The History of Dartmouth College

by Baxter Perry Smith

While at Meriden, he became, with many of his classmates, savingly interested in religion, and made a public profession of his faith in Christ in his native place. His religious experience, we have reason to believe, was deep and thorough,—producing an humble, loving faith in Christ as the only Saviour, and a sincere, benevolent goodwill to all around him—to all mankind. His mind was calm and peaceful—not subject to the agitations felt by so many in their religious life, and his trust and confidence in God were never shaken. He could never bear to hear any questioning of the ways of Providence, however dark and mysterious they might appear. "God wills it," was always enough for him.

Through his college course he passed with honor and success, taking high rank in a class which was exceptionally good, producing a large number of men who were afterwards distinguished in professional and public life. Though himself guided in all things by the highest Christian principle, he yet knew how to feel for those who were in danger of falling into evil courses; and certainly in one instance, by his tender and watchful care, he was the means of reclaiming and saving a young friend from threatening ruin.

He graduated in 1828, and taught afterwards for a year in Berwick Academy, Maine, and subsequently in a large public school in Boston, from which, in 1830, he was called to a tutorship in Dartmouth College. He held that position for three years, during which he continued his theological studies, which he had commenced with the ministry in view, and in that year he preached regularly in some of the neighboring towns.

He gave up this purpose, however, when he received the appointment of Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, and Astronomy, in place of Professor Adams, who resigned at that time, August, 1833. Before the close of that month, he became Professor Adams' son-in-law by marriage to his youngest daughter, Eliza, and seldom were father and son more closely united in affection or more happy in mutual intercourse.

In regard to his qualifications for his department and success in the same, it may be well to refer to some remarks contained in an obituary notice of him, written by one who for many years was associated with him in instruction, and who is now placed at the head of a sister institution.

"Professor Young had some qualities which fitted him eminently for this position. He was, in the first place, thoroughly master of the science and literature of his own department. Distinguished while in college for mathematical attainments, he never relaxed in careful and constant study of those branches to which he particularly directed his attention. His mind was thoroughly disciplined for truth and not for victory, and thus he was ready to test his attainments by the most thorough methods. As he was thorough with himself, so he was with his pupils, trying them with doubtful questions which the studious could easily answer, but which the ignorant could not evade. Yet he was never harsh, nor captious, nor irritating, though quick and ingenious in exposing mistakes and follies. Besides his ample knowledge, he possessed remarkably the power of clear and distinct statement. It was the habit of his mind to reduce his facts to principles, and to present them in their simplest forms. Few instructors have excelled him in the facility with which he could disentangle and elucidate a complicated problem, whether for the satisfaction of his own mind, or the instruction of another. And he was as patient as he was acute. Of a quiet temperament, not easily roused, nor rendered impatient at the dullness or want of perspicuity in another, unless this resulted from a moral rather than an intellectual weakness."

In April, 1858, he went to Europe and spent five months abroad, for the purpose of procuring books and instruments for the college, especially those which were needed for the equipment of the Observatory, whose foundations were laid that year. He had labored successfully in obtaining funds for this object, in which he took a deep interest, and after the completion of the building, it afforded him much pure enjoyment, as it gave him greatly increased facilities both for observing and instructing in his favorite field of science.

Teaching was to him a real pleasure, and he often said that he would not willingly exchange it for any other employment that could be offered him. He felt a truly affectionate interest in the young minds that successively came under his care, sympathizing with them in their perplexities and troubles, grieving for their errors, and rejoicing in whatever advances they made in scientific attainments and true excellence of character. Remembering his own early struggles, he felt much sympathy with young men similarly situated, and often rendered them efficient aid.... Nor was his care and interest limited exclusively to the college, but he sought to do good "as he had opportunity," and in the manifold relations he sustained to others, in the family, the church, the neighborhood, the village, his unselfish kindness was ever manifested. He held the office of Treasurer of Meriden Academy for several years after the resignation of his predecessor, and at the time of his death had been a deacon of the church for twenty years.

During the summer term of 1858, he was unusually occupied with college labors, being employed most of the day in attending his recitations and lectures, and in preparation for them. He had obtained some new philosophical apparatus, which interested him much, and he never seemed to find more pleasure in his work than then, though it often left him quite weary and exhausted.

At that time there was a remarkable degree of religious interest throughout the country, in which the college and the village shared, and it resulted in numerous conversions. He often attended the noon-day prayer meetings of the class he was then instructing, and spoke of them with much pleasure; and his own heart was deeply moved by the heavenly influence.