The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-29
KANDoLpH-MACON COLLEGE.
n New System of Auxiliary Institutions
tho Femnle College.

n New System OF Auxiliary Institutions
the Female College.
Immediately after the close of tho
Revolutionary war Bishop Asbury, the
"Pioneer Bishop" and prime mover in
all work of the Methodist Church in
America, set on foot plans to establish
schools under the patronage of the
church. State schools were then I'M
known. The first school he founded was
"Ebenczer Academy" in brunswick
county. about the year 1883 or 81. The
house is still standing, but has long
ceased to be n school HIS efforts were
attended with repeated failures, chiefly
because the people did not favor educa-
ton of high grade. After his day other
church schools were started, but lacking
endowment they all went down after
years of struggle. Randolph Macon was
chartered February 3, 1880. and it's
charter is the oldest now held by apy
Methodist school in America.
1t was located in Mecklenburg county
near the line dividing Virginia and
North Carolina, having been the Joint
property of the Church in these States.
Afterwards North Carolina Metho-
dists built a school of their own. The
results of the war and the location of
railway lines made their first location
inconvenient to the patronizing terri
tory, composed of Virginia, Maryland.
West Virginia and North Carolina, ad-
jacent to Norfolk, and hence the col.
lege was removed to Ashland, 16 miles
north of Richmond, making it accessi-
bic to all the territory containing the
bulk of its patrons.
Oh
noble work for the Church and State.
In the last five years it's endowment
has been increased by 500, 600. Its
corps of professors has been doubled
and embraces n body of earnest and
able men. Its buildings have also been
increased. and its facilities, in the way
of apparatus, ETC., much enlarged
1t aims to be first-class college-not
university, with courses of instruc ton
particularly adapted to training young
men in habits of study and fitting them
for the active duties of life. Its success
has been gratifying to it's friends and
has been the theme Of praise to patrons
OF all names and denominations.
President William W. Smith, who has
been at the head for five years past and
probably done more for liberal educa-
ton than any man who ever lived in
Virginia, has worked early and late to
make it what it is. But not satisfied
with having Finishing school," he
lnaugurated in 1859 training school"
on scale never before attempted in
the South and in 1890 this school was
opened at bedford City. This school
has all the advantages that can be pro-
vidt
Its study room is provided with
single desks of the most approved kind,
where all the studying Is done under
the eye OF the teacher. No more than
fifteen recite in class, so that every
pupil comes under the direct attention
of the teacher. The building is sup
piled with water on every floor, is
lighted throughout by electric lights
and ventilated and heated in winter by
modern appliances; also with electric
bells, by which teachers communicate
with each other from study hall to
recitation rooms. a gymnasium, with
director and full equipments. is at
hand to furnish means of securing
manly vigor, besides a large playroom
in the basement for recreation in wet
weather.
All the boardcrs are under the care
and oversight of Il skillful physician,
whose advice and attention are availa-
PIE AT all tlmcS.
AS to its location-none could he more
cilgiblc.and all who pass by it. to and fro,
via the Norfolk and Western railroad
Will recollect it, for tho famous Peaks
OF Otter afford its back ground.
Its success for the first year was re-
markablc. 1t registered students from
eight States and one from England
lbs in all.
nltrOnS nj M,
thnsiastic in commentator of it on ac-
count of the marked progress of their
sons and wards, as the circular issued
will show. The corps of instructors
will be, if possible, more complete the
coming year, and President Smith will
not rest satisfied till perfection, as far
that can be secured, is attained. With
enlarged building the school is prepared
to accommodate $50 pupils as hoarders
and the prospect is good for demands
exceeding this figure.
Randolph Macon College, with Ran
dolph- Macon Academies at bedford
City and Front Royal, IS the property of
the Virginia and Baltimore Conferences
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. President Smith, OF these in
situations, rcr nscnts new idea in
this country the management OF
educational -. atoms.
Randolp -,avon College is one of the
Oldest o. >lrginia's institutions and
holds en- honorcd position amcng the
colleges of the South. 1t has kept up
with the times, and President Smith,
who is a strong believer of denomina-
iional colleges, realized the necessity Of
iirst-class preparatory high schools as
auXiliarics for the college
With this idea he set about establish
ing Randolph Macon Academy. Success
crowned his determined efforts in spite
OF obstacles. Within one year the hand
soonest and most complete preparatory