c CENTRAL CIRCULATION BOOKSTACKS The person charging this material is re- sponsible for its renewal or its return to the library from which it was borrowed on or before the Latest Date stamped below. You may be charged a minimum fee of $75.00 for each lost book. Theft, mutilatioiv and underlining of books are reasons for disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from the University. TO RENCW CALL TELEPHONE CENTER, 333-8400 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAiGN 4 1996 When renewing by phone, write new due date below previous due date. L162 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/exercisesatunveiOOIafa o ofrm JUNKIN MEMORIAL TABLET EXERCISES AT- THE UNVEILING OF THK Tunkin Memorial Tablet, AT LAFAYETTE COLLEGE, EASTON, PA., Tuesday, May 24th, 1887 IN MEMORIAM jfe optimi Vtri 3g GEORGIIJUNKIN,DDiLD0^ HujusCollegliConditorls, Praesidis mdcccxxxii-mdcccxli Iterum mdcccxliv-mdcccxlviii. Inter docrrinam ac studia semperversati, VD.M.fidelissimu Praedicafoiis facundissiml, ingenio pr^diti acerrimo. In verbis et in operibus suis potenlis. NAT.KALNOV.MDCCXC OB.XIII ante KAUUN.MDCCaXVIII. " Eugcserve bone,et fidelisr c £r 3/temori] of (aeorge ^unkiu. UNVEILING OF A TABLET TO THE MEMORY OF LAFAYETTE'S FIRST PRESIDENT. 'Tl T 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon a large number of people, /^ principally students, the faculty and their families, and * friends of the college from the city, assembled in the chapel to witness the unveiling of a tablet to the memory of Dr. George Junkin, founder and first President of Lafayette. The tablet — a handsome polished brass one — is placed on the west wall of the chapel, beside the window nearest the northeast door. It was covered with an American flag, which was removed during the exercises, and disclosed a remarkably attradlive memorial. The tablet is 3 feet 6 inches high, and 2 feet 8 inches across. The top is surmounted by a cross and crown. The letters are set in enamel ; about the tablet is a leafy border in black enamel and brass, and outside of all is a black marble border. On it is the inscription, in Latin. The giver did not intend at first that his identity should be divulged so publicly, but in this respe6l he (Dr. Charles Elliott, class of '40) was overruled by his colleagues in the faculty, and the public exercises were decided upon. They opened with prayer by President Knox, after which the choir sang a hymn. Dr. Elliott then arose and made the presentation address, speaking as follows : It is with relu6lance that I make any remarks on the present occasion. It was my wish to put up the tablet quietly, with- out notice to the public, and without a formal dedication ; but I yielded to the opinion of some of my colleagues, who thought a brief ceremony , accompanied by relevant remarks, would be appropriate and expelled. The tablet is a token of afFedlion to a man whom I revered and loved, and whose memory I cherish with an undying devo- tion. It would not be good taste to enter into detail of the acts of kindness which I received from his hand. I will merely state, in general terms, that I owe to him more than I do to any other human being. The Rev. George Junkin, D. D. , lylv. D. , was the founder and first President of this college. His chief aim was to establish an institution in which young men might assist themselves by manual labor while acquiring a liberal educa- tion to fit themselves for what are called the learned profes- sions, especially for the ministry of the gospel. The manual labor feature of the college did not continue many years. Its foundation was laid in prayer. Its walls rose in prayer. It was dedicated with thanksgiving. During the early years of its history it was watched with prayer, with toil and with tears. You see what it is at the present day. If its founder is permitted to look down to-day from his lofty elevation and to see how his early beginnings have been crowned with suc- cess, we may, in imagination, hear him uttering the words of the "Magnificat :" "He that is mighty hath done to me great things ; and holy is His name." Doctor Junkin was a remarkable man — a man highly gifted intelledlually, and of intense energy of chara6ler. He pos- sessed marked individuality, and, to a rare degree, the faculty of impressing his charadler upon his pupils. As a teacher, he was original and suggestive. His aim was not so much to impart instrudlion as to draw out what was in a young man. He was in the true sense an educator. His views of what constitutes the basis of a liberal education differed from some of those of the present day. His opinion was that the founda- tion of a good, well-rounded, symmetrical education should be laid in classics, mathematics, mental and moral science — not excluding, of course, what any reasonable man would consider a due proportion of natural science. It is not wise in any man to decry any branch of useful learning. Natural science has its place — and an important place — in a liberal education. But, if I mistake not, some push its claims to an undue extent, and to the exclusion of other sciences better fitted to cultivate habits of refledlion, and the power of abstradl thinking. The brilliant success of natural 'science, and its contribution to the material wealth and comfort of our race, render the zeal of naturalists highly commendable. Moreover, as a fa6lor in education, it culti- vates, to a greater degree than any other branch of learning, habits of observation. Natural science, in its exclusive char- adler as natural science^ cultivates the senses — mathematics and mental sciences the intelledl. I would not make invidious comparisons between Dr. Jun- kin and the able and accomplished presidents who have suc- ceeded him ; nor between the professors of his day and the professors since. But I will be pardoned for saying that some of Lafayette's most celebrated and successful alumni are among those who were graduated during Dr. Junkin's presidency. I will refer to the late J. B. Ramsey, D. D. , and the Hon. N. B. Smithers, of the first class ; to the late Rev. David Coulter, of the class of '38 ; to the late Hon. W. A. Porter, of the class of ■39 ; to the late Rev. J. M. Ivowrie, D. D., the Rev. Thomas C. Porter, D. D., I^Iv. D., and the Rev. W. H. Green, D. D., IvL. D. , of my own class. Dr. Porter and Dr. Green have a world-wide fame. The former is known as a man of science, not only in this country, but also in Europe ; and the whole theological world acknowledges the latter as one of the best Biblical scholars and critics of the present day. I could mention many other illustrious names, who compare favorably with later graduates, who have enjoyed superior ad- vantages. Of these later graduates some are before me of acknowledged ability, rich culture and extensive learning. They are living proofs that lyafayette occupies no inferior posi- tion among the colleges of our land. Indeed, like the hill on which she stands, she occupies a proud elevation among them. She needs only what some of them have in abundance — money. May she not want it long. She has friends who have been most liberal in their kindness, surely their number is not complete. It is a fact, almost singular, that to the present time our College has not received a legacy. From this source as well as from the gifts of the living, has she not a right to expect her great need to be met ? SONNET. A pupil consecrates to thee, the guide The counselor, and teacher of his youth. This tablet of corroding brass, a small Memorial of the love by Thee inspired — Inspir'd by kind and gentle ministries, Whose mem'ry blooms, unfading, in his heart. No brass, nor marble, can express Thy mind, Now gazing on the Light ineffable. All forms of earthen mould shall turn to dust : The changeless monument is love, engrav'n By the Eternal Spirit on the soul. There shrin'd in love's own home, may'st Thou abide. Many were led by thee to Him, whose name Is Love. These are thy truest monument. PRESIDENT KNOX'S ACCEPTANCE. The Speaker was frequently interrupted by applause, and his sonnet, which was perceived to be original with him, was re- ceived with many testimonials of appreciation. President Knox then accepted the memorial in behalf of the College, and in the course of his remarks said many just things which made the hearts of the friends and admirers of President Junkin swell with pride and gratification. President Knox said : In the name of the trustees and faculty of the college, I accept this memorial tablet most thankfully and most grate- fully. In its bestowment on the college I recognize an adl of love and devotion almost, if not quite, filial on the part of the unnamed but well-known giver ; a man himself well beloved, whose affedlionate remembrance of his early friend, teacher and President in this memorial all must regard as a most beau- tiful and gracious deed eminently congruous, with his own charadler. It is a most fitting deed, done most fittingly. More than this in his presence, I dare not say ; less I could not say. He was wortliy in whose memory this tablet is here set up. A man of brains, of brawn, of heart, a man for whom to live was Christ. I knew him intimately and well from my earliest years to the last day of his earthly life, when in a good old age, having served his generation by the will of God, he fell asleep. And Heaven never opened to receive a man who could testify more truthfully, ' I have fought a .good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,' than when its doors were lifted up and the spirit of George Junkin entered the presence of the Saviour whom he loved. I^afayette College, may I not say, owes its existence to him. He came to her, evidently sent by God, in the strength of his life and amidst manifold difiiculties and discouragements by the force of his intellect and the devotion of his heart, he made for her an honorable name among the colleges of the land. From under his moulding influence men went forth from these halls, if not in great numbers, with such a stamp upon them as insured their usefulness, and in unusual pro- portion their eminence in their respective professions and oc- cupations. He was indeed a great man, a mighty man of valor who could produce the results in the formation of chara6ler which were produced here, amidst the privations which Dr. Junkin was obliged to endure in his efforts to found this institution of learning. His devotion to it down to the last days of his life always seemed to me second only to the love he bore to children born of his body. Lafayette was ever ' ' Lovely Lafayette ' ' to him, not only because of the exquisite beauty of its situation — this indeed — but greatly more because his services and sacrifices had given her so fond a place in his heart of hearts, and to-day my heart is strong in the faith of the good things in store for this college, blessed of heaven in all her past career, largely because of the strong crying and prayers and tears of this man, this Israel who as a prince had power with God. We do well then, to perform this grateful service to-day. that we enshrine this venerated name in monumental brass, while we deepen in our hearts the sense of what this college and community owe to this man, to whose wonderful person- ality, under God, this institution is indebted so much for the strong and enduring foundation on which the later years have placed the splendid superstructure in which we rejoice. God be with us and bless us to-day in these a6ls of grateful memory, and especially we invoke His gracious benediction to rest upon him whose heart devised, and whose hands have now fulfilled the loving thought of his heart in the erecftion of this beautiful memorial to the name and worth of the brave. God-fearing, man-loving George Junkin, the first President of Ivafayette College. May its presence in this sacred place inspire many generations of students to follow him even as he followed Christ. MEMORIAL ADDRESS BY DR. PORTER. Rev. Dr. T. C. Porter was then introduced, his portion of the program being of a commemorative order. He had served under the esteemed and revered Junkin, and it was his plea- sure to pay tribute to his former instructor and friend. Having made his salutations, he said : ' ' The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. ' ' So wrote the psalmist. In order to fulfill this prophecy, some good angel must have put it into the mind of the Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott, my friend, colleague and oldest classmate, to prepare and present here to-day a beautiful bronze tablet as a memorial of the revered Founder of our College, under whose teachings we sat together half a century ago. It was a right thing to do, and it is well done, as, I feel assured, all who look upon it will say with one accord. It was right, because a college, like every other social organ- ism, can only maintain a foothold in the world, and exert a per- manent influence, as long as it remains true to the law of its own life. It cannot ignore or forget the past without injury or suicide. The commandment, ' ' Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee," was not addressed to the indi- vidual only, but to Israel as a nation. It was a right thing to do, and the right time for doing it has been wisely chosen — not too late^ for a few venerable alumni, who lived in personal contadl with the great and good man, whose name the tablet bears, and learned to know and admire him, still survive, but in the course of nature they must soon pass away — not too early ^ for lapse of years has brought that ripeness of judgment, which confers special his- toric value on their testimony. It was a right thing to do, and the memorial has been put up in the right place. In the Reading Room, the portrait of Dr. Junkin appears with those of other worthies whom we delight to honor. But the Brainerd Hall was the actual theatre of his labors, and recalls him most vividly to the stu- dents of that by-gone era. There he gave instrudlion in mental and moral philosophy ; there he preached the power- ful sermons, which have left so lasting an impression, and there he offered up heartfelt prayers, morning and evening. Since that date, this large and elegant chapel has superseded the old hall as a place of worship, and hence it seems the most fitting home for the memorial tablet, and the best spot in it, is yonder, where it now is, for there a condensed image of his life and charadler will catch the eye of generation after generation of students as they pass to and from their daily de- votions, and challenge them to use their linguistic acquire- ments to get at the meaning of the inscription. Another feature of the occasion is highly suggestive. You will observe that the tablet is covered by the flag of our country, with its stars and stripes. Now, Dr. Junkin loved that flag with a peculiar love. He was a sterling patriot, loyal to the heart's core. The fa6t that his father fought with lyafayette in the Revolutionary battle of Brandy wine, no doubt, made him proud to have the college bear the name of the illustrious French Marquis. At the outbreak of the Great Civil War, when that same flag was hauled down from the 8 cupola of the Virginia college, of which he was then president, he at once resigned his position and returned to his native State. Among the wounded and dying left by both armies on the field of Gettysburg, he was recognized as adlively busy in the ministry of help to friend and foe. For this memorial tablet, so happily conceived, so admira- bly executed, so fittingly placed and so generously given, we are indebted to one who modestly styles himself an ' 'alumnus, ' ' hiding thus his light under a bushel. But it cannot stay hid- den. He will surely be counted among that seledl party, who "do good by stealth and blush to find it fame." In conclusion, I remark that, if his modesty had allowed him to give his classmates of '40 an opportunity to share in the achievement, there would have been a cordial response, and then the last line of the legend would have read : ' ' Hoc aes posueru7tt ahcmni^^^ instead of ''^Hoc aes posuit alumnus ^ Following these remarks, which were interrupted at times by applause, the benedi6lion was pronounced by President Knox, and the audience dispersed. I i .1 UNIVERSITY OF ILUNOIS-URBANA 3 0112 002472634