The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-06
ErSkine College.

The Press and Banner had something to say
last week Of the action of the Associate Re
formed Synod in cutting Erskine College
loose from the great public and limiting its
honors and its favors to a few of their own
number who may be within the sacred pre-
cincts Of the purple.
The fact that the usefulness of the College
is being circumscribed and the ardor OF its
natural born friends is being cooled should
not be forgotten, and will not be forgotten.
A more unwisc or 4 more impolitic course
could not have been pursued than that of cut
ting off the hosts of friendS-who have IN
times of need proven their friendship-:rom
all participation in its honorS and its glorles.
Ordinarily the great public have very little
concern about denominational College. In
difference to the welfare or action OF the man.
ayers OF such institutions arises from the fact
that the public generally puts no money into
them. But with Erskine College the fact is
different.
There never has been time when Erskine
College has needed money that the outside
world has not been called upon for help.
Whether 1t was fifty years ago to put up the
first College building, or whether IL was forty
years ago to erect Lindsay Hall, or whether ii
was thirty-fve years ago to raise an endow-
ment fund. or whether 1t was after the war to
raise fund to pay the professors, or whether
1t was to re-endow the College with money
lost by the war, or whether it was to raise
money with which to erect the magnificent
building which is now going up, the public in
each and every instance has been called upon
for aid, and the public has never refused n
helping hand.
The draft on the public has been so regular
that the public had gotten TO regard the Col
lege as our College, and the people had begun
to feel personal pride in the institution.
But when the fact dawns upon them that all
outsiders are ignored; when the public re-
ceives little or no recognition on either the
Faculty or the Board OF Trustees. and further,
that all its places of honor or profit are con-
fined almost exclusively to the members OF
one or more favored families, there arises a
sentiment which may be truthfully likened
to a feeling Of displeasure or discomfort.
When people are thus left it is exceedingly
hard for them to think that they have been
treated right.
AS friend of Erskine College, and as an
outsider. the Press and Banner in behalf OF
an aggrieved public, calls upon the Associate
Reformed Synod to correct it's own error. or
else to pronounce in plain and unmstakable
language It's independence and disregard for
the friendship, rights and feelings of the pub
lie which has so often shown substantial evil
dences OF good will to the College.
AS an evidence that the act OF Synod in cut
ting off from the Board of Trustees its life
long friends, and refusing any recognition OF
the public, We would cite the fact that many
prominent Associate Reformed Presbyterians
have spoken to US In reference TO our article
last week, and with q single exception, all
have endorsed our article with more or less
earnestness.
We take the liberty of copying an extract
OF a letter on the subject:
Mr. Hugh Wilson.
My dear friend-I have read your comments
in this week Press and Banner on some Of
the errors into which the \. r. Z. Synod has
fallen with reference TO the conduct OF Frs
kline College.
You have timely warned the people of er-
rors and mistakes that have been committed
in the past. and exist at present.
Your views are correct, and the situation, as
you describe II, deserves the gravest consd-
Grafton of those who have the welfare OF the
college st heart
Your views on the matterare OF the high
est Importance for this, OF manv other rea-
sons viz. that you are an 'outSider' and cam
not, therefore. be prompted TO speak OF these
things from other than the kindlIest interest
in the institution and her welfare.
You have the people with you in this mat
ter.
hope to see more on the subject from you,
and hope the Due West Presbyterian will
publish your article.
l may beg space from you to say few
words on the subject, perhaps next week.
You have earned the thanks OF every man
everywhere who dsapprovcs of ringiSm in
church and college atfuir.
1 personally thank you for the excellent
opinions expressed. They are as true as they
are timely.