THE CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY REPORT OF THE PHES IDENT FOR THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 23, 1924 TO JUNE 5, 1928 The Twenty-third Triennial Convention was held on September 23, 1924, in connection with which the new Residence Halls were dedicated, The Twenty-fourth Triennial Convention, to which this report is made, was not called to meet until June, 1928, in order that the dedication of the completed buildings might also be celebrated and the seventieth year of the active life of the institution fittingly observed. Although the Seminary was chartered in 1855, actual instruction did not begin until 1858. The period covered by this report is the most significant section of the Seminary's history. It includes a remarkable development in its buildings, its faculty, its student body, and its general prestige and influence among the Churches. These factors will now be set forth in as concise form as pos- sible: RELATIONS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO The affiliation with the University of Chicago has worked success- fully during the period covered by this report. In the death of President Ernest DeWitt Burton, the Seminary lost a member of the Advisory Cotmnittee and a counselor nhose understanding of the problems of theologioal education was based upon his long experienoe in the Divinity School. His suocessor, Presi- dent Max Mason, came to his position of high trust from the scientific field. His interest in the religious life of the University and the work of the Divinity School and the Seminary is deep and genuine. He has been a member of the Advisory Committee of the Seminary, and a friend to our work in every rela- tion. Dr. Shailer Mathews, Dean of the Divinity School, has sustained his co- operation in the development of the Seminary, and is a member of the Advisory Committee. The wisdom of our removal to the neighborhood of the University is more amply confirmed every year. The completion of Swift Hall by the University has given the Seminary neW rooms for its academic work without expense, thereby avoiding the nece5si~y of erecting lecture halls. All the resources of the University are placed at the disposal of our students. Courtesies to University faculties are extended also to our professors. From time to time minor problems of adjustment may need to be solved; but they can be met successfully in the spirit of understanding and cooperation which have marked our relations with the University in the past • .RELATIONS WITH THE HYDE PARK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The Seminary always has sustained close relationships with neighbor- ing Congregational Churches, as was the case on the West Side with First and Union Park. On moving to Hyde Park the same cooperation was soon effected. This has grovm especially gratifying in recent years. Members of the faculty serve the Hyde Park Church in many relations. The Church welcomes our students into its membership and work. It has issued calls for Ordination Councils and -2- generously aided in establishing ministerial relationships for them. On June 3, 1928, it ordained four students to the ministry, as reoently it sent out the letter missive for the Council that ordained Professor Wilhelm pauck. Reverend Willis L. Goldsmith has been constant in hiB effort further to augment this pleasant Church and Seminary relationship. THE BO~~D OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors has suffered loss by death of two of its members whose terms of service were long, and marked by unfailing fidelity to the Seminary. Reverend E. H. Stickney of North Dakota was in the best sense of the word a IIpioneerll home missionary. He saw the state of North Dakota grow in population and he guided the churches to keep pace with its progress. Dr. Stickney never failed to be present at the meetings of the Board and to perform his full part whenever his counsel and help were needed. His is an honored name among Home Missionary superintendents and Directors of Chicago Seminary. With possibly one exception, the ~ecord of Mr. Fales' long connection with the Seminary is unique in its history. Elected to membership on the Board in 1891, a year later he became one of the Seminary's two Vice-Presidents. In 1897 he became first Vice-President; and in 1903, he became Chairman of the Board. For nearly fifty years, Mr. Fales served the Seminary loyally and faith- fully, having been attorney for the Board, before he was elected to membership. He died Deoember 22, 1926. He was courageous, forceful, and enthusiastic; yet gentle and affectionate - a pillar of strength to his associates, and to the work he represented. In June, 1927, the Board voted to hold semi-annual meetings in order to keep better informed concerning the affairs of the Seminary and to become personally acquainted with the members of the Faculty. The first of these meet- ings was held in November,(1927). The afternoon session was devoted to a sur- vey of the academic work of the Seminary, the new courses being given especial attention. Members of the Board expressed their appreciation of this opportun- ity to meet the professors and to hear from them the account of their plans and methods of wor-k, The June meeting might well be devoted chiefly to business and the November meeting to academic matters. The Faculty feels the need of closer personal aoquaintance with the Board of Directors. There is but little oppor- tunity to secure this personal contact. The Board ought to know the academic program of the institution and the men who are planning and executing it; the professors ought to know personally the men who are responsible for the admin- istration of the institution. In the last analysis the personal factors are of supreme moment in the work of the Seminary. Unless the professors 'and Di- rectors can know each other personally the Seminary will suffer at a point where its interests are sensitive and vital. This demands a November meeting planned so that opportunity for the survey of the academic as well as the busi- ness program of the Seminary shall be possible. Twelve Directors are to be elected at this meeting to compose the group whose terms of office expire in 1933. THE ADVIS ORY COMMrTTEE The Advisory Committee consists now of eighteen members, with Dr. Lorado Taft as Chairman. The Committee does not meet formally, but is consulted as occasion requires. Dr. Taft has sent several letters to the Committee, and his own counsel has been of the greatest value, especially in the construction and decoration of the Clarence Sidney Funk Cloisters. �3- THE STATE SUPERINTENDENTS I COUNCIL The state Superintendents I Council was organized four years ago primarily to brin~ the State Superintendents of the Middle West into closer touch with the Program of the Seminary, especially with regard to recruiting and the placing of men in the churches. The Council is called annually, usually at the time of the Mid-Winter Conference of Churoh Officers in Chicago. It elects its own officers and makes its own program. Dr. P. A. Johnson, of Grinnell, Iowa, is the President for 1928, and the Reverend Charles C. Burger, of st. Louis, ~assouri, Secretary. The Council has been very helpful to t}~Seminary in bringing the Faculty into closer touch with the problems of the field. THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS The Board of Ex~iners is ~~deup of one or more visitors from each sto.te of the Middle West elected annually by the various State Conferences. 1'he Examiners visit the Seminary once a year, inspect its classes, confer with its faculty, and make a general survey of its entire program. It is their duty then, after giving such counsel as they may bring from the field, to return to their State Conferenoes, to make a written report of their visit to the Seminary, and to present the same publicly at the annuo.l meetin~ of the state Conference, inclUding a copy of the report for the printed minutes of the Conferenoe. This annual visit on the part of the different Examiners elected by the Conferences is one of the most helpful contacts ~etweenthe Seminary and the field. Throu~h the 1927 revision of the Charter and Constitution, the Examiners are now recognized as Official Delegates to the Seminaryls Triennial Convention, and they therefore have a direct part in the management of the Seminary. REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION The Board of Directors is empowered by the charter to adopt the con- stitution under which the Seminary is administered. It became apparent that the document which had been adequate before the removal from Union Park vms not sufficient to cover the expanding needs of the Seminary at the University. Therefore, after careful study, a revision was adopted by the Board June 7, 1927. ,D'ile no cho.n~es were made which alter the· essential character of the older Constitution, the revision provides for: the increased machinery of ad- ministration; the removal of the rigid requirements of creed subscription; and desirable adjustments in the Triennial Convention representation. Under the new constitution, the Seminary still retains its distinct character of relationship to the Congregational churches and service to them at the vital point of training their leaders in a ministry as wide as the world, and chan~in~ with the needs of society. STUDENTS The summary of students is by years, Lnc Iudkng the fcur quar-ner s in order, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The following table shows the details: -4- YEAR SEMINARY UNIVERSITY TOTAL 1924-25 ------------------ 136 ---------------------~- 151 ------------ 287 25-26 ------------------ 154 ----------------------- 101 ----------- 255 26-27 ------------------ 271 ----------------------- 187 ------------ 458 27-28 ------------~----- 255 ----------------------- 186 ------------ 441 The register of students generally reveals ebb and flow; but the line of advance revealed in the foregoing figures is encouraging.