1930-1931 Academic Catalog

CEDARVILLE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY HISTORICAL KET H 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, Conococheague, Pa., in October, 1807, a committee, consisting of the Reverends Gibson, Wylie, and McLeod, was appointed to inquire into the necessity for establishing a theo– logical seminary and, if such necessity existed, to outline a plan for the inspection of the Presbytery. On the following day the com– mittee reported the need of such an institution and presented an outline of the plan. The Presbytery considered the articles of the constitution and, with some amendments, adopted them. The seminary was to be located in Philadelphia. The Rev. Samuel B. Wylie, of Philadelphia, was unanimously elected Professor 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 Philadelphia 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 oppos– ition 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 having declined to serve as superintendent, Rev. Gilbert McMaster was appointed in his stead, and the Seminary was organized May 25, .1810. Rev. S. B. Wylie, D. D., was its first, and for many years, its only professor. The number of students was comparatively large, but the Seminary was not sustained by the Church with the interest which should have been manifested. It was therefore suspended from 1817 until 1823, but its usefulness being generally acknowl– edged, it was revived in 1823, and its former professor was reap– pointed to take charge of it. The controversies that agitated the Church and finally resulted in the division of 1833, affected the Seminary so injuriously that it was again suspended in 1827. From 1817 until 1823, and again from 1827 until 1844, the training of theological students was under the care of the several presbyteries. Dr. S. B. Wylie trained more than any other minister. Dr. Black instructed many in the West, and Dr. James R. Wilson several in the East. Others studied under the direction of their pastors. In 1844 the Seminary was reorganized with Dr. S. B. Wylie as Professor of Theology, and Dr. Samuel W. Crawford a,s Adjunct Professor. The course of instruction was to occupy four successive annual sessions, each session to be of four months' duration, from the first of December to the first of April. For a number of years Dr. S. B. Wylie was also assisted by his son, the Rev. Theodorus W. J. Wylie, as Junior Professor. In 1850, a second theological seminary was organized at Xenia, PAGE THIRTY-TWO