Bulletin of COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY DECATUR, GEORGIA Vol. XXV Fall Quarter, 1932 No. RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED Entered as second-class matter, May 9, 1928, at the post office at Decatur, Ga., under the Act of August 24, 1912. PUBLISHED QUARTERLY AT DECATUR, GEORGIA Our New President President Richards' Message to Synods Dr. Gillespie and the Work Scholarships Special Work in Religious Education Edited by Wm. C. Robinson, Th.D., D.D. OUR NEW PRESIDENT THE REVEREND J. McDOWELL RICHARDS A.B., A.M., A.M. (Oxon). B.D. A SCHOLAR Columbia has called as her head one of the most scholarly and broadly cultured men in the , A-rnbly Mr. Richards was first honor graduate of hi class at Davidson. Thereafter he secured the degree of Mjto of Arts in English at Princeton University For three veafs he was Rhodes scholar from North Carolina at Oxford University, specializing in Modern History and receiving from the English University the degrees of A_B and AM- Mr. Richards was graduated at the head of his class a Columbia Theological Seminary with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. President Richards' personality, hswde culture and command of literature have made him a most attractive and effective speaker on all oc- calns Four years of pastoral work, serving in mission fields and in town and city churches, in the North Georgia niountains and in the South Georgia cotton and turpen- tine belt have enriched the practical experience of this mnister and removed any academic flavor which might have adhered to his athletic person. Mr. Ri chard, , is the third voung professor to be brought into the present faculty afte" s'ix years of post-graduate study. With h coming the Columbia Faculty carries an interesting list of graduate degrees from such institutions as Princeton. Oxford, Harvard, and Chicago. A COLUMBIAN . The new president is a son of Columbia Theological Seminary. L is also the son of a Columbia a umnus and the grandson of two Columbia alumni Mr. Rich aids lists'as his Columbia forebears Prof. CM. ^ aids, D.D., of Davidson College Dr. J. G. Klchaids R ^" d Dr James McDowell. An uncle, the Hon. J. G. Rich ^trmer governor of South Carom. .has alway been a devoted friend and supporter of Columbia. roll of sons and grandsons of Columbia alumni who are now occupying pulpits or professorships of dastmction m the Assembly furnishes a glorious vindication of the ven- erable institution, "for when you want to make a man you must start with his grandfather." This is the second mem- ber of the faculty to be a third generation Columbia man, Dr S. A. Cartledge's father, grandfather and an uncle as weil as himself being alumni of Columbia It may we be doubted if this record can be duplicated in anotnei institution in America. A WELL INTEGRATED PERSONALITY The president of an institution of higher learning has to appear before and be appraised by more different groups than anv other in our civilization. He is seen as a pro- fessor by the students; as an administrator by those who make up the institution; as a business executive by the Board of Directors; as a leader of thought by his colleag- ues- as the "salesman" commissioned to commend his in- stitution to the public; as a custodian of the faith by the Church. If there are any rough edges they must certainly appear to some scrutinizing eye as one by one these groups come in contact with the President. Those who have been brought into the closest personal contact with Columbia s new president; who have seen him pass before the differ- ent groups and meet the problems as they have emerged with self-sacrificing labor, patience poise and faith realize that God has sent Columbia a thoroughly rounded character, who will meet every occasion with a balanced udgment and a fairminded decision. The everlasting arms that are keeping Columbia have entrusted her in- terests to good hands. A BUSY MAN Since moving to Columbia late in August President Richards has not known a spare moment. J^ous to his arrival the new President had arranged for Bi ble teaching this year and had corresponded with the en- ter ng students" On his arrival he took charge of the executive machinery and set on foot the work of he new year. Since coming, Mr. Richards has represented the Seminary before three Synods two Presbyteries the Atlanta Ministers' Association the Synodical o Georgia, and nine -roup Conferences of Atlanta Presbytenal. He has also poached in twelve churches and spoken to two Auxiliaries of these churches. Mr. Richards is avai ab e for Sunday services and is in constant demand for these occasions At the time of writing this he ^as supplying ?orDi Morris in English Bible and for Dr McPheeters in The Prophets and the Promise, on account of the temp oar disability of these professors. Indeed, one wonders whether there are enough hours for the strenuous round Of his Seminary activities, without neglecting his physical wellbehig or the delightful family that he has brought to the Columbia campus. A SENSE OF DUTY Perhaps the finest thing about our new president is the mheshating way in which he has responded to every call Ti h SnaJe, Regardless of the fact that other men had been approached and that the Board was only able to offer hTm three-fifths the salary it had formerly paid Jw of the stringency of the times, Mr. Richards 25Ttto p- SSuIy called. Nothing could bet- ter express his spirit than his own words in a recent letter to a friend: to a menu. , "It was with much reluctance, and with a very real sen Adequacy and unworthiness, that I accepted^ II tnthit Dosition I do believe, however, that theie is I work of ZmendoL importance to be done in and though this institution, and, as there seemed to be no ZZ'diate prospect of any one else's step^nd^he load, I could not secure the consent of my con f cie ^ [ decline the task. I trust, therefore, that I My jfa-rflj render some real service here % and, if that is my ^ooa fortune, I shall be well content. Extracts from President Richards' Address to Constituent Synods My brethren, as I stand before you today to represent Columbia Seminary, I am profoundly conscious of the high privilege and of the great responsibility which are mine I am also aware of the fact that there are many nuest'ions in your minds concerning the present and the future welfare of that ancient institution, and I feel that you are due a very honest answer to those questions. S3, therefore, to be perfectly frank w th you Perhaps mav answer your questions best of all if 1 tell you 01 me SlTmTwhlch I had to face for myself when the Board o DirectoTs saw fit to call me to the presidency of the Seminary last May. and of the facts which led me to accept that call. THE NEED OF COLUMBIA The first question which confronted me was one which has been much in the mind of our Church during recen months namely, does our Church need four theological Tmtaries audioes it need Columbia Seminary wj,ere it i now located? Now I am a son of Columbia Seminary. ?C*Stai-ta a, my Aim. Mater; I P* .he^ea, contributions wh,ch ,, has ma to ,h h *o ;i h, and the life of our Lhurcn, ana i e ' ul J u ,, herit /e which it has preserved At the same tje hold the welfare of the Church and the promotion ot her serv i i f PJ as the onlv ends which are ice for *e Blory of God a the . . ^ worthv to demand our en on, aim , . f ft The work of our Church is one w x training our ministry is one task, [do not n difficulties and problems. These men are the ^grea Lve that those inst.tut.on>, g at as they Irom them, quately serve to ^alv tLd our'Thnlch needs a may con.inually pour on, streams of Us you ng j ^ in the Southeastern par, of oar orntory for is to De mi f g th Carolina, Georgia, Hoi- ida M banra a.T Mississippi have placed a seminary in a few years time. 1 cannot oe Gillespie, ance of that same providence Dr. Kichaici f CnA and servant of the Church, was that great man of God and se u k that led to lay down his he in vain and we ^ LSrro^Sr.^ t M 5 .>o, ana needs it where it now exists. THE SUPPORT OF COLUMBIA Granted, however,^ Jere^i^--^ the preservation of Columbia Semma Y> g ds second problem as to whether he hve ^ . g are financially able to meet tha t need. F ^ ( undoubtedly one of ^mendous importance ft days of depression it -^53 Columbia in a spirit of "^^J^Ll difficulty, yet upon in- Seminary is admittedly one on m encour . vestigation I have found tha i^- ^ ^ & aging elements, .^g^ the aclua l indebtedness of eral impression in the Churchy u ong hundred this institution today is slight > ess t hdf the thousand dollars which is y ^ amount of its 'fj^^^^S^Jm and in the iroTalSeS ting the pal two years is truly T^-M be remembered ^*^*%& This deficit occurred in spite ot r c sim ultan- scaling of the budget having and of ret urns eous shrinkage of f ts f l ^ c ing fact , however, from funds invested. It is an ei Be nge that the institution was P erate ^J st of y ^ s actual income which was ^^^^^S^^hOog^ two years ago, and that futher^co too thlS year - '"that 6 uf Ch ich amiot support Columbia soon to say that our tnuit J itions are to continue Seminary. If I^. fc ^ l ?^Lige. will have and become normal it obvious tha ch g ^ to be made-but, if that w to be the Seminary is not the ^ ^^jgfti. of Church ed. If these are norma times he w subjecte d to and of national life alike w 11 have t iMtion . drastic change and perhaps to comp e ^ ^ bp We do not believe that the present dep {acts ^ permanent, however, and in he ^ h even a pa r- f have mentioned, it would appear h ^ ^ t<> tial return of prosperity oui Church furnish adequate support for Column THE PRESIDENCY OF COLUMBIA One other great question I had ?*$*?* Church needs Columbia ^f^^TSSS I could it can support that institution, I had to ask ^ possibly render the service demanded of its P r esi e Question I ^y^^Sis healy re- satisfaction. With all my heart w sponsibility might have been P 1 ^ J^^i^ mvse lf. L older more experienced and more We^ ^ Though deeply conscious of my own ^ this high place, however, I had to ^ esid ent facts. Columbia i Seminar, ^ had -* ^ of Dr . for two years, tor a tuuyeai o h Gillespie the Directors had marked * m J h ^ something might come of the proposed me r e Louisville Seminary, ^^SST^J that there tutions in joint ^Ln of p v dtnt^ leading toward was no P resent n ind1 ^^ hJ then approached several ' ake \Lld be in the President's Chair at onee, the B^E^- me, with no apparent prospect I may be used to render some real serv.ee here. THE WORK OF COLUMBIA I am hanp, to report that we have had a good opening , \rneTvear-s work. We have a present euro 1 me of fortv-nine atndents, ^ ^f^JfXuSl STntep'ared" lb rlvotg ministers as rapid., as drseonraged a nu m b f lh .*** -J ttt^Tw* shJcontinne to discourage those who best man available, lo the ena w have full preparation in Religious Education, we ,. inB one who has done graduate work in that field A who can give instruction in that Department as well Rible We have been fortunate in secunng as in r3iDie. . . Morris, honored alum- &d of sScarolina, will give our student, mtens.ve A of Ae present year is progressing smoothly and we light of that promise i JV whkh ig m)ne ?^^~^^ ^Tt ty e ; til". or our tudents, your fullest cooperation, that together for our stuaem , y q{ maintaimng a grea we may go ^^3^ which shall make a real r-Sion to^phuliding of our Church in this great Southeastern section and to the advancement of the Kin, dom in all the world. DK GILLESPIE AND THE WORK SCHOLARSHIPS President Richards has asked .hat '^J*-^ tZ Zuldri^i^i^thisTulletin. Since taking ove/hs duties in September he has been at work upon Tnlan whereby all of our students might be able to ,., '^minarv's policy as something new. It had not oc eurred . S that his statement might be ^construed as flying that the idea of the working schc J-jAjP > itself new and he wishes to remove all possibility o. n ?lderstading on this point. e systern o work scholarships at Columbia Seminary was inaugurated oy n, R T Gillespie in 1928 and was continued by Dr. Clark. l'n the five years since that tune eighty five such scholarships "ve been granted to u - Rv adontin^ this svstem, Dr. Gillespie suugm. ca'te Sof independence and self-support in hxs stu- dents and the success of this plan, as of many others SutS by him, is added evidence of the prophet, reach of his vision and statesmanship. Up to the present, however only a limited number of students have been alTeTprofit by this arrangement in any one year. It STow t purpose of the administration to -ke ; t possi- K1 P for everv student who receives aid to lender service "o in return. The scope and application o the system will thus be greatly enlarged, but the plan it eU wilWemain unchanged and will continue , to stand as a monument to the wisdom of Dr. Gillespie. SPECIAL WORK IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Columbia Seminary considers herself fortunate in hav- ing secured the services of Dr. Jos. H. Cudlipp, Director of Religious Education in the Synod of South Carolina, for six weeks of the Winter Quarter, and our students are looking forward with great interest to the courses which he will offer at that time. By a fortunate coinci- dence, Dr. Henry W. McLaughlin, the Assembly's Direc- tor of Country Church Work, will be present during a part of the same period and will be given courses on the development of a Religious Education Program for the rural church. It is the desire of the faculty that the min- isters of this section should have an opportunity to profit by this arrangement as Avell as our students, and it takes this means of extending to them a cordial invita- tion to enroll for special courses to be given by these men during the two weeks period beginning January 15 and ending January 28th. There will be no fee for regis- tration and a charge of ten dollars to cover room and board for those who wish to stay at the Seminary will be the only expense attached. Members of the local faculty are also arranging to make it possible for visitors to take special work in their courses during these two weeks, and a very helpful period seems assured for those who wish to spend a short while in intensive study. All those who think it likely that they will want to take advantage of this opportunity are urged to write promptly and notify the president of their intention so that all necessary ar- rangements may be made. The year's program in the field of Religious Educa- tion will be completed with the coming of Dr. W. Talia- ferro Thompson, head of that department in Union Theological Seminary of Virginia, to deliver the Smyth Lectures next Spring. These lectures will be delivered each day during the week of March 27th-April 1st, and our friends are urged to bear these dates in mind, that they may be with us to hear this great teacher from our sister institution.