The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-04-21
For the Central Presbyterian.
Union Theological Seminary, va.
SEoRErARY's OFFICE. April IA.

SEcRErARYs OFFICE, April Ii, 1880.
In pursuance of instructions from the Trus
tees, the following items are sent to the press.
Their annual meeting was held on the 18th
and l4th of April, sixteen of the twenty three
members of the corporation being present
Mr.. j. Herman Broion, of Baltimore, having
died since the last meeting, the Trustees record
cd their appreciation of his great personal worth
and of the valuable public services, unselfshly
and freely given by him during his long and
useful life
The Rev. Dr. Da5,,ey was relieved from duty.
as professor till December 1st 1t is under
stood that he will spend the summer and fall
abroad.
Change of Sessions.-This much discussed
question, in the Synods and by the Directors,
was solved by compromise of opinions. The
next term begins LIST September, 1880 and ends
9th May 1881. The records of the Faculty ex-
hlbited so great an irregularity on the part of
the students In beginning their studies in the
past Seminary year, that the Trustees recorded
their urgent request to students to attend
promptly, on the first day of the next term; and
Presbyteries having candidates for the ministry,
among the students, will have their special at
tention called to this great disadvantage to those
under their care pursuing their theological stu
dies at this institution.
The Library building approaches completion.
The accommodation of the eleven thousand vol.
umes and the convenience of students will be
greatly promoted by this large building with
its excellent appointments.
Library furniture and a suitable enclosure of
the lot, on which the library building is placed
will be needed; and the Rev DR.. Smith Libra
rlan) is requested to apply to the friends of the
institution to aid in securing these objects
Ihe Certificate Of proficiency, which, by the
Constitution, is awarded to each student on the
completion of the prescribed course of study, in
the judgment of the Trustees, should be based
upon reasonably moderate but fixed grade of
scholarship and should not be awarded to any
falling below that grade This matter is referred
to committee for future report. There is no
abatement of purpose, on the part of professors
and trustees. to promote and ENCOURAGE hioh
standard of scholarship.
The finances of the institution received the
full attention of the Trustees. The public will
allow more than mere brief notice of this i'm
portant matter In the earlier history of the
Seminary, Investments, in what are known on
Change as Virginia bonds, were deemed as be-
ing not only safe, but among frst-class securi-
ties The existing amount of these Investments
to period recently after the late war. was in
Virginia Registered SIS $1l6,995, and in Vir-
ggn 1nia G9ns9ls $2O'7OO making total of $197,-
fore January, 1860 While large amount Of
Bank stocks and other investments became val
ueless by the disasters of So the Virginia bonds
yielded, till l January $780, semi -annuallv the
interest due, thus indicating the wisdom of
those who were the early guardians of the insti
tuition. To the honor of the Legislature which
hrst met after 1865, it was provided by law that
full interest should be paid on the Virginia
bonds held by seminaries of learning mainly
because these institutions could thus continue
their usefulness. The funds for these endow.
ments had been voluntarily contributed bv the
friends of these institutions, many of whom were
the tax payers of this State-and who were then
and are. still willing to pay this interest In
1917. by two Acts of Assembly, it was further
provided, that, "till otherwise ordered the sec
ond Auditor was instructed to continue To nav
this interest This law is still in force. and
when the State Is in funds, it is hoped this
law will be executed. Up to LIST April the sala-
RES OF professors were deficient in payment onlv
SZoO each, In consequence of the failure of the
State to meet the January interest. (Since LIST
April they have been paid in FULLY
THE Scholarships. the S38 600 held for
scholarships, the public will regret to learn that
$26,5OO are invested in Virginia Registered
bonds, and that while large part of the de.
mands for the payment of orders on these scboI-
arshlps were, in 1890. met, payment on these
PFC, 300 will be suspended if the State fails to
make Its usual semi-annual payment of interest.
WIN not this deficiency be made up by those
who know the necessity of meeting the demand
land and to fill the unoccupied pulpits of the
Church The aid to students from this source
cannot be too highly estimated
GrGditdtes.-Twenty members of the senior
class received certificates of having compieted
the course Of study. Their names will be fur.
nished in the official report which will be sent
to the Assembly and Synods, and which will
also 60 to the press.
! Addresses.-The anniversary exercises were
greatly increased in interest by addresses from
the Rev. DR.. j. Henry Smith, Of North Carolina
and Rev. DIR. Alexander Martin. of Virginia.
Representatives of religious and secular Journals
were present, and therefore only this brief refer
ence IS made to these excellent addresses. The
1881 lu''e' VI
officers for '80-81-The Rev. DR.. J. Henry
Smith was elected President Rev. DR.. Aiexa5.
der Martin and DR.. E. ~ Hutchinson. On. G
Treasurer N Wsryr5gy ""'
Secretary.