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

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XEZD. The celebration of the Probation Oratorical Contest by James S. Newcomb of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the school became Taylor University, named in honor of Bishop William Taylor, at that time a preacher of world-wide fame. The Association took charge of the school, regulated its financial and educa- tional policies and elected as president Dr. Thaddeus C. Reade, after a short ad- ministration of Christian B. Stemen, M.D., as acting president. It is only proper that we tell something about Sammy Morris, whose spirit-filled life left its stamp upon Taylor University. This African boy, who found Jesus through the endeavors of missionaries on that dark Continent, yielded himself wholly to God, received the fullness of ihe Holy Spirit and became an exemplar of Taylors ' em- phases. He came to the United States and was under the influence of Stephen Mer- ritt of New York City, who made arrange- ments to send him to Taylor University for his education. Dr. Reade, president when Sammy entered the college, once said, To me this simple black boy is a daily wonder, a visible miracle of the ut- most grace of Gcd. Upon arriving at Taylor University Sammy Morris greatly influenced those of the town and of the University, bringing Thaddeus C. Reade, President of Taylor University when Taylor was moved from its site in Fort Wayne to Upland, Indiana

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ITY ' S HISTORY The Administration Building ' «« ' % Site of the Fort Wayne College better known as the Old Methodist Episcopal College established in 1846 as The Fort Wayne Female College on grounds donated by Wm. Rockhill. In 1855 the College consolidated with The Fort Wayne Collegiate Institute for young men and it was then called the Methodist Episcopal College. In 1890 the College grounds were deeded to Taylor University. Erected by the Methodist Episcopal College Association l936. the streets or commons for pleasure, col- lecting in each others ' rooms for idle con- ve rsation or amusement as well as all practices prohibited in well-bred, Christian homes, and receiving visitors are totally forbidden. Each student will be required to have the light out in her room and to retire by a quarter before ten o ' clock, and the stew- ard shall see that the house is closed at ten o ' clock. No young woman shall be permitted to contract debts or buy goods without the written consent of her parents or guardian, and a copy of such permission shall be handed to the President. As early as 1853, an attempt was made to provide literary societies for the stu- dents. The Thalonian Literary Society, whose motto was Know Thyself, was organized in 1850. In 1854 the two small societies — the Philosophian and the Ex- celsior — combined and formed the El Do- rado Literary Society, which in 1878 be- came the Philalethean Literary Society. In 1855, with the return of the young men from the Mexican War and the de- mand for higher education for both sexes in the Protestant religious faith, the Female College and the Collegiate Institute were united under one management to form a single institution known as the Fort Wayne College. Following the resignation of President Reuben D. Robinson in 1878, W. F. Yocum was inaugurated as president. Many val- uable reminiscences have been gleaned from former students of President Yocum.. He was known to be a splendid educator, kind in disposition, and well liked. His. Christian character had a remarkable in- fluence upon the students ' lives. His achievements and leadership did much to further the school ' s position among the educational institutions of the state. A financial crisis was reached in the Fort Wayne College in 1890-91, when its trustees were authorized to sell the prop- erty of th e institution. It was sold to the National Association of Local Preachers

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a spiritual awakening with his sincerity, his simple faith and divine endowment. He loved his studies and he loved this country, but always his activities were fervered with the desire to get back to his people and tell them of Jesus. He took a severe lingering cold in January, 1893, which he bore patiently in spite of pain and disappointment. He knew that the Lord was calling him home, and when asked if he feared death, replied, Oh no, since I ' ve found Jesus, death is my friend. With this spirit he went home to glory. The memory of Sammy Morris endowed Taylor with a spirit that makes her unique in the educational world. Her students, inspired by his entire consecration, have gone to the four corners of the earth, carry ing the blessed message of full salvation to all people. Miss Grace Husted of Green- field, Indiana, a former professor at Taylor University, is the only living teacher of Sammy Morris. On a visit to Upland Dr. Reade was shown some territory in this vicinity and negotiated an agreement with the Land Company to donate ten acres of land and $10,000 toward a building fund. Hence Taylor was officially moved to Upland and chartered anew as Taylor University. The trustees of the new organization hoped to get some money out of the old building at Fort Wayne, but when it was torn down and sold, there was nothing left but one boxcar of old furniture, Plans were drawn for an Administration Building, and as soon as these were completed, work was begun on the present building. Mr. T. W. Wil- liams donated some of the lumber and gave much financial support from time to time. From the clay on the campus Mr. Henry Kline made the brick that went into the structure. Before the building project was fin- ished, the panic of 1893 made the con- tinuing of work impossible for a time. Short winter classes were held in churches or available rooms, and the student? stayed with the people of the town. The Administration Building having been completed, additional funds carne in and the school prospered. The Sammy Morris building was constructed at the same time and used as the dining hall and rooming hall. A little later the build- Samuel Morris. 1he most outstanding student of Taylor University ing now used for the post office and gro- cery store was constructed as a boarding hall and girls ' dormitory. That made it possible to convert Sammy Morris into a boys ' dorm. Soon after this came a bequest that made possible the building of Sickler. The National Association of Local Preachers gave the responsibility of the operating expenses to Dr. Reade, who The building erected in memory of Sammy Morris