Many years after he had founded St. Paul’s School, Dr. Shattuck described his deepest motive in founding St. Paul’s when he wrote: “Green fields and trees, streams and ponds, beautiful scenery, flowers, and minerals are educators. The things which are seen are very valuable, and may be used to teach of Him who made them, and thus of the things unseen…To live well here in the fear and love of God and with love to our fellow-men is not easy, and teachers and instructors who have learned and practiced the arts of so living and passing through this world as not to lose sight of the things eternal are essential to the success of a boarding school…”

Through his visits to St. James’s College and his friendship with Dr. Muhlenberg, Dr. Shattuck had learned that Henry Coit was a young man of exceptional attainments, an experienced teacher, and already practiced in the art of so living and passing through this world as not to lose sight of things eternal. Dr. Shattuck perceived Henry Coit’s unwavering faith , sense of purpose, and passionate concern for the well-being of his students. The Founder and the first Rector shared a deep lifelong friendship based on their common love for and devotion to St. Paul’s School.