Ursinus College - Ruby Yearbook (Collegeville, PA)

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Our Historic Neighborhood. •• Hi.stoiy i ;« miglUy li;iiu:t, -n;ictr ! upon the theatre of time with suns for lumps, anil eternity for a hiickgrotnul —Cntlylr. TIIKRK is probably no neighborhood in all our country whose local history has played so important a part in our national development as our own. When we think that it was in this broad, beautiful valley of the Perkiomen and upon yonder blue crested hills that Washington and his ragged Continentals camped, we almost feel that we are treading on holy ground. Indeed, this district in which we live is no mean place, for it has been the arena of memorable events and honorable actions. THI-: « I.n CHI'KOI AT TK A 1 1 1- But a stone-throw from the entrance to our college lies the ancient and by no means the least important village of our community. The Honorable Judge Penny packer says of it: “ Almost within sight of us lies the rural and Pennsylvania Dutch village of Trappe, with a population, it may be, of four hundred people, whose houses are stretched on each side of the pike. In that village there lived the founder of one of the most important of American churches. In it were born a major-general in the Revolutionary Army and a United States Senator ; the president of the first American Congress under the Constitution; one of the most noted of American botanists, whose labors and writings have met with • 4

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J. H. Bomberger, and returned Hast, locating at Landisburg, Pa. After an active pastorate of nearly four years here, he accepted a call to St. Luke’s Reformed Church, Trappe, which church had been served by Dr. Bomberger from the founding of the college to this date, i88|. While at Trappe lie was elected a member of the Board of Directors of the College, and on two separate occasions collected sums of five: thousand dollars in the community for the benefit of the institution. Beginning with September, 1886. he entered the service of the College as Field Secretary, and in 1891 became Professor of Psychology. On the sixth of July, 1893, he was elected President of the College, and one year later received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Heidelberg I'niversity. President Spangler is a man who has risen from the ranks. The same energy that enabled him to be graduated as valedictory of his class has made his life a success. Ilis life, we believe, has just begun to develop its resources of useful ness, and we trust that Ursinus may long sec him at the helm of affairs. “ Reverently, loyally, hopefully, I accept the trust which you have committed to my hands, not to impose a personal policy upon the institution, in which we enjoy a common interest, but to carry out your generous purposes, to help realize your ideals, and to crown your hopes. Relying on your cooperation and Support, confidently expecting the sympathy and good will which brother cherishes for brother, and trusting above all in the help of Ilim, whose grace alone insures success, 1 pledge you my best efforts to maintain inviolate the trust that has come to us from the past and during the time of my administration to make Ursinus College serve its day and generation to the full measure of its opportunities. ’’ Thus spoke Dr. Spangler in his inaugural address 011 the sixth of September. 1893, and we are confident that the present effective condition of the institution is but the result of his promised word. A magnificent legacy passed into his hands, when Dr. Bomberger’s stable foundation was entrusted to his care, and the fact that he has been true to his trust is most clearly shown in the superb superstructure which he has erected. In his policy and aims Dr. Spangler, as President of the College, has been true to the traditions of the institution and has labored in full accord with the principles of her history. While raising her rank among educational forces, he has broadened her boundaries and lengthened her stakes. The sound basis on which the College stands and her honorable relations to the church and educational world are all the products of our President's labor, and are justly appreciated by all well-wishers of Ursinus. Dr. Spangler has put his life into the life of the College. His success and the success of the institution have become one. The sentiment that “ Every noble life leaves its fibres interwoven forever in the works of the world.” is exemplified here ; and the Class of 1901 are unanimous in the desire that both he and the College may go on together from victory to victory. «:

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approval all over the world ; a colonel in the war of 1812 and an adjutant-general an I attorney-general of Wisconsin ; a governor of the State of Pennsylvania ; a Congressman and two State Senators; a president of Girard College, and an auditor-general of the State of Pennsylvania. In it there lived the ancestors of the Todds, of Kentucky, and the maternal ancestors of General Grant, besides another general of the Revolutionary Army. I challenge any community in this broad land from Maine to Texas to show that with the same population they have produced an equal number of people of like distinction in public life.” Situated in this interesting village, which calls forth such a tribute of eloquence. stands the most remarkable monument erected by pioneer zeal and piety. Indeed, the very walls and old worm eaten pewsof theTrappe Church almost whisper of scenes hallowed bv patrotism. which were enacted within their sight. With this sacred old building is insoluble linked the name of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, its founder, whose body rests under the shadow of the dear old building that he loved so well. The old Trappe church was built in 1743, was dedicated in 1745, and is the oldest standing Lutheran Church in America. To te'l the story of its building and the heroic struggle of Muhlenberg and the early settlers in erecting this temple of God would occupy too much space. Suffice it to say that with great sacrifice they accomplished their object, and in 1750 had the pleasure and honor of entertaining the General Synod of the Colonies within its walls. During the Revolutionary War it was used as a hospital, and in it our first President worshiped. But Trappe was not only the birthplace of the Lutheran faith, she was also the cradle of the Reformed ; for here in a little log church, built where the Reformed Cemetery is now located, Michael Schlatter and his little flock gave of their poverty to God. The Reformed faith was planted in this soil one year earlier than the Lutheran, Michael Schlatter founding the Reformed Church in 1742 and Muhlenberg doing the same for the Lutheran in 1743. However, the little log church of the Reformed was not built until 1735. ten years after the dedication of the Lutheran. The present structure, known as St. Luke’s Reformed Church, is the legitimate successor to the log temple of Schlatter. When the dark days of the Revolutionary War hung like a pall over the new-born colonies, these hills and valleys were lit up by the gleam of saber and 5