Alumni Reminiscences 1878 of Anti-Slavery Rebellion

Of so much importance was it deemed to the A.S. cause to gain over the Theol. Sem. to it, that the most gifted and effective men were sent there. Under such influ ences, is it to be wondered at, that in a school of 135 students, a large portion of them of [?] [?] of earnest Christians character, desiring to know their duty and how best to perform it, their ardent [manners?] should have been as tinder to the spark, and kindled into a glowing flame of enthusiasm? Would it not have been more wonderful if they had not been?

A. Slavery Rebellion

1878

Newton Center June 1st

Rev Wm. E. Park

My Dear Sir---My friend Dr David Thayer of Boston a few days since read to me [crossed out a few days since] a narrative of events which occurred at Andover in the year 1835 in our connec tion as students in Phillips Academy. Dr T. requests me to write you, who is to be the annalist of the coming Centennial Celebration of this venerated Institution. I have nothing of any importance to supplement to what Dr Thayer has written, but heartily [crossed out] testify to the correctness of the facts

[crossed out Dr Thayer] ^he^ narrates. I was a member of the Academy from May 1834 to July 1835-- I was in one of the classes which Dr Saml. H. Taylor instructed. He was one of the junior teachers. The Principal was Mr Osgood Johnson 1st Asst. Mr McLane Junior Teachers Saml. H. Taylor E. D. Sanborn D. J. Noyes.

I left Phillips and went to Leicester in consequence of the dissensions on the Anti Slavery Question growing out of the lectures

of [Rev?] Amos A. Phelps and Geo. Thompson Esq. My sentiments and sympathies were with the Abolitionists. Time has shown which was right. Principle or Policy

Of Dr Taylor I wish to say that he was the most serviceable instructor I have ever been under. The year I [crossed out was enjoyed] spent under him I have always looked back to, as the most profitable of my student life. From that time until his lamented death, I enjoyed his friendship, and cherish his memory with deep affection. I hope to be present at the Centennial

Yours truly B. Wood

(Rebellion) B. Wood