Columbia Theological Seminary Bulletin, 34, number 3, November 1941

Bulletin of
COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

DECATUR. GEORGIA

VOL. XXXIV

NOVEMBER. 1941

No.

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COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

It is not easy to present an adequate account of the work done by any educational
institution. There are so many intangible factors, so many elements which cannot
be accurately measured or described, that any such statement must at best be incom-
plete. This is peculiarly true in the case of a theological seminary, for here more
than elsewhere the spiritual side of life is involved and the real success of the work
done is dependent upon Divine blessing rather than upon material resources and
human efforts. In spite of the fact that any such statement must be unsatisfactory
in large degree, however, there are many facts concerning the last year's work at
Columbia Theological Seminary, as reported to the supporting synods and presby-
teries this fall, which are so significant that they should be of real interest to all
friends of the institution. The body of that report made by the Board of Directors
is printed here under its original headings in the belief that its account of service
rendered, of progress made, and of needs which remain to be met, deserves the
careful consideration of the Church.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of Columbia Seminary consists of twenty-one members
who are elected by the five supporting synods of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mis-
sissippi, and South Carolina. During the past eighteen months we have suffered
heavy loss through the passing of three directors who had rendered faithful service
to this institution for many years Mr. J. Bulow Campbell of the synod of Georgia,
Dr. J. B. Hutton of the synod of Mississippi, and Dr. C. W. McCully of the synod
of South Carolina. These places have been filled by the election of Dr. Wm. V.
Gardner of Atlanta, Ga., Dr. R. E. Hough of Jackson, Miss., and Dr. Edward G.
Lilly of Charleston, S. C.

At the annual meeting of the Board of Directors held at the Seminary last May
Dr. J. Sprole Lyons and Dr. A. L. Patterson resigned their respective offices as
Chairman and Secretary of the Board after years of faithful service to the institu-
tion. These resignations were regretfully accepted with expressions of deep appre-
ciation for all that these faithful servants of the Church have meant to the Seminary,
but of pleasure at the fact that they will remain as members of the Board even
though they have laid down the burdens of office. Dr. John McSween of Chester,
S. C, was elected as Chairman of the Board with Dr. J. R. McCain of Decatur,
Ga. as Vice-Chairman, and Dr. Sam Burney Hay of Auburn, Ala. as Secretary.
Dr. W. M. Elliott, Jr. of Atlanta was made Chairman of the Executive Committee.

FACULTY

The Faculty of Columbia Seminary consists at the present time of seven full
professors with three part time instructors. At the meeting of the Board in May
Dr. John S. Foster was elected an emeritus professor, but under arrangements
which have been made by the administration he will continue most of his teaching
duties at the institution during an additional year. In other respects there were no
changes in the faculty during the year and all professors have been faithful and
effective in the performance of their duties.

Dr. Wm. C. Robinson, Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Polity, delivered
the 1941 James Sprunt Lectures at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va.
on "Christ the Hope of Glory" and it is expected that these lectures will eventually
appear in book form. Dr. J. B. Green, Professor of Systematic Theology, was
granted sabbatic leave of absence during the latter portion of the school year in
order that he might be free to continue work on the harmony of the Westminster
Standards which he expects to publish upon its completion. Dr. Manford George
Gutzke, Professor of English Bible and Religious Education, spent six weeks during
the past summer in graduate study at Columbia University in New York and leave
of absence will be granted him during the latter half of this year in order that he
may continue work there toward the Ph.D. degree in the field of Education.
Members of the faculty were busy during the past summer supplying vacant pulpits,
filling conference engagements, holding evangelistic services, and performing other
tasks for the welfare both of the institution and of the Church as a whole.

STUDENT BODY

The total enrollment of students for the past year was seventy-nine a larger
number than in any single year of the institution's history. Fourteen of these men
were enrolled in the Graduate Department as candidates for the Th.M. degree.
Three students of the Seminary were engaged in clinical work throughout the year
under the direction of the Faculty and the direct supervision of the ministers with
whom they served. The results of the theological internships which have been
arranged during the past three years have been highly satisfactory, and it is regretted
that no members of the student body have enrolled for this type of training during
the coming year in spite of the fact that many requests for men came from churches.
The Board of Directors in May expressed its desire that the importance of this
form of practical instruction be stressed and that students be encouraged to enroll
for it whenever that is possible.

The health of the students throughout the year was remarkably good, and the
Faculty reports that the spiritual life of the campus was also highly gratifying.
The classroom work done during the session was marked by faithfulness in general
and in most instances was highly satisfactory.

There were many calls from churches for the services of the Seminary's graduates
last spring and all members of the senior class were located well before the Com-
mencement season. Members of the lower classes were also much in demand for
service as Home Mission workers, assistant-pastors, and leaders in young people's
activities during the summer, and highly gratifying reports have been received
concerning the work done by many of these young men. At the present time there
seems to be a real shortage of men for the Home Mission fields of our Church,
and it is likely that for several years to come the seminaries are going to find
difficulty in supplying the necessary workers.

FELLOWSHIPS

The first appointment of Fellows under the bequest of Mrs. Fannie Jordan
Bryan of Columbia, S. C. was announced by the Faculty of the Seminary in
February, 1941. The recipients of the fellowships were:

Donald Bennett Bailey, Rock Hill, S. C, a graduate of Davidson College
James Herbert Gailey, Atlanta, Ga., a graduate of Davidson College
Lycurgus Alexander McCutchen, Birmingham, Ala., a graduate of Howard

College
Frark Alfred Mathes, Jonesboro, Ga., a graduate of Georgia School of

Technology
Charles Wesley Rightmyer, Fairmont, W. Va., a graduate of Fairmont

State Teachers' College

Messrs. Bailey and Gailey are pursuing their postgraduate studies at the
Princeton Theological Seminary as candidates for the Th.M. degree, while Messrs.
McCutchen and Rightmyer are enrolled as candidates for the same degree at
Columbia Theological Seminary. Mr. Mathes was granted permission by the
Faculty to defer the year of his fellowship study in order that he might supply
the First Presbyterian Church of Meridian, Miss, while the pastor of that
congregation is on duty as an army chaplain. He expects to study at the Princeton
Seminary upon the completion of that engagement.

It is expected that fellowships will be awarded upon this foundation annually
in the future, although the number granted will probably vary from year to year.

SMYTH LECTURES AND MINISTERS' INSTITUTE

The annual lectures upon the Thomas Smyth Foundation were delivered last
year by Dr. Wm. D. Chamberlain, Professor of New Testament Exegesis in the
Louisville Theological Seminary, whose subject was "The Christian Doctrine of
Repentance: From the Mind of the Flesh to the Mind of Christ." This carefully
prepared and highly stimulating series of lectures was received with deep appreciation
by the faculty and student body of the Seminary and by a large number of visiting
ministers. It is hoped that the lectures will be made available to the Church in
book form.

Approximately fifty ministers, representing all of the supporting synods, were
present for the Ministers' Institute, which was held at the time set for the delivery
of the Smyth Lectures, and took special short term courses under the direction of

the seminary faculty and of Dr. Henry W. McLaughlin, who was assisted by the
Synodical Directors of Religious Education for this region.

President Ben R. Lacy, Jr. of Union Theological Seminary will be the Smyth
Lecturer for the present school session, and will discuss "The Influence of Revivals
Upon the Southern Presbyterian Church." The date for the delivery of these
lectures will be April 27-May 2, 1942, and it is expected that the Ministers'
Institute will again be in session on the campus at that time.

THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Columbia Theological Seminary opened for the school session 1941-42 with
formal exercises which were held in the Chapel on Thursday, September 25th, at
1 1 :00 o'clock. The opening address of the school year was delivered by Dr. Vernon
Broyles, pastor of the North Avenue Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. A fine group
of twenty-three new students was matriculated for the year in spite of the fact that
three men who had enrolled in the Junior Class and who held Reserve Officers'
Commissions had been called into military service during the summer. One additional
member of the class has been summoned for service as an officer in our country's
armed forces since that time. The total number of students enrolled is approximately
the same as for the past year. All members of the faculty were on hand to begin
their work promptly, and the beginning which has been made upon the year's work
gives reason to expect that this also will be a fine session for the institution. Dr.
Edward Mack, Professor Emeritus in Union Theological Seminary of Richmond
and past Moderator of our General Assembly, has just concluded a series of six
devotional services in which he brought renewed inspiration to all who heard him
and did much to enrich the spiritual lives of the students and faculty members alike.

FINANCES

Columbia Seminary has completed its eighth consecutive year without any deficit,
and the institution is free of any permanent indebtedness. The auditors' report of
March 31, 1941, shows the assets of the institution as amounting to $486,981.09 in
physical equipment, and to $374,081.53 of investment funds. The latter figure has
been increased since that date by gifts in connection with the Endowment Campaign.

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN

More than two years ago Mr. J. Bulow Campbell of Atlanta, for years a
Director of the Seminary and perhaps the most generous friend it has had in all
its long history, realizing its great need for increased endowment, agreed to match
all contributions to its endowment fund dollar for dollar up to a total of $100,000
if received by May 1, 1941. The period set was not an easy one in which to secure
gifts, and during the first year the campaign could not be actively prosecuted lest
it interfere with the completion of the Ministers' Annuity Fund. In the face of
many difficulties there is reason for abundant gratitude in the fact that the campaign
was completed successfully last spring with $104,000.30 secured in new gifts and
subscriptions, which will be matched through the offer referred to above up to a
total of $100,000. A check for $89,915.32, the amount which had been collected
from other sources by May 1, 1941, has already been received from Mr. Campbell's
estate, and the balance of the $100,000 will be paid as further collection of subscrip-
tions to that amount is reported. By far the largest number of subscriptions to this
fund were made in the synod of Georgia, although individuals and churches in all
of the supporting synods gave generously to the work. Hundreds of individual gifts
and pledges were received, but most of these were for small amounts and the

complete success of the campaign would not have been possible had it not been that
several generous legacies were received by the institution during this period. Friends
of the Seminary can hardly fail to be impressed by the Providence which brought
these legacies to the school at a time when their value to the institution was just
twice as much as it would have been under ordinary circumstances. The addition
of this $200,000 to the endowment of Columbia Seminary will serve to stabilize its
work and to encourage its friends, but the progress which has thus been made does
not furnish the slightest grounds for complacency. On the contrary, constituting as
it does a reason for increased confidence in the future of Columbia Seminary, it
should be viewed instead as a challenge for the Church to equip this institution more
fully so that it may render the largest possible service to the Christian enterprise
in our day.

FURTHER NEEDS OF COLUMBIA SEMINARY
The endowment of Columbia Seminary has always been insufficient to provide
for the support of the institution. When the building indebtedness of the school
was paid in full in 1936, it was foreseen that for some time after that income from
endowment and from church budgets would fall approximately $5,000 short of
meeting the minimum expenses of the Seminary each year. Hence the same generous
friend who has already been mentioned, Mr. J. Bulow Campbell, undertook to
contribute that amount annually for current expenses over a period of five years.
When the recent campaign for $200,000 was undertaken it was hoped that income
derived from this amount would not only replace the annual gift of $5,000, but that
it would provide for a substantial increase in the Seminary's budget. The financial
situation has altered rapidly, however, and at present rates of interest on investments
which can be approved for trust funds the addition made to our endowment cannot
be expected to produce an income which will be much larger than the amount of
the annual gift that was formerly available. In other words, the success of this
campaign will enable the Seminary to continue its work upon the same basis as in
recent years but makes no large provision for advance. For a considerable period
of time the professors of the institution have been called upon to make good a
shortage in the operating income of the Seminary by accepting salaries below
the level of those provided at our other seminaries. These men have accepted this
burden willingly and gladly but the synods cannot be content to call upon them
much longer to make sacrifices which might ultimately impair their effectiveness as
scholars and teachers. There is also a constant need for improvements in the
library and in the general equipment of the Seminary. Added to these facts are the
additional circumstances that a further steady shrinkage in income from endowment
is to be expected as the funds of the Seminary are reinvested, for in almost every
instance the rate of interest secured is much lower than in recent years. Under
present conditions it is evident that Columbia Seminary faces a real need either
for the addition of several hundred thousand dollars more to its endowment, for
larger support through church budgets, and through individual gifts, or for all of
these. It is earnestly hoped that during the period of emphasis on Christian
Education upon which our Assembly has entered the vital place which this institution
has in the life of our Church and the need for an adequate support of its work,
as well as for that of our other educational institutions, will be laid upon the hearts
of Presbyterians throughout the Southeast in such a way that suitable provision
may be made for the needs of all.