Page 16 - YB1899

Objective is not a very broad one, and his ~l1cepliol1 became visible in the Westminster Theological Seminary, which he organized in 1882, and of which he became the first president. It was in the discharge of the duties of this position that his rare executive ability first found a field for its display, possibly first emerged from sub-consciousness in himself, and it "vas here, too, that he under- went the preliminary training which was to fit him for the exercise of that ability in an older and larger institution. In june, '86, the venerable Dr. Wanl who, fr0111 the beginning of the College, had been its faithful, self-sacrificing president, asked to be relieved of duties which he felt to be outgrowing hi strength, and Dr. Lewis was the choice of the trustees as his successor. part frorn the confidence felt by the retiring president in the capacity of this successor to carryon the work to which he had elevoted nineteen years of his life, the appointment of Dr. Lewis must have been, on personal zrounds. particularly acceptable to him. FIe had been the young Lewis' teacher, he had followed, with affectionate interest, his pupil's career both in and but of College, and he had given him his only daughter in marriage. The expectations formed by the friends of the ollege about the new admin- istration were more than realized. Debts which had long been a source of embar- rassment were speedily paid, the reputation of the school grew higher, there was a steady increase in the number of students from year to year, building after building arose to meet widening needs, and early graduates coming back to commencement rubbed their eyes and wondered "where they were at." After Dr. Lewis had been president for five years he found that the strain of 'work and the burden of responsibility were beginning to overtax his strength and threaten his future usefulness. A long rest and an entire change were deemed necessary for his recuperation, and as these could be t be secured by travel, leave of absence was granted by the trustees, and in September, '91, he turned his office over to Professor Rees , who had been chosen acting-president, and started on a tour around the world .. In the course of this journey, so rich in pleasant memories, Dr. Lewis visited Honolulu. Japan, China, India and Egypt, and, returning through Europe. arrived home in Fehruary of J892, with health restored and with renewed vigor for the work which has unceasingly occupied him ever since. The record of this work belongs to, and is indeed a large part of, the his- tory of Western Marylancl College, and it is there only that it will fittingly find a place.