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CHAPTER
XXIII.

Rev. Ed

glesworth.

In January, 1765, the College lost by death, at the age of seventy-two, the Rev. Edward Wigglesworth, ward Wig the first Hollis Professor of Divinity. He held that office, from the time of his induction, in October, 1722, during a period of forty-three years. Few, if any, of those who have been connected with the College as governors or instructers, have left a reputation more enviable, as a gentleman, a scholar, and a divine. Lamented by his contemporaries, from the press and the pulpit, in strains of unequivocal and unlimited eulogy, his works are yet existing evidences of their justice and of his desert. In private life he was affable, condescending, charitable, and affectionate; in professional duties laborious, faithful, and exact; as a governor of the seminary, mild, firm, and judicious. In poverty and sickness he was unrepining and resigned; and in every vicissitude of life, calm and self-possessed.

His catholicism.

At a period of society, in which religious zeal was closely allied to fanaticism, the Professorship of Divinity was a critical and difficult position. The selection of Wigglesworth by such men as Colman, Appleton, Wadsworth, and Flynt, whose influences were all favorable to freedom of inquiry, was sufficiently indicative of his character and views. At the period of his election, the elements of theological discord were in strong action under the surface, and were not unfrequently seen effervescing above it. The jealousy of the stricter sect of Calvinists compelled the Corporation to go through the form of this election a second time,* in order to establish a precedent for the examination of candidates for

* See Vol. I. p. 253.

XXIII.

His mode sing contro

of discus

the Professorship on points of faith. The Records of CHAPTER the Overseers are the only evidence of the mode in which this examination was conducted. Wigglesworth, however, signed no test, and gave no bond for adhesion to any sect or party. He belonged to that class of divines,* who believed, that the Protestant churches had not yet reached the utmost point of reform; and he was disposed to labor to bring them into a nearer approach to the only true and original standard, the Holy Scriptures, unincumbered by the schemes, systems, and inventions of men. Clear in argument, cool in manner, searching the depths of every subject after its fundamental truth, he discussed controversial points with candor, and executed all his professional duties with exemplary impartiality and judgment. He was among the first of the theologians of New England, who dared publicly to question some of the cherished doctrines of high Calvinism, which had obtained an authority not inferior to the Scriptures themselves. His form of indicating difference of opinion was that of doubt and inquiry, and not of attack or defence. This practice made him obnoxious to the charge of "only exhibiting the opinions and arguments of others, and of keeping his own to himself;" a misrepresentation, which he charitably supposes to have "originated in mistake," and repels as rash and without foundation. When roused by a sense of wrong, Wigglesworth was occasionally sarcastic; but the caustic severity displayed in the writings of his friend Chauncy, and the asperity which characterized those of his pupil Mayhew, were not suited to the gentle and subdued spirit which predominated in his discourses.

• Appleton's Funeral Discourse on Rev. Edward Wigglesworth.

versial

points.

CHAPTER Chauncy, in his "Sketch of Eminent Men in New

XXIII.

England," has left a just and noble tribute to his
memory, in the testimony he has given of his "firm-
ness to his own
his own principles, his charity to those of
others, his learning, piety, and usefulness, strength of
mind, largeness of understanding, extraordinary tal-
ent, catholic spirit and conduct, notwithstanding great
temptations to the contrary."

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CHAPTER XXIV.

Customs of the College on the Accession of the Chief Magistrate of the Province. Addresses to Governors Shirley and Pownall. Their Visits to the College. — State of Morals at the Period. — Attempts to regulate public Commencements. Difficulties attending them. Ancient Strictness relaxed. Mode of providing Commons. - Their Quality. - Causes of Discontent.

- Consequent Disorders.

-Increase of Students in the College. - Corporation apply to the
Legislature for an additional Building.

An Appropriation made,

and a Committee appointed for that Object.- Hollis Hall commenced and completed. — The Name of Hollis given to it. Ceremony on the Occasion.

XXIV.

Customs of

lege.

DURING the Colonial state of Massachusetts, the CHAPTER intimate union which subsisted between Harvard College and the civil and ecclesiastical powers of the the ColProvince, unavoidably connected the interests of the seminary with political events. A retrospective view will now be taken of the customs these relations introduced, and of the influence which the general tone of society at this period exerted on the character and progress of the seminary. On the accession of every Governor, the Corporation solicited his patronage by a formal address, invited him to the College, and received him there with great respect and ceremony.

Gov. Shir

In 1741, when Governor Shirley took possession of Address to the chair of the Province, the Corporation "congratu- ley. lated him on his advancement, recommended the Col

* See Vol. I. pp. 445, 446.

XXIV.

CHAPTER lege to his patronage, and desired his aid and coöperation in their endeavours to advance pure religion and His reply. profitable human learning." Shirley reciprocated their politeness, and replied, that, "as he owed the College's mother, in Great Britain, the little share of learning he pretended to have, it would yield him a singular pleasure, to express the gratitude and affection, which he had ever borne the mother, by affording to her daughter, in New England, all the protection in his power."

Gov. Shir

ley's recep tion at the College.

In September, Governor Shirley visited Cambridge, dined with the Corporation, who caused to be inserted on their records a minute description of the ceremonies of the day, which is here transcribed, including the formalities usual on such occasions, and illustrative of the manners of the period.

"The Governor came up to Cambridge* with an escort of forty men, including officers, accompanied by the Council, a great many other gentlemen, and a considerable number who came over the ferry, by the way of Charlestown. He was met a mile off, by the gentlemen of Cambridge, the Tutors, the Professors, Masters, and two of the Bachelors. Both the Meetinghouse bell and the College bell were rung. He was received, at the door of the College, exactly at eleven o'clock, by the President and Corporation, and escorted to the library, where, having waited twenty minutes, the bell was tolled, and all moved down to the Hall; the Corporation first, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor next, and then the other

* Through Roxbury and Brookline; as the only road, at that period, leading from Boston was along the Neck, at the southern extremity of the peninsula.

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