Changes

In 1692, the Puritan preacher [[Increase Mather]] became President of Harvard. One of his acts was replacing Roman Classics with books by Christian authors in ethics classes, and maintaining a high  standard of discipline. Both Harvard College Lawes of 1642 and Harvard College Laws of 1700 testify to its original high level of discipline.<ref>[http://www.peacebyjesus.com/HARVARD_LAWES.HTML Laws and Statutes for Students of Harvard College]</ref> Students were required to observe rules of pious decorum inconceivable in the nineteenth century, and ultimately to prove their fitness for the bachelor's degree by showing that they could 'read the original of the Old and New Testament into the Latin tongue, and resolve them logically.'<ref>Cotton Mather, the Puritan priest", by Barrett Wendell</ref>  

In 1692, the Puritan preacher [[Increase Mather]] became President of Harvard. One of his acts was replacing Roman Classics with books by Christian authors in ethics classes, and maintaining a high  standard of discipline. Both Harvard College Lawes of 1642 and Harvard College Laws of 1700 testify to its original high level of discipline.<ref>[http://www.peacebyjesus.com/HARVARD_LAWES.HTML Laws and Statutes for Students of Harvard College]</ref> Students were required to observe rules of pious decorum inconceivable in the nineteenth century, and ultimately to prove their fitness for the bachelor's degree by showing that they could 'read the original of the Old and New Testament into the Latin tongue, and resolve them logically.'<ref>Cotton Mather, the Puritan priest", by Barrett Wendell</ref>  

The early motto of Harvard was ''Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae'', meaning "Truth For Christ and the Church." In the early classes half the graduates became muinisters.  By the 1760s the proportion was down to 15%. Ten out of the first twelve presidents were also ministers.  Systematic theological instruction was inaugurated in 1721 and by 1827 Harvard became a nucleus of theological teaching in New England.<ref>http://www.reference.com/browse/Harvard</ref>

The early motto of Harvard was ''Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae'', meaning "Truth For Christ and the Church." In the early classes half the graduates became ministers.  By the 1760s the proportion was down to 15%. Ten out of the first twelve presidents were also ministers.  Systematic theological instruction was inaugurated in 1721 and by 1827 Harvard became a nucleus of theological teaching in New England.<ref>http://www.reference.com/browse/Harvard</ref>

The departure of Increase Mather from the presidency in 1701 marked the beginning of a long term struggle between orthodoxy and liberalism.  Harvard's first secular president was John Leverett, who began his term in 1708.  Leverett left the curriculum largely intact and sought to keep the College independent of the overwhelming influence of any single sect <ref>[http://www.president.harvard.edu/history/07_leverett.php John Leverett - History - Office of the President]</ref>.  

The departure of Increase Mather from the presidency in 1701 marked the beginning of a long term struggle between orthodoxy and liberalism.  Harvard's first secular president was John Leverett, who began his term in 1708.  Leverett left the curriculum largely intact and sought to keep the College independent of the overwhelming influence of any single sect <ref>[http://www.president.harvard.edu/history/07_leverett.php John Leverett - History - Office of the President]</ref>.