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Danville, Ky., June 18, 1878
Board of Trustees met, pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the Chairman, Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., after which prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Cleland, D.D. Members present: Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D. (Chairman), Rev. Robert Christie, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Robert Rodes, Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., James Barbour, William Ernst, Thomas Barbee, Rev. John Jones, D.D., Levi L. Warren, Hon. Tyler T. Alexander, John W. Scott, M.D., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D.
The Financial Report was read & referred to Messers Ernst & Barbour.
The Faculty Report was read, and with accompanying papers is follows viz.
The Faculty of Centre College would beg leave to submit to the Board of Trustees, and through them to the Synod of Kentucky, the following report of the internal condition of the College for the academical year ending June 20, 1878.
1) Faculty - There has been no change in the Faculty since our last annual report, nor in the ordinary routine of instruction.
2) The annual catalogue, herewith submitted, will show that the number of students present during the year was in the College Proper 118 and in the Preparatory 46 or, not counting any twice, 159 in all. A special report on the religious instruction of the students is herewith submitted and made part of this report. Nothing very unusual has distinguished the present year. Four students have during the year connected themselves with the Presbyterian Churches in this place.
3) Museum, Library, etc. - We refer you to the Special Reports of Prof. Fales on these subjects.
4) Degrees - The Faculty recommend the following young men for the degree of A.B. viz.
| Alba Dwight Archibald Henry Chambers Brent Kelly Brent Samuel Lewis Curry |
Danville, Ky. Paris, Ky. Paris, Ky. Harrodsburg, Ky. |
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|
Richard Pretlow Ernst Fountain R. Ferrand James G. Givens Marshall Brooke Ward Granger John Adamson Heron John Robert James William Henderson Kelly William McCreary Kenney Charles Euston Kincaid Samuel McAfee Magoffin Peter Muir McRoberts Glenn Howard Putnam Thomas Chalmers Stevenson Charles Talbutt Thompson Melville McKee Vaughan Benjamin Logan Wheat |
Covington, Ky. Danville, Ky. Lincoln Co., Ky. Danville, Ky. Danville, Ky. Danville, Ky. Paris, Ky. Lexington, Ky. Danville, Ky. Harrodsburg, Ky. Stanford, Ky. Keokuk, Iowa West Newton, Pa. Ruddell's Mills, Ky. Lancaster, Ky. Shelbyville, Ky. |
And for a Certificate of standing in the studies he has been pursuing for the last two years in College, & which are specified on the face of the certificate,
| Isaac Covington Watt | Bowling Green, Ky. |
5) College Home - The President of the College is requested to submit to the Board such statements as may be necessary to inform this body of the present condition & prospects of the College Home, and to indicate what may be necessary, in the opinion of the Faculty, to promote and enlarge its usefulness.
6) Preparatory - Under the appointment of the Faculty Mr. John B. Walton, A.M., has been filling with great acceptance the office of Principal of the Preparatory Department during the present year. The competing schools have necessarily reduced the number of students in this department during the present year, but it is believed that another year will show a large increase. Mr. Walton's report is herewith submitted.
The various reports referred to above, together with the Financial Report of the Secretary, will
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furnish such information as the Board may require.
(Signed) Ormond Beatty
Report on the Religious Instruction of the Students
The Synod at its last meeting adopted the following paper:
"Resolved, That the Trustees of Centre College be directed to make a report in writing to the Synod at its next meeting, showing in detail what instruction in religion, especially in the word of God is maintained in the College also what attention is required to the worship of God by the students on the Lord's day. The Faculty of the College are requested to make systematic arrangements for the study of the word of God, at as early a period as may be practicable, and make a special report to the Trustees on this subject. The Synod desires to express both to the Trustees and the Faculty their deep solicitude in regard to this matter."
The Faculty made this answer to the Board: It has often striven to discover the best method of giving religious instruction to the students. Many plans have been tried - a considerable number have partially or entirely failed. In addition to the Chapel worship, with which the duties of each day are begun, the students are expected to attend the 2nd Presbyterian Church at least once every Sabbath, unless their parents or guardians desire them to attend some other church. Bible classes, using the International Sunday School Lessons, are taught regularly by the Professors in the 2nd Presbyterian Church and the students are expected to attend, unless they have parental authority to attend other Sabbath Schools.
These classes are taught in connection with the church Sabbath School for these among other reasons: the approaches to the College in bad weather are very muddy, the walk a long one to many students, and the College is so far from the 2nd [Presbyterian] Church, it would be difficult to enforce attendance at both places, at least, for a large part of the year.
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During the year the religious students under the supervision of the Faculty have been organized into a Young Men's Christian Association. This Society holds a weekly prayer meeting on Thursdays in the College at the close of the recitations, to which all are invited, and which has been generally well attended by the students and members of the Faculty.
It also holds prayer meetings in students' rooms and other places. We have reason to believe the organization has done good, and is destined to do much more good in the future.
A daily prayer meeting was kept up at the close of the recitations, conducted by some member of the Faculty, for about four months in the latter part of this session. This meeting was well attended. The students took part in the exercises, freely and to edification.
The Board has assigned the religious instruction of the students especially to the Vice President. During the present year, under the advice of the Faculty, he has fitted up his class room for the purpose. It is arranged for the Vice President to have all the students one half hour each morning for the first six weeks of the session. Then again he is to have them six weeks the latter part of the annual session. In the first term the instruction will be given in the Old Testament, in the 2nd term in the New Testament. The room is furnished with comfortable and convenient desks & Bibles, so that students can easily take notes upon the instructions. This exercise is considered a regular study with examinations & marks. These are the only times in the year when an extra half hour can be added to the time occupied by the regular classes, without serious inconvenience.
Report on Museum
| Number of entries July 1, 1877 | 2,260 | |||
| Added during the year: | ||||
| Minerals entries | 14 | Specimens | 15 | |
| Fossils entries | 6 | Specimens | 12 | |
| Reptiles entries | 8 | Specimens | 8 |
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| Shells entries | 13 | Specimens | 27 | |
| Total | 42 | Specimens | 62 | |
| Total entries in Museum July 1, 1878 | 2,301 |
(Signed) John C. Fales
Report on the Library
| Number of books on hand June 1, 1877 | 4,201 | |
| Added during the year - | ||
| Public Documents - Department of Interior | 53 vols. | |
| Public Documents from J. J. Durham | 28 | |
| Public Documents from Commissioner Davis | 1 | |
| Public Documents from Rev. J. S. Lucas | 1 | |
| Public Documents from Ky. Geological Corps through Col. John Cowan | 2 | |
| Public Documents from Smithsonian Institute | 1 | |
| Public Documents from Purchase | 9 | 95 |
| Total number | 4,296 |
(Signed) John C. Fales
Report on Scientific Fund
| To Balance last year | $61.18 | |
| To check of Ormond Beatty (Scott Theological Fund) | $40.00 | |
| $101.18 | ||
| By account for chemicals, etc. | $26.42 | |
| Balance on hand, June 1, 1878 | $74.75 | |
| $101.18 |
(Signed) John C. Fales
Report of Preparatory
| Total number of students | 48 | |
| Cash receipts to date | $625.50 | |
| Uncollected accounts | $140.00 | |
| $765.50 | ||
| Amount deducted for ministers sons | $75.00 | |
| Amount deducted for Boyle Scholarship | $50.00 | |
| $125.00 |
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After the submission of these reports it was resolved, that the first order of the day for tomorrow morning should be a free conversation on the state of religion in the College - and the second order to hear the report from Dr. John L. McKee in regard to his Agency and his Evangelistic work.
The Board then adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, June 19, 1878. Board reassembled.
The following members were duly qualified by taking the required oath of office viz. Rev. John Jones, D.D., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., Levi L. Warren, Hon. Tyler T. Alexander, Dr. John. W. Scott & James Barbour, Esq.
That part of the Faculty report touching the religious instruction of the students was re-read after which a free conversation was held on the subject, when upon motion it was referred to a committee - Dr. John W. Scott, Dr. John Jones, & Tyler T. Alexander with instruction to prepare a report for the Synod.
The report of Dr. John L. McKee in regard to his Evangelistic and Agency work was submitted, accepted and approved and is as follows, viz.
Danville, Ky., June 15, 1878
To the Board of Trustees of Centre College
I beg leave to report my work for the year beginning July 1st 1877. I have preached 298 times, as follows:
| Mt. Sterling Horeb Richmond College Street Church Owingsville Broadway Tabernacle Paint Lick Carlisle Cincinnati Versailles Mt. Sterling |
32 33 45 31 28 1 28 36 30 45 1 |
Free Will offerings from the Churches
| Mt. Sterling Paint Lick Horeb Carlisle Richmond Cincinnati |
$50.00 $130.00 $131.50 $25.00 $86.00 $100.00 |
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|
College Street Church Versailles Owingsville Broadway Tabernacle Total |
$150.00 $88.00 $20.00 $35.00 $815.50 |
Cash received to pay for fitting up College room
| T. S. Anderson | $10.00 | |
| Miss Hollis Quigley | $25.00 | |
| Miss Mary Lafon | $10.00 | |
| 2nd Presbyterian Church, Danville | $54.75 | $99.75 |
| $915.25 | ||
| Travelling expenses, including use of horse, & buggy repairs | $134.60 | |
| Bills paid in classroom | $309.60 | |
| Cash paid for Bibles | $64.75 | |
| $508.95 | ||
| Check to Ormond Beatty | $406.30 | $915.25 |
Bills have been sent out during the year to all persons indebted to the College, with what results the Financial Report will show. Many of those to whom bills were sent have made no reply. Some of them we know have gone into bankruptcy, and others are passing through severe financial embarrassments. We have received from Rev. James P. McMillan three notes executed May 3rd 1878 and payable in six, twelve and eighteen months - forty dollars each. Guided by the advice of the Financial Committee, and other friends of the College, and upon her own request we delivered to Mrs. Martha Terrill of Garrard County [Kentucky] her legacy bond for $5,000 in consideration of $3,500 cash and its equivalent. For particulars we refer you to the financial report. We received from Mr. Caldwell Campbell of Madison County, Ky.. one note for $10,000 to be paid by his executor - Executed December 1877. Also from Mr. Benjamin F. Avery one note, executed June 8, 1878, for $10,000 payable by his Executors. These several notes are given to endow the Chair of Vice President. All of which is respectfully
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submitted.
(Signed) John L. McKee
On motion the bonds of B. F. Avery & C. Campbell were referred to Judge Alexander & Mr. Rodes for examination.
The report of Dr. McKee upon his Evangelistic & Agency work was referred to a committee, Dr. Humphrey, William Ernst, and Levi L. Warren.
A paper was submitted by Gen. Speed S. Fry in reference to the sale of some ground to the Trustees of Centre College. It was referred to Ormond Beatty, John S. Hays & Stephen Yerkes with authority to act in the matter.
The following degrees were conferred viz.
A.B. upon twenty young gentlemen of the senior class, a certificate upon one.
A.M. in course on
John Barbour of the Class of 1871
Andrew M. J. Cochran of the Class of 1873
Watson A. Sudduth of the Class of 1874
William H. McGranaghan of the Class of 1874
Thomas P. Curry of the Class of 1875
L.L.D.
John M. Harlan of the Class of 1850
Allan Alcom Burton
Ordered that $25 be appropriated to aid in paying expenses of Commencement.
A report on the Financial Report was received, adopted and is as follows, viz.
The Committee to whom was referred the Financial Report of the Secretary respectfully report that they have examined said report, with the accompanying vouchers, and find the same to be correct.
The Committee was directed to make additional report. A paper in relation to daily recitations in the Bible was submitted & referred to the Committee which was appointed to prepare a report for the Synod, viz. Messers Scott, Jones, & Alexander.
The Board then took a recess until 3 o'clock
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p.m.
3 o'clock p.m. Board reassembled.
Mr. Beatty from the Financial Committee reported the sale of the remainder of the Williams land for $600 - cash paid $300 and note of $300. The sale was ratified & the Chairman of the Board was authorized to make a title deed to the purchases.
The note of Dr. Lowry was referred to the Financial Committee with instructions to use such means for its collection as their judgment may approve.
The Committee to whom was referred the matter of the bonds taken by Dr. John L. McKee from C. Campbell, Sr., and Benjamin F. Avery known as legacy bonds have examined the same & find, in the judgment of the committee, said bonds to be valid and binding & recommend no further action in reference thereto.
Respectfully submitted (Signed) T. T. Alexander, Robert Rodes
Report approved.
Upon a representation made by Dr. Scott, he was authorized to agree that an order should be given on the tenant of the Overton farm, Mr. Friley, for the amount of $25.00 a year for three years for the purpose of aiding in the construction of a turnpike road to the place. Said sum to be deducted from Friley's annual rent.
Also $50 to Mr. Friley for repairs, to be expended under the general direction of Dr. Scott.
In continuation of their report, the Committee to which was referred the report of the Secretary offered the following resolution which was adopted by the Board viz.
Resolved, That the following notes and bonds be set apart and known as Vice President Fund.
| Note of George Denny, Sr. | $2,850.00 |
| Bonds of Louisville Water Works | $2,000.00 |
| 1 bond of City of New Albany | $500.00 |
| 2 bond of City of Louisville 6% | $2,000.00 |
| over | $7,350 |
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| From preceeding page | $7,350 |
| Note of J. M. & E. M. Slavens | $508.83 |
| Note of H. C. Arnold | $616.00 |
| Note of Jno. Y. & E. M. Leavill | $1,186.07 |
| Total | $9,661.50 |
The subject of the Preparatory was referred to Messrs Beatty, Yerkes and Hays, with authority to make such arrangements as they may judge to be best.
The following resolution of instruction was prepared and adopted by the Board viz.
The Finance Committee is instructed to collect the interest past due upon the notes belonging to the College, and are authorized to employ a vigilant attorney, with suitable compensation to attend to this matter, and in cases where the Principal of notes is past due, to collect the Principal if practicable, unless the notes are satisfactorily secured. The attorney to act under the instructions of the Committee.
Mr. Beatty reported that the Faculty had selected Mr. J. B. Walton as Principal of the Preparatory, subject to ratification by the Board.
On motion, the action of the Faculty was approved and to them was committed the general management of the College Home for the ensuing year.
The following permanent committees were appointed for the ensuing year.
- On Finance - Ormond Beatty, George W. Welsh, Guy E. Wiseman
- On Repairs - John C. Fales, George W. Welsh, Guy E. Wiseman, Ormond Beatty
- On Investments - Levi L. Warren, Edward P. Humphrey, John B. Temple
Adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock p.m.
8 o'clock p.m. The Board reassembled.
In the absence of the Secretary, Rev. Dr. Jones was appointed Secretary pro tem.
The Committee, with reference to the report of Dr.
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John L. McKee made a report, which was received and adopted and is as follows:
Your committee to whom was referred the communication of Rev. John L. McKee, D.D., on the subject of his work as Agent for the College in the collection of funds for its better endowment, etc., respectfully report
That the money subscribed and collected to supplement his salary as Vice President whilst engaged as Agent of the College, and in Evangelistic work, has been exhausted, and there is no fund out of which the expense can be met. The income of the College is barely sufficient for the regular current expenses, and but a small portion of the subscriptions to the endowment of the Vice President's Chair is available for present revenue.
Under these circumstances the question arises what can be done to continue Dr. McKee in the work, which for several years past he has so successfully prosecuted.
Only two plans occur to your Committee. One is to use a part of the endowment fund of the College for the purpose.
That, in the opinion of your Committee, would be unwise and unjustifiable and should therefore be abandoned.
The other plan is to authorize Dr. McKee to raise from friends of the College cash contributions to the extent of $2,500 as supplementary to his salary for one year from 1st of July 1878, provided he will rely upon that source for said supplemental salary and not hold the College responsible for any part of it. This arrangement to continue for one year only, unless it shall be further extended by the Board.
Your Committee deeply regret this inability to present a more satisfactory plan for meeting the expenses that a continuance of Dr. McKee in the work would involve.
Respectfully submitted (Signed) Edward P. Humphrey, William Ernst, Levi L. Warren
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On motion it was resolved that Dr. Humphrey, Ormond Beatty, and Rev. Robert Christie be appointed to propose and publish a circular letter to be used by Rev. Dr. McKee in the prosecution of his work.
The Board adjourned to meet on tomorrow - Thursday morning at 9 o'clock a.m.
Thursday, June 20 - Board reassembled.
The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the religious instruction of the students reported the following resolution which was adopted, viz.
Resolved, That the Faculty be requested to inquire whether the course of study can be so arranged as to provide for a daily recitation in the Word of God and report to this Board at their next meeting.
Respectfully submitted (Signed) John W. Scott, John Jones, Tyler T. Alexander
They also reported the following answer to the Synod of Kentucky which was adopted by the Board & directed to be spread upon the minutes, viz.
The Committee to whom was referred the paper adopted by the Synod in regard to the religious instruction of the students, report this subject has again & again received the careful and anxious consideration of the Board of Trustees and the Faculty of the College. At the annual meeting of the Board in June 1878 the Faculty submitted a full report giving a detailed statement of all that is done in this direction, and of the efforts made to maintain daily religious instruction among the students. This report from the Faculty is adopted by the Board, and is submitted to the Synod as part of this report.
The Board have also instructed the Faculty to inquire what other steps, if any, are desirable and practicable to bring all the students in the College under a more thorough and systematic course of Bible in-
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struction and recitations, and to report to the Board at their next meeting.
The Board feel justified in assuring the Synod of the hearty cooperation of the Faculty, with the Synod and Board of Trustees in all practicable efforts to promote the religious welfare of those committed to their care.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
(Signed) John W. Scott, Tyler T. Alexander, John Jones
To the application for aid in the erection of a monument to Dr. Ephraim McDowell, the Board made answer that it would hereby be compatible with the trust that they held to make such an appropriation.
As the Board was behind with the salaries of the Professors, it was thought that some inequality was introduced by paying these salaries in full in the order in which they fall due. It was therefore ordered that the salaries should all be made to fall due at the same time, and that the Bank be directed to pay them pro rata. In order to effect this, the Secretary was directed to issue warrants for such fractions of time as would accomplish the end without injustice to anyone.
The Board then adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock p.m. in the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Danville on Tuesday before the 3rd Thursday of June 1879.
Closed with prayer.
Ormond Beatty, Secretary
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Danville, December 10, 1878
Board of Trustee met pursuant to call of Chairman. Members present: Dr. John S. Hays, George W. Welsh, Thomas Barbee, John W. Scott, M.D., Rev. Robert Christie, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D.
In the absence of the Chairman, Dr. Hays was called to the Chair, and opened the meeting with prayer. The following paper was then read & adopted by the Board, viz.
Whereas it appears from a certain deed of Robert C. Boggs of Fayette County, Kentucky, dated January 26, 1848, in favor of the Trustees of the Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church and which deed is recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Fayette County Court, that the Trustees of Centre College have certain contingent rights in said property as set forth in the following extract from said Deed to wit:
"The above mentioned tract of land and the appurtenances is held by them (the Trustees of the Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church) for the exclusive use and benefit of the Presbyterian Church at Walnut Hill to be used by the said Church in any manner or way which they may deem most conducive to the interests of said Church so long as the said Church continues its connection with the General Assembly of the Old School Presbyterian Church of the United States of America, and upon the further trust if the said Church should become extinct or cease its connection with the Old School Presbyterian Church aforesaid, that then they (the Trustees of Walnut Hill Church) will convey the said tract and the appurtenances above mentioned to the Trustees of Centre College at Danville, Boyle County, Ky., to be used by said College for the purposes of education"; and whereas the property described in said deed was by order of the Fayette Circuit Court, sold subject
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to the rights of Centre College and the proceeds of said sale are still held by the Trustees appointed by said Court, also subject to any claim which said Trustees of Centre College may have to the same, and whereas the purchaser of the said property now known as the Walnut Hill Female Seminary & the Trustees of the Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church desire to extinguish the claims of the Trustees of the College to said fund and also to the property described in the Deed of Robert C. Boggs above referred to, and whereas a Committee of this Board have reported that the sum of one thousand and sixty five dollars is an adequate and sufficient compensation to the Trustees of the College for all their rights under the said deed.
Therefore be it resolved, That in consideration of the sum of one thousand & sixty five Dollars ($1,065) to be paid by Edmund P. Shelby, the Trustee of said fund, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Centre College be authorized to execute a quit claim deed to John H. Moore to said property known as the Walnut Hill Female Seminary & also a release to Edmund P. Shelby of all interest in the fund held by him as Trustee.
The Board then adjourned to meet in Danville, at the time & place of the regular annual meeting.
Ormond Beatty, Secretary