West Virginia Wesleyan College - Murmurmontis Yearbook (Buckhannon, WV)

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West Virginia added a star to the natimial flag, the spirit of higlier education sprang into new life, althougli many discouragements re- mained. Tlie leaders in the church went forth with faitli in (iod and with hope inspired Ijy tlic natural resources of the state and its pos- sibilities to conquer in His name. It is well to recall the fact that a very large majority of the philanthropic institutions of this nation are the result of tlie convictions and sacrifices of the ministers of the gospel, and the origin of the West ' irginia Conference Seminary i.s not an exception. The Centennial of Method- ism seemed an opportune time to e .ect a monument commemorating the origin and the success of the church, and the Revs. J. W. Kcgcr. .1. (i. ] ' , ii v. and K. W. Ryan, were ap- pointed as a conuuittee by the Annual Con- ference of 1S76 to receive propositions for a Conference Seminary. The town of IJuck- hannon secure 1 .16, .570. 00 of a subscription the committee b ' a local committee composeil (i. A. Newlon. C. W. Heavener. and C. C. F. Mc- Whorter. This was reported to the ensuing Conference, but as there was onh- one ])ro])osition sul)mitted the suliject of location was deferred. Seven years later the subject of the Centennial of the Organization iif the M. K. Church aroused the Conference again to action, and a committee composed of H(.vs. A. .1. Lyda, .1. W. Webb. S. E. Jones, ]■;. H. Orwuen. Joseph Lee. W. G. Snodgrass. .1. X. Fullerton. Samuel Steele, and (i. H.Wil- liams was appointed to prepare a plan for a ]5roper observance of the occasion. This committee reported recommended a form of receiving the offerings of the jirople for tlie Conference Seminary and for the Ccjnference Claimants ' Fund. This report was adoi ti-d and arrangements made to carry out its ])ro- visions. The following year. 18S-t, the Con- ference being in session at Buckhannon, a b(]ard of trustees was appiiinted for tlie Sciii- iuary Fum ' i — A. J. Lyda. 1 . L. Stuart. 1). 11. K. Dix, T. 11 Hughes, and Samuel Steele. This board made the following report at the ensuing Conference at Charleston: The Rev. S. P. Crummett. Hon. H. C. McWhomer. and tendiM-i ' d the same to of Capt. A. .M. Poundstone.

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The Origin of the West Virginia Conference Seminary, Rev. C. H. Graham. Prp?iiliii -Eliler nf Wheeliiio; District METHODISM was born in a College, and it has never departed from the funilamental |irinci]5les of its nativity. It was therefore natural that the members of what is now known as the West Virginia Conference planned early for the higher education of their con- stituency. That this was a difficult prol lem anyone familiar with the history of West irginiawill reailily a lmit. The social, political, and denominational conditions existing at the time of the organization and for about three decades following were unfavorable to the establishment of educational institutions; but the lack of intellectual culture and its neces- sity to the universal good and to the success of the church were so thoroiighly impressed upon the minds of a number of the leading members of the Conference that they were continually watching for tlevelopments. Methodist leaders have ever encouraged the various forms of general education, and they have not only endorsed the educational institvitions of this and other states, but they have stimulated the spirit of moral and intellectual culture wherever they have been located. The first efforts of the West ' irginia Methodists culminated in the founding of the North ' estern Academy at Clarksburg. This instituticm was, by the Schism of 1844. lost to the church, but his- tor ' will justify the assertion that the good results were more than commensurate with the investments. For a number of years the Conference sent her young men and young women chiefly to Allegheny, Mount Union, Ohio Wesleyan University, Beaver Female, and Pittsburg Female Colleges. We rejoice at the number of per- sons who have attended these and other institutions of learning and who have been graduated with honors and are blessing humanity today by their noble and u.seful lives. When the smoke of the battle of the Civil War of 1861 cleared avrav and Rev. C. B. Graham. D.D.

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A M. POUNDSTONE. EsQ. contributions were in it so larg:e as ex- pected, yet we ha -e made an encouraging couunencenient and reconunend the a]i- ]i(iintnient of the foUowing as a Hoard of Trusters: Revs. A. J. I yda. L. H.Jordan, J. A. FuUerton. Samuel Steele, Iv H. trwuen, L. L. Stuart, H. J. Boatman, and . . R. Rohrbough, ministers; Huns. H. C. .McWhorter. H. K. Lisk, J. C. -Mc- Crew, Cajjt. A. M. Poundstone, B. F. Mar- tin, Judge Samuel Woods, Henry Logan, Xathan Goff, Sr., laymen. The Board thus appointed and their successors, for there were changes made at almost every Conference, spent nuich time in visiting the localities that were eager to secin ' e the Seminary. Hnckhannon, Charleston, I ' arkertburg. Klizab. th. Clarksburg. Salem, Philijipi. and Wheeling were the chi ef com- petitors. Many ministers, who b - their kbors and zeal in behalf of this insti- tution aroused the interest thus causing these places to liecome lively liidilers for it and who thereby did much towards the broad foundation upon which it was startel, may not have their names enrolleil upon the scrolls of honor among men, but they are recorded on the roll kept by the All Wise ( )ne and their faithful work has its reward. It was at the board meeting, Juh- 13th, 1887, that Buckhannon Avas declared the successful contestant. It is not proliable that anyone who took part in tliat meeting will ever liavc it blotted from iiis memory. so inttnse was the inteiest on the subject. The next thing of importance after tin- location was the securing and holding of the interest and influence awakened for the place selected, for it is well to remember that tlie ■• efforts of the friends of the Seminary through- nut the State had not only to arouse the Methodi.st people, but. as in all .Methoilist n- vivals.it became contagious ami otiier denom- inations were awakened and euthiised on the subject and certain local interests seemed for a time to endanger the greatest success of the general denominational prosperity and it took Rev Aseiury Mic ; i ■ H l l