The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-08

committee, the professors not being amenable 10
them; but 1t was suggested in the committee, az
tne remedy for the difficulties existing, and, per-
them, that there should be an entire reor.
f gan rattn That, OF course, would involve
statement which did to one OF them, whom met
t,n 1Apecsealy very soon afterwards, without men,
h onrne nv names mes ! said to him that was at
t ,ue'V, ny Inc common consent OF the commit
Of things as i Sao 70 the professors the state
tee that there was reveoped IN une "
the subjects that opinions differed in regard to the
cause OF tne state OF things, and that 1t was the
resignation OF the professors would solve the DIM
Guilty. certainly made that statement: but there
1t merely the understanding upon the snhiect
Having said that, the matter was left to the udp-
information, and requested him to name it to his
colleagues, whom could not see at the time I
win say iurther that so far as my recollection goes
the suggestion of this conference with the professors
came from myself under the feeling that
It was wrong that this state Of thingr
those professors should not know. 1t
simple frankness; 1t was simple honesty In doing
towards q brother as would have a brother do To
me II occupied the same position. II there De ,
. ANY RESPONSIBILITY
Tor the suggestion OF this Conference probably am
10 pear II, but 1t with the understanding OF the
committee. That suggestion was made in order to
prevent more definite action that might have been
this committee that they have been frequent pro-
a aracteu ana iaborious, and have involved large
d ai,ruan oi discussion There have been honest
aiuerences OF opinion. am not here to impeach
any brethren who may differ from me- 1t was our
gesre to report to the SYNOD only those
Elder ScHIEFLlN thought that the whole discus
sion was out OF order for instead OF looking at the
private matters, private interests and individuals
and entered into things which should not be en-
Alter some further talk, the first part OF the re-
port relating to the seminary, was taken up by the
Synod, and lengthy debate ensued.
n IN
would be very glad II the Synod would sit with
closed doors, have all papers before them, and
thoroughly look into the matter He referred to
THE DECLINE OF THE SEMINARY,
and asserted that during the past ten years the at
cent While other like institutions flourishing
If there were able men in charge of the seminary it
would also flourish no matter how many other in
situations there were around.
DIR. VERMILYEA intimated that anonymous let
tiers, expressive of dissatisfaction with the semi
nary, had been read in the committee, whereupOn
DR.. ANDERSON, q venerable gentleman, member
OF the committee, arose exctedly and denied that
they were anonymous letters Elder Ferdon cor,
rObOrated DR.. Anderson's statement
DR.. VERMILYEA thought he could
LET A LITTLE DAYLIGHT
that there had been opposition l'a 70 the the
seminary and to the professors. He them
~ to the alleged Ealing % ' IN the
Der OF students He argued that If the Synod had
not taken away certain number OF students from
the seminary in 1868 the attendance during the
past decade would be shown to have been
greater than that OF the second decade, which was
regarded as the golden years of the seminary. DR..
vermyea referred to Rutgers College in this con-
nection and asserted, without fear OF cOntradic-
ton, that it had been in depressed state for the
past ten years. In 1851, the last year OF Mr. Free
linghuysens presidency of Rutgers, there were
thirty-siX graduates while the next year the num-
Der of graduates was but fifteen.
There was quite
during DR.. Vermilyea's remarks. The Doctor took
occasion to name General Pruyn Zone of the dele
gates), and Immediately thereafter went on to
charge that certain parties had written letters
General PRuYN thinking that this was an insnu-
alton against him, arose to a point Of order, when
DR.. vermilyea disclaimed any intention OF prefer
ring such a charge against him. The Doctor said
something about speaking In pleasantly. GeneraL
Pruyn retorted by saying that he thought that was
queer kind of pleasantly.
Dr. HOLMES thereupon arose and emphatically
challenged DR.. Vermilyea to prove that he had ever
Then the venerable DR.. ANDERSON, who was con-
siderably excited, arose and made similar chali
leaned forward on their seats, expecting "tiS''
but the President interfered. DIR. Vermilyea matie
divers disclaimers, and peace and quletness regned
Dr. vERMILYEA continued his remarks at consid-
cradle length, and, in conclusion, said :-"It has
been the custom in the Dutch Church for years to
MALIGN ITS OWN INSTITUTIONS;
and Of the first and best ways to build up the
institutions of the Dutch Church and increase the
numbers of the students is for everybody to stop
fouling their own nests"
DR.. Holmes, one Of the members Of the he Seminary
relations with two OF the professors there-WO0d-
bridge and Dcmarest. "God forbid" he said,
do anything to the detriment Of Drs. Wood
bridge and Demarest." He said that the
committee had been held up to scorn In the Synod
wrongfuly and accused of nniarness. He positively
declared that they never thought of asking the pro-
fessors to resign.
The special order for five O'Clock was hearing
Rev. George w. willard, of the Ohio Synod; and
that hour having arrived the discussion of the re-
port was discontinued, and Mr. Willard was intro
duced and made o brief address, in which he re-
ferred to the proposed union between the churches
The President responded, and the Synod them at
harpast five O'Clock, adjourned until eight O'Clock,
when devotional exercises were held. The debate
on the report will be resumed to-day