Grace Theological Seminary - Xapis / Grace Yearbook (Winona Lake, IN)

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PAGE 16 should not be handicapped by the un- pleasant task of correcting erroneous theological o pinions expressed in [college] classroom and chapel. It is not that such opinions are feared. But it is demoralizing and embarrassing to have these issues arising between faculty members of the same institu- tion. .. . If the seminary teacher ven- tures to defend the church’s view- point, he is likely to be regarded as a troublesome heresy hunter and placed in a false light before the [col- lege| student body. If the arts col- lege would support enthusiastically the theological position of the sem- inary, this situation could be correct- ed. But experience does not indicate much hope for such a solution, al- though it might properly be expected of a church college. . . . In some re- spects the presence of the seminary on the Ashland campus would be an embarrassment to the arts college. Such seminary work as we are doing there at present is being done surrep- titiously. To borrow a well-under- stood term, we are ‘bootlegging’ our seminary education as far as graduate work is concerned. This will be per- fectly clear to anyone who reads the college catalog (1930). . . . The sit- uation is demoralizing to the best in- terests of ministerial training in the Brethren Church. . . . If the college | administration] demands the reten- tion of the seminary on this campus, it should be given the dignity and prestige that such a school deserves and must have” (13). In concluding his presentation of the new seminary project, Professor McClain assured the board that al- though the men for whom he spoke were strongly in favor of locating the school in southern California where both a building and financial support were available, nevertheless they THE ASHLAND SEMINARY QUARTET IN 1936 Jacob Kliever, Kenneth Ashman, Robert Ashman, Luther Grubb, and Robert Scott

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tant that you should, at least one of you. I am satisfied that the two in- stitutions (seminary and college) cannot be maintained separately at the present time without the loss of the college [italics supplied|” (11). Recognizing the validity of these appeals, both Bauman and McClain agreed to meet with the college board at Ashland for the purpose of explor- ing the possibilities of reaching some agreement which would not jeopard- ize the future either of the college or the proposed new seminary. It should be stated here that Dr. Bauman was already a member of the Ashland College board, representing the churches of the Southern California District. Professor McClain had been elected moderator of the General Conference of the Brethren Church for the current year of 1929-30. IV. The Agreement to Locate the Seminary at Ashland. The Ashland College board of trus- tees convened at Ashland, Ohio, in their annual meeting on April 24, 1930, the date having been changed to make it possible for Bauman and McClain to be present. In a carefully prepared manuscript, Professor Mc- Clain presented the plan of the pro- posed seminary, dealing with three things: first, the need for a standard Brethren theological seminary; sec- ond, the reasons why the Ashland College campus would not be the best place to locate it; and third, some essential conditions which must be met if the seminary were to be lo- cated there. As to “The Need for a Brethren Theological Seminary,” many of the arguments presented by Professor McClain are still cogent today, as in- dicated by the following excerpts: “The Brethren Church must provide theological training for its own min- istry. If we do not, our best young men will go elsewhere. Some have already made application to enter other seminaries. . . . The Brethren Church can not depend upon the arts college at Ashland to do this work. By its very nature the arts college must either be silent or else keep in the background the distinctive posi- tions of the Brethren Church. ... We need a theological seminary which, by example and precept, will lead men to feel that it is supremely worth while to be a minister in the Brethren Church. . . . Without an adequately trained ministry, enthusiastic for our message, we are doomed. Competi- tion is keen, union is in the air, and modernism is dissolving all differ- ences” (12). Regarding “The Location of the Seminary,” Professor McClain argued that while there would be some ad- vantages in placing it at Ashland Col- lege, there were many reasons which could be urged against such a loca- tion. A few of these reasons are re- produced here in part: “The seminary should be conducted in a religious atmosphere which does not and can not possibly exist in an arts college which is open to the general public and where the seminary students are a small minority. . . . It should be frankly recognized that the [Ash- land] college faculty contains an ele- ment which does not sympathize with the theological viewpoint of the sem- inary and a majority of Brethren ministers. The seminary professors PAGE 15

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might agree to the location at Ash- land College if the board would ap- prove and support a definite “SEM- INARY PROGRAM” which he then proceeded to outline. Since the main points of this program are of high his- torical significance, they are repro- duced here rather fully as they appear in the original manuscript: 1. The present seminary department of the arts college should be made a standard theological seminary for college graduates ... degrees to be granted only to those who have properly matriculated. 2. The faculty shall be composed of at least four professors... . 3. The dean of the seminary should have complete jurisdiction in all seminary matters, similar to the jurisdiction of the president in the arts college. . . . He should be a member of the board of trustees in order that the seminary interests may be properly represented thereon. 4. Teachers having the degree of Th.M. from standard seminaries should be ranked with the doctors in the arts college, in such matters as scholastic standing and salary. ... (If the two institutions were separated, this issue would not be raised.) 5. The continuance of the seminary on the college grounds should be regarded as an experiment for the present, and if it proves successful, steps shall be taken to erect a separate building suited to the spe- cial needs of the seminary. On the other hand, if the separation of the two institu- tions should be finally deemed advisable, both college and seminary shall cooperate in the matter so that it may be accom- plished without injury to either. 6. A plan should be worked out which will insure the financial autonomy of the seminary. This plan should provide either for an equitable division of present and fu- ture endowment income between college and seminary, or else authorize the sem- inary to conduct its own campaign for endowment. 7. The seminary should publish its own . annual catalog and bulletin. 8. Within the board of trustees, there should be a seminary committee composed of at least five members appointed by the president of the board in consultation with the seminary faculty. The dean of the seminary should be a member ex officio of this committee (14). After considerable discussion of the proposals as set forth by Professor McClain, although there was some apparent hostility on the part of the college administration and its sym- pathizers on the board, nevertheless, with no dissenting vote, the proposed plan for the seminary as a graduate school of the college was approved by the trustees. The support of Dr. C. H. Ashman, member of the board and pastor of the First Brethren Church, Johnstown, Pa., was no small factor in the favorable outcome. At the same time Professor McClain was called by the board to reorganize and head the seminary on the new grad- uate basis, with the title of associate dean. The late Dr. J. Allen Miller, for many years dean of the seminary department, was continued with his title. It was understood, however, with the full and friendly consent of Dr. Miller, that complete responsibil- ity and authority in the reorganiza- tion and direction of the seminary was vested in the associate dean. Dr. Miller was enthusiastic for the new plan and cooperated to the fullest ex- tent. The date for the opening of the new school was set for the fall term of 1930. The college administration acqui- esced in the board’s action, but it was fairly clear that they were not too happy about it. Viewing the matter purely from an academic standpoint as it might possibly concern the arts college, their attitude was at least understandable. The college on March 19 had at last secured aca- demic accreditation from the North PAGE 17