The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-05-16
UNION SEMINARY COMMENCEMENT.

UNION SEMINARY COMMENCEMENT
The closing exercises of the nnety-fourth an
nual session of Union Theological Seminary were
of uncommon interest and encouragement to the
church. The annual address to the Society of
Missionary Inquiry delivered on Sunday
night May 9Th by the Rev. Prof R. c. Reed,
D. D.. of Columbia Seminary, in the First Presby-
terrain Church of Richmond 1t was a strong
and awakening discourse and will doubtless bear
good fruit in the lives and work of the large body
of young soldiers of the cross to whom it was
specially addressed, well as in the lives and
work of the great congregation which had gath
cred from all parts of the city, Notwithstanding
the rain which fell just at the hour of service
The faculty reported attendance for the ses-
sion of sixty-three students, an increase over the
number of the last few years. AS evidence of
their good scholastic preparation it was stated
that of this number fifty-one were full graduates
of colleges or universities ca. M, seven; A. b."
forty three; B. S., one), and that of the remain
ing twelve nearly all were men Of adequate col
lege preparation who, however, for various causes
had not taken a degree. 1t was stated further
that the students had applied themselves to their
work with diligence and success, had been eX
emplary in their conduct and had in various ways
evinced a sound spiritual life. They have also
been blessed with uniformly good health. 1t was
reported with thankfulness that DR.. Johnson, af-
ter a dangerous illness, up and out and re-
gaining his strength.
The board acknowledged in the most cordial
terms the thorough and successful work or Rev.
Warren H Stuart, NJ. A. B. D., who has been
instructor in Hebrew throughout the session, and
also the excellent work of Rev. D. K. Walthall,
Phi. D., who had very kindly consented to take
charge of DR.. Johnsons classes during the Illness
of the latter and had taught them with great
acceptance and efficiency. Both Of these gentle
men have evinced talent and scholarship of high
order, have endeared themselves to the students,
and have given entire satisfaction to the faculty
and the trustees by their conscientious skillful
and successful work
The beautiful Westwood property, which
bought in by company of liberal gentlemen
years ago, and placed at the service of the
institution, has been practically donated to the
Seminary by these kind friends, all but twenty
five shares of the stock having been presented
by them to the trustees. This secures to the in
stitution a property of great value, consisting Of
thirty-three acres and its buildings, Immediate
adjacent to the campus
One of the most encouraging facts of the year is
the fine result of the efforts inaugurated at the
last commencement for the increase of the endow-
ment On account of the decreasing rate of in
teres all invested funds the income of the Sem
mary has for the last fifteen years been insult
fcent to meet its running expenses Under the
energetic and tactful agency of Rev. A. D. p.
Gmour, who has been the Seminary's represen-
tative in the field for the last seven months
$2S,SOO in cash has been added to the endow-
ment In fufment of a liberal offer made bv
him last year, Mr.. George w. Watts added 25 per
cent to this amount, that the total increase
of the cash endowment for the year is $4,000.
The board expressed its hearty thanks to both Of