378.77346309 B285f Rev. C. B. Barton. The Founders and Founding of Illinois College ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY 378,77346309 B285f - THE Founders and Founding OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE. 'By T{EY. C. *B. PUBLISHED BY A FEW OF His FRIENDS. JACKSONVILLE, ILL. IN K. LONG. JOB PRIN1 1902. ,LLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY THE Founders and Founding OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE. . C. riBLISHED BY A FEW OF HIS FRIENDS. JACKSONVILLE, ILL. JOHN K. LONG. JOB PRINTER. 1902. 373 PREFACE. THE author of this booklet has long- felt there were facts and features connected with the founding- of Illi- nois College worth preserving that have never been in print, and some published have not been emphasized as they should have been. He has aimed to take the reader back to those primitive days and let him see things as did an eye witness, and realize their bearing upon the College enterprise. Its beginning, its purpose, the diffi- culties it had to encounter, are dwelt upon. Special at- tention is called to the outside labor in laying broad and deep its foundations in the hearts of the people. These and other incidental and necessary features associated with the early life of the College are alluded to in order to give variety and impressiveness to the views attempted to be presented. REV. C. B. BARTON 7 The Founders and Founding of Illinois College. To Rev. John M. Ellis belongs the honor of origin- ating the idea and commencing the work of what be- came Illinois College. In January, 1828, he came to Jacksonville in search of a suitable location for founding a seminary of learning. He awakened an interest in the enterprise which resulted in the formation of a stock company the following April, the shares of which should be $10 each, to erect such a seminary. A commit- tee was appointed to procure subscriptions for the pur- pose of erecting a two story brick building, 60 by 36 feet, with stone foundation. Mr. Ellis had published an ac- count of the work that was in progress, soliciting co- operation in the enterprise. It is a singular coincidence that at this time an association of young men in Yale College were contemplating founding a College in the far West. Correspondence was opened between these par- ties, and at the meeting of the seminary trustees in April, 1829, they accepted the terms of union proposed by the Yale band. By the terms of the agreement, they were to furnish $10,000 for the enterprise and come on to the ground and engage in various departments of the under- 8 taking-. A specification was also made regarding 1 the number at first to be chosen from each party for trustees. This body, thus originating- and organized, g-ave the name of Illinois Colleg-e to the institution. Thus it ap- pears its parentage was from the union of these two forces and not from either alone. Undue prominence has been g-iven to each of these ag-encies, as if we might distin- guish between sunshine and showers in vegetable pro- duction. A further service Mr". Ellis rendered to the enterprise was in spending a summer at the East, helping to raise the $10,000 the Yale band had agreed to furnish. It seems that he preferred to spend the rest of his life in other like endeavors in Christian and educational work. The last of these was to procure extensive lands in Nebraska, to be occupied by an eastern colony, and to establish a College there. On his return to ariange for the colony's march to its promised land, he stopped in Jacksonville to attend the 25th anniversary of the Col- lege, which was an event of great interest. But this last great work he had to leave unfinished, for on reaching his home in the East he was prostrated by a fatal sick- ness, and died in a short time. But he still lives in the memory of a few surviving friends, who think they can trace back to his first visit to our little village much of the growth and culture of the city of Jacksonville. On the first of January, 1830, Rev. Julian M. Sturte- vant opened school with nine scholars, which increased to seventeen the first term. Illinois College has been re- garded quite extensively as a denominational, or inter- 9 denominational institution. Mr. Norton, in his history of Presbyterianism, says: "It was at first intended to be Presbyterian, afterward to be Presbyterian and Congre- gational, but under Mr. Sturtevant's rule, it was carried entirely over to Congregationalism." Mr. Sturtevant says it was never intended to be denominational in any sense whatever, and it never has been. Because it has been manned and managed chiefly by persons belonging- to these denominations, it has been considered by some as belonging to them exclusively. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Neither of these denominations, as such, ever had anything to do with it. In the beginning, it was presented to Presbytery, not to be adopted as its enterprise, but for its favorable regard; but Presbytery would not so much as give it this, and Mr. Ellis was ad- vised to prosecute his enterprise independently, which he did, and the result was the union with the voluntary association of young men already mentioned. True, the enterprise was commenced and has been carried on by men of these denominations, which was natural and nec- essary, as there were no others to do it. But in later years, when the supply of competent men was increased, men of other denominations have had positions in the institution. The College claimed to be, and has been simply an educational institution of Christian character. It is operated and regulated by men chosen for their fit- ness to fill the places they occupy, with no regard to their denominational relations. There are enough col- leges in the state to meet the demand for denominational 10 preference; let there be one, at least, that is not of Paul, or Apollos or Cephas, but of Christ only. Others may be of Him as truly as if they had no distinctive prefix. The difference is, the one is single-eyed, the other sees thing's double; and as human nature is, they may not harmonize and be helpful for the supreme object; the subordinate may get into the place of the supreme. For many years, the same studies were pursued by all in each college class, and all received the same de- gree; but a change was made, so that in each class dif- ferent courses may be pursued and different degrees awarded. This certainly has been a great improvement. Every young man, if he has not already chosen his pro- fession or occupation before preparing for it, has a cast of mind that will lead him to his appropriate choice, and that should be allowed to determine his course of study. For many years, Wednesday afternoon was devoted to declamations or compositions, these exercises being at- tended by all the scholars and open to the public. This was a pleasing and profitable part of our college course. The first dormitory, built in the early thirties, was burned in 1852. Mr. Sturtevant says that his experience, both in Yale and here, led him to feel that there were so many evils connected with students living in so close con- nection that he was in no hurry to rebuild a dormitory. Immediate attention was directed to building a structure for the public uses of the College. This work took four years of time; it was afterward named Sturtevant Hall. But Mr. Sturtevant, after many years' trial of having I 1 students board in families and living- away from each other, came to the conclusion that the disadvantages of this system were much greater than those of the dormi- tory plan, and it was decided to build the present dormi- tory, Crampton Hall. Here is seen in Mr. Sturtevant a lovely trait. While he was very positive in his opinions, he was open to conviction, and would change his course cheerfully. I have in mind a number of such instances, one of which I will relate. I had asked of him a certain privilege, which I felt belonged to every one who fur- nished evidence of his right to it. He said (very kindly) it could not be granted, because it was not customary. I asked him if he was sure the custom was right. He could only say, "It would be best to observe it." We parted, I in grief, he in perplexity. Years after we met, and he said, "I have long" wanted to see you and say you were right and I was wrong, and I have long practiced as you requested." In the board of trust, he once ad- vocated alone a certain measure, and time showed that if his advice had been followed, it would probably have been greatly to the financial interests of the College. What he believed to be right he would abide by, or re- linquish whatever he had thought was right or best when there was evidence that it was not, whatever the cost to him. I must here relate, as briefly as possible, the most critical crisis in the finances of the College that has ever occurred. It was the crash that came in '37. For five or six years an extraordinary influx of immigration 12 poured into Illinois. Every dollar that a man had, and all he could borrow, was put into land, and a universal mania for town and city building 1 prevailed. Hundreds of these were drawn elaborately on paper and staked out on many a prairie, and lots sold on credit to all who could be duped to purchase. The College management thought it a grand opportunity to establish an ample endowment, so many friends of education were becoming wealthy. Pledges to the amount of $75,000 were soon obtained. The College greatly enlarged its expenses, and plans for the future were entered upon. And all its hope and ex- pectation was built upon as delusive a foundation as the deceptive mirage. These conceptions culminated in the financial crash of '37, and left the College, with those it had trusted, stranded on the shore of a threatening sea. These landholders had the elephant on their hands, and could neither keep him nor get rid of him. "Land poor" was the term by which they designated themselves. There had been large bodies of lands donated to the Col- lege which, in time, would furnish ample endowment. These were disposed of to meet the emergency, and it was here Mr. Sturtevant arrayed himself against the entire Board of Trust by a plan which time convinced him would have saved this large property from being sacrificed. The history of this whole affair is graphically described by Mr. S. in the 16th chapter of his autobiog- raphy. It is profitable reading for all persons thinking to profit by financial ventures. 13 This craze affected more or less all occupations and pursuits ; even college students were drawn into this mighty maelstrom which engulfed its thousands. Some young- men thought they saw a shorter cut to eminence than through the long- colleg-e course and the tedium of a profession, and they duped associates to patronize them. I was shallow enoug-h to take a few risks, but more fortunate than most others, for, by exchang-es, I secured a lot on College avenue, which paid my college indebtedness when I left. The stringency of the times compelled many students to go "on tick" for tuition, food and raiment, and some never met these claims. How the College weathered the storm, while so many enterprises and so many business men were overwhelmed by it, seems a mystery, almost a miracle. May it not have been, in part at least, that its managers "asked wisdom of God, and it was granted to them?" If the age of miracles is past, that of believing prayer remains a factor and force, that pervades and purifies the fountains of influence that are to fill the world with the knowledge of God. There was much opposition to be met. Ignorance and prejudice were in evidence everywhere. Let a few facts indicate their prevalence and their bearing upon the College enterprise. It was a stereotyped statement with a large number of ministers, that they had not "spent four years rubbing their backs against a college wall." Even the distinguished Peter Cartwright made this boast in a sermon, which Mr, Sturtevant heard soon 14 after his arrival in Jacksonville, and it was evident it was intended for his ear, and to define his posi- tion toward the man and his work. But Cartwright afterward accepted the title of D. D. from a Methodist college. This boast, so general, was a direct aim against collegiate education, and it was not without its effect upon the public mind. The first sermon I ever heard on College Hill (be- fore it became such) was in the log cabin where Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant commenced housekeeping. The preacher said, the Bible was so named by joining the two words "by" and "bill." By, he said, meant a path as we say by-path, and bill meant a writing of instruction, and the two together were applied to the scriptures, which were man's guide to heaven. We can but laugh at such ignorance, but many who heard him were as ignorant as he, and thought him a wise, learned man. In 1838 the proper school officer who furnished for me (whom he had never seen) an elaborate certificate of qualifications to teach, could not sign his name thereto, but made his mark. About this time I heard a candidate for a seat in the legislature pledge himself to oppose taxation for schools, "especially," he said, "for gal schools." He was applauded, but not elected. When Vandalia was the state capital the legislature defeated an educational bill, and celebrated the victory in a drunken revelry, breaking all the table furniture, and the next day passed a bill for an appropriation to pay 15 the damage. It was five years before a charter for the College could be obtained, and only then by putting- it into an omnibus bill to secure its passage. These things with many others witness to a great amount of ignorance and prejudice against, or indifference to, educational institutions of a high order. Rudimental education was all the mass of the people could see any use for in the affairs of life. This was evidenced by a young man leaving college, saying: "I can preach well enough without learning;" and he easily obtained a license to do so, and was acceptable to a large portion of the popula- tion. But there were greater and more formidable forces to be encountered, existing in the framework of society. Universal customs are an almost impregnable wall to any innovation. The free, unlimited use of intoxicating liquors was a mighty barrier to this enterprise. A tem- perance man was regarded as being hostile to the people because he could not approve of the universal habit of liquor drinking. A single example will illustrate the bearing of this custom on the College enterprise. Not long after Mr. Sturtevant came, a package arrived at Naples for him. A gentleman (and he was such, meas- ured by the standard of those times) being down there and knowing it would be a great favor to take it to him did so. When he delivered it Mr. S. asked : "What shall I pay you for this kindness ?" The reply was : "Nothing, sir ; but, of course, you will treat." He re- plied : "I never use intoxicants or furnish them to 16- others." The man was amazed at what he considered a want of good breeding-. Suppose Mr. S. had then or at any subsequent time asked him for a subscription for the College, what an- swer would he most likely have given? It would have been about this: "Do you men expect to build up such an institution as you propose in a community whose per- sonal habits and social life you array yourselves against, and in which you will, of course, inculcate your obnox- ious principles, and have you the presumption to ask the people you thus assail to help you in this nefarious at- tack upon the order of society?" Such a reply, I am confident, would have met the approval of a large por- tion of the population of this region of country. These founders well knew that before any considerable success in their enterprise could be attained, there must be a radical change of public sentiment in regard to this and other antagonistic forces, and they set themselves rigor- ously to the task of procuring it. A still greater obstacle had to be met in the pro- slavery sentiment that prevailed in central and southern Illinois. This portion of the state was settled largely by emigrants from slave states, who came here to get away from slavery, but, strange as it may appear, they retained their deep hatred of emancipation. Nothing could be a greater odium than to be favorable to the abo- lition cause. It was regarded with the utmost contempt among all classes, high and low. Even children indulged in the opprobrious epithet " 'abolitionist" A little girl 17 belonging- to one of the would-be first families of the town, got angry at a schoolmate, and in trying to vent her displeasure exclaimed: "You, you old abolitionist." This intense hatred was brought to bear heavily upon the men of the College, who were always very reticent on the subject; but the storm of invective was made to beat upon them in proportion to their prominent position in the community, and what was supposed to be the weight of their influence. The Lovejoy tragedy greatly intensified this hostility to the College men, as President Beecher had stood by the man in his peril. He and all the College men were threatened with violence, and there was much reason to fear that a mob would be raised not only to attack these men, but to do violence to the College buildings. But, though no violence was attempted, and the excitement eventually died down, yet, as Mr. Sturtevant observes, "It left in many minds a feeling of intense hatred to us all, and these hostile feelings were not confined to such persons as generally compose a mob, but affected many individuals of wealth and social standing, and even of religious reputation." Even the newspapers joined in the general outcry against the College, and for many years this prejudice toward the institution remained a barrier to its growth and usefulness. This hostility could not be successfully argued away, but, as Mr. Stur- tevant says, "a generation has lived it down," and he adds, "The history of those days is a sad story; my soul hath it in remembrance and is humbled." 18 Very early in the College enterprise Mr. Sturtevant, President Beecher and Rev. Wm. Kirby were arraigned before Presbytery for alleged heresy. This transaction resulted in the disgrace of their accuser, but, as in all such cases, he had his sympathizers, who, with him, still retained their hostility to the College. This was after- ward seen in a singular event which should be recorded, as I presume'nothing of the kind has ever occurred before or since anywhere. Such became the disposition of many of the respectable citizens towards what they conceived to be the management of the College that a public meet- ing was called to take it into consideration, and, if pos- sible, put it into other hands. Though it proved a fruit- less effort, it increased and intensified the hostile feeling for a season. Unreasonable hostility is the slowest of all things to die. But there was a bright side to the College picture in its beginning; it had friends and helpers when strug- gling for existence, and they deserve to be remembered for their devotion to this enterprise. The clerk of the College trustees has kindly given me the names of the stock company and trustees of the seminary, which de- veloped into the College, and are deserving first mention. They are: Enoch C. March, Henry Robley, David Marks, William Thomas, John Allen, Samuel D. Lockwood, James Kerr, J. R. Sims, Daniel Roberts, Wm. R. Smith, Dennis Rockwell, Archibald Job, Nathan Compton, Wm. C. Posey, Hector G. Taylor, J. P. Wilkinson, Jas. M. Fairfield, Dr. Ero Chandler, John Leeper, John Tilson, 19 Jr., and Wm. Collins. In December, 1829, these stock- holders and trustees elected three of their number to be associated with the seven of the Yale band as trustees of the College. Why this difference I could never un- derstand. The Yale band consisted of: Revs. Theron Baldwin, John F. Brooks, Mason Grosvenor, Albert Hale, Elisha Jenney, William Kirby, Julian M. Sturte- vant and Asa Turner. In addition to these who thus organized themselves to build up this institution, there is written on my memory a large number who gave the enterprise their hearty and helpful support. On no one thing- did its success depend more than on the energetic and self-denying action of these men. But for them the College would have gone elsewhere, perhaps out of the state, and a large part of our city's beauty and boast might have been wanting. These men promptly pledged liberal support out of extreme poverty. I wish I had space to tell of individual cases, but a single one must suffice. Mr. Ellis' salary as pastor of the Presby- terian church was only $300, which ''might be paid in produce." The cause had been previously presented in Madison and Bond counties, where subscriptions had been given to secure the College, Deacon Collins sub- scribing $400. These men were so generous as to turn over to it their subscriptions after it had been located here. Outside this community were a number of other men earnestly devoted to this work; none, however, could have been more so than Rev. Thomas Lippincott. He accompanied Mr. Ellis on his first visit to Jacksonville, 20 and in many ways rendered valuable assistance. In his earlier life, he was prominent in public affairs. It is believed he was especially instrumental in saving- this state from the curse of slavery. No man of those trying- times, and through all his life, combined more excellen- cies of character, or wielded a wider influence for right- eousness in state, educational and ecclesiastical affairs than did he, and none surpassed him in amiable demean- or. While he lived, he was a pillar of strength to the College. It is interesting to note that from the families here named or alluded to, and those of the first faculty of the College, as many as sixty students have graduated, quite a number distinguished in their profession. These early fruits in the immediate vicinity had much to do in giving the College confidence abroad. Look over its catalogue and see to what extent its invitations to its halls have been accepted, and to what extent it has sent out its benign influence, and then look back to its hum- ble beginnings, and renew your faith in, and devotion to Old Illinois. The founders of the College realized that a Christian College could never be sustained in the midst of irre- ligion, ignorance and immorality; that there must be feeders for this fountain of knowledge, and appropriate applicants must not be wanting to draw from it. There- fore they went out into all the surrounding- regions preaching the Gospel, establishing churches and schools, and through these and their personal influence bringing the surrounding communities into close touch with the 21 College. These labors extended over a large portion of the state. Some of these men enlarged their limits and labors in conjunction with other educational and relig- ious organizations, which gave character and favor to their first and fondest enterprise. I should love to give a full detail of this department of their labors. It is a broad field, rich in results, two of which I cannot omit. In one village where they established both a church and school, a farmer boy, through these, was led to the Col- lege* graduated with honor, became a distinguished minister of the Gospel, and the president of his alma mater* He wore himself out in the service of the institu- tion, died in the prime of life, beloved and mourned by hundreds whose lives he had touched and quickened as it were by a divine inspiration. Another result (besides many young men coming from the towns and rural dis- tricts where they had thus wrought) was the material aid given to the College. In after years these communi- ties were able still and willing to give as had been given them. An agent was employed to visit extensively throughout the state to procure notes payable to the College in annual installments, and in all places where these men had been forerunners liberal subscriptions were obtained. "From whence the waters came thither they return again," is as true in ethics as in nature. - Al- most all these men spent their lives in such labors as had more or less bearing upon the prosperity of the College. While they all practiced much selfdenial, and endured severe hardships, one of them deserves special mention 22 here, and again further on in a different connection. This one contracted a fatal disease through fatigue and exposure and died in a few days before he could be taken to his home in Jacksonville. And all these men gave up the opportunities so many others of these times took advantage of to lay foundations of wealth. But here we will leave the outside men and their work and look within. In some respects we shall find things very inferior to present furnishings, in some possibly superior. The conveniences for working have been wonderfully im- proved, but whether the workmen have been superior might be a question. We think, however, some of the College's early products would compare favorably with any of its later outputs. The first faculty were men of vigorous minds, but greatly differing. Beecher was profound; he must go to the depth of things. His radicalism was the inspiration of his "Conflict of Ages," his preexistent theory. He must get back, behind all seen and suffered by man now, to account for the mysteries of life. In discussing his theory before the faculty he once observed; "You see the difficulty of accounting for man's character and con- dition here is removed." "Yes," said the quick discern- ment of Dr. Adams, "you use the right word, it is re- moved, but not solved." To his view it was only thrust back into deeper obscurity, where there is no prophet or vision to help us. But Beecher was an intellectual giant, and a more humble, godly man I never knew. 23 Mr. Sturtevant's mind was mathematical, philosophical. In his teaching- and writings he looked at the subject he was treating- in all its relations and bearings. As a teacher he was greatly respected and the life and delight of the social circle. The divided state of the Christian church was a great grief to him. In his estimation denominationalism was damaging to vital Christianity. Mr. Post was poetical. He had great command of language. He never lacked for imagery. He clothed his thoughts in the purest, most impressive words pos- sible. His amiable disposition and lovely spirit were re- markable. He was loved, admired and honored as few men ever are. Prof. Turner was a nondescript; for, as he said of himself, "I believe so to-day, but there is no knowing what I shall believe to-morrow." He was practical and ready for whatever might turn up for his hand to do. Hence the time came in which he could no longer en- dure the treadmill routine of colleg-e life; he must get out into the wide working world and quicken its march to higher achievement in all enterprises; and how he did it is seen in the universal hedge fence up to the State University. Recitations were held in the morning by candle- light; why, I never could conceive. Churches and other public rooms had a chandelier of a dozen or more can- dles, and their drippings upon the floor were conspicu- ous. Some people were progressive enough to utilize hog's lard by putting a wick into it in an earthen vessel. -24- Coal oil had not been discovered; no such thing as the modern lamp had been thought of. Our rooms were not heated, but slightly warmed by a wood fire in an open fire-place. Coal had not been discovered except in very few places and in small quantities. When students crowd- ed around the open fire too thickly the outsiders would cry out: "Heat radiates in straight lines." Stoves were not in use. Until the first dormitory was burned the faculty and their families sat at the same tables in the dining room with the students. This arrangement had a very restraining and refining influence upon the students, and it was productive of a pleasing and profitable intimacy between them. There was connected with the College a farm and work shops, where students might labor, and many did so, paying a part of their expenses in this way. By this means and other employments furnished in the institu- tion much help was afforded to indigent students, and at first these were a majority. One of these is worthy of mention here. He came to town a bare-footed boy; eager to obtain an education, and set himself to the task with a will. It was my privilege to give him the first lessons in the preparatory course. In college, by the labor of his own hands chiefly, he obtained sufficient food, often only bread and molasses. He secured the high distinction of "professor of dust and ashes." He graduated with honor, but not with special distinction. For some years he made teaching his occupation, in which he exhibited unusual ability for improvements in -25- educational lines, which led up to his being- elected state superintendent for six terms of two years each. Afterwards he was president of a noted college many years until his late decease. In colleg-e he had a great trial which he bore heroically. In after days he endured a protracted conflict with skeptical doubts, until his faith was fastened immovably upon the Rock of Ages. Perhaps, all thing's considered, the early colleg-e pro- duced the fairest specimen of its work in Hon. Newton Bateman. As I have meditated upon the feeble beginning's of the Colleg-e and its present attainment, many striking- contrasts have been seen. One I will relate with the lesson it teaches. When Mr. Sturtevant showed his highly cultured wife of refined tastes the log- cabin where they were to begin housekeeping-, her feeling's overcame her and she could not refrain from tears. But soon her nobler self g-ained the victory over her grief and she cheerfully submitted to the inevitable. In this rude structure with a small bedroom at one end, and a larg-er one for kitchen, parlor, dining- room, and all other pur- poses, they spent a year or two happy and hopeful, de- voted to their life work. On the same ground where this cabin stood was recently erected a magnificent, im- posing edifice for the occupancy of their successors in the same great enterprise. It furnishes every possible convenience and comfort for family enjoyment, and the entertainment of friends in the most pleasing manner. Did ever greater extremes meet and minister to the same 26 noble end? "God confounds the weak things of the world with the mighty," that means to mingle and blend opposites so that their separate natures or forms cannot be distinguished. The weakest and strongest instrumentalities combined become a new force for greater efficiency. One star differeth from another star in glory, but when they converge and concentrate their rays upon a single object how much they "aid each other's shining." The rude cabin is exalted and refined by its association with the costly edifice in the same noble service; the latter finds its brightest honor in be- ing thus associated with the former. Beecher Hall, the first in the fight, crumbling with age, covered with moss and mildew, and this beautiful mansion, richly pan- oplied, elaborately equipped, standing side by side as veteran and newly enlisted, are worthy equal honor and admiration, the one for the achievements it has made, the other for the laurels it may win. "Despise not the day of small things," but let it be an inspiration to higher aims and nobler achievements. This sketch would be greatly wanting were nothing said of the companions of these men, and of those who aided them in their great enterprise. Most of them brought their wives with them, having had pick and choice out of the abundant supply of refined and cultured ladies at the East. In those early times such an one would be a rare bird at the West and many would try to cage her. The youngest of their number came without a helpmeet, but found one who had preceded him, in 97 z.1 / every way qualified to be his companion. I will give a brief outline of their life of some 20 years or more. They commenced their work with a small church that could do but little for them. A single incident, though an extreme case, will show what all these men and their wives had to endure to a greater or less extent. A prom- inent, marked event is usuall} 7 evidence of minor, similar ones connected therewith. This man, to get coarse bread for his family, once rode ten miles in one direction to get a grist of corn, took it ten miles in another di- rection to get it ground, had to leave it until the next day, when he went and brought it home, thus riding 60 miles on horseback on a sack of corn, spending three days' time to get coarse bread for a few weeks' supply. His wife baked the bread outdoors in a Dutch oven by an open fire. But these stringent times did not last very long; yet it was here their first child was born, who, for years, has borne the title of LL.D., is a prominent lawyer, an honored trustee of the college for whose ben- efit they both seemed to have shortened their lives by these hardships, neither of them reaching the meridian of life. And such, too, was the untimely death of num- bers of others aiding the same work. Mrs. Ellis, who was a highly cultured French lady, was the first to live and die in this work. She and her two children were among the first victims of the cholera in 1833. For three years she taught a private school in her own house of three rooms, with no domestic help, and often entertain- ing for days or for a week the fresh arrivals to join the 28 advance guard. Her school was the small beginning out of which has grown the now so highly distinguished Female Academy of the city of Jacksonville. Twenty-live years after her death one of her pupils in an article on her character wrote thus of her and others who came after her: "It has been a real luxury to me to go back in memory 25 years and sit again at her feet and listen to her impassioned eloquence which thrilled my youthful heart; and now I gratefully realize what it was to young minds wholly unacquainted with society in the then uncultured West, to be stamped un- der her influence." The article closes with this tribute to her memory and that of many others: "Many lovely and excellent partners of western missionaries have been early called to rest from their labors. Many sweet and lovely flowers have been transplanted from various parts of our land to droop and die on our prairies; but some of us will never forget that among them bloomed and withered a beautiful and lovely exotic" Of all these no one excelled in beauty of person, in loveliness of spirit, and in mental endowment, the first Mrs. Sturtevant. She was truly a helpmeet; for her husband often deferred to her judgment in doubtful questions. The benefits of the College to our community are in- estimable. Its existence creates a thirst for knowledge. Two sons of the man who sought a seat in the legisla- ture by decrying educational institutions were of the nine with whom Mr. Sturtevant opened the College. The founding of the College here, at the time it took 29 place, has been largely instrumental in establishing 1 the other educational and eleemosynary institutions with which Jacksonville is blest. It has served greatly to give our city a refined, cultured, Christian people. Nu- merous instances of its influence in this regard might be cited; one I will give: A lady informs me that both of her grandfathers moving from the East intended to settle in Ohio, but hearing of the founding of Illinois College, journeyed on to Jacksonville. The first family came in 1830 and furnished two students for the College, one graduating in the class of '36. The other also fur- nished two, one graduating from the college department, the other from the medical. This family, from the de- vout, honored father, to his descendants of to-day in pub- lic and private life, have contributed much to the well being of this and other communities. Like a city set on a hill the College in its varied re- lations to the welfare of mankind is not hid; as well talk of hiding the sun in its mid-day splendor, or clouding the heavens when all its shining stars bespangle the vast firmament. Take the catalogue that records the names, the whereabouts and whatabouts of the gradu- ates for 65 years, note carefully the probable details of each one's life and what an aggregate of blessing to the world, to be measurably credited to the College. And their services have been in the most formative period of the world's history. Illinois College was founded in prayer and watered with tears. In my long life I have not known greater 30 intellectual ability, more godly fear, greater zeal and devotion concentrated upon one object than upon this. The men who undertook it were wonderfully en- dowed. Their places are now occupied by men recently chosen. If the mantle of the first has fallen upon the last the friends of the College need not fear for its future prosperity. Without such equipment a just concern might be awakened in its behalf. But let no one utter complaint without studying- well the conditions that may demand changes of men and measures. The indis- pensable factor demanded, is men of ability and unselfish consecration to the work they have undertaken. It will be a sad omen when the spirit that founded the College shall fail to foster it. In closing I wish to leave a picture that has come to my vision in this late hour of life, concerning "the con- summation of all things." I see the innumerable insti- tutions of learning throughout the world combined with all Christian enterprises, with all moral, social, civil in- fluences, and the mighty physical forces operating every- where in innumerable forms, and I ask: "Can it be that the highest value of each one of these is in what it is per sef Is each an ultimate end? Or are their highest values in being instrumentalities to one grand, glorious consummation?" They are to my mind God's mighty, majestic drama, in which each successive act sustains a vital relation to the end of all things being enacted here. Divine revelation seems to justify this view. "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased," 31 until it fills the earth as the waters the seas. The Gos- pel is to be preached to all nations under the whole heavens, until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of Christ, and then shall the end come. This end will be the beginning- of that, for which all else had ever been. Oh, who would not love to see this end, Toward which all things did ever trend; 'Twill be a delight hitherto untold, To witness the last scenes the prophets unfold. To see this seething, sweltering world at rest, Each man and nation in each other blest; To see foundations stable and secure, Temples and towers of truth to endure. To witness the "Once more shaking of earth and heaven, And see what remains that cannot be shaken." The world has been moving from the beginning, Toward a consummation all hopes fulfilling. What a sight to see this work completed, And all hostility forever defeated. 'Twill be the golden age the world has waited for, Ruled by reason, governed by righteous law. But we may see it all and vastly more, When we've crossed the river to the shining shore; Where we shall live on through ages untold, And see the last act of this drama unfold. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 378 77346309B285F C001 THE FOUNDERS AND FOUNDING OF ILLINOIS CO 30112025306579