Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-01-26
The Theological Seminary.

Assistant BlSnOp A. NJ. hanuOipu, JONI
B. Newton, rector Of Monumental Church
of Richmond Frank Stringiellow, eVange'
list for the diocese, and Thomas Potts,
treasurer for The committee, have issued a
circular saying among other things:
"The undersigned were appointed by the
last convention of the Diocese of Virginia u
committee to devise and 10 put in operation
plans for raising 100000 for the Theolog-
iral Seminary of Virginia.
"For many years past its friends in Vir
GINA and throughout the country have been
aware of it's pressing needs, aud from time
to time have consulted as to the best
methods of bringing these needs to the at.
tention of the laity and the clergy of our
church. These efforts have eliminated III
the resolution of the Council of Virginia, at
its last meeting, and in a similar resolution
of the alumni, represented by committee
composed of DR.. Brooks, of Boston Bishop
Potter, of New York; Drs Grammer and
Williams, of Baltimore, aud Others Of like
prominence, to raise 100000. The objects
in connection with the Seminary TO which
it is proposed to apply this sum are as
follows:
First, to enlarge the endowment so as
to adequately support our present profess
sors ard to put us in q position TO secure
the best talent and learning and pie;y of
the Church for our teachers in the future :;
and then if it is thought hest by the author
tiles To create new chair, embracing the
srecial subjects Of the relations of Scripture
10 natural history aud to physical and met
aphysical science, and also the study Of lit
erature and elocutiou in their applications
to The work of the ministry. This is our
first object.
The second is to erect new library
building. This we regard as a pressing
ueed The present building is far too small
to accommodate the books already there.
III its construction it is poorly adapted TO
its purpose. We have reasons to believe
that its defects as library building have
thwarted the generous purpose of friends to
give or bequenth valuable collections of
books. For theological seminary, whose
one purpose is to teach the Interpretation
Of the Bible, which receives light and expo.
sition from every branch of literature and
from every field of human thought, n libra
~ and proper library accomm odations are
indispensable.
"As a third object, it is hoped that out
of this fund we may lie able TO create
foundation for lectureships upon special
topics in connection with theological study,
such as have been found most stimulating
and helpful in other theological institu-
tons.
ALREADY one generous clergyman Of our
Church, in the city of Philadelphia, has con-
trbuleh s., 600 to this fund. After we have
done our best in Virginia we will ask the
Church and our alumni in other dioceses To
stand by us and to help us. The seminary
is theirs as we'll as ours. No seminary can
be diocesan in its influences For truth or
error, for good or for evil, it tells directly
upon the Church at large. We educate our
candidates for holy orders. We clothe them
with the full authority of ministers of the
Gospel, and then they belong to no diocese,
to no section of the country, but to the
whole Church"