The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-07

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ping place, if we once admit that the Church can
do things of that Sort 1t must be obliged sooner
or later to do anything at all that seems to 1t to be
good, and not expressly prohibited In the Word OF
God. | should be very much obliged II some OF
the brethren would state clearly and explicitly the
necessity for the General Assembly to act in any
way for Southern University, which does not ex'
list in the case of any college or institution OF lower
grade. If they say that it is to be grand lnsti-
tuition for the whole Church, agree with DIR. Dab
ney that there is possibility Of its ever becoming
anything Of that sort. There is not the slightest
possibility that it will ever be established IN the
State OF Virginia. The probability is that 1t will
be established in the Southwestern part OF the
Church. And if so, there is not the remotest pro-
babllty that any Virginian will send his sons to it
SO long as the State institutions are as they are.
should be very glad to be enlightened upon that
point.
DR.. DaJney-I was led, from fear of prolixity,
to withhold an expose Of that very point which
should have been very glad to give, and now beg
leave to give as it lies In my mind. The point
made by DIR. Miller is unanswerable, if the resolu
ton passes erecting the Trustees of the Assembly
into Board of Rectors of literary institution.
which is thus brought under ecclesiastical govern
ment. Are they not ecclesiastical officers?
Now, sir, the practical point before the Conyen-
ton OF Education, SO far as this Assembly has
what conceive We are doing this morning-turn-
ing aside from the business of church court to
lend our counsels to this Convention of our breth
ren,) Is this: Can we without unconstitutional ac
ton show them how to create this centre OF crys
utilization which will be a centre of attraction
strong enough to allure the confidence and gifts of
public-sprited Presbyterians? There is simply the
point My view is this: That all that needs to be
done can be done by that Convention, and the
thing that needs to be done is to present to the
Church the right means | will be indicate
enough to indicate more distinctly what mean
| prefer to present fUe names of ministers (such
as DIR. PalEer) and laymen of first rate position
and influence, and let the simple announcement go
forth TO the Church that these gentlemen consent
at the call of their brethren mot at the appoint.
ment of the Assembly, to undertake that func.
ton; and think all is done that you need do. 1t
is the men that are to give the moral power and
success to this work If we have wisdom in that
Convention to select five men, and secure their
hearty acceptance OF the trust, so far as this AS
sembly or that Convention can do it, it can be
done.
Now, as to the perpetuation. | would have
them, sir, for lJei | say away with the idea of
rotation in office in this great, responsible and del
cate trust of governing the instruction OF the
young men of the country The idea of rotation
in Office as to that trust is to my mind simply dis
gusting--if the brethren will pardon the word
would have them for life But they cannot live
forever. You ask me then, How shall provision
be made for filling vacancies by death or resigna-
tion Now, perhaps you will think am speaking
extravagantly but it is good, old common.sense,
and it is carried out by the experience of English
institutions. Make it close corporation! Let
them appoint their own successors Yes, but
what guarantee has the Church that after time,
after the lapse of two or three generations, men
IL
creep n and the funds of Presbyterians be wrested
from their uses? That is very important ques-
tion am bound to answerit. My answer is this ::
You have the guarantee of that moral momentum
communicated by the first board and my belief is
that that moral momentum will last as long, and
be as safe as any guarantee you can throw around
a literary institution. | have already expressed
the opinion that tendency to rationalism is inhe-
rent in all large and commanding literary insttu-
tions, secular and theological; and you cannot sup
press that tendency by ordaining that vacancies
shall be filed by Church Court, even the SUI
preme court of the Church. Because the history
of such Institutions las verified in Harvard, and
wherever apostasy and perverslon OF funds have
arlsen is that the close corporation in perverting
their trust has not led but followed perverted
public opinion in the religious body which they re.
presented. While cannot deny theexisting latent
tendency in any such institution for ultimate per-
VerSlOH, L uO DeHeVe tHaU Il Close corporation
with the momentuni in the right direction received
from the first Board will be as late to be perverted
as the Church Court and if the perversion takes
place. the secret history of it will be that which is
the true history at Harvard. The Board of Har-
ward followed, did not lead the Sociniansm of the
Congregational Church. [ make this remark in
order to remove the odlum that may seem to at
tach to a close corporation.
Now let me make another remark: If you want
upon him. Our English forefathers understood
this, and you will find, if you will go to Great
Britain, that thereare trusts literary, eeemosynary
and religious, which have existed for hundreds of
years, administered now by trustees whose per.
sonal sentiments are totally different from the
sentiments OF the donors-trustees to whom the
sentiments, principles and wishes Of the donors are
Individually mockery; and yet such is the force
Of the sense Of covenanted responsibility bearing
closely upon individuals few in number, that those
trusts are maintained in their integrity for hun
dreds of years. Now, if you make Board of
twenty four or forty-eight, you will so distribute
and subdivide the sense of responsibility that that
Board as soon as there is corruption in the pub
lie opinion in the Presbyterian Church. will yield
to the popular wave and pervert their trust in
favor of the fashionable heresy Of the day. But
limit the trust to few men of firstrate promi-
nence, and you will concentrate the responsibility
few-that they are so emnent-that they have so
much personal credit to sustain-that the sound
part Of the community when they may feel them
authorized charge perversion, put their
finger on the criminal so palpably. Here you have
practical guarantee. If you will charge five men
with this trust, it will be sound for two hundred
years. do not believe that in cumbersome board
of "a or As, elected by any church court in this
world, twill be sound in two hundred years. Expe-
rience gives us no such expectation. These are my
views | suppose | am exceedingly singular 10
them. l wish | had hundred thousand dollars
to demonstrate my faith by my works. Take DR..
Palmer and four other ministers and elders like
him, and | would entrust them with the money
with more confidence than in board of trustees
elected by rotation, In this whole matter would
use the motto OF Votare, LaiSSez fare" |
sympathize fully with DR.. Peck and those breth-
rem who dislike the principle of ecclesiastical con-
troll. | believe it is neither constitutional nor ex-
pedent.
Judge Mtchell-It strikes me on examining the
the charter granted by the General Assembly of
North Carolina Incorporating our Trustees, that
we have all the legislation want to carry out the
wishes OF the most sanguine advocate Of this uni
versity. will read passage from that charter,
promising, however, that fully concur in every
word that DR.. Dabney has said [ am perfectly
satisfied that five men of our Church, as close
corporation, can do this very work for us, and that
under this charter, it is perfectly competent for
this Assembly now to designate those five men,
and clothe them with all the powers of which DR..
Dabney has spoken. This charter provides that
the name and style Of the corporation shall be
the Trustees Of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States, and by the name and style aforesaid
shall be able and capable to take and hold all such
estate property, and effects as may be acquired by
gift, purchase, devise or bequest, to aid and ena.
bic the said General Assembly OF the Presbyterian
Church to undertake and carry on the work of
Christian education" That is one of the objects
Sec 4, And be it further enacted that if the said
General Assembly shall establish any committee
board or agent for any Of the purposes recited in
the first section, the same shall be held and deemed