1st Edition. Original Wrappers. 8vo. 40 pages ; 22 cm. A very early American example of a University president discussing the admission of Jews into American Universities and making a case for religious tolerance. Francis Wayland Brown, who was president of Brown University for 28 years (from 1827 until 1849) , ends his address by stating, The Founders of (Brown University) were animated with the most liberal and catholic spirit
Young gentlemen of the Hebrew persuasion were formally exempted from the law which commanded, on penalty of expulsion, that no student should deny the divine authority of the Old and New Testaments. Furthermore, at their annual meting in 1770, the Corporation passed a resolution appointing the President and the Chancellor to inform a distinguished Jew in the city of Charleston (S. C. ) that the children of Jews may be admitted into this Institution, and entirely enjoy the freedom of their own religion , without any constraint or imposition whatever! These are curious and valuable memorials of by-gone times. They indicate, on the part of the founders of the College, a delicate regard to the rights of conscience
(and) to religious toleration, for, which it is believed, no parallels can be found in the history of similar Institutions. An excellent primary source on American Jewish-Christian relations in the early 19th century. Additional information: Manning Hall, opened in 1834, was the third major building constructed on Brown University's campus. Designed as a double-sized replica of the Doric-order temple of Diana-Propylea in Eleusis, Manning Hall originally housed the university's first free-standing library and its chapel. Later, the building served as a museum of classical antiquities, an architectural drawing studio, and an undergraduate lecture space. In 1959, the upper floor was returned to its original role as the University's chapel, after a hiatus of 65 years. Currently, Manning Hall houses the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology's exhibitions and Manning Chapel. (brown.edu, 2017) Pages are creased in vertically across the middle. Small tear to final page with no text effected. Overall about very good condition. (AMR-52-13)
