336 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



hence had less direct and intimate contact with the students 

 than most of the other officers exercised. It was natural, 

 therefore, that he should think less of rules than those whose 

 business it is to enforce them. But his influence was all 

 exerted in favor of discipline and order, and especially where 

 insubordination and combination to resist law was rife, as 

 happened more than once between thirty and forty years 

 ago, he was a tower of strength to the government. His 

 influence again, as a man, upon those students whom he 

 knew, or who were committed to his special care, was often 

 exceedingly happy. It is but a few months ago that a gen 

 tleman of high standing in one of our large cities told me 

 how Professor Silliman had saved him from waywardness 

 and disgrace, and how an attachment was thus begun which 

 had never been weakened. Many such ties were estab 

 lished with young persons who are now prominent men in 

 various parts of this land, and who, when they get the news 

 of his death, will feel that a guide and a true friend has 

 passed away." 



The conscientious and religious spirit which guided 

 him in his official work may be seen in the annexed 

 memorandum, written on one of his birthdays nearly 

 forty years ago. It was during a period which was 

 unusually marked by disturbances in College. 



Sabbath Morning, August 8, 1830. Among the 



painful things of the year, one of the most conspicuous is 

 the secession of nearly one half of the Sophomore class 

 from their duty, ending in open rebellion, and the exhibition 

 of very disrespectful language and conduct to their late 

 instructors. They have attempted to menace us with a 

 league not to return unless their dismissed classmates, three 

 in number, shall be restored. We on our part, have come 

 to the painful but necessary decision that none of these 

 youths forty-three in number shall ever return to the 

 Institution. This event, especially as it is the third of the 



