Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutChurch Proposal DocumentWhat Some Persons Say About A. fix. M. resbyterian Church Ever since coming to Texas I have been firmly convinced that the Synod was overlooking one of its greatest op- - portunities in not providing for a Pres- byterian church at A. & M. College. The presence of so many members of the faculty who are Presbyterian, plus the families in the community, plus several hundred Presbyterian students, consti- tutes a 'challenge which a wide -awake denomination will give a decisive an- swer. I earnestly hope and pray that the day is not far in the future when we will see at A. & M. a Presbyterian church worthy of the challenge and of our tra- ditions. —C. L. KING, Pastor First Pres- byterian Church, Houston. The need for a Presbyterian Church A. & M. Presbyterian at A. & M. College is so vital in my Church estimation that I have insisted ors my own church carrying this project as a special item on its budget for several years ,past. This is a MUST in the program of Texas Presbyterianism which should receive im- mediate and hearty support from our entire Synod. —M. L. PUR- CELL, Stated Clerk of Synod of Texas. I speak as one who has had some opportunity to know, being the father of an only son who is a loyal alumnus of Texas A. & M. There was in his day, as there had been, and still is, at that great insti- tution a unique and matchless opportunity for our church to reach a host of our own sons, future leaders in a vibrant age, with our testimony to the person and the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Presbyterian brethren at A. & M. have every reason to feel that we are expecting them to "make brick without straw "I —W. A. McLEOD, Pastor First Presbyterian Church, Cuero. I should like to bear testimony to the fact that the boys from our church who have in recent years attended A. & M. College have been well cared for by the A. & M. Presbyterian Church and some of them have made notable advance in the field of Christian serv- ice during their stay at A. & M. —E. M. MUNROE, Pastor Second Presbyterian Church, Houston. A Presbyterian Church at A. & M., beautiful and worshipful, with an adequate Educational plant and recreational facilities, that will invite and challenge and draw thru her portals all those hundreds of young men who are already professing Presbyterians or whose background and predilection would naturally lead them there, is the dream and hope of every woman in the Synodical Auxiliary in Texas. For we know that next to the loved home -town church, there can be forged affectionate and character - determining and directing ties in the college church that will go with the student thru life. We value our Presbyterian faith and cherish it as an inestimable gift to pass on to those who are to follow us and we want the Church on the A. & M. Campus to proclaim our love and devotion and loyalty. Our enthusiasm, our gifts and our prayers can help to make this a testifying reality on down thru the years. —MRS. C. S. HARRINGTON, President Texas Synodical Auxiliary. A Presbyterian Church building at A. & M. College that the Presbyterian boys will be proud of will mean much to our church in 'after years. Most of the Presbyterian boys come from our smalle churches, and to find that our church has provided ample equi ment for them, will make them more loyal in after years. —P HOOKS. Rev. Norman Anderson Pastor (over) Pastors of the churches located near our campus are exerting a most wholesome influence on the lives of the young men who are • intrusted to us by the parents of Texas and the Southwest. W'e ap- preciate the fine cooperation we have had from the denominational groups, but we know that they can accomplish maximum results only if they are provided with adequate facilities. I am glad to learn that the Presbyterian Church is planning to erect a building here, and I shall expect to see a direct effect in improved morale of the Presbyterian students. —F. C. BOLTON, Acting President of A. & M. College. I understand that the Synod is planning a campaign to rail funds with which to erect a Presbyterian Church at College Statio We here are very deeply interested in this enterprise. We believe that the proposal to erect a house of worship for Presbyterian and other students is a most worthy enterprise. —T. O. WALTON, Presi- dent Emeritus A. & M. College. There has been much need for a suitable Presbyterian Church building at College Station for a number of years. I do not know of a place where a church would do more good nor where a church is needed more. During the years I served on the A. & M. Board of Directors, it was frequently called to my attention. — WALTER G. LACY. This rolling stone, the Texas A. & M. Presbyterian Church, gathers a surprising amount of moss. But it is high time that it be housed with the dignity and stability which such an educationally valuable institution deserves of our campus community.— THOMAS F. MAYO, Librarian of A. & M. College. You do know perhaps how much I appreciate your interest in my son and somehow I have the feeling that his associations with you and with the church there have been the best and finest part of his life at A. & M. —AN AGGIE MOTHER. It is difficult to express just how much the college church • has meant to me, because there is no way of measuring spiritual guid- ance, friendliness, and wholesome companionship. It means a lot to fellows away from home to have this connection with their past home life. This church's young people's organization has furnished us with just that. Our sincere wish now is that the A. & M. Presby- terian Church may have a suitable building in which to carry on this work. —JACK ORRICK, (Beaumont), Now a patient Borden General Hospital. I sure am glad to hear that the Synod has ordered the campaign for our new church there at A. & M. I do believe that the work carried on at A. & M. is very deserving of a church. The young people's organization grew each and every year that I was at col- lege in both membership and in spirit, which is an indication that the church and the people behind it are really working hard for Christ. We can talk of the advancements made in the past. But with the new church even greater advancements will be made. The church is the finest thing around which to build an education. Keep up the good work, "Doc ", and our dream will come true! —ARVID HASSI NGER. The value of the church in helping to prepare college students for citizenship of the highest type is something that it is almost criminal for the leaders of any religious organization to overlook. It seems to me that almost every other denomination in Texas is living up to this obligation at Texas A. & M. better than the Pres- byterian Church. While at A. & M. I found that many students lost interest in the Presbyterian Church because it was such a job to keep up with where services were being held. This moving around was also quite a handicap to those of us who worked with the church in making plans for our work. This is a situation which the Presbyterian people of Texas should remedy at the earliest possible moment. —DWAIN A. TREADWELL, Texas A. & M., Jan. '43. 3 Synod's Special Campaign Committee - +2cZiV• Hoxie H. Thompson, Chairman i J. G. Whitten, Treasurer 444 • E. 27th Street, Austin 21, Texas What Some Persons Say About The Westminster Encampment Any accurate estimate of Presbyterian development in Texas the past 25 years must take into account the contribution of the Westminster Encampment at Kerrville. This place has been the rally- ing ground for the clans and the plan- ning point for much that has been ac- complished across the Synod. In a state of such vast dimensions and scattered churches, the Encampment program has been essential in creating a sense of unity. More life has been dedicated to God's service on these grounds than at any other spot in our Synod. A place to lay united •plans, to become acquainted with one another, to draw inspiration for service and to dedicate life to God — Clement Dickey that is what Westminster Encampment Manager has been to Texas Presbyterians. And Westminster Presby- what it has been for the past it should terian Encampment as p be, even in larger measure, for the future. —P. D. MILLER, Pastor First Presbyterian Church, San An- tonio. R. The Westminster Encampment makes a contribution to the pra- ram of Synod for which there is no substitute in any other or- ganization. It lends itself to 1-he spiritual, educational, recreational and social phases of the lives of those who attend the various con- ferences. Young people, as well as adults, look forward to their visits There and it has become a sort of hallowed spot in the think- ing and memory of the Presbyterians of Texas. The institution deserves the support of our Synod and the need for better equip - ent is exceedingly evident. It is my earnest hope that the Pres- yterians of Texas will rally to the call that is being made just now so that this campaign may be blessed of God and may be brought to a successful conclusion. There is a distinct challenge to our Synod in this because it is for the strengthening of our forces as we strive to advance the work of Christ's Kingdom. —FRANK C. BROWN, Pastor First Presbyterian Church, Dallas. The Westminster Encampment has rendered an invaluable service to the Synod of Texas and the Southwest as a rallying place for the religious forces of this area. It is here that young people and adults have experienced a deepened spiritual insight and an enlarged vision for Christian service. I rejoice in the fact that a campaign has been launched for greatly enlarging its usefulness. Such an effort deserves the full support of prayer and material resource of every loyal Presbyterian Throughout this section.— PATRICK H. CARMICHAEL, Director Leadership Education, Richmond, Va. Westminster has meant as much as any other one institution to the Synod of Texas. It has furnished the invigoration, information and inspiration so essential to a well rounded program of work. It has ever deserved more than it has received. We are now in a position to pay a real debt of gratitude, and 1-he paying of that debt will place Westminster in a position to render an infinitely finer service to God and His church out here in the great South - west.—J. M. LEWIS, Pastor First Presbyterian Church, Lubbock. The women of Texas are grateful that Synod recognizes that the purpose and mission of the church will be carried forward in the exact ratio that there is continuing and increasing spiritual growth thru study, conferences, and Christian fellowship and has ordered the campaign for funds to make Westminster Encampment all that we want it to be, all that we know that it should be. Westminster (o •r) Encampment is ours today because, back at the turn of the century, there were consecrated leaders of devotion and vision, who pro- vided our church -owned home. Today we cannot but be impressed by the fact, around the world amid unbelievable carnage and chaos, that men are poignantly and clearly realizing as never before, that the teachings of Christ alone are trustworthy and satisfying and abiding. Presbyterians of 1944 will be faithful stewards and lovingly and generously make modern and adequate and worthy our "Zion in the Hills" wither each year the Presbyterian "tribes may go up" for physical and spiritual re- newing. —MRS. C. S. HARRINGTON, President Texas Synodical Auxiliary. From time to time, the Encampment has brought to its platform some of the outstanding men of the nation. Among them have been Dr. Robert E. Speer, Dr. Jas. I. Vance, Dr. Jos. A. Vance, Dr. Crosley Morgan and Dr. John Timothy Stone. In this way our people have had unusual opportunity to know men, whom the ordinary church member, especially in the small town, would not get a chance to meet. From its beginning, the Assembly's agencies have been espe- cially helpful to the Encampment. At considerable personal sacri- fice, Drs. Homer McMillan, Jas. O. Reavis and Henry H. Sweets have either come in person or sent representatives to bring the work of our church to our people. In addition, the Committee on Publication has maintained a book store on the grounds that ha been a very valuable help. Every effort is made to provide helpful recreational facilities for Encampment visitors. The splendid tennis courts of Schreiner In- stitute are available and there are a variety of games on the grounds. Kerrville offers one of the most attractive golf courses in the country to devotees of that sport. It is hoped that we can soon make available facilities for shuffle board and other popular games. The Management of the Encampment tries each season, at least while the Pioneers and young people are having their programs, to have a trained nurse on the grounds to help with any emergency needs. Many years ago, the late beloved Mr. R. E. Magill undertook f raise each summer a "vacation fund" for Home Mission workers, so that they might have the privileges of the Encampment. That work has been carried on by others and many men have been greatly blessed by this work. It is the earnest hope of the Board of Trustees that this may be widely extended and that many more men can be brought each summer to enjoy the vacation and the programs. The Encampment grounds furnish an ideal place for children in the summer. Many mothers have brought their little folk to enjoy the outdoor freedom and pleasant, healthful surroundings which both mother and children need. Synod's Special Campaign Committee Howie H. Thompson, Chairman J. G. Whitten, Treasurer 102 E. 27th Street, Austin 21, Texas