Westminster College - Blue Jay Yearbook (Fulton, MO)

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yearn I-roxlli' I co G- ,fZ fI,2'i :'f,.P i f Three Great Interests of Man: Christianity, Education, and Liberty. The building thus begun was finished in 1854 at a cost of over 315,000 Ou this same fourth of july the cornerstone of the state School, for the Deaf and Dumb was laid in Fulton. Every Westiiiiiister man will be particularly interested in the First An- nual Cataloguef' that of 1853-4, as reprinted in Dr. Fisher's history of VVest- minster. One can readily see that though the college' had been opened but a short time, the character of its curriculum was already of the highest, comparing favor- ably with the best institutions in the state. During the year 114 students were enrolled. We find also in this catalogue that the Philologic Literary Society had been or- ganized. The Philologic Hall, which for over fifty years has been the home of this society, was dedicated two years later, in 1855. ' Some parts of this first catalogue sound f strange-times are so different now. For instance, Fulton is described as a healthy and pleasant village of about twelve hundred inhabitants, one hundred and twenty miles from St. Louis, by the stage, which runs daily and is about twenty-four hours on the way, and it is only fourteen miles from St. Aubert's Landing on the Missouri river, from which point a hack runs for public ac- cominodationf' Our branch line of the Chicago and Alton is quite anim- provement after all! We ind further, Boardingg including washing, fires, and lights, in Fulton or within a reasonable distance, is 5151.50 to i3.00aWeek. The whole expenses will average somewhere between one hundred and one hun- dred and fifty dollars a year. ' The Hrst annual commencement was in June, 1855. Mr. james G. Smith received the first diploma given by Vvestminster College. Mr. Smith, who was a minister, died in 1863. His body rests near the old homestead and near the college of which he was the first graduated son. This year the attendance had increased greatly. It was during this session that the Philalethian Literary Society was' organized. The Philalethian Hall, 110W occupied by this society, was dedicated in 1855. At this first commence- ment Rev. S. S. Laws was elected by the board to the presidency of the college. He accepted and thus became XUCSt1lll11Sl6I'yS first president. The faculty was 13 1

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-'W .- 1 ' P 4 Elia Y A Shari lqiatnrg nf lllratminatvr Olulhegv fThe writer has used Dr. Fisher's History of Westminster College as his source of material, much is copied almost word for wordj Y ESTMINSTERS historian ought indeed to be inspir- ed when he looks back over the half-century and more of his Alma Mater's existence. As he thinks of the men she has trained and equipped for service in various life-works, and of all associated with her columns, he begins to feel what a grand old college she really is! So the writer, though poetically in- clined, will not call upon Clio, the muse of history, to aid him in, his chronicle, but will leave her un- molested. His college's history in itself should be sufficient inspiration. - 'Westminster was founded by the Presbyterians. A The first Presbyterian church i11 Missouri was organized just ninety years ago. As the denomination grew stronger its attention was drawn to the work of higher education. A college was founded soon after Missouri was admitted to the Union. It was named Marion Col- legef' . This little institution, we are told, did much good during the few years of its existence. We mention it to show that the importance and need of higher institutions of learning were felt from the first. In 1851, almost thirty years later, the Presbyterian church in Fulton took steps to found an institution to be known as Fulton College. The college was organized, and opened the following October. About fifty students attended the first session. From this time to the chartering of Westminster in 1853 the number of students increased every session. Such was the germ of o11r present institution. Westniinster was the outgrowth of this college. In 1852 the synod of the Presbyterian Church determined to found a col- lege and chose Fulton for its location. The name Westminster was given it-a name hallowed in the history of Presbyterianismf' The Missouri legislature granted it a charter in 1853, and William Van Doren was chosen to serve as professor for the first session. He thus became Westminster's first professor. N. C. Kouns, Esq.. was appointedas his assistant. The cornerstone of the building now known as Westminster Hall was laid, on july 4, 1853. Rev. N. L. Rice, D.D., delivered an address on The 12

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'1 T -,Um :Exit ,i 195' f LW Q' , further strengthened and plans were made for securing additional endowment. The second annual commencement was held on the twenty-sixth of June, 1856. The two literary societies celebrated together their first anniversary on Monday night preceding commencement. One hundred and twenty students had been enrolled during this year. F nrther we are told that the college, hav- ing been fairly launched, was now full under way, all the regular classes were in existence and at work. Of interest in this connection is the remarkable statement made by Prof. F. T. Kemper, of Boonville. Near the close of 1856 PHYSICS LABORATORY and a few months before he accepted the chair of Physical Science at West- minster, he Wrote after a visit here, The scholarship of the students has sur- prised me much. The sophomore class would do credit to the senior class in most institutions that I have visited in the West. We can realize the high standing of Westminster College at that time, The fall session of 1857, we are told, opened With brighter prospects for the college than had been witnessed by any previous year. The attend- ance C1705 became larger than ever before,-indeed has not been equalled until ' 14 -w-,m1,....-,ff ,.x..p:.w..,....,a.... .a.aV.......,.,,r.. '