Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-25
TIE EPIsCOPAL sEEINARY.
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AIexssdris.

"A. M. Randolph, assistant bishop
Of Virginia; John b. Newton, rector
of Monumental church Of Richmond
Frank Stringfellow, evangelist for the
diocese, and Thomas Potts. treasurer
for the committee" have issued q cir
cular saying among other things:
The undersigned were appointed by
the last Convention Of the Diocese OF
Virginia a committee TO devise and TO
put in operation plans for raising el00,-
600 for the Theological Seminary Of
Virginia.
For many years past its friends in
Virginia and throughout the country
have been aware Of its pressing needs,
and from time to time have consulted
as to the best methods Of bringing these
needs to the attention Of the laity and
the clergy Of our Church. These efforts
have eliminated in the resolution Of the
Council Of Virginia, at its last meeting,
and in a similar resolution Of the alum
nj, represented by q committee COM
posed Of DR.. Brooks Of Boston, Bishop
Potter Of New York, Drs. Grammer
and Williams of Baltimore, and others
Of like prominence, to raise 100000.
The objects in connection with the Sem
mary to which it is proposed to apply
this sum are as follows:
First, to enlarge the endowment so
as to adequately support our present
professors and to put us in position
TO secure the best talent and learning
and piety of the Church for our teach
ers in the future; and then if it is
thought best by the authorities to Gre
ate new chair, embracing the special
subjects of the relations of Scripture to
natural history and to physical and
metaphysical science. and also the study
Of literature and elocution in their APP
plications to the work of the ministry.
This is our first object.
The second is to erect new library
building. This we regard as pressing
need. The present building is far too
small to accommodate the books already
there. In its construction it is poorly
adapted to its purpose. We have rea-
son to believe that its defects as a
library building have thwarted the gem
erous purpose Of friends TO give or be-
queath valuable collections Of books.
For theological seminary, whose one
purpose is to teach the Interpretation
of the Bible. which receives light and
exposition from every branch of ltera-
ture and from every field Of human
thought, library and proper library
accommodations are indispensable.
As a third object, it is hoped that out
of this fund We may be able to create a
foundation for lectureShips upon special
topics in connection with theological
study, such as have been found most
stimulating and helpful in other theolo-
gical institutions.
Already one generous clergyman of
our Church, in the city Of Philadelphia,
has contributed $4,000 to this fund.
After We have done our best in Vir-
ginia we will ask the Church and our
alumni in other dioceses to stand by US
and to help us. The seminary is theirs
as well as ours. No seminary can be
diocesan in its influences. For truth
or error, for good or for evil, it tells di-
rectly 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.