CLASS OF 1878
The class of 1878 gathered at Commencement for a reunion on the occasion of its thirty-fifth anniversary. Thirty-three members of the class were present, as follows: Andrews, Bouton, A. O. Brown, Caverly, Dana, Dodd, Edson, George, Gerould, Gerrish, Gilbert, Gray, Gregg, Johnson, Lane, Meader, Montgomery, Niles, Norton, L. Parkhurst, Parkinson, Proctor, Sawyer, Stickney, Stimson, C. W. Stone, G. w. Stone, Sully, Tarbell, Tucker, Vittum, Weymouth, Whitfiey.
One of the first events was the inspection of Parkhurst Administration Building, where the members were received by Mr. and Mrs. Parkhurst. All were filled with admiration not only for the generosity that had made so fine a building possible, but for the care and thoughtfulness that had perfected every detail of structure and appointment. On being shown the finely designed Faculty Room, "Tommy" Stone speculated as to how closely it conformed to the style of accommodations the class would have framed for the faculty in undergraduate days, had it been commissioned thereto.
On Tuesday afternoon a luncheon was held, at which wives and sons and daughters were present. Fifty-one, all told, sat down together. Gilbert led once more, with two sons and a daughter present. I. F. Paul's two sons were welcome guests on this occasion. Parkhurst and Edson claimed some sort of distinction for having with them the same girls that graced their graduation, and both were awarded honorable mention for the excellence of their exhibits. It was recalled that the lamented Templeton would have shared in the same distinction had he been present with his wife.
After luncheon the group assembled on the steps of the Parkhurst Building for a photograph. Johnson and Weymouth arrived just in time to be included. "Tute" Worthen was corralled and dragged into the center of the group. The class also endeavored to pay respects to Professors Emerson and Lord the only two present members of the faculty who were in service in its undergraduate days. They, . however, were engaged with their own class reunions, and could only be greeted informally. Some individual members paid their respects to Miss Sarah Smith, and found her as interested in and as alert as ever to the adventures of the boys of the seventies.
Tuesday evening the class sat down to dinner together in the Alumni Room at College Hall. John Cotton Dana presided. Most of the evening was spent in reports of absent classmates, leaving those present to exchange reminiscences among themselves. Letters were read from several who could not be present. Those from Dexter, Ewing, and Moses awakened especial interest. Four of the class having passed away within a year, memories of them were especially revived. Peculiarly impressive were the tributes to I. F. Paul, and many instances were given of his generous and effective activity in behalf of individuals and in the interests of the College. The class stood for a silent moment in his memory, and George, Norton, and Parkhurst were appointed a committee to plan a suitable memorial for our old friend Ike.
Dana called upon Parkhurst, as the classmate most closely identified with the administration of the College, to put the class in touch therewith, and Park gave a most interesting report of the changes and the progress of the College upon its administrative side.
The Rev. George H. Gilbert, D.D., was invited to tell of the change in religious bearings and leadership during the period of the class history, and did so in that clear and fine and trenchant style of which he is master, declaring that religious influence rests upon two authorities, the authority of character and the authority of intellectual interpretation, both of which must be cherished if genuine impetus is to be imparted and men are to shape their lives to the religious ideal. He instanced several manifestations of the authority of character on the part of the faculty of the earlier day, but thought it then not adequately supported on the interpretative side. He spoke hopefully of the future. Byway of reminiscence, and somewhat aside from his main theme, Gilbert referred to the embryonic athletic contests held upon the campus in the late seventies, and to his humiliating defeat by Trustee Parkhurst in the mile walk of that remote day. He hurled at Parkhurst a challenge to a thirty mile walk over the hills of Vermont at a future date to be mutually agreed upon. This challenge was promptly accepted and competition is sharp for sideline positions for the contest.
Addison F. Andrews indulged in reminiscences of varied hue and shade. He also led the singing, as the class undertook to discourse sweet music of the ancient vintage.
Andrew W. Edson, associate superintendent of schools of New York City, was asked to touch upon educational progress, and expressed the ,hope that the College, and colleges generally, would come to lay more emphasis upon character and teaching power, as compared with specialized scholarship, in the choice 01 instructors.
Frank Proctor, banker by profession, poet by nature, entertained the class with mingled humor and homily, well spiced with literary allusion.
With much regret that all present could not be heard, adjournment was taken at a more prudent hour than has been the case at past reunions. The occasion was informal enough to please even those of the class who have bemoaned the passing of the democratic simplicity of student days.
Some amusing episodes transpired at the meeting of men for the first time ii thirty-five years. Martyn L. Stimson, returned missionary, was led to greet Fred W. Gregg, LL.D., of California, very warmly as Judge John E. Young of New Hampshire, and Nathaniel Niles seemed to derive much joy from the mystery that enshrouded his appearance in the presence of several of his old friends. Nat hasn't changed much, either. And in the case even of those most changed in appearance, the familiar look and the familiar manner came soon to the surface, as they mingled and chatted and jested as of yore. Many regrets were expressed at the absence of some who might easily have been present, and the absence of others who would have given much for the opportunity to be present. Mutual reports after thirty-five years of reconnoitering were seriously optimistic. None counted themselves to have arrived, but all agreed with Stevenson that "it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive." The men parted with increased respect for one another, with renewed warmth of friendship, and with enlarged appreciation of their share in that civilizing process which the College is set to impel.
Secretary, William D. Parkinson, Waltham, Mass.
