Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-04


| A meeting that may have very important re-
| suits held last night ut the residence Of ex-
| Senator Conger, 1921 NJ street For some time
the question has been agitated in the Lutheran
| church OF removing the theological seminary
now located at Gettysburg. Pa, to some large
city. Baltimore and Washington being promi-
nently mentioned The gathering last night at
| the residence of Mr Conger was in the interest
| of Washington There were present of the
Lutheran churches in this city Revs. j. G. But
Ter. C. II Butler, W X. Butler, NJ. D., s.
DOmer, W E. Farson, d Ramey, A Homrig-
haus, W. ii Gotwald. G. II. Slaybaugh, Geo.
Ryneal. jr.. A. + Fox. Hon o. d. Conger, with
Rev. DR. V. l.. Conrad. editor Of the Lutheran
Obs.rCe1, Philadelphia, and Rev. DR.. Scholl Of
Baltimore. secretary of the committee of the
seminary on the subject of removal
The object of the meeting stated by Mr.
Conger. who was called to the chair. to be to
secure a local organization that would be able
TO induce the Gettysburg board of directors to
remove to Washington.
WHY WASHINGTON SHOULD BE CHOSEN.
Dr. J. q. Butler presented paper on semi
nary removal. After stating that the board of
directors lad already decided that the removal
of the theological seminary at Gettysburg to
some city is desirable, he set forth reasons why
the many advantages that would result from
such step to the Luthern church. to the stu
dents coming here and to Professionalism In gem
cral. This chief theological school OF the gen.
eral synod of the Luthern church would be
nationaliZed by coming to the capital city
Washington Is already an educational center
and is constantly expanding in This direction,
and has need of first-class theological school
With its scrirtural evangelical and catholic
basis, the Gettysburg Seminary removed to
Y a. -
commend itself to the support of oil Christians
and would attract students from all the denom-
nations and from all parts of the country, to
whom its doors are now open with tuition
free.
Removal to Washington. he claimed would
be step toward unifylng the lutheran church,
the parent stock Of Protestant Christianity.
The people of the whole country turn to the
capital city with pride. Sectional divisions in
church and state must taGe away and states
mansLip, civil and ecclesiastical, must labor
for such a realization. This theological school
would be a common center and help i'll form
ing common bond. Moreover. il would foster
the spirit OF closer church union now filling
the air
Seminary removal means also enlargement
OF faculty, endowment ard the number of stu
dents Many opportunities for self-help here
present themselves to students. Washington
Itself, with Its representative people. its great
libraries, scientific departments. museums and
SaIutIls, Is university, iufHlsLiU1 une4ualeU
taclil.ics free Of cost.
The paper farther considered removal as
wholly feasible. The sale OF the presen. semi
nary buildings and grounds in the historic
town of Gettysburg. around which so many
hallowed memories cluster, to the state of
Pennsylvania or to the general government, as
memorial center. would more than con pen
safe for any loss incurred by removal
To accomplish This object, SO desirable to the
citizens of Washington. well as for the best
interests of this tlme-h 0uOrad theological
school. the paper suggested seve, al measures.
As result a committee was app ointed.
The QUESTION OF SITE.
Mr.. Conger then recited the success he had
experienced in securing from several syndi-
Gates the tender of suburban sites for the semi
nary. Two or three valuable tracts had been
offered on the lines of railways now in opera
ton or TO be opened In the coming spring. A
general canvass had and there was una
nlmity as to the desirability of the institution
having its seat in the capital. The only differ
ence OF opinion expressed was as to whether the
locations were not too far from the central part
OF the city to give tine benefits claimed Tor u
large CITY, working committee of seven was
appointed. to whom the whole subject OF re-
mOyal Was committed, with authority to act, to
solicit sites, contributions and other aid. and in
every way further the project of establishing
the oldest theological school of the church in
this city.
The committee was composed Of Revs DR..
Domer, Butler, Parson and Messrs. Conger,
Fox, kamey and Ryneal