Like one of old, he felt he was doing a great work and could not stop to have his attention diverted ; yet he found time to devote to great and worthy reforms, such as the Prohibition Cause. He had a keen sense of humor and used it moderately, but was ever refined and dignified. He always addressed members of the Faculty by the highest title thev bore, as Professor or Doctor never as Mr. or Miss. Educated before the days of intensive specialization, he was broad in his scholarship, having a working knowledge and keen interest in prac- tically all the great fields of human learning. This especially qualified him for his position. Some of us felt that he was somewhat partial to Latin and Greek- He considered these very essential to liberal culture and yielded very reluctantly to the pressure of the modern scientific and vocational trend in college work. The courses of study here in his day were rather rigidly prescribed, not altogether inflexible, but built with a view to general culture, leaving specialization largely to the technical or professional school. Dr. Reade was a master in the use of English and both by precept and example, encouraged the correct use of the mother tongue. His pro- nunciation was scrupulously accurate. Even his Italian and intermediate a ' s were given their full and accurate vocal value. His enunciation was clear and distinct, his grammar faultless. His diction was pure, his sen- tences well formed. He knew a large vocabulary, for he was a classical scholar, but he was moderate in its use. He never seemed verbose, but had at his command the word he needed to express his thought. His po- etic temperament gave him a fine sense of rhythm, and, unconsciouly per- haps, thoughts took form in words of liquid consonants and open vowels. In the pulpit he was well poised, easy and graceful. He did not ges- ticulate — graceful, well-timed, expressive gestures. But one acquainted with the rules of delivery and the classification of gestures in the elocution of the old school would be slightly reminded that he had studied the books and drilled himself in the art of public delivery and the element of sur- prise was somewhat missing. His delivery just lacked that element of individuality and caprice that puts it beyond the power of imitation and makes it peculiarly the spontaneous outflow of one ' s own inner self, incapable of being reduced to rules. But his delivery was almost beyond criticism when measured by the norms of his day. In the pulpit as he stood with head erect, and almost more than erect, with shoulders thrown back and chest expanded, the first impression of this soldiery bearing, was of an element of self-conscious dignity and pride. Before an audience for the first time the psychological effect was to put distance between him and his audience. He had a harder task to get them to lean toward him and warm up to him than he would have had if he had drawn nearer. As his meek and gracious spirit became known isd™? ' iiouHWiii ip mp