and every day. The same good Providence that brought them here for
education and support, brought you here also to teach them and care
for them. Your work is exacting, laborious, unremitting. Some of these
young boys are trying to your patience, your temper, your forbearance,
almost beyond endurance. Sometimes you are discouraged by what seems
to be the almost hopeless nature of your work, the untidiness, the
rough manners, the ill temper, the stupidity of some of these young
boys. But remember that all this is inevitable; that from the nature of
the case it must be so; and remember, too, that to reduce such material
to good order, to train and educate these young lives so that they
shall be well educated, well informed, well mannered, polite, gentle,
considerate, so they may be fairly well assured of a successful future,
is a great and noble work, worthy of the ambition of the highest
intelligence. This is exactly what the great founder had in his mind
when he established this college and provided so munificently for its
endowment. This is what his trustees most earnestly desire, and the
hope of which rewards them for the many hours they give every week to
the care of this great estate. We depend upon you to carry out the plan
of instruction here, not only in the schools, but in the section rooms
and on the play-grounds. Be to these older boys their big brothers,
their best friends. Be kind to them always, even when compelled to
reprove them for their many faults.
And to those of you who have the care of the younger boys, let me
say: remember, they have no mothers here; they are very young to send
from home; they are homesick at times; they hardly know how to behave
themselves; they shock your sense of delicacy; they worry and vex you
almost to distraction; but bear with them, help them, encourage them,
love them, for if _you_ do not, who will? And what will become of them?
And remember what a glorious work it is to lift such a young life out
of its rudeness, its ignorance, its untidiness, and make a real man of
it. Oh! friends, suffer these words of exhortation, for they come from
one who has a deep sympathy with you in your arduous, self-denying work.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it from
whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was
found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great,
stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book
was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books, according
to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it;
and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them;
and they were judged every man according to his works――Rev. xx.
11–13.
THANKSGIVING DAY.
November 29, 1888.
The President of the United States, in a proclamation which you have
just heard, has set apart this 29th day of November for a day of
thanksgiving and prayer, for the great mercies which the Almighty has
given to the people of our country, and for a continuance of these
mercies. His example has been followed by the governors of Pennsylvania
and many, if not all, of the States, and we may therefore believe that
all over the land, from Maine to Alaska, and from the great lakes to
the Gulf of Mexico, the people in large numbers are now gathered or
gathering in their places of worship, in obedience to this proper
recommendation. The directors of this college, in full sympathy with
the thoughts of our rulers, have closed your schools to-day, released
you from the duty of study, gathered you in this chapel, and asked you
to unite with the people generally in giving thanks to God for the
past, and imploring his mercies for the future. For you are a part of
the people, and although not yet able, from your minority, to take an
active part in the government, are yet being rapidly prepared for this
great right of citizenship. It is the high privilege of an American
boy, to know that when he becomes a man he will have just as clear a
right as any other man, to exercise all the functions of a freeman,
in choosing the men who are to be intrusted with the responsibilities
of government. What are some of the things that give us cause for
thankfulness to Almighty God? Very briefly such as these:
1. _This is a Christian country._ Although there is not, and cannot
be, any part or branch of the church established by law, there is
assured liberty for every citizen to worship God by himself, or with
others in congregations, as he or they may choose, in such forms of
worship as may be preferred, with none to molest or make afraid. Here
is absolute freedom of worship. And even if it be that the name of God
is not in our Constitution, nevertheless no president or governor or
public officer can be inducted or inaugurated in high office except by
taking oath on the book of God, and as in his presence, that he will
faithfully discharge the duties of his office. If there were nothing
else, this public acknowledgment of the being of Almighty God and our
accountability to him gives us an unquestioned right to call ourselves
a Christian people.
2. _This is a free government_, free in the sense that the people
choose their own rulers, whether of towns, cities, States, or the
nation. There is no hereditary rule here, and cannot be. We not
only _choose_ our own rulers, but when we are dissatisfied with them
for whatever cause, we dismiss them. And the minority accept the
decision when it is ascertained, without doubt, without a question of
its righteousness; they only want to know whether the majority have
actually chosen this or that candidate, and they accept frankly, if not
cheerfully. We have had a splendid illustration of this within this
present month. The great party that has administered the government
for four years past, on the verdict of the majority, are preparing to
retire and will retire on the fourth of March next, and give up the
government to the other great party, its victorious rival. Nowhere
else in the world can such a revolution be accomplished on so grand
a scale, by so many people, with so little friction. This government
then is better than _any monarchy_, no matter how carefully guarded
by constitutional restrictions and safeguards. The best monarchical
governments are in Europe: the best of all in England; but the
governments of Europe have many and great concessions to make to the
people, before they can stand side by side with the United States in
strong, healthy, considerate management of the people. It has been said
that the best machinery is that which has the least friction, and as
the time passes, we may hope that our machinery of government will be
so smooth that the people will hardly know that they are governed at
all; in fact, they will be their own governors. This time is coming as
sure as Christmas, though not so close at hand, and you boys can hasten
it by your own upright, manly bearing when you come to be men. Never
forget that this is a government of the majority, and you must see to
it that the majority be true men.
3. _We are separated by wide oceans from the rest of the world._ The
Atlantic separates us from Europe on the east; the Gulf of Mexico from
South America on the south, and the great Pacific ocean washes our
western shores. We are a continent to ourselves, with the exception of
Mexico, a sister republic on the south, with whom we are not likely to
quarrel again, and the Dominion of Canada on the north, which, if never
to become a part of ourselves, will at least at some day, and probably
not a very distant day, become independent of the mother country as we
did, though not at the great cost at which we obtained our freedom.
Our distance from Europe relieves us entirely from the consideration
of subjects which occupy most of the time of their statesmen, and
which very often thrill the rest of the world in the apprehension of
a general war in Europe. We are under no necessity of annexing other
territory. We are not afraid of what is called “the balance of power;”
we have no army that is worthy of the name, because we don’t need one,
and we can make one if we should need it; and we have no navy to speak
of, though I think we ought to have for the protection of our commerce,
when our commerce shall be further encouraged. We have no entanglements
with other nations; the great father of his country in his Farewell
Address warned the people against this danger.
4. _Our country is very large._ You school-boys can tell me as well as
I can tell you what degrees of latitude and longitude we reach, and how
many millions of square miles we count. Europeans say we brag too much
about the great extent of our country; but I do not refer to it now for
boasting, but as a matter of thankfulness to God for giving it to us.
It means that our territory, reaching from the Arctic to the tropics,
gives us every variety of climate and almost every variety of product
that the earth produces; and I am sure that the time will come when,
under a higher agricultural cultivation than we have yet reached, our
soil will produce everything that grows anywhere else in the world. The
corn harvest now being gathered in our country will reach _two thousand
millions of bushels_. The mind staggers under such ponderous figures
and quantities. Our wheat fields are hardly less productive; our
potatoes and rice and oats and barley and grass, the products of our
cattle and sheep, and, in short, everything that our soil above ground
yields; and the enormous yield of our coal mines, our oil wells, our
natural gas, our metals, our railroads, spanning the entire continent
and binding the people together with bands of steel――all these, and
many others, which time will not permit me even to mention, give some
faint idea of what a splendid country it is that the Almighty God has
given to the American people. And do we not well therefore, when we
come together on a day like this, to make our acknowledgments to Him?
5. _The general education of the people_ is another reason for
thankfulness to God. The system is not yet universal, but it will be at
no distant day. You boys will live to see the day when every man, woman
and child born in the United States (except those who are too young or
feeble-minded) will be able to read and write and cipher. It is sure to
come. Then, under the blessing of God, when people learn to do their
own reading and thinking, we shall not fear anarchists and atheists and
the many other fools who, under one name or another, are now trying to
make this people discontented with their lot. There is no need for such
people here, and no place for them; they have made a mistake in coming
to this free land, as some of them found to their cost on the gallows
at Chicago.
6. _We have no war in our country, no famine, and with the exception of
poor Jacksonville, Florida, no pestilence._ Famine we have never known,
and with such an extent of country we have little need to dread such a
scourge as that. No one need suffer for food in our country, and this
is the only country in the world of which this can be said; for labor
of some kind can always be found, and food is so cheap, plain kinds of
food, that none but the utterly dissipated and worthless need starve;
and in fact none do starve; for if they are so wretchedly improvident,
the guardians of the poor will save them from suffering not only, but
actually provide them with a home, that for real comfort is not known
elsewhere in the world.
Some of us have seen war in its most dreadful proportions, but even
then the alleviations furnished by the Christian Commission greatly
relieved some of its most horrid features; and we are not likely to see
war again, for there will be hereafter nothing to quarrel and fight
about. Our political differences will never again lead to the taking up
of arms in deadly strife.
Such are some of the occasions of thankfulness which led the President
of the United States to ask the people, by public proclamation, to turn
aside for one day from their business, their farms, their workshops,
their counting-houses, to close the schools, and assemble in their
places of worship and thank God, the giver of every good and perfect
gift.
But I don’t think the President of the United States knew what special
reasons the Girard College boys have to keep a thanksgiving day. And I
shall try in what I have yet to say to point out some of them.
1. This foundation is under the control of the Board of City
Trusts. When Mr. Girard left the bulk of his great estate for this
noble purpose, he gave it to the “mayor, aldermen and citizens of
Philadelphia,” as his trustees. The city of Philadelphia could act
only through its legislative body, the select and common councils,
bodies elected by the people, and consequently more or less under the
influence of one or the other of the great political parties. Nearly
twenty years ago, owing largely to Mr. William Welsh, who became
the first President of the Board of City Trusts, the legislature of
Pennsylvania took from the control of councils all the charitable
trusts of the city and committed them to this board. If any political
influences were ever unworthily exerted in the former board it ceased
when the judges of the city of Philadelphia and the judges of the
Supreme Court named the first directors of the City Trusts. These
directors are all your friends; they give much thought, much labor,
much anxiety to your well-being, desiring to do the best things that
are possible to be done for your welfare, and to do them in the best
way. Many of them have been successful in finding desirable situations
for such of your number as were prepared to accept such places. I am
glad to say that I have three college boys associated with me in my
business; Mr. Stuart had two; Mr. Michener has two; General Wagner
has two, and Mr. Rawle has had one, and probably other members of the
board have also, so you see our interest in you is not limited to the
time which we spend here and in the office on South Twelfth street,
but we are ever on the lookout for things which we hope may be to your
advantage.
2. This splendid estate, which you enjoy; these beautiful buildings,
which were erected for your use; these grounds, which are so well kept
and which are so attractive to you and to the thousands of visitors
that come here; these school-rooms, which we determine shall lack
nothing that is desirable to make them what they ought to be; the
text-books which you use in school, the best that can be found; the
teachers, the most accomplished and skilful that can be procured; the
prefects and governesses chosen from among many applicants, and because
they are supposed to be the best, all your care-takers; all who have
to do with you here are chosen because they are supposed to be well
qualified to discharge their duties most successfully. The arrangements
for your lodging in the dormitories, the furniture and food of your
tables, the well-equipped infirmary for the sick, are such as, in the
judgment of the trustees, the great founder himself would approve if he
could be consulted. Truly, this gives occasion for special thanksgiving
on this Thanksgiving Day.
3. _You all have a birthright._
What that meant in the earliest times we do not fully know; but it
meant at least to be the head or father of the family, a sort of
domestic priesthood, the chief of the tribe, or the head of a great
nation. In our own times, in Great Britain the first-born son has by
right of birth the headship of the family, inheriting the principal
part of the property, and he is the representative of the estate. They
call it there the _law of primogeniture_, or the law of the first-born.
In our country there is no birthright in families, and we have no law
to make the eldest born in any respect more favored than the other and
younger children.
But you Girard boys have a birthright which means a great deal. The
founder of this great school left the bulk of his large estate to
the city of Philadelphia, for the purpose of adopting and educating
a certain class of boys, very particularly described, to which you
belong. The provision he made for you was most liberal. Everything that
his trustees consider necessary for your careful support and thorough
education is to be provided. Nothing is to be wanting which money
wisely expended can supply. _This is your birthright._ No earthly power
can take it from you without your consent. No commercial distress, no
financial panic, no change of political rulers, no combination of party
politics can interfere with the purpose of the founder. Nothing but the
loss of health or life, or your own misconduct, can deprive you of this
great birthright. Do you boys fully appreciate this?
Now, is it to be supposed that there is a boy here who is willing to
_sell_ this birthright as Esau did?
Is there a boy here who is corrupt in heart, so profane and foul in
speech, so vicious in character, so wicked in behavior, as to be an
unfit companion for his schoolmates, and who cannot be permitted to
remain among them? Is there a boy here who, for the gratification
of a vicious appetite, will _sell_ that privilege of support and
education so abundantly provided here? So guarded is this trust, so
sacred almost, that no human being can take it away from you: will
you deliberately _throw it away_? The wretched Esau, in the old
Jewish history, under the pressure of hunger and faintness, sold his
birthright with all its invaluable privileges; will you, with no such
temptation as tried him, with no temptation but the perverseness of
your own will and your love of self-indulgence, will you _sell your
birthright_? Bitterly did Esau regret his folly; earnestly did he try
to recover what he had lost, but it was too late; he never did recover
his lost birthright, though he sought it carefully and with tears. And
he had no one to warn him beforehand as I am warning you.
Boys, if you pass through this college course not making the best use
of your time, or if you allow yourselves to fall into such evil habits
as will make it necessary to send you away from the college――and this
after all the kind words that have been spoken to you and the faithful
warnings that have been given you――you will lose that which can never
be restored to you, which can never be made up to you in any other way
elsewhere. You will prove yourselves more foolish, more wicked than
Esau, for you will lose more than he did, and you will do it against
kinder remonstrances than he had.
4. There is another feature of the management here which gives especial
satisfaction. When a boy leaves the college to go to a place which has
been chosen for him, or which he has found by his own exertions, he
is looked after until he reaches the age of twenty-one, by an officer
especially appointed, and as we believe well adapted to that service.
And many a boy who has found himself in unfavorable circumstances and
under hard task-masters, with people who have no sympathy with his
youth and inexperience, many such have been visited and encouraged,
helped and so assisted towards true success.
5. But what is there to make each particular boy thankful to-day? Why
you are all in good health; and if you would know how much that means
go to the infirmary and see the sick boys there, who are not able to
be in the chapel to-day, not able to be in the play-grounds, who are
looking out of the windows with wistful eyes, very much desiring to be
with you and enjoying your plays but cannot. God bless them.
You are all comfortably clothed; those of you who are less robust have
warmer clothing, and all of you are shielded and guarded as well as the
trustees know how to care for you, so that you may be trained to be
strong men.
You are all having a holiday; no school to-day; no shop-work to-day;
no paying marks to-day; no punishments of any kind to-day. Why? It is
Thanksgiving Day and everything that is disagreeable is put out of
sight and ought to be put out of mind.
You are all to have a good dinner. Even now, while we are here in the
chapel and while some of you are growing impatient at my speech, think
of the good dinner that is now cooking for you. Think of the roast
turkey, the cranberry sauce, the piping-hot potatoes, the gravy, the
dressing, the mince pies, the apples afterwards, and all the other good
things which make your mouths water, and make my mouth water even to
mention the names. Then after dinner you go to your homes, and you have
a good time there.
The last thing I mention which you ought to be thankful for is having a
short speech.
[Illustration: _Professor W. H. Allen._]
ON THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT ALLEN.
September 24, 1882.
“_Remember how He spake unto you._”
These are the words of an angel. They were spoken in the early morning
while it was yet dark, to frightened and sorrowful women, who had
gone to the sepulchre of Christ with spices and ointments to embalm
his body. These women fully expected to find the body of their Lord;
for as they went they said, “Who shall roll us away the stone from
the sepulchre?” When they reached the place, they found the stone was
rolled away and the grave was empty. And one of them ran back to the
disciples to tell them that the grave was open and the body gone. Those
that remained went into the sepulchre and saw two men in glittering
garments, who, seeing that the women were perplexed and afraid,
standing with bowed heads and startled looks, said, with a shade of
reproof in their tone, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is
not here, he is risen.” And, perhaps, seeing that the women could
hardly believe this, it was added, “Remember how he spake unto you when
he was yet in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of man must be delivered into
the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise
again.’”
The words that are quoted as having been spoken by Jesus to his
disciples were spoken in Galilee six months or more before this, and as
they were not clearly understood at the time, it is not so very strange
that they should have been forgotten.
It had been well if these sorrowing women, as well as the other
disciples of the Lord, had remembered other words, and all the words
that the Lord spake to them, not only while in Galilee, but in all
other places. The world would be better to-day if those gracious words
had been more carefully laid to heart.
I hope the words of my text will bear, without too much accommodation,
the use which I shall make of them.
Almost three-quarters of a century ago, a boy was born in the family of
a New England farmer. It was in the then territory of Maine, and near
the little city of Augusta. The family were plain, poor people, and
the child grew up, as many other farmers’ children grew up, accustomed
to plain living and such work as children could properly be set to
do. In the winter he went to school, as well as at other times when
the farm work was not pressing. It would be very interesting to know,
if we _could_ know, whether there was anything peculiar in the early
disposition and habits of this boy, or whether he grew up with nothing
to distinguish him from his playmates. If we could only know what
children would grow up to be distinguished men, we should, I think, be
very careful to observe and record any little traits and peculiarities
of their early childhood. The boy of whom I am speaking, and whom you
know to be William Henry Allen, seems to have been prepared at the
academy for college, which he entered at the advanced age of twenty-one
years. Four years after, he was graduated, and at once he set out to
teach the classics in a little town in the interior of the State of New
York. While engaged in that seminary, he was called to a professorship
in Dickinson College, at Carlisle, in our own State of Pennsylvania.
In Dickinson College he held successively the chairs of chemistry
and the natural sciences, and that of English literature, until his
resignation, in 1850, to accept the presidency of Girard College.
From this time until his death, except during an interval of five
years, his life was spent here. For twenty-seven years he gave himself
to the work of organizing and directing the internal affairs of this
college, with an interest and efficiency which, until within the last
year, never flagged. It is not possible at this day for any of us to
appreciate the difficulties he had to encounter in the early days of
the college, but we do know that he did the work well.
See how he was prepared for the work he did. He was a lover of study.
When only eight years old he had learned the English grammar so well
that his teacher said he could not teach him anything further in that
study. There was an old family Bible that was very highly prized by all
the family, and his father told him that if he would read that Bible
through by the time he was ten years old, it should be his property.
The boy did so, and claimed and received his reward. That book is now
in the possession of his daughter (Mrs. Sheldon). This early reading
of the Bible will, perhaps, account for President Allen’s unusual
familiarity with the Scriptures, as evinced in the richness of his
prayers in this school chapel.
The school to which he went in his early youth was three miles from
his father’s house; and in all kinds of weather, through the heats of
summer and the deep snows of winter, he plodded his way.