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. -v-ft: '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." -::- ' 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. c ^2 a U 03 03 03 '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. - z z g n z "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