Lipscomb University - Backlog Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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-lhey Watered-- The efforts of Lipscomb and Harding could not possibly have produced the present David Lipscomb College had it not been for the devotion and labors of a host of others who contributed time, talent, and money for the on-going of the institution. E. A. Elam, well-known evangelist, came as third president of the school. For twenty-five years Elam was to serve the institution in various capacities, holding office as president, chairman of the Board of Directors, and head of the Bible department before his death in ‘pus as it was occupied from 1893-1903. On more than one occasion he was asked to administer the school while it was between permanent presidents, and did so with dignity and skill. The resignation of Elam from his duties as presi- dent in 1913 saw the selection of H. Leo Boles as chief administrator. A thorough scholar and able teacher, Boles was particularly adept in the classroom where he drilled his students in the Scriptures. During his two terms in office, 1913-1920 and 1923-1932, Boles was successful in promoting scholarship on campus, and in winning support from a widening circle of patrons. It was during his first term in office that David Lipscomb died in 1917, and upon the recommendation of the fac- Meveand students the name of the institution was changed from the Nashville Bible School to David Lipscomb College. Batsell Baxter was called from the presidency of Abilene Christian College to a similar position at Lips- comb in 1932. The disastrous fires and more disastrous depression made the future uncertain, but with patience and perseverance Baxter led the institution toward a 1929. A gift of $50,000 by a Texas philanthropist in honor of Elam was ultimately used in the construction of the men’s dormitory in 1931 which is named in his memory. An early faculty member who brought both aca- demic and administrative strength to the struggling school was Dr. J. S. Ward. His excellent training in sci- ence and his professional standing, coupled with a deep dedication to the cause of Christ, enabled him to fill a vitally important place in the life of the Bible School. ar! THE FIRST permanent campus seemed spacious indeed after the rented houses formerly used. This scene of the location on Spruce Street shows the cam- more solid financial position. His quiet courage and purposeful leadership made a great contribution to the college in difficult times. The chronicle of the twenty years, 1946-1966, is primarily the record of the achievements of President Athens Clay Pullias. His administrative skill and abili- ty to win the confidence of a great host have resulted in the building of an endowed, academically sound, spir- itually powerful institution. The record of growth in enrollment, resources, faculty strength, and physical fa- cilities during this tenure.in office speaks eloquently of his outstanding accomplishments. It would not be possible to speak of those who have watered the seeded plant without paying tribute to the host of congregations and individuals whose financial contributions during these seventy-five years have made this work possible by responding to the same appeal made by David Lipscomb in the beginning. And what shall we say more? For the time would fail to tell of all those who through faith and self-denial have nurtured the planting of the founders. 21

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-They Planted-- The Nashville Bible School, now David Lipscomb College, is the result of the faith, vision, determination, and sacrifice of two giants, David Lipscomb and James A. Harding. When the cause of restoring New Testa- ment Christianity seemed doomed before the onslaught of digression, they talked together about the needs of the future. As both men were products of Christian educa- tion, it was natural that they should decide to establish a School which young people al be instructed in the pees of Books. FACULTY AND students are assembled for the annual official WENT in cee of the main building on Spruce Street. A. Harding are fourth and fifth from the right on the front row. academic life of the institution after seventy-five years. The Bible School opened on October 5, 1891, in a rented house on Fillmore Street in South Nashville with only nine young men in attendance. During the first year a total of thirty-two students were enrolled, in- cluding the lamented S. P. Pittman, whose life was to span the first entire seventy-five years of the institution’s history. Following the second year of operation in rented quarters on South Cherry Street, property on South Spruce Street was purchased to provide the stability of a permanent campus. Additional buildings were con- structed and the school grew in enrollment and stature during the ten years it remained at this site. It became increasingly apparent to the far-seeing Lipscomb that the long-range future of the school could best be served by its incorporation as a regular academic institution and by its removal to larger and more com- modious quarters. On February 2, 1901, the school was incorporated under the laws of Tennessee and was em- powered to confer degrees and issue diplomas. 20 k This decision, arrived at in 1888 during a meeting held by Harding at the College Street Church where Lipscomb was an elder, was not executed until 1891 be- cause of Harding’s evangelistic commitments. An- nouncements made in the Gospel Advocate, of which Lipscomb was editor, appealed for students a nd funds on the following basis: The supreme purpose of the school shall be to teach the Bible as the revealed will of God to man. This daily instruction in the Bible continues to characterize the David Lipscomb and James Lipscomb decided to provide the campus a perma- nent home by the gift of his own farm of approximately sixty-five acres located on the Granny White Pike. He therefore converted his own home into a girls’ dormi- tory, still to be known as Avalon Home, and raised sufficient funds to construct an administration building and a boys’ dormitory. Although the buildings were not completed, and the boys had to use ladders to reach the second floor of the new Lindsay Hall, the move was completed from Spruce Street to the Granny White | campus in October, 1903. — At about this time, James A. Harding accepted an invitation to move to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to found another school made possible by the generosity of the Potter family. The influence of Lipscomb as the siding genins of the Bible School continued, however, for he and “Aunt Mag” built a new house for thenmelwes and spent the rest of their days in the midst of the school. It was from the neat brick house on the grounds of the school he planted and nurtured that in 1917 he went home for the eternal harvest. A erie

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THE NASHVILLE Bible School opened for its first session in the house pictured above. This single building provided recitation rooms, dormitory space, and living quarters for President Harding. JAMES A. HARDING was perhaps the most widely known evangelist in the Church of Christ at the time of the founding of the Nashville Bible School. AN OFFICIAL photograph of David Lipscomb showing his strength of “AUNT MAG” LIPSCOMB shared her husband’s devotion to character mingled with deep humility. Although an able preacher, he con- the Bible School. sidered himself primarily a printer and farmer.