1883 | contents | 1885
Centre College Board of Trustees Minutes (Vol. 4 - 1884)

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4 p.m., Danville, Ky., June 17, 1884

The Board of Trustees of Centre College met pursuant to adjournment and was opened with prayer by Dr. Yerkes. There were present: Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. John W. Pugh, Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., Dr. John W. Scott, Messrs. George Nichols, William Ernst, Robert P. Jacobs, William H. Kinnaird.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The Financial Report for the year ending April 1, 1884, with the report of the auditing committee to which it had been referred, was then read, received and adopted.

The Secretary was directed to place upon his minutes a statement making the proper explanation of Nichols account to which allusion was made in the report of the auditing committee last year. The following is the explanation: Mr. Nichols was the renter of a dwelling house from the College. His rent was paid in work done on the College property. When he presented his account for work done the Committee on repairs were not willing to accept it as presented. It was finally adjusted by compromise, the College paying the sum named in the Financial Report of 1882-3. All the papers were in the hands of the auditing committee at the time of their report, and are now on file.

The Faculty Report, with accompanying papers, was then presented, and is as follows:

The Faculty of Centre College would beg leave to make to the Board of Trustees, and through them to the Synod of Kentucky the following report as to the internal condition of the College for the academic year ending June 19, 1884.

Faculty

It is with grateful pleasure that we are able to report that every member of the Faculty has been at his post and at his work without interruption during

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the past year. No changes have occurred in the body.

Students

We are glad to be able to report a considerable increase in the total number of students above that of last year. The number reported last year was 156, the present year 191; total increase, 35 - most of which was in the Preparatory Department.

The year has been exempt, to an unusual degree, from disorder, and in not a single case has severe discipline been found necessary. Habits of study have been good. No deep religious feeling has at any time pervaded the body of students, yet the Young Men's Christian Association has been active and done much good. Religious meetings of considerable interest have been held at various times during the year by several different denominations in town, and six or eight students have joined the various churches, five of them connecting themselves with the 2nd Presbyterian Church. One of them appears to have made up his mind to enter the ministry. Five young men under the care of the Board of Education are connected with the College, and perhaps as many more connected with our own or other denominations have the ministry in view or at least under consideration.

The College Home

Has been under the same management as last year. It has been unusually well filled during the year. At one time not a vacant bed was found in the building. It looks as if it would be necessary to provide additional accommodations or to refuse applications for admission into it.

Preparatory Department

Has been unusually prosperous during the past year. Arrangements have been made to have it conducted under the same auspices this year as last.

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Curriculum

The Faculty desires to call the special attention of the Board to some important changes that are proposed in the College curriculum. The scheme of studies, which if agreeable to the Board, we propose to adopt next year, is exhibited in the annual catalogue to which we beg to refer you. The most important change which is proposed is the introduction of a four years' Scientific Course, leading to the degree of B.S. To carry out this scheme will require considerable additional labor on the part of the Faculty, which they have, however, voluntarily consented to take on themselves.

Lectures

The College classes were favored last winter with a short course of lectures by Dr. McMurtry on Physiology and Hygiene, which we think were of great value to the students and in which they seemed to take a special interest. They were delivered gratuitously and the thanks of the Board, we think, are due to Dr. McMurtry for his kindness. We hope that arrangements can be made the ensuing year for other lectures upon interesting topics.

Degrees

The Faculty would recommend that the degree of A.B. be conferred on the following young men, members of the Senior Class: Marcus M. Allen, Henry K. Bourne, Boyle G. Boyle, Clarence K. Crawford, Joseph L. Davis, George Z. Dimmitt, William E. Knight, Robert G. McKee, George E. Moore, Cleon C. Owens, Augustus Rogers, Fouchee W. Samuel, William P. Sandidge, William R. Stout, William A. Tribble.

And that a certificate be granted to L. L. Bridgeforth

Christian Classics

The attention of the Faculty was called by the Board at its last meeting to the subject of Christian

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Classics and the propriety of their introduction as textbooks into the regular curriculum. Prof. Redd was requested to investigate the subject and report to the Faculty. His report is herewith submitted and made a part of this report. If the Board should insist upon their introduction, the Faculty will endeavor cheerfully to execute its wishes, and a plan is suggested by Prof. Redd for carrying out such a scheme. But candor compels us to say that we do not think any good is likely to flow from the change.

Museum, Library, etc.

Reports on the Museum, Library, etc., are herewith submitted, and will explain themselves.

Commencement of Term

The Faculty have, as they think, seen a good many inconveniences arising from beginning our term on Monday, and would respectfully suggest that the time for the opening of the term be changed from the first Monday to the first Wednesday in September. This will not change the length of the term.

Other important information will be obtained from the annual Financial Report and the catalogue which are herewith submitted.

On behalf of the Faculty,

Very Respectfully, (Signed) Ormond Beatty

The following is the Librarian's Report:

To the Honorable Board of Trustees of Centre College of Kentucky:

Gentlemen - The following report is respectfully submitted, as showing the condition of the Library at the close of the current scholastic year:

Books added by donation
Books added by purchase
Number at beginning of year
Total
Pamphlets received during year
72
38
4,845
4,965
78

A large number of magazines, journals, quarterlies, etc., having accumulated during many

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years, it was thought advisable by the Faculty that a beginning be made in binding them for preservation. In obedience to this 130 volumes were sent to the bindery.

The Librarian regrets that the pressure of other work has made it impossible to finish the card catalogue. It gives him pleasure to add that the part already prepared has proved of great service to the students during the past year.

Respectfully, (Signed) John C. Fales, Librarian

The following is the Report on the Museum:

To the Board of Trustees of Centre College of Kentucky:

Gentlemen: The following report represents the additions to the Museum during the past year:

Number of entries at beginning of year
Added as follows:
Minerals
Fossils
Plants
Archaeological
Total entries at close of year
2,735
69
9
55
5
2,873

Very respectfully, (Signed) John C. Fales, Prof. in Charge

The report of Prof. John C. Fales on the Scientific Fund shows

Amount received
Amount expended
Balance on hand
$129.80
$61.06
$68.74

The report on Christian Classics is as follows:

To the Board of Trustees of Centre College:

As the question has been raised touching the expediency of introducing the Christian Classics into our College, it may be proper that I make the following report:

This "Series of Christian Greek & Latin" writers

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owes its origin to an endowment by Benjamin Douglass for the study of these authors in Lafayette College. Each volume - "An Apology for Christians" by Athenagoras; "The Ecclesiastical History" of Eusebius; "The Select Works" of Tertullian; Latin Hymns; and the "Apologies" of Justin Martyr - has been carefully prepared and edited by Prof. F. A. March.

Some years ago there was at Lafayette a four years' course of Christian Greek & Latin, elective with heathen. Students of theology were emphatic in speaking of the advantages that the studies offered. Withal, Prof. Coffin and other professors and students were hostile to the course, and even unwilling to place it on the same footing with the heathen. This complete course was supported by Mr. Douglass, and when he was unable to pay the salaries of the professors, the course was abandoned.

At present all students for the degree of A.B. are required to take Christian Latin one term and Christian Greek another term. Christian Latin is elective with other Latin in the Senior year. "This course," says Prof. March, "gives rise to no hostility, and it measurably answers the same purpose."

We might then, as far as practicable, adopt the present course of Christian classics at Lafayette, devoting one term to them in each department, and thus widen the study of the ancient world. According to our present arrangement of studies, it might not be wise to attempt more immediately. At all events, it seems to me, that the introduction of these studies into our colleges must be gradual, and thus we shall avoid all embarrassments and be better able to appreciate their merits and influence.

I am also of the opinion that our course will be in every way equally good, and that our students will leave College that after the decadence of Hellenic literature a greater importance was attached to the Greek literature of Christianity.

Very respectfully, John W. Redd, Prof. of Greek

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The following is the statement made by the Professor of Natural and Physical Science in regard to the needs of his department.

To the Board of Trustees of Centre College:

Gentlemen, The Prof. in charge of the Department of Sciences desires to present some facts, in relation to the Department for your consideration.

  1. The total amount of funds yearly furnished for use amounts to $110. This must answer for sustaining and improving the physical and chemical laboratories and pay for labels, alcohol, botanical paper, etc., for the Museum.
  2. The cases in the Museum are becoming crowded and will soon need enlargement. Some necessary changes in the laboratory are demanded for the work crowded into it. Heretofore when needed the Professor has made them himself, but as a row of analytical tables are now called for, he does not feel that he can undertake the work of putting them in with his own hands.
  3. There is a great lack of apparatus, some still needed in the chemical laboratory, but a much larger quantity in the physical, especially such as are needed in the study of electricity which, from the accuracy required in its manufacture is much more expensive than in other branches.

The question of supplying these wants is respectfully submitted for your consideration.

(Signed) John C. Fales, Prof.

At the suggestion of the Chairman the Faculty Report, with accompanying papers, was taken up for consideration item by item. A motion was then made and adopted, as follows:

Moved, that that portion of the report of the Faculty relating to the need of increased accommodations in the College Home be referred to the Financial Committee to ascertain the probable cost, and suggest ways and means of accomplishing the same. Also an increase in the permanent funds of the College,

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and that Drs. Humphrey and Scott act with said committee in the consideration of these subjects.

On motion the Board then adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.

9 a.m., Wednesday, June 18, 1884

The Board reassembled and was opened with prayer by Dr. Cleland.

By leave of the Board Dr. McKee was allowed to offer his report on his evangelistic and agency work, which was read and ordered to be filed. It is as follows:

Danville, Ky., June 17, 1884

This report covers the time beginning April 1, 1883, and closing April 1, 1884. In addition to my instructions in the College, I have used my best endeavors to collect what is due from subscribers to the endowment fund, and have been more than usually successful, as the Financial Report will show. I have preached as follows:

Harrodsburg, as stated supply
New Albany, Ind.
Shelbyville, Ky.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Cheviot, O.
Total
116 sermons
22
29
45
41
253

In most of the above cases the candidates for church membership were not received until after I left, so I do not know the number of additions.

Income

Salary as stated supply
New Albany, Free-will Offering
Shelbyville
Knoxville
Cheviot
Canvassing for students of Centre College
Total
 
Ten percent on collections
$1,100.00
$75.00
$105.00
$170.00
$219.00
$85.00
$1,764.00

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Expenses

Traveling to and from Harrodsburg, including boarding in H.
To Brethren for supplying pulpit in my absence
Traveling expenses on evangelistic trips
Total
$75.00
$95.00
$42.50
$212.50

Respectfully submitted, (Signed) John L. McKee

Mr. George W. Welsh and Drs. Heman H. Allen and Robert Christie appeared and took their seats.

In accordance with the suggestion of the Faculty, it is ordered that hereafter the session shall be opened on the first Wednesday, instead of the first Monday, in September.

Mr. W. J. Moore offered in discharge of some small notes he owed the College a deed to a small parcel of land he owned in Danville. The whole subject was referred to the Financial Committee with full power to act in the premises.

Mr. Beatty offered his report on the Scott Memorial Fund, which was referred to Mr. Robert P. Jacobs, who reported it correct. See Financial Report

The report of Mr. Walton was read and ordered to be put on file. It is as follows:

Report of Preparatory Department of Centre College for the Session ending June 13, 1884

Total number students enrolled
Number taking classical course
Number taking English course
Number prepared for Freshman class
Tuition receipts to date
Spent on repairs of Preparatory building
115
90
25
25
$2,100.00
$116.85

(Signed) J. B. Walton, Principal

The subject of introducing the Christian classics into the curriculum of the College was taken up and discussed at some length, when,

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on motion, it was Resolved, That the question of the introduction of the Christian Classics into the course of study in the College be referred to the Faculty with full power to act in the premises.

The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the need of increased accommodations in the College Home submitted the following report which was unanimously adopted:

We recommend the Board to appoint a committee to inquire into the necessity of enlarging the College Home, suggest plans, estimate expenses, etc., the committee to report to the Board at an adjourned meeting to be held in Louisville at 12 noon of the second day of the next meeting of the Synod of Kentucky.

We also recommend that the same committee inquire what amount is necessary to supply the demands of the proposed Scientific Department, and also to suggest the method and way of raising the necessary amount; and in the meantime we recommend the appropriation to Prof. Fales for the Scientific Department out of the ordinary income of the College the sum of five hundred (500) dollars.

Resolved that the committee contemplated by the above report, be the Financial Committee with Prof. Fales added thereto.

On motion the following was adopted:

Resolved that the Faculty be empowered, and requested to employ such agencies as are within their reach to secure the attendance of new students to Centre College the ensuing term, and to pay for such agencies such sums as in their judgment may be proper.

The following honorary degrees were conferred:

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A. M. on Robert T. Quisenberry, Danville, [Ky.]
D.D. on Rev. John Fenton Hurdy, Class 1862, Emporia, Kansas
D.D. on Rev. Samuel E. Wishard, Danville, Ky.
L.L.D. on his Excellency, Gov. J. Proctor Knott

The degree of A.M. in course was conferred on the following alumni:

Dr. Henry K, Steele, 1844, Denver, Col.
Dr. James Drummond Burch, 1860, Fort Worth, Tex.
Dr. Alexander G. Drury, 1865, Cincinnati, O.
William Ayres, 1873, Louisville, Ky.
William R. Griffith, 1876, Owensboro, Ky.
Robert L. Blakeman, 1881, Danville, [Ky.]
Logan W. Caldwell, 1881, Parksville, [Ky.]
Joseph W. Caldwell, 1881, Parksville, [Ky.]
James F. Greer, 1881, Chaplin, [Ky.]
Benjamin V. Tyler, 1881, Cincinnati, O.

In accordance with the recommendation of the Faculty the degree of A.B. was conferred on the fifteen members of the senior class named in the Faculty Report, and a Certificate on L. L. Bridgeforth.

On motion it was ordered that the salaries of Profs. Redd and Cheek be each raised to the sum of $1,500 per annum, the increase to begin October 1, 1884.

On motion the Faculty Report was approved, and the following resolution, offered by Mr. Pugh, was adopted: Resolved, that this Board has received with great pleasure the proposed addition to the College curriculum of the four years' Scientific Course, and express their hearty approval thereof; and in view of the fact that the Faculty have voluntarily consulted to take upon themselves the considerable additional labor, therefore, resolved, that this Board do hereby express their hearty and

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grateful appreciation of the generous offer of the Faculty in the premises; and that the Secretary of the Board be instructed to convey this action to the members of the Faculty.

Board took a recess to 4 o'clock p.m.

Letters were received from Mr. Barbour and Dr. Jones giving reasons for their non-attendance which the Secretary was directed to note in his minutes.

The following resolution in regard to the late Mr. Levi L. Warren was passed and ordered to be printed, and a copy sent to his widow:

It becomes the painful duty of this Board of Trustees to record the death of Mr. Levi L. Warren. He has served the College as a Trustee for the period of nearly twenty-two years continuously. He was for many years the custodian of our funds and Chairman of the Committee on Investments. His attention to the interests of the College was constant and faithful, and his contributions to our funds amounted to several thousand dollars - one of those contributions mounting to $10,000 was made at a time and in a way which largely helped to save the College from impending ruin. The Board now leaves upon our records its tribute of respect, gratitude, and affection for his memory.

The Secretary is directed to send a copy of this to his family.

It was then resolved, that the note held by this Board given by George Denny, Sr., to the amount of $2,800, be referred to the Financial Committee, with power to secure a final adjustment to the same.

The following Committees for the ensuing year were appointed:

Committee on Investment: Messrs. Temple, Dr. Edward P. Humphrey, Edward W. C. Humphrey, and George Nicholas.

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Financial Committee: Messrs. Ormond Beatty, George W. Welsh, and Robert P. Jacobs.

Committee on Repairs: Messrs. John C. Fales, George W. Welsh, and Guy E. Wiseman.

Auditing Committee: Messrs. Robert P. Jacobs and George W. Welsh.

The Board then adjourned to meet in Louisville at 12 noon of the second day of the next meeting of the Synod of Kentucky.

The meeting was closed with prayer by Dr. Allen.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary

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Louisville, October 17, 1884

Pursuant to adjournment, the Board of Trustees of Centre College met in Louisville and was opened with prayer by the Chairman, Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D. Members present: Rev. Heman H. Allen, D.D., Rev. John W. Pugh, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. Robert Christie, D.D., Rev. John Jones, D.D., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., George W. Welsh, Dr. John W. Scott, William Ernst, James Barbour, Rev. James P. Hendrick, D.D.

The special object of the meeting was stated to be the raising of funds to enlarge the dormitories of the College, to purchase additional apparatus, and to provide other appliances needed by the College. Whereupon the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, 1st. That the interests of Centre College demand an immediate increase of its funds to the extent of at least $25,000; first for the erection and furnishing of a building for dormitories, and second for the purchase of additional philosophical apparatus & other needed appliances.

2nd. That Dr. John L. McKee, the Financial Agent of this Board, be requested to undertake at the earliest practicable period the work of raising this sum. And that, with the authority and endorsement of the Synod of Kentucky, he be directed at his discretion to visit the churches within its bounds or elsewhere as may be proper in order to carry out the foregoing resolution, and to promote in every way in his power the interests of the College.

3rd. That the Board of Trustees will supplement the salary which he now receives as Vice-President and Financial Agent to the extent that he shall receive for his entire services, should he undertake this work, the sum of $2,500 a year in quarterly payments,

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together with his travelling expenses. Dr. McKee is not expected to abandon or to lessen the services he now renders as an instructor in the College. But the sum of $2,500 is to cover his salary both as an instructor and as an agent of the College.

4th. That this arrangement shall be for one year from the time Dr. McKee enters upon this work. Should the agency be continued for a longer period, it will be subject to arrangements to be made by Dr. McKee with the Board.

5th. That in matters of doubt or difficulty Dr. McKee be requested to confer with the Financial Committee and receive its aid and counsel in the matter.

6th. That this subject shall be laid by the Chairman of the Board before the Synod, with the request that it shall authorize the application for additional funds on behalf of the College to be made in the manner indicated by the Board of Trustees.

7th. That this Board regards the Princeton Collegiate Institute as an important enterprise, and its success will give support to the College.

The Board then adjourned to meet at the regular time in Danville, at 4 o'clock p.m. on Tuesday before the 3rd Thursday in June next.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary

5 p.m. Board reassembled at the call of the Chairman. Rev. William C. Young, D.D., who had just been elected by the Synod, appeared and took his seat.

Dr. John L. McKee having stated in open Synod that he was not willing to undertake the work that had been assigned him by the Board, it was Resolved, That the Financial Committee be

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authorized and empowered to secure the services of an agent for this work to be done under the general direction and supervision of this committee.

The Board then adjourned to meet in Danville at 4 o'clock on Tuesday before the third Thursday in June 1885.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary