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 8 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. 10 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 11 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. 12