The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-07
REV. G. W. PATTERSON WRITES OF PRESBYTERIAN IN-
 STITUTI0N.
Atlanta is Moving to Secure Its Amalgamation With Another College to Be Located There-Synods to
 Act.

day, pr. G. W. Patterson, pastor or the First Presbyterian Church of Montgomery declared that the Board of Directors or the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksviile, Tenn, ara opposed to the removal of that institution and its anal gamation with a great Presbyterian Uni versity proposed to be located in Atlanta, Ga.
 Dr. Patterson is a member of the Board of Directors of the Clarksville institution and his letter was called forth by an article in Tuesdays Atlanta Journal, which Is self-explanatory.
 The Atlanta Journal article is as fol- lows:
 "Dr. Theron H. Rice. announced this to a representative of The Jour- nal that the first official action in regard to the proposition to consolidate the two leading Presbyterian seminaries of the South into one giant institution to be located in Allan, was taken recently, when the presbytery of North Alabama sent the following overture to the synod which owns an interest in both of the in- stitutions to be affected. urging this synod to use its influence to have the two institutions consolidated:
 "'The presbytery of North Alabama hereby overtures the synod of Alabama Gas it Is the only synod that owns an interest in both the Southwestern Presby- terian university and Columbia Theolo- gical seminary to use its influence for the consolidation of these institutions and their removal to a location more central to the synods which control them"
 "The significance of this overture. com ing as it doeslfrom large and infiuen- tial section of the Alabama synod, not withstanding the adverse action of the presbytery of Nashville, is patent to all. The announcement that such strong endorsement of the proposed consolida- ton has been given by one of the leading presbyteries of what might be termed the pivotal synod whose vote Is needed to bring the university to Atlanta will be hailed with delight by the thousands who believe that 1t Is to the interest of all to have the university brought here.
 'The Southwestern Presbyterian univer- sity, at Clarksville Tenn, is controlled by the synods of Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and in order to move the university to Atlanta and make it an important part of the powerful and influential seat of learning contemplated it will be necessary to get the vote of each of these synods.
 'The Columbia Theological Seminary, located at Columbia 5. C., is controlled by the synods of South Carolina, Georgia. Alabama and Florida. It is thus seen that the Alabama Synod has a voice in tie control of both institutions. The influence of this synod is therefore, of vital importance, and without it the two universities cannot be consolidated. It is most gratifying to learn that one of the largest and most influential presbyteries of the Alabama Synod has at this early date expressed itself as thoroughly in fa- vor of consolidating the two institutions. While this action of the North Alabama Presbytcry Is lot a positive indication that the Alabama synod will cast its vote for consolidation and a larger university, 1t is very significant of the trend of sentiment at this time, and indicates that prominent leaders in the church regard the movement as the best possible one for the good 0f the church. Every day gives the promoters of the consolidation idea fresh hope that the university will be brought to Atlanta Letters are daily being received from prominent alumni of Clarksville, and Co., lumbia, heartily endorsing thef proposi- tion and pledging their most cordial sup port.
 Sectional feeling, there has been any, seems to be rapidly disappearing, and the Presbyterians of the South, one
 
 question absolutely dispasionately. s'Is it for the good of the church and the best interests of education is the question that Is being discussed on all sides. Champions of consolidation are springing up in every section of the South. Men who .rod the college cam | pus at Clarksville, who love the South western Presbyterian University as dear l ly as college graduates ever loved his al- ma mater, are writi lg to the local com mittee to say that in their opinion con solidation of the Columbia Theological | Seminary and the Southwestern Presby- | terian University into a colossal univer- 1 sity to be located in a city that has pledged itself to work for 1t untiringly is pre-eminently the very best thing that | could be done.
 The idea that the Clarksville institu- ton or the Columbia Seminary Is to be destroyed is fast being dissipated, and the Presbyterians are beginning to see that the proposition Is to perpetuate both by uniting them into an institution whose | influence and power will be felt in every church and every presbytery and every State of the South and whose glory will be big enough not only for Clarksville and Columbia, but for the entire church and the entire South. As prominent Pres
 
 thusiasm is kindled and ringing letters of endorsement are being received every | day.
 | Atlanta has done her part and raised the necessary funds to bring the univer- sity, not in any spirit of sectional pride, out because her people are interested in education and because they are wiling and anxious to wo-k for the university | Presbyterians ara fovoring Atlanta as the location If the university not on At lantas account but for the university s sake, 1t being strongly felt by influential churchmen in every synod that the uni versity would grow to greater usefulness here perhaps than at any other point available
 l "The synods will not finally vote upon the proposition to move the institution unt! in the fall, hut in the meantime in terest Is not tagging. Friends are being l found for the university throughout the South and indications that a wonderful and irresistible tide of enthusiasm, like that which caused the people of his city to unite their purse strings and subscribe l S250 GOO, will sweep over each synod as it meets and carry its unanimous vote for a consolidation of the universities in a city whicl. has shown its good faith by putting up the money"
 Dr. Pattcrson's letter is us follows:
 Editor Advertiser:
 Referring to the article in The At
 lanta Journal relating to the establish
 ment of a great Presbyterian University