History of Randolph-Macon College, Virginia Part 19

"2. That it is eminently proper for the church, in conducting education, to give the Bible such a place and distinct recognition.

"3. That we, the alumni of Randolph-Macon College, recommend and respectfully urge upon the Board of Trustees the creation of a _Chair of Biblical Literature_, whose instruction shall be accessible to all students of the College who shall desire to include them in their course of study, and shall be extended free of charge to any young men who are studying with a view to the Christian ministry.

"4. That we recommend that the Virginia Conference rand the friends and patrons of the College everywhere take measures for speedily endowing a _Chair of Biblical Literature_.

(Signed) "HOLLAND N. MCTYEIRE.

"JOHN C. BLACKWELL."

[Ill.u.s.tration: REV. WILLIAM S. DAVIS, _Of the North Carolina Conference; General of Cavalry in the C. S. A._]

This was the most pleasant and cheering commencement occasion which had occurred for many years. The catalogue showed the attendance to have been: Students in College, 119; in Preparatory School, 22--total, 141.

This year the old curriculum of four years was abandoned, and the course was made _elective_, with the following departments, viz.:

[Ill.u.s.tration: THOMAS J. JARVIS, LL. D., _Ex-Governor of North Carolina; Senator in U. S. Congress; Minister to Brazil._]

1. Ancient Languages, 2. Mathematics, 3. Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, 4. Moral Philosophy, 5. Modern Languages, 6. Preparatory.

A. B. and A. M. courses for degrees were established.

Professor J. C. Wills resigned the Chair of Mathematics. He left much to the regret of the Board and the Faculty to take a professors.h.i.+p at the Southern University, Greensboro, Ala. Mr. Robert T. Ma.s.sie was elected to fill the vacancy. Robert S. Isbell was Princ.i.p.al of the Preparatory School.

The following degrees were conferred:

A. B.

WILLIAM S. DAVIS, N. C.

AURELIUS T. GILL, Va.

ADAM C. BAGBY, Va.

JOHN L. JOHNSON, Va.

HENRY B. COWLES, JR.; Va.

JOHN DAVIDSON BLACKWELL, Va.

WILLIAM H. DAVIS, Va.

JOHN T. HUMPHREYS, Va.

THOMAS J. OVERBY, N. C.

JOHN L. CHAMBERLAIN, N. C.

EDWIN S. HARDY, Va.

JOHN W. JONES, Va.

WILLIAM G. STARR, Va.

CHRISTOPHER THROWER, Ark.

LEROY S. EDWARDS, Va.

LUTHER WRIGHT, Va.

ENGLISH AND SCIENCE.

J. W. HEARTSFIELD, N. C.

THOMAS W. BRANCH, Va.

F. X. MILLER, N. C.

A. M.

DR. SAMUEL D. SANDERS, S. C.

WILLIAM T. MERRITT, Va.

GREEN A. JACKSON, Va.

ARGYLE HALEY, Va.

JOHN E. CHRISTIAN, Va.

JOHN WILLIAMS, N. C.

ALEXANDER HOGG, Texas.

D. D.

Prof. A. M. s.h.i.+PP, Wofford College, S. C.

COLLEGE YEAR 1859-'60.

This was the first year under the new system of instruction. At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, the committee on "The course of instruction and new system of government" reported very favorably on the results, and advised continuance of the same, with some modifications.

The Preparatory School was abolished this year, after an unsuccessful course generally, for about twenty-eight years. The number of students in attendance this year was: in College, 149; in Preparatory School, 16--total, 165.

[Ill.u.s.tration: B. W. ARNOLD, A. M., _Professor of Vanderbilt University; Member of the Virginia Legislature._]

Degrees conferred June, 1860, _under new course_:

A. B.

JOSEPH D. ARNOLD, Va.

WILLIAM P. HILL, Va.

THOMAS J. JARVIS, N. C.

A. M.

BENJ. W. ARNOLD, Va.

ANTHONY DIBRELL, Va.

GEORGE B. FINCH, Va.

P. FLETCHER FORD. Va.

WILLIAM M. JONES, Va.

JAMES H. PEAY, Va.

BENJAMIN I. SCOTT, Va.

JOHN W. TAYLOR, Va.

A. M., under the old course.

WILLIAM I. COWLES, Va.

RICHARD W. JONES, Va.

JOHN B. WILLIAMS, N. C.

WILBUR F. DAVIS, Va.

EDWIN G. MOORE, N. C.