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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 021: Newspaper articles and petition, 1875-1878, p. 3
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: THE COLLEGE. ARGUS. and in whom this culture is attempted; and. what he is to be and to do? In other words, what is man? and what is the true
Show moreTHE COLLEGE. ARGUS. and in whom this culture is attempted; and. what he is to be and to do? In other words, what is man? and what is the true philosophy of human life? First, then, man is an animal. eats, sleeps and dies. As such he is born, grows, Yet he differs from all others, and is, as Shakespeare told you long ago, “the paragon of animals.” He needs physical culture, he needs frame as well as brain. Let him eat beef and mutton in generous slices. Let him leap into every day as into a new paradise, over the wall of eight hours solid sleep. Let him hurl the ball, or pitch the quoit or tug at the oar, or poise the rifle; only let all these things be done with the distinct recognition that we have a higher nature, and in such manner and measure as to do no harm to what is best and noblest in this loftier realm. Of this higher nature the physical powers are only the scaffolding. To man this earth is something more than a dormitory and a larder, and a gymnasium. It is a school- house and a workshop, and a gallery af art. One of the great problems which has been long and earnestly pondered by many of the ablest minds in the world is, how best to secure that culture on which the progress of science and civilization depends. The courses of study prescribed in the college and university are the answer to this grave question. However these courses may vary in different institutions, they unite in this most emphatic testimony, that the great need is culture; the training of the mind to be all it can be, rather than to know all it can know “ Esse quam videri,’” is a lesson taught us from our childhood. ‘“ Esse quam habere,” is a lesson only less important and demanding more courage in the teacher and greater faith in the learner. The good thing for the student is not to seem, nor to get, but to become. It is some times objected to the college course that many things laboriously learned in it are quickly forgotten. For- gotten! What matter is it if the tourist forget some of the steps by which he ascended the Righi? He is there none the less, and the mountain air thrills him, and the sublime scene spreads around him and what matters it if some of the les- sons are forgotten by which the student becomes a scholar, and enter into lasting communion with the loftiest thought? While thus the real worth of a thorough educational course can be justly estimated only in view of these highest con- siderations, it is well to remember that in every lower region of haman endeavor its superior value is abundantly demon- strated. All but ten of the signers of the Declaration of In- dependence were trained in universities and colleges. More than one-fourth of the members of the National Congress, from the beginning to this day, have been graduates of col- leges. And will any one say that Cicero and Pitt and Sumner were less effective in their oratory because of the affluence of their culture? In passing to my final topic I must call attention once more to the vital question underlying all sound education— W hat is man? Some narrow specialists say that he is an improved ape. But where are the palaces apes have reared, the poems they have written, the Atlantic cables they have laid, the temples in which they worship, and the hymns of faith in a coming glory which they sing? Oh! when I consider the history of man, and see that his course is a perpetual progress of ideas while all the lower orders of creation are forever running the same unprogressive round of existence, that a barbarous country becomes in a few generations the arena of highest civilization; above all, when I consider the spiritual yearnings of man and the religious history of the world, how man hates God and defies God, and wants God, and yields to God and loves God, and communes with God until he re- sembles God; I feel that no account of the origin of this wonderful being at all tallies with the indisputable facts of his career save this, “In the image of God created He him.” Science is bound to take account of all facts. Now among the grandest of facts are the intuitive convictions of the soul about God and a hereafter; its sense of wrongness and its longing for a release; the Bible and Christianity. Any course of education which omits these, however brilliant it may be, is not fit for man as man, but only for man as the most erect and meditative of apes. In America the college is the child of the church. A late report of the Commissioner of Education shows that of the 368 colleges it enumerates, thirty only are known to be secular in their origin and management. In this noble company Wesleyan is proud to march. She has never been, may she never be, the propagator of a narrow sectarianism; she has always been, may she ever be, a defender of “the faith once delivered to the saints.” The methods by which a high moral and religious culture may be secured in a college, I cannot now discuss with any approach to thoroughness. The discipline of the college is among the agencies for the highest good. The influence of the students upon each other is an element of prime import- ance, and the regular instruction of the college course is another. On the daily chapel service and the public Sabbath worship in this place, and on the social religious meetings, we largely rely for the best Christian influence. My chief hope, however, lies in the personal characters of the instructors. If the institution shall stand a thousand years, the time will never come when the name of Fisk shall cease to be a talis- man. Why? Because of the thorough, genial, saintly good- ness of the man. I undertake the heavy responsibilities of the office into which I have this day been publicly induced, not, I confess without very serious reflection and some tripidation. And yet I undertake these responsibilities, not, I also admit, without high hopes and strong courage; for I remember whose co- laborer I am in this great work. I encourage myself, first of all, by considering who the men are at whose side I take my stand. I remember also of what stuff college students are made, and this inspires me. Nor do I forget the noble men on whose fostering care the welfare of this university so directly depends. Nothing could have induced me to accept this office, which I esteem at once the highest honor and greatest responsibility of my life, save the earnest assurance coming from every quarter of co-operation from the friends of this university, and above all the confident expectation of the blessing which I humbly crave from Him, without whose aid nothing is strong or wise or good. �
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 015: Annual Report 1872-1873, p. 22
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: �

Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 012: Annual Report 1869-1870, p. 5
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (398) The generous gift of J. O. Judd Esq. $5000 Fund The Expenses My Mortification Reasons $1000 Mr Winchster 700 A Bill of Inventory(?) properly
Show more(398) The generous gift of J. O. Judd Esq. $5000 Fund The Expenses My Mortification Reasons $1000 Mr Winchster 700 A Bill of Inventory(?) properly would come next year Decline in Gold Some of our securities did not yield the normal amounts Our Increased operations require more money. Care, superintendence 6
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 006: Annual Report 1862-1863, p. 17
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (306) available than heretofore for the purpose of instruction. Repairs It is not probable that so large an expenditure will be needed for repairs
Show more(306) available than heretofore for the purpose of instruction. Repairs It is not probable that so large an expenditure will be needed for repairs during the coming year. Some rooms in the college building, the roof of the chapel, and perhaps the roof of the Boarding Hall will need repairs. It is not probable that so extensive Repairs as have annually been made during a few years past will be needed for many years to come. [\page] 1862-1863 48
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 019: Correspondence, 1851-1867 and transcripts, p. 5
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: pth tern Ab 2g te DAW 214s. Se ee a Agile a a. eye po OAK Ai ee (Paseo ba �

Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 006: Annual Report 1862-1863, p. 9
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (298) Salaries The inquiries made in order to be prepared to seek nominations for he vacant Professorships has impressed me with the importance of
Show more(298) Salaries The inquiries made in order to be prepared to seek nominations for he vacant Professorships has impressed me with the importance of increasing the salaries of the Professors. It is probable that most if not all the men who would be selected for these positions would make a pecuniary sacrifice in accepting them. This is certainly the case with the two gentlemen who have been selected. The expenses of faithful Professors are necessarily larger than they would be in other positions. Before the change in the financial conditions of the country, they were inadequate and it must be evident that at present they are not a fair remuneration for their labor. I hope it will be distinctly understood that in pleading for my associates I ask nothing for myself but I respectfully
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 020: Correspondence, 1873-1876 and transcripts, p.15
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: AWeilepan clmiversity, ] Middletown, ae a Le 7) Pe a ers : mee pg OR Fhe perio �

Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 005: Annual Report 1861-1862, p. 14
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (284) review of the Board having confidence that they will not allow improper influences to control their decision. Five years ago this summer I was
Show more(284) review of the Board having confidence that they will not allow improper influences to control their decision. Five years ago this summer I was elected President of the Wesleyan University and four years ago last March I entered on the duties of the office. I accepted the office with great reluctance knowing well the difficulties to be encountered. Very many important changes in the mode of conducting the affairs of the University have been made and their influence has been highly beneficial. It was to be expected that in incurring these changes opposition would be encountered. There is reason for thankfulness it has been no greater.
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 009: Annual Report 1865-1866, p. 9
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: �(353) I have done what I could for this course. I made arrangements to secure visits to an unusually large number of Conferences and secured from
Show more�(353) I have done what I could for this course. I made arrangements to secure visits to an unusually large number of Conferences and secured from them resolutions very favorable to the University. I have written many letters and sent out a large number of circulars and have [made] arrangements to send out thousands of additional circulars. I have received several letters asking what we are doing and intimating it would b well for us to be in earnest and active. I am sorry no more has been done but it has been an unusually severe year. Instead of the relief that was implied in the resolutions of the Board last year my labor has ben much more severe than usual. In addition to the regular duties of my office and Department I have prepared the Annual Catalogue . This is but a small matter but I have also prepared the General Catalogue which has
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 005: Annual Report 1861-1862, p. 10
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (280) It is believed that the objects of the Reading Room can be much better secured should it be placed under the care of the Institution and that
Show more(280) It is believed that the objects of the Reading Room can be much better secured should it be placed under the care of the Institution and that the debt may be discharged by the income from the room. I recommend that the Reading Room should be placed under the care of the President and that a charge for its use should be made in the Term bills of the students.
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 007: Annual Report 1863-1864, p. 4
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (312) and influence of the Faculty. I judge it proper for me to state in this connection with reference to my association with the Faculty that the
Show more(312) and influence of the Faculty. I judge it proper for me to state in this connection with reference to my association with the Faculty that the various Departments are filled by able men who are giving earnest attention to their appropriate works. I am confident that much may be expected from their industry ability and scholarship. In thoroughness of scholarship in the good order and moral character of its students and in all the essentials of a good college so far as relates to instruction the Wesleyan University needs no apology from its friends nor need it suffer in comparison with the best colleges in the country. Our course of study is sufficiently extensive and varied. The prominence given to Modern Languages and to Hebrew offers peculiar advantages to different classes of students. In no college is there more and in few colleges is there as much work accomplished as in this. There are two serious and embarrassing difficulties with which
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 007: Annual Report 1863-1864, p. 8
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (316) When Mr. Rich promises to erect a suitable building to correspond to the library Fund no questions must be asked as to its character cost or
Show more(316) When Mr. Rich promises to erect a suitable building to correspond to the library Fund no questions must be asked as to its character cost or style. There is a sufficient guarantee that it will be all the friends of the Institution would desire. I wish to call special attention to this generous and noble offer in order that the Joint Board may make a suitable acknowledgement and that measures may be devised to aid the Alumni who cannot reasonably be expected to raise the needed amount from their own numbers. I think an agent should be employed who shall act under the authority of the Alumni and the Joint Board. I presume a communication will be received from the Alumni that may indicate their view relative to the proper course to be pursued. It is important that prompt and energetic measures should be used to secure this Fund. It is not now an unfavorable time
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 018: Library-related papers, 1867-1870, p. 6
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: Wa Ze _ AZo N Ho te ke �

Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 019: Correspondence, 1851-1867 and transcripts, p. 8
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: ee foe hs b, cae, Von Type ee bj ne i pated a Cpa ology = Deh & Afb Lae. Oe Mee ee C7227 1177 eter a as ees Lo ae EZ22L24CLZ2141 Ao mens ne even
Show moreee foe hs b, cae, Von Type ee bj ne i pated a Cpa ology = Deh & Afb Lae. Oe Mee ee C7227 1177 eter a as ees Lo ae EZ22L24CLZ2141 Ao mens ne even SOS SI at 7 Ai fet Le, see OO CLL ie a P41 ee fon a it oak ee cd Lie Liar oe i. Pee oe pref Gia SS aes 22S aed Zot �
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 014: Annual Report 1871-1872, p. 11
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (416) Lands to be sold--Lands to be bought After reflection I earnestly recommend that the land on High Street which Mrs. Hubbard has given should be
Show more(416) Lands to be sold--Lands to be bought After reflection I earnestly recommend that the land on High Street which Mrs. Hubbard has given should be sold and that the lot of land lying on the South side of Cross Street be purchased. The lot of which I recommend the purchase lies near to the college property being separated by a street. It is every way desirable and will be needed. It is to be feared that it will be sold in small lots to persons who will build inferior houses and greatly diminish the appearance of the surroundings of the college. The future of the college will require that the square on which it stands should belong to it and the lots on the opposite side of the streets surrounding it. I hope the Trustees will examine into this matter and give the subject careful attention. The generous gift will enable us to secure
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 009: Annual Report 1865-1866, p. 15
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (357) that a tower should be built in front of the Boarding Hall and on the top of it the Astronomical Observatory should be placed. The objections
Show more(357) that a tower should be built in front of the Boarding Hall and on the top of it the Astronomical Observatory should be placed. The objections which were made at the time this proposition was made I did not then regard as sound. I find that arrangements almost precisely similar have been made at the Yale Scientific School. I would respectfully ask that authority should be given to repair the building by shingling the roof adding a proper cornice and that a proper tower should be built for of the kind and for the purposes indicated. The Square and the Hill West of Mt. Vernon St. I renew the suggestion that it is very desirable that the whole square containing the college property and the Hill lying West of the College Cemetery should belong to the College. The time will come when this property must be secured but the prosperity
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 019: Correspondence, 1851-1867 and transcripts, p. 15
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (peel on Ae DE Co por ow ODE a ee A oo a (lV ee LER LEEI TE ant te Afni] elvan ret DO brick lan (Ett 11 oaaed i lease es ee ee A141 ee sy ne ae “ Api
Show more(peel on Ae DE Co por ow ODE a ee A oo a (lV ee LER LEEI TE ant te Afni] elvan ret DO brick lan (Ett 11 oaaed i lease es ee ee A141 ee sy ne ae “ Api ARAL A AAS (LtADZ ee ee) eth SA? 2t72-H Pes. ee bad = np | Oo Ja Oe Pi | oe Fe DE Wood, : eee teed Bed phe Ot FA Bierce va Se tie , : -2eMierpeii2.</ Dy ME fe fo Foe See I: $IV0 ZA feof ee eh Spt Re (fis esac ev ig prow peti te Cte �
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 015: Annual Report 1872-1873, p. 2
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (432) We are now compelled to divide classes into small sections and each section costs as much time of the teachers as the whole class would demand
Show more(432) We are now compelled to divide classes into small sections and each section costs as much time of the teachers as the whole class would demand in the same department. There will not be a need of large expenditures on the college buildings as they are in good condition. We are now compelled to divide classes into small sections where elective courses of study are presented and each section requires as much time and attention as would the whole class in the same department. �
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 003: Annual Report 1859-1860, p. 11
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: (219) has been disappointment and chagrin at the accomodations presented. Formerly denominational influences led young men of our church to seek the
Show more(219) has been disappointment and chagrin at the accomodations presented. Formerly denominational influences led young men of our church to seek the privileges of our own institutions, on account of the annoyances and discomforts experienced elsewhere, but a more commendable and liberal spirit now prevails and full opportunity is given for the enjoyment of religious preferences. It is now the case that many sons of members and of ministers of our church are educated in colleges under the control of other denominations. In many cases as a result of this, their influence to a great extent if not wholly is lost to our church. The time has come when this Institution should be placed in the position designed by its founders. An institution of the highest grade with ample endowment is demanded. Nowhere at so little expense and under so favorable circumstances can this object be realized.
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Title: Joseph Cummings papers, Box 1, Folder 020: Correspondence, 1873-1876 and transcripts, p.17
Creator: Cummings, Joseph, 1817-1890
Text: We Sie ye UNIVERSITY, ps ff “Y Ay A, . a Mbidd Lard, Camm. 5 Lecqust, AE 72. of DEAR BROTHER: We earnestly solicit your personal influence in favor of
Show moreWe Sie ye UNIVERSITY, ps ff “Y Ay A, . a Mbidd Lard, Camm. 5 Lecqust, AE 72. of DEAR BROTHER: We earnestly solicit your personal influence in favor of the WESLEYAN Universiry. The case is urgent. The Corporation cannot recede from the advanced position taken, and cannot maintain it without a large increase of funds. We request you to aid the Institution : 1. By recommending it, and advising students to seek its advantages. We will furnish you with Catalogues and such other information as you may desire. 9. By sending to us the names of men of large means and liberal views, from whom large eifts may be expected, and also the names of those from whom, with good prospect of success, we may solicit subscriptions for a limited time, to meet current expenses. 3. We urge you to recommend, as you have opportunity, the mode of investment we propose, whereby the University will ultimately gain property, and the donors the income for as long a period as they may choose. We are fully confident the University will be sustained. The time of uncertainty relative to its success has past. In beauty, healthfulness, and other natural ad rantages of location, in thoroughness of scholar- ship, and strength of moral influences, it is unsurpassed. It is connected with important interests and with names held in highest favor by the Church. Its past success gives encouragement to expect greater resources and influence in the future. It will afford us great pleasure to hear from you and to receive any suggestions in aid of our cause. Yours Truly, JOSEPH CUMMINGS, President of Wesleyan University. �
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