The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-02
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE
NORTHWEST.

The North Western Presbyterian of the 2Sth
ult., contains an important correspondence be-
tween Committee of the Board of Directors
of this Seminary and Cyrus H. Mccormick,
Esq, in regard to the endowment of the in
stitutiOn.
1t will be remembered that when the Theo
logical Seminary of the North West was es-
tabhshed, Mr. Mccormick subscribed the mu-
ni6eent donation f $lOO0 900, of which S75,-
600 were paid before or during the war. The
Seminary was established under thoroughly
conservative influences. Subsequently it was
put into the hands of radicals. This was re-
garded by Mr.. Mccormick as a violation OF
good faith, and he has not been forthcoming
with the remaining S25, OOO The object OF
the Committee is to give him a very plain hint
that that they are now ready to take charge Of
that amount from his purse. His letter in re-
ply. occupies three columns of the North
Western Presbyterian, and reviews the circum.
stances under which his donation was pledged
We cannot enter into the case fully. The sum
and substance is that he considers that the
feelings and views of those who were relied on
for the endowment of that institution have
been utterly disregarded and treated with con
tempt. He further states that when DR.. Me-
Master was elected Professor in that Semi
nary, he (Mr. McC.,) distinctly intimated to
persons of active, leading influence in effect
ing it, that they must not expect him to pay
over the remaining fourth installment The
reply to this was that there would be no diff
Guilty on that point-that they had men of
ample means who would endow Dr. Mem. s
chair with $50, 900, and that DR.. Mem.
would not accept the chair unless with the
understanding that it was to be endowed by
his friends. The course and position of Mr..
Mccormick, under this state of things, will be
best understood from what follows:
Feeling, as stated, that no further. call
would be made on me for this (fourth) install
ment of my endowment 1925, 000,) soon after
donated the Union Theological Seminary of
Virginia, for the endowment of its Professor
ships, $50 900, not desiring to withdraw for
my personal use any portion of what l had
donated for the benefit of the church.
1t appears, however, that certain of the
Faculty and Directory of the Seminary have
been in ignorance of the foregoing facts, or
are disposed to look no higher than the lao
in the case, expressing the opinion that am
"bOund to pay this installment" Inquiries
have also been made of the Trustees upon
this point. But, in view Of what has been
said, now submit whether this prescription
of the Directors. as well as of myself and
friends. wholly upon political grounds, does
not justly work forfeiture of the whole en-
dowment fund-iustead of my being subjected
to a call from you, under the circumstances,
for further funds
When my endowment was accepted by the
General Assembly. it is well known that a
large majority of the Old School Presbyterian
church were opposed, as | have before said
questions My own humble views on that
subject were known to agree with those OPP
posed to such agitation, as represented by Dr.
Rice The General Assembly-as believe is
universally the case when not inconsistent
with duty-in accepting such donation, elected
professors and directors to carry forward the
Institution, agreeing essentially in these views.
At that time DR.. Lord was understood to be
in perfect accord with them. | have always
accorded to others the same liberty of opinion
claimed for myself and have had nothing
whatever To say in the selection of directors or
agents of the Seminary, at any time, not even
knowing the men, and | challenge the pro-
duction Of testimony to show prescription in
any case while the Seminary was in the hands
of its founders The General Assembly acted
then upon the principle that justice and equity,
to say nothing of Christian courtesy, require
that due regard should be had to the wishes
and sentiments of members of the church
who have placed in her hands the means of
founding and sustaining positions of impor
lance in her gift The correctness of this
principle was fully recognized by DIR McMas-
ter at the time of his election, his conduct
appearing in marked contrast with that of the
present incumbent, for, while DR.. Lord advo-
Gated before the Seminary committees of the
Assemblies of 1866 and 1867 his transfer to
the chair of theology, DR.. McMaster had the
manliness to refuse it unless endowed by his
friends!
The concluding part of Mr.. Mccormick
letter explains fully the views he entertains
of his present duty, and at the same time his
willingness to give more than originally prom
iSed, provided the Seminary should be again
placed on its original footing.
Your letter, in effect, calling upon me for
the payment Of the fourth installment of my
endowment fund has seemed to me to make it |
proper to refer, as have done, to so much of |
the past history of these transactions.
The Board of Directors were long since ap-
priced BY the Trustees of the Seminary of |
what occurred at St. Louis as above related
Of the statement made to me by Mr.. Williams,
L II l. IL Il