North Central College - Spectrum Yearbook (Naperville, IL)

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1 x 492.1 .4223 n++i- -if A-'7 C fZ?'i' 'ff .. NI.-fic. lens - 1' 7 LJQZ7 Q I if Ulihe Qlihangzlinal Zllibenlnginal Qzminarp S. GAMERTSFELDER, A.M., PH.D., PRESIDENT For thirty-six years the Evangelical Theological Seminary has been pressing steadily onward in its effort to prepare young men for the Gospel ministry. No attempt has been made to modify the cardinal doctrines of our holy religion. We emphasize still today as our fathers did, our unshaken faith in one Supreme Being, a personal living God, revealed in this dispensation as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We hold that theology is the science of the living God and of His work in and for a living world. As the living world is steadily advancing, theology must be progressive. So while we hold tenaciously to the established doctrines of the Christian religion, we yet welcome all the light of science, reason, philosophy and Christian experience to adapt our theology to the need of our age. For several years we realized the great need of a separate building as a home for our Theological Seminary. Our Bishops frequently referred to this need in their episcopal messages to the General Conferences. The Seminary Board of Trustees also keenly felt the need of a new Seminary building. The only barrier that seemed to lay in the way hindering the undertaking to build wasthe lack of finances. But this was not a real barrier, as the achievements of the past year have fully demonstrated. The plans for raising the funds for a new building which was finally adopted was formulated by S. Gamertsfelder and presented to the General Conference in IQI 1. By a unanimous vote the General Conference adopted this plan and made all necessary provision for its realization. The Seminary Board of Trustees meeting Nov. 2, 1911, following the suggestion of the 25th General Conference, proceeded at once to make all necessary arrangements to erect a Seminary building. The plan put forth by the General Conference provides for the observance of a Semi- nary Day on the second Sunday of September of each year in the quadrennium. The object of this day is to incite young men to consecrate themselves to the Christian ministry and to raise funds for the Seminary. In one year about thirty thousand dollars were secured in cash and pledges for this purpose. Dr. G. Hein- miller, editor of the Christliche Botschafter, in his official capacity and by his personal influence, has rendered very valuable service in achieving this highly gratifying result. May the 22nd, 1912, the Seminary Board of Trustees decided by unanimous vote to begin at once the erection of the building. A building committee of five, with Dr. S. L. Umbach as chairman, was appointed and instructed to let the con- tract and carry out the plan for the building which had been accepted. On a beautiful site ISOXISO feet, adjoining the College Campus on the north, the new Seminary was built. On February 13, 1913, it was dedicated by most impressive services to the sacred purpose for which it was erected. The building consists of three large recitation halls, easily accommodating from 30 to 40 students each, a large and well lighted room for a library, and a beautiful chapel with a seating capacity for 110 persons. So far as physical comfort is con- cerned, nothing more favorable for study can be desired. Our Theological Semi- nary is an honor to the Church which responded so heartily in its building, and it will stand as a monument to future generations of our thought of the need of a Theological training for the Gospel ministry. Page 8

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fi ,I ?: 3 V C-22--x,, fl M3545 J ,R Q rel.-.1-nc. ISIS 41 f ' 7 g The 5922111 Qtblztir jielh TREAS. F. W. UMBREIT lt is encouraging to reflect that every time a need of North-Western College becomes really pressing, that need is met, ofttimes from unexpected sources. For years a permanent athletic field has been felt to be a necessity. True, we had a rented field north of the city. However, not only was this field quite distant from the campus, but it also transpired last fall, that this field was divided into lots and these lots placed on the market, so that it would no longer have been available as an athletic field. In the meantime a campaign of agitation for such a field was being waged. Previous to our semi-centennial celebration it was the hope that a new athletic field could be announced as the gift of the citizens of Naperville. But this hope proved illusory, mainly because the proposed location of the field did not arouse enthusiasm. At our last Booster Day our attention was called to the plot of ground just south of the depot. Immediately steps were taken to secure this field, if pos- sible. lt was the property of the Chicago,,Burlington Sc Quincy Railroad. Judge John S. Goodwin, who was appealed to for co-operation, became keenly interested in the enterprise and with President Seager took up the matter with the authorities of the C. B. St Q. Ry. Company. So successful were these interviews, that it was possible to announce very soon, that the Company had donated the plot of ground to the College. A canvass of the students and citizens of Naperville was begun for funds to fit up the grounds as an athletic field, and two thousand dollars un- doubtedly will be secured. Page IO