Page 28 - UB Church and Shen Univ
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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
morning worship each school day and church on Sunday; and to observe stringent rules28 against such
“detrimental” social pleasures as the use of intoxicants, tobacco, or profanity; playing cards; and leaving
town without authority. Students were to retire at 10:00 p.m. [Zynodoa 1975, p. 6]
It is interesting to note that recommendations were always worded in such a way as to avoid
hurting any person’s feelings. For instance, some of Prof. Ruebush’s students complained that he was
reading while giving instruction, presumably when students were rehearsing on instruments or singing.
Instead of caustically demanding that he refrain from reading while giving instruction, the Board offered
this recommendation29:
The ability and willingness of Mr. Ruebush is unquestioned. Long application to the study and
practice of music may train the ear to detect an error when otherwise engaged; pupils unaware
of this feel slighted when their instructor adverts to reading during rehearsal. We recommend
that his attention be called to the fact.
In another case food apparently being served in the Dining Hall was not enough to satisfy certain
pupils. Rather than criticizing the cooks because of the small servings, the Board recommended that
either the tables in the Dining Hall be cut in two and thus have fewer students at each table or else that
more dishes be placed on the tables already arranged for.
Major Changes. Two very important changes took place in the Faculty of the School in 1896.
Prof. Hott, who had been principal for the previous 9 years, and Prof. Fries, one of the cofounders of the
Institute, who had been associated with the institution for 17 years—both resigned. The Board of
Trustees insisted that both of these men “be retained nominally” as lecturers: Prof. Fries to lecture in
English literature and Prof. Hott to lecture on Ethics. Rev. A. P. Funkhouser, was elected as President of
the Board of Trustees.
Prof. Elmer Ulysses Hoenshel of Mt. Pleasant, Pa. (pictured at the right)
was elected principal for the following year. He agreed to pay the Board $250 rent
plus 10 percent of all net income over $2,500. The Board accepted a request from
General Conference that the length of a course of study leading to degrees be
3 years in the preparatory department and 4 years in the college department. The
Trustees decided to grant diplomas stating the courses pursued and completed.
The following are excerpts from Prof. Hoenshel’s reports to Conference in 1897-99:
It is a voice new to this Conference that speaks to you today concerning your child, the
Shenandoah Institute. As to the attitude of the ministry of this Conference toward us and our
work, I have no positive information upon which to base an opinion. Judging, however, from the
fact that 28 out of 30 failed to reply to special letters of inquiry sent out in January, the attitude
would seem to be one of little interest and less of sympathy. I have tried to believe the continued
28 Some Regulations: During the hours of study the students shall not be unnecessarily absent from their rooms. The
students shall not be absent from their rooms at night, or after the hour of study indicated by the ringing of the bell,
without permission, nor shall they indulge in the use of intoxicating liquors. All profane and indecent language,
smoking, playing cards, quarreling, fighting, the carrying of fire-arms or other dangerous weapons are strictly forbidden.
No student shall change his or her place at the table without special permission from the proper authorities. No student
shall be permitted to leave the school during the sessions without an express request from the parent or guardian made to
the Manager, nor without the consent of the Faculty. —BULLETIN, 1912 [Zynodoa 1975, p. 6]
29 Minutes of the [Conference] Board of Trustees, 1894. [Editor’s Note: The date of this report is likely in error, since
Prof. Ruebush was not on the faculty during 1893-98. If the date were 1893, there might have been some connection
between the Trustee’s admonition and Ruebush’s resignation.]
Miller, et al., on History of S.C., 1875-1950 18
morning worship each school day and church on Sunday; and to observe stringent rules28 against such
“detrimental” social pleasures as the use of intoxicants, tobacco, or profanity; playing cards; and leaving
town without authority. Students were to retire at 10:00 p.m. [Zynodoa 1975, p. 6]
It is interesting to note that recommendations were always worded in such a way as to avoid
hurting any person’s feelings. For instance, some of Prof. Ruebush’s students complained that he was
reading while giving instruction, presumably when students were rehearsing on instruments or singing.
Instead of caustically demanding that he refrain from reading while giving instruction, the Board offered
this recommendation29:
The ability and willingness of Mr. Ruebush is unquestioned. Long application to the study and
practice of music may train the ear to detect an error when otherwise engaged; pupils unaware
of this feel slighted when their instructor adverts to reading during rehearsal. We recommend
that his attention be called to the fact.
In another case food apparently being served in the Dining Hall was not enough to satisfy certain
pupils. Rather than criticizing the cooks because of the small servings, the Board recommended that
either the tables in the Dining Hall be cut in two and thus have fewer students at each table or else that
more dishes be placed on the tables already arranged for.
Major Changes. Two very important changes took place in the Faculty of the School in 1896.
Prof. Hott, who had been principal for the previous 9 years, and Prof. Fries, one of the cofounders of the
Institute, who had been associated with the institution for 17 years—both resigned. The Board of
Trustees insisted that both of these men “be retained nominally” as lecturers: Prof. Fries to lecture in
English literature and Prof. Hott to lecture on Ethics. Rev. A. P. Funkhouser, was elected as President of
the Board of Trustees.
Prof. Elmer Ulysses Hoenshel of Mt. Pleasant, Pa. (pictured at the right)
was elected principal for the following year. He agreed to pay the Board $250 rent
plus 10 percent of all net income over $2,500. The Board accepted a request from
General Conference that the length of a course of study leading to degrees be
3 years in the preparatory department and 4 years in the college department. The
Trustees decided to grant diplomas stating the courses pursued and completed.
The following are excerpts from Prof. Hoenshel’s reports to Conference in 1897-99:
It is a voice new to this Conference that speaks to you today concerning your child, the
Shenandoah Institute. As to the attitude of the ministry of this Conference toward us and our
work, I have no positive information upon which to base an opinion. Judging, however, from the
fact that 28 out of 30 failed to reply to special letters of inquiry sent out in January, the attitude
would seem to be one of little interest and less of sympathy. I have tried to believe the continued
28 Some Regulations: During the hours of study the students shall not be unnecessarily absent from their rooms. The
students shall not be absent from their rooms at night, or after the hour of study indicated by the ringing of the bell,
without permission, nor shall they indulge in the use of intoxicating liquors. All profane and indecent language,
smoking, playing cards, quarreling, fighting, the carrying of fire-arms or other dangerous weapons are strictly forbidden.
No student shall change his or her place at the table without special permission from the proper authorities. No student
shall be permitted to leave the school during the sessions without an express request from the parent or guardian made to
the Manager, nor without the consent of the Faculty. —BULLETIN, 1912 [Zynodoa 1975, p. 6]
29 Minutes of the [Conference] Board of Trustees, 1894. [Editor’s Note: The date of this report is likely in error, since
Prof. Ruebush was not on the faculty during 1893-98. If the date were 1893, there might have been some connection
between the Trustee’s admonition and Ruebush’s resignation.]
Miller, et al., on History of S.C., 1875-1950 18
