The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-12-08
STRUCTURE
DEDICATED
New Administration Building at
Drew Seminary Opened.

Names Not Revealed or the Two
New York Men Who Gave 500,
600 With Which the Building
Was Erected-Many Prominent
Methodists and EducatorsPre-
sent-Interestine Exercises.
A notable occasion in the history of
Drew Theological Seminary took
place on Tuesday. Last spring
ground was broken for the erection of
a beautiful Administration Building.
So great had been the increase of the
number of students that the classrooms
in the old Mead Hall became entirely
inadequate to accommodate them.
Through the generosity of two New
York gentlemen whose names are
Withheld, the cost of the building 800, :
600, was in the hands of President Buttz
before the work was begun. The new
bnilding is admirably adapted to the
needs of the seminary, each professor
having his own class room and private
room adjoining. The chapel is one of
the most beautiful audience rooms in
the county, and will greatly add to
the dignity and efficiency of the work
at Drew. The exercises of the day
began at 10. 80 a. m. with a selection
by the Drew Quartette Nearer My
God to Thee" followed by brief
address by President Buttz, in which
he introduced Bishop Andrews, who
took charge of the dedicatory exer-
cises. After the singing Of hymn,
DR.. Longacre, of New York, led in
prayer. The quartette sang LEAD
Kindly Light" followed by the read
ing of responsive psalm led by DR..
Eaton, the second lesson being read by
Bishop Andrews. After the singing
of hymn, Bishop Andews preached
the dedicatory sermon from l Cor.
1873, the final hymn being announced
by Bishop Fowler. The faculty and
trustees being called to the chancel,
the building was then presented by
DR.. Buttz as the gift of unknown
donors and the chapel was dedicated
to the worship of Almighty God and
the whole building to His work ac-
cording to the form adopted by the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
A very dainty lunch had been pro-
vided, Mr.. Day of Morristown being
the caterer, and DIR. Buttz on behalf
of the faculty invited all the guests
to adjoin to Mead Hall where the
luncheon was partaken of.
In the afternoon, the exercises began
with a short address by DR.. Buttz fol-
lowed by prayer by Bishop Bowman.
The first speaker, Bishop Hurst, was
then introduced and spoke in clear
and forceful way on the influence of
higher criticism, on it's relation to ed
ucation, and characterized it as being
the shreds of German criticism of 40
years ago. He said the discoveries of
the last few years have given con-
firmation to the old theology. No
papyrus or stone or tablet had been
unearthed in Egypt or Achaia or
Palestine but added weight to the
Word of God. Passing to reminis-
cent mood, he spoke feelingly of the
past and of the men who had been in
strumenta1 in the development of the
seminary.
A hymn having been sung, Bishop
Fowler in his sinimitable way be-
gan by saying he had been looking
for speech and not finding one
looked for familiar faces, workers of
other years. He spoke of the men who
had been in the front in former years,
DIR. McClintock, J. B. Cornell and
General Fisk. Turning his attention
to the Biblical criticism of today he
said he was an Old and New Testa-
ment spiritualist and no newer critic
He said if the Lord would only open
the eyes of the higher critics as he
opened the eyes of the youngman
who accompanied Elisha in Dotham
they would be able to see truth. Ad-
dressing himself to the students he
said two things were necessary,
spiritual power and brains, for the age
was one where no longer could men
be frightened but they must be led,
for the education of today demands
intelligence among the ministry. So
great has been the advance in educa-
tional lines that today there are Is, 600
college professors in our country and
Is, 900, 900 students. The literature of
today is so cheap that it was al
most useless to steal it. Even in
scientific investigation science was
just as willing to reveal secrets to
saints as sinners. He declared the
greatest preparation was none too
great for the work of the Christian
ministry. A man needs character and
not merely reputation, for reputation
is the cry of the mob, but character
is the verdict of God Himself.
The quartette sang Abide with
me " and then J. M. Buckley, D. D.,
was introduced. His speech was
along the line of the influence of per-
sonality. The resources of a school,