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Our greatest trials

Returning to Wesleyan University in March, 1852, James' name first appears in the minutes of the Philorhetorian Society during the spring term on March 16, 1852, just four days before Harriet Beecher Stowe released her book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. At this meeting, he was appointed to the "Committee on Business" along with two others. On April 13, James was appointed to fill the vacancy of one of the disputants and to discuss the question, "Will the world's progress be as rapid in the latter half of the 19th century as it has been in the former?" The minutes don't record which side of the question James argued, but it should surprise no one that the question was decided in the affirmative. Shortly after the debate that evening, a special election was held to replace the President of the Philorhetorian Society and James was selected to fill the chair.  

Although James would only be the President of the Philorhetorian Society until the summer term, he took his responsibility seriously and was determined to lead them in lively debate. For the first meeting that he would chair, he chose the highly controversial question, "Whom shall we have for president of the United States in 1853?"  Cracking his gavel at the appointed hour on April 20, 1852, he called the meeting to order and C. Huffaker, the Recording Secretary, began to take notes:

Philorhetorian Hall  20th April 1852 . The President called the society to order at the usual hour. The roll was called. The essayists being unprepared were deferred one week.  The president appointed the following gentlemen to fill the places of absent disputants; Dusinberre, Conrad & Van Petten. Mr. Walton advocated the claims of Uncle Sam to the Presidency.

Mr. Conrad, the claims of Mr. [John] Reynolds
Mr. Dusinberre, the claims of Brother Jonathan
Mr. Van Petten, the claims of [William] Seward

As volunteers:
Mr. Tabor, the claims of Daniel Webster
Mr. Gardner, the claims of Sam Houston
Mr. Riddleburger, the claims of Fred[erick] Douglas
Mr. W.F. Warren, the claims of himself
Mr. Reynolds, the claims of Daniel Webster

The discussion was protracted, but interesting. The president gave his decision in favor of Daniel Webster. The records of preceding meeting were then read and adopted.

...Appointments for two weeks
C.D. Foss, Garner, Griffing -- Essayists
Chester, Dusinberre, Harrington, Oakley  -- disputants
Question for one week, "Have the recent acts of L. Napoleon been beneficial to the French Nation?

 Griffing, President, C.C. Huffaker, Secretary

Near the close of the spring term at Wesleyan University, Augusta wrote to James with news from Owego:

Hartford [Connecticut]
April 24,1852

My dear James,

You must not think I have forgotten to write, for it is not so. But I have delayed writing day after day for nearly two weeks expecting a letter from home all that time. But this morning I came to the conclusion that I would wait no longer and, as I was to be at home this evening, thought I would write to send [in the mail] Monday. When Uncle [Elizur] came to tea [this afternoon], he brought a letter from home "long looked for [and] come at last." They write that the small pox is in the village [of Owego] and has caused some alarm. Two have died with it and others were sick. And on that account, the [Owego] Academy will not commence [classes] until the 5th of May. My sisters Rachel and Mary are expected to go there this summer.

Mr. John Searls is landlord of the "Tioga House" - (Elizabeth Goodrich's husband), but she does not like it very well. It will be very convenient. Hannah Hall has returned, but did not know how long she will stay. I hope I shall see her. Have you heard anything about her coming home? They have received a letter from Uncle [Samuel] Rockwood within a short time. His father and son were with him then but both had spent the winter more than a hundred miles from him at his brothers so that he has been lonely. He was well and I believe likes it [where he lives]. Pa had been sick but was better so that he could be about.

Your sister Mary, they wrote, is to teach in their district where Miss Cluchester has taught, so she will be near home. They have sent me the paper published by the scholars at the [Owego] Academy; one piece by [my brother] Ralph [was] in it.  I have kept it and an Owego paper for you to look at when you come.  Mr. [Newell] Matson soon expects to be here -- the first of June -- and perhaps I may see him [and learn more news from Owego].

Uncle [Elizur] is going to New York [City] again next week for a few days and Aunt Lydia expects to go to Glastonbury to be gone several weeks.  And we talk of going to Owego in the summer -- that is, Aunt Lydia, Jamie, and myself.  I have not been to Glastonbury yet and do not know when I can go to stay. Cousin Maria Hollister was here last Saturday for a little while and she has promised to come and make us a visit while Aunt Lydia is gone.  I have not seen Hancie [Abbey] since the fire. There are many strange stories flying around, but do not believe them.  It is best not to believe much that is reported in such a way, but I am afraid that Hancie has been deceived and that her husband is not as he professed to be.

I suppose you are where you have a fine view of the rushing waters, are you not?  They say the [Connecticut] river is very high... For a day or two it has commenced looking like spring. But we have as yet done nothing in the yard or house for spring. I do not know when we have had so backward a spring. We have had violets blossoming all winter under the snow. They were sowed by Aunt Mary and she thought a great deal of them. They looked beautifully when she died and are to be put on her grave.  I want to go up there [to the cemetery] when you come. She left us nearly five months ago. It does not seem half so long since I looked for the last time on her sweet countenance. But we trust and hope she is in Heaven, waiting for us to follow. Oh that we might so live as we shall wish we had when we come to die! Then, how trifling will our greatest trials that we now have appear. Oh that we might rise above the world with all its every day trials and vexations, think them of no importance, and live near to Christ and walk by faith, not by sight. It would indeed be Heaven begun on earth.

I was very glad you found Miss [Eunice] Kellum. I had thought of sending a note to her by you before I did, but was afraid you would not care about it, and so have not done it. You had better not give her the description of yourself that you gave me as it would not suit very well, for she has been called very pretty. Beautiful teeth she certainly has & her eyes have received compliments [also]. As for that letter, I rather think it was too "sober" for her, not all nonsense, but I certainly did not think she would make such a remark. I have forgotten the contents, but know I referred to Aunt Mary's death and also Eunice's sister Lucy, whom I presume you have heard me speak of, a fine girl, who died very suddenly although sick for some time. Eunice is rather more rude than I am and perhaps did not relish my remarks.

Uncle [Elizur] has come from the store and, as it is late, I will say goodnight.

Monday -- I intended to send this by Uncle this morning but did not. And since [I last wrote, I] have received a letter from [my cousin] Ruth & [her husband] Charles [Woodward]. Ruth commenced hers the last day of January but only wrote a page or so. It was finished by Charles the 21 & 22nd of April. Ruth has a young child and is very ill -- Charles wrote Tuesday that he found Ruth's letter and thought he would send [it] as there was little hope of her finishing it. But the next day wrote [that] the doctors there thought her better and that she thought she should get well. I shall feel very anxious to hear again. Can it be that she is going too? And shall I not see her again? Mrs. Woodward, Aunt Alice [Stratton] & [cousin] Nancie were all there so she must be very sick.

How is Miss Eunice [Kellum]? I have not heard from her. I shall expect to see you before long, but goodbye for the present. Yours, -- Augusta

Footnotes

Brother Jonathan, as drawn by Political cartoonist Thomas Nast