of a liberal education.

We expect this institution, so auspiciously begun, to advance in obedience to the law of progress we have contemplated, and to be deeply seated in the affections of the people of this place and of the Christian and liberal-minded people of the territory and future state.

"I desire now to turn your attention briefly to the past and to trace the steps by which we have been led up to our present position. In May, 1856, the two churches of Omaha and Fontenelle were organized. In August of the next year (1857), another was formed at Fremont, and in six days afterward, on the 8th of August, the Congregational Association was organized at Omaha with these three churches. At the first meeting of the Association, held at Fremont in October, 1857, the subject of taking steps for a literary institution was brought forward, and after careful consideration it was resolved that it is expedient now to lay the foundations for an educational institution of a high order for Nebraska.

Rev. R. Gaylord was chairman of a committee to receive proposals from different places and visit and report at the next meeting. In November a special meeting of the trustees of the Baptist University (eleven in number) was called to consider the resolutions passed by the Congregational Association, and a committee of three was appointed to confer with the committee of this association. The result of this conference was that in February, 1858, the university became the Congregational College of Nebraska. This Baptist institution, which had received its charter from the first territorial legislature, proposed through their committee to give over to a board of trustees. appointed by the association all their property and interest, provided such association would erect a building for a preparatory school, of size sufficient to accommodate one hundred pupils, and open a school in October next, and within five years would also cause to be erected a college building of suitable dimensions and architectural proportions. The Nebraska Colonization company proposed on the same terms to donate to said board of trustees their title to one hundred and sixty acres of land on the south-east of town, and the citizens of Fontenelle and others contributed about sixty town lots, forty acres of land four miles from town, and seven hundred dollars in money, labor, and building materials. This, taken in connection with the situation of this place for beauty, health, its relation to other parts of

the territory, the character of its citizens, and the interest shown in the enterprise, induced the association to accept the proposals, and the contract was duly signed and ratified by the parties. In accordance with and fulfillment of that mutual agreement this work is now begun. The location is deemed a favorable one because it is removed from those temptations to evil and dissipation which gather around a commercial town, where business is the great absorbing interest. In this respect the location of Iowa College at Davenport has proved unwise and a removal of the institution will be a necessity. This place is also easy of access. It is but twenty miles from the Missouri river at the nearest point, and forty miles from Omaha, the leading business place in the territory, while it commands a view of the wide and beautiful Platte valley, destined at no distant day to be the great thoroughfare of the continent.

"The work we have undertaken is to build up a literary institution of a high order, and place it under such religious influences as will be calculated under God to develop man's physical and intellectual powers in proper proportion, and to bring all under the control of his higher nature, which fits him not only to enjoy but to bless. It is to be under the supervision of a board of trustees appointed by the Congregational Association of Nebraska, and its aim and design to fit youth of both sexes to engage in the several pursuits and employments of society, and to discharge honorably and usefully the various duties of life. * * * Some may think we are prema

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ture in our efforts to lay so early the foundations of such an institution. Should this be the case I would say in reply, we are only acting in concert with the wisest and best minds in all the different periods of our country's history. Harvard University was founded only eighteen years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. "The ends for which our fathers did chiefly erect a college,' says Increase Mather, 'were that so scholars might be educated for Christ and His Churches, and that they might be seasoned in their tender years with such principles as brought their blessed progenitors into this wilderness.' With similar views and feelings have those institutions established at the West within the last thirty years been founded. They have been begun with prayer and faith in God, and an earnest desire for His glory. That was an enlightened zeal and wise policy which led Sturtevant and others within

the walls of Yale Seminary in 1827 to conceive the idea of founding a college for the state of Illinois. What was Illinois then? In some respects it was not so far advanced as Nebraska is now. Wonderful has been the growth of the West. Fourteen years have given Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota to the number of states to which Kansas and Nebraska are soon to be added. A mighty tide of emigration, borne by the locomotive to our borders, will soon spread over these fertile plains. No; we have not begun a day too soon. With a deep sense of the importance of our work, with a firmer faith in that God from whom all prosperity comes, we now lay the foundations of an institution for the promotion of Christian education, and for the good of the church and the world. And may that God whose we are and whom we serve crown the undertaking with ultimate and glorious success.

In a note appended afterward Mr. Gaylord says: "This building for the preparatory department is nearly completed, and will be opened for the admission of students by the 20th of October, this year. It is forty by twenty-six, two stories high, with a cupola in which is to be placed an academy bell, the gift of friends in Cincinnati."

Rev. C. G. Bisbee, for many years secretary of the institution, also principal from 1867 to 1870, has very kindly furnished facts and statistics, many of which will now be given. He says during the spring and summer while the building was in progress arrangements were made as thoroughly as practicable for opening the school. Rev. J. S. Burt was appointed principal of preparatory department and agent for the university. As compensation for his services he was to have forty dollars per month during term time, and ten per cent of moneys collected by him. Committees were busy deciding on text-books, arranging course of study, etc. All were joyous in anticipation of the speedy opening of the seminary. Rev. R. Gaylord was elected president of the board of trustees, a position which he held to the end. During the year 1859 Prof. Burt resigned. Following this period, a combination of circumstances proved most unfortunate to the college and the town. Hard times, caused by the reverses of those years which some of us well remember as years of great financial depression all over the country, and the "Indian scare," which took away, for a time, nearly all the princi

pal citizens. During the summer of this year Mr. Gaylord went East to solicit funds for the college, and, notwithstanding the stringency in money matters, secured, principally from friends, sufficient to relieve the building from pressure, and meet some other expenses. The Indian scare spoken of is known as the "Pawnee war." It was begun in consequence of the whole tribe of Pawnees leaving their villages and camping on the Elkhorn river near Fontenelle, where they soon committed depredations which were very inconvenient for the settlers. Many families left their homes and fled to Fontenelle for safety. Companies were formed and the Indians pursued for some distance beyond West Point, and finally to Genoa and Columbus. Gov. Black accompanied the expedition, which was under the direct command of Col. Thayer, now our honored governor. Some Indians were captured and a very few killed. But these hindrances were a heavy blow to both seminary and people, and as a result the college building, the pride of the town, which had been occupied both as church and school stood unused except as a place of worship. In these dark days the trustees and friends of the institution could do little else than pray for the time to come when prosperity should again dawn upon the enterprise. But there were men who, during these three or four years, stood firm in the midst of the darkness, and without complaining bore the heavy burdens, never looking for or expecting any personal reward. There were the long journeys to attend trustee meetings, often and at all seasons-the snows and cold of winter or the heat of summer did not hinder-and sometimes the giving of a little money from private purses which were never heavy. But perhaps these were strengthened by being able to say: "Surely my work is with the Lord and my judgment with my God." Among these names is that of Deacon Corliss, of Fontenelle, who is still living.

When there was no minister he conducted services on the Sabbath, took charge of the Sabbath school and prayer meeting, kept the keys of the building, and sometimes acted as janitor. These dark days were darkest in 1861-62 and '63. In 1864 Miss A. B. Savage, a lady who came highly recommended, was secured to take charge of the preparatory and ladies' department. Circulars were issued and Mr. Gaylord authorized to collect funds while on his trip East. In 1865 a building which had been used as a hotel was purchased for a board

ing house. This and another block (block 52) were secured to the institution through the liberality and efforts of the citizens of Fontenelle. The trustees also instructed the executive committee to secure a male teacher and provide means for his support. As a result of correspondence between Rev. L. H. Jones and Prof. Fairchild, of Oberlin, Mr. H. E. Brown accepted the position of principal of the preparatory department, and was on the ground in the fall of '65, just about the time the college building was destroyed by fire a heavy loss to both church and college. Prof. Brown was fertile in expedients and full of enthusiasm. He temporarily fitted up a part of the boarding house for a school-room for the winter, and the following spring the executive committee were authorized to build an addition to the boarding house for school purposes. Prof. Brown went East as financial agent, but was not successful in collecting funds. He returned early in the autumn with his family and superintended the building of the school room.

But his ardor led him to undertake too much. His efforts for the spiritual welfare of the students were very successful and several were hopefully converted,

Becoming discouraged he tendered his resignation, which was accepted after expressions of undiminished confidence on the part of each member of the board of trustees. About this time a donation of five hundred dollars was received from a gentleman in Brooklyn, and a part of it used to put the boarding house and school-room in good repair. In September, 1867, Rev. C. G. Bisbee was appointed principal, with Miss Sarah Jennie, assistant. Rev. Mr. Kuhlman was secured

to teach the German class. During the winter term there were as many students as could be accommodated, and all were greatly encouraged. At the meeting of trustees in July the school was reported in a prosperous condition. But at the same meeting Rev. Mr. Alley, one of the trustees, presented a proposition from the people of Weeping Water (where he was preaching) to secure a property basis of nine thousand dollars, provided the university be removed to that place. The question of re-location was referred to the executive committee. Rev. Mr. Bisbee was continued as principal. He was to furnish the instruction, provide for incidental expenses, and have the tuition and rent of the college property as compensation.