The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-12
ERSKINB COLLEGE.
SHALL IT BE TORN FROM ITS FoUNDA-
TI0Ns.?
The Effort to Take From us the In.
stftuttOn Of which we are so Proud.
Associate REFORMED Presbuterio,,.

associate Reformed Pres6yterian
The startling proposition is now before the
Synod 10 remove Erskine College from Due
West to some other point IN the First Presby-
terry. The movement. though quite recent
has taken definite shape and Is being vtgor-
ously prosecuted. We involuntarily ask our
selves, Why remove the College? What is
the reason Tor the change. change 80 far
reaching in its consequence, and encompass
ed with SO many doubtful and perilous COM
p!ications? Has not Due West been loyal to
the Church. Has she not labored faithfully
In season and out Of season for every enter
prise that looked TO the advancement of our
Zion@ If did not wear the appearance OF
commencing ourselves we could furnish
abundant proof of this. The details could be
given, and in this we would have very high.
authority. 1t was an apostle who said 'See
Ing that many glory after the flesh, will
Has not Due West done her duty in the
present call that has been made for a new
college building? Here Is a little community
$500 for this purpose. This means real self.
denial 10 some of the Contributors. II means
giving up OF some real comfort. Who will
say that Due West has forfeited her privileges
Then, again, We challenge comparison in
the feature Of the moral and religious atnos-
phere which surrounds the youth who attend
the College here The testimony Of this sub
ject OF the Alumni who have gone out from
M Is all one way and ismost gratifying. They
declare, with one voice, that these influences
are not only most wholesome but that they
are rare This Is a consideration OF the high
Est importance. it is not buildings grounds
that make College; II Is not q growing and
progressive city that Offers the most suitable
place for educational work. There are con-
nal equipment and prosperous busi ess sur.
roundiurs. II Due West lack some OF the
latter, Is there not abundant compensationin
the former, with which sheis so favored. Put
the question to the anxious father, which of
these two he would choose, as be ia about TO
say good bye' to his boy leaving for college.
'Wonld he hesitate for y momente We verify
temptation rs Due West. .....-
We have said that bricks and mortar do not
make college. Its life consists largely In It's
history and It's traditions. Its hope ior the
future IS, In measure, its glory In the past
This history and these traditions are insepa-
rably associated with the location. There is
not an aiumnus Of Erskine who will not
promptly say tnat Erskine College will not be
TO him his Alma Mater outside OF Due West.
That is not putting 1t too strongly Is it said
"Pshaw. that is all sentiment" We grant it.,
cheerfully grant IL: but 1t is just such senti-
meut as makes true nobility Of character. It
is just such sentiment as forms the highest
type Of manhood. To despise II, is to play.
the part Of The prodigal; to crush 1t out, Is to
surrender hopeessly to the lower propensi-
ties OF our nature ....
10 our mind, this proposed removal OF
Erskine College Is one Of the gravest, most Sc
rious questions that has come before our
tion. 1t is maIy-sided, and Invites large dis
cussion. 1tis too serious q movement to be
acted on hastily. Turn and twist in as we
will, II Is revolutionary.
Larger denominations can survive division
and disSension.' They can suffer loss and
live. To us, division Is death. We hope the
Board at It's meeting in Chester on the 10th
Of December, charged as II is with so greatand
grave a responsibility, will not move step
In this matter unless the way Is perfectly
clear, and by unanimous consent. So small
oody az 1iteen men, acting for the whole
cal a measure unless by the vote Of the whole
number. The church will await the action OF
the Board, not without deep anxiety and con-