Newspaper Article Announcing the Establishment of Lane Seminary

Newspaper Article Announcing the Establishment of Lane Seminary

Lane Theological Seminary

A lengthy newspaper article describing the establishment and financial support for a new seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Cincinnati Pandect

Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Unpublished

1829-09-08

Maddie Smith, Transcriber

Part of the Lane Theological Seminary Records at the Presbyterian Historical Society

PDF

eng

Text

Lane_044 - Lane_048

19th Century
Cincinnati, Ohio

(Lane_044)

 

CINCINNATI PANDECT.

 

Tuesday, September 8, 1829.

 

                        TO THE BENEVOLENT.

We rejoice in being permitted to lay be-

fore you at this interesting season, the rise, progress, plan and designs of an institution

which claims the highest consideration of

every enlightened citizen; an institution,

which presents an aspect worthy of the sup-

port of every friend of Science, Literature

and Religion.

            In presenting to your view, the promi-

nent features of the Lane Seminary we ob-

serve, that it originated with Messrs. E. &

W. A. Lane, Merchants of New Orleans.

These gentlemen, actuated by the pure prin-

ciples of benelovence, arrived in this town

some time in October last, and for the per-

pose of investing their surplus funds in such

a manner, as best to promote the interests of

the Redeemer’s Kingdom and produce the

greatest amount of good. On their arrival,

a few individuals of this city, convened at

their request, to whom they disclosed the

plan of a school and submitted it to their

judgement and discretion. Here it is worthy

of remark, that some of the individuals who

attended on this occasion, had been deeply

impressed with the importance of this sub-

ject, and anxiously solicitous that something

should be done in this section of the [C]ountry

for the cause of Zion. It may well be sup-

posed then, that no time was lost, in embra-

cing the proposed plan, which was so admi-

rably adapted to our wants, and the more so

when they had the additional encourage-

ment, of a permanent support from its pro-

jectors. A Board of Trustees, consisting of

 23, were selected at the request of the Messrs.

Lanes, and organized on the 27^th of October

Last, under the style and title of the “Ohio

Board of Education.”  These gentlemen

Then submitted the direction to the Board,

After entering into the following legal obli-

Gation with them, viz: That they will pay

Over to the Treasurer of the Board, semi-

annually, for the support of the professors,

and for the purchase of a library and philo-

sophical apparatus, or to be appropriated

otherwise as should best promote the inter-

ests of the institution, one third part of their

net annual income, for the first three years

from the opening of the school, and one

fourth part thereafter; and in order that the

Board should be assured of a certain amount,

they further agree, that the appropriation

shall amount for the first four years to the

sum of four thousand dollars. The conditions

of this agreement, were predicated upon the

following, which is the plan of the institution.

 

(Lane_045)

 

            That the institution be located in the vi-

cinity of Cincinnati. That as a fundamen-

tal principle, each student shall be required

to spend a certain portion of time in manual

 labor, in farming or the mechanics, which

time is prescribed by the Board at not less

than three, nor more than four hours daily.

That it consists of a Prepatory, a Literary

and a Theological department, and these de-

partments to be entirely distinct. That the

time for the Prepatory course is indefinite,

for the Literary four years, and for the Theo-

logical three yeaars, and each department to

have its appropriate Professors and Teach-

ers. The course of studies in each of these

departments will vary only from other col-

leges, in the expulsion of such branches as

are less useful, and the introduction of oth-

ers of greater utility. The support of the

institution will depend principally, upon the

industry of its members, and in this we feel

sanguine, that from experiments already

tried in several places, that the amount of

the proceeds from labor bestowed, will more

than balance the whole expense of the in-

stitution.

            One thousand dollars paid at any one time,

Will constitute a permanent scholarship, and

The interest of a thousand dollars a tempor-

ary scholarship. These considerations, how-

ever, will be relinquished if they are found

unnecessary.

            The inquiry will now arise, what has been

the progress of this institution? In answer to

which we observe, that every exertion

 has been made that could be made under the

peculiar circumstances which they have

been placed; weekly meetings of the Board

most part of the time have been held, and all

information on the subject that could be ob-

tained, has been sought fore, A farm in some

eligible situation was found necessary, and

after much labor the Board have procured

an hundred acres of land, situated on Wal-

nut hills, two miles from this city. The

situation is well known to most of the inhab-

itants of this city and its vicinity, and there-

fore it is hardly necessary to add that it is

an elevated, salubrious, and healthy place;

in corroboration of this fact, it is sufficient

to say, that the inhabitants in that neighbor-

hood, seldom require medical aid. The soil

is rich and fertile, and is watered by the

purest and best water from perpetual springs.

The Board have made every exertion too,

to obtain agents to solicit funds for the erec-

tion of the buildings, and have appointed

several; but never until the present time,

have they been able to obtain one for Cin-

cinnati and its vicinity; a few days since they

were able to prevail upon the Rev. Mr. Cox,

(who being impressed with the great impor-

tance and imperious demand for an institu-

tion of this kind, and, notwithstanding the

multiplied calls for his labors in other places,)

to remain with us a few weeks for this pur-

pose. The Rev. George C. Beckwith of

Lowell, Mass. Has been appointed Professor

of Biblical Literature and Ecclesiatical

History, and he has signified his acceptance

of the appointment. Mr. Beckwith will be

here about the middle or before the close of

October next. Every arrangement is now

made for the erection of the necessary build-

ings, except the finances.

 

(Lane_046)

 

            Most of the materials for the buildings

can be obtained on, or about the farm, and

upon the most reasonable terms. The Prin-

cipal designs of this institution are to pre-

pare young men for the gospel ministry, and

to open the way for the most indigent young

men to obtain with any commendable

exertions, a Literary or Theological educa-

tion. The board do not place this seminary

upon the broad basis of charity, but only to

open the way whereby any enterprising in-

dividual can assist himself, and to bring for-

ward that class of talented individuals, who

through the depression of means, have been

kept back from greater usefulness.

            We presume, however, it will not be un-

derstood, that the rich will be excluded; but

that the institution so far as its means ex-

tend, will be open for all of a good moral

character, either indigent or opulent. We

have now laid before you the general fea-

tures of the “Lane Seminary,” and will in-

quire, shall it still remain only in prospect

and exist only in name! But it is said per-

haps, that it has one material fault. What is

it? It is sectarian! It is Presbyterian[!] It is

only Presbyterian as it regards the Theolo-

gical department. What then should we,

who are Presbyterian, have made it? Epis-

copalian? Then the same objection would

arise? What then? Methodists? Then it is

still sectarian, Baptist? here we beg leave to

suggest, that the benevolent founders of this

institution, are Baptists, and it was with

their advice and consent that this should be,

what it is. They knew no sects, for the

cause of the Redeemer was their object in

this great enterprise. As it is a Presbyte-

rian, where is the harm. Will a session, a

Presbytery, a Synod, or a General Assembly,

prevent men from going to heaven? aside

from this, where is the essential difference,

between the denominations just mentioned.

We are thankful that the great Redeemer of

men, is fast bringing about the destruction

of party distinction, and is giving to his chil-

dren a new name, even the name of chris-

tian; and we believe before the walls, walls

do we say? Yes, the walls of this edifice, for

they will go up, shall be broken by the

lapse of time, no party disnctions will be

known, save that of the righteous and the

wicked.

            Is there no other objection made? Yes,

the laboring system. Students will not be                       

 

(Lane_047)

 

subject to a formal daily task. Let us ask

if you ever heard this objection made by

students in any of the institutions where la-

bor was required. Never, we presume

but, that on the contrary, they long for the

hour to arrive, that they may engage in it,

and it is on this very ground, that we have

had application for admission into this school.

For this country, no other system will suc-

ceed. It combines health with exercise and

profit, and furnishes an additional and exten-

sive source of information.

            Although it may be conceded that this in-

stitution, upon the whole is as unexception-

able as any other, yet we fear, that the most

important objection that may arise, will be

the inexpediency of raising funds for its ac-

complishment at the present time. Here

let us pause and reflect. We know the lib-

erality of this people and the vast sums of

money, that have been appropriated for re-

ligions and benelovent purposes: and we

frankly acknowledge in this place,

within the last year and a half, than ever

was expended within the same space of time

in any place of equal dimensions, since the

landing of the Pilgrims. But should this be

the test, whereby to judge of our present

condition? Is there an individual who can

say in truth, that he has been materially in-

jured by his liberality. Has not the blessing

of God been experienced; have you not

been the more prospered, and is not the ap-

proving conscience a solace when you lie

down, and when you arise up. May you not

rest assured that the Lord will bless you in

proportion to your obedience to his wise

commands. Then think not of the past, but

the present. The plan of an institution lies

before you, which calls for your aid; which,

when carried into operation will be a greater

consolation than thousands of silver and gold.

Have you not something more to spare?

The Lord calls for it, and can you deny

him! The sons of indigence call for it, and

will you reject their petitions! The desti-

tute population of these western wilds, call

for it, and will you consent to sink them

deeper and deeper in distress, for the lack of

the knowledge of the truth. All, all my

friends, that is worthy of your highest regard,

all that is connected with the salvation of

souls, all that is conductive to health and the

advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom,

is concentrated in the subject presented be-

fore you, and will you leave us to take up

the lamentation, O Lord Jesus, has it come

to this, most we still be left to beg for thy

cause.

 

(Lane_048)

 

            In reference to the above communication,

and in [which] to give an idea of the [sources]

from which demands upon the benevolent

are continually made, we introduce the fol-

lowing list of institutions which are depen-

dent upon their aid.

1.The Board of Agency for Foreign Mis-

            sions.

2.Miami District Bible Society.

3.Female Branch Bible do

4.do Missionary and Tract do

5.Young Men’s do and do do

6.The Wesleyan Sunday School do

7.Hamilton County Bible do

8.Cincinnati Tract do

9.do Sunday School Union.

10.Female Infant School Society.

11.do Auxillary Bible do

12.do Missionary Association of the 1^st

            Presbyterian Church.

13.do do do of the 2^nd do do

14.Young Ladies Education Society.

15.do Men’s Bible do

16.do do Tract do

17.Cincinnati Colonization do

18.do Benefit do

19.Lafayette do do

20.Franklin Benelovent do

21.Western Sunday School Board of

            Agency.

Several other societies are formed whose

objects are more circumscribed. In addi-

tion to this, eleven Churches have been built

or are building, within the last year and

a half. We fully accord with the sentiments

expressed above, that greater exertions have

never been made, nor more money has been

paid in the short period of eighteen months,

among a population numbering only twenty-

four thousand. But does giving impoverish!

certainly not, if given with a right spirit.

He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord,

And it will not return unto him void! And we

Do beseech our worthy friends, who have so

generously aided the benevolent operations

of the day, seriously to inquire before they

withhold the helping hand from an institu-

tion of such vital importance to the people

of the west, as is the “Lane Seminary.”—

Have you sons? Let interest then excite you

to assist: for where will you place them, that

their health, their education and their mor-

als will be equally promoted. Have you

worthy friends, whose dependence is upon

you? then do something for this institution,

that they may assist themselves. Have you

bowels of compassion for the indigent? stretch

forth your band now, while the opportunity

offers, for you to relieve them. In so doing,

generations ye unborn, will rise up and call

you blessed, and a crown of rejoicing will

be your rich reward.

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