U.S. Christian Commission
To the Mt. Holyoke Class of '64.
Sow we beside all waters
Seminatores
1864 was the most trying time in the history of our civil war. As I look back, I wonder how we ever lived through it. Many of us had lost brothers and friends in prisons or on battle fields. The first enthusiasm of the war died away. We sang no more the refrain, "We'll hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree," but a grim determination had entered into the hearts of our people. We bade good-by to our brave soldier boys with bowed heads and a prayer that God would save our beloved country.Our class had raised a considerable sum, about three hundred dollars, I think, for a class badge. We had met one day to decide upon the design. There was some difference of opinion. While we were discussing, one of the girls came in, saying, "There has been a terrible battle and money is needed for our wounded and sick soldiers in the hospitals. The Christian Commission" (which corresponds to the Red Cross of the present day) "has issued a call for money." One of the girls made a motion that the class badges be dispensed with, and that we send the money to the Christian Commission instead. The motion was carried and we supposed the incident ended. But on Commencement day, when the Rev. Mr. Mead (husband of Mrs. Elizabeth S. Mead, the first president of the college) was about to confer the diplomas, as secretary of the Board of Trustees, he said some surprising things, which were not displeasing to us. Among the things he said was, "You will notice a silver pin attached to the blue ribbon of your diplomas," The story of the contribution had in some way reached the Commission and, upon hearing it, one of the gentlemen (and I think it was William E. Dodge) said, "Those girls shall have a class badge, which I will give at my own expense." That is the story of the silver pin of the class of 1864. It represents a silver scroll, on which is engraved, U. S. Christian Commission to the Mount Holyoke Class of '64. "Sow ye beside all waters." Seminatores. The latter was our class motto and our name.
Note. - On inquiry, it has been ascertained that the member of the Christian Commission who gave the silver badges to the class of 1864 was Mr. George H. Stuart, a wealthy merchant of Philadelphia, who at that time was president of the Commission.