The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-10-25
COLUMBIA SEMINARY.
Synod Votes For Removal to Atlan-
ta-Warrn Arguments.
The State.

Clinton, Oct 2o-Synod met un-
der cooler skies this morning, but
burning question, the proposed re-
moval of Columbia seminary to At
ianta, keeps things warm. Devotional
exercises and minor matters of busi-
ness were first dispatched. Reports
On publication and Sunday school
work and on the address of Dr.
Hemphill were received.
The question of the removal of
the seminary was then taken up.
Motion to limit speeches to 80
minutes, except those of the signers
Of the majority and minority reports,
was carried. w. F. Stevenson moved
the adoption of the majority report.
]. G. Scott as substitute. moved the
adoption of the minority report and
the battle was joined.
Rev. w. G. Neville spoke in behalf
of majority report. He said: ''The
removal would not change the rela-
t;ons OF the synod to the seminary,
that there were no moral or legal
obstacles, that a moral obligation TO
remove the institution did e..;st if
it would do a greater and better
work for the church elsewhere" He
spoke of the hopelessness in the air
at Columbia; the excessive cost OF
the work there, about $500 per STU
dent per year; of similar conditions
at Clarksville, of the magnificent
offer of S25o,ooo by Atlanta, of the
central position and accessibility of
Atlanta, of the enlargement of the
sphere of the institution from four
to seven synods; that such great
school would stimulate the establish
ment of other colleges. Even
should failure come we would not
have lost much for we have not that
now," he said.
Rev. w. J. Mckay, D. D., then
spoke for his minority report. He
showed that certain of Clarksville's
funds, to the amount of about $780,
600, could not be removed; leaving
about $4,000 which could be
brought to Atlanta. A vital part of
the plan of consolidation has failed
The opposition of the synod Of Ie:::-
nessee has been too little regarded
It is more than merely one. of FIVE
controlling synods; it has more Pres
byterians than the other four COM
bined. The opposition to the trans
fer OF the Clarksville funds comes
from the men whose efforts and
generosity created them. He ar
eued from the deed OF trust that the
McCombs gift of 100000 was made
specifically to the Southwestern Pres
byterian university at Clarksvllle and
could not be transferred to Atlanta.
This may be held by the courts and
in that case only 10000 would be
left, and even that to be fought
over in the courts, to be taken to
Atlanta. He opposed consolidating
the seminary with anything. 1t
ought to maintain its autonomy; its
funds were given by godly men for
the training of ministers and for
nothing else. Should no legal OBJ
stacles emerge, there are other ques.
tions. Is it necessary to remove the
seminary? Are there incurable OBJ
stacles to it's success in Columbia?
Is its financial condition such as to
excite apprehension? Is its faculty
inefficient? Is education there too
costly? Does the small number OF
students make a change necessary?
Would the removal be Of beneht to
the seminary? Would it add tc its
finances, to it's number of students!
Would it bring it into closer touch
with its source Of supply? Is its
geographical location such as to
make a westward removal advisable?
He answered each question in detail
,eo,+;ve]v He then asserted that