ENPages
1
Outlines of a plan for a Theological and Literary Institution, to be established under the auspices of the Prot. Ep. Church, in the Diocese of Tennessee, and to be situated somewhere near the boundary line between the State of Tennessee and Mississippi: It is now almost universally conceded as a settled truth, that in order to supply a region of country with efficient clergymen, they must be educated within its limits. It cannot, however, be denied that as Episcopalians, we have been by far too tardy in making a proper application of this truth. Other denominations, with an activity and zeal which we cannot but commend, have industriously multiplied their Theological Seminaries throughout the Union. The Presbyterians alone possess from ten to twenty, with near a thousand students. We have but four, in which the aggregate number of students does not exceed one hundred and fifty. Of these four Seminaries, not one is found south of the 28th degree of N. latitude, and only two west of the Allegheny Mountains. To supply in some degree, the deficiency indicated by this statement, by providing a domestic nursery for ministers of the Gospel, within a most interesting portion of the Union, is a leading object of the scheme now submitted to the consideration and patronage of an enlightened and generous public. To the Theological School it is intended to add a Literary department, to consist of a college with subordinate schools; and also a Seminary for the education of Professional Teachers. To recommend this feature of the Scheme, it is sufficient to refer to the very partial, expensive and on many accounts objectionable methods, by which the literary wants of Episcopalians in this region are at present supplied. By educating our children abroad we encourage and perpetuate a literary dependence, the continuance of which is as unnecessary as it is impolitic. When by the blessing of Providence, we have it abundantly in our power to bring the means of education home to our doors, what possible pretext can be found for continuing to send our offspring to the Northern Colleges? In so doing we incure great additional expense, in the way of supplies for traveling and pocket money; we endanger the weakening of domestic ties by years of absence from home; we jeopardize the morals of our youth by removing them, before their characters are formed, beyond the reach of parental superintendence; we unfit their constitutions for the climate in which they expect to reside; and virtually debar our poorer neighbors, whose circumstances will not permit them to imitate our costly example, from the opportunity of affording to their children a liberal education. As to the expediency of establishing a Seminary for Teachers, the arguments in its favor, are of the same nature, and if possible even stronger and more numerous than those [....]