On the 27th November, he met the Senior Class in their recitation room, for the last time; but continued to instruct the Theological class at his own house, until within a few days of his death. On the 8th of January, 1817, his disease assumed a more violent and alarming character, and it soon became evident that he was beyond the hope of medical relief. He received the communication of his friends as to his true condition, with calmness, and with a Christian resignation, worthy of his life and profession, awaited the time of his departure. Pain at length appeared to have exhausted its strength, but not before it had destroyed its victim. On the 11th January, this great and good man calmly and without a struggle, yielded up his spirit. His death spread a general gloom through all circles of society. Science mourned over the loss of one of her noblest sons; philanthropy felt, that a main-spring in that mighty machine, that moved the charities of the age, was broken; the clergy, that a bright luminary, which like a central orb, had for many years diffused its bright and vivifying influence over every path of ministerial labor, cheering and animating them in their Christian duties, was at length extinguished. The character of this eminent divine and scholar must be the task of an abler and more elaborate pen. The variety and extent of his knowledge, his self command and mental discipline, the lucid order of his thoughts, his powerful eloquence and energetic reasoning, his vivid but well regulated imagination, the charms of his poetry and the melody of his music, all forbid the hopeless attempt. But he has left better memorials of his worth, than even gifted biographers can prepare. They are traced on every page of his literary works, they may be found in the records of the most important benevolent institutions of the age; in the prosperity of the Church to which the energies of his life were devoted; in the annals of a University, that justly regarded him as its pride and glory; and in the history of a nation, which he has largely contributed to advance in intellectual greatness. Every tribute that respect or affection could manifest for his memory, was exhibited at his death. His remains were attended to the grave by a numerous concourse of clergy and laity, of every rank; business was suspended, and the shops at New Haven were closed during the solemnities. Numerous sermons were preached on the occasion, in various parts of the country, and in several cities the alumni of the College convened to mingle their sympathies, and bear affectionate testimony to the worth of their departed friend. The Corporation of Yale College have erected a marble monument over his grave, which bears the following inscription. 20 Hic sepultus jacet Vir ille admodum reverendus Sacrosanctæ Theologiæ Professor : De Literis, de Religione, de Patria Maximo suorum et bonorum omnium mortem obiit, Die XI. Januar. Anno Domini MDCCCXVII. Etatis suæ LXV. On the opposite side. Ecclesiæ Greenfieldiensis Pastor Annos XII. Collegii Yalensis Tutor VI. Præses XXII. Senatus Collegii Yalensis Hoc Saxum Posuendum Curavit. CHAPTER IX. The Presidency of the Rev. Jeremiah Day, S. T. D. THE decease of President Dwight, who in all respects, was so well qualified to direct and regulate the concerns of the University, awakened a general solicitude with regard to its future government. In selecting his successor, the friends of the institution directed their attention to an academic corps, formed under his judicious and enlightened system, and the Rev. JEREMIAH DAY, then Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, was elected President. He had been educated at the College, had served three years as a Tutor, and fourteen years as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and in the discharge of all his academic duties, had gained the favor of the Corporation and Faculty, and the affections of the Students. The obvious indelicacy of alluding in stronger terms to the fitness of this choice, must restrain the remarks of the writer; he may however with propriety, advert to the unexampled prosperity of the University, during the Presidency of Doctor Day, as evidence that the wisdom which guided its early councils has not forsaken its paths. The annals of the institution, since the election of President Day, are so familiar to those conver sant with the concerns of the institution, or who take an interest in its prosperity, that only a brief chronological statement will be requisite to complete the object of this treatise. The Corporation, feeling deeply sensible of the loss of President Dwight, and being fully aware of the fact, that the character of the College was, in public estimation, very intimately blended with his reputation, wisely resolved to amplify the advantages of the institution, by increasing the number of Professorships, and thus strengthening their claims on a continuance of favor and confidence. At a meeting of the Board, in 1817, the academic corps was modified and extended by the following appointments. The Rev. JEREMIAH DAY, S. T. D. was appointed President. ALEXANDER METCALF FISHER, Esq. a Tutor of high reputation in the College, and whose literary pursuits had been especially directed to the study of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, was advanced to the Professorship of those sciences, rendered vacant by the appointment of Doctor Day to the Presidency. The Rev. CHAUNCEY A. GOODRICH, then Pastor of a Church in Middletown, Connecticut, was chosen Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory. The establishment of this Professorship, indicated the sentiments of the Corporation in reference to the views of Doctor Dwight, as they added thereby, a new branch to the classical department of the University. |