Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That the following named persons, * * * with their associates and successors, are hereby incorporated under the name and style of the Hartshorn Memorial College, for the purpose of founding and maintaining an institution of learning of collegiate grade for the education of young women, to give instruction in science, literature and art, in normal, industrial and professional branches, and especially in Biblical and Christian learning, with such departments, schools and courses of study as the trustees shall deem proper and needful, and to confer such literary and honorary degrees as are wont to be conferred by colleges and universities in the United States.
Hartshorn Memorial College received its name from Deacon Joseph Charles Hartshorn, of Providence, R. I., afterwards (at the time of his death) of Newton Centre, Mass., by whose benefaction the institution was planted. As suggested by the name the institution stands as a memorial for Mrs. Rachel Thurber Hartshorn, whose death occurred shortly before its founding. The spirit in which the school was founded is expressed in the following mural inscription:
FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR THE
REDEMPTION ALIKE OF EVERY RACE, AND
FOR THE LOVE OF COUNTRY, WHOSE WELFARE DEPENDS UPON THE
INTELLIGENCE, VIRTUE AND PIETY OF THE LOWLY
AS WELL AS THE GREAT, AND
WITH TENDER SYMPATHY FOR A PEOPLE FOR WHOM TILL LATE
NO DOOR OF HOPE HAS BEEN OPENED AND ASPIRATION HAS BEEN VAIN, AND
WITH DESIRE AND HOPE FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE DARK
CONTINENT, THE FATHERLAND OF THE COLORED RACE,
IN MEMORY OF HIS SAINTED WIFE,
RACHEL HARTSHORN,
THAT HER FAITH AND CHARITY MIGHT BE REPRODUCED AND
PERPETUATED IN THE LIVES OF MANY, THIS
INSTITUTION WAS FOUNDED BY
JOSEPH C. HARTSHORN,
OF RHODE ISLAND.
