icy. A series of resolutions was offered, one of which read as follows: "That we recognize thankfully the valuable service which the Theological Seminary at Hartford has done in the past and that we heartily commend its system of instruction, but in view of the fact that two institutions of a similar character are no longer needed in close proximity to each other its consolidation with one of the western seminaries, if such a measure be practicable, would be viewed with satisfaction by our churches, and would, we believe, greatly enlarge its sphere of usefulness." From another western institution a proposal was made to receive us, doctrines, funds, teachers and all. From still another quarter came indefinite overtures of the same kind. Certainly the proposed method of dispatching a troublesome life was more adroit, if it proved no more successful, than the somewhat violent one encountered in its infancy. Its persistence, however, and symptoms of fresh vigor in its new home were accepted at length as providential signs that it had a mission of its own this side the Allegheny Mountains. The sixth and last attempt to put an end to the independent existence of the Institute took the form of an anonymous pamphlet entitled, "Can it be done?" No intelligent reader of the document could doubt its authorship or the plausibility of its reasoning. In point of time it had the advantage of appearing while we occupied hired dwelling houses on Prospect Street, not altogether adapted to our use, and suggestive of a second migration. The distinguished writer of the missive sent it to each Congregational minister in Connecticut, not, he says, "with any purpose of introducing a public discussion of the subject or expecting that its suggestions would be at once unanimously approved, but with the hope that in due season they would bear some fruit." The chief obstacle which he foresaw in the way of merging our Seminary in that at New Haven lay in the subscription to our creed, but he fondly hoped that a rigorous exactness would not be insisted upon, so that the formulary could be adopted by all who recognize in a general way the doctrines common to the various Protestant confessions. He presents the form of a compact intended to secure the rights and endowments of both institutions. MY COLLEAGUES. At first and for several years there were but three professors. Dr. Tyler was a graduate of Yale College, studied his profession with Rev. Asahel Hooker of Goshen, and was pastor in Middlebury, Conn., till called to the presidency of Dartmouth College. On resigning that post he succeeded Dr. Edward Payson as pastor at Portland, and in 1834 was chosen Professor of Theology in our seminary. His literary and professional attainments were about the same as those of Dr. Ebenezer Porter of Andover, Dr. Humphrey, President of Amherst College, and Dr. Lyman Beecher. Our records speak none too highly of his great worth and valuable services. His clear, logical method in argument, "his sound judgment, his love of the great doctrines of the Gospel, his eminent ability to teach and defend them, his warm, devoted, and uniform piety, the generosity of his heart, and the urbanity of his manner, admirably qualified him for his office." It was well said that "the success of the Institute in its early struggles was in no small measure to be ascribed under God to his hopeful spirit, his unwavering faith, his firmness and courage, his untiring and unselfish efforts." I labored with him as a son with a father from 1834 to 1858. The native kindness of his disposition, his self-control and practical wisdom made him a delightful companion, while he was facile princeps among the guardians and teachers of the Seminary. Dr. Jonathan Cogswell, our first Professor of Ecclesiastical History, was graduated at Harvard College, preached some years in Saco, Maine, and when the Institute was founded, was pastor of the First Church in New Britain. A legacy from his brother in New York enabled him to tender his services to the trustees without cost to the Seminary. His generosity and good nature checked the adverse criticisms to which his professional services were sometimes liable. From its commencement Dr. Asahel Nettleton held a semiofficial relation to the Institute. Owing to precarious health he spent the winter months in Virginia, where he had labored in revivals with signal success. As an inmate of my family for several months, always considerate of the feelings and welfare of those about him, by the serenity of his countenance, his animated and instructive conversation, and by his entire deportment, so humble, gentle, and in every way magnetic, he won our profound respect and ardent affection. In spite of the deep sand through which the road lay from Hartford to East Windsor Hill many an old friend found his way to Dr. Nettleton's residence to renew personal friendships or to confer with him relative to the kingdom of Christ. At the time when he was attacked by the malady of which he died after protracted sufferings, he was living with his brother a short distance. from the Seminary. His familiar lectures to the students on revivals so long as he was able to meet them, as well as his occasional sermons in the Chapel, were highly valued. Students of that day will never forget his visits at their rooms for conversation on spiritual themes usually closing with prayer. With the avails of Village Hymns he had bought a house and farm at East Windsor Hill for the use of an indigent brother with whom he planned to spend the evening of life. Almost daily visits for more than a year, and at least a score of nights of watching at his bedside, justify the testimony now given, that neither racking pains nor nameless social trials, from which a sensitive nature shrinks, extorted from his lips a word of complaint. In the last fiery ordeal the Christian graces, so conspicuous in the prime of his public life, shone with unwonted lustre. Dr. Nahum Gale, who succeeded Dr. Cogswell in the chair of Ecclesiastical History, was much younger than either of my other colleagues. He had been at the Institute as a pupil, and came to his office from a thriving pastorate in Ware, Mass. After two or three years Professor Gale became doubtful of the continuance of the Seminary and accepted an invitation to settle as pastor of the Church in Lee, Mass., where he labored successfully till his death. In 1844 Dr. Edward Hooker, then pastor in Bennington, Vt., was elected Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Duty, and continued in office four years. He was a greatgrandson of President Edwards, and a son of Rev. Asahel Hooker of Goshen, with whom Dr. Tyler and other useful ministers had studied theology near the beginning of the present century, before the Seminary at Andover was founded. The families of Drs. Tyler and Hooker formed a group exceptionally amiable and refined. Dr. Hooker enjoyed the respect and affectionate sympathy of his brethren and pupils in his labors and repeated afflictions. He served with conscientious fidelity in his appointed sphere, but his partiality for the pastoral office led to his resignation at the end of four years. Our third Professor of Church History was Rev. Dr. Edward A. Lawrence. Since his recent death his talents, scholarship, and character have called out warm and discrimi nating eulogies from those who knew little of his work with us. Before he came to the Seminary and during the twenty years after he withdrew from it he impressed all who knew him with the accuracy, thoroughness, and extent of his knowledge, the firmness of his convictions, his courtesy, fairness, and candor; his modesty, gentleness, and fidelity to every trust. His uniform serenity and self-poise under sore provocations were among the many proofs that he held frequent communion with his divine Master. To his yearning spirit heaven seemed more and more but another name for uninterrupted and eternal fellowship with his Lord. "There is a sight from men concealed; That sight, the face of God revealed, Of my eight colleagues who have finished their course, only one more will be named in this sketch. To the citizens of Hartford Dr. Robert G. Vermilye was better known than either of my associates of whom mention has been made. When the Institution came to this city in 1865, he was one of the two Professors constituting the faculty. That trying period of our history brought into clear light the noble qualities of his character. But want of time forbids more than a glance at his characteristics. For Christian integrity and kindness, unswerving loyalty to Gospel truth with fairness to opponents, for refined dignity on public occasions and in the ordinary intercourse of life, for the rare union of qualities denoted by the true friend, the Christian gentleman, the able divine, the accomplished teacher and preacher, both the pupils and colleagues of Dr. Vermilye will cherish his memory with affection and respect. Among the founders and devoted friends of the Seminary Rev. George A. Calhoun deserves to be held in grateful remembrance. For more than forty years pastor in North Coventry he acquired an enviable reputation both among his own people and the churches of the state. His good judgment, his intelligent apprehension of the issues involved in the discussions raised by the New Haven divines, his charitable temper and prudent speech qualified him for the prominent position long held as trustee of the Institute. To him specially fell the task of collecting in small sums the funds to meet current expenses before endowments were provided. His tall, well-proportioned figure, the benignant seriousness of his countenance, his slow movements and deliberate speech invited the confidence and respect felt by all who knew him. His influence, it is believed, secured an early appropriation, repeated annually while he lived, by the trustees of the Hale Donation in aid of our students. Very few of them were able to defray current expenses from their own funds, and the Hale charity was eminently opportune. The whole amount received from that source and appropriated to reduce the cost of board is found to be $12,310. One of the most remarkable men connected with the early history of the Institute was Nathaniel Hewitt, D.D. At the time of its organization he was pastor of a church in Bridgeport. Some years before that his name had become familiar to the country as the "Apostle of Temperance." His overwhelming assaults on the drinking usages of those days made him famous in 1827, but his power as a pulpit orator had already achieved signal results in Fairfield. In any assembly he would impress a casual observer as an uncommon man. His massive form crowned with an impe |