The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-29
Presbyterian University.


AT its recent meeting, the Synod OF mississippi
unanimously adopted the following Memorial to
the General Assembly 1t was presented by the
Rev. DR.. Lyon, of Columbus, Miss.
The Synod of Mississippi, beg leave respectfully
to memorabilia the General Assembly of the Pres
byterian Church in the United States to convene
at Louisville, KY, on the 3rd Thursday of May,
1870, on the importance of investigating the ex-
pediency of establishing great institution of
learning, sustained by the funds and patronage of
the whole Church.
Your memorialists are deeply and painfully i'm
pressed with the fact that, notwithstanding the
concession that, as Church we have hitherto been
the standard-bearers in education and sound learn
ing, yet we are in danger of being too well salts
fed with ancient renown, whilst the progress of
the age, and the commendabe rivalry OF competl-
tors, bid fair to leave US behind in the honorable
race for the precedence. This fact should arouse
us from our careless lethargy, and stimulate our
sleeping energies to renewed efforts to maintain
our former superiority as cultivated and learned
denomination, as well as to keep pace with the
rapid advancement of science and learning. 1t is
notable not to say humiliating fact, that we
have, within our borders, no first class institution
Of learning fully up to the times and such as can
successfully compete with first class institutions in
other sections and couptries. This pregnant fact
demands, on several accounts, our serious consid-
Grafton. First 1t is commendable in us to GOV.
ct to maintain and retain our envied prestige as
the foremost educators of the land. Second Our
system of doctrine depends not upon the passions
and emotions, but the intelligence of the people
for support-whilst our scrpturaland simple forms
Of worship addressed not to the senses, in rt-
ualistic forms and imposing ceremonies but to the
cultivated intellect and heart. And in the third
place. as natural and necessary result of this our
deficiency the youth of the Church and of the
South will be drawn to those institutions, irrespec-
tive Of section, or country, where they can enjoy
the greatest literary advantages at the least COST
The number of our youth now in Roman Catholic,
Unitarian, and other institutions unfriendly in
their influence to what we regard as evangelical
Christianity, is much larger than is generally sup
posed and should be matter Of serious pain to
every friend of pure and undefled religion
When we take into consideration the ineffaceabe
influence, for good or evil exerted upon the plastic
minds Of youth by their teachers and surround
ings, it becomes matter of wise policy, as we'll as
sacred duty, as the guardians of the youth of
the Church, to prevent them from straying away
from our own religious influence. But how can
this be done? Not by the published warnings and
circumstances, contained in preamble and resolu-
tons uttered by ecclesiastical bodies but by es-
tabIshing institutions of our own Of such high
order, and superior advantages, as that there will
be no just temptation to go elsewhere. Such in
situations however, it is manifest cannot be estab-
lished by any one of our Presbyteries, or Synods,
even the largest and wealthest, from the fact that
they cannot furnish the necessary funds and pa
tronage This can be successfully done only by the
united and harmonious efforts of the whole
(lV,n I,-,.. q L
corporate character Of the Church, is that she may
be able to accomplish that, in her collective and
concentrated capacity, which she could not other
wise accomplish. This, as we understand it, ac-
cords with tho distinctive genius Of Presbyterian
ism. Hence the whole Church, in her corporate
capacity. is employed in the work of Foreign Mis-
slons, Sustentatlon, etc. why not also concentrate
the same mighty power in educating the children
Of Church? Is not one great institution of more
avail than many small ones? We do not advocate
the abolition of Presbyterial and Synodical Col
egos, except where it may be judged better, by
those who have control of them, to incorporate
their remaining funds and property in great
Church institution rather than to continue the
fruitess and wasteful struggle in trying to keep
ahoat sinking wrecks Of colleges. But we do, in
view of the circumstances earnestly pray your
reverend body to take into serious consideration
the matter Of establishing, should it be found best,
great Church institution of learning-such as
the age demands-and such as, in the opinion of
your memorialists, the prosperity of our Southern
Church imperatively requires.
Whilst the establishment of such an institution
as is contemplated by your memoralists could not
be successfully effected by any one Synod, or a
fragment or a section of the Church, yet it would
be of comparatively easy accomplishment, as al
ready intimated, by the concentrated and harmonic
GUS energies of the whole Church, embracing, as it
does, eleven Synods, and extending over the ter
rtory Of thirteen Of the airest States in the Union
Besides, there are many others, not organically
connected with us, who would nevertheless sympa.
thlse with and aid in the grand enterprise. With
such field and with such body of jealous CO
laborers as occupy it, all working simultaneously
and Systematically through series of five years.
short enough for so great work, your memorial
lists are of the opinion that, with the blessing of
Cod there is no reasonable doubt that the neces
sary funds-say million of dollars-can be secured
with which to commence the noble scheme
1t is not the intention Of your memoriasts to
pray this Assembly to begin at once the work of
establishing the aforesaid Church University, by
celebrating plan and selecting location, etc. In
our humble Judgment the Church is not yet ready
for such action 1t would be premature-nay, fatal
to the final success Of the enterprise In the event
that the Assembly, after deliberate and prayerful
lufcSIiSdllOui COuOiuuOo W UuueTCdke UDe WOTk,
these delicate and ticklish questions relating to
"plan" and location" so we'll calculated to be-
come an apple of discord and to produce "divi-
sions," had better be left to the wise and prayer
full discretion of the Executive Committee who
may be instructed with the final consummation of
the enterprise. AS memoralists we only ask this
present Assembly to appoint committee dd IN
term, tentative committee ft may be so termed,
clothed with authority, and provided with the neces
sary means, to bring this matter fairly before the
mind Of the whole Church, in order to create an
adequate interest in the subject and to elicit full
and intelligent expression of opinion on the mpor-
lance and feasibility of the undertaking, and to
make a complete report of the same to the next
General Assembly. Should the report be favora.
bic to the enterprise, the next Assembly can take
the necessary steps in order to its final achievement
Should the report be adverse to the great under
taking, then the mind of the Church can be at rest
on the subject, and the energies of those who now
favor the scheme can be turned into other chan.
nelS of usefulness.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN HUNTER, Moderator.
~ 1ICI..