Columbia Theological Seminary Bulletin, 23, number 2, January 1930

ill Illllllllllllllllll nil III in MUM

BULLETIN

OF

Columbia Theological Seminary

Special Number

^Setting Columbia Seminary Free

m

'Being confident of this very thing, that he who
began a good work in you will perfect it."

Phil. 1:6.

Published Quarterly by

Columbia Theological Seminary

Decatur, Georgia

Vol. XXIII JANUARY, 1930 No. 2

Entered as Second Class matter May 9th, 1928, at Decatur, Ga.,
under the act of Aug. 24th. 1912.

"THE UPPERMOST CONCERN"

"This is an appropriate time for us to realize afresh the im-
portance of the Theological Seminary in the Presbyterian System.
It is the heart of the hurch. It is the main motor and source of
power in the life of Presbyterianism. It is in our Theological
Seminaries that the type of doctrine, the spirit of worship and serv-
ice, the denominational character and fashion are fixed.

"Since the Theological Seminary is the heart of our great Church,
its system of life and work as a denomination, its well being should
be the uppermost concern of all who work and pray for God's glory
in our Church."

Rev. J. Sprole Lyons, D. D.

(Spoken at the Centennial Celebration of Columbia Theological
Seminary, Decatur, Ga.

"Setting Columbia Seminary Free"

FACING THE FACTS

FACT (I)

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY is more than a hun-
dred years old. Its list of founders and early Professors includes
DR. THOMAS GOULDING, DR. GEORGE HOWE, DR. AARON W.
LELAND, DR. CHARLES COLCOCK JONES, DR. BENJAMIN
MORGAN PALMER, DR. JAMES WOODROW, DR. JAMES H.
THORNWELL, DR. WM. S. PLUMER, DR. JOSEPH R. WILSON
(father of Woodrow Wilson), DR. JOHN L. GIRARDEAU and
others.

FACT (II)

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY leaders were in the
forefront in the first General Assembly of the SOUTHERN
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH held in Augusta, Ga., December, 1861.
DR. BENJAMIN MORGAN PALMER, of Columbia, was Moder-
ator. DR. JOSEPH R. WILSON was the first stated Clerk. DR.
JAMES H. THORNWELL, of Columbia, gave to the Church its
Magna Charta in a notable state paper sent to all the Churches of
Jesus Christ by the General Assembly. DR. CHAS. COLCOCK
JONES, of Columbia, prepared the masterly production on Religious
Institutions for Colored people. DR. JOHN LEIGHTON WILSON,
of Columbia, shaped the policy of the Church on Foreign Missions.
DR. JOHN B. ADGER, of. Columbia, was the chief contributor to
The Book of Church Order.

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'Setting Columbia Seminary Free"

FACT (III)

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, while holding fast
to the distinctive Spiritual mission of the Church, has, through its
leadership, made a large contribution to SOCIAL SERVICE. These
Columbia men and the great social reform movements in which they
were pioneers were: the cessation of the BRITISH SLAVE TRAF-
FIC Dr. James Leighton Wilson; the expulsion of the LOUISIANA
STATE LOTTERY Dr. Benjamin Morgan Palmer; the Chinese
OPIUM REFORM MOVEMENT Dr. Henry C. Dubose.

FACT (IV)

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, according to a state-
ment contained in THE SURVEY, made by order of the General As-
sembly, is in the forefront of Presbyterian educational institutions in
the matter of MATERIAL PROGRESS.

This Statement is as follows:

"Columbia Theological Seminary has added $352,347*
to its net resources in the last five years, RANKING IN
THE FOREFRONT of Presbyterian institutions in material
progress."

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This sum has now reached the encouraging total of $500,000.

Columbia's total net worth is $813,000

Columbia's indebtedness is 202,500

ANNUAL INTEREST CHARGES $12,500

When the "interest charges" are removed the Annual Budget of.
Columbia Seminary will no longer be an insurmountable obstacle.

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'Setting Columbia Seminary Free'

FACT (V)

THE SURVEY made by order of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY
further states:

"In determining PRIOR CLAIMS upon the Church, the building
of a permanent educational system which will articulate with the
public school system and assure a maximum number of trained
Christian workers for the religious and social life of the future, the
Survey suggests the following order of PRIORITIES:

"First THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES. The FIRST educa-
tional responsibility of the Church is to provide an educated min-
istry."

FACT (VI)

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY is serving the Church
splendidly in its territory.

In a single year 108 ministerial students went out from Union
Seminary, Richmond, Va. Only nine of these men labored in any
of the five Synods of the Southeast, as follows: 5 in Georgia, 1 each
in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina.

In the same year 76 ministerial students went out from Kentucky
Seminary, Louisville, Ky. Only two of these men labored in any of
the five Synods of Columbia's territory. Both of these men labored
in Mississippi.

In the same year 62 ministerial students went out from Columbia
Seminary. Of this number 15 labored in Georgia, 3 in Alabama,
4 in Florida, 2 in Mississippi and 20 in South Carolina.

Sending out one-third as many students as two other Seminaries
combined, COLUMBIA SEMINARY furnished four times as many
laborers in the five Svnods as the other combined Seminaries.

TESTING PRESBY

1

THERE IS NO ESCAPING THE FACT THAT IN ANY II

If a man says that he loves his wife but does not care enough to \w
may be sentimentally vivid on occasions, but it is not deep, genu(
worked but as far as it goes it is real. You cannot argue that a
But you can argue that a man being able, who does not suppoi
them at all.

A man who professes devotion to his country but dodges h

A man who sings hymns to Christ but evades financial sup]

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY is charged wi
preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is not an indiv
Church. Columbia Seminary is owned and controlled by the J
lina of the Presbyterian Church U. S.

The first educational responsibility of the Church is to pr<

"SETTING COLUMBIA SEMINARY FREE" is now the ta
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY are confronted. We are com
Churches in support of this imperative call for this reason first c
THE SINCERITY OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF OUR CHURC
IN THE CAUSE OF CHRIST AS REPRESENTED IN OUR (

This test will be found not so much in the size of our gif 1
tested by a large contribution, another man's genuineness will I
ing the fact that the way a man handles the financial side of ar
ments.

rERIAN LOYALTY

;F(

1! LATIONSHIP FINANCES ARE A TEST OF SINCERITY.
p >vide for her financial needs his love is shoddy. His affections
nu ie or dependable. This financial test of sincerity may be over-
a|ian who supports his family well therefore loves them dearly.
on his family, thereby conclusively shows that he does not love

hjjust taxes is faking patriotism.

pppt of Christian causes is not in earnest.

the responsibility of recruiting and training men for the
nal undertaking but an agency of the Southern Presbyterian
Sjiods of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Caro-

de an educated ministry.

ta [ with which Presbyterians in the territory of COLUMBIA
mq-ned about the generous response of the membership of our
all; WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE RESPONSE WILL TEST
ES IN THEIR MANIFOLD PROFESSIONS OF INTEREST
URCHES.

as in the unanimity of the giving. One man's sincerity may be

b| finely evidenced by a small contribution. But there is no escap-

human relationship is a significant indication of his real senti-

'Setting Columbia Seminary Free'

FACT (VII)

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY needs the sum of
$200,000 to meet present pressing obligations for the purpose of
"SETTING COLUMBIA SEMINARY FREE."

The original proposal to locate the Seminary in Atlanta included

(1) Atlanta to provide $250,000 for buildings and an adequate site.

(2) The Synod of Georgia to provide $250,000 for Endowment.

Up to the present time sufficient funds have not been provided
for the two buildings already erected and the purchase of the site.
The fund for Endowment is far short of the goal. There was no pro-
vison made for the expense of moving the Seminary to Atlanta. This
has resulted in large borrowings from banks, heavy interest charges
and inadequate income for maintenance of the regular work of the
Seminary.

FACT (VIII)

"SETTING COLUMBIA SEMINARY FREE" is not something
that should be done. This thing MUST be done. COLUMBIA
SEMINARY cannot survive an annual interest charge of $12,500.

Neither the Church nor the Seminary can afford to use $12,500
a year for interest. This must be done however until the Seminary
is given relief from the burdensome DEBT of $202,500.

When this is accomplished the Seminary will be able to main-
tain its work and to balance its budget without difficulty. This will
be in fact "SETTING COLUMBIA SEMINARY FREE."

'Setting Columbia Seminary Free'

FACT (IX)

The FIRST RIFT IN THE CLOUDS is a most generous offer,
from an already generous friend who agrees to make an additional
gift of $75,000 towards the $200,000 now needed, on condition that
the remaining $125,000 be provided by other generous friends.

This is A SPLENDID CHALLENGE to the spirit of Presby-
terianism which should be accepted with eager promptness.

IN VIEW OF THE FACTS presented on the foregoing pages, no
time should be lost in achieving this most desirable result of "SET-
TING COLUMBIA SEMINARY FREE."

In order to accomplish this and in recognition of personal bles-
sings and of the importance of recruiting and training capable men
for the work of PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST,
will you

(1) Unite with us in definite, importunate PRAYER to God for
His blessing on this present task for the honor of His name.

(2) Back up your prayer by the MOST LIBERAL AND SUB-
STANTIAL GIFT your interest and ability dictate.

(3) Enlist the interest, sympathy, prayers and financial co-
operation of others.

(4) Send names of those whose interest should be enlisted.
Literature will be sent and wherever desirable a personal
interview will be arranged by Dr. Richard T. Gillespie,
President, or some member of. the Board of Directors.

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"Setting Columbia Seminary Free'

CREATIVE IMMORTALITY

in connection with the program of

"SETTING COLUMBIA SEMINARY FREE"

Memorial Opportunities

A Dormitory Unit (No. 1) $30,000

A Dormitory Unit (No. 2) 25,000

The Seminary Chapel 20,000

The General Library 15,000

The Social Room 15,000

The Dining Room 10,000

The Reference Library 10,000

The Class Rooms 5 each at 5,000

The Infirmary 3,000

The Ladies' Parlor 2,500

The Faculty Room 2,500

The President's Office 2,500

The General Offices 2,000

The Secretary's Office 1,500

The Guest Room Suite 1,500

The Book Store 1,000

Students' Rooms each at 500

PROLONG YOUR OWN PERSONALITY

Perpetuate the Name of Some Loved One
of Your Own Selection

MY RESPONSE

Application for Special Memorial Feature

To The Board of Directors,

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,

Decatur, Georgia.

RECOGNIZING the imperative importance of recruiting and
training an adequate number of capable men for the work of preach-
ing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as the fundamental educational task
of the Presbyterian Church U. S., and in full appreciation of the
generous offer of a friend of the Church agreeing to give $75,000 to
COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, Decatur, Ga., on condi-
tion that a total of $200,000 be subscribed, including his gift;

I HERE PROMISE to pay to John S. Kennedy, Treasurer of Co-
lumbia Theological Seminary, the sum of

Dollars ($ ) .

It is understood and agreed that in consideration of this gift the
MEMORIAL Feature indicated below will be suitably designated and
will bear the name selected by myself, which is also indicated below.

The Memorial Feature

(Here indicate Memorial feature you select)
The Name to be Perpetuated

(Here indicate name the Memorial is to bear)

IT IS FURTHER UNDERSTOOD and agreed that this subscrip-
tion when paid is to become a part of the fund of $200,000 which is
now being sought for Columbia Theological Seminary.

(Signed)
Accepted :

(Fill out, sign and send to Dr. R. T. Gillespie, President,
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga.)

I Have Done

The Best I Could

For Columbia Seminary

The Nation

IS AS STRONG AS ITS CHURCHES

The Churches

ARE AS STRONG AS THEIR MINISTERS

The Ministers

ARE AS STRONG AS THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES