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In December 1851, following the tragic murder of President Jeremiah Chamberlain three months before, Oakland College in Lorman, Mississippi (now known as Alcorn State University) inaugurated a new President, Robert L. Stanton. On that occasion the charge to the new President was delivered by Zebulon Butler, who had helped to pioneer Presbyterianism in the area around Port Gibson, Mississippi.
Rev. Butler’s inspirational words that day are worthy of remembrance.
Let the Presidents in other Colleges strive for literary distinction, and be held to duty by the charm of wealth, or the world’s coveted otium cum dignitate; be it ever your aim, to please our Master and glorify his name.
…
This College is the child of Religion; and over its interests the Omnipotent Redeemer will ever keep a sleepless watch. To its members, you must exhibit, in doctrine, an unalloyed evangelism, with the mingling of sectarianism; and in practice, all the loveliness of Christian character, undimmed by worldliness, selfishness, intolerance, or ostentation.I would then, most earnestly entreat you, as a co-worker in the cause of Letters and Religion, to enter upon this noble enterprize in the spirit of untainted benevolence, and unflinching fortitude; and resolved on continuance, despite of toil, disappointment, opposition, poverty, sickness, or “any of the ills which flesh is heir to,” and to which virtue is exposed. You have a bring example in the life and character of your martyred predecessor, whose noble deeds we this day commemorate. He found not “the primrose path of dalliance,” but the constant fight of faith: and by his toils, his tears, and his blood, we hope he has achieved the conquest. And yours may be a work of comparative repose, in building up this Institution, in the sylvan shades of Mississippi. Yes, I am certain, you have been moved by the impulse of holy benevolence, and a willingness “to spend, and be spent” in the cause of Truth, and for the interests of our race.
Such being our views and sentiments, in the name of the Board of Directors and Trustees, I promise you our sympathies, our prayers, and our faithful cooperation, in your work of faith and labor of love; and if we prove, reciprocally, “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” we are infallibly assured, that this Institution shall advance and improve, till it shall be the proudest monument and richest blessing of which Mississippi can boast.
With such words was the tenure of Rev. Stanton inaugurated as President of Oakland College. He went on to serve as Moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly in 1866. But as we recall the events of that day in December 1851, the charge of Rev. Butler may inspire others, even beyond the “sylvan shades of Mississippi,” to aspire, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to both virtuous Christian conduct as well as excellence in scholarship.
