From that first day when I went into the Academy office to consult with
Mr. Putney as a new student, I have been and shall continue to be under
the deepest obligation to one of the noblest spirits and finest teachers
whose influence ever has been exerted upon young men and women. His
scholarship was accurate and he made Greek interesting. His moral
standards were lofty and he made honor and truth beautiful. His soul
was sincere and devoted and he made Christ attractive to the mind and
will of a boy. He knew how to give encouragement at the critical
moment and how to exercise discipline justly so that no sting remained.
He influenced me more deeply than any other teacher of my youth, and
my love and gratitude grew as the years passed. Mr. Putney did not
disappoint me as my ideal of a Christian teacher and lover of young
men. It was a great life.