Education: Lane’s End

Henry Ward Beecher went to Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati. His father, Lyman Beecher, was the first president of this little Presbyterian institution which was chartered in 1829 with a gift of money from Ebenezer Lane, New Orleans Baptist, and 60 acres of hilly land from Elnathan Kemper, Cincinnati Presbyterian. Harriet Beecher Stowe, wife of Lane’s Professor Calvin Ellis Stowe, wrote part of Uncle Tom’s Cabin at Lane Seminary. A gentle decline set in 30 years ago. Last week Lane had left only 23 students, ten acres of campus, one professor, one part-time lecturer and a president. Its end was in sight.

Two years ago Lane Seminary was ready to merge, either with Princeton Theological Seminary or Chicago Presbyterian Seminary. Not until last week was a compromise effected. Lane goes to Chicago. Its antique buildings will be sold. Its minute faculty, its minuscule student body, its fine library of 25,000 volumes, and probably its President Richmond Ames Montgomery, will move to Chicago in April.