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Mount Holyoke Female Seminary On Oct. 3 1836 at South Hadley, Mass. was laid the corner-stone of the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, an institution of high order for the education of females that for want of pecuniary means were unable to obtain one. It was estimated that it would cost fifteen thousand dollars. In a circular published two years before we find the plan of this institution to be
"1st Buildings for the accommodation of the school and of the boarders, together with furniture and all other things necessary for the outfit to be furnished by voluntary contributions, and placed, free from encumbrances in the hands of trustees who should be men of enlarged views and of christian benevolence.
2nd Teachers to be secured possessing so much of a missionary spirit that they would labor faithfully and cheerfully, receiving only a moderate salary compared with what they could command in other situations.
3rd. Style of living neat, but very plain and simple.
4th Domestic work of the family to be performed by the members of the school.
5th. Board and tuition to be placed at cost or as low as may be and still cover the common expenses of the family, instruction, etc.
6th The whole plan to be conducted on the principles of our missionary operations; no surplus means to go to the teachers, to the domestic superintendent, or to any other person, but all to be cast-into the treasury for the still further reduction of the expenses the ensuing year. "
But who has originated this plan and so brought it before the public mind as to secure their confidence and also enlist the hearty cooperation of the friend of female education there by being permitted to witness the laying of the corner-stone? The answer is Mary Lyon. Born at Buckland, Franklin Co., Mass. 1797 of parents poor in the treasures of this earth but rich in christian graces, she was easily taught that knowledge was more to be desired than gold or silver. She was the fifth of seven children. She was early remarkable for her uncommon progress in her studies. Solidity of mind and sobriety of deportment were her youthful characteristics. "With teachableness, energy, frankness and warmth of heart were combined elasticity of spirit and an ardent desire to do something to augment the happiness of her friends. To this were added a keen perception of the ludicrous and power of humourous description".
Early bereave'd of her father she was mostly dependent on her own exertions for means of prosecuting her studies. At the age of seventeen her career as a teacher began at the fall of 1817 she entered Sanderson Academy of Ashfield four or five miles distant from her native place. There her slender means were soon expended - whereupon the trustees of the Academy gave her the free use of all its advantages. It is supposed at this time she formed the purpose of preparing herself for teaching. Her bedding, table linen, etc. she exchanged for a room and seat at a boarding house. So interested was she in her studies that it was thought on an average but four in the twenty-four hours was given to sleep.
Although many of more than ordinary talent were attending school none were able to keep pace with her. Study after study was given by her teacher to keep her in reciting distance of her classes. But all to no purpose. Finally she was given Adam's Latin Grammar and was directed to omit her extra lessons. In three days she committed all usually learned by scholars when first going through the book. Her teacher was wont to remark that never had he heard the Latin Grammar so correctly recited. Her services as a teacher were eagerly sought for. For whatever she found her self-deficient she would go where she could receive instruction on those subjects.
In 1821 at the age of twenty-four she entered Rev. Joseph Emerson's school at Byfield, Mass. supporting herself by the avails of her labor and the remnant of her patrimony. The testimony of Mr. E. was that he considered her superior in native power, tho' not in discipline to any pupil he had ever had in his seminary. Mr. Emerson earnestly desired that his scholars should "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Although in early youth noticed for her attentiveness to religious instruction she did not indulge a hope until nineteen years of age. Then she was led to more fully to acknowledge the religion of the cross and her responsibility as a christian and from this time was known by her faithfulness in all christian duties. "To Mr. E Miss Lyon remarked not long before her death" she owed more than to any other teacher. Before attending his school the intellect more than the heart had occupied her attention. But of him she had learned to give each its due proportion.
In the fall of 1821 she returned to Ashfield as teacher in the Sanderson Academy. In the spring of 1822 she united with the Congregational church at Buckland. About this time from want of success in teaching and other considerations she seriously thought of never again engaging in teaching. Soon after her decision to continue teaching she was invited to assist Miss Z. P. Grant at the Adam's Female Academy at Londonderry (now Derry) N.H. which she accepted the next spring.
The design of this school was by a systematic course to give the pupils habits of faithfulness and attentiveness. It was the duty of the teachers to see that everything proposed for immediate attention was accomplished. Miss L. having found the study of the Bible of great use in intellectual discipline before engaging the school obtained the consent of the Executive committee to devote to it one-seventh part of the intellectual energies of her pupils in its study. For four winters taught at Buckland and Ashfield cooperating summers with Miss G at Derry. In the spring of 1828 Miss G removed to Ipswich, Mass. where Miss Lyon continued to cooperate with her. Finding that she was unable to continue teaching at places so distant in March 1830 she bade farewell to her school at Buckland and remained with Miss G. at Ipswich.
At Buckland the first winter her school numbered twenty five; the last, nearly one hundred. This school was moderate in its expenses. The families near by sensible of its many advantages received for the board of scholars but small compensation. It was the resort of those desirous of preparing themselves for teaching. Such was its celebrity that to have attended it one or two winters was a letter of recommendation to a candidate for teaching. But its religious interest more than anything else endeared it to the hearts of the people. Many had sent their daughters bent on the pleasures of this world to the school to see them return "hungering and thirsting after righteousness". In the study of the minister and around the hearth stones of the humble homes of the mechanic and farmer prayers were offered for its prosperity. There training to regard the mind more than raiment and education more to be desired than the pleasures of feasting [several words crossed out] they became acceptable teachers and made Miss L "known as a capable, efficient and benevolent woman, untiring in her efforts to benefit the young".
While only the prospect of more usefulness at Ipswich influenced Miss L to discontinue her school. In Ipswich she but few recitations her duties being mostly then of assisted teacher. "The care of so mating [?] scholars in their boarding houses and rooms as to secure their highest goods of classing them and appropriating students to each, and of arranging recitation devolved in whole or in part upon her. She counselled the younger teachers, attended their recitations, kept order in the seminary building and acquainted herself with the character, progress and wants of every pupil. She gave much general instruction, had an open ear and quick, ready sympathy for every scholar, and was regarded by all as a general friend and admirer."
The school in Ipswich continued to increase until it was found necessary to reduce it. "On all these pupils her name and character as ineffacedly as she had on those at Buckland and Ashfield. They went their way when they left her with the impression that for efficiency, for unpretending goodness for power to direct and control mind, and for skill in exhibiting divine truth, she had scarcely an equal among the daughters of men". Many interesting revivals of religion were enjoyed by the Ipswich Seminary during Miss L. connection with it. In her connection with the school at Derry Miss L. was led to think of the permanent establishment of a seminary of high order for young ladies on the same principles as that of colleges for young men. She often conversed with Miss G. on the subject but who at first was not interested in it -- but in 1830 seeing the desirableness of such a seminary and from that time much of her time & energies were given to the founding of it. with this in view her connection with Ipswich Academy was closed in the fall of 1834.
By referring to the circular to the Ipswich Female Seminary before mentioned at this time we see the plan proposed. At this time the public were in quiet ignorance of her plans. While but few ministers were interested in her project a few gentlemen who had known her long & weli relying on her understanding, energy and benevolence lent her their ear and gave her their influence. In the hundreds of young ladies scattered over the state who had enjoyed her instructions and many of whom through her instrumentality had received a new impulse in the divine life she had intelligent and efficient friends. Thus while many good people hesitated and some opposed God in his providence had raised up a greater number who were prepared to welcome her mission with faith, hope, & zeal.
This Ipswich school had been accustomed to contribute to some benevolent institution once or twice a year. Desiring to raise a 1000 dollars for the contingent expenses of the undertaking Miss L proposed to the school to make her projected seminary the object of their charities. A free will offering of 269 dollars was the result. From the ladies of Ipswich she received 473 more while by personal solicitation the required sum in two months was obtained in the surrounding towns. Not to the rich did Miss Lyon look for the means of erecting the proposed Seminary but to the liberal christian in the common walk of life. From them were obtained the means a few gentlemen of wealth contributing. Wherever Miss L & her agent found her presence desirable in securing an interest in the work they gladly went.
After the building was commenced in the fall of 1836 Miss L. undertook the business of obtaining the fund and articles necessary for furnishing the house. Means were now to be obtained for furnishing the kitchen, procure furniture for the parlors and supply forty scholars' rooms with necessary articles. In the circular issued at this time Miss L. proposes the plan of distinct towns or parishes furnishing one chamber which should cost from fifty to sixty dollars, but united contributions. To the ladies the appeal was made and nobly did they respond to her call.
Miss L. connection with the Ipswich school, its known character and wide, substantial influence, gave to her efforts much of their power and success. She engaged her first teacher from its graduates and drew from it a class of valuable pupils on which she could rely to give character and tone to her new school. Nov. 8. 1837 was the time advertised for the opening of the school. The building was not yet completed. The furniture delayed by storms had not arrived while much of the bedding pledged by the ladies was not received. Several gentlemen who had been actively employed in overseeing the creation of the edifice were present to aid and encourage the teachers in their work necessary for the settling of the family in their new home. The domestic arrangements were peculiar in two respects.
Ist All pupils were required to room and board within the walls of the Seminary.
2nd All domestic work to be performed by the pupils - no hired female help being permitted.
On Miss L. not only devolved the care of forming and maturing plans for the school, but also of seeing that four score and five persons had three sufficient and comfortable meals and for so arranging the recitations of the scholars that the services of the most proficient in the culinary knowledge should be had. To her also belonged the care of bringing the expenditures within the receipts. She looked well to the ways of her household that nothing should be wasted. The board and tuition of the scholars was placed at sixty four dollars a year. At the close of the first year she exhibited her accounts to the trustees showing that not only did the income meet the outgoes but that there remained a balance on hand to defray the debt incurred in the erection of the building of the Seminary for which they were responsible.
The buildings of the Seminary were planned by Miss L. and are now much as she designed them. Altho to when completed to accommodate two hundred scholars for the first year only buildings were erected for the accommodation of eighty pupils and their leaders. A home in the seminary and two hundred dollars was all that she would ever receive as compensation for her services. Her labors were not limited to the domestic and financial concerns of the institution. She matured a course of study, watched the recitations, directed individual scholars in their studies, criticised compositions, instructed the middle class in chemistry, performing with them a course of experiments and taught several other branches.
The course of study laid out by Miss L. occupied three years. The classes were Junior, Middle and Senior. A good common school education and ability to pass a thorough examination were requisites for admission in the Junior class. The course of study is much the same as that pursued in our best colleges. Unfailing accuracy was the standard of recitation held before the scholars and which the majority attained. With joy unspeakable at the close of the year Miss L. was permitted to witness the accomplishment with marked success of all of her dearly cherished plans.
After the first year she selected her teachers from her own graduates. To every twenty scholars a teacher was appointed. In all things they warmly and powerfully seconded her views and efforts. For twelve years Miss L. continued principal of the Seminary - witnessing the growth of her pupils in knowledge with God and man. What was done she desired should be done to the glory of God. Earnestly and faithfully did she labor for the conversion of her scholars, that they might be trained for glory, honor, and immortality. Many powerful outpourings of the Holy Spirit have been witnessed within the walls of the Seminary. A mighty influence has gone and will continue to go out from these walls for the upbuilding of Christ and his cause. Many of its beloved pupils have gone to heathen lands to proclaim the glad tidings of great joy.
In 1849, March 5 after a short but severe sickness Miss L. fell asleep in Jesus. Such was the work of one who had consecrated her life to God and who but a few days before her death, while yet having the prospect of continuing her labor a few more years, uttered the memorable words. "There is nothing in the universe that I am afraid of but that I shall not know and do all my duty." This beloved institution yet continues to be what she labored to make it.
After a year of much anxiety and toil in securing funds for furnishing the building Miss L. opened the school Nov. 5, 1837 although under some disadvantages the buildings not being completed. The fund for furnishing the building were mostly attained by contributions from the ladies