Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1890-03-29
HOLLAND SEMINARY
a Strong Plea for It's Location IL
Tnls CITY.
4 NEEDED THEOLOGICAL BSTITUIE
A Call far Cooperation fron kOgiish
sPsskiog People Hsrs-A short Sy-
nopsls Of What HAs Already
been Accom- piishsd.

To the Editor of the TElsezAN-HEzALD.
The Holland people are very well
represented IN the good land OF Uaele
sam, IN the state Of Michigan, and
probably mostnumeTous. in Grand Rap
ids, ia which city alone our church has
seven congregations, and il e said that
the eighth VII soon be established IL
Oakdale Park.
The purpose, however, Is not 70 make
any mention of the church, but We are
about TO speak concerning oufIheOlogl-
cal Seminary, the object OF which is 10
foster preachers Tor our congregations
IN the several states.
The seminary Vas commenced IN the
year 1916, with only one teacher, Rev.
q. +. Boer, and five students.
The Lord has blessed us. The num-
OF the students enlarged, and the
branches taught were increased. The
school needed Il second teacher, and
Rev. G.. Hemkes came III loei. More
students came and more branches were
taught, until IL became necessary 10 get
a thlrd teacher. The Fourth Holland
Church congregation, on Lagrave-st.,
allowed Rev. Jonn Baum 10 assist IN
English branches N 1857. DR.. q. Nos
was added in 1883.
The students are taught in theology
according TO the doctrines of John
Calvin. They nave a general course OF
seven years, four IN the literary ana
three IN the theological department.
Al present there are thirty-iour stud
ents, and the time, 1t may be, is not Tar
distant when there will be fifty.
At first, IN all branches the teaching
was given only IN the Holland IAN
Cuage, but because we would like TO
make use of the language OF this coun-
try, for conversation and for preach
ing English IN circumstances
when necessary, Instructions are
not only gwen IN the English grammar
and literature, but several literary and
theological branches are conducted IN
the English language also.
Because our people were very poor IN
the beginning and partially poor yet,
the school therefor, does not vet own
building. 1t makes free use, however,
of a building on Wlllams-st., belonging
to the congregation Of Spring-st. But
whereas. the rooms of that school-house
are small and not sufficiently adapted
to our needs, a new building for the
college was proposed better adapted 10
Is present needs. Our synod, TO be
held at Grand Rapids June next, will
decide the location oil our seminary.
The congregations n this city and en-
virons. of course. would like to have
that building at Grand Rapids, because
this city does much for education and
civilization. The students have advan-
tages and could have more profit from
the city library. Suitable places Tor
that building have already been pointed
out in this city.
The ground suitable for such school
house is high in price, and then
establishment on that ground will cost
quite a sum. Our Congregations in
this city, therefore, have already exert
ed and will yet exert their financial
powers to do all they can to help the
church, provided the synod decides 10
have the college here, and il our
wealthy English speaking friends, in re-
Egion. scienceand civilizatiOn, would aid
us little, such assistance would awaken
hearty thanks, and could be profitable
for the progress of our good city of
Grand Rapids. HoLLANDERs.