The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-10-19

the negligence of persons who had the
use of them sometimes without the Libra
rian's knowledge.
Until last July the funds of the lnsti-
tuition have continued to yield the usual
income, and they had considerably IN
creased nominally, though the dePrecla-
ton of the currency Of the country
greatly reduced its real value. by the
Generosity of friends of the Seminary,
bv other than professional labOrs, and by
a very stringent economy the Professors
continued at their posts, with the single
exception that one of their number was
employed for some months in the army
as an officer or chaplain, with the APP
proval of the Board. In July, however,
there was no income from the funds. 30
much of the funds of the Institution as
was invested in Bank stock is totally
lost: the amount is from sixteen to TWEEN
ty thousand dollars. The remaining
funds, amounting to the best of our
knowledge to ninety or one hundred
thousand dollars, consist of State and
other securities which may ultimately be
available as sources of income. For the
present, and we know not how much
longer, the Institution has not cent OF
income from any source. During the
last summer, some benevolent persons OF
the Presbyterian churches of Baltimore,
understanding the straitened condition
of the Seminary and the prospective
difficulty of keeping it open, conceived
the idea of Offering aid. They made
contributions in money and goods,
and sent them by one of their num-
Der. who on ascertaining more fully the
condition of the institution proposed that
one of the Professors should visit Balt-
more to make further collections for the
temporary support of the Seminary
This was done. On reaching Baltimore
he was most cordially welcomed by those
whose friendly and sympathizing senti-
ments for southern people had, for years,
endeared them to thousands of sufferers
by wounds, and disease, and imprlson-
ment. He applied to no others. After
spendinc two weeks in Baltimore, he was
encouraged to extend his visit to New
York. After spending about three weeks
in all in the prosecution of his object, 1t
was left for farther effort in the hands OF
a most efficient and jealous clergyman OF
Baltimore. Within a few days he has
ascertained that six thousand dollars have
been raised, nearly two-thirds of which
have been paid. Part of these funds are
to be applied for necessary repairs, and
part for the aid of INDECENT Students
Doubtless, but for pecuniary difficulties,
more of them would now be at the Semi
nary. 1t is important they should be-
Having lost their means, often injured
their health, and expended four years in
military service, they have not the funds
for supporting themselves while studying,
and have not the time, even if the few
and thronged avenues Of gain afforded
the opportunity, for engaging in remu-
nerative labOrs.
Under these circumstances, may 1t not
be highly proper for the Synod promptlyto
adopt efficient measures for securing aid, so
that no student need hesitate as to pursuing
his theological studies. Not only may 1t
seem an act of Justice to these young
men, but one of the soundest policy on
the part Of the church. There may be,
for reasons of temporary force, and IN
special localities, a redundancy of minis
tiers, but few years of the ordinary
rava0es of death, and a few years of the
natural increase of population, not to
mention what may accrue by immigra-
ton, will affect great changes in the as
pect of the church. We should, there
fore, address ourselves with prompt and
Jealous efforts to the work of sustaining
the means for providing for our people
increasing numbers of able and faithful
ministers of the gospel.
The undersigned beg to conclude this
report by an earnest appeal, through the
SYNOD, to the churches and the people
for their renewed and fervent prayers for
the school of the prophets over which the
Head of the Church has called them to
preside.
(Signed.) SAMUEL B. WILSON,
B. NJ. SMITH,
THOMAS E. PECK,
r. L. DABNEY,
Faculty Of Union Seminary.
The above paper was referred to COM
mittee, whose report was adopted, and is
as follows:
Resolred, LIST. That the thanks of the
Synod of Virginia be given to the Rev.
James G. Hammer, D. D., of Baltimore,
for his generous services in behalf of this
school at a most exigent moment in its
history, and also to certain citizens of
Baltimore, New York and other places,
who have made handsome gifts to sustain
the Seminary through its period of trial.
ResoIred I'd, That a school of the first
class, for Theological training, is now,
even if never before, vital to this part of
our church; and that the Synod of North
Carolina is invited to unite with this
Synod in formal plan for restoring and
completing the endowment of Union Sem
mary, and that this plan be at once de-
termined in the appointments and recon-
mendationS that follow, to wit:
1st. That the Board of Directors be
authorized and requested to appoint a
regular agent to raise funds for the i'm
mediate and permanent use of the Pro-
fessors and INDECENT students belonging
to the institution, these several objects to
be kept separate, 50 that the immediate
wants of the school may be met and also
-. .,o,r,,nr,nrt nndnwmnnt. the rn1nmnera-