Newspaper Article Announcing the Establishment of Lane Seminary
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Cincinnati, Ohio
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(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 27th 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 1st
Presbyterian Church.
13.do do do of the 2nd 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.