The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-03-23
Tho Revival Of the Seminary at Co.
iumbia.
COIIrNIRIA March q

The Rev. William E. Boggs. d. d.,
who has recently been elected Professor
Of Church History and Church Govern
ment in the Columbia PRESBYTERIAN
Theological Seminary, is the son of a
minister of the Presbyterian Church who
served as q missionOry to India MANY
years ago. i wes during the residence
of tie elder Mr.. Boggs in the far distant
East that tho subject of this sketch was
born. He is about forty-four years of
age. and is considered one of the ablest
and most promising clergymen of the
Southern Presbyterian Church, which
comprises SO large and influential body
of Christian people.
DIR. Boggs was educated in the South
Carolina College, and was graduated
from that institution in 1859 with the sec.
ond honors of his class. After compet.
ing his literary studies he entered the
theological Seminary in this city and
finished the divinity course in 1862. In
the same year, at Salem (brick) church,
In Sumter County, he was regularly IL.
censed to preach, and shortly afterwards
was appointed chaplain to the Sixth
Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers,
IN which capacity he served throughout
the war, enjoying the respect and love Of
his comrades in arms and sharing all the
dangers and privations of army life with
| uncomplaining fortitude and patriotic de-
yotion
After the close of the war he was elect.
ed pastor Of the Presbyterian Church in
| Winnsboro'. and continued to serve this
congregation for several years, when he
was elected to the pastoral charge of the
Church in Columbia. In 1871 he re.
ceived an urgent and unanimous call
from the Second Presbyterian Church in
Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained
until tho close of 1879, when he removed
to Atlanta, where he has since minister.
ed to the Central Church in the Gate
City.
During the great yellow fever epidem.
les in Memphis DIR. Boggs rendered most
faithful services to those who were
stricken down by the fearful plague, and
with the same upfaltering courage aud
fidelity to duty which has characterized
his conduct in every dangerous and try
ing emergency, stood steadfastly at his
post, and, regardless Of all personal con.
sderations, exemplifed the truthfulness
and charity Of the faith he professed.
Since his removal to Atlanta DIR.
Boggs has infused new light into the
Central Church and accomplished a
great work. He is clear and methodical
in all his efforts, fully abreast of the
times, intensely practical and energetic
and possesses ability of the first order.
He is very attractive preacher, has a
happy command of language, and in his
pulpit ministrations is at times thrilling.
He is considered one of the strongest men
in the S,u.nern Presbyterian Church,
and it is claimed that he will make q
fine teacher inasmuch as he will he able
to enkindle in the minds Of his pupils q
genuine enthusiasm by clear, methodi
cal and earnest presentation Of q
SUBJECT, even though it may be most
abstruse.
In addition to his professional learning
and theological skill DR.. Boggs possesses
admirable literary taste and culture.
He is we'll yersed on all controversial
questions Of the day, and has not suffered
the claims of scholarship or parochial
cares to completely sever him from the
concerns Of ordinary life. His devotion
to the South is conspicuous, and tho
readers Of the Me,ns end Courier wi!! re-
member his ringing rejoinder to Mr..
Edward Atkinson's unjust aspersions of
the South rs contained in n magazine
article published last fall. His address
last summer before the survivors of the
Old Sixth was masterpiece Of rich and
entertaining eloquence.
DR.. Bogg's election as n professor in
the Theological Seminary will give
strength to the institution, and meets
the hearty approval of all who are inter.
ested in its prosperity.
After suspension Of several years,
THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
will resume its operations on the 14th OF
next September with unusually encour-
aging prospects. This institution was
established i'll 1881, and has graduated
900 ministers who have generally occu
pied influential positions in society and
rendered excelen. services to the church
Among the many prominent men now
living who received their theological
training in this ''school of the prophets, >
may be mentioned the Rev. j. Leighton
Wilson, ID. d., of Baltimore, the Rev. II
ID. Withcrspoon, d. d., of Petersburg
Va, the Rev. G. r. Bracket, d. D., oI
Charleston, and the Rev. Drs. Grardeau
Axson, Buttolph, Hoyt and Palmer
whose names aro known throughout the
land.
The Seminary is under the care of the
, Synods of South Carolina, Georgia and
Alabama. Before the war it had an en-
dowment fund of 100000 large part O
, which was lost by the result Of the war
So greatly reduced were the finance.
: of the institution that the board O
. directors felt warranted about two wears
, ago in closing its doors. An agent, tn;
Rev. j. b. Mack, D. d., was sent OH
/ among the churches to raise funds ane
| has succeeded beyond the most sangun,
expectations. In response to his appeal
the funds of the Seminary have been in
creased from 1000 to 10000, and since
the first Of January of the present yea
$500 has been added to the endowmen
1t is the purpose of the church to still
| further increase the fund until it amount
{ to 100000, and the generous response
| which have been made from all quarter
OF the South encourage the hope that tn
full amount desired can be raised.
During the last year the fund for III
. aid of students has increased from $l4,
). 600 10 $4,000 and the Smyth Librar,
. fund from $1,000 to $500. The Presby
terian churches of Charleston contribu
! ted literally to the necessities of tn
a Seminary, their subscriptions alon
n amounting to $4,000.
: The Seminary has q fine library. con
q tanning 2l 900 volumes, and it owns on
q Of the most valuable pieces of propert
g in this city. The lot on which the Sem
!. mary buildings are erected lies directl
t opposite tho old Presbyterian mansion O
Blanding street, and contains four acre.
!, On these grounds there are two brio
: buildings containing twenty four larg
d and we'll ventilated rooms for dormitor
# purposes, another brick building cor
tHtr he II