Constitution of the Theological Seminary of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, Columbia, S.C., 1873,

REF BV 4070 .C79415 1873

Columbia Theolosical
Seminary (Columbia* SO.

Constitution of the
Theolosical Seminary of the

For Reference

Not to be taken from this room

85-01^38

3ohn Bulow Campbell Library

Columbia Theological Seminary

Decatur, Ga. 30031

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CONSTITUTION

OF THE

THEOLOGICAL SEMINAR!

OF THE

Shmob of JJoutb Carolina anb 6coraia.

COLUMBIA, S. O;

COLUMBIA, S. C.

PRINTED AT THE PRESBYTERIAN PUBLISHING HOUSE.

1873.

REF BV 4070 .C79415 1873

Columbia Theological

Seminary (Columbia* SO.

i

Constitution of the

Theolosical Seminary of

the

Whereas, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
in the United States has accepted the care and management of
the Theological Seminary of the Synod of South Carolina and
Georgia, tendered to it by the Synods of South Carolina,
Georgia, and Alabama; and whereas, it is the settled judgment
of this Church that her control of all the great interests com-
mitted to her of the Lord, ought to be as direct and as complete
as possible ; therefore,

Resolved, That this General Assembly proceed to set forth the
following as the Plan or Constitution, according to which the
said Seminary shall henceforth be governed and carried on.

85-OTpS
lohn Bulow Campbell Ubrry
D^aur, C 30031

PLAN OR CONSTITUTION

OF THE

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

OF THE

SYNOD OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEOKGIA.

SECTION I.

* OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Art. 1. The Assembly shall itself direct and control the
Seminary, partly through the Faculty, made up of the Professors
for the time being, and partly through the incorporated body
known as the Board of Directors of the Theological Seminary of
the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia, which has always
hitherto had charge of the property of the Institution, and the
control of which body is part of the transfer made to this Assem-
bly by the three Synods aforesaid.

Art. 2. All Professors of the Seminary shall be appointed by
the General Assembly, and their salaries fixed by the same.
The Assembly shall also direct the Professors in regard to the
subjects and topics on which they are severally to give instruc-
tion to the pupils. And the inauguration of every Professor
shall be regulated by the Assembly.

Art. 3. Alterations or amendments of this Plan or Constitu-
tion are, in every case to be proposed at one Assembly, but not
adopted till the Assembly of the subsequent year, except by a
two-thirds vote.

SECTION II.

OF THE BOARD OF. DIRECTORS.

Art. 1. The Board of Directors shall be annually appointed
in the same way as the other Executive Committees of the body,
and shall meet at the Seminary on the second Tuesday in June,
at 8 o'clock, p. m., subsequent to their appointment; and the
old members shall continue in office till this organisation is com-
pleted.

Art. 2. It shall consist of a Treasurer and ten other members,
three of whom at least shall be Ruling Elders, or Deacons, or
private members of the Church. Vacancies occurring ad interim,
it shall fill, if necessary. The members of this Committee must
all be resident within convenient distance of the Seminary, so as
to insure their constant punctual attendance at its meetings.

Art. 3. The Board may elect its own Chairman and Clerk,
and appoint its own organ or organs of communication with the
Assembly.

Art. 4. The Board, after its organisation, shall meet as often
as it shall be called together by the Chairman or any two of its
members, who are hereby empowered to convene it. Five mem-
bers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
It may enact by-laws for its government, the same being subject
to the revisal of the Assembly.

Art. 5. The Board shall hold all the property belonging to,
or to be acquired by, the Institution ; and nothing in this Con-
stitution shall be understood as in any manner or degree infring-
ing upon their legal and chartered rights.

Art. 6. The Board shall appoint two Committees of Invest-
ment one in South Carolina and another in Georgia.

Art. 7. The Clerk of the Board shall conduct its correspond-
ence, preserve on file its papers, and keep a record of its pro-
ceedings, which shall be annually submitted to the inspection of
the Assembly.

Art. 8. The Treasurer shall receive, manage, and (with the
advice and consent of the appropriate Committee of Investment,)
invest the funds of the Seminary, under the direction of the

Board. He shall give (if required) bond for their faithful man-
agement, in such sum as the Board shall direct, with sufficient
sureties, to "The Board of Directors of the Theological Seminary
of the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia." He shall give
receipts for all moneys received ; pay all moneys appropriated by
the Board ; and make an annual report of the state of the funds,
and of the expenditures of the Seminary, to the Board of
Directors.

Art. 9. The Investing Committees shall aid the Treasurer in
investing the funds of the Seminary such investments always
to be made in the corporate name of the Institution; and the
Investing Committees are further required to make an annual
report to the Board, of "whatever funds may be intrusted to their

management.

Art. 10. The Board of Directors shall be charged with the
duty of reporting to the .Assembly any Professor w T ho shall be
found unfaithful in his trust, or incompetent to the discharge of
his duties. Should his continuance in office be thought highly
injurious or dangerous, the Board may immediately suspend him
until his case can be tried by the General Assembly.

Art. 11. The Board of Directors shall attend each regular
examination of the Seminary. And in the presence of the Board
and the Faculty, the examination shall be conducted by the
several instructors.

Art. 12. The Board shall annually submit a full written
report of the state of the Seminary to the General Assembly.

Art. 13. The Board shall further make all rules and regu-
tions, and generally do whatever they deem for the welfare of
the Seminary ; provided it shall not be repugnant to this Con-
stitution, the orders of the Assembly, or the Constitution of the
Presbyterian Church.

Art. 14. The Board shall open and close all their sessions
with prayer.

SECTION III.

PROFESSORS AND FACULTY.

Art. 1. The Professorships in this Seminary shall be those of
Biblical Literature, Didactic and Polemic Theology, Church
Government and History, Pastoral and Evangelistic Theology
and Sacred Rhetoric, and Natural Science in connexion with
Revelation, and such others as the Assembly may from time to
time establish. There may also be a Tutor of the Hebrew lan-
guage, to be appointed by the Faculty, and his salary to be fixed
by the Board.

Art. 2. The Professors of Didactic and Polemic Theology, of
Church Government and History, and of Pastoral Theology,
shall be ordained ministers of the gospel, and shall have been
engaged in the discharge of pastoral duties for at least five years.
The other chairs may be filled by ordained ministers without such
experience.

Art. 3. The election of Professors shall be by ballot, it having
been previously made the order of the day, and a season of special
prayer observed for the divine direction in the choice, imme-
diately before the time of the nomination.

Art. 4. Each Professor shall lay before the Faculty, as soon
as practicable after his appointment, a detailed exhibition of the
system and method which he proposes to pursue, as well as of
the subjects he proposes to discuss in conducting the studies of
his classes, and he shall be entitled to their assistance and advice
in the conduct of his department ; but the ultimate responsibility
to the Assembly for his efficient and proper discharge of his
duties as Professor, must rest with himself.

Art. 5. Every Professor, when inaugurated, shall publicly
subscribe the Confession of Faith and other standards, agreeably
to the following formula: "In the presence of God and these
witnesses, I do solemnly subscribe the Confession of Faith, Cate-
chisms, and other standards of government, discipline, and wor-
ship of the Presbyterian Church in the United States as a just
summary of the doctrines contained in the Bible, and promise
and engage not to teach, directly or indirectly, any doctrine con m

trary to this belief, while I continue a Professor in this Semi-
nary."

Art. 6. The method of instruction in this Seminary shall be
by private recitation, and by private and public lectures; and
every exercise shall be opened with prayer.

Art. 7. In every case of vacancy in any Professorship, the
duties of such Chair shall be divided amongst the Faculty, as far
as may be practicable, until the next meeting of the Assembly.

Art. 8. The Professors, when desirable, shall supply the stu-
dents with the preaching of the gospel, and the administration
of its ordinances.

Art. 9. Any Professor, intending to resign his office, shall
give six months' notice of his intention to the Board.

Art. 10. The Professors shall constitute a Faculty, who shall
meet at least monthly, on a given day \ t and at all meetings of
the Faculty, the Senior Professor shall preside ; but, in every other
respect, the Professors shall be on an equality, and all questions
before them shall be decided by a majority of votes.

Art. 11. The Faculty shall appoint a Clerk, and keep a fair
record of their proceedings, which shall be annually submitted to
the inspection of the Assembly. They shall also, in accordance
with this Constitution, receive and act upon all applications for
admission to the Seminary, and for charitable assistance; give cer-
tificates to students applying to Presbyteries for license, and to
those leaving the Seminary after completing their regular course
of studies. They shall fix the time for social worship, morning
and evening, the hours for private recitations, and the days for
public lectures. They shall decide all questions of order, and cases
of discipline; suspend or dismiss any student, who, in their
opinion, is unworthy the privileges of the Seminary, or whose
connexion with the Institution would be injurious to its interests.
They shall do generally whatever is deemed necessary for the suc-
cessful regulation of the internal concerns of the Seminary; and
shall report, in writing, the state of the Seminary to the Assembly,
and shall also submit the same to the Board before sending it up
to the Assembly. And they may suggest or recommend sub-
jects for the consideration of the Board or the Assembly.

SECTION IV.

ADMISSION AND DUTIES OF STUDENTS.

Art. 1. Students to be admitted, must furnish the Faculty
with satisfactory testimonials of being in full communion with
some Christian Church ; of having been regularly educated at
some College or University, or in the absence of such testimo-
nials, must satisfy the Faculty, by examination, that they have
made attainments deemed equivalent.

Art. 2. These testimonials being satisfactory, they shall be
admitted to full standing in the Seminary, by subscribing the
following declaration, viz. : "Deeply impressed with a sense of
the importance of improving in knowledge, prudence, and piety,
preparatory to the gospel ministry, I solemnly promise, in re-
liance on divine grace, that I will faithfully and diligently attend
to all the instructions of this Seminary, and that I will consci-
entiously and vigilantly observe all the rules and regulations
specified in the Constitution, and also obey all the lawful re-
quisitions, and readily yield to all the wholesome admonitions of
the Professors of the Seminary while I shall continue a member
of it."

Art. 3. The students thus admitted to the Seminary, shall
continue members of it three years, and be divided into three
classes, to be called Senior, Middle, and Junior. The Junior
shall embrace those of the first year; the Middle, those of the
second; and the Senior, those of the third.

Art. 4. The students of the several classes shall reside at the
Seminary during the whole of each term, and be under the par-
ticular charge of their respective Professors. Nor shall any
student leave town, or be absent from any regular exercise of
the Seminary, without permission. And for each absence, he
shall render a satisfactory excuse to the Professor of his class,
or, in case of his absence, to the Senior Professor present.

Art. 5. The students shall sustain good moral and religious
characters ; manifest a due regard for the Directors, Professors,
and each other; pursue the course of studies marked out by the
Faculty; observe their regulations respecting the hours of study,

private recitations, public lectures, and social devotions, and
obey the requisitions of their several instructors.

Art. 6. The students of the Junior and Middle classes shall
write compositions on such subjects, and at such times, as their
Professors may direct, and shall submit the same to them for
criticism. The students of the Senior class shall write during
the year at least three sermons, which shall be submitted to the
appropriate Professor for private criticism and approval, and they
shall alter and transcribe them until approved by his signature.
And the students of all the classes shall, if practicable, deliver
a piece of their own composition before the students and Profes-
sors, at least once in each month.

Art. T. Any student who neglects his regular studies, is
guilty of an indiscretion, exhibits an indifference to practical re-
ligion, or otherwise violates this Constitution, shall be faithfully
admonished in private, or before his class, as the Professor may
deem expedient ; if the student perseveres in the same course, he
shall be publicly admonished, suspended, or dismissed from the
Seminary, by the Faculty.

Art. 8. Every student having completed a regular course of
three years' studies in this Seminary, and returned and replaced
all the books taken from the library, shall receive a certificate
from the Faculty, specifying the time he has been connected
with the Seminary, the diligence he has manifested in his studies,,
and the moral and religious character he has sustained.

SECTION V.

COURSE OF STUDIES.

Art. 1. The course of studies pursued in this Seminary shall
embrace a period of three years. It shall cover, in general, the
ground of Biblical Literature, Christian Theology, Church His-
tory and Polity, Pastoral Duties, Sacred Rhetoric, and the
Evidences ; and none who do not complete this course, shall be
entitled to a regular certificate of the Faculty.

Art. 2. The course of studies shall be varied or extended, as
the improvements of the age may require : Provided, It never

10

deviate from the word of God and the standards of the Presby-
terian Church.

SECTION VI.

RESIDENT LICENTIATES.

Art. 1. Licentiates, or students who have honorably com-
pleted a course of theological studies, may reside at this Institu-
tion, and enjoy the privilege of the library, and also the public
lectures and private recitations of the Professors.

Art. 2. Persons thus residing at the Seminary, shall be under
the inspection of the Faculty, and be required to attend the
devotional exercises of the Institution.

SECTION VII.

DEVOTION AND PERSONAL PIETY.

Art. 1. Religious services shall be performed in the chapel
every morning and evening, during each term, as the Faculty
may direct, and in the following order, viz. : The service shall
commence with a short prayer, imploring the aid and blessing of
Heaven ; a portion of the Scriptures shall then be read, and
accompanied by such remarks or written exposition, as the pre-
siding officer may think proper ; after which a psalm or hymn
shall be sung, and the whole concluded with an appropriate
prayer. These services shall be under the direction of one of
the Professors, though a senior student may officiate.

Art. 2. There shall be at least one weekly Conference, ap-
pointed by the Faculty, with a design to promote the personal
piety of the students, and qualify them for the practical duties
of the ministry. And, if deemed expedient, the Faculty may
occasionally set apart a day for fasting, humiliation, and prayer,
which shall be strictly observed by all members of the Institution.

Art. 3. Every member of the Seminary shall regularly, con-
scientiously, and devoutly attend all these religious services, and
such others as the Faculty may appoint.

11

SECTION VIII.

EXAMINATIONS.

Art. 1. There shall be, at the close of every term, an exam-
ination upon all the studies of the year.

Art. 2. No member of the Seminary shall be absent from the
examination of his class; and, in case of the absence of any stu-
dent, he shall be examined by the Faculty at the commencement
of the next term; and if his examination be not satisfactory, he
shall be required to make up the deficiency; otherwise he may
not proceed with the class.

Art. 3. The examinations shall be conducted by the several
instructors, in the presence of the Board..

SECTION IX.

VACATIONS.

Art. 1. There shall be one or more vacations in each year, at
such times and of such lengths as the Board may direct.

Art. 2. During each vacation, the students shall be responsi-
ble to the Faculty of the Seminary for their conduct ; and for any
unworthy course that may injure the Institution, they shall be
admonished, suspended, or dismissed, as the case may require.

Art. 3. At the close of every vacation, the students shall
immediately return to the Seminary; and no excuse for absence,
after the term commences, shall be deemed satisfactory, except
sickness or unavoidable necessity.

SECTION X.

LIBRARY.

Art. 1. The Library shall be deposited in suitable rooms pro-
vided for the purpose, and committed to the care of a Librarian
appointed by the Board.

Art. 2. The Librarian shall give bond, when required by the
Board, for the faithful management of the Library, in such sum
and with such sureties as the Board may direct ; and he shall,. if

1

necessary, be allowed a suitable sum for his services. He may
also appoint an assistant Librarian.

Art. 3. The books of the Library shall be regularly numbered
and arranged by a Committee of the Board and the Librarian,
who shall also furnish an alphabetical catalogue for the use of
the Librarian. And a fair record of all the books given, and of
the names of the donors, shall be kept by the Librarian, for the
inspection of all men.

Art. 4. Any book or books which the above may deem too
valuable to be loaned from the Library, shall be marked and kept
there for occasional reference ; and they shall never be loaned by
the Librarian without a special order from the Board.

Art. 5. The Directors, Professors, and Instructors, resident
Licentiates, Students of the Seminary, and others to whom the
Board by a special order shall grant the privilege, may take
books from the Library.

Art. 6. No person shall ever borrow or return a book without
the knowledge of the Librarian or his assistant, who shall exam-
ine the state of the book and keep a record of its title, also of
the person borrowing or returning, and of the time when bor-
rowed or returned. This record shall be signed by the person
borrowing or returning the book, unless he be a Director, Pro-
fessor, or Instructor, who may obtain books by a written order.
They may also have access to the Library on all occasions,
whether to return, or receive books, or to consult them in the
Library.

Art. 7. The Library shall be open for loaning and returning
books during term time, one hour a day four days in a week.
And no books shall be loaned or returned at any other time,
except as specified in the preceding article, or by the special
order of a Professor. And no student or resident licentiate shall
ever have more than three books at the same time, in addition to
the classics received upon the written order of an Instructor ; nor
shall he retain any book from the Library more than four weeks;
nor further, shall he carry any such book out of town.

Art. 8. Any person injuring or defacing a book taken from
the Library, shall make due satisfaction to the Librarian ; any

13

person detaining a book beyond the specified time, shall have no
other till that be returned; any person losing or destroying a
book, shall replace it, or pay its value; and if belonging to a set,
he shall take the remaining volumes, and furnish a new set, or
pay for the whole.

Art. 9. The Library shall be aired every week, and oftener if
necessary; swept and dusted every month; and at the close of
each term, before the examination, the books shall be removed
from the shelves, and each shelf brushed ; and at the end of every
year, all the books shall be returned to the Library, and the
whole prepared for the inspection of the Board, to whom the
Librarian shall make a full and written report of the state of the
Library at each annual meeting.

Art. 10. The surplus of moneys received by the Faculty for
payment of the Library debt, together with such other amounts
as may be given hereafter for that purpose, shall constitute a
fund to be known as the Library fund. These funds shall be
invested by the Investing Committee ; and the interest of the
same shall be controlled by the Faculty, and appropriated by
.them to the increase and preservation of the Library.

SECTION XL

FUNDS AND CHARITABLE ASSISTANCE.

Art. 1. The funds of this Seminary shall ever be kept distinct,
and entirely separate from all others, and they shall be deposited
in the hands of the Treasurer, to be managed as required by this
Constitution.

Art. 2. All funds invested for the benefit of the Institution,
shall be invested in the name of the Board of Directors of the
Theological Seminary of the Synod of South Carolina and
Georgia, or as they may otherwise direct. And no part of the
funds, or their income, shall ever be appropriated, except by an
order of the Board, subject at all times to the direction and con-
trol of the Assembly. And the moneys thus appropriated by
the Board shall be paid by the Treasurer only at the order of
ithe Chairman, countersigned by the Clerk.

14

Art. 3. A sacred regard shall ever be paid to the wishes and*
directions of all Testators or Donors who may bequeath or give-
anything to the funds of the Institution. Any individual or
individuals, or bodies, who shall by will or otherwise, found or
endow a Professorship with $25,000, or a scholarship with 2,000
or more dollars, or a fund of any considerable amount, may
designate the name by which it shall ever be called.

Art. 4. All funds, or their incomes, specially designated for
charitable assistance, shall be sacredly appropriated to defray or
diminish the expenses of worthy students in need of pecuniary
aid, or to lessen generally the expenses of a residence at the
Seminary.

Art. 5. The scholarship funds shall all be dispensed by the
Faculty, and they shall make an annual report of the same to
the Assembly.

Art. 6. A regular account of all the funds and expenditures-
of the Institution, and also of the number and names of the
students receiving charitable assistance, shall annually be laid'
before the Assembly by the Treasurer and the Faculty.

Art. 7. To ensure full meetings of the Board, a sum may be
annually appropriated to defray the actual travelling, expenses
of the members, not to exceed ten cents a mile..

16

BY-LAWS

1. The officers of the Board, consisting of Chairman and
Clerk, shall be elected by ballot, at its first meeting next suc-
ceeding its appointment by the General Assembly, and they shall
hold office for one year from the time of their election, and until
their successors shall have been appointed.

2. The Committees of Investment and the Librarian shall be
chosen by ballot, annually, at the same meeting which elects the
officers above named, and they shall annually report to the
Board.

3. No discussion shall take place without a regular motion.

4. At every annual meeting of the Board, as soon as practica-
ble after the organisation of the Board, the following Committees
shall be appointed, viz. :

A Committee of Ways and Means. To take a general view
of the state of the Seminary, and to devise and recommend
measures necessary to its success.

A Building Committee. To examine the buildings belonging
to the Seminary, and recommend any repairs, alterations, or
additions that may be necessary.

A Committee on the Library. To consider whatever relates-
to that subject, and recommend measures accordingly.

A Committee of Laws and Regulations. To investigate the
whole internal management of the Institution, and suggest neces-
sary alterations.

A Committee of Audits. To audit all accounts submitted to
the Board.

5. In case the Chairman or Clerk shall be absent, the Board
shall choose a temporary Chairman or Clerk.

6. The Board shall annually appoint at least two persons from
its own number, or from the Faculty, whose duty it shall be to

16

preserve from damage and keep in good order the material pro-
perty of the Seminary; who shall be authorised to expend for
these purposes a sum not exceeding 500 a year; and who shall
annually report to the Board.

7. The necessary expenses of the Board, for travelling, for
stationery, etc., shall be paid by the Treasurer, upon the order
of the Chairman, countersigned by the Clerk.

8. The Chairman of this Board shall be the organ of commu-
nication between it and the General Assembly.

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John Bulow Campbell Library

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For Reference

Not to be taken from this room

JOHN BULOW CAMPBELL LIBRARY

BV4070 .C79415 1873 GCLR

Columbia Theoloqica/Constitution of the

1828 0022773 4