The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-05
1nE CRnz.R IHEoLOGlcAL SEMINARY.

The very favorable reception which was ac-
oor6ed by the public to the sketches oil tue
leading institutions OF learning in the ohno'
States which we published last summer oou |
vinces us that in no one subject IS 'neio .oat
doener and more widespread interest,"
tA.n IN that of liberal education In
furtherance of our pdrPose "
Ahis GOOD cause to the utmost OF our power NC
vpblisb to-day, on our third page, tne auuress
SoIjvered by I'D ward Shippen, Esq, at the re-
osnt dedication of the new HollngsWorth |
school building, and below we give an interest
in0 sketch of the origin and progress OF the
movement which is to establish near this city
new Theological Seminary, which will at once
take rank with the first institutions In the
eountry of similar character. The year 1866
WAS remarkable one for the liberality which
men Of fortune exhibited towards our higher
educational institutions, the donations and be-
Quests received by thirty.one different colleges
amounting in the aggregate to S3,O4lOOO. since
then. Daniel Drew, Esq, the New York Railroad
King, has established new Methodist Theologi-
cal Seminary at Madison, N. j.. which will be
formally opened tomorrog morning, with an
endowmeut. in property and invested funds, ex-
ceeding $500 600. Welt deserving to rank with
these magnificent contributions to the cause of
n,
secured for the Grocer Theological Seminary at
Upland, Delaware county, through the iberalily
OF Mr.. Orozer's heirs.
LOCATION OF THE SEMINARY.
The Seminary building is a large, substantial
structure, beautifully situated, fifteen miles
south of Philadelphia, and within half mile Of
the city of Chester, on the Philadelphia and
Baltimore Railroad.
,g4o extended the
Delaware river on the one hand, and of fertile
farming district on the other. The Campus
eontains tWenty-three acres embracing fine
natural grove, stretching down to the Chester
creek. The building was originally erected for
q Normal school, 1t isnow occupied by mill
tarv school, accommodating two families and
about one hundred students. 1t is as well
adapted for the purposes of theological semi
nary as if 1t had been specially erected for that
purpose.
The building and grounds belonged TO Mr..
John P. Grocer, who, at his death. left them TO
his sons With the expressed desire that they
would, as soon as possible, devote them to some
benevolent use. "But what Will be the best
purpose to which the property can be applied
How can we make 1t tell most for the cause OF
Ohrist?n was the great problem they tried to
solve. Many things were thought OF, but for
tine nothing seemed to meet the case.
Mr.. Grocer died in March, 1866. About the
lst OF the following June one of the family sug-
gested the idea OF converting the building into
Theological Seminary. The suggestion met
with iayor and the project OF llberally endOw-
ing Sem nary became the subject of frequent
conversation in the family.
HEsITANoY.
ais a new seminary needed? Will the denomi-
nation receive and sustain it? Will its establish
ment interfere with the prosperity of the Uni
versity at Lewisburg? were questions that were
often pondered with anxiety. MIR; Grocer had
n 1-h
IeWisburg and his widow and children were
unwilling to do anything, however GOOD
in itself, that could possibly affect
it iniuriously. AS early as the mid
die OF July, 1885, and before the family
had reached any decision whatever one OF their
number addressed note to DR.. }. H. Looms,
President of the University at Lewlsburg, in
curing whether, in his judgment, II would be
wise to endow a theological seminary at Upland;
to transfer TO it the Theological Department at
LewisbUrg but to leave with the University all
its present endowment; and so secure to the
State two strong institutions, one for the lite
rary, the other for the theological training OF
the Baptist ministry. DR.. Loomis replied that
during the coming vacation he would Visit the
city and confer upon the subject.
In the following September member OF the
family visit ed the Philadelphia Conference Of
Baptist Ministers, then in session, to consult
them with reference to the propriety of the pro-
posed movement. There were present at the
Conference about hity ministers. After full
consideration of the matter, the following action
thusiasm.
ACTION OF THE CONFERENCE.
Whereas, We have learned that 1t is the desire OF
the Meass Grocer that the buildings erected by the
late j r Grocer, M Esq ~ Upland, & IoT q NSTma f a.
Whereas, We believe that the establishment of a
thoroughly furnished Theological Seminary at that
place would meet the hearty approval of the brethren
generally in this and in nelghboring States there
ResolUed, That we approve and heartily recon-
mend that the buildings be appropriated for thlf
purpose .
RdsoLUed That we have high appreciation OF the
Universally at Lewisburg, and desire that IL may con
It's means and It's usefulness by year. Yet IN ou
Judgment the time has come when It's real prosperity
will be- promoted by transferring the WORK OF theo
logical instruction to a distinct and eendowed IN
slitution this city leaving II win All ts pre-
sent endowment and apparatus TO prosecute lts lte
ResotUed, That committee of five be appointed t
convey TO the Messrs. Grocer and the Boards anS
on this subject and to take such measures as may D
necessary for the securing of the important oplec
which we contemplate.
G. d. Boardman, j. w. Smith, j. II. Castle,
Brooks, and l., w. Anderson were appointed a
the committee.
Early in the next week, DR.. Loomis and Pro
fessCr Bliss visited the city, when an lntorma
meeting of brethren was convened TO COME
with them. DR.. LOomis acted as Chairman ant
DIR. BoaTdman as Secretary of the meeting. Al
ter an interchange ofiews, the following pape
was unanimously ordered to be sent to TN
Grocer family o,,,o.,
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20il9s0.
George X. Grocer, aud Robert II. Crozer.- Dea
BrethIen;-An q Informal gatnerng o. lew peIsoa q
a. a. @ 6ne rooms Of the American Baotist Pu0llcatlo
Soclelys Yesterday afternoon. The persona preseI
Wilder, b Grtn, p. e & HensoS. Henson T. castle, ai
6 s.sa S a. W Felyz w y; Brooks and O. D. Bosr9
and Ii. g. Jones,