1916-1917 Academic Catalog

CEDARVILLE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. InSTORICAL SKETCH. The Theological Seminary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (General Synod) of North America is one of the oldest institutions for the professional training of young men for the Gospel ministry in the United States. At a meeting of the Reformed Presbytery of North America held in John Thompson's home, Conoeocheague, in October, 1807, a committee, consisting of the Reverends Gibson, Wylie, and l\feLeod, was appointed to inquire into the necessity for estab– lishing a theological seminary, and, if such necessity existed, to outline a plan for the inspection of the Presbytery. On the following day the committee reported the need of such an in– stitution and presented an outline of the plan. The Presbytery considered the articles of the constitution, and, with some amend– ments, adopted them. The Seminary was to be located in Philadelphia. The Rev. Samuel B. Wylie, of Philadelphia, was unanimously elected P rofessor of Theology, and Revs. Gibson, Black, and McLeod, superintendents for the first year of its organization. The superintendents met with the professor of theology in Phila– delphia in May, 1809, to organize the seminary and make all necessary arrangements. No students had presented themselves. A committee appointed for this purpose reported that the amended draft of the constitution had not been published and that they had not made an appeal to the church in general for pecuniary aid. The suggestion was made that the Seminary be removed from Philadelphia to Walkill, but the opposition of Mr. Wylie was so decided that it was thought best to continue its seat in Philadelphia. The Board of Superintendents was in– structed to meet with the professor in Philadelphia in 1810, and to exert themselves in behalf of the institution. Mr. Gibson _,,,,__