University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

Page 25 text:

conventions of the Board, held in the different counties, and into vital contact with the fanners and mechanics whose sons and daughters were active or prospective students at the College. By his many public addresses before these assemblies, on subjects connected with general agricultural education, the special education for farmers and mechanics and the aims and methods of study at the State College, President Allen did a noble work in l chalf of the institution and in acquainting the people of the State with its grand object—work which is still bearing good fruit and which will not fail of its influence to this end for years to come. Before sessions of the Maine legislative committees, where the wants of the College were from time to time presented, President Allen was always an eloquent, effective and convincing speaker: and legislators believed in the College lnicause they believed in its President. It was also largely through President Allen's counsel and advice that his old friend, ex-Governor Abner Coburn, made the College the munificent bequest of $100,000. As master of ceremonies” at commencement dinners, his presiding was most courteous, genial and dignified, and his remarks in introducing speakers were always of the most happy character. It is to be doubted if there was ever a student who came under President Allen's care for any considerable length of time, but can trace in his own life the good influence of the moral training, thorough education and kindly interest given by his beloved President. In 1S7‘J, President Allen received the degree of 1) I) both from Howdoin College and from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. After having seen the College firmly established upon a broad and sure foundation in its popular career. I)r. Allen felt it his duty to again resume the sacred calling which had been his life work, and which lie had for a time laid aside that lie might aid in the establishment of this important enterprise for the education of the sons and daughters of the farmers and mechanics of Maine. He accordingly resigned the presidency of the institution at the close of the college year of 1871». Again, at the age of f»3, I)r Allen re-entered the active sendee of the ministry with physical powers and mental vigor unimpaired and is still in constant pastoral work. During this latter period of ministerial service he has been for four years presiding elder of Lewiston district: seven years secretary of the Maine Conference; has been twice chosen a delegate to the General Conference; for four years was a member of the book committee of the Methodist Publishing House, and in 1876 was a member of the revision committee of the Church Hymnal—the admirable body of religious hymns in use- by the Methodist Church in this country. Here his fine and critical education and love for the grand old hymns of the early days of 20

Page 24 text:

through, and knowing them so well they all loved him and he managed them in the most happy and easy way. His practical common sense, keen business ability and dignified but genial manner were strong elements in his popularity and success, and of all these qualities he had complete and harmonious control in adjusting himself to his new position and shaping the work of the College in its somewhat experimental mission. It was a most difficult work, with limited means and few assistants, to lay the foundation of a college that should afford facilities for a liberal education, especially adapted to those who were to engage in productive industry and business life. Without undervaluing the importance of classical studies for those who were to enter on a professional career, it was deemed necessary to direct the students of the State College to scientific studies and modern literature rather than to Greek and Latin—to do something more than to make successful farmers or skillful artizans—the design of the College was to make educated men. with a broad and generous culture especially fitted for those who were to engage in industrial pursuits. When President Allen came to Orono lie found the College with a total of forty students. He sent out the first class from the institution with their diplomas—that class of six which graduated in 1X72. During the eight years of his most successful administration of the College, lie sent forth to their life work in the eight classes of its graduates. 11D students, and left the institution with a total of 102 students in its four classes. Among the graduates during his term as President, who have reached high distinction as specialists in different branches of science may lx mentioned: Prof. George II. Hamlin, of the State College: Dr. W. H. Jordan. Director of the Maine Kxperiment Station; Prof. Edward H. Farrington, Chemist to the Illinois Experiment Station; Dr. Geo. P. Merrill. V. S. National Museum. Washington, I). C.; F. IS. Kidder, Architect. New York. N. Y.. and Dr. F. Lainson-Scribncr. I'. S. Botanist. Depart- ment of Agriculture. Washington, D. C The faculty of the College was increased between the years 1X71 to 1879 from four to eight professors. Among these were three of its own graduates, and of the eight associate professors during the term of President Allen, four are still members of the faculty. Dr. M. C. Fernald, who was a professor under President Allen, has retired after the long sen-ice of fourteen years as President of the College; Prof. Charles II. Fernald is now at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and Prof. Walter Balentine. a graduate of '74. and for thirteen years the able and beloved Professor of Agricul- ture at the College, deceased in 1894. During President Allen's term ol service he was, cxojicio. a member of the State Board of Agriculture. This brought him into close and intimate relations with the people of Maine at the various farmers’ 19

Page 26 text:

the church, prevailed to save many of these hymns to the new collection, when at first a large number of the committee seemed in favor of discarding them for the more catchy” pieces of recent days. One of the choice divisions of his library consists of well on to one hundred volumes of various editions of Methodist hymns in use from the earliest | eriod of the history of the church in America—an unique ami interesting collection. For the long period of forty years Dr. Allen has been a trustee of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent’s Hill: is an overseer of Bowdoin College and a member of the visiting committee of the Maine State College. He is also a mcmlier of the Maine Historical Society and has read many papers before that body, several of which have been published in its collections. At the annual commencement of the State College in 1890, a large ] rtrait in oil of Dr. Allen was presented to the institution by the alumni of the College, with appropriate exercises. An address was delivered by K. F. Dan forth, '77, and a poem read by H. M. Estabrooke, '70. On August 1894, occurred the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Allen, which event was celebrated in a most fitting manner in the Methodist church at the West End, Portland, of which Dr. Allen is now pastor. Dr. Allen was married to Miss Ruth S. Morse. August 2. . 1841. Their children are: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brown. Pasadena, California: Miss Isabel Sibley Allen, Portland: Prof. William Albert Allen. Chief Engineer of the Maine Central Railroad. Portland; Prof. Charles Moist Allen. Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, X. V. Dr. Allen can never grow old because his heart is young and he is interested in the good of all young people. Still carrying on the work of the church with much of his old time energy and zeal, he has yet lost none of his solicitude for the noble institution to the foundation of which he gave eight of the best years of his life, and his affection constantly goes out t » the men who were once his boys, with an almost filial regard. Interest in all the good and noble things of life, of education, of Christianity, knows no lessening as the years advance, while faith in the future constantly grows brighter and the hope of immortality becomes more and more blessed and secure. 21