The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-12-21
Address of the Alumni Associa-
ton of the Columbia Theo-
logical Seminary.

Inc Alumni ASSOCIATION OF COlumb la
Theological Seminary, assembled togeth-
er from the 4th to the 7th of November,
1881, In the city of Columbia, S. c., to
celebrate the fftieth anniversary of our
Alma Mater, and of the Professorship of
the venerable and beloved DIR. Howe,
being now organised as a permanent
body, send greetings to all our brother
Alumni, and to all the friends of the Sem
mary throughout the Church.
Our object in organising this Associa-
ton is, not only to preserve and strength
en- the bonds OF brotherhood between all
surviving Alumni, but also to preserve
memorials of all who are called to their
rest, and to combine our counsels and
efforts to rebuild and enlarge this Theo-
logical School in which we have been
trained for the sacred office.
You will have learned from the pub
lished accounts that the celebration which
has Just closed, has been, in many re-
spects. a most delightful and profitable
occasion. Ninety-ive of our number
were permitted to meet together, from the
earliest as well as the latest classes, from
many different States in our own land
and from foreign lands; some who had
never met before, but many to renew the
hallowed associations of past years, amidst
the very scenes of their former tolls and
sweet communion, and to live over again,
in memory now so delightfully."- quickened,
those happy days of sacred study and
fellowship of kindred minds 1t
seemed to us very type of heavenly
reunion
Not by any means amongst the lesser
qualifications of this occasion was the
privilege of again beholding the face and
hearing the voice of our tenderly loved
and reverenced professor, Dr. Howe; at
whose feet we had all sat with flial
docility and from whose lips we had all
received so much of the treasured learn
ing OF his accomplished and sanctifed
mind, and also to join together in com
memorating the half century of his emf
nently faithful and useful services in this
one field
The historical and biographical sketch
es, the discussion of important topics, and
the devotional exercises which filled up
three days of our meeting, were deeply
interesting to us all, and we trust will
prove profitable to many
But what we desire most especially to
report to you, is the spirit of the whole
occasion, with reference to the claims,
condition, and pros pects of our Seminary.
We need not remind you of its misfor-
tunes and the depression felt by all its
friends. These are things of the past,
aud we accept them as providences in
tended to try our faith in God and our
zeal IN this department of his work. But
as we came to examine into the present
condition of things and looked each other
In the face, we saw that the cloud was
lifting. God has called to our help not
indeed few munifcent donors, but
host of warm and generous friends, of
moderate means, all over the field re-
garded as peculiarly belonging to this
Seminary, and thus laid broad founda-
ton In many hearts on which our cause
may securely rest for support. Most en-
couraglng, progress has already been
MADE IN the work of reendowment.
But the feeling of the brethren is even
more encouraging than the amount of
money raised. That is one of renewed
confidence and good cheer. Hope again
predominates. There have been differ
ences of opinion, but these we trust are
passing away. The feeling is, we must
revive our Seminary and on a broader
and more liberal foundation than ever.
making 1T the equal of any in the land
the Church cannot prosper without it, as
co-labofer with its noble sister in Vir
ginia; there may have been mistakes in
the past, but there can be no mistake in
now regarding it as our great duty to
rally around this Seminary, in the effort
to make it more than ever, under Gods
blessing, powerful and Trustworthy
agency, in furnishing to the Church and
the world an adequate number of schol-
arly, orthodox, and consecrated ministers
of the gospel. 1t is the desire to have
this feeling and purpose general, that
prompts US to issue this address. We
have no greater interest in the cause than
you have; but we place these encourag-
ing statements before you, with the hope
of developing that interest more fully,
and to invite and urge your heartiest CO.
operation in the effort now in progress
and on which God seems to bestoW his
smile. Let us all unite in faithful and
generous cooperation with the Board of
Directors in securing an ample endow-
ment OF all the chairs, so that we NAV be
able to command the best talent in the
Church, and leave no excuse for any of
our candidates to go out of our bounds