The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-10-27

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noble State has ever produced, a ruling ell
der of great wisdom and zeal, whose coun-
sells were highly valued in the several courts
of the Presbyterian Church, and who was
one of the most pure-minded and simple
hearted Christians whose name adorns the
annals of Southern piety. His plan was to
raise million of dollars by obtaining the
consent of hundred men of wealth to con-
tribute ten thousand dollars each, and thus
secure the necessary sum without interfering
with the funds of the existing institutions of
,thaG RrchunAu9GoGdiagntp onr recollection
strictly dehomfiktloaal establishment where
the Confession of Faith should form part
of the curriculum of studies. 1t was his
fond hope also, that Dr. Thornwell, DR.. Howe,
or some other eminent scholar and divine,
might be placed at the head of the institu.
ton, and that none but men of superior
learning and talents would be admitted to
the professional corps.
Whether DIR. Lyon ever conferred with
Chancellor Johnston on this subject, and
whether he derived any of the details of his
scheme from this high source, we know not.
But of one thing we feel confident and that
is that DR.. Lyon is the last man among us
who would ever consent to obscure one beam
of the glory of the great intellect and heart
of the departed .jurist. The Southern Church
owes this distinguished divine debt of last
ing gratitude for his bold and powerful ad
vocacy of Southern University. His ar
ticle in the April No. of the Southern Pres
byterian Review is one of the most able and
luminous papers of the times, and consequent
ly reflects great credit on the highly esteemed
author His argument for denominationa
education is complete and unanswerable-it
is based on truth from beginning to end
and this is doubtless the true reason that it
has produced such a decided impression on
the intellect and feelings of the Southern
Presbyterian population. The Church has
suffered immensely and we may say ire
trievably from the reign of the pestilent
heresy that she has no right to teach SECULAR
knowledge, and it is matter of profound
gratitude to God that more healthy senti-
ment is beginning to prevail on this subject.
And whenever our ministry and membership
are brought back to occupy the true plat
form touching this great question, we shall
look for brighter days in the history of Pres
byterianism.
A Southern University, projected on the
lofty scale proposed is certainly desirable
object and all good Presbyterians would feel
proud of such a magnificent foundation of
science and literature. But the feasibility
of so great an undertaking at the present
time is matter that admits of serious dis
cussion. We think it probable that by a
vigorous and united effort, continued for a
series of years, a sufficient endowment might
be secured for the enterprise in question,
and especially provided there were no other
objects of prime Importance appealing to
the liberality of the churches. But the stub
born fact is that there are five distinct claims
specified by the General Assembly which
urgently require immediate and continued
aid The cause of Sustentation has already
wrought sublime results, but great work
still remains to be done in order to supple.
ment deficient salaries and assist feeble
churches. Now we have some fear that
these importantinterests of the Church might
suffer serious detriment by directing the
earnest attention of our people to this new
movement Moreover, according to the views
of Prof. Martin and DR.. Baird, the Colleges
which now exist are necessary compliments
to the contemplated University, and must
therefore be sustained at all hazards. Bu
large sums of money will be required to re-
endow Oglethorpe, Oakland, Stewart, La
grange and Austin in their present impov-
erished and PROSTATE condition. An at
tempt to set these institutions on their fee
again and in addition to this to establish one
greater than all combined, would seem to us
utterly preposterous. The bare statement
of the case is appalling The proposition by
the Prince Edward Professor to retain tht
Colleges, in our feeble judgment, renders i
utterly impracticable to carry into execution
the expensive experiment proposed by thu
Columbus pastor. We are compelled there
fore to agree with Drs. Lyon and Palmer
that these local organizations must be merged
into one grand literary center or reduced
down 70 the grade of mere grammar schools,
as DIR. Woodrow contends, before the centra
body can be erected and put in motion.
We confess our inability to perceive the
utility or propriety Of establishing the facul
ties of Law, Medicine, and Theology in con
nexion with the proposed University. There
are plenty of other places where students
can prosecute with every advantage the va
rious branches of legal and medical science
and we apprehend that the theological de
partment would initiate against the Interest,"
of those schools of the prophets which ar
now training SO thoroughly the rising minis
try of the Church. We would deem it wise
to consolidate our two Theological emma