Nathaniel T. Allen : teacher, reformer, philanthropist

Front matter

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Preface

Tus is the life-story of a man who, with singleness and steadfastness of purpose, believing that the uplifting of humanity is the noblest aim in life, and that the development of character by: the training of the young is the surest means to that end, devoted himself to the cause of education.

He has left, as his monument, the everwidening influence of thousands of men and women, from forty different countries, whom, when pupils in his school, he inspired with a desire to serve their day and generation as he served his, in truth and righteousness.

His heart was ever hot within him against all forms of injustice, oppression, and cruelty, so that he needs must throw himself, with voice and pen and decisive action, into the thick of the fight, reckless of the cost to himself, battling for Justice and Right.

He firmly believed, with his whole soul, that

‘Right is Right, since God is God, And Right the day must win ;

To doubt would be dishonesty, To falter would be sin.”

vi PREFACE

He drew around him, with magnetic power, a circle of relatives and friends who were inspired with the same aspirations. His biography cannot be written without constant reference to those who helped to make the English and Classical School at West Newton, Massachusetts, a power in the educational world.

In his later years of comparative leisure, when he had given up class-room instruction, he began to write out his reminiscences. ‘This manuscript, brought down as it was nearly to the date of his marriage, has been invaluable as showing the germination and development, in his early manhood, of his life-purpose and his characteristic methods of dealing with the young. It appears almost in full in this volume, though the plan of the work has made a rearrangement of the material a necessity.

A friend of Mr. Allen, one of the editorial staff of the ‘‘ Boston. Herald,” has drawn his portrait in the following, which appeared as an editorial, on August 3, 1903, when the news of his death reached Boston: —

‘‘He won not only the respect and confidence of those whom he taught, but their lasting affection, for he gave himself to education of

PREFACE Vii character as enthusiastically as to the education of the mind, and he was a manly example of truth, justice, charity, and cheerfulness in all his relations with them. His chosen profession did not monopolize his interest, nor in any manner narrow the breadth and generosity of his nature. All causes promoting the welfare and elevation of humanity engaged his ardent sympathy; to many of them he gave steady and active support, not only of means, but of earnest labors. He loved his own race, but his school and his heart were open to all races whom God had made to dwell upon the earth. He was an ardent patriot; but he could never be brought to approve wrong and oppression because the existing government had given its countenance to them. He loved all that was beautiful and righteous in the nation’s life; he regretted and he strenuously opposed, at whatever sacrifice of honors or friendships, all that was unjust and deforming. He was com-

rade and counsellor with many of the devoted and heroic souls whose strvice of the ideal republic, as a commonwealth of men and women serving God in liberty of spirit, with singleness of aim, has made their names honored in succeeding generations of their counviil PREFACE trymen and constantly powerful to advance political, social, and religious reforms all over the world. So he lived for nearly eighty years, a life of truth, sweetness, courage, and trust, clear and noble in all its walks and relations, doing dutiful service with unfeigned sincerity to the high causes of virtue, freedom, temperance, education, peace, equal rights, and divine righteousness. In the fulness of years, and while enjoying the serene fruitage of his labors, he departs from life at the expected summons, leaving a blessed memory for the comfort of his friends.”’

M. A. G.

PROVIDENCE, R. I., September, 1906.

~ CONTENTS

| PREFACE ; 2 : : ’ : ; ‘ Vv

I. The Allen Family of Medfield .. I

II. Laying the F oundations : : q ear ee

III. West Newton and the Model School : AI IV. The Founding and Development of a Famous

School : ‘ 7 : : ; yas. 8)

V. Special Features of the Allen School. . 80

VI. The Educator. ‘ , : : ; wetor VII. European Travel. — Study of Foreign School

Systems. P : : : : Tea eT

VIII. The Reformer. —Anti-slavery Days . 164,

: IX. The Philanthropist and Peacemaker . ssTOS

X. The Patriotic Citizen : : j Q 207

XI. The Man Himself. — Last Years ; . 221

GOLDEN WEDDING TRIBUTES A. Poems . : é : ; : : . 249

&. Resolutions of Directors of Pomroy Home 256

A. Address of Rev. J. C. Jaynes Aes eer B. Resolutions of Massachusetts Schoolmasters’ Club : ‘ : 5 266

C. Resolutions of West Newton Book Club. 271