The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-09
REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON
THEOLOGICAL Summaries.

'@>N
a report, which is as follows:
The Committee on Theological SemInarles re-
port to the General Assembly, that they have re-
ceived information from the report of the Board
of Directors of the Union Theological Seminary,
to the Assembly. Their numbers are
gradually increasing, and their general outward
presents a more encouraging aspect.
The whole number of students In attendance dur
Ing the past year was hUeah-Stc, SIX OF whom have
now COMPLETED the prescribed course OF study IN
the institution. and have been licensed by their
respective Presbyteries, and have gone forth into
the great feld-the world-to preach the gospel
of the Blessed Son of God. From the same source
the Committee learn the examination was highly
satisfactory, showing alike the fidelity of the Pro
fessors in their institutions, aud the diligence and
proficiency of the students in their studies;
An addition of 81 volumes has been made to the
library during the past year, which makes the
whole number of volumes in the library to be, at
present, $500.
Donations have been made by different friends
of the Seminary for the purpose of erecting libra
ry building. They are of such liberal nature, that
not sufficient to complete the work, they will JuStl,
fy that steps be taken at once to undertake It, The
Committee report that the finances OF this Semi
nary may be regarded in more stable and health,
full condition, and It's prospects Frightening and
every way more encouraging.
The Committee also learn from the reports OF
the Faculty, Board of Directors and Treasurer OF
the Seminary at Columbia, S. c., that that institu
ton is also increasing steadily in numbers, and Its
outward prospects becoming more prosperous and
cheering.
During the past session hoenb-Sir students have
been in attendance, eight of whom have graduated
and entered upon their mission of preaching the
gospel From the report of the Board Of Dlreoc'
tors we learn their examination was highly satls'
factory, evinciug with what fidelity the Professors
had performed their duties and with what dill,
gence and assiduity the students had improved
their time. We have reason to believe the spirit
of Missions is on the increase In this institution.
The health, both of the Professors and students,
has generally been good at least such as to occasion
very little Interruption in the discharge of then
daily duties The religious character and deport
ment of the students have been consistent and ex
emplary. The institution is free from all incum
brance of debt, and the Professors have been paiC
up in full to the LIST OF April OF this year. Anc
arrangements have been made to have all the SENT
nary buildings put in complete repair which car
be done at very Sigh expense during the present
vacation.
Dnrinc the mast year l2S volumes have beer
presented to the library, through the hberality o.
an old friend of the institution, Jasper Corning
ESQ, of New York. This makes now the whole
number of volumes to be 1911,
The Committee have examined the accounts o.
the Treasurer of the Seminary, and from all the
information they have thus obtained, would repor
them as acurate and correct The minutes OF the
Faculty and Board of Directors have also beer
examined and found to be properly kept and cor
rect
In view fall these facts the Committee woul(
recommend the adoption Of the following resolu
tons, VIZ
Resolred l. That we return our most heart!
thanks to the Great Head of the Church, In tina
He has extended such paternal care and supervs
ion over the health and lives of the faculty anC
students of two Summaries as has enabled them
almost without an exception or interruption, to dis
charge their duties and prosecute their studies.
Reso7red 9. That we sincerely and devOuty &C
knowledge the great goodness of Him, who is the
Father of merces, for imparting such life, 6deht!
and success to these institutions; this not only a
evinced by the numbers that have already beer
received and trained in these Semlnarles; but also
for the still greater numbers we have reason to be
lieve are now standing at their threshold ready u
enter in so soon as the church shall extend her help
ing hand.
Resolred s. As the field is so wide, and the har
vest ripe, and the laborers so few, we earnestly
commend these Seminaries to the prayers anC
liberal benefactons of all our churches, that Goc
may not only bless them with sanctihed learning
but make them fountains whence shall annually foV
out streams to gladden. the city OF our God.
The Committee recommend as Directors OF the
Seminary at Columbia, Rev. j. L: Wilson, d. D.
Rev. ] r. Wilson, D. D., Rev m B@nkss , hev
son, and for Treasurer, Henry Muller, Esq. anS
the following persons to be elected Directors to fiji
vacancies occasioned BY removals, viz Rev. j. Ii
tIirardeau in place of Rev. A. F. Dickson, Rev
r. NJ. Green, of Ca, in place of Rev. VIM. Finn
SamlE Wilson, of S. c., in place of Prot. JOSEPH
lie Conte, J. w. Bones, of Ca, in place OF j. A
Ansley.
CONSTITUTION AND PLAN OF UNION SEMINARY.
The Committee on Theological Summaries would
further report on the Constitution and Plan OF the
Union Seminary, which has been placed IN oul
hands, aud which is referred to In the report Of
the Directors as follows:
"The Directors and Trustees have found II
necessary to revise the Constitution and Plan Of
the institution to bring it into harmony with the
provisions of the act of incorporation granted by
the Legislature of Virginia This amended Con
stitution and Plan is herewith submitted TOR tn
approral ofthe General assembly, and the Assem-
bly, is respectfully requested to approve the same
at it's meeting in 1869.
The Committee have had no means OF as
certaining what alterations have been made IN
the constitution by this contemplated change and
finding nothing in it of which they dlSapproye
would recommend the approval OF the CONSTITUTION
and Plan by this Assembly,
DIR. DABNEY's MEMORIAL.
The Committee have under consideration the
memorial of Dr. Dabney on Theological education,
and find therein many important suggestions on
several features of this general subject The re:
spected author obviousl y eontemp.9tes; radical
changes in the process Of theological! education,
embracing changes in the relations OF the Theology
cal Summaries to the Assembly, changes in the
methodist impartng instruction by the Professors,
on the recognition of grades of proficiency among
the students by the faculty giving Instruction. In
the organization and powers of the directory Of the
Summaries, and on the subject of the natural
sciences, instruction in which is impaired in one
of our institutions. 1t will be seen at once that
these topcs as they are treated by the memoraist,
would constitute a necessity for remodelling the
the whole plan of our semiuaries. Asfar as known
to the Committee these subjects have not been
under general consideration in the Church, and
their importance forbids at the session of the
present Assembly, that matured Judgment which
they deserve. The Committee, therefore, recon-
mend that the memorial be referred to the Faculty
and Directors of each Seminary, and that they re-
port to the next Assembly the results of their
deliberations at their discretion.
j. DOUGLAS, Chairman.
These reports were all accepted and adopted.
Report of the Committee on Systematic
BeneVolence.
The Committee on Systematic Benevolence re-
speotfully submit the following report:
Reports have been received from twenty-eght
Presbyteries, viz Lexington, Montgomery, West
Hanover, Greenbrier Winchester, Roanoke, Ches-
apeake, Concord, Fayetteville, Orange Bethel,
Charleston. South Carolina, Savannah Nashville,
sissippi. Tuscaloosa, Western District, East Han
over, Florida, Arkansas, New Orleans, Brazos
Central Texas North Alabama, Central Ohio
and Tombackbee
Lexington reports that twenty eight of its
churches have contributed to SustentatiOn 81, IA
twenty-one to Foreign Missions $l,49l twenty
fnnr To EAnnatinn & Ice fifteen To Publication