Page 128 - UB Church and Shen Univ
P. 128
Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
between our conscience and our pocket-books. But the world is growing wiser, and the demands made
upon this age and generation are not unimportant. The call for means to carry on the work of research,
investigation, and invention is today the tone of thunder, and arises from the young of our nation. The
time was when men were satisfied if they gave to their children the most meager education, and the
children were content with even much less than they were often compelled to receive. But today it is
otherwise. Men know more; they want their children to know more, and their children want to know
more. And of whom do they expect to receive the blessings of a liberal education? In our own church
the demand is upon us here, now, today. Our young people are hungering and thirsting for knowledge.
They see that the time has passed in which an uneducated man is the most useful. The people think
more now than formerly, and our own boys and girls realize that if they would be leaders at all they
must be leaders of thought as well as action. They find that Christianity appeals to the understanding as
well as to the heart, and that men are influenced more by the reasonableness of the demands of Christ
upon the heart and life than by the sudden, unexplainable impulse of feeling. Formerly the, sinner felt,
or he did not feel; today he thinks, or he does not think. This fact is due to the advancement of the
world, and not the fault of the church, as some suppose. The young men of the church are asking, even
demanding, the advantages of education, in order that they may meet the world on its own grounds,
combat evil with the weapons that it would assume to wield. And now the question is, will the church
give to then a word of encouragement, a God speed, and if needs be, a helping hand?
It is true something has been done for them, we might say much, but here is no place to stop.
Our institutions of learning have worked hard, and their labors have been blessed; but in the midst of
their work they have been depressed with a sense of their crippled condition arising from old debts on
the one hand and lack of sympathy on the other. They should be remembered in the closet, in the
church, and in the pocket-book. But let us thank God for what they have accomplished.
In this connection, we would name, generally, all of the educational institutions of our church, so
far as we know, as worthy of our confidence and support so far as may be possible. Specially, we would
recommend Union Biblical Seminary to any and all of our young men who desire theological training.
We also rejoice in the prosperity of Lebanon Valley College, and hope that its good work may never be
less. We recognize in Shenandoah Institute, the school of our Conference, a power for good, and we
pray the Father that He may bless it and make it more useful. Respectfully submitted, J. N. Fries.
Other Business (p. 13). S. K. Wine, J. E. Hott, and John H. Fleming were elected trustees of
Shenandoah Institute. Among the appointments announced at the end of Conference, Rev. J. N. Fries
was appointed Principal for Shenandoah Institute [Funkhouser 1921, p. 287].
Report from Shenandoah Institute (p. 13). The report of Shenandoah Institute was adopted
[but not included in the Minutes].
Shenandoah Seminary Catalog, 1885-86.68 Officers and Teachers: Rev. J. N. Fries, A.M.,
Principal, Languages and Higher Branches; Mrs. A. B. Widmeyer, M.A., Intermediate Department; Miss
Hattie N. Burtner, Primary English; Miss Pattie M. Mills, Instrumental Music; D. M. Click, Vocal
Music; and B. F. Shuler, Penmanship. Officers of the Corporation: G. P. Hott, President; H. N.
68 Annual Catalogue of Shenandoah Institute, 1885-86. Dayton, Va.: Ruebush, Kieffer, and Company, Printers, 1886,
pp. 2-13. There are no copies of the Catalogue for 1887-88 through 1889-90 in the Shenandoah University Archives.
The next catalog found in Shenandoah University Archives was included in the back pages of The People’s Educational
Monthly (June 1891).
Reports 1886 118
between our conscience and our pocket-books. But the world is growing wiser, and the demands made
upon this age and generation are not unimportant. The call for means to carry on the work of research,
investigation, and invention is today the tone of thunder, and arises from the young of our nation. The
time was when men were satisfied if they gave to their children the most meager education, and the
children were content with even much less than they were often compelled to receive. But today it is
otherwise. Men know more; they want their children to know more, and their children want to know
more. And of whom do they expect to receive the blessings of a liberal education? In our own church
the demand is upon us here, now, today. Our young people are hungering and thirsting for knowledge.
They see that the time has passed in which an uneducated man is the most useful. The people think
more now than formerly, and our own boys and girls realize that if they would be leaders at all they
must be leaders of thought as well as action. They find that Christianity appeals to the understanding as
well as to the heart, and that men are influenced more by the reasonableness of the demands of Christ
upon the heart and life than by the sudden, unexplainable impulse of feeling. Formerly the, sinner felt,
or he did not feel; today he thinks, or he does not think. This fact is due to the advancement of the
world, and not the fault of the church, as some suppose. The young men of the church are asking, even
demanding, the advantages of education, in order that they may meet the world on its own grounds,
combat evil with the weapons that it would assume to wield. And now the question is, will the church
give to then a word of encouragement, a God speed, and if needs be, a helping hand?
It is true something has been done for them, we might say much, but here is no place to stop.
Our institutions of learning have worked hard, and their labors have been blessed; but in the midst of
their work they have been depressed with a sense of their crippled condition arising from old debts on
the one hand and lack of sympathy on the other. They should be remembered in the closet, in the
church, and in the pocket-book. But let us thank God for what they have accomplished.
In this connection, we would name, generally, all of the educational institutions of our church, so
far as we know, as worthy of our confidence and support so far as may be possible. Specially, we would
recommend Union Biblical Seminary to any and all of our young men who desire theological training.
We also rejoice in the prosperity of Lebanon Valley College, and hope that its good work may never be
less. We recognize in Shenandoah Institute, the school of our Conference, a power for good, and we
pray the Father that He may bless it and make it more useful. Respectfully submitted, J. N. Fries.
Other Business (p. 13). S. K. Wine, J. E. Hott, and John H. Fleming were elected trustees of
Shenandoah Institute. Among the appointments announced at the end of Conference, Rev. J. N. Fries
was appointed Principal for Shenandoah Institute [Funkhouser 1921, p. 287].
Report from Shenandoah Institute (p. 13). The report of Shenandoah Institute was adopted
[but not included in the Minutes].
Shenandoah Seminary Catalog, 1885-86.68 Officers and Teachers: Rev. J. N. Fries, A.M.,
Principal, Languages and Higher Branches; Mrs. A. B. Widmeyer, M.A., Intermediate Department; Miss
Hattie N. Burtner, Primary English; Miss Pattie M. Mills, Instrumental Music; D. M. Click, Vocal
Music; and B. F. Shuler, Penmanship. Officers of the Corporation: G. P. Hott, President; H. N.
68 Annual Catalogue of Shenandoah Institute, 1885-86. Dayton, Va.: Ruebush, Kieffer, and Company, Printers, 1886,
pp. 2-13. There are no copies of the Catalogue for 1887-88 through 1889-90 in the Shenandoah University Archives.
The next catalog found in Shenandoah University Archives was included in the back pages of The People’s Educational
Monthly (June 1891).
Reports 1886 118
