Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-13

first drew all the older students AVA
and then put a stop to its exercises fO
about two years. At its close the en-
dowment fund was sadly broken up
its Libraries and apparatus mutlated by
soldiers and camp-followers, and it,
halls filled with dust and cobwebs.
So great was the desolation and i'm
poyerishment Of the people that mucl
hesitation was felt by the Board in max.
ing a new departure, especiallv as du-
ring the war the railroad to GAINESVILLE
had been destroyed, thus throwing the
college over twenty-five miles from any
railway. However, in 1867 the insti-
tuition was TeOpeHed with new presi-
dent--COlOnel Thomas c. Johnson
Ii. Smith having resigned and taken the
presidency of Central College, Missouri.
This effort was not successful for many
reasons. and the alternative seemed to
be forced on the Board to let the college
90 down or take steps to change its To-
cation aud place it where it would be
accessible and central to those who
were disposed to patronize i. This
was more important from the fact that
the Baltimore Conference had divided.
and that part adhering to the Methodist
Episcopal Church South had become a
patronizing Conference of the college.
At a meeting OF the Board Of Trus-
tees held June, 1868, the removal
was ordered. Ashland, Hanover
county. was fixed upon as the
new location. At this village build
ings and a campus were bought,
which was put in order for professors
and students, and in September, 1868,
the institution made lis new departure
under the new Board Of Instruction.
with the late Rev. James A. Duncan,
d. d., president. With such an able
ard popular president, and a faculty
composed mainly Of young and rising
scholars, shoit period only was re-
quired to regain its former numbers,
which increased till the patronage en-
ceeded anything known in its history.
In 1917 the eminent president was
taken away by death, and several Of
those associated with him were soon
alterward elected TO various universities.
DR.. ". ". Bennett was elected to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the death of
Lr. Duncan in November. 1917. and
has continued Its president TILL the pre-
sent time. During his presidency all
The old wooden buildings first used have
iemo'ed, SO that not one is left. In
their places. besides the literary halls
previously built during DR.. Ddncan's
life. new and well-arranged halls, lee
'ure-Iooms. and chapel have been built.
and also rev dormtories for students.
\ more beautiful campus can hardly
lie found anywhere than this. I'M
pro'ements are still going ON, and will
90 on, till all will satisfy the most fas-
tidiouS taste.
AT the last meeting Of the Board of
Trustees Professor W. W. Smith was
authorized to make an effort to increase
the centennial endowment fund. BEGUN |
last year. This he proceeded promptly |
to Go. In Lynchburg he secured |
$4,000 to endow the " English Profess |
sorship." In Danville he secured |
j.eOO, with interest in advance. and |
at other points several thousand more. |
lie feels confident Of making it up TO |
SloO, goo, which, with the endowment |
now enjoyed, will make this college one
OF the best endowed denominational
colleges in Virginia. Its best endow-
mtrt, however, is the love which the
people in Virginia, North Carolina. and
Maryland bear towards it. An insti.
tuition hallowed by the association with
1t OF such men as Stephen DIN, Hezekiah
L. Leigh John Early, W. A. Smith. Hen
ny d. CowleS, d. S. Doggett, Darcy
Paul, James A. Duncan, ard other
men who devoted their best energies to
It's welfare. cannot lose its hold on the
living till they have ceased to revere
The examples left behind by these de-
parted worthless.
1t would be inyidious, perhaps. TO
name some when space would not allow
mention Of all the prominent men who
nave been educated at this institution.
N the Church they have become bish-
BPS, pastors in city and country. mis-
lonaries to the heather on this CONT
lent and others. They may be found
all the southern States and all the
lew western States doing faithful work.
iany Of the highest universities and
olleges have them.
Randolph-MacOn College, though de.
om'ndtionai, in that it is supported
nd patronized mainly by one Church,
nevertheless is not sectarian in its
curse Of study. Many young men of
Their churches have matriculated there
no could testify that it is conducted
oerally, and no PROSECUTING influences
70 used on students belonging to hmi- I
ss connected with other churches. Il Ii
pes, however, seek to combine reli-
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