Williams College - Gulielmensian Yearbook (Williamstown, MA)

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GREETING. l 'Q' The NINETY-Savl-:N GUI. brings you its hearty greeting, The work entrusted to its editors has been prosecuted with considerable satisfaction, and if the annual meet in a general way the approval of their fellow students, they will feel they have labored not altogether in vain. This college year appears to have been one of unusual good feeling and pros- perity, and it does not seem exaggeration to say that students and faculty are beginning, more generally, to appreciate each other's needs. The editors con- gratulate the college on the adoption of an honor system for examinations, and trust that espionage is a thing of the past. They are glad also to notice increased activity in the social life of Williams, and await with expecta- tion the Dramatics and the Sophomore Promenade. The baseball interests are already in the minds of all, and the editors predict for the Ninety-Six team, captained by the tried and faithful Lewis, a season which shall eclipse even that of Ninety-Five. It is with satisfaction, then, we present you the GUI., and trust it will bring with it something of pleasure. THE EDITORS.

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JAMES WHITE in T is fortunate if one's occupation is from the outset a natural centre of his tastes and a firm basis of his powers. Tastes and powers thus concur and offer no difficulty in the reconciliation. It is not so certain that our conventional sentiments or even our educational processes will tend to carry a man to his true position. These are apt to take upon themselves a predesti- nating power not of the wisest. When one finds his place by virtue of mutual attractions, life-long concord and strength are the result. This good fortune fell to james White. He had the characteristics of a solid, not a speculative, a Boston, not a Chicago, business man. He was interested in practical affairs, he was clear in thought, exact, prompt, positive, even peremptory at times. An early conscientious predisposition to the ministry gave way on the occasion of ill health, and he went into trade in Boston. This business, successfully pursued for a long period, became the centre of an exceedingly useful life. His more spiritual endowments gathered about his calling, rested back upon it for support, and in turn gave it breadth of influence and a diffused, wholesome, organic force. In a long life, he brought spiritual impulses, in a plain, prac- tical, persistent way, to the service of society, instead of theoretically exploiting obscure dogma in the region of faith. In this we think him fortunate in the degree in which the wholeness of one's own life is the crowning form of integrity. James White was born in 1828 in the staid, Puritanic town of Hinsdale, the son of a large and influential farmer. In concession to his tastes, the father concluded to give him a liberal education, and sent him to Williston Seminary, and later to Williams College, where he was graduated in 1857. He won distinction in college by good scholarship and substantial personal qualities. After graduation, he spent two years as tutor in Williston Seminary, and went thence to the seminary at Andover. He was a year and a half in the seminary, and then, on the occasion of a disease in the nerve of the eye, he left and entered the employment of White, Brown, Davis Sc Co. His brother joseph was a member of this firm, and james soon became a member. They were importers of dry goods, and did a prosperous business. Mr. White remained with the firm until 1875, when he Hnally retired from business He was elected to the lower branch of the Legislature in 1876 and in 1877, and for the two following years to the Senate. His substantial qualities gave him marked success in both offices. In 1886 he removed to Williamstown and be- came treasurer of the college, which position he held to his death, September 9