Queens University of Charlotte - Coronet / Edelweiss Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

Page 10 text:

IRrb. 31. ? . IrtifrjFS, 0. 0. James Robertson Bridges was born in St. Louis, Missouri, reared in Richmond, Virginia, and educated at Hampden-Sidney College and Union Theological Seminary, graduating at the latter in 1880, having taught school between his college and seminary courses. After having supplied churches in Kentucky for a year he was ordained evangelist of Western Texas Presbytery, serving at Uvalde, Del Rio and Bandera, for two years. He next supplied a mission chapel in Baltimore for two years, became pastor of the church at Leesville, Virginia, where he served four years, and at Salem, Virginia, where he was the beloved pastor from 1889 to 1895. He was called to Columbia, Missouri, in 1895, and while there became editor of the St. Louis Presbyterian, making it one of the brightest and most readable papers the Southern Church had ever known. He went from Columbia to Orlando, Florida, where he hoped that the climate would benefit his throat. Finding that he was incapacitated for a time for pulpit work he accepted the call to the Presidency of the recently reorganized Presbyterian College for Women. Dr. Bridges has brought to his work as President both the training of a successful man of affairs, and the cultured mind of a ripe scholar, the experience of a teacher of truth and the sympathy of a shepherd of souls. His literary taste and ability as a writer were well known through his work as editor and as the wel¬ come contributor to the Church periodicals, North and South. But his success as President of the College has proved the breadth of his scholarship and the ability to impart the knowledge of his well- stored mind. Dr. Bridges took charge of the College in the critical period of its history when it was passing from an institution of local pat¬ ronage to its present position as the peer of any of our Southern Colleges for women. His success has been noteworthy, largely in increasing the patronage of the institution at the same time that he has raised its standard for entrance and for graduation. But this brief sketch would be incomplete without some men¬ tion of the affection and esteem in which he is held by his pupils, who can never repay their debt of gratitude to him, but here in¬ scribe this slight tribute to his worth, as a proof of their love and loyalty. 10

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$ttb. 31. W. § tagg, 3. 3. John Weldon Stagg was born in Richmond, Virginia, Aug¬ ust 17, 1863, of a family that had been noted for its wealth and culture since early colonial times, but which made supremest sacri¬ fices for the sake of the Confederacy. Left an orphan in early youth, he made his own way by strength of mind and will. Going West he began the double task of making a living and getting an education. The task of bread-winning gave him the practical knowledge of men and affairs that has stood him in such good stead in his life-work, while his travels gained him a wide acquaintance with the people of the whole country. As opportunity was given him, he pursued his studies at Westminster College, the University of Missouri, and at the Southwestern Presbyterian University, Clarksville, Tennessee, Divinity School. In the same year he was ordained pastor of the Second Church, Nashville, at that time probably the most discouraging work in the Southern Church. His success in building up this organization led to his call to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he served four years. He was called to the Second Presbyterian Church of this city in 1896, and has won an unique place in this community, not only as a preacher of origi¬ nality and power, but as a citizen who is alive to every interest of the community, and as the zealous and untiring promoter of every plan that looks to the growth of Presbyterianism and the extension of the Kingdom of Christ. While his name will always be associated with other Presby¬ terian institutions here, this Presbyterian College for Women is his enduring monument. It was his foresight that secured for Char¬ lotte the location of the projected College, his energy that provided the means for its beginnings in the old building, and his faith that saw the possibility of the present noble edifice. From the first out¬ line of the building itself that was sketched on paper to the com¬ pletion of the equipment with the great pipe organ, his mind has planned and his will carried out the plans to successful completion. We do not make light of the labors or sacrifices of others, but cer¬ tainly this institution owes to him a debt greater than to any other of its faithful friends, and we write this record that those who come after may read and may give honor to whom honor is due. 9

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flrpfar? T V HIS little volume, our first edition of the “ Edel¬ weiss,” we now place before the public, with the earnest hope that it will meet with all the success we could wish for it. Concerning the contents of the “Edelweiss,” we have tried to be as accurate, concise, clear and sim¬ ple as possible. “It would have been much easier to write learnedly and obscurely and so be judged pro¬ found, but we are willing to take the risk of slight esteem, hoping to be clearly understood.” In revising the material the staff has had, and hereby thankfully acknowledges, the highly valued assistance of the Faculty, whose suggestions have been carefully weighed and generally followed. Therefore, no responsibility for mistakes or imperfec¬ tions should be laid to their charge.