1931-1932 Academic Catalog

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CEDARVILLE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY HISTORICAL SKETCH 45 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 meeeting 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 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 institution and presented an outline of the plan. The Pres– bytery 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 Philadel– phia 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 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 protessor 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 there– fore suspended from 1817 until 1823, but its usefulness being generally acknowledged, it was revived in 1823, and its former professor was reappointed to take charge of it. The con– troversies that agitated the Church and finally resulted in the