The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-08-07
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
Circular Letter.
70 The S,mods of the South West.

the matter of Christian education, In 1urtherance |
of the views expressed by the Assembly and the
Convention at Huntsville. 1t was there recon-
mended that we found no more colleges at present.
but that contiguous Sgnods rally to the endowment
and support Of those already in existence SO as to
supply our pressing necessities.
Synods meet but once year and, therefore,
move slowly, especially where concert OF action Is
required. We therefore address you this circular
in order to prepare the way.
Our Commission visited the Synod OF Mississippi
last fall and presented the subject of concentration
and they voted unanimously in favor OF abandon
ing the old idea of mere Synodical colleges and OF
uniting with co-terminous Synods in building up
an institution common to them all. They also APP
pointed permanent commission, consisting OF
Rev. B. NJ. Palmer, D. D., LII. D.; Rev. H. Price
and Rev. A. P Smith, to cooperate with US In
bringing this matter before other SynodS
We hope that you will consider the whole ques
ton and be ready to take Synodica action this fall
on this all important subject and appoint similar
commission to cooperate with us. This is the SIM
plest way in which several Synods can confer and
agree upon any settled policy. That concentration
is the true policy of the Church is evident from
these and other considerations:
l. The experiment of Synodical Colleges was
thoroughly tried for thirty or forty years. with the
result of a number of feeble colleges struggling
for bare subsistence Their failure was mainly
due to limited patronage, growing out Of a mere
local interest Nor was this failure OF Church
Schools an exceptional case, but all the Colleges
and Universities of the South. suffered by the
same cause. They were too numerous for sparse
rural population.
9 The chances of success for such institutions
in the future are greatly diminished, because OF
the greatly altered circumstances of the Church
and country, and ultimate failure is far more pro
bable than formerly
8. The requisite endowment for so many institu-
tons of high grade is beyond the ability of our
people, or if they could be procured, would be op.
pressive, because unnecessary and extravagant.-
We ought now, at least, to consult wise economy,
especially when we consider that monies spent on
superhuOus colleges are so much needed for the
aggressive and missionary work of the Church.
L. No one Synod can furnish sufficient patron
age to keep up college Of the first grade. Not
many are aware how few of the pupils now at
school are prepared for even the lower classes Of
the collegiate department, G. g. In looking over
the catalogue of certain State University, $50
called claiming nearly three hundred students we
find only thirty four in the collegiate classes.
5. The rage for multiplying schools and calling
them colleges, has been ruinous to a sound educa-
ton. A good high school is far more useful than
sickly college. One institution giving thorough
and extensive course, requiring a high grade of
scholarship, will do more to develop constituency
of valuable Grammar and High Schools in all our
congregations than half dozen ordinary colleges.
g. The great advance of science renders it i'm
possible to sustain live" college with three or
four half starved Professors competing against
large and well endowed institutions with fifteen or
twenty teachers.
7. The accumulated endowments in other parts
of our land, warn US to provide similar, if not
superior appliances within our own bounds if we
would continue to educate our own sons. This can
not be done without concentration.
- s. The growing necessity OF adjusting orr
schools so as to fit young men for the practical
business of life, will more and more draw the old
fashioned colleges to failure. Scientific schools in
them all, is now first necessity.
9. If the Presbyterian Church fail in this mat
ter, others will improve the idea and assume the
position of superiority are forfeiting Instance
the schools at Lexington, KY, Lebanon and
Suwanee, Tenn, not to mention the tentative
movements of still other denominations in the
same direction. We were once the pioneers in
education and our superiority as educators is still
conceded. We must retrieve our position or else
our power is gone. Other schools either Church
or State, will educate our sons in another faith,
not to say in absolute ratiOnalism.
TO- This is matter in which the whole church
ought to be interested, but it is understood as
especially the want of the southwest. Shall we
not be true to ourselves?
II. The competition OF local interests is the only
difficulty in carrying out these views. Now We do
not depreciate the instinct of allegiance to the
manor; but we submit higher and broader inter-
est, which if properly fostered, will in its turn in
sure the true interests of each locality. A true
university, properly sustained, will by its own
power and influence in due time develop the larg
est number of efficient schools and colleges that
local interest may demand. These in turn, will
furnish better patronage for the university and
increase its usefulness.
We put forth the above points suggestively, for
the subject is not new, with the hope and confident
expectation that the Synods will be prepared to act
promptly and heartily at their next meetings and
place the whole matter in the hands of judicious
commissions.
In the mean time allow US to suggest that you
cannot do better at present than to patronize Stew
art College at GAINESVILLE Tenn. under the care of
the Synod of Nashville, the only school left to our
church in the Mississippi Valley This institution
is well manned for work in all the departments of
scholastic training. She stakes her success on
thorough instruction and high standard Of schol-
arship, and increasing in favor and patronage
She proposes Christian School in the true sense
of the word sho seeks TO make knowledge Of |
the Scriptures necessary part of education, |
thereby enabling the teacher to lay the foundations
of faith in the classroom and to show in every de-
the God of nature and revelation are one and the |
same God. In this work which is new and almost
untred, she deserves all encouragement until the
Synods shall provide something better in further
ance of the same ends and perhaps on the same
nucleus.
Leaving this whole subject for the present to
your consideration and to your prayers, we have
the honor Of subscribing ourselves
Your brethren in Christ,
j. B. SHEARER, Commission of
J. II. BRYToN. the Synod
D. n. KENNEDY. Of NaShUille
Clarksville, Tenn, July Goth, 1872.
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.