The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-22

Charles c. Pinckney and the Rev. James
VI. Cofer. DR.. Pinckney has spent nearly
his whole ministry of sixty-two years
in one parish, and is now the Rector
Emeritus. The Rev. James NJ. COfer has
Ter many years retired from the active
ministry, and is living IN southern Nir-
ginia.
When he came 10 the Seminary It was
embosomed deep in lofty woods which
stretched nearly all the way from Alex
andria, with paths and roads through
them. II was no wonder that, twenty
years after, Phillips Brooks lost his way
in coming out to the Seminary for the
road seemed to end at no place.
The origin of the Theological Seminary
Of Virginia is matter Of deep interest.
While we can trace out its first begin
nings, and name with honor those whose
Efforts gave It, "a local habitatiOn and 4
name yet in a peculiar sense il j. the
child of God. His spirit worked Il the
minds Of good men in Virginia and Mary
land, inspiring them with love for the
souls perishing for the bread of life, and
with zeal for the sending forth Of true
ministers Of the Word.
This Seminary is in idea and IN actual
attempt the oldest in the Episcopal
Church in this ciuntry. We cannot say
OF 1t that. like Jonahs gourd. it came up
in a night Several years elapsed before
its idea took definite form. Those who
were earnest In reviving the Church Ia
Virginia saw clearly that the great need
was a supply OF well-trained ministers.
The Diocese deserves the credit Of being
the first in this country to take steps
TO pro vide for the education OF its cam
didates for orders.
The founding Of diocesan Seminary
bishops wrote Bishop Moore that such
plan would mar the unity and peace 81
our Church, and urged him 10 patronize
the General Seminary, then at New
Haven. The legacy of Mr.. Kohne 10 a
seminary in New York brought out a
pamphlet from Bishop Hobart in favor
Of diocesan seminaries. and this form Of
opposition ceased. The General Seminary
was transferred to New York on terms
which secured its chief control by that
Diocese.
In 1920 DR.. Wilmer, in his report from
the Committee on the State of the Church
recommended the appointment of a
Clerical Professor at William and Mary
College, and Rev. Mr.. Keith was chosen.
In 1871 Or. Wilmer. from the same com
mittee. recommended "the establishment
OF tnIclolicdi school I'm Williamsburg,
and that a beard of trustees be appoint
ed TO select one or more professors. and
TO raise funds for that object and Il
correspond with tho Standing Committees
of Maryland and North Caroline TO ascer-
tain II they are disposed TO cooperate
with us" &C. In 1922 DR.. Wilmer re-
ports that ten thousand dollars had been
raised. IL Is expressly stated that this
action is from no opposition 10 the Cen
eral Seminary founded by the General
Convention. but because peculiar circum-
stances made seminary in the south
necessary. That same year the Conven-
ton Of Maryland resolved TO establish
theological seminary. the trustees OF
which elected DR. Wilmer president, bat
the strong hand Of Bishop Kemp crushed
it, Tho school did not succeed at VIII
Harrisburg. having only one student: 50
il was removed after a year 70 Aiexan-
dra, where II met the wishes OF he
Maryland brethren, and received the
funds intended for their proposed school
Of the prophets" Dr. Wilmer had al
ways felt the need OF such a school. aud
IL had been ever his chief thought. The
early records Of the Seminary, in his
handwriting, show his love and work
for its foundation. lie was man CT
deepest piety, OF great knowledge OF hh-
man nature, OF host winning personality,
ana most able preacher. lis brothc!s.
Simon and Lemuel, were also devoted
ministers in Maryland, and his two SONS
are now living and work. Is the ere
Bishop Wilmer, of Alabama: the oti"r.
Rev. Dr. George +. Wilmer. II chather,,
Virginia. Or. Wilmer and Bisnop Nea e
deserve to be called the founders OF he
Seminary of Virginia.
DIR. Wilmer, with the Vestry's permits
sion. had built a school-room IN ST.
Paul's church-yard. and John Thomas
Wheat a student of divinity under him
'Among the laymen who helped to es-
tablish this Seminary stand high the
names OF DR.. Henderson, OF Georgetown.
in whose house the meeting was held
which hxed on Alexandria; Francis $.
Key and. after its organization. Mr.
John Nelson. OF Virginia, who collected
by his efforts . considerable sum Of
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