The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-01
Suggestions.

Since the recent visit Of Synod's honored
and beloved representative, Rev. 0. Y. Bon
ner, few suggestions, which we hope may be
received in the same Kindly spirit in which
they are offered, may not be out of place:
First-Bring the endowment fund back to
Due West, and let the bank or other proper
person, handle it so that the people OF this
county may have the incidental advantage OF
its use. In the years that are past Aboeville
county contributed literally to the endoW-
ment fund. II, therefore, all things being
equal, the college has fsvors to grant, 1t seems
that its neighbors and nearest friends might
share in them. Abbeville county surely has
been as good friend to Erskine as New
berry has been. Then, why should an Abbe-
willie county institution send It's money to
another county, where its capital is invested
to build up distant communities? No sort OF
reflection is intended on Newberry or the
treasurer.
Second-That the obligation OF Synod TO ed
ucate her daughters is not less binding than Is
the demand for the education Of her sons.
For this reason the Synod should take charge
of the Female College, and give II equal sup
port with Er6kine college.
Third-The number and the selection OF
trustees tor Erskine College, as we'll as for the
College for Women, Qf Synod should assume
control Of the Due West Female College) Is OF
almost vital Importance. uf we call one COL
lege Erskine, why not call the other Bonner?)
Should not the action OF Synod In discarding
the former trustees, be reconsidered? The
institution should not be limited as TO the
number Of Its friends, and II q hundred good
men, properly selected, were put on the board
OF either college, the act would rebound TO the
good OF the In Institutions. The colleges may
not confer literary or theological degrees on
many men, who might not only feel honored,
but who would be drawn 10 the institutions
by an appointment on the board Of trustees.
This, we believe, was the policy Of the church
in the early history Of Erskine. The friendly
we'll as in the communion, worked well in
the beginning.
Since a less liberal spirit and a
more exclusive policy has been adopted, 1t
seems to us the results have not been more
gratifying than under the former conditions.
Practical results must be preceded by practi-
cal efforts. While to have few active
friends In the communion is a good thing, to
have many, even II some OF them are out Of
the communion, is condition not to be de-
spised.
The church gets its recruits from out
siders, and it might be well not to ignore even
strangers in our calculations. Good business
methods, II seems to US, would not foster the
Withdrawing from those whose friendship
and cooperation might be worth much in
material efforts to advance education and
spirituality.
Fourth-While the conduct Of the college
should not be extremely sectarian in religion.
It should be non-psrtisan in politics. The
college is In business to educate the young
people and not to teach them politics. The
mistake Of calling William Jennings Bryan
to speak at Erskine should Lot be repeated.
It must be admitted that there are some very
good men who did not endorse that gentle
mans politics, and some Of whom may not
have relished the partizanship of the college
In his favor.
Fifth-In the effort TO establish new church
es. when other conditions are equally favora-
BILE. is 1t not better to select towns and COM
munities, where there is no Presbyterian
church? In small settlements where there is
already Presbyterian church, the work Is
more difficult? The fact might just as we'll
be recognized that the average citizen does
not see or realize or care for any little differ
ence in the faith or practices Of the two
churches.