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Testimonials

September 1, 1905, V.XXIII, No. 15

CHAPTER 57.

In college circles there was much opposition to Normal schools. This was owing very much to two causes. The main cause was the boast of some of the Normal schools located in Ohio and Indiana that twice as much work and even more could be done and was done at their schools as was done in colleges in the same length of time.

Another cause why Normal schools was disliked by colleges, was their rapid growth. It was envy. To offset this feeling as much as possible we asked several prominent ministers of the Gospel, of different denominations, to write testimonials which we published in the catalogue for 1875-6.

We especially prized the one given by Rev. J.W. Hill. Dr. Hill is now a resident of Ada.

Testimonials.

Opinions of prominent Ministers of different denominations concerning the Northwestern Ohio Normal School.

Having visited the Northwestern Ohio Normal Institute, located in Ada, Ohio, I take pleasure in recommending it to such as may desire to fit themselves for teaching, or prepare themselves for some of the higher college classes; and having a personal acquaintance with Prof. H.S. Lehr, who has charge of the institution, it is enough for me to say that his energy and acquirements have brought the school to its present prosperous condition, and his continued presence guarantees the continuance of its prosperity.

I.G. Hall

Rev. I.G. Hall has charge of the Presbyterian church of Kenton, O.

Reasons why the Northwestern Ohio Normal school should be liberally patronized-To my mind one of the best reasons why this institution should be patronized is, God is in it and with it. The Faculty recognize God over all and in all. Bro. H.S. Lehr, the president, is strictly religious. He is constant in business, fervent in spirit serving the Lord. He takes God into partnership in his responsible duties as teacher and superintendent. Hence he has the work at heart, and the moral and intellectual culture of his pupils is sought with a zeal worthy of the cause of human elevation. Having been intimately acquainted with the school for several years, I have always been forcibly impressed with the moral and religious tone of every oration, recitation or address delivered by the students. God in the Faculty, God in the orations, and God in the songs, should give the school preferment in the estimation all lovers of pure morality and an exalted faith in God. The morality to her students is as safely guarded in this school as they could possibly be in any school in the land. No parent need hesitate to send his son or daughter to this institution. Though God and morality are the crowning glory of the Northwestern, yet it is not sectarian. Every one enjoys the largest liberty of conscience consistent with practical Godliness.

The Northwestern is situated on one of the leading railroads in the state, affording excellent ingress and egress to students. Ada itself is a beautiful village of about fifteen hundred inhabitants, with four churches, a fine union school, with stores and groceries affording every convenience in trade. The citizens of Ada are united, generous and industrious. The morals of the place, like the school, are good. The ladies, with the generous support of the citizens wiped out the last whiskey den, during the memorable crusade, and we may hope under the quickened activities and healthy tone of the temperance people of the place, no whisky shop can henceforth live and breath in the atmosphere.

The Ada Normal should be patronized on the score of gratitude. The whole community owes Bro. Lehr a debt of profound gratitude. Through his indomitable labors and self- sacrificing devotion to the cause of education, the North-western has attained an honorable existence. The institution has already achieved a prestige and won a renown which gives her a place among the first institutions in Northwestern Ohio. The Northwestern is no longer an experiment but a fixed fact in history. Give her the patronage which she deserves and a golden future awaits her.

J.W. Hill, Adrain, Ohio.

Rev. J.W. Hill had charge of the M.E. Church of Ada three consecutive years.

The Normal school at Ada, Hardin county, Ohio, H.S. Lehr, principal, is a monument of industry and perseverance. A few years has witnessed the growth of a large and flourishing school, well disciplined and running in the grooves of modern institutions of the kind. A fine college building, of excellent architecture complete in all its appointments, adorns the fine site chosen by its founders. We take pleasure in bearing this testimony to the worth of the school, and can assure parents who wish to give their sons and daughters a normal education, that a better school, provided with better facilities for instruction in all departments, cannot easily be found. We write from personal observation. The large class of excellent teachers, who have already gone out from its halls, are impeachable witnesses of its value.

G.M. Kemp, Lima, Ohio.

The Northwestern Ohio Normal school, at Ada, Ohio, is one of the best of its kind in the state. For thorough practical drill and healthy moral influence it can scarcely be excelled. It is with great pleasure that we give our influence to extend its well-deserved patronage.

I.N. Smith, Pastor
M.E. Church, Ada, O.

The Northwestern Ohio Normal school is a practical and enterprising institution, situated at Ada, Hardin county, under the auspices of President Lehr. It is rapidly growing into public favor, and while less pretentious in its advertisements that some other Normal schools of Northern Ohio, it is none the less thorough.

Wm. Dowling, Pastor
Church of Christ, Kenton, O.

One of the most important events in the history of the N.W.O.N. school occurred in the fall of 1875. Some time in September I received a letter from Prof. J. Fraise Richard, president of the Northern Ohio Normal School then located at Fostoria, Ohio. He invited me to visit his schools and told me what Hon. Charles Foster and other influential men and men of means intended to do for his school. I asked him to visit Ada. He did. Some how he had learned that I owned but a sixth interest in the school. He proposed to me to come to Fostoria, become joint president with him, I to do the financiering and he the advertising. I promised to visit Fostoria after the election.

I was president of the Republican club, which took some of my spare time, in fact too much for I was an ardent Republican. The night after the state election I started for Fostoria, arrived there about 6 a.m., went to a hotel, got breakfast and then hunted the residence of Prof. Richard. I found him hearing a recitation in a hall. Next came chapel in what I believe was called Foster hall. There was a fair attendance and of course the usual hand clapping. Some Democratic paper had given me a dig for taking such an active part in politics and President Richard intruded in into his introduction. I visited a few classes after chapel. The president then took me to a beautiful location near the town which he said he had selected for the location of a fine Normal school building which he said would surely be built.

In the afternoon while he was teaching I visited some of their stores, bank, etc., to learn the conditions of affairs. Mr. Foster was not at home. I soon found that the new school building was a mirage, a vision in the air. In the evening at supper I proposed that he should sell the school to us and come to Ada. Mrs. Richard was more than willing, she was anxious. I surmised that debts were pressing. In less than an hour we had contracted, but I told him I would have to refer the matter to my associates, but I was very sure that I could make them see the advantage of getting rid of a strong rival, and a school bearing nearly the same name. It would also give us a new story to tell in the catalogue and circulars. I was aware that a school could not be sold and bought like a herd of cattle, but I realized that Richard was a strong man and that he could and would bring many students with him. And he did and some very fine students, but more on that point hereafter.