mmsm> mmmm, Ewsmm (dlumbiAIboiogioilSminai?/ FIRST LOCATION LEXINGTON, GA. Columbia Theological Seminary began work in the home of Dr. Thomas Goulding at Lexington, Cia., in 1828 PRESENT LOCATION COLUMBIA, S. C. The Seminary was located at Columbia, S. C, in 1831, by authority of the controlling Synods. The Seminary will return to Georgia soil and will be located in Atlanta. DR. ALEXANDER SPRUNT, FIRST CHURCH, CHARLESTON, S. C. "South Carolina Presbyterians are very jealous of Columbia Theological Seminary and n- honored and honorable record for a hundred years in then ( apitol City. They have consented to its removal to Atlanta simply because they are convinced that a inary may he erected and sustained in Atlanta." . ,*t (OLUMBlAlEOlDGIOilSMINM THE NATION IS AS STRONG AS ITS CHURCHES ITS CHURCHES ARE AS STRONG AS ITS MINISTERS ITS MINISTERS ARE AS STRONG AS ITS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES DR. HENRY 11. SWEETS, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. "Columbia Seminary with its fine record and loyal alumni, in its now location of wonderful beauty under the leadership of such a man of faith and vision and unbounded energy as President Gillespie, built up in Atlanta, in the centre of five growing Synods, will be a centre of growing influence and a source of even larger blessing to the whole Presbyterian Church at home and abroad." lumbiATheoiogiolSminm The Faculty Richard T. Gillespie, A. B., B. D., D. D. President of the Seminary William M. McPheeters, D. D., LL. D. Professor of Old Testament Literature and Exegesis Henry Alexander White, A. M., Ph D., LL. D. Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis Richard C. Reed, D. D., LL. D. Professor of Eeelesiastieal History and Church Politv Melton Clark, A. B., B. D., D. D. Professor of The English Bible and Religious Education Edgar D. Kerr, A. B., B. D., D. D. Professor of Hebrew and Cognate Languages James Benjamin Green, B. D., D. D. Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology John Miller Wells, A. M., Ph. D., D. D., LL.D. Professor of Practical Theology Hugh R. Murchison, A. B., B. D., D. D. Instructor in Missions Walter P. Taylor, Ph. D. Instructor in Elocution Smyth Lecturer 1924-1925 Rev. A. M. Fraser, D. D. Faculty Officers Chairman Richard T. Gillespie Recording Secretary Hugh R. Murchison Librarian Richard C. Reed Executive Secretary PI ugh R. Murchison DR. W. McF. ALEXANDER, PRYTANIA ST. CHURCH, NEW ORLEANS, LA. "The verdict of the Synods controlling Coluinlhia Seminary is the voice of the Master and settles tilne wisdom of the removal to Atlanta. Presbyterians can do nothing better than to raise the needed funds and thus perpetuate the influence of the Seminary of Thornwell, Palmer and Girardeau. (DLUMBlATtlEOlDGKlftMINM j . - Board of Directors SOUTH CAROLINA Rev. W. A. Hafner Gaffney, S. C. Col. W. W. Lewis .' York, S. C. I). W. Robinson, Eso Columbia, S. C. Rev. I). M. Douglas, D. D Clinton, S. C. Prof. S. H. Edmunds, Lift. P. .... Sumter, S. C. Rev. Alexander Sprint, D. ]) Charleston, S. C. GEORGIA J. T. Brantley, Esq. Blackshear, Ga. Rev. E. L. Hill, D. 1) Uhens, Ga. Rev. F. K. Sims, D. D Dalton, Ga. Rev. A. L. Patterson, D. D ...Savannah, Ga. ALABAMA Rev. C. M. Boyd. D. D Tuscaloosa, Ala. Rev. A. (i. Ikons Tuscaloosa, Ala. Rev. S. E. Hodges, D. D \nniston, Ala. FLORIDA Rev. L. E. McNair, D. D. Rev. W. J. ( Harrison, I). I). Rev. J. 1'.. Ih it.. \, I). 1). Rev. C. W. Grafton, I). I). R. F. [< i m mons, Esq. Jacksonville, Fla. St. Petersburg, Fla. MISSISSIPPI Jackson. Miss. .Union Church, Miss. Water Vallev, -Miss. OFFICERS OF THE BOARD /'resilient of the Hoard I ice-President of the Hoard Secretary of the Hoard I rcasurcr of the Hoard J. T. Brantley, Esq. Rev. Alexander Sprunt, I). 1). Rev. J I con R. M urcb rsoN, I). I) C. II. Baldwi n. Esq. STANDING C< >MMITTEES Executive Committee F. K. Sims, VV. W. Lewis, A. L. Patterson, 1). W. Robinson, W. A. Hafner, Committee on Material Property R. C. Reed, I Iron R. Murchison. ting Committee- I). W. Robinson, VV. II. Tow.nsend, C. II. Baldwin, Mich R, Murchison J. C. Copeland, J. T. Dabbs. OR. HUTTON, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JACKSON, MISS. "('(iluinl)'a Theological Seminary has ^i\cii men a vision of a greal Cod. The Synod >i Mississippi is deeply interested in tin- founding of binis Seminary in Atlanta. Colum- lia Seminary is true to the Bible and true to the ideals and traditions of our Gh'urch." (OLUMBlAlEOIDfiKlSMINiy?/ BEGINNING OF THE SEMINARY THE Seminary had its beginning in December, 1828, in Lexington, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Dr. Thomas Goulding, pastor of the Lexington Presbyter- ian Church, was its first Professor, and was permitted to retain for a time his pastorate. He taught the first class of five members in his home in Lexington. EARLY YEARS IN COLUMBIA, S. C. jf^ARLY in January, 1830, Dr. Goulding, with his few students, moved to Colum- V^ bia and was domiciled in the parsonage of the Presbyterian Church procured for his use. The next year he moved into the buildings occupying the present site of the Seminary. They were not then what they are now. The center building is the same, but it was then flanked by two small buildings, which have given way to the two commodious dormitories, known as Simons and Law Halls. That same year, 1831, Dr. George Howe was elected Professor of Biblical Liter- ature, and the first class began the prescribed course of theological studies. The cur- riculum was modeled after Andover and Princeton. Two years later Rev. Aaron W. Leland was elected to the Chair of Christian Theology, Dr. Goulding having been transplanted to that of Ecclesiastical History and Polity. DR. L. E. McNAIR, FIRST CHURCH, JACKSONVILLE, FLA. "By far the most forward looking project in our educational program is the establishment of Colum- bia Seminary at Atlanta. I am satisfied our great church will adequately serve this division of our terri- tory by giving the Seminary such an advantageous location as we are to have at Atlanta. The enthusiasm is encouraging." DR. A. A. LITTLE, FIRST CHURCH, MERIDIAN, MISS. "The establishment of Columbia Seminary in Atlanta is the. wisest move the South- ern Pres'byterian Churclhi has ever made. It means a steady stream of young men sent into the pulpits of our church, fitted under the most favorable circumstances for their life work." THE FIRST PROFESSORS DR. THOMAS GOULD1XG There is a saying that "a good beginning is half-done." Columbia bad a good beginning. Her first three professors were men of no ord'nary type. Thomas Goulding was born in Liberty County, Georgia, March 14. 1786. He died in Columbus, Georgia, June 21, 1848. It is recorded that at the time of his deatli he was the oldest of fifteen Presby- terian ministers from one Church, and that a congregational Church. When about eighteen years of age he went to New Haven to enter Yale College, but finding the "fugging system" in vogue, a system introduced from Europe, he turned away in disgust. And so it happened that the man to whom the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia en- trusted the launching of their Seminary never had the benefit of either a College or a Theological Seminary. He pursued his studies in private and the success attending his efforts showed the mettle of the .man. He attained distinction in more than one department of learning. He began the study of law. but before entering into the prac- tice of his profession God graciously converted him. At once he showed an active interest in religious work. A remarkable coincidence had much to do in determining his future course. Two friends, without collusion, each living at a distance, vis ted him the same day to call his attention to the Gospel Ministry. He was ordained a preacher of the Gospel by the Presbytery of Harmony at Augusta. Georgia, in 1813. He humorously said of himself that he was the "first native of Georgia who had become a Pres- byterian preacher slice the foundation of the world." THE FIRST PROFESSORS DR. GEORGE HOWE Dr. George Howe was a native of Massachusetts. He was educated at Middleburg College and Andover Semi- nar)'. Shortly after graduating he came South for his health, stopping at Charleston, South Carolina. This was in December, 1830. That same month the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia met. Dr. Goukllng wrote to the Synod asking for a Professor of Greek and Hebrew. On recommendation of two classmates, who were mem- bers of Synod, Dr. Howe was elected to this chair and continued to serve for fifty-two years and three months. In 1836, when he was but thirty-four years old, he de- clined a call from the Board of Directors of Union Semi- nary, New York, to the Chair of Sacred Literature. In declining the call, which was urged upon him by the Board of D'rectors, Dr. Howe wrote: 'When 1 accepted the professorship which I hold it was with the hope that I might be the means of building up the wastes, and extending the borders of our Southern Zion. This motive still holds me here. Though our insti- tution must be a small one through the present genera- tion and yours will be large, it is important, it is neces- sary, whatever the fate of our beloved country, that this seminary should live. If I leave it at the present juncture, its continuance is exceedingly doubtful. If I remain, though the field of my effort must be small and I must live in obscurity, we may vet transmit to the men of this next generation an institution which will bless them and the world." THE FIRST PROFESSORS DR. AARON LELAND Dr. Aaron W. Leland was also a native of Massachusetts. He graduated from Williams College in 1808 and shortly after moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he en- gaged in teaching. He was ordained to the ministry in 1812, and the succeeding year was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston. At the early age of twenty-eight he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity by the South Carolina College. He was called to the Chair of Theology in Columbia Seminary in 1833 and served the Seminary with unflagging zeal and to the .eminent satisfaction of his friends for thirty years. He was magnificently endowed with natural gifts, both of body and mind. His vigorous powers of thought, his vivid imagination, his fervid emotional nature, his splendid voice and majestic form combined to place him in the front ranks of pulpit orators. In addition to the service which Dr. Leland rendered the Seminary in the class-room, he did much to put it on a solid financial basis. THE FIRST PROFESSORS DR. BENJAMIN MORGAN PALMER Columbia Seminary and the Beginning of the Southern Presbyterian Church. This illustrious trio was the beginning of a noble succes- sion. We can do no more than call the roll. Our hearts may well bow in reverence as we pronounce names of Charles Colcock Jones, Benjamin M. Palmer, James Wood- row, William S. Plumer, Joseph R. Wilson, and John L. Girardeau. It is not surprising that a Seminary, blessed with such an array of consecrated talent, should have made a power- ful and permanent impression on the Church. In the providence of God, the men connected with this institu- tion were so placed as to make their influence count for most. Our first General Assembly met in Augusta, Geor- gia, on the 4th of December, 1861. The men of Columbia were there in positions of acknowledged leadership. Benjamin M. Palmer was Moderator, and in his sermon on that occasion he lifted into supreme prominence the sole Headship of Christ over His Church. James H. Thornwell, whose name shines with a lustre all its own, gave to the Church its Magna Charta in the notable state paper sent forth by that Assembly to all the Churches of Jesus Christ throughout the world, giving the reasons for our existence as an independent body. The letter on the Pel gious Institution of the Colored People issued by the Assembly was the masterly production of Charles Col- cock Jones. The man who shaped the policy of the Church in relation to Foreign Missions, and to whom the conduct of this vital cause was entrusted, was John Leighton Wil- son. The Book of Church Order was written within the walls of Columbia Seminary by a committee of which John B. Adger was the Chairman, and to which he was the chief contributor. Thus all that is distinctive in our Church was stamped upon it in the plastic period of its infancy by the great lights of Columbia Seminary. THE FIRST PROFESSORS JAMES HENLEY THORN WEI I). 1). Dr. James Henley Thornwell was one of the greatest thinkers the South ever produced. At the time of his death in 1862, he was professor of theology in the Seminary, but he was recognized as the practical leader of the newly born Southern Presbyterian Church. He, it was. who held first place in forming the principles for which this particular branch of the church still stands. He lived scarcely fifty years, but they were fifty years of living at its best. Dr. Thornwell was the son of poor parents and was educated by Gen. Gillespie of South Carolina. Probably no money was ever better -pent than that given to secure the education of this future moulder of opinion. It is said that when hut a lad he was discovered one clay by a stranger, deep in a hook which turned out to he Hume's History of England. "Read something you can under- stand," advised the stranger. Instantly the hook was thrust into the stranger's hands with the challenge. "See if I don't understand it." To the stranger's amazement the boy, not yet in his teens, not only understood that hoo'<, hut every other hook which could he discovered in the neighborhood. This incident led to an introduction to the Gillespies and to the college training of the man who was in a few years to he the theologian of a denomination. THE FIRST LIBRARIAN Til OS. SMYTH, D. D. The Library Columbia has one of the choicest, if not indeed the very choicest, theological library in the South. It contains some 34,000 volumes. A large part of the library was selected in Europe in the early part of last century by Dr. Thomas Smyth, a dis- tinguished scholar and a great book lover. He purchased books regardless of cost, and many of them could not be duplicated in this day at any cost. ***' -0\GICAL n) - 1 ir i.F fir \ * 1, *m\A !!! n ?2 ^" It JkSv 2W& CdlumbiAIboiogkiSmw COLUMBIA SEMINARY AND THE FOREIGN MISSION FIELD The Foreign field was not without a representative in V^k w tlie faculty. Dr. John B. Adger was for many years a wm distinguished .Missionary in Syria; and after becoming a -;^k f ?y professor in the Seminary he did much to impart a Mis- ^r sionary spirit to the student body. The first class of DR. JOHN B. ADGER six to graduate furnished three missionaries to heathen lands. One of these was John Leighton Wilson, ranking among the great missionaries of modern times. His was a massive, statesman- like mind, capable of dealing with great problems and of influencing men ot commanding influence. A pamphlet of his falling into the hands of Lord Palmerston, England's Prime Minister, decided England's policy touching the suppression of the African slave trade. Mis mantle fell on Hampton C. DuBose, the author of his biography. Perhaps the greatest and most beneficent re- form that has been wrought in modern clays was the suppression ot the opium traffic in China; and the leader of that splendid reform was our own Dr. DuBose. DR. IOIIX LEIGHTON WILSON DK. GEORGE SUMMEY, THIRD CHURCH. NEW ORLEANS. "Accept my congratulations upon the work already accomplished and best wishes for your continued success in the campaign for funds for the removal of Columbia Semi- nary to Atlanta.'' : \:.s GjlumbiAIeoidgkiSminai?/ COLUMBIA SEMINARY AND THE HOME MISSION FIELD In the Home land the Mission work of our Church has heen largely under the guiding and nourishing hand REV. JOHN I. CRAIG, D.D. of the a i umn j () f Columbia Seminary. For more than twenty vears Rev. John X. Craig, D. D., gave to this work faithful i and efficient service. At his death he was succeeded by Dr. S. L. Morris, whose wise and energetic administration has marked a new and striking era in this vastly important and ever expanding department of the King*s business. He has already gone considerably beyond twenty years of service, and the prayer of the Church is that the day may still be far distant when it will be necessary to choose his successor. REV. S. L. MORRIS, D. D. DR. E. L. HILL, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ATHENS, GA. "After sixteen years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Columbia Theological Seminary my highest ambitions for the Seminary are about to 'be realized. The hour of opportunity has struck. Atlanta Presbyterians will answer. 'Here Am I' and the Presbyterians of Georgia will follow their lead." (dlumbiaIeoidgiolSminar/ THE PRESENT STATUS OF THE SEMINARY /f brief word about the present status of the Seminary. Modesty forbids our pay- n/a ing- a just tribute to the men who compose the present Faculty. Fortunately they can speak for themselves. It is enough that they enjoy the full confidence of the Church. They can be trusted to conserve and nourish and bring into larger fruit- fulness the precious interests entrusted to them. They are forward looking men, anx- ious to see the leadings of God's providence and willing to follow it. But they are also backward looking men. Behind them are the authoritative voices to which their ears are ever attentive; behind them are the fathers who wrought mightily for God, and who left a rich heritage of faith and achievement that is not to be forgotten. Looking both forward and backward they see nothing to shake their belief in the essential soundness of the distinctive principles which gave birth to our Church and for which it has hither- to stood. OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE OUR horizon is widening. When the Seminary was founded it took South Carolina and Georgia both to form one Synod, and that at its best was not a large Synod, seventy-three ministers, eleven licentiates, one hundred and twenty-eight Churches, and eight thousand five hundred and sixty communicants. It contained five Presbyteries, two in Georgia and three in South Carolina. Now there are five Synods owning and controlling the Seminary, and these contain a communicant roll of more than one hundred and twenty-eight thousand. These Synods cover a territory stretching East and West six hundred miles, and stretching North and South six hundred miles. The line that bisects this territory passes through Atlanta. With the Seminary placed at this strategic point, a sober vision sees great things in the near future. The golden age lies there. The dawn of that age is already brightening into joy. DR. W. C. ALEXANDER, GLEN LEVEN CHURCH, NASHVILLE, TENN. "The removal of Columbia Seminary to Atlanta and the consequent accession of the Synod of Mississippi to its constituency means much for the future. It marks a real advance of the Southern Presbyterian Church. Re- gretting its removal from my native state I nevertheless wish it the greatest possible success." DR. HENRY WADE DuBOSE, FIRST CHURCH, SPARTANBURG, S. C. I he handsome offer made by the Presbyterians of Georgia is one hri^ht with promise. For the greater Columbia Seminary that is to he built in Atlanta it is easy to foresee a glorious future, full of blessing for Southern I'rcsln terianisin." REV. RICHARD T. GILLESPIE, A. B., B. D., D. D. Columbia's New President (dlumbiAIeoiogkiSminar/ The New Proposition Columbia Theological Seminary began its work in the home of Dr. Thomas Collid- ing at Lexington, Ga., in 1828. Columbia Theological Seminary is therefore 97 years old. Columbia Theological Seminary was located at Columbia, S. C, in 1830. It has had a long and honored record. It has rendered a noteworthy service to the Presbyterian Church. Columbia Theological Seminary is owned and controlled by the Synods of Alabama. Florida. Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina. The controlling Synods have unitedly voted to accept the invitation of the Synod of Georgia to locate in the city of Atlanta. In locating in the city of Atlanta. the Seminary is returning to the soil of its nativity. The Presbyterians of Atlanta have offered to provide not less than $250,000 for buildings and to donate an adequate site. A magnificent site of forty acres near the city limits of Atlanta has already been do- nated by interested friends. This offer has been accepted by the Board of Directors of the Seminary. The Synod of Georgia has offered to provide not less than $250,000 in addition to the amount provided by the Presbyterians of Atlanta for Columbia Theological Semi- nary buildings. A campaign under the direction of the Executive Committee of Christian Education is now in progress in the city of Atlanta to procure not less than $250,000 for Columbia Seminary. With the completion of the Atlanta campaign plans will be made for launching the campaign in the Synod of Georgia. DR. J. O. REAVIS, ASSEMBLY'S SECRETARY FOREIGN MISSIONS "There is much interest throughout the South in the establishment of Columbia Seminary m Atlanta. It is generally agreed that Atlanta is the ideal location for a Theological Seminary for our Church.'' DR. HARRY M. MOFFETT, VINE STREET, BIRMINGHAM, ALA. "The establishment of Columbia Seminary at Atlanta, with adequate equipment, should enable this 'honored institution to render The Church and Tibe Kingdom a still larger service.'' (dlumbiAThtoidgioiSminm FATHER OF THE NEW MOVEMENT R. RICHARD C. REED, I). D. L L. D., Acting Presi- dent of Columbia Seminary since July 1st, 1924, since 1X98 has been Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Church Polity and a member of the Presbytery of At- lanta and the Synod of Georgia. He was recently made Moderator of the General Assembly, the highest office in the gift of the Presbyterian Church. For twenty-five years Dr. Reed has been interested in some such movement as has just come to head, and said recently at a Blue Hue meeting in Atlanta, where he was an interested spectator, bringing greetings from the faculty, that the movement was "the realization of his dream" that the day on which the movement was launched to bring Columbia Seminary to Atlanta was "the happiest day of his life." Dr. K^'^d is literally father of the movement. Atlanta will be the richer gaining a valuable citizen when Dr. Reed takes up his residence there after the completion of the Seminary. He will continue to hold the chairs he has held in Columbia for many years, and the Seminary will continue to benefit by his influence. Dr. Reed was associate editor of the "Presbyterian Quarterly" and co-editor of the Presbyterian Standard. Is the author of the "Gospel As Taught By Calvin," "History of the Presbyterian Churches of The World" and "What Is The Kingdom of ( rod." DR. DONALD McQUEEN. FIRST CHURCH. PALATKA. FLA. "Now that removal has been decided upon loyal Presbyterians should stand "Every man in his place 'round about the camp." With the two institutions under Presbyterian auspices located at the Capitol of the Empire State, Atlanta s'hould become the Presby- terian Mecca whitiher the tribes go up and the mantles of the illustrious triumvirate Thornwell. Palmer and Girardeau inspire the effort." ."v (DLUMBlAlEOLOGICilSMINAI?/ THE PRESENT CHALLENGE THE TERRITORY: The territory of Columbia Theological Seminary embraces five states: South Carolina, Georgia, Flor- ida, Alabama and Mississippi. This vast area constitutes an empire within itself, which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and from the North Carolina-Tennessee line to Key West. Area in Square Miles: South Carolina 30,989 Georgia ... 59,265 Florida 58,668 Alabama 51,998 Mississippi 46,865 Total 247,785 Population in 1920: South Carolina Georgia Mississippi Alabama .Mississippi 1,683,724 2,895,832 1,789,384 2,348,174 1,789,384 Total 9,685,584 THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN COLUMBIA'S TERRITORY IN 1924 'ive Synods South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi: i Church Membership : South Carolina Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi Total 36,653 30,024 15,741 22,632 23,149 128.199 Sunday School Enrollment: South Carolina Georgia Florida ... Alabama Mississippi .. 29,095 26,895 11,916 17,051 15,101 Total 100,058 Churches : Supplied South ( 'arolina 212 Georgia 164 Florida 87 Alabama 142 Mississippi 214 Vacant Total 81 293 69 253 35 122 79 221 54 268 Total 839 31 X 1157 DR. C. M. BOYD, FIRST CHURCH, TUSCALOOSA, ALA. "Delighted with prospects. Seminary in Atlanta will mean much to Synod of Ala- bama. It will he fine for hoys to he trained in that atmosphere, it will also he great challenge to ot'her Synods. Site selected particularly pleasing. We are with you." (dlumbiAIeoidgiolSmin^ Ministers : Serving as Pastors & Supplies South Carolina 115 Georgia 102 Florida 37 A labama 7( i Mississippi 84 Not Serving as Pastors & Supplies 61 39 26 34 24 total L76 141 83 1 10 108 Total 434 184 618 Candidates for Ministry in 1924: South Carolina 61 Georgia 48 Florida - 13 Alabama ., 26 Mississippi 59 Total 207 ii. Increase of Membership in Columbia territory by five-year periods since 1900-1905 1. ' 73.JS7 69,182 4,105, or 1900: % 1 905- 1910 84,344 73,287 11,058, or 15 % 1910-1915 97,557 84,345 13,212, or 15|/ 2 % 1915-1920 (War Period) 1920-1924. (Four Years ) 109,591 97,557 128,199 109,591 12.034, or 12 % 18,608, or 17 % Total increase in 24 years .85% (a) 6. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. (b) 1. 2 3.' 4. Influences favoring a steadily increasing growth in the membership of the Church in the future. EVANGELISM The Presbyterian Progressive Program, with its department of Evangelism and Missions. The well arranged and aggressive program of the Woman's Auxiliary. The organization and promotion of the Men of the Church under efficient leadership. Activity ot the organized business men's evangelistic clubs. Increased evangelistic effort in the Sunday School and Young People's Societies. Growth of interest in personal evangelism throughout the Church. Attention now given to pastoral evangelism by the seminaries and by our ministers. Increasing number of city-wide and state-wide evangelistic campaigns. General revival of evangelistic interest and emphasis in all departments of church work. HOME M1SSK INS Crowing recognition of importance and value of Nome Mission Work. More efficient leadership and better organization for the work. More aggressive policy of Home Mission Committees in Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly Increasing gifts for promotion of Home Mission Work. DR. WADE II. BOGGS, ARSE NAL llll.l . CHURCH, COLUM1 l.\. S. C. "Your message good news to those who love Columbia Semln ii- \ . We rejoice in dawning- new day t or tli s grand old Inst tution. Proposed increase i assel s rea li/ed. Seminary will begin new era < ii usefu ness which will eclipse her nidi le service (it 1> 1st :^ "-' \<$k x^ (OLUMBlAlEOIOGKlSMINiy?/ 5. Extension of Sunday School work into more destitute and formerly neglected fields, with increasing force of field workers trained for their task. (c) GROWING INTEREST IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION In no department of our work is there greater interest, nor greater promise of future growth in the church. Christian Education is the basis of permanent and substantial development. Our Christian Minis- try, and other Christian leaders are in large part the product of Christian Schools and Colleges. iv. The increase of membership in Columbia Seminary's territory for the next twenty-five years may con- servatively be estimated on the basis of growth during the past twenty-four years and in the light of the in- fluences favoring a steadily increasing growth in the future. 1. An increase of 12% during each five-year period, which was the rate of increase during the war period, and was the least productive five-year period since 1905, would yield a membership in 1949 of 225,378. 2. This would yield a net increase during the next twenty-five years of 75%. But the past hvenly- four years the net increase was 85%. It requires but little optimism to forecast a one-hundred per cent increase within the next twenty-five years, or to believe that at least we shall have a church of 250,000 members by 1950, and a half million members fifty years hence. The question arises, where shall ministers be secured and trained to serve this growing church of the future, 'ihe other seminaries of the church are taxed to furnish ministers for their own constituency. The supply is never sufficient to meet their demands. . , The students of a seminary, during their three years of residence, become identified with the local com- munity, through the friendships formed, by serving in vacant churches, by marrying into the families of the neighborhood. For these reasons, it is difficult to bring them back to their home community, or to hold them when they come. WHERE THE MEN COME FROM WHO SERVE THE FIELDS "In the Spring of 1923 a total of 108 men went out from Union Seminary, Richmond, Va. Of this large number just nine labored in the fields in any of the hve Synods in Columbia's territory. Of these, hve labored in Georgia and one each in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina. Seventy-six men went out from Kentucky Seminary, of whom two labored in any ol the five Synods named. These labored in Mississippi; sixty-two went out from COLUMBIA SEMINARY. Oif these all but approximately fifteen served fields in the five Synods named. Of these thirteen cer- tainly (and probably fifteen) "labored in Georgia; three in Alabama; four in Florida; two in Missis- sippi, and sixteen certainly (and more probably twenty) in South Carolina. In other words, though ( ol UMBIA SEMINARY sent out only ONE-THIRD as many as Union and Kentucky combined, it furnished the Synods 'of ALABAMA, GEORGIA, FLORIDA. MISSISSIPPI and SOUTH CARO- LINA with more than FOUR TIMES as many laborers as its two sister seminaries combined. CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY i. Increase in Candidates by five-year periods: From 1900 to 1905 From 1905 to 1910 From 1910 tol915 From 1915 to 1920 I ''r,,m 1920 to 1924 n. decrease from 90 to 76 increase from 76 to 95 25% increase from 95 to 147 52% decrease from 147 to 100 (War period) increase 100 to 207107% The increase from 1900 to 1924 was from 96 to 207, which is 115% Proportion of candidates to total' membership in the five Synods: 1900 1 candidate to 721 1924 1 " " 619 DR. DUNBAR II. OGDEN, GOVERNMENT ST. CHURCH, MOBILE, ALA "Surrounded by the vigorous churches of Atlanta, Columbia Seminary will quickly become one of the leading theological schools of the entire country. Conservative hut not reactionary, progressive bul not radical, we need just such an institution in the heart of the South.'' CbLUM BlAltlEQIOGKrAL SEMINAR iii. Influences favoring an increase in the future Number and Proportion of Candidates: 1. Increasing number of Young People's Societies, with growing interest and improved programs. 2. Recent establishment by General Assembly of separate department of Young People's Work, with full-time Secretary to promote Young People's Work throughout the Church. 3. Increasing attention given to Young People's Conferences in Presbytery, Synod and at Montreat. 4. Renewed interest in Christian Education, with increased gifts for this cause. 5. Increased religious activities, under direction of the Church, in the Colleges and Universities of the South. 6. Effort of Y. M. C. A. and Student Volunteer Movement to secure recruits for whole time life service in the Church. 7. The Seminary, through its faculty and students, will make persistent effort to carry a message to every Church in our territory, and to lay on the hearts of parents and young people the urgent need for trained Christian leadership, and will endeavor to be the instrument of God in calling men into the Ministry of Christ. IV. FORECAST From 1900 to 1905 there was a decline in the number of candidates, but it is gratifying to notice that, except during the war period while our young men were in France, there has been during the last twenty years a steady increase; the increase since 1900 being from 96 to 207, which is 115 per cent. If we should maintain this rate of increase for another period of twenty-five years, there would be more than four hun- dred candidates in 1950. .Twenty-flve years ago the proportion of candidates to membership was 1 to 721, while this year it is 1 to 619 members. If the forecast for membership for 1950 is not too great, and we should be able to main- tain the present ratio of 1 to 619, on this same basis there would be in 1950 more than four hundred candi- dates in Columbia's territory. COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND THE FUTURE Conditions at Columbia during the past twenty-five years have not been favorable for securing the attendance of even her own students. Throughout this period there has been much unrest and much un- certainty concerning the future location and development of the Seminary. Under these conditions stu- dents are alwavs reluctant to enter an institution, an 1 in consequence, attendance at the Seminary has not been normal. Under normal conditions the student body at present should be at least one hundred. With the decision to re-locate the Seminary in Atlanta, all uncertainty concerning the future has been removed. A definite program is being prepared. New and adequate equipment is being provided, increased endowment and support funds are being sought, her territory has been enlarged by the accession of Missis- sippi, diligent effort will be made in the future to meet every requirement of her constituency. The Semi- nary is to be established in an ideal location, near the center of her territory, in the largest and most influen- tial city in the South. With the spirit of Atlanta and the support of five great Synods in this aggressive movement, there comes to Columbia Seminary such infusion of life as comes only with new birth. Under the spell of enthusiasm which arises upon consideration of these facts, it is difficult if not un- safe, to risk a forecast of the future. One fears to prophesv, lest he should be swept away by the bright prospect which is before us. It is safest to let everv man for himself frame a vision of the future of this great school of the prophets in Atlanta. It is safe to say, however, that the brightest and best days of Columbia Seminary are the days that are ahead, that in the future an ever increasing number of young men will come to her halls to be trained for the Ministry of our Church. DR. M. E. MBLVIN, ASSEMBLY'S STEWARDSHIP SECRETARY. "The removal of Columbia Seminary to Atlanta promises to he one of the most f;ir reaching steps our church has ever undertaken. I endorse the movement without qualification. ' QlumbiAIeoidgkiSminac!/ o 3 tJ The Response to the Appeal $ (Please Use Ink) Dated 102? COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Atlanta, Georgia Synod of Georgia, U. s. In order to assist in providing a fund of not less than $500,000 in the Synod of Georgia for Columbia Theological Seminary, and in con- sideration of the subscriptions of others to this fund, I hereby promise to pay to Mr. J. S. Kennedy, Treasurer of the Executive Committee, Atlanta, Georgia, the sum of payable .-is indicated below Dollars Na (Please indicate title Mr., Mrs., Mis>, or Dr.) Street and No. City and State Church Presbytery of Atlanta The amount subscribed above shall be payable as follows: Firsl Payment 25 per cent within 60 days from date or Second Payment 25 per cent six months after first payment is due Third Payment 25 per cent twelve months after first payment is due Fourth Payment 25 percent eighteen months after first payment is due Or as follows The last three payments shall become binding and payable on condition that a total of not less than $500,000 be secured in cash and pledges. Compiled by S. \Y. McGILL Field Secretary, Department of Schools and Colleges Executive Committee of Christian Education, Presbyterian Church, U. S. \ FORM OF BEQUEST ADD A CODICIL TO YOUR WILL (Suggested Legal Form) GEORGIA, FULTON COUNTY: WHEREAS, I, MARY SMITH, did on the 2nd day of January, 1923, sign, seal, declare and publish my last will and testament in the presence of JOHN DOE, RICHARD ROE AND HENRY SIMPKINS, who signed the said will and testament as witnesses; and WHEREAS, I am desirous to add an additional bequest and devise in said will, I, therefore, make and publish this codicil to said will and testament. ITEM L: I give, bequeath and devise to the COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY in fee simple $10,000, in cash and $25,000, of income producing bonds and my house and lot, known as No. . Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia, in fee simple. This the 10th day of February, 1925. MARY SMITH, (L. S.) Signed, sealed, declared and published by MARY SMITH, as her last will and testament, in the presence of us, the undersigned, who subscribe our names hereto in the presence of said testatrix after she had signed her name thereto and at her special instance and request, and in the presence of each of us. This the 10th day of February, 1925. JOHN DOE, RICHARD ROE, HENRY SIMPKINS. Lyon- Young Printing Co., Atlanta, Oa.