105 Years Ago
It has
often been the case that the dedication of important campus buildings was
delayed so that they could be a part of Founder’s Day festivities. In 1913, two
buildings were dedicated on the same day, one at Northfield, one at Mount
Hermon. Schauffler Library turns 105!
from The Hermonite,
vol. XXVI, no.6, pp. 103-4, 116-7; February 1913.
FOUNDER’S DAY.
Founder’s Day was rather quietly
observed this year. The dedication of the new library was the main feature of
the day when, at the Chapel, Dr. A.F. Schauffler gave a short dedicatory
address, after which he presented the keys to the building to Mr. A.G. Moody.
Then followed reminiscences by those who were personally acquainted with D.L.
Moody, led by Rev. John McDowell.
After the Chapel exercises the library
was opened for inspection and was visited by a large number of students. All
were delighted with the fine appearance of the interior, and felt that Hermon
had a library equal to that of any preparatory school in the country.
DEDICATION
OF KENARDEN HALL.
At the close of the service on
Founder’s Day, in which Dr. Schauffler of New York City, Rev. John McDowell of
Newark, Mr. F.P. Wood of Boston and Mr. A.G. Moody took part, the guests and
students went to Kenarden Hall, our new administration building, and joined in
a simple and impressive dedication service.
The service began by the vesper
choir singing, “O God, our help in ages past.” After the prayer, Dr.
Schauffler, in behalf of Mrs. Kennedy, the donor of the building, in presenting
the keys, said:
“I will begin by expressing Mrs.
Kennedy’s gratitude to the architect of the building were are in. It is a model
of its kind whether we view it externally or internally, and to the architect
and to all who had any part in the putting up of this structure, I want to
express the gratification of my sister-in-law, who gives the building, and my
own as well.
“In the early days when Moses led
the Israelites out of Egypt to the foot of Mount Sinai, he found he must have
organization. Moses needed organization for the administration of all the
affairs that came before him. Where there is a large number of people, there
must be organization, there must be administration. This building has been
erected for administration – Christian administration of a large and increasing
organization – one of very great power, in Northfield as well as the world
over. Here affairs are to be directed, here policies are to be framed in all
that pertains to the Northfield Seminary.
“The donor of this building is not
here today. She stayed away because she was a little afraid there might be some
whitewash and, being very modest, she said, ‘I will not go where I might hear
something in my praise.’ Therefore she set forth a good example. Her sister
stayed away for the same reason.
“The building has been called
Kenarden Hall because she is following the example of her husband who gave
largely to educational work the world over. He gave millions the world over and
never had his name attached to one building or one single fund. Following in
his footsteps, Mrs. Kennedy does not desire to have her name given to the
building. It is called Kenarden Hall from her summer residence in Bar Harbor
and means Rocky Head.
“In Mrs. Kennedy’s behalf, I want
to say how gladly she gives this building. It is a joy to her to give, for she
has learned the teaching of our Master in
which He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’ and giving fills
her heart with joy and her life with happiness and her hands with usefulness.
In this spirit she gives this building to Northfield.
“In her behalf, I dedicate this
building to the administration of the affairs of this school. Acting in behalf
of Mrs. Kennedy, my sister-in-law, I pass over the keys, with her permission
and with her desire that all that goes on here shall be to the glory of Christ
and to the upbuilding of Christian womanhood here in Northfield.”
Mr. A.G. Moody, with a few words of
gratitude, accepted the keys, and the school voted to send our thanks to Mrs.
Kennedy for the much-needed building.