Columbia Theological Seminary Bulletin, 19, number 1, July 1926

COLUMBIA
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Columbia, s. C.

THE COLUMBIA SEMINARY BULLETIN
Published Quarterly by the Seminary

Vol. XIX

JULY, 1926

Nc

Entered as Second Class Matter Julu Hth, 1908, at the 'Posto&ce at Columbia.
South Carolina, under the Act of Julu 16th, 1894

A STRONG FACULTY

DR. McPHEETERS

WORDS OF APPROVAL

"From the day of that learned and holy man, Dr. Tadlock, down to Rich-
ard T. Gillespie, now President, I have known the professors of Columbia
Theological Seminary. They have always been good men, full of virtue, piety
and learning, and have had complete devotion to the Word of God, and the
Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. The scholarship of the present teaching
force is very high. Their ability as instructors is shown in the first-rate men
that are sent out as ministers, as well as in the spirit and life of these profes-
sors themselves."

Dudley Jones, Clinton, S. C.

"Columbia Seminary has done and is doing a valuable work for our
Church. The removal to Atlanta gives this historic school of the prophets a
strategic position second to no other Seminary in the country. Columbia de-
serves and will receive the enthusiastic support of the five controlling Synods
in the very heart of which she will be located."

Dpnbah H. Ogden, Mobile, Ala.

"The Faculty of Columbia Seminary is admirable in its combination of
scholarship and personal touch with the modern problems of the Church. The
personnel of the faculty represents the several types of leadership in the
Church, and cannot be too highly commended to a candidate for the ministry."

E. L. Hnx, Athens, Georgia

"In my judgment the Faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary consists
wholly of men of approved piety, soundness in the faith once for all delivered
to the saints, aptness to teach, and of a pleasing personality. They are at
once conservative in thought and principle, and progressive in method of
teaching."

A. A. Little, Meridian, Miss.

"Columbia Seminary can well commend its Faculty to the Church as com-
posed of men well qualified to teach her ministerial students. This ancient
school of the prophets has always attracted some of the foremost and leading
men of the Church to her professorships, and now, as in the past, the faculty
is ripe in scholarly attainments, vigorous and strong in theological leadership,
and true to those high standards of quality and service that Columbia has
always given to the Church."

Robert H. McCaslin, Jacksonville, Fla.

DR. WHITE

DR. GREEN

DR. TAYLOR

DR. MURCHISON

DR. GILLESPIE

DR. MCNEILL

The Graduating Class at Columbia, 1925-1926

WHAT COLUMBIA SEMINARY HAS MEANT TO ME

As I look Imck over the three years spent
in Columbia I find that I have grown in
knowledge, knowledge of the things funda-
mental in the Christian religion. As I sat
in the classrooms and heard these men of
God explain the things of God, as I saw
the scholarship exhibited by them, there
came over me a sense of my great need for
just these things. I was inspired to reach
up and out for a broader scholarship, a
more complete knowledge of those things
of God which would be useful to those whom
I would be called to serve.

But Columbia has not only caused me to

grow in knowledge, it has also helped me

to grow in efficiency. The men who leave

Columbia are efficient men; trained to lead

men, but to follow Christ. Knowledge is

one thing; the ability to use it is another.

The example of efficiency set for me by the faculty has been a great

help to me. It has made me strive to be a more capable servant of my

King.

Columbia, however, has meant more to me than growth in knowledge
and efficiency. I believe, yea I know, that the influence of Columbia
has caused me to grow in grace. This I consider my greatest gain, for
the first two without the last would be of little value to the true minis-
ter of Christ. Columbia's faculty is composed of scholars; they are
efficient scholars, but what impressed me most was their humility and
deep sense of the dignity and responsibility of the Christian minister, and
their endeavor to impress the student with these truths. I consider my-
self most fortunate to have received my theological training at Columula.
Samuel Pbessly Bowles, Pastor, Jacksonvill-e, Fla.

A SOURCE OF VISION AND INSPIRATION

To me Columbia Seminary has been a
training school for development for the larg-
est service in the Kingdom of the Lord
Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through
the instruction given in the classroom, the
personal influence of the faculty and stu-
dent body, the enlargement of ideals, a deep-
ening of the spiritual life and through de-
velopment of a deeper devotion to the
cause of Christ. The needs of the Kingdom
are presented in such a way that a new
vision is given of the work, inspiration to
greater diligence afforded, and greater con-
secration to the task brought to the individ-
ual student.

I have found the deep, warm fellowship
of the student body to be one of the fine
things at the Seminary and it has meant
much in the development of the Christian
graces. Close friendships were established,
which resulted in the strengthening of
Christian character. The campus spirit, the prayer life, the social con-
tacts were of the highest type and were directed toward the promotion
of a more Christlike spirit among the students themselves.

The members of the faculty I have found to be men of faith, consecra-
ted to the work to which they have been called, willingly and cheerfully
giving their time and energy to the task of developing and training men
for the ministry of the Master. They are men of firm convictions, hold-
ing fast to the fundamentals of the Christian religion, students of God's
Word, and living close to the Master. The influence of the lives of
these men upon the lives of the students with whom they come in con-
tact is inestimable and invaluable.

Truly, it was a great privilege to have been a student at Columbia
Theological Seminary.

John Arthur Flanagan, Pastor, Franklin, N. C.

AN ABLE AND GODLY FACULTY

Columbia Theological Seminary is an
institution of which all of her alumni
are proud, and .justly so. Who would
not be proud of an institution with such
a glorious history and such a promising
future of even larger usefulness in the
Kingdom of God? And who would not
be thankful for the privilege of sitting
at the feet of such able and godly men
as constitute the faculty of Columbia
Seminary? No one sitting in the class-
rooms can fail to be impressed with the
depth of their scholarship. And the
indubitable evidence of their profound

knowledge of the subject in hand inspires the respect of all their
students.

We have been led by their teaching to hunger and thirst after knowl-
edge, but more really and truly have we been led by their purity of life
to "hunger and thirst after righteousness." Therefore, because we have
a faculty whose purity of life is an inspiration to all who come in con-
tact with them, the students placed under their care, seek not only to
grow in knowledge of the things of God, but strive to grow more and
more into the likeness of the Son of God, even Jesus.

Benjamin Alfohd Meeks, Pastor, Aberdeen, Miss.

COLUMBIA'S GREATNESS IN HER FACULTY

What the Officers' Training Camp is
to the army, the Seminary is to the
Church. There her leaders receive the
training which they must have for ef-
fective leadership in the Church. Colum-
bia has impressed me as fully capable of
giving to her students the same efficient
training which an officer receives. One
who has earnestly and conscientiously
completed the required course can go to
his work feeling that he is well equipped
for his task.

In her faculty lies the greatness of
Columbia Seminary; men of sound doc-
trine, the stamp of their own character is impressed upon the student
in their classrooms. To them must be attributed in large measure the
success of Columbia men. They have so completed their task that the
students go out from under them fully! prepared for the work of win-
ning men to the Saviour.

One need I felt as a student there was the Christian fellowship be-
tween the faculty and the student body. The cause of this has been
the lack of proper equipment, the faculty being forced to live, in the
main, off of the campus. But in Atlanta, with larger grounds and the
professors' houses oruAbe campus, this need will be met. -

William Salter Porter, Jr., Pastor, Washington, Oa.

THE SPIRIT OF COLUMBIA MEN

One of the most gratifying characteristics
of the men who go out from Columbia
Seminary is their willingness to labor in
difficult and obscure fields. A survey of
her graduates reveals the fact that they
have not sought for themselves fields where
they might live with most comfort, and
where they could be surrounded with the
conveniences of modern life. Neither have
they endeavored to secure for themselves
the plaudits of men. Columbia men have
gone into the difficult mountain fields, into
the lowly places of the city, to the ever-
increasing mill districts, and to the home
mission fields of our Church.

The crying need for the Gospel in such places has not been unheeded
by her alumni; ministering to destitute and needy fields is looked upon
as our greatest privilege. It is a tribute to the spirit of her men that
they can be used so graetly in such work. Practically every one of her
graduates for this year has entered a home mission field and is now
laboring in home mission work. As long as Columbia graduates men
with this sacrificial spirit, our Church need not fear for the future
supply of ministers for these needy fields.

Marshall Coleman Dendy, Supt. Home Missions, Crawfordville, Oa.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF COLUMBIA SEMINARY

During my stay at Columbia Seminary I
came to realize that there existed in the
classrooms and on the campus an ideal to-
ward which the Seminary, as a great insti-
tution of the Church, bends its every effort.
I believe that the ideal of Columbia Semin-
ary is to produce men who are "thoroughly
furnished unto every good work." Its
greatest hope is that its men will fill the
places to which they are called competently
and joyously, and that each one will prove
himself "A workman that needeth not to be
ashamed."

This ideal is in the mind of the faculty
before the student comes to the Seminary,
and they, therefore, urge him to fully pre-
pare himself by completing, wherever pos-
sible, his academic work before beginning
his Seminary course. This gives to the stu-
dent a good foundation upon which he can
base his future studies.
It has been with this ideal in mind that the members of the Faculty
have been chosen. They are men of scholarly attainments, masters in
their lines, and their sole ambition and desire is to give to their pupils
those principles of study, and that attitude of mind which will enable
the student to render the most acceptable service to the Master.

This ideal is manifested in the spirit of the student body on the
campus. The genuine devotion to Him who has called them into His
service is expressed in the wholesome fellowship which exists among the
students. Helpful, kind, considerate, lovable these ire characteristics
of Columbia students.

It is with this ideal in view that the plans for Columbia Seminary in
Atlanta are being made, and in its new location the principles which
have governed its life for almost a century will be maintained.

Bob Shiver Hodges, Jr., Pastor, Batesburg, 8. C.

THE POWER OF PERSONAL INFLUENCE

Paul said, "For none of us liveth to
himself, and no man dieth to himself."
The extent to which we influence others
and others influence us will depend
largely upon the person and upon the
conditions under which we meet. In-
fluence is felt more strongly when one
begins a new career and we might say
that one's career will depend to a great
extent upon his first associates. That
being the case, we do not realize what we
owe to our professors at Columbia
Theological Seminary until after the
three years during which we are under
their influence have passed.

The faculty have been instruments of
God used in shaping our thoughts and

in making our lives and characters stronger. They have helped us to
see the big things in life, while at the same time never overlooking the
small things. They have taught us to feel that the weak, feeble, and
underfed are as important as those who have everything that money
can buy; to press on and at the same time never to neglect our duty;
that the joy of service comes thru sacrifice and giving more than thru
ease and receiving.

The influence of these godly men will be felt long after what they
taught in the classroom has been forgotten. Surely their students can
say of them as it was said of the apostles, "And they took knowledge
of them, that they had been with Jesus."

John Coffee Neville, Pastor, Union, S. C.

A RICH HERITAGE

Those who are confronted with a call to
the service of men in the name of Christ
face the problem of preparation. There
comes with a call to the ministry a feeling
of responsibility for the task.

There is today need of a pure gospel. We
find this in Columbia Seminary. Those who
have passed on have left this rich heritage.
Can we over-value this blessing? No, we
are deeply indebted to those who have given
their lives to teaching those set apart for
the Master's service.

We find on the campus a spirit of fellow-
ship among students and faculty. There
are many strong ties sealed by the bonds of
friendship. For me to express my own per-
sonal gain from this is a pleasure. I can
never feel that I have repaid Columbia
Seminary for the great benefit which I have
received by personal contact with my fel-
low students and the faculty. The spirit

of fellowship pervades the campus to the uplift of all who come within
the pale of its warmth.

Columbia Seminary has been signally blessed in the last two years by
the presence of one who is altogether lovable. In the President of
Columbia Seminary we find one who has been true to all to which God
has called him. Through this period of transition in her history he has
been the ever faithful and efficient guide of the affairs of the Seminary
and a loving counsellor of the students. His friendship with the stu-
dents has been felt and deeply appreciated by all.

Our three years in Columbia Seminary have been pleasant ones. We
have caught a clearer vision of the work that is before us. Faithfully
and patiently have the principles which underlie our ministry been laid
before us, that we may be better fitted to show ourselves approved
unto God, workmen that need not to be ashamed.

William Simpson Scott, Pastor, Chesterfield, S. C.

REV. WILLIAM C. ROBINSON ELECTED PROFESSOR

Kev. William C. Robinson, of Gettys-
burg, Pa., has been elected professor
of Ecclesiastical History and Church
Polity to succeed the late Dr. R. C.
Reed.

Mr. Robinson is a son of Mr. and
Mrs. D. W. Robinson, of Columbia. He
has a wide circle of friends among
former University and Seminary stu-
dents and throughout the State who
will rejoice that he is to join the fac-
ulty of Columbia Seminary.

Mr. Robinson has been granted
leave of absence for one year that he
may pursue a post graduate course in
History in preparation for his work at
the Seminary. He will join the faculty
in Atlanta in 1927.

Mr. Robinson has, throughout his
career, won distinction in academic
work, and has proven himself a suc-
cessful pastor and preacher. He grad-
uated with first honor from Columbia
High School. He is an A.B. graduate
with first distinction of Roanoke (Va.)
College, majoring in history; received
his B.D. degree from Columbia Semin-
ary in 1920, and the M.A. degree,
majoring in philosophy, from the Uni-
versity of South Carolina. In both
Columbia institutions he won distinc-
tion for scholarship, and was recog-
nized as a man of superior intellectual ability. After leaving Colum-
bia, Mr. Robinson studied for a year at Princeton Theological Semin-
ary, graduating with the degree of Master of Sacred Theology. At
Princeton he majored in Systematic Theology and completed two
courses in Dogmatics which dealt with the History of Doctrines, and
graduated in group one standing. From 1923 to 1925 he further
pursued his studies in the Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg, Pa., taking
courses in History of the Reformation and American Church History.

Thus it will be seen that already Mr. Robinson is well prepared for
the work to which he has been called. He will, however, spend the
next year at Harvard University, where he will continue his graduate
work in history until he has earned his doctor's degree.

For the past five years Mr. Robinson has been pastor of the Church
at Gettysburg, where he has had a most successful and fruitful min-
istry. In his Church he has proven his ability as a preacher and has
won for himself the love of his congregation and the confidence of the
leaders of the Church.

No man in the Southern Church will come to his work with more
thorough preparation than the new professor of Ecclesiastical History
and Church Polity at Columbia Seminary.

REV. WILLIAM C. ROBINSON