Charter for the College of New Jersey (1746)

On October 22, 1746, revival preacher Jonathan Dickinson secured a charter in New Jersey for the College of New Jersey. In a day when the Great Awakening was calling many to repentance and renewed devotion, Dickinson and fellow trustees pursued more than intellectual polish. Their aim was faithful education—training young men to handle Scripture reverently, think clearly, and serve the church as preachers and pastors with steady character.

Jonathan Dickinson and the First Beginning in Elizabeth

Dickinson, a respected Presbyterian minister in Elizabeth, New Jersey, became the college’s first president. The earliest instruction began modestly, reflecting the conviction that God delights to build lasting works from small seeds. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10). Elizabeth provided a practical starting point, but the larger vision was ecclesial: to strengthen congregations with leaders shaped by prayer, doctrine, and disciplined study rather than mere ambition.

Trustees, Trials, and Courage

Dickinson did not labor alone. Trustees and supporters—men persuaded that learning should serve piety—shared the burden of administration, funding, and oversight. The venture required perseverance and a kind of quiet heroism: choosing long obedience over quick results, and pressing forward amid uncertainty. Hardship soon tested the school, including the sorrow of Dickinson’s early death, which could have ended the project. Yet those committed to the charter pressed on, trusting that Christ does not abandon faithful labor offered in His name. “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

From College to Princeton University

The College of New Jersey eventually moved and matured, becoming a prominent center of American learning and, in time, Princeton University. Though its later history includes many turns, its founding moment stands as a testimony to the belief that education, submitted to God and anchored in truth, can serve the church and bless a nation. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).