Documentary history of Yale University 1701-1745, Book

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF YALE UNIVERSITY

I. Proposals for a University
[From the University Archives]

These (undated) proposals were sent from some friend or friends in Boston, before the movement for a College in Connecticut had reached any definiteness, — perhaps in the spring or early summer of 1701; and may thus be regarded as the earliest extant document in Yale history. It cannot be proved, however, that this paper had any influence in determining the course of events. Some slight resemblances, in the suggestions made, to the recommendations in the document next following, favor the theory of a kindred authorship.

A photographic copy of the first page of this manuscript is given in the New England Magazine for December, 1901 (vol. XXV, p. 430).

Proposalls for Erecting an UNIVERSITY in the Renowned Colony of Connecticut:
Humbly Offered by an Hearty (tho’ unknown) Well-wisher to the Welfare of that Religious Colony

I. Let there be called a SYNOD of all the Consociated Churches in this Colony. The Synod, (or Council of Elders and Messengers from the Churches,) may as yett be Called by the Civil Government, upon the Motion of some Eminent Pastors.

Or, if That way should fail, why may not as many of the Pastors as can come together, modestly write a Circular Letter unto the Churches, intimateing their desire, of their sending their Delegates unto a Synod (att a proper Time and Place agreed on,) upon this great Occasion of settling an UNIVERSITY, for the propagation of Literature and Religion among them.

II. The SYNOD being Assembled, Let the Work of that Venerable Assembly be, To resolve upon an UNIVERSITY, that shall be, The School of the Churches; and upon the LAWS, by which the said University shall be Governed.

Let these LAWS declare. What shall be the Qualifications of them that shall be admitted into the Society;

What shall be the Studies therein followed, & how managed;

What shall be the Manners of ye Students, and how Rewarded, or Censured.

And upon what Accomplishments the Persons there Educated, shall go forth, with Ample Testimonials, Recommending them to the acceptance of the World.

III. Wee cannot praesume to give Degrees, Pro more Academiarum in Anglia, — nor are the Degrees of Bache- lour of Arts, and Master of Arts, in the Terms they are now Ordinarily given, much more than Empty Titles.

A Diploma, or Testimonial, (Signed by the President, &> the Tutors of the University, and by Three of the Inspectors,) asserting the Qualifications of him that Recieves it, will be as Good as a Degree, in the Honourable Thoughts of Reasonable Men. And it is hoped, A Society of Such Persons, thus founded and formed, may without presumption, give such a Testimonial unto those that shall under their Education deserve it.

If the Young Gentlemen, will not be satisfyed without Titles equivalent unto a Baccalaureus, and Magister, it will be easy to gratifye them.

He that goes forth Qualifyed wth a Testimonial, and in- tending the Service of the Churches, maybe Stiled, Instructus Ecclesiae.

He that goes forth intending to serve his Countrey, in any other Capacity, but that of a Divine, may be stiled, Ornatus Patrice.

Let there be no such expensive Commencements, as those in other Universities.

But let the President, and the Tutors, with the Inspectors, appoint still, what Time they please, in ye Year, for a Solemn, & Rigid Examen, of those that are the Candidates OF Approbation.

Let it be considered. Whether the Time for the Scholars going forth, Jnstructi, or, Ornati, should be limited unto the Term of their Continuance Four, or Five, or more Years, under their Education.

Would it not be better, for the Rules of Qualification to be sufficiently strict, and Fixed? And then a Scholar that shall come up to them, sooner, may go forth an Instructus, or an Ornatus, with an earlier Harvest of His Dilligence. And the Slothfull or Stupid may stay (as ’tis fitt they should) until their Merits may Challenge their Testimonial.

But then, the Examen must be Impartial.

IV. Lett the SYNOD Choose, at least, the first President. If it seem too great a Trouble, for the Churches to come together, as often as a Successor may be to be chosen, Qucere, Whether the Inspectors may not be trusted with the Choice?

Only then, Lett the Inspectors write Letters to all the Consociated Churches, Reporting whom they have Elected; and How, and Why. And if one Third of the Churches do signify, by Letters, to the Inspectors, that they do not approve their Action, Let them then proceed unto an-other Election.

Quaere, Whether the President must alwayes be chosen for Life, (or at least, Quamdiu se bene Gesserit:) Or, Whether (at least upon the Difficulty of obtaining a more continued supply,) an Eminent Pastor may not be borrowed for Four or Five Years, from his Church; and his Church be in the mean time supplyed, wth Candidates of the Ministry: The President himself coming to them as often as He can to dispense all special Ordinances.

The Work of ye Praesident shall be, Ordinarily once a Day to Entertain the Scholars in a publick Hall, with Prayers, and such other Exercises, (Whether Expositions of the Scripture, or Lectures in Divinity, or Church-His- tory, or somewhat Else,) as may be most serviceable.

And frequently to Examine the Conduct of the Tutors, and the progress of the Scholars.

And Execute the Discipline of the University, according to the Laws of it.

And Preach publickly in the University -Town, as often as He can.

To such Encombrances, and such Entertainments, will the President be obliged. That He must have a considerable Salary. Untill those Methods be taken (which may soon be taken,) whereby such a Salary may be Raised, Why may not the Synod Resolve, That each of the Consociated Churches do its part: And, That it shall be treated as a Censurable Scandal for any particular Person, under the Church-Watch, to refuse His Duty, in the General Contribution! It will be so little, among so many Churches, and Persons, that it will be scarce Felt by any, but such as are of a very Quick sense in such Matters.

V. Lett the Pastors of such Twelve Churches, as the Synod shall pitch upon, be, for the Time being the Stated INSPECTORS of the University.

And any Seven of those Twelve, be a Quorum.

Only, let none be allowed for to Act as Inspectors, untill they Subscribe certain Articles, relating to the Purity of Religion, that shall be by the Synod agreed upon.

And Let none be allowed, as President, or Tutors, without subscribing those Articles.