The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-16
WORK FOR A COLLEGE
PREsBYTERIANs TO BUILD
SCHOOL IN STATE.
Extraordinary Scene as Ministers
Present Pledge Amounts to
Aid In the Movement-Gift
of Isbell College.

Bessemer. Nov. 15.-(special.)-In the
session Of the Synod Of the Alabama at
Bessemer there were two important steps
taken, one Of them leading to an extraor-
binary scene.
The first action was the taking over OF
the Isbell Female College at Talladega.
The Presbyterian Church OF Taliadega
rendered that institution as gift to the
Synod. The property is estimated to be
worth fully $4,000, with bonded debt OF
only $4,000. The Synod, after considera-
BILE discussion and a settlement OF condi-
lions, decided to accept the gift. and au-
thorized the necessary legal steps, the
transfer to take effect July 1, 1903. The
following were named as trustees OF the
| institution: Class A, terms expiring III
1904, Rev. A. A. Little OF Selma, Kew.
r. B. McAlpine Of Jacksonville and Rev.
Neal l.. Anderson Of Montgomery; Class
B. expiring in 1906, Rev. A. B. Curry of
Birmingham, Rev. D. A. Planck OF Mo-
bile. J. w. Durr. Jr.. Of Montgomery
Glass C. expiring 1906. Rev. E. P. Davis
of opelika, and Messers j. B. Woodward
of Talladega and z. B. Neuzam OF Tus-
caloosa.
The second important step was the de-
cision to undertake the erection OF
Presbyterian male college at some point
in the State. The committees plan pro-
vided, first, that the institution should
cost at least slOO. 600; second, that Of this
sum at least s25, 900 in money or property,
| where 1t should be located; third that
the ministers of the Synod should demon
strate their earnest conviction OF the
necessity of the institution by pledging
| $4,000 out of their own incomes, to be
paid in equal annual instsllments for tive
years; fourth, that the women OF the
church be asked to raise another $4,000;
| fifth. that the Sunday schools of the
denomination be asked to raise 5000;
sixth, that the rank and file OF the
church membership be asked to subscribe
the remaining $4,000.
The earnestness of the Synod and its
confidence in the feasibility of the plan
was then demonstrated in marvellous
way. Rev. DR.. Lilly of Tuscaloosa,
chairman of the committee, called for
pledges from the ministers, and started
1t with a pledge of $500 himself. Nine
others followed in rapid succession with
personal pledges Of $500 each out Of their
own incomes. In few minutes more
there were numerous volunteer subscrip-
lions of smaller amounts from ministers
only ranging from $500 down to $50, until
within a half hour 10000 had been
pledged.
This evidence Of the self-denying spirit
of the ministry OF the church had pro-
found effect, and 1t was quickly followed
by volunteer subscriptions from the elders
present of about "a. 200. so that about $15.-
900 was pledged on the spot. With one
accord the assemblage arose and sang
the long metre doxology. and tears stood
in the eyes of many present 1t was
remarkable scene. and greatly impressed
all present. 1t left no doubt of the
earnestness and final success of the move
ment to establish the college.
1t is understood that several places are
already active bidders for the institution.
Bessemer is especially concerned, and 1t
is understood has made a very liberal Of
| fer of lands and money to the committee.