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American Quarterly Church Review Vol XIII No IV Jan 1861
LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH.
On Wednesday, Oct. 10th, the Corner Stone of this University was laid at Sewanee, Tenn., with appropriate ceremonies, as follows. The Rt. Rev. Bishops OTEY, SMITH, POLK, ELLIOT, COBBS, GREEN, RUTLEDGE, and ATKINSON, were present and took part in the Services. A great number of Clergymen were in attendance, and the whole number of persons was estimated at from 3,000 to 5,000. At 11 o'clock, A. M., the procession was formed, under the command of Chief Marshal Maj. A. M. Rutledge, and proceeded, to the music of the band, from the Executive Office to the site of the principal building, in the following order: Horn's Silver Band; Citizens of Franklin, and Counties adjacent; Invited Guests; Architect; Ministers of the Gospel; Presidents of Colleges and Professors; the Ladies; the Trustees; the Orator of the Day and other Speakers; Bishops, in order of seniority. The Right Rev. Bishop Otey began the Services by announcing the 79th Selection, ("With one consent," etc.,) which was sung by the choir, accompanied by the band. Appropriate sentences from Scripture were then read by Bishop Rutledge, of Florida, and the usual exhortation delivered by Bishop Atkinson, of North Carolina. Bishop Cobbs, of Alabama, then said several Collects. The choir then sang the 79th Selection, being the 100th Psalm of David.
Bishop Elliot, of Georgia, announced the deposits in the corner-stone, and, in naming the articles to be deposited, made such remarks respecting each as was deemed suitable and appropriate. The following were the articles deposited in the metal casket, before it was fitted into its proper place: the Holy Bible; the Book of Common Prayer; the Constitution of the United States; the Journal of the General Convention of 1859, with the Constitution and Canons; the latest Journals of the Dioceses of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Tennesee; documents, pertaining to the founding of the University, copies of Church Review, Protestant Epsicopal Quarterly, South-
704 Summary of Home Intelligence. [Jan.,
ern Episcopalian, Spirit of Missions, and all the Church newspapers published in the United States; and lastly, a pocket almanac, containing a complete Clergy list of the Church of England and Great Britain, Ireland and the colonies. The block was properly adjusted in its place, and the ceremony of laying the corner-stone was performed by Bishop Polk, of Louisiana, who began by saying:--
"A corner-stone is that, which unites the walls and building, and may symbolize strength and stability--the union of the intellectual and spiritual nature of man-the emblem of Christ, the sure and tried corner-stone, the wisdom of God and the power of God."
Then, striking the stone three times with a gavel, he said:--
"In the Name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity! Father! Son! and Holy Ghost! three Persons--one God, Blessed forever more. Amen."
"I, Leonidas Polk, D. D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Louisiana, on the tenth day of October, and in the year of Grace, 1860, do lay this corner-stone of an edifice, to be here erected, as the principal building of the 'University of the South,'--an Institution, established by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, for the cultivation of true religion, learning and virtue, that, thereby, God may be glorified, and the happiness of men be advanced.
" 'Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ; the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever; God over all, blessed forever, in Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins; for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.' "
The choir then chanted the Benedicte, with instrumental accompaniment; after which the procession was re-formed, and marched to the place prepared for the delivery of the address; when Bishop Otey introduced the Orator, Hon. JOHN S. PRESTON, of S. C. After the Oration, the Gloria in Excelsis was sung by the choir, and an appropriate prayer was offered up by Bishop Green, after which the Benediction was pronounced by Bishop Otey, when the audience dispersed.
Shortly afterwards, the invited guests sat down to a sumptuous collation, prepared by Drs. D. T. and H. T. Scott. After all had partaken, brief speeches were made by Lieutenant Maury, Rev. Dr. F. A. P. Barnard, President of the University of Mississippi, and Bishop Smith of Kentucky.