Atlantic Christian College - Pine Knot Yearbook (Wilson, NC)

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Atlantic Christian College THE roots of Atlantic Christian College run back into various efforts of such individuals as J. H. Fov, Josephus Latham, J. R. Winfield, D. W. Davis, H. C. Bowen and others to furnish adequate education for Eastern Carolina. The academies conducted by these men at Wilson, Farmville, Pant ego, Catherine Lake, and Old Ford proved of value to the generation the} served and developed a desire and ambition to undertake larger things. About fifteen years ago these desires culminated into Carolina Christian College, at Ay den. Under the leadership of J. R. Tingle, A. J. Manning and L. T. Rightsell it did a valuable work. The citizens of Avden and many of the churches gave liberal support to this undertaking, which was by no means in vain. In 1899 Professor Joseph Kinsey, who had for many years conducted a very successful female school at LaGrange, was induced to move that institution, with its splendid patronage and reputation, to Wilson. A company was formed, the stock of which the citizens of Wilson subscribed for largely, and Kinsey’s Seminary was launched, under auspicious conditions. The larger responsibility, however, connected with building and inaugurating such a new enterprise, broke down the health of Mr. Kinsey and in two years he found himself compelled to give up the work. About this time B. H. Melton, J. J. Harper, George Hackney and others, realizing the remarkable suitableness of Wilson as a college town, induced the majority of the stockholders who held stock in Kinsey’s Seminary to donate that stock to the Convention of the Christian Church, while the church obligated itself to conduct in the splendid property a Christian College, for a period of at least ten years. Dr. J. C. Coggins was chosen its first President and Dr. J. J. Harper was made Chancellor. Under the leadership of these men pledges were taken to pay off the outstanding indebtedness on the property and to equip the institution. Like nearly all new institutions without adequate financial support, the first few years saw many ups and downs. After the resignation of Dr. Coggins, Dr. Harper was elected to preside over the new enterprise. His wise leadership and good judgment guided her into the way of success. After three and a half years of faithful service, Dr. Harper died. Up to this period Atlantic Christian College had been primarily an institution for young women. The confidence was so great in its usefulness and success that at the State Convention of the Christian

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GREETING “here’s to our frienbs!” HEbe iPine llnot exclaims. “ J3ine llnot is tlje message it eber proclaims, $ine llnot tuijen sorrotus arounb pou are, fiine llnot toljen fjeart acfjes babe left pou afar, $ine llnot— be rljerrp, bappp anb gap; $ine llnot is tfje message 3 bring eberp bap.” — Clement Manly Morton

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Church at Belhaven in the fall of 1907 pledges were made to cancel its indebted- ness. The financial panic of the year, however, together with the death of Dr. Harper, made the collection of the pledges, for the time, impossible. In January, 1908, the Trustees selected Jesse C. Caldwell as President of the institution. The five years of his administration have been marked by steady growth along all lines. A large residence adjoining the campus was purchased, which served as a temporary dormitory for young men. The number of young men attending the institution gradually grew until they practically equal the number of young women. After time had been given for establishing confidence in the administration, nearly all the old pledges, and many new ones, were not only made but paid and the institution was cleared of its bonded indebtedness. In 1911 the citizens of Wilson came to the rescue and offered funds sufficient to make the Trustees deem it wise to erect an up to date dormitory for young men. This good year of 1912-T3 has seen the college taxed to its capacity from the opening day to the present. The character of its work and the number of its Faculty have been increased year by year until today its entrance requirements and courses offered for degree are standard in every respect. The outlook is the most encouraging, and assur- ance has been given from many sources of an endowment that is adequate to meet the present needs. CHRISTIAN CHURCH AN1) PARSONAGE Cor. Goldsboro anti Vance Sts., Wilson Rev. Richard Batjby, Pastor