1874 Fire Appeal

              Hillsdale College.
SKETCH OF ITS HISTORY~ RECENT LOSS OF ITS BUILDINGS -- CHANGE
OF PLANS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW,
Aid needed for the New Buildings- The relative obligations of the County and
Demomination-Building for the Ages-Encouragements-Agents~A New
President and Professor-Appeal for Aid, and Instrumentalities and
Processes suggested- Literary Societies and Alumni Reunion-
"Appeal Extra" on Behalf of a New Bell
This institution was originally'located at
Spring Arbor, Jackson County, Mich., and
known as "Michigan Central College,"
and was- the first college ever foundecl
by the Free-Will Baptist ·denomination.
Planted to promote Christian education,
and open to all irrespective of nationality,
color, or sex," it grew rapidly, until
its attendance necessitated enlargement or
removal. A lack of generosity on the
part of the citizens to accomplish the
former, compelled the choice of the latter.
This decision aroused an opposition which
caused the College to suffer the loss of its
grounds, buildings, apparatus, lihrary, etc.,
to the amount of nearly $20,000; but the
invisible College was brought to this place
and named "Hillsdale College."
The people of this vicinity began at
once to provide a new home for it, the
Hon. Esbon Blackmar contributing the
site, a beautiful plat of twenty acres of
land, and the people of the county erecting
the buildings,the corner stone of which
was laid July 4, A. D. l853. The buildings
were so far completed that school was
opened Nov 7, 1855, the value of the
property at that time being about $50,000.
During the construction of the buildings
agents visited our churches throughout
the land, to raise an endowment for the
support, of the teaching department, the
original intention being to secure $100,000
if possible, by the time the buldings should
be ready for use . . This sum, however, was
not reached until 1861, and as tt lay in
personal securities gathered from all over
the loyal North, the shock of war caused
us to suffer a loss of at least $25,000!
Being free from the embarrassment of
indebtedness, and its employes being also
its founders and willing to perform 'large
service for moderate compensation, the
College kept steadily on doing its work
until the 6th. of March last, when the central
building and west wing were destroyed
by fire, occasioning a loss altogether of
about $50,000! !
This stroke was a severe one, and
aroused general attention to the danger of
total loss in a connected building; and as 
the imperfections of the old form came to
be understood and the people began to realize
the improvements that might be secured
by a change, the whole question was
most carefully considered, until a plan
which comprised five indepeudent build-.
ings was adopted. These buildings were
symmetrically grouped upon our spacious
and inviting grounds in such way that
they sustain an appropriate relation to
each other, and are so arranged as to anticipate
the most systematic classification
of the departments, and provide most perfectly
for all the organizations of the institution.
The plan was then developed
under the finest architectural taste of the
country and reduced by the faws of perspective
to canvas.  From this "perspective"
we have an accurate photograph, which
represents the grounds and buildings as
they are to be.
The main front is to the south. The
buildings are to be of brick, and all to be
three stories high, besides the basements.
The partition walls will be of brick, which
will give great strength and stability. The
center building presents a front of 80
feet, and including the portico has a depth
of 8O feet. The front of its basement will
contain two class rooms, and the rear will
be used for storage of fuel. In the first
story will be the President's Room, the
Treasurer's Office, and two Class Lecture
Rooms ; in the second story will be the 
Library and Studies for three of the Professors,
and in the third story will be a
beautiful chapel 80x66 feet, and 22 feet in
height, with a front gallery. This building
will be of French style, surmounted
by an elaborate dome, the sumit of
which which terminate in a deck 12 feet
square, inclosed by an iron cresting. Upon
this deck will rest a pedestal, the point of
which will be 150 feet from the ground.
At the right and left of the center building
and 50 feet distant, are to be halls 50x
72 feet in size. These balls are connected
to the center building by two-story corridors,
which not only give the three very
much the appearance of one building,
similar in form to the old, but also save
much of the running up and down stairs.
The hall thus connected on the east
will contain the Boarding Hall, the rooms
of the Lady Principal, and the ladies'
dormitories. The corresponding hall on
the west will furnish rooms for the Commercial
Department, and contain the gentlemen's
dormitories:
At the right and left of these two halls,
60 feet farther east and west, and brought
forward so that their north line is 48 feet
in front of them, are duplicate halls 48x72
feet in size. They front each other across
the campus, and their opposite fronts are
upon the two principal streets of the city,
which outline the College grounds. The
east one is occupied in its first story by the
Philosophic Lecture Room, an Apparatus
Room,and two Mathematical Class Rooms
in its second story by the Art and Music
Departments, , and in its third story by
beautiful halls for the two Ladies' Literary
Societies.
The west one has in its first story the
Lecture Room for Chemistry and Natural
History, two Chemical Laboratories (fire-proof),
and a Museum or Cabinet; in its
second story a hall set apart for the use of
the Alumni, and a Theological Society
Hall; and in its third story spacious and
elegant balls for the Amphictyon and Alpha
 Kappa Phi Literary Societies.
When it is remembered that this new
group will extend a depth north and south
of 192 feet instead of 60 feet, and a breadth
of 496 feet instead of 260 feet, as in the old
building, and that the area inclosed will be
50 per cent greater, the magnitude and
value of the new plan will begin to be
realized and appreciated.
The foregoing analysis of the buildings
shows that the departments all take such
location as is most appropriate, and that
by occupying first stories all around for
such purposes as require constant use, and
the second and third stories in such way
that they shall be used either by fewer
numbers or less frequently, the wearisome
labor of climbing stairs is largely avoided.
Indeed, in the grouping, in the classification,
in the proportions, in the solidity, in
the economy and convenience, it is difficult
to see how this plan could be materially
improved.
Although much larger, there is no more
room than is needed for the College to do
its work comfortably and well, and the
finish is both plain and wholesome, without
foolish ornamentation or extravagance.
The beauty, safety. adaptation, and good
taste of the whole plan can be accepted
by every one as a prophesy of permanence
and character for the college.  It is truly
a great advance; but the only alternative
seemed to be to attempt to do the ever-increasing
work of a true College with facilities
very much diminished by the fire, or,
with a faith that sees no difficulties but
foresees the results of well directed and if
need be of long continued effort, to struggle
for and achieve the victory which all
will be so glad to enjoy.
Trusting that such faith and such effort
would be  rewarded, and in the words of
Dr. Day, that the Lord would "make 'the
good land of promise the actual possession
of the College," the work has already been
begun. Now let the gifts fow in, with a
prayer for Divine blessing upon them, and
consecrated walls and cultured hearts
shall shed lasting honor upon all those
who bear a worthy part. It ought to be
a pleasure to every one to know that the
College proposes to live in such a way as
to honor those who have sacrificed for it
in the past, and to be worthy of the outlay
that must be made for its upbuildinp:
and support in the future. The shock of
so destructive a fire just following a financial
panic which involved the whole country,
put the college to the severest test of
its life. Never again can there come a
time when its destiny will hang so dangerously
poised as through this trying
period, 'and yet not for one moment have
the guardians of its interests wavered m
their purpose to re-establish it; in such
way as to give it stability, and insure for
it increased usefulness.
The elements necessary for the efficiency
of the College are many. The grounds
and buildings must be had for its new
home ; sufficient endowment must be secured
for its support; capable and consecrated
men and women must be employed
in its service; it must be well furnished
with apparatus, have a cabinet, laboratory,
library,' etc. ; and then enjoy a liberal patronage and tbe confidence of the
people, and especially of our Churches.
Since the apparatus, cabinet, and laboratory
are gone, the library damaged, the
buildings mainly destroyed, and the endowment
scarce half large enough to
meet the demands made upon the College,
it will be seen that its wants are manifold
and imperative, and contributions for any
of these purposes will be gratefully received
and faithfully appropriated.
Determined not to be repulsed by the
fire, we propose a movement all along the
line which shall, in due season, result in
success. The fire was a very costly ad-
vertisement, but it is the intention that
the College shall, before the efforts in that
direction shall cease, stand higher, and
with prospects for future good a hundred
per cent beyond what it did the day prior
to the conflagration. The undertaking is
not rash, but accords with the judgment
and advice of the leading architects and
ablest educators of the country. The only
barrier is the lack of the necessarv means.
And here it is proper to speak of the cost,
and the amouut required above present
available resources.
Finished and furnished, the cost is variously
estimated at from $75,000 to $100,000. The central building will require
$25,000, and each of the others from $12,-
500 to $15,000. The central building and
the extreme east and west halls are under
contract, two of them positively, and the
other provisionally. The means to build
this building is the first great want to be
supplied, and would insure the third building
of the group, viz., the one containing
the Art and Music departments, and the
Ladies' Literary Society halls. The next,
or fourth building, containing the Commercial
rooms, is expected to be built. by
the friends of that department ; and for the
fifth building time can be taken for the
raising of a fund sufficient to transform the
old part now standing into the new one
described as containing tbe boarding hall.
Tberefore, on, the supposition that the
Commercial department builds one building,
the sum required above present available
means to complete the group will be
about $25,000, one half of which must be
raised at once to secure the favorable terms
of the present contract. For this purpose
our appeal is both to the citizens of the
county and to the denomination.
It has been a well-accepted tbeory that
the county would furnish the buildings,
and the denomination at large the endowment;
and since the College is to be 50
per cent larger, and 100 per cent better
than before, the obligation upon the near
locality is peculiar, and surely no conslderate
and well-disposed person will fail
to bear a porportionate share. We ought
also to remind the denomination of the
fact that, prior to the fire, the county had
raised about $10,000 for the endowment
fund, so that tbe denomination is now
under obligation to raise that sum at the
earliest day possible to aid in the erection
of the buildings. Of the $25,000 now to
be raised, it wiil therefore be understood
that $15,000 is to be raised within the
county and $10,000 elsewhere.
No more favorable opportunity ever
presented itself for a man of wealth to rear
for himself a lasting monument, and have
his name spoken by a grateful people for
centuries to come, than now exists in the
rare chance to bestow a sum sufficient to
found a hall which shall be named in
honor of the donor. No equal chance can
ever come in the history of the institution.
Will not some one, rich in this world's
goods, find it in ' his heart to adopt Hillsdale
College as one of his heirs, and bestow
upon her, while yet living, the portion
he desires her thus to have? Let
those not able to contribute so largely
bear in mind that the payment of $100
will secure a transferable scholarship that
will entitle the owner thereof to tuition in
the College, for one student at a time, forever.
Also that $50 or $25 will secure a
fractional scholarship, and that any sum,
more or less, will be gratefully received.
While the valuable gifts and encouraging
words of former days are neither forgotten
nor unappreciated, the great loss
sustained has rendered a new sacrifice necessary.
A burnt-out college must be restored,
and we expect our ministry, our
church membership, our old subscribers,
our alumni, our former students, and all
our friends wherever our necessities shall
be made known, to bear some part in the
work.
If there were any lack of public confidence
in the plans for the new college
buildings, we might quote opinions from
high and respectable sources; but since
they were adopted after the most mature
deliberation of the Board of Trustees,
we shall regard tbat question as settled,
and go on in all good faith to see the
ideal put into reality at the earliest day
possible, remembering that a College is
not the creature of a day, but that it requires
the growth of years and ages, and
that the truest wisdom lies in working toward
the completion of a worthy plan.
We are not building for this year nor this
century, but for centuries to come. Looking
toward this, we have grounds unsurpassed
in beauty and adaptation, and
money enough from insurance and early
subscriptions to begin the work. Our endowment
is untouched by the fire or
ruthless hands. The College has all these
elements of strenght, and with the compar-
atively small amount we ask it will not
be an experiment, but its success will be
guaranteed.
To show the opening and progress of
the good work of furnishing aid, we cite a
few examples and show the present status
of the case.
Immediately upon the receipt of the
telegraphic announcement of our great
loss, Rev. I. D. Stewart of the Morning
Star sent his check for $50, and by the
same mail came a donation of $100 from
W. S. George & Co., of Lansing, publishers
of the STATE REPUBLICAN. These were the
first gifts after the fire ; and following them
various parties, from New England to the
far West, have sent sums from $1.00 to
$100, until these voluntary expressions
aggregate about $2,500. Even across the
sea Rev. Dr. Burns of London sent a Government
ten-dollar greenback.
Upon the occasion of laying the corner
stone the Hon. Zachariah Chandler of
Detroit, our United States Senator, cheered
us with a pledge of $1,000. At home,
among the early contributors, William
Waldron, Esq., President of our First National
Bank, gave his check for $500; then
Albert Dickerman, Esq., our Judge of
Probate, subscribed $500; and others have
either already made pledges or are holding
the matter under favorable consideration.
We have also been cheered by the cordial
reception of ciur agents in the distance,
until the pledges thus made amount to
about $4,000.
But these we count among present resources,
and not a part of tbe $25,0QO yet
to be raised. We mention them as worthy
examples, and to stimulate others to meet
proportionate obligation. Already our
hearts have been touched, and tears of
gratitude have often fallen, as we have
come to realize that the College had the
sympathy of so many true and faithful
friends, and yet the work is scarce begun.
We are not unmindful of the aid rendered
by our denominational, State, and city
papers. In due time Messrs. Brush &
Smith of Detroit, our architects, upon
visiting our grounds, seemingly designed
for just such use as they are employed,
became interested in the plans, and have
shown good taste and ability in their development;
and for their faithful service
and generous terms we owe them great
obligation.
Again, in our darkest days, when our
ability to come ''Out of the Old House
into the New" was in doubt, Messrs.
Richard & Mickle of Jackson came to our
relief with a proposition to build the three
buildings under contract for about $45,000,
which was nearly $10,000 less than the average
of the bids made. Upon due invest-
igation we found found them to be among the
most reputable builders of the State, and
their bonds for the faithful performance of
our contract are guarantied by parties
worth half a million of dollars. This firm
is said to be the only firm resident in the
State that filed bonds and a bid for the
building of our Capitol buildings now in
progress.
Were farther assurances necessary that
the actual work of building is to honor
the plan, we might state that Col. F. M.
Holloway, a man eminently fitted for the
service, was elected Superintendent of the
work and accepted the appointment, generously
making a subscription to cover his
own compensation.
The first real manifestation of the people
of the locality after the fire was upon
the occasion of the laying of the corner
stone, on the 18th of August. The large
attendance, the marked attention, and the
appropriate addresses rendered tire occasion
one of peculiar interest and seemed
like the dawn of a better day.
The thing that now remains is to secure
the funds, and we assure all that voluntary
expressions are always in order; anrl as our
necessities are made known we trust that
these freewill offerings will be continued.
But because the wants of the College
must be made known face to face with
many, we must necessarily employ more
or less agencies, and it is among the
good fortunes of the College that as
tbe churches in the distance are to 
be visited, we have the services of Rev.
David L. Rice, a pioneer in this work, and
a most devoted and efficient agent. As he
pleads for aid all we need to say is, "Hear
ye him." Locally, we have the services of
Bro. Henry J. King, formerly Treasurer
of the College, now a Trustee and its
Auditor, and who for years has been cashier
of one of our banks. In the county,
or wherever he goes, we ask that his solicitations
may receive prompt and generous
response. Rev. Geo. 8B. Bradley of Evansville,
Wisconsin, and Rev. E. N. Wright
of Waupun, in the same State, have just
been appointed agents, and we trust that they
will do efficient work in thier field. During
vacations and incidentally our Professors
and others will do what they can to assist
in raising funds for the College, either for
building or endowment.
Relative to the question of endowment,
our former President, Rev .  Daniel M. Graham,
who resigned the Presidency in June
last, proposes to complete the raising of
the sum of $10,000 for the "David Marks
Professorship." He also expresses a purpose
to raise $10,000 each for the chairs of
the Lady Principal and the Principal of
the Preparatory Department.
We are happy to be able to announce
that the vacancy occasioned by Dr. Graham's
resignation is already filled by the
unanimous election of Rev. DeWitt C.
Durgin of New Market, N.H.; and since
Mr. Durgin is comparatively unknown in
the West, we desire to say that his nomination
came from Rev. Dr. Day, who is so
well and favorably known among us. In
his letter of nomination he says "Mr.
Durgin is 43 years old, is a scholar, an excellent
man, an able preacher, and has
been a successful teacher." Dr. Fairfield,
in his address at the laying of the corner
stone, and who had known him when a
boy, vouched for his success "if his noble
boyhood had developed into a corresponding
manhood."
We learn that Mr. Durgin has held high
positions in his own State, and is regarded
as one of the ablest educators of New
England. We quote one or two items
from Eastern papers. President Orcutt,
in the Daily Monitor of Concord, N. H.,
says: "Mr. Durgin will honor the new
position to which be is called. We cannot
afford to lose such men from the
State, but we are confident that our loss
will be the gain of our distant neighbor."
The State Press of New Hampshire says:
"As a gentleman, scholar, teacher, and
clergyman, Mr. Durgin ranks high in New
Hampshire, and in our estimation our
Western friends bave made no mistake in
their selection."
Rev. Kendall Brooks, D. D., President
of Kalamazoo College, wrote in answer to
an invitation to be present at the laying of
the corner stone:" It would give me real
pleasure to be there and to manifest my
interest in the prosperity of Hillsdale College,
an interest which is hearty, and is
increased by the prospect of your welcoming
to the Presidency of the College my
former pupil, Rev. D. W. C. Durgin. Although
I have not met him for many
years, 1 am glad to bid him welcome to his
new field of service, and to pray that his
administration may be abundantly prosperous
and long continued."
That he discerns wisely with reference
to the needs of the College, we quote a
passage from his own letter: ''The accept-
ence of that position with me would mean
work and entire devotion to the interests
of the College." We are happy to add
that Mr. Durgin, upon visiting the place,
has accepted the appointment and entered
upon the duties of the position.  
We have also a valuable addition to the
Faculty in the appointment of Rev. Rich-
ard James, D. D., of Zanesville, Ohio, to
the chair of Mathematics. One whose
opinion is entitled to consideration says of
him. "You have a nobleman and first
class educator in Dr. James From his
letter of acceptance we quote:" I am
gratified at the confidence reposed in me
by the Board of Trustees, and should the
providence of God permit me to enter upon
the duties of the chair, I will endeavor
to show that it is not misplaced. I hope
before many months to be actively work
ing for our common Master among his
servants in Hillsdale."
We have this good word from Rev. G.
H. Ball, D. D., editor of the Baptist Union
of New York City: ''I shall do all I can
for the College. It is the hope of the Lib-
eral Baptist cause in the great Central
Western and Southern States.  We must
make it strong."
For our encouragement, Wm. H. Thompson,
Esq., of Boston, Mass. pays $500 per
annum for the support of one of our Theological
Professors, and we hope this is
but a few drops before a more plentiful
shower.
Another point in our prospects is that
our Alumni have entered upon tbe work
of endowing a Professorship in the sum of
$10,000 more than half of which is already
pledged. During the coming year
we expect tbat the remainder will be raised,
and that at their reunion in 1875 they
will nomina(e a Professor who shall at
once enter upon service
Having tbus recited the helpful and
hopeful things, we have to assure all that
there is a great work to be done bevond
what can be reached by all these. Regular
 agencies can do but a small part of it.
We must reach the mass through the
press at once, and so we have given these
frank statements and explanations in regard to
the wants of the College, and suggest
the ways to provide for them. We
were delayed in the outset with the adjustment
of insurance. Next, it took
months to settle the question of plans, during
which period we could neither speak
confidently nor intelligently. We have
scarce commenced the work of reconstruc-
tion, but must now enter actively and perseveringly
upon it.
We plead that no one will allow himself
to act upon the fallacy that others
will give if he does not. The responsibility
is individual and the means now available
will no tdo the work which must be
done in this emergency. Then, the build-
ings erected, they must be furnished; and
there is no means to provide for this.
Rooms would be useless without being
seated and warmed. The benevolence of
our friends must for a time be tributary to
this interest. Volunaty offerings comprise
our only support. Reader, are you a
friend of the College?  Your contribution
will constitute the best evidence.
The record which the Colleg ehas made
in the past justifies all we ask. Rememeber
that it has made its impress upon
nearly 5,000 students, having graduated
over 300 who are now filling posts of honor
and usefulness. From 600 to 800 students
are in attendance annually. The
curriculum of studies is such as to give
Hillsdale College a rank among the best
colleges of the land. The Faculty numbers
12, with an additional corps of instructors
and teachers of as many more.
Not least among the advantages here
may be mentioned the very superior Lite-ary
Societies which give polish to the rhetoric
and force and grace to the oratory of
their members. In short, the facilities for
instruction in the classics, in the sciences,
in theology,  book-keeping, telegraphy,
penmanship, painting and music are such
as to commend Hillsdale College to the attention
and patronage of all who seek a
liberal education.
We now come to enumerate the instrumentalities
and suggest the processes to
accomplish the desired end.
1st. We invite our ministers everywhere
to bear some part. If we put the information
into their possession through the
press in one way or another, we shall expect
their cooperation. If we send copies
of our appeal to them we trust that they
will appropriately distribute them among
their membershipand acquaintances, and
that this will be followed b ypublic per-
suasion or canvass,until, as a result, we
shall be in receipt of generous remittances.
2d. If we send to an old subscriber who
has paid his former pledge, may we not
hear from him by way of another gift?
And if to one whose pledge is wholly or in
part unpaid, will be not remember that
his promise was accepted in good faith,
and resolve to meet it at the earlies tday
possible?
3d. If we addressour alumni,will not
those who have not given, or those who
have given and are able to do more, at
once make their subscriptions to the
Alumni Endowment, that that work may
be completed and the installation of their
Professor bear even date with the going
up to occupy the new buildings as well as
from the grand reunion of A. D. 1875?
And may we not ask them also, as those
appreciating the value and importance of
a cabinet for the benefit of the Natural
Science department, to take especial pains
to collect specimens in their various localiteies
and forward them for the new and
spacious room set apart for this purpose?
We urge all to see to it that this sore loss
is repaired as soon as possible.
4th If we reach our students will not
each one send at least one dollar for the
new buildings, and more if possible; and if
unable to send anything, persuade those
who are able, and thus bear a part in the
rebuilding of the Collegein which we believe
every one has an interest? And let
young men and women remember that
without patronage all the outlays are use-
less. Don't forget that the highest good
that can be done is to furnish the College
with good and faithful students.
5th. If we address a postmaster we ask
that on behalf of the cause of education,
and especially of a burnt-out College, he will
hand copies ofour circulars to his friends
and neighbors with such discrimination
and good worad as will secure the end desired.
6th. When we address teachers will
they not take pleasure in judiciously distributing
our circulars among their pupils
and patrons ?
7th. When we venture upon the attention
of editors we sha11 trust that the justice
of our cause will stimulate them to
give us the benefit of the press, drawing
from the circular such points as they may
think will be mutually profitable to their
readers and to us.
And finally,we assure all who may learn
of our misfortunes and care to encourage
the commendable plans for rebuilding,
that we rely upon them to do something.
Let at least two generous souls be found
who will build each a hall and have them
bear the names of the donors in honor of
such generosity. Next, let all who can
either pay or pledge $100,and receive a
perpetual scholarship for it. Then let
others pay or pledge $50 or $25, and re-eive
fractional scholarships, and lastly
gifts of $10 or $5, as you are able,every
person sending at least $1.
Owing to the lack of a sufficient number of
agents to reach all , and because of
the cost attendant upon agencies if we
had them, we shall enclose a blank note in
many instances to those of our own acquaintance,
or to those who may be suggested
by others, asking that after due
consideration, in case present funds can
not be sent, it shall be filled out for such
sum and such time as the party may think
best, and forwarded to the College by
first mail. Let the postoffice address be
plainly written in connection with the
date. All remittances will be duly credited
and promptly receipted. 
We close by saying that a reunion of
our Alumni and two of our Literary Societies
will occur in connection with the
annual commencementof June, 1875, and
we assure all our friends that  they will be
welcomed on that occasion. We hope to
see a large number who shall have sent in
their gifts or pledges before that time,and
we will all go up together to dedicate
these buildings and set apart these various
halls to their intended uses.
Our College catalogue will always be
sent an application. Trusting that our
appeal will not be in vain, we wait responses.
Communications concerning
matters herein to be addressed to
L. P. REYNOLDS,
Sec. and Treas., Hillsdale, Mich.
Hillsdale College, Sept. 1, 1874.

Appeal Extra
Our new College buildings are put into
perspective and photographed. The
pictures are very fine, and we desire to
distribute them for the purpose of giving
a view of the new College and aiding in
raising a fund for the purchase of a new
bell. There are four sizes, the prices of
which are respectively, 50 cents, 35 cents,
25 cents, and 20 cents, or one of each
kind for one dollar. Every copy sold
helps a little. Let us have an order from
every one who is willing to help repair the
loss of the old bell. Address
L. P. Reynolds,
Hillsdale, Mich.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE NEW PLAN. 
Their Sale for the Purchase of a New Bell.
THE former buildings having been mainly destroyed by fire on the 6th of March 1874 and the plan
having Been change dfrom a single building of five parts to a group of five separate buildings we have
had the contemplated buildings, arranged from the plans in connection with a sketch of the grounds,
and transmitted by the laws of perspective to canvas, and from this we havea beautiful photographic
picture.
For the double purpose of gratifying all with a true view of the New Buildings as they are to be,
and of aiding in the purchaseof a new Bell, we desire to distribnte these pictures as thoroughly as possible.
The old bell was melted, and but little of the metal recovered, and we take this way to provide a
new one because the resources will be taxed to the utmost for the erection of the buildings and we feel
that we can in no other way so fully give value received and at the same time make provision for one of
our greatest wants.
The pictures are artistically fine, and are sold at a moderate price, and yet the sale ofevery copy
will help a worthycause. Every purchaser will have the full value, and at the same time may feel that
he or she has paid something to put a new bell into the tower of the new Centre Building.
The enterprise is in no sense a personal speculation, as we do all the work gratis,carrying the
profits above actual cost to a Bell Fund.
Besides,these photographs will impart information which can he given in no other way,and there
is also a printed statement upon each one, which gives a brief description of the Old, some of the reasons
for a change, and a description of the New. Wc have already sent copies to New England, Texas, and
the far West giving uniform satisfaction.
There are four sizes,the prices of which are as follows:
The largest (4 1/2x9 inches), is 50 cents and suited for framings.
The second size (3 1/2x8 inches) is 35 cents each or 3copies for $1.00
The third (2 1/2x5 inches) is 25 cents each or 5 copies for $1.00
The smallest (2 x4 inches ), is 20 cents or 7 copies for $1.00
One copy of each will also be sent for $1.00
Upon receipt of the order accompanied by the money, the pictures will becarefully wrapped and
sent postpaid, which will constitute the only answer we shall have time to make.
We earnestly invite all our Ministers to see that we hav ean order for as many copies as there are
families in their congreagations
We extend a special invitatiou to Schools and Sabbath schools hrough their Teachers and Superintendents,
to purchase them, and shall be grateful to any who will present this matter and secure an order
for as many copies as they are able.
Will not all who learn of the good they can do in this direction, and especially our Alumni and
Students,invest One Dollar for this object, distributing such copies as they may be willing to, where
they will be doing good.
Let us hope that those who can do no more will send at least for a single copy.
Such a Bell as the College ought to have cannot be placed in the tower with less than $1,000, and lf
the citizens place a clock in connection with it, the united sum will range from $1,750 to $2,500,and this
wil lcrown the work creditably, but it will require a very large number of subscriptions.
It would give us pleasure to send this picture to the many friends without charge, but our
straightened circumstances forbid it, and then we trust that the object which we have in view will so
commend itself that all will take more pleasure in sending for it in this way than they would to have it
sent gratis.
Ordinarily, we could purchase a Bell with local subscription, for we are wont to bear burdens of
this sort, but knowing the heavv strain that must come just to complete the buildings and furnish them
we feel no assurance of any money left to do this thing, and therefore we anticipate this necessity and
thus propose to spread the burden out upon the mass, and in such way afte rall that it is no burden.
If we venture to send a copy to any one who does not order we shall trust that the return mail
will bring the price of the size sent and it for the sake of facilitating the work we send a number, Jet us
hope that they will, sell them and remit when they shall have been sold.
Canvassers will be reasonably compensated as they may learn by writing us,and for all gratuitous
services we express our thanks in advance.
Hoping that our appeal will be both heard and heeded by all, we await responses.
Address, L. P. Reynolds
Hillsdale, Mich.
The Old Building was composed of five distinct parts,ex-
posing everthing to the dangerof loss by a single fire. Its
construction not only shutout the ligh tand air, but formed
such an area of roof that more or less of the rooms throughout
wer eannoyed by smoke. Standing lengthwise east and west,
nearly half of the building was deprived ofsunshine and was
shut up to a rear and unpleasant outlook. Its second and
third floors were too low for either public or private rooms.
and the fourth story was useless. 
On the 6th of March, 1874, the Centre Buildings and west
wing were destroyed by fire, and as they comprised about
three-fourths of th etotal valuation ,it was thought that wisdom suggested a
depature lrom the old plan.
The reasons urged were that detached buildings would
be safer from fire, that the expenses of insurance would
be less, that much better ventilation and light could be
secured, that the departments would be better classifed.
That the literary societies could be more satisfactorily located.
that in the enlargement of the individual buildings the rooms
so long needed could be furnished, that the fourth story could
be avoided,that a finer external appearance could  besecured.
that th eoutlook from within could be very much more desirable,
and that the variety of a group would be less monotonous
and more enduring
For these reasons a beaufiful group of five buildings was
arranged as represented in the accompanying photograph.
The Centre Building will provide for the Classic and Theological
Departments, and contain the Chapel.
The first buildings on the right and left will be connected
to the Centre  Building with two story corridor sto serve the
double purpos eof making them appear to be a partof theCentre
Building, and to save much of the travel up and down
stairs These will be for the dormitory halls the Eas tone
for the Ladie sand the West one for Gentlemen.
The Halls at the extreme right and left will provide for College
Departments In their first stories, the east one for Philosophy
and Mathematics and the west one for Chemistry and
Natural History. The second story of the East one will be appropriated
for the Music and Art Departments and the third
story for the Ladies' Literary Societies The second story on
the West one will provide for a Memoria lHall for the Alumni,
and a Hall for the Theological Society, and the third story for
the Amphictyon and Alpha Kappa Phi Societies.
These buildings will all be built of brick and partitioned
throughout with brick walls giving them great solidity and
strength.
The external design is of the most approved architecture,
and for the general appearance, the harmony and systemic
classification, and the symmetryof arrangement and proportions,
it is thought that no institution in the country, for the
outlay incurred,can surpass it.
This Photographic representationof the new College Buildings
is circulated to give the friends everywhere as correct an
idea of the New contrast with the old, as possible, and
invite the sympathies and aid of all for its upbuilding and
future welfare.
Hillsdale, Mich., June 18 ,1874.
CARSON & GRAHAM, Photographers