nineteen hundred and forty-six - Amazon Web Services

PROCEEDINGS 103
life, calls to us. The golden-voiced preacher, who served as President of this
Board of Trustees for many years, Dr. George W. Truett, calls to us. But
beyond all these, an innumerable company calls. Most commanding of all—
God calls!
God help us to match this hour with great vision, great consecration, great
provision!
C. E. MATTHEWS, President Board of Trustees
E. D. HEAD, President
60. The President-elect of the Baptist Bible Institute, Rolan
Leavell, Florida, was presented by former president, Duke K. McCall.
61. The report of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary w
presented and discussed by President Ellis A. Fuller and adopted:
SOUTHERN BAPTIST
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1945-46
ELLIS A. FULLER, President and Financial Agent
You will allow me to express my gratitude to God for the many evidences
of his divine favor upon the Seminary during another year. He has showered
blessings continuously upon us. Among the richest of his blessings has been his
loving care of Doctors Charles S. Gardner, John R. Sampey and W. O. Carver, the
faithful servants who have given their lives to the Seminary in a peculiar way.
Dr. Sampey has completed his book, "Memoirs of John R. Sampey." He is
confined to his bed most of the time, but is mentally vigorous and profoundly
concerned about all the affairs of the worldr It is glorious that a man's
constructive ministry does not end when old age demands that he give up the
responsibilities and physical activities of life. Anyone who sits by Dr. Sampey's
bed as a visitor goes away purified in his devotions, refreshed in his spirit and
stimulated in his Christian purposes. Dr. Sampey's continuing ministry is vital
and effective, although it is of necessity quite different from his ministry during
the days of his physical vigor. It is a ministry of spiritual fragrance, idealism
and inspiration.
Dr. Gardner and Dr. Carver are enriching the world by similar ministries,
but they are strong enough in body to continue to discharge many of the
duties which are incident to active and vigorous service in Christ's name.
Particularly is this true of Dr. Carver. The Kingdom of God has no greater
asset than the lives of these faithful men. In deed and in truth, they continue
to serve.
ATTENDANCE
Our attendance this year has broken all records. The wartime prosperity
through which we are passing and the G.I. Bill of Rights, make it possible for
many students who have longed for Seminary training but were hindered by
lack of funds, to come to the Seminary. The chief factor in this increase has
been the realization on the part of many young men and women that the
Gospel is God's only power unto salvation. Many of our G.I.'s made the decision
to preach while in the thick of battle. They have testified that nothing
but Christianity, sponsored by people who are willing to go all the way with
Christ, can bring security to the human race for this world and the next.
Nothing is more encouraging than the prevalent conviction that humanitarianism
is not enough, that it is the fruit and not the root of Christianity. The students
are saying with renewed emphasis that we must have changed men„and
women before we can have a better world.
Our attendance this year has reached the high mark of 679. This number
does not include the students' wives, the young women of the Training School
and the students of the School of Church Music, who are studying in our classrooms.
We have approximately 1,000 students enrolled for study.