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

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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

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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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I ' liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimTTrn I in his self-denying life, and even as his real spirit was revealed as he pro- ceeded in his message the feeling of aloofness was largely overcome. His eloquence was not of the highly persuasive type. It had not in it the dynamic that moves men quickly to action and makes them risk all in one great decisive act. It was more contemplative, dealing with the true, the beautiful, the sublime, and the good. Much of his preaching was of a quiet, expository type, unfolding the great concepts of Christianity, or feeding and nourishing the souls of Christians, and stimulating their faith and devotion. The feelings with which he could best deal were of a plac- id, quiescent order. He would have been a master in a sermon on Peace, be still. He loved nature and the God of nature, hence was effective in description which aroused the feelings of beauty, sublimity and rever- ence. He had that poetic instinct which appreciated the immanence of God, and could bring to others the sense of His presence. President Reade was so occupied with correspondence, editing papers, travel, and in fact the many duties entering into financing and build- ing up the school, that he, even when at the school, attended chapel only once a week, and that was on Wednesday. He was regularly expected on that day, and always led the devotions. He had one hobby, and rarely, if ever, failed to ride it as he arose to speak to the students on Wednesday morning. In regard to that hobby he practiced what he preached. As he entered chapel there was always a lifting of heads, a throwing back of shoulders and an expansion of chests. There was an unconscious re- laxation during the preliminary exercises, but again as the President arose to speak, like soldiers coming to attention, every one was doing his best to be physically erect, or better, for he knew what was coming. His first exhortation was invariably for them to straighten up and throw their shoulders back and expand their chests and do deep breathing- He said God had made other animals to look at the ground but that man, was the only animal of erect frame, was made to look up at the stars. After a few deep breaths had been taken by all, he often gave them some ad- monitions about care of their health, urging cleanliness. As we had no bath tubs or showers here in those days he told the students how they could bathe in a quart or teacupful of water and keep clean. He preach- ed the daily cold bath, taken each morning on rising, as a means of clean- liness, a tonic, and a preventative of colds. With his ideals on straight backs it was almost a mystery how he ever came to employ some of his teachers, and Wednesday morning, do the best we could, was always a time of some embarrassment to those of us who were crooked sticks and couldn ' t help it. We always appreciated the President ' s efforts to save, while yet salvable, the young people from a fate like ours. No doubt his loss of health, and his recovery of it in earlier years by a rigorous physical regimen, even after he had been given up to die, caused him to place so high a value on these things. After these preliminary exhortations had been given, he would read a passage of Scripture, giving an able exposition, and then offer a thought- ful prayer which usually began with sublime and majestic words of ador- ation and praise; in fact, in his prayer, almost always, adoration and praise were dominant notes. Though pressed on every side to finance the school and take care of the relatively many students who had no funds whatever, yet he wore a P 3 m iii!! M wi li i) mmwHJi