130 Years Ago

            Over the course of the next two weeks people around the world will be welcoming a new lunar year -- the Year of the Dog. In 1888, some students here were similarly celebrating a new year. Henry Rankin noted one event at Mount Hermon that winter in his history of the schools.

from HAND-BOOK OF THE NORTHFIELD SEMINARY AND THE MT. HERMON SCHOOL, Chicago, Fleming H. Revell, 1889, p. 172.

February 21, on the evening of this day, which was part of the Chinese new year’s anniversary, the nine Chinese students gave a dinner to the faculty. It was a pleasant and unique occasion.

Note that the zodiac of animals is a twelve year cycle so the 1888 celebration ushered in the Year of the Rat. To get some idea of the school in these days, there were 16 teachers and 247 students when classes began in the fall.  –ed.

105 Years Ago

            In addition to learning another bit of school history, this week you also have an opportunity to learn a scrap of Latin if you have none. The phase in question may be freely translated as “New things.”

from The Hermonite, vol. XXI, no.6, p. 100; February 1913.

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“Novae res” have come for the Seminary. It used to be printed in the catalog that one half hour’s exercise was required of each student daily. Teachers used to advise it as cure for headache and as first aid to mathematics. It was frequently chosen as a topic for discussion in English classes, but alas! only a few were faithful.

Now one half hour’s exercise is taken daily. Time is set aside for it; it is anticipated with pleasure, and the new exercise cards just give the final reminder to obey the old rule with new enthusiasm.

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.

95 Years Ago

from The Hermonite, vol. XXXVI, no.6, p. 114; February, 1923.

Tobogganing

On January 25 the Athletic Association voted to introduce competitive tobogganing as one of the winter sports, and to that end appropriated one hundred dollars. We heartily commend the efforts of those who put this thing through. The dormitories have taken hold in a spirit of work and fun, and as a result we have three slides which are – oh, judge for yourself. There is a happy outlook for those who enjoy this wholesome winter fun.

No mention of results was ever published in later issues of the newspaper and inquiring minds want to know – whatever happened to the toboggans? Perhaps they wound up at the Northfield Inn. – ed.