The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-05-03
Wednesday, May 3, 1905.

some large gifts from those who have been
ebundantly blessed with this worlds goods.
that comes into the treasury OF the Lord 10
our Church comes from those who are de.
pendent on their labor, who live on salaries
or who have but little means? Does our
plenty and TO spare? Our Church needs help
from our people who have means.-Associste
Reformed Presbyterian.
We quite agree with the Presbyterian that
sour Church work needs some large gifts
from those who are abundantly blessed with
this worlds goods" and we believe that the
Church would receive more large gifts, II the
Church people acted in suoh q way az 10 show
that auoh gifts were appreciated. II those
who assume to speak for the Church did not
20 often act in q way to ALLEVIATE or to fore.
stall people from making liberal gifts, more
gifts would be made. Money, by gift or
otherwise, IN secured by practical methods.
Practical methods usually bring success in
any legitimate business. Impractical ways
bring undesirable results.
For instance: When Erskine College was
organized, 1t was, 30 to speak, with an open
door and with q hearty welcome to all. The
general public were invited to be Its friends.
And the college showed its friendship by
comforting Its honors or others az we'll a
those Of the household Of faith. Trustees to
an unlimited number were chosen. Some OF
the professors in the College were Of other d.
visions OF the religions faith. People of all
shades OF practical and religious faith had an
interest In the College. The newspapers in
those days sought to conserve the interest Of
the Church and avoided needless antagon-
isms. Friends, without reference to relig.
ious afilistion sent their Sons to the college
tuition was we'll endowed.
Then followed the narrower n more lib
eral spirit The newspaper was then govern
ed by the broader spirit.
The Church has grown in members. The
attendance upon the college GLASSES is now
made up almost exclusively of the sons Of
churchmsn. The outside world has been, for
some reason, alienated from the institution.
The number Of trustees has been reduced,
and when even q limited board is to be filled,
the names Of the best friends are not always
chosen.
A trustee was chosen some years ago from q
town which was full of friends for Due West.
Instead OF choosing q friend the man who
was well known to have little interest in the
institution was named.
The number Of visitors who attend the
Commencement has been greatly reduced,
and in many ways the situation at Due West
has been changed from what it used to be.
Now there must be q cause for every effect.
Is the college less capable o%fimparting in
struction than In former days? By no
means. We venture the assertion that no
colleges in the State are better equipped in
the matter OF competent professors than the
Due West Colleges. Are the commencement
occasions less entertaining than In former
days? We hin not. ihenw we are forced to
look elsewhere for the explanation.
In the first place the contracted policy Of
the Synod in choosing the college trustees
from its own church membership, exclusive
~, and Of favoring certain communities in
its selections, and ignoring other commune.
ties which contributed to the foundation and
endowment OF the institution, 10, in itself,
some cause OF luke warmness. There Is, how
ever, q still more potent reason for LUX e.
on the part Of the general public.
The Presbyterian, in name a church organ,
but in fact owned by private stockholders,
devotes too much Of its space to local celebri-
e ShoOoobCoiJ LUG hIdy 10 pEOuu
Of her great and good men and be 1t far from
as to detract in Any q from their just due
Of public appreciation, but we submit that the
constant weekly recurrence Of mans name
in print coupled with incidents important or
unimportant. is not a compliment, but is
rather commonplace.
The few Individuals who 1t 10 intended
thus to compliment, doubtless merit all tho
good that may be said about them, but 1t may
be safely stated that they do not desire to
be kept ever before the reading public.
The paper should broaden its ecope and be-
come in fact, az well az in name q church
paper.
Would 1t not be ad visable for Synod to own
It as In the case OF the two colleges?
In thisthere is 30 purpose Of injur,ng the
interests OF the present stock holders; but II
q fair price could be agreed on. and the paper
: bought by Synod, there would doubtless be
less local. and more general church news, less
touching the Individual and more touching
the church at large.