Bryn Athyn and the Academy of the New Church
Evelyn Frankish Stroh / C. Th. Odhner
Bryn Athyn, PA: Academy of the New Church, 1904.
Part 1: A Glimpse at Bryn Athyn
Part 2: The Academy of the New Church:
An Historical Sketch
A Glimpse at Bryn Athyn
Evelyn Frankish Stroh
"BRYN ATHYN, BRYN ATHYN!" With an exclamation of surprise the traveller hastily gathers his belongings, and makes ready to alight, glancing curiously meanwhile at the passing landscape, a seemingly unpeopled wilderness of hill and wood and stream. An instant later, the trees stand apart and the hills recede, where the train slows up before a quaint little station protectingly looked down upon by the station-master's house on the opposite side of the track. There is the bustle of a moment till the train draws out and loses itself once more among the wooded hills, leaving its recent passenger questioningly viewing his unexpected surroundings.
The College Building
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Bryn Athyn! A station, truly, and in a more romantic setting than such practical structures are wont to be framed. But where are the hospitable homes, the beautiful gardens, and winding avenues of this ideal spot? Where the halls of learning, and the happy lads and lasses who are laying up treasures amid the surroundings of a distinctive social life?
The Station
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Doubtful which way to go, the newcomer turns from point to point, his eyes lingering with pleasure on the pictures which everywhere greet him. The old mill beyond the bridge, the falls below the dam, and the deserted quarry further on, with hill and woodland rising on every side. Here and there a roof is visible, but on inquiry the traveller's attention is called to a graveled roadway leading up the hill behind the station, in the direction least promising of all.
Ye Olde Mill
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The climb is perhaps discouraging, but the effort brings reward, for every turn of the winding drive gives new revelations of beauty. The dilemma confronting one at the fork in the road below the crown of the hill, vanishes when he finds the roads converge again at the point beyond The Inn, which stands in the midst of Bryn Athyn with a dignity that seems to prove it conscious of its important past; for this staid brown structure was at one time the home of the Academy.
In the pilgrimage from the station, the honeysuckle hedgerows have given place to many a box-bordered garden, where the houses stand in inviting seclusion, like confidential friends, who beckon to a quiet nook before opening their hearts.
"Along the Pennypack Creek"
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The beautiful peace of nature is here, and the perfection of her landscape spreads on every hand; while the fellowship of kindred minds puts to rout the demon of solitude, and the happy voices of children scatter the silence into silvery fragments, like the clash of an oar in an unruffled stream. There is a charm about the mingling of nature and humanity that the lover of cities fails to appreciate; but there are few who, once having sojourned for a time within the precincts of Bryn Athyn, do not leave it with intense regret when duty calls them elsewhere.
Old Colonial Ruin & A Country Drive
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From the brow of the "Station Hill," where the stately white house of the Bishop stands like a welcoming friend, to the point above The Inn, where the graveled drive divides again and sweeps aside to left and right to join the Pike, there is no part of the winding way that does not present a glimpse of beauty. To the right the red-tiled roof of the College building looms in view; and off to the left, on the higher ground, the walls and gardens of "Cairnwood," the home of the Academy's kindly benefactor, stretch invitingly in the distance. Unfortunate is the visitor whose stay is so shortened as to preclude a visit to that hospitable home.
The Inn
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Long and straight and unattractive the old Second Street Pike marches on its dusty way before the College grounds, but even this sober Quaker highway has consented to a slight change of garment during its sojourn in Bryn Athyn, and its orthodox solemnity is lightened by the grass and trees which fringe its borders. But why linger over the Pike? The College awaits us.
A Bit of Bryn Athyn
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Simple in architecture, but beautiful in its simplicity, the building stands a fitting embodiment of the principles which called it into existence. Its position, on the highest point of the broad Academy estate, lends it a dignity which will cling to it through all the years to come, when larger and perhaps more beautiful buildings shall rise around it. The solidity of its outlines suggests a permanence which we are glad to believe appropriate to the cause for which it stands.
"Cairnwood" The Home of Mr. John Pitcairn
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The grounds are beautiful, and will grow in beauty with the increasing years, for they have been planned for the future even more than for the present. It is interesting to speculate on the possibilities of some distant time, when all the broad acres of the Academy shall be transformed into one vast park of beauty. But we are inviting the newcomer to dreams too early. There is much of reality yet awaiting exploration.
Before entering the College—the Mecca of our pilgrimage—a glimpse at the Dormitories comes riot amiss. For though it is preposterous to suppose that any one will explore Bryn Athyn with a conscious desire of rising to a climax, still the advantage of the method must be recognized.
The Pike
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The Dormitories stand well back from the College on a lower slope of ground. Stuart Hall, for the boys, to the left; Glenn Hall, for the girls, to the right. Impartially midway between the two is the Dining Hall, half shadowed by a group of ancient trees. A beautiful environment! Yes, and there is more than beauty here, for many as are the things which yet are lacking before the Academy reaches the full fruition of its use, there exists without a doubt within these walls a spirit of something which partakes of the sphere of a separate world, where spiritual things in some small measure take their rightful place. Every student seems to come within its influence soon or late, and all find their hearts bound irrevocably to that Alma Mater, which has been to them a parent, guide and friend, for this life and the life to come. The influence of the Academy extends beyond its halls of learning, and colors all the home life of the "Dorms." Natural comforts, too, are everywhere present in these college homes, and from cellar to roof are cheerfulness, warmth and sunlight.
Glenn Hall & Stuart Hall
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Beyond the Dining Hall the picturesque heating plant rears its great stone chimney with a demand for recognition. This building is equipped for satisfactory service for many years to come. Beyond it the ground slopes gently out into a wide stretch of open country which offers a glorious view to the South and East. But turn to whatever point one will, the eye searches in vain for any view unlovely or lacking in the picturesque. It is truly a spot well chosen for its use.
The Power House
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Entering the College, we are attracted first to the Chapel, invited by the broad half-flight of steps which rise to left and right just opposite the entrance. The simple beauty of this little hall of worship makes a fitting opening to a tour of the College, for it is on the doctrines of its religion that the institution stands. A Sunday in Bryn Athyn will fix the Chapel forever in the visitors' remembrance, for it is here that the Bryn Athyn society at present holds its services.
The Chapel
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One who visits the Academy while the College and Seminary are in session will find much that is unique in the instruction given in the various class rooms. Doctrine and religion are not confined to the theological classes only, but there is the endeavor to read each subject in the light of the new truths; history, with the interest intensified by the correlation of spiritual history and the doctrine of representation; science, tempered and enlightened through the instrumentality of Swedenborg's own scientific works; and anatomy, from the same unfailing source of true philosophy, taught in its relation to the functions and uses of the Grand Man; literature and biography, studied with the true idea as to the worth of their subjects, from a standpoint more internal than is possible in the light of truth merely natural. An hour spent in attending one of the various classes in religious instruction, leaves an impression never to be forgotten. The bright, earnest faces of the pupils show an interest which things theological are not wont to arouse in the young, ant intelligent questions with intelligent replies pass reciprocally between teacher and scholar. It is a remarkable fact that the young men and women who have gone forth from the Academy remember the classes in religion as the most interesting of their studies.
The Dining Hall
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Of the Theological school itself, little need be said, for the men who have gone forth from it to fulfill the apostleship of the Lord's Second Corning, have given lasting evidence of the integrity of its teachings, and its unswerving loyalty to the doctrines of His Word.
The building itself is full of interest, from the smallest class room to the well-equipped gymnasium in the basement. Dear old "Gym," what a history of happy hours you might relate could your walls but re-echo the merriment to which they have rung! Not only practical physical culture, but dances, socials, fairs, plays and banquets have run their merry round upon its floor, not to mention exciting games of basket ball, and the weekly recurring pleasure of the Friday super and Doctrinal class. It holds, too, more sacred perhaps than all, the happy memories of beloved Assembly gatherings.
Field Day
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The first floor harbors the administration offices, the Library, and the theological class rooms. The second floor rooms are devoted principally to the classics, while science and art have found their home on the third floor. Here several rooms are occupied by an aspiring Museum, which spends its peaceful existence in ambitious dreams of future greatness. Among other interesting things it contains the large and precious collection of Egyptian images and Etruscan pottery. Practically the whole Egyptian pantheon is represented here, the collection being one of the most complete and one of the largest in the world. But it is perhaps down stairs in the Library that we feel the pulse of the Academy's life.
There is a cosiness about the Academy Library which those who love it will regret to lose when the collection one day seeks more spacious quarters. The windows look toward "Cairnwood," across the green stretch of the sporting campus, the battleground of many a hard won game. So attractive is the outlook that many an hour might be wasted in idle contemplation of the view if interest were lacking within doors. But it is not. Even those spaces of the wall unoccupied by the oaken bookcases are adorned with interesting pictures, notable among which are two original paintings of Swedenborg. One of them hung formerly in his own bedchamber, the other portrays him in earlier life, and in this is unique; it has been named Swedenborg the Scientist. Two small paintings of his house and summer house also have their place, and the Library contains a fine collection of prints and reproductions of paintings of Swedenborg and his contemporaries.
In Winter Garb
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Besides the standard reference Library which is growing slowly more complete from year to year, there is a small stock of good fiction, and the beginnings of a juvenile library. But most complete, and most vital of all, is that portion which pertains to the very life of the Academy, the Writings of the New Church and the valuable collection of New Church literature, supplemented by Swedenborg's scientific works, and the works of his contemporaries. Of the first, the most interesting are the photolithographs of some of Swedenborg's original manuscripts. The Library is endeavoring to obtain at least one copy of everything published relating to the New Church, and that much progress has been made, the well filled shelves bear witness.
The Library
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Safeguarded jealously in the fire-proof vault in the Library office are the Archives of the Church and a complete set of the original editions of the Writings, and with them one single book, prized beyond price on account of its association.
Homely and timeworn, but still staunchly supported by its calfskin binding despite its varied pilgrimages; with its marginal notes in its author's own handwriting, and the list of gifts presented him in the spiritual world, it comes like a benediction from Swedenborg's own hand—his Original copy of the True Christian Religion.
Forward to: Part 2: An Historical Sketch