Columbia Theological Seminary Bulletin, 17, number 2, October 1924

COLUMBIA

THEOLOGICAL

SEMINARY

COLUMBIA, S. C.
Vol. XVII OCTOBEB, 1924 No. 2

BULLETIN

Published Quarterly by the Board of Directors of the Theological
Seminary of the Synods of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama
and Florida of the Presbyterian Church in the United States

Entered as Second-Class Matter July 11, 1908, at the Postoffice at
Columbia, South Carolina, Under the Act of July 16, 1894

CALENDAR

1924
Tuesday, February 5 Second Term begins.
Tuesday, April 22 Final examinations begin.
Sunday, May 4 Baccalaureate Sermon, 11:30 A. M., by

Rev. B. R. Lacy, Jr., D.D., Atlanta, Ga.
Sunday, May 4 Missionary Sermon, 8:30 P. M., by Rev.

J. P. Marion, D.D., Greenwood, Miss.
Tuesday, May 6 Annual meeting of the Board of Directors,

11:00 A. M.
Wednesday, May 7 11 :00 A. M. Delivery of Diplomas and

Certificates in the Seminary Chapel.
Wednesday, September 17 Session of 1924-1925 begins;

address by Professor J. B. Green, D.D., at 5 :00

P. M. ; matriculation of students.
Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day.
Friday, December 19, 1 :30 P. M. Christmas vacation begins.
Tuesday, December 30, 9 :00 A. M. Christmas vacations ends.

1925

Tuesday, January 20 Intermediate examinations begin.

Saturday, January 31 Close of first term.

Tuesday, February 3 Second term begins.

Tuesday, April 21 Final examinations begin.

Sunday, May 3 Baccalaureate Sermon, 11:30 A. M. ; Mis-
sionary Address, 8:30 P. M.

Tuesday, May 511 :00 A. M Annual Meeting of the Board
of Directors.

Wednesday, May 6 11:00 A. M. Delivery of Diplomas
and Certificates in the Seminary Chapel.

N. B. It is of the greatest importance that all students be
present on the opening day, since recitations begin in all classes
on the second day of the session.

SOME FACTS

CONCERNING THE REMOVAL

OF THE

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

OF THE

SYNODS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,

GEORGIA, ALABAMA AND

FLORIDA

Furnished by HUGH R. MURCHISON

Secretary of the Board

The Board of Directors of Columbia Theological Semi-
nary met at the Hotel Richmond, Augusta, Ga., June 13th,
1924. This meeting was called to reconsider certain resolu-
tions passed by the Board at its Spring meeting in Colum-
bia, touching the important matter affecting the future of
Columbia Seminary, particularly in the matter of merging
and removal.

Meeting October, 1923

It will be recalled that at the called meeting on October
10th, 1923, held in Columbia, the Board of Diretcors re-
quested the controlling Synods to give it authority to
either relocate the Seminary at some other place within its
own territory, or to effect a merger with Union Seminary,
Richmond. In answer to this request, three of the con-
trolling Synods granted permission to the Board as re-

quested, while Georgia Synod granted the request, with
the exception that should the Board decide to merge it
would first have to report back to it for approval. Since
that time the constituency has been greatly agitated over
the future of the Seminary, particularly in Columbia, and
throughout the Synod of South Carolina a great deal of
Sentiment has arisen, and many organizations and Presby-
teries have expressed themselves as utterly opposed to the
idea of merging and -most of them desiring for the Semi-
nary to remain in its present location. In the meantime,
the Synod of Georgia, and particularly Atlanta Presbytery,
has been considering its own responsibility in the matter
of sustaining and assisting Columbia Seminary to grow to
greater usefulness ; and at its Spring meeting, Atlanta
Presbytery passed resolutions unanimously expressing its
opinion that should the Board decide to locate the Seminary
in its midst it would be looked upon most favorably. At
the Spring meeting the Board passed resolutions recom-
mending that the Seminary remain in its present location,
which are as follows :

Meeting May, 1924

"1st That the Seminary be retained at Columbia upon
condition that the Synods raise within a period of three
years from this date, the end of which period will mark the
closing of one hundred years of work upon the part of the
Seminary, an additional sum of $500,000 for endowment
and equipment.

"2nd That in the event the controlling Synods do not
meet this condition, negotiations with some suitable place
within the territory now served by the Seminary, for a
new location upon condition that the sum of $500,000 for
equipment and endowment together with a desirable site
be guaranteed.

"3rd That in the event of the failure of both of the
preceding recommendations, negotiations be completed with
Union Seminary for a merger."

It was to reconsider these resolutions' that the Board
was called to meet, for it was apparent to the Board that
its action was unsatisfactory and could not be easily carried
into effect, and that it would be necessary to simplify the
whole matter by taking more definite action ; and as a
substitute for the same the following action was taken :

i &

Meeting in Augusta June, 1924

'"That the invitation had from the Board of Directors of
Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, looking to a pos-
sible merger of the two seminaries, under such terms and
conditions as might be mutually agreeable, be and is now
declined because of the belief of the Board that such a
merger is not for the best interest of the Church ; that the
Secretary be now directed to advise the said Board of
Directors of this action and to convey to it the apprecia-
tion of the Board, not only of the invitation but of the
fine and generous spirit which prompts it.

"That because of its geographical position in the con-
trolling Synods and Church, its large and growing church
membership, its strategic location as to the controlling
Synods and Gulf Synods as well, the City of Atlanta be
and is now chosen as the future home of the Seminary,
provided the Presbytery of Atlanta assume the burden of
providing the Seminary with a suitable site and buildings
in keeping with its dignity, and ample enough to care for
its anticipated growth, with the right granted to use the
proceeds arising from the sale of its present plant for
this purpose if required, and provided further that although
the Board now has authority to locate the Seminary wher-
ever in its judgment it may best serve the Church, this
action shall not become binding until it is approved by
the Synods at their next meeting.

"'That a committee be appointed consisting of one mem-
ber from each of the controlling Synods, the President of
the Seminary and the President of the Board, which shall
be fully empowered to act for the Board in all matters con-

nected with such transfer and including the sale of the real
estate owned by the Seminary in Columbia.

"That regardless of the location of the Seminary, per-
mission be and is now asked of the controlling Synods to
inaugurate a campaign directed by proper Church au-
thorities for the sum of $500,000 with which to supplement
the endowment of the Seminary, which campaign shall cul-
minate in the approaching centennial celebration of the
Se-minary.

"That the Board does now record its deep sense of grati-
tude to the City of Columbia and the churches therein for
the gracious hospitality and generous support so long had
by the Seminary in that City, and that in recognition of
such the historic name of the Seminary shall be preserved
in its new location.

"That an invitation be and is now extended to the Synod
of Alabama to return to her former connection with the
Seminary, and that a committee be appointed to present
and urge the acceptance of this invitation before that
Synod."

The above action was taken by a unanimous vote, which
will be submitted to the controlling Synods at their Fall
meeting.

Atlanta Presbytery's Action, June 30th, 1924

In response to the Board's recommendation Atlanta
Presbytery in a call meeting, June 30th, took the following
action :

1. The Presbytery of Atlanta gratefully recognize the
promise of realization of long deferred hopes, and the
answer to prayers fervently offered in past years, that there
might be developed in or near the city of Atlanta a Theo-
logical Seminary and School for Training Christian
Workers.

2. The Presbytery in response to the action of the Board
of Trustees of Columbia Seminary in session at Augusta,
Georgia, June 13th, accepts the offer of the Board, and

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pledges itself, as a part of the Synod of Georgia, to which
Synod the whole question will be presented at its meeting
in Valdosta, Georiga, October 7th, 1924, to do its utmost
in meeting the conditions presented by the Board relating
to site and suitable buildings for the Seminary.

3. The Presbytery of Atlanta further overtures the Synod
of Georgia to authorize and institute a campaign for Chris-
tian Education within the bounds of the Synod, one objec-
tive of which shall be the establishment of the Columbia
Theological Seminary in or near to the city of Atlanta, and
that the proposed campaign be launched as soon as pos-
sible after the meeting of Synod, and under the leadership
of the General Assembly's Committee on Stewardship.

4. That the Special Committee be authorized to enlarge
its membership up to twenty-five and that this enlarged
Committee be commissioned to represent and act for the
Presbytery in all matters pertaining to the removal of
Columbia Seminary, that it accept a site and any subscrip-
tions that may be offered, and that it stimulate an interest
and secure all the contributions or subscriptions possible,
and that in connection with the Synod's Executive Com-
mittee of Education it call an early meeting of Synod of
Georgia with a view to presenting an offer to the other
Synods at their next fall meetings.

Action of the Synod of Georgia, October 8, 1924

Dr. R. C. Reed, who is a member of the Synod of Georgia,
reports that it took unanimous action October 8, 1924, ap-
proving of the Board's recommendation to remove the
Seminary to Atlanta and offers to raise the sum of $500,000
and to furnish a site of 25 acres.

Financial Status Columbia Theological Seminary
April 30th, 1924

ASSETS

1. Current Assets.

Cash, Interest Due, etc $ 8,600.52

2. Investments.

(a) Loans, Real Estate 266,028.20

(b) Stocks and Bonds 13,000.00

3. Fixed Assets.

(a) Land, City Block ;....*.. 54,500.00

(b) Buildings 98,313.85

(c) Furnishings 8,432.77

(d) Library (Books) (Nominal) 11,000.00

(e) Cemetery Lots 269.50

Total Assets $462,362.84

LIABILITIES
None

Comparative Analysis of Income and Expenses

Income 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24

1. From Investments:

Interest from Loans $17,367 $18,041 $16,490 $17,476 $19,518

Interest from Bonds 629 715 693 697 693

Interest from Deposits 425 243 ... ... 18

Dividend on Stock 34 90

Rent and Merchandise 15 80

Total $18,455 $19,104. $17,263 $18,173 $20,229

2. From Gifts to Current Expenses :

South Carolina Churches, etc. $4,935 $4,270 $4,722 $9,599 $11,918

Georgia Churches, etc 1,266 1,953 2,072 4,915 4,513

Florida Churches, etc 669 850 846 1,220 1,314

Alabama Churches, etc 25 28 110 15 95

Students' Refund 566 276 143

Miscellaneous 297 1,870 568 210 138

Total $7,758 $9,247 $8,461 $15,959 $17,978

3. Gifts to Endowment:

Million Dollar Camp $8,500 $14,358 $18,054 $16,137

Goulding Foundation $1,935 2,691 1,457 903 20

Other Sources 4,582 1,310 490 1,000 1,025

Total $6,517 $12,501 $16,305 $19,957 $17,182

GRAND TOTAI, $32,730 $40,852 $42,029 $54,089 $55,389

Total Available for

Current Expenses $26,213 $28,351 $25,724 $34,132 $38,207

Expenses Current 32,159 34,908 39,249 43,819 44,240

DEFICIT $5,946 $6,557 $13,525 $9,687 *$ 6,033

*This amount has been paid by special subscriptions secured by a committee
of Presbyterians in Columbia.

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FACULTY

Richard C. Reed, D.D., L.L.D.

Acting President
Professor of Church History

William M. McPheeters, D.D., L.L.D.

Professor of Old Testament Literature and Exegesis

Henry Alexander White, A.M., Ph.D., D.D.. L.L.D.

Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis

Melton Clark, A.B., B.D., D.D.
Professor of the English Bible and Religious Education

Edgar D. Kerr, A.B., B.D., D.D.
Professor of Hebrezv and Cognate Languages

, James Benjamin Green, A.B., D.D.
Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology

Hugh R. Murchison, A.B., B.D., D.D.
Instructor in Missions and Director in Religious Work

John Miller Wells, A.M., Ph.D., D.D., L.L.D.
Instructor in Horn clitics and Pastoral Theology

Walter P. Taylor, Ph.D.
Instructor in Elocution

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

South Carolina

Rev. W. A. HaFner, GafTney, S. C 1924

Coi,. W. W. Lewis, York, S. C 1924

D. W. Robinson, Esq., Columbia, S. C 1925

Rev. D. M. Douglas, D.D., Clinton, S. C 1925

S. H. Edmunds, LittD., Sumter, S. C 1926

Rev. Alexander Sprunt, D.D., Charleston, S. C 1926

Georgia

J. T. Brantley, Esq., Blackshear, Ga 1924

Rev. E. L. Hill, D.D., Athens, Ga 1925

Rev. F. K. Sims, D.D., Dalton, Ga 1926

Rev. A. L. Patterson, D.D., Savannah, Ga 1927

Alabama

Rev. C. M. Boyd, D.D., Tuscaloosa, Ala 1924

Rev. A. G. Irons, Tuscaloosa, Ala 1925

Rev. S. E. Hodges, D.D., Anniston, Ala 1926

Florida

Rev. L. E. McNair, D.D., Jacksonville, Fla 1924

Rev. W. J. Garrison, St. Petersburg, Fla 1925

Officers of the Board
President of the Board J. T. Brantley, Esq.
Vice-President of the Board Rev. Alexander Sprunt, D.D.
Secretary of the Board Rev. Hugh R. Murchison, D.D.
Treasurer of the Board C. H. Baldwin, Esq.

Standing Committees

Executive Committee F. K. Sims, W. W. Lewis, A. L.
Patterson, D. W. Robinson, W. A. Haener.

Committee on Material Property R. C. Reed, Hugh R.
Murchison.

Investing Committee D. W. Robinson, W. H. Townsend,
C. H. Baldwin, Hugh R. Murchison, J. C. Cope-
land, J. T. Dabbs.

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