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 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation http://archive.org/details/constitutionofthOOcolu 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. WmmmmM an ,7".'.. i mm mWUUM 1 ^H Wm Hi fe> dims John Bulow Campbell Library Columbia Theological Seminary Decatur, Ga. 30031 85-oijr;i8 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