It is unnecessary in this presence to speak of his
scholarship and qualifications for his profession.
Few men, even in this age of learning, were so
well equipped as lie. Inheriting a vigorous mind
and a retentive memory, and also the inclinations
of a student, he by diligent and faithful work ad
ded to these natural gifts, until he became familiar ,
not only with the usual subjects of study pursued
in the colleges and universities of the land, but
frequently showed critical acquaintance with mat
ters outside of the range of ordinary investigation
and thought.
His judgment was sound and entirely just. His
position as a teacher required that he should de
cide in matters of discipline, affecting the highest
welfare of the young, and no instance is known of
his having refused to consider the cases that
arise, and against him no suspicion of partiality
has ever been entertained. He was a safe advisor
of youth, and his pure life and unselfish nature
gave additional weight to any opinions that he felt
it his duty to express.
His influence was always extended on the side
of truth. He made it his guiding star through
life. Where it led, he followed with unfaltering
steps, where it rested he abo le; and no allurement
of error, fear of ridicule or love of favor, ever
changed his course from the path of rectitude that
he had chosen.
Born of Scotch-Irish parentage, and reared tin.
der the strict requirements of the United Presby
terian faith, he early enlisted those principles of
life that controlled his actions in all Of his after
years. He was left air orphan by the death of his
father soon after he was three years of age, and
from that time until his graduation from Jefferson
college in 1856 he was constantly under his moth
er's care. To those of us who knew that mother
it is no surprise that her son should exhibit the qual
ities of mind and heart that distinguished our de
parted friend. Even in her Both year her face
told of strength and character and love. Intelli
gent and accomplished she trained her child to
fear God and keep his commandments, which sums
LANCE.
THE FRE
up the whole duty of man. His mind and soul
were early in life illuminated by the Holy Spirit
of God, and his development as a Christian man
was from "strength to strength." More of you
who knew him will bear me testimony, that in im•
itation of his Lord he came not to be ministered
unto but to minister and devote his life to the good
of men. Many a service and loving message has
lie carricd to sore and desolate hearts. .
His connection with this college began exactly
25 years ago th is afternoon . January 1,21,1867,1 was
introduced to a bashful, awkwark, ungainly man,
and now after a quarter of a century I look back
to that bleak January day, my heart filli up with
the memories that it suggests.
A formed acquaintance ripened into closest
friendship; and if I could express to you my ap
preciation of his worth subjected to every test by
which men arc told, and if I could tell you the
great blessing he has been to me, you would I am
sure agree with me, that in the person of our un
assuming friend, a Heavenly visitor was here
and we knew it not. A noble soul, faithful and
true and brave, genius unselfish, wise and good,
verily happy is the man who has such a friend.
Of his services to the College, to the Common
wealth and to the cause of education, there is not
time to speak, except to remind those who now
are here, that 25 years ago these advantages and
opportunities that you now possess, and this pros
perity that now so bountifully attends the institu
tion founded here, did not exist.
There were debt, uncertainty, reproach and at
times despair. In those early years a few philtm
thropic men were dissatisfied with curricula of the,
classical colleges of their time, and the feeling was
that something better, they knew not what, should
be provided for the youth of this western world
than was offered by the educational instutions of
that day ; that knowledge shouli be applied to the
arts and, industries as well as to the professions of
life, From this germ has grown the industrial edu
cation of to-day. Our dead friend was one of the
pioneers in this reform and upon him in common