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constrºuTION & Laws
of THE
ºw's TITUTIow of LEARNING
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£INDER THE CARE OF THE
Mississippi PRESBYTERY.,
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HERALD-office, CARLISLE, Pa.-1831.
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IPREFACE.
AT a meeting of the Mississippi Presbytery in April 1830,
a petition, from a number of gentlemen residing in the State
of Mississippi, was laid before that body, requesting them to
adopt measures for the establishment of an Institution of
learning in some eligible site within the bounds of Presby-
tery, and to be under their control. This petition was ac-
companied by an offer of about $13,000, payable by instal-
ments yearly for five years, to be expended in the erection of
buildings for the use of the Institution. At that time there
was not an Institution of learning in the State at which a
young man could receive a liberal education; and the bounds
of the Presbytery extended over the States of Mississippi and
Louisiana. Attempts had been made to establish Colleges
and liberal donations made by the Legislature, but had failed.
And the failure, it was thought, was owing chiefly to the fact,
of their being no religious society or permanent body of men,
men, in connection with these attempts. To secure the
patronage of at least one religious denomination, and
through them, all the other religious denominations in
fraternal correspondence with them, towards this object,
was the desire of the petitioners. The Presbytery grant-
ed the request and adopted measures to accomplish the
object. At that same meeting, the Presbytery adopted the
following Constitution and appointed a Board of Trustees.
The Trustees located the Institution on a tract of two hund-
red and fifty acres of land which they purchased within five
miles of the river Mississippi, in the county of Claibourne,
Miss. They have also erected on this land, buildings suf-
ficient to accommodate about fifty pupils, besides a house for
the accommodation of a Professor and his family, and Reci-
tation rooms. The Institution was opened last summer, and
at the end of last Session it consisted of three Instructers and
sixty-five Pupils. A good and sufficient Charter was obtain-
ed from the Legislature at their last session, and is published
after the Constitution. The location is in the midst of a pop-
ulous part of the State, and is considered one of the most
healthy in the southern section of our country.
JULY, 1831.
l, D
4 | A \
O 577 sº
_^
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, &c.
CHAPTER I.
OF THE. DESIGN OF THE INSTITUTION,
tº *HE object of this Institution is to provide
Section 1. T the . of a liberal education %. the
youth of our country, adapted to the wants of the commu-
nity.
2. The friends of it hope to accomplish this object by
locating a permanent institution, and furnishing it with the
necessary funds, officers, teachers, library and philosophical
apparatus—by making provision for a thorough collegiate
tourse of studies, and moral and religious instruction—by
making the terms of tuition so low, as to be within the power
of all our citizens to enjoy the means of instruction; and by
giving these advantages to the poor gratuitously.
3. It is, further, the object of the friends of this Institu-
tion to provide for the education of poor and pious young meil
for the gospel ministry, and the theological studies of all
candidates for the gospel ministry in our bounds, who may
desire to avail themselves of such advantages,
CHAPTER II.
* * OF THE PRESBYTERY.
Sec. 1. This Institution shall be under the direction of
the Mississippi Presbytery as hereinafter provided.
2. The Presbytery shall appoint a Board of Trustees,
consisting of twelve members. Of this number, at the first
election, one third shall be appointed for one year, one third
for two years, and one third for three years; and at all fu-
ture elections one third shall be appointed annually, and con-
tinue in office three years.
3. The appointment of Instructers and of all other per-
manent officers shall be made, and all other salaries fixed by
the Presbytery.
4. No appropriation of funds shall be made unless by or-
der of the Presbytery.
5. The Presbytery shall observe a most strict regard,
in appropriating all funds according to the intention of the
donors.
6. The Presbytery shall have power to add to the arti-
cles of the laws of this Institution, and of altering and amend-
ing them ; and of removing any officer from the Institution,
at any regular meeting, by a vote of two thirds of the mem-
bers present—provided always, that notice be given of the
contemplated addition, alteration and removal, to all the
members of Presbytery three months previously.
7. And in case this Presbytery should ever be divided,
that Presbytery retaining the present name shall hold the
control of this institution until a Synod embracing the territo-
which is now embraced within the limits of this Presby-
tery shall be organized, when the control shall be resigned in-
to the hands of said Synod, and this Institution shall hold the
same relation to the Synod which it now holds to the Pres-
bytery.
4
8. The Presbytery shall determine the site of the build-
ings, and the number and names of the Professorships.
CHAPTER III.
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEESs
Sec. 1. The Board shall hold their annual meeting on
Monday preceding the last Wednesday in March, and at
other times upon their own adjournments, and also on the
call of the President.
2. The President shall call a meeting of the Board upon
the request of two members of the same, and give ten days’
notice to all the members.
3. All meetings of the Board shall be opened and closed
by prayer.
4. The President of the Institution shall be ex officio,
President of the Board of Trustees.
5. Any six members of the Board, together with the
President shall form a quorum; and in the absence of the
President, seven members shall be required to form a quo-
rum, and any member, in such a case, may be called to act
as President pro tempore.
6. A Secretary shall be chosen out of their own body,
Twho shall keep a correct history of all their proceedings.
7. They shall choose a Treasurer out of their own body,
who shall be bound with two sufficient sureties, in a reasona-
ble sum, to be determined by the Board, for the faithful dis
charge of his duties.
8. The Treasurer shall take charge of the funds of the
Institution, and keep an accurate account of the same, shew-
ing the sources from which they have been derived; the pur-
poses for which they have been given, and the manner in
which they have been appropriated.
9. He shall pay no money out of the Treasury without a
written order from the Board of Trustees, signed by the Se-
cretary and countersigned by the President.
10. He shall make out a full report to the Board at their
annual meeting of all expenditures and receipts within the
year and the state of the whole funds of the Institution ;
which report shall be audited by a committee appointed by
the Board and incorporated in their annual report to Presby-
terW. .
y 11. All decisions of the Board shall be made by votes,
and when a division on any question be called for, every
member including the President shall have one vote, and in
case of a tie the President shall give the casting vote.
12. They shall have the power of filling all vacancies
which may occur in their own body and in the offices of the
Institution, subject to the revision of Presbytery at their next
meeting. *
13. They shall recommend suitable persons to the Pres-
bytery for appointment, as teachers and other officers; but
this shall not bind the Presbytery to appoint those persons
thus recommended, nor take away the power from Presby-
wº
5
tery of selecting the officers of the Institution independently
of such recommendation.
14. They shall, also, recommend to the Presbytery such
alterations and additions as they may think important in the
laws of the Institution, and all other business involving the
interest of the Institution.
15. It shall be the duty of the Board to inspect the fidel-
ity of the Teachers in the discharge of their respective du-
ties, and report to the Presbytery any officers whom they
may judge either unfaithful or incompetent; and whenever
the case may demand it, they shall remove him from office,
after having admonished him of the cause of complaint, and
report the whole to the Presbytery, for their decision.
16. The Board shall hold all funds, donations and be-
guests—and all titles to lands, buildings and other property
belonging to the Institution in trust for the Presbytery.
17. They shall make out a detailed account of all their
proceedings, and an accurate state of the Institution, at their
annual meeting, and transmit it to the Presbytery annually
at their meeting in April.
18. They shall appoint a Committee of nine, selected
out of the Contributors, who shall be styled the Visiters,
whose duty it shall be to frequently visit the Institution, and
inspect its whole management, and especially to attend the
whole time of the annual examination and make report there-
on to the Presbytery, and which report shall be published.
19 They shall appoint some minister of the Gospel of
acknowledged piety and orthodoxy, to preach a sermon at
the close of the annual examination on some important branch
of the evidences of revelation, or on some fundamental doc-
trine of the Gospel, which sermon may be published. Due
notice of the appointment and the subject shall be given to
the individual thus appointed beforehand, so that no failure
©CCu I’.
20. The plan of building and the purchase of real prop-
erty, shall be determined by two thirds of the whole Board.
21. The Board may make rules for their own govern-
ment, and for the government of the Institution, not incon-
sistent with the regulations adopted by the Presbytery.
CHAPTER IV.
OF THE IMMEDIATE GOVERNMENT OF THE INSTITUTION.
See. 1. The immediate government shall be vested in
the Faculty.
2. The President, Professors and Tutors, constitute, and
shall be styled The Faculty of the Institution.
3. The Faculty shall have one stated meeting every
week, during term time, at such time and place as the Pres-
ident shall direct; and the President may convene the Facul-
ty at all other times at discretion. ,
4. They shall direct the application of the laws, and
make other regulations, for the government of the Institution
A 2.
6
not contrary to the laws, and annex thereto such means of
enforcement as to them may appear just and necessary.
5. In all decisions made by the Faculty, the same rule
shall be observed as in the decisions of the Board of Trustees.
6. The Faculty shall choose a Secretary, who shall keep
a fair record of all their proceedings; and they shall make a
faithful statement to the Board of the condition of the Insti-
tution at the end of every session.
7. No offence shall be brought before the Faculty, but
in consequence of their own order, or that of the Trustees:-
8. An exemplary regard to moral and religious deport-
ment, is indispensable to every member of the Faculty,
(YHAPTER V.
OF THE PRESIDENT,
Sec. 1. He shall be an ordained Minister of the Gospel,
and a men,ber in good standing in the Presbyterian Church.
2. He shall be especially charged with the responsibili-
ty of the Institution and its success, and shall be bound to use
all the means in his power to advance the interest and repu-
tation of the Institution.
3. He shall have power. to direct in all matters relating
to the Institution; to govern the students and to punish all
offences committed by them against the laws of the Institu-
tion, except in cases referred by law to the Faculty or Board
of Trustees.
4. He shall visit the recitations of the other Instructers
frequently—shall hear the recitations of the classes commit-
ted to the care of the other Instructers occasionally ; and
shall instruct such class as he may choose; and in such
branch or branches of their studies as he may select.
5. In the absence of the President the senior Professor
present shall have all the powers of the President, so far as
the Faculty are concerned.
CHAPTER VI.
OF THE PROFESSORS AND TUTORS,
Sec. 1. The Professors, severally, shall havé power to
govern the Students, and to punish any crime, except in cases
referred by law to the Faculty; provided that they may not
in any case proceed contrary to the advice and direction of
the President.
2. They shall give instruction in such branches of edu-
cation as may be assigned to them by the Presbytery at their
appointment to office; or by the Board of Trustees with the
advice of the President.
3. The Tutors shall be appointed by the Presbytery to
render such assistance as may be required in the Institution,
& their duties assigned by the Faculty or Board of Trustees.
CHAPTER VII.
of THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTs of ºr HE INSTITUTION; AND
OF THE COURSE OF STUDY.
Sec. 1. The Institution shall consist of an English
~’
7.
School—a Classical School—a School for the Modern Lan-
guages—and a College Proper,
2. In the English Schools, Reading, Writing, Arith-
metic, English Grammar, and the Elements of Modern Ge-
ography shall be taught.
3. The Faculty shall prescribe the books to be used in
this school, and no book or course of study shall be introdu-
eed unless by their consent.
4. In business relating to the English School, the Teach-
er of it shall be a member of the Faculty.
5. In the Classical School the Elements of the Latin and
Greek Languages shall be taught.
6. The pupils in this department shall commit to memo-
ry the general rules, contained in Adams' Latin Grammar,
and their application to par sing—they shall write Latin from
Mair’s Exercises, and study Jacob’s Latin Reader, Parts
I and II.-Caesar’s Cominentaries—Sallust—Ovid’s Select
Metamorphoses—Cicero's four Orations against Cataline,
and Virgil’s Bucolics, in Latin—and in the Greek Language,
they shall commit to memory the general rules contained in
Valpy's Greek Grammar, and study the Greek Testament
and Jacobs' Greek Reader—they shall also write Greek
from Neilson's Exercises. Instruction in this department shall
be given in Ancient Geography, Heathen Mythology—and
Roman and Grecian Antiquities.
7. The Classes, in this School, shall be arranged, ac-
cording to their improvement and progress, by the Teacher
with the consent of the President.
8. The Teacher of this School, in all business relating
to it, shall be a member of the Faculty.
9. In the School for the Modern Languages, instruction
shall be given in the French and Spanish Languages, and be
subject to such regulations as the Faculty may prescribe.
The Teacher shall be a member of the Faculty in all busi-
ness relating to this School.
10. The President shall direct in what manner religious
instruction shall be given in these Schools, and to what ex-
tent,
11. Reports shall be made by the Teachers of these
Schools, to the Faculty, once every week, of their state, and
the progress of every pupil.
12. There shall be Two Examinations in each of these
Schools, in each year, commencing on the week preceding
the examination in the College Proper.
13. The Students of the College Proper shall be divided
into Four Classes, namely, the Freshman, the Sofiſhomore,
the Junior, and the Senior.
14. Candidates for admission into the Freshman Class,
cannot be leceived unless upon examination they be found
able to read and parse Caesar, Virgil’s Bucolics, Cicero and
Jacob’s Greek Reader, and shall have learned Arithmetic,
English Grammar and the Elements of Modern Geography.
8
15. No person shall be admitted to an advanced stand-
ing, unless he be equal to the Class for which he is a candi-
date. * .**
16. No person of known immoral habits shall be admit-
ted into the Institution, or any of its departments.
17. The Secretary of the Faculty shall, keep a Matricu-
lation Book, in which every Student upon his admission into
the College Proper, shall be required to enter his name,
place of abode, and the name of his parent or guardian,
which signature shall obligate him to perform the duties,
and entitle him to the privileges of a Student; and previous-
ly to entering his name he shall attest as follows: “I, JA. B.
do solemnly promise, on my truth and honour, to observe
and obey the laws, rules and regulations of this Institution,
and to avoid all immoral behaviour, and disrespectful con-
duct towards the Faculty or any member thereof, so long as
I am continued a member of this Institution ; as witness my
hand.” . A. B.
18. No young man shall be considered a member of the
Institution until he shall have paid the College Fees, and
have been matriculated.
19. The Academical Year shall be divided into two
terms. The first commencing on the first Monday in No-
vember, and ending on Thursday after the last Wedneday
in March; and the second commencing on the first Monday
in May, and ending on Thursday after the last Wednesday
in September.
The Freshman Class shall study
FIRST TERM,
Day’s Algebra, as far the end of Simple Equations—Vir-
gil’s Eneid—Xenophon’s Cyropoedia—Murray's English
Grammar—Adams’ Roman Antiquities.
sEconD TERM,
Playfair's Euclid, first five books—Day’s Algebra, as far
the end of the 18th Section—Virgil’s Georgics—Homer’s Il-
iad—Woodbridge and Willard's Geography—Grecian An-
tiquities. .
The Sophomore Class shall study
FIRST TERM, *
Day’s Algebra, finished—Euclid, reviewed and finished—
Day's Mathematics—Nature and Use of Logarithms and
Plane Trigonometry—Cicero’s Orations—Homer’s Iliad—
Tytler’s History—Porter’s Analysis.
sECOND TERM,
Day’s Mathematics, Parts III & IV.-Horace—Graeca
Majora, 1st vol.—History—Chronology—Jamieson's Rheto-
ric-Jewish Antiquities—Constitution of the United States.
The Junior Class shall study
FIRST TERM,
patton's Conic Sections and Spherical Trigonometry—
9.
Horace—Graeca Majora—Blair's Rhetoric—Chemistry—An-
drews’ Logic.
SECOND TERM,
Natural Philosophy–Mechanics—Quinctilian–Longinus
—Chemistry—Hebrew—Paley’s Natural Theology.
The Senior Class shall study
- FIRST TERM,
Natural Philosophy—Optics—Electricity and Magnetism
–Chemistry—Cicero de Natura Deorum—Longinus—Pa-
ley’s Evidences of the Christian Religion—Philosophy of the
Human Mind—Hebrew.
SEconD TERM, - -
Astronomy—Chemistry—Philosophy of the Human Mind
—Hebrew—Moral Philosophy–Political Economy. •
20. In each Class, there shall be Exercises in Compo-
sition, Criticism, and Declamation, as the President shall di-
TeCt. -
21. Each Class shall also devote a portion of time to the
study of the Bible.
CHAPTER VIII,
OF THE HOUR'S OF STUDY AND THE MO DE OF ASCERTAINING
THE PROGRESS OF THE STUDENTS.
Sec. 1. The hours of study shall be from day-light until
breakfast in the morning—and from nine until twelve in the
forenoon during the first term—from eight until twelve dur-
ing the second term—from two until five in the afternoon—
and from eight until bed-time in the evening. There shall
be a recess from study on Saturday afternoon.
2. Every Student shall diligently apply himself to such
studies as shall be prescribed to him by his Teacher, and
shall be careful to attend every recitation of his class.
3. Every Instructer shall keep a roll of his class or clas-
ses, which shall be called over at the hour of lecture or reci-
tation, and the manner of attendance and performance of
each Student in every exercise carefully noted. This mark
shall be common to all the linstructers ; and in common with
other circumstances shall determine the relative standing of
the Students. - -
4. If a Student shall be found incapable of proceeding in
his class with advantage to liimself, the Faculty may arrest
his progress; it being always understood, that if he shall
make up his deficiency he inay regain a standing in his form-
er class. -
CHAPTER IX.
OF RFLIGIOUS EXERCISES,
Sec. 1. The Professor, or one of the Professors or Tu-
tors shall pray every morning in the Chapel, and read a chap-
ter or some suitable portion of scripture; and every Student
shall be obliged to attend. -
2. Divine worship shall be publicly attended on the Sab-
bath in the chapel, and all the members of the Faculty and
10
all the Students shall be present, unless having previously
obtained leave of absence from the President. e
3. A biblical lecture shall be attended every Sabbath af-
ternoon by all the Faculty and Students, at such time and
place as the President shall direct.
4. It is enjoined upon all the Students to observe the
Christian Sabbath as holy and sacred to the duties of religion;
and all amusements and recreations shall be avoided, which
are inconsistent with their duties.
5. As it is the right of every religious denomination to
enjoy its peculiar sentiments and modes of worship, it is or-
dered that the officers of College in their instructions avoid
every species of sectarianism.
CHAPTER X. …”
OF THE DEPORTMENT AND DRESS OF THE STUDENTS.
Sec. 1. The Students are to consider themselves and
each other as young gentlemen associated for purposes of
mutual improvement, and are to behave themselves accord-
ingly; avoiding all turbulence, rudeness and violence.
2. They are to treat the President, Professors, and Tu-
tors, on all occasions, with profound respect, obeying im-
plicitly all their lawful commands, and in every respect so
demeaning themselves as those should, who know that their
character for correct behaviour is not less important than
their character for intellectual acquirements. e
3. They shall treat all persons with whom they have in-
tercourse with decency and respect,
4. It is enjoined Čn all the Students to be neat and eco-
nomical in their dress; and if any Student be negligent in
either of these respects it shall be the duty of the Faculty to
censure him according to the nature of his offences,
CHAPTER XI,
OF MISDEMEANo Rs, of FENCEs AND PUNISHMENTS.
Sec. 1. Neglect of study—interrupting the studies of
others—profaneness—playing at games of cards or chance-
duelling, or aiding or abetting it–wearing or carrying a dirk
or other deadly weapon—intemperance in any degree-keep-
ing company with persons of known immoral character—re-
sorting to places of expensive amusement, & every other spe-
cies of immoral conduct, of which the Faculty are the solejudg-
es, are offences; and shall be punished as hereinafter directed.
. 2. The punishments of the Institution shall be admo-
nition, rebuke, suspension and expulsion.
3. The Faculty shall apply these punishments, except
expulsion; and whenever the ºffence in their estimation shall
merit expulsion, the President shall convoke the Board of
Trustees, and lay before then), the facts in the case for their
decision. But the Board shall act exclusively on the written
report of the Faculty.
CHAPTER XII.
OF EXAMINATIONS AND WA CATIONS.
Sec. 1. There shall be two Public Examinations in each
| 1
year, of all the Classes, and in all the departments. In the
College Proper, the first Examination shall commence on
Monday preceding the last Wednesday in March ; and the
second on Monday preceding the last Wednesday in Septem-
ber. The Examinations in the other departments shall com-
mence on the week preceding the Examinations in the Col-
lege.
§ 2. The President shall give public notice of these Ex-
aminations, three weeks previous to the time appointed for
them.
3. There shall be two Vacations in each year, the first
commencing on Friday after the last Wednesday in March,
and continuing until the first Monday in May; and the second
commencing on the Friday after the last Wednesday in Sep-
tember, and continuing until the first Monday in November,
in the College; and in the other departments, the Vacations
shall commence on the same days and continue three weeks.
CHAPTER XIII.
OF THE COLLEGE FEES.
Sec. 1. Each Student upon his admission into College,
shall pay in advance to the Treasurer, Twenty Dollars for
tuition; and shall pay the further sum of Twenty Dollars at
the commencement of every Session afterwards.
2. In the other departments each pupil shall pay Fifteen
Dollars at the commencement of every Session.
3. All Students entering at anv time before the middle of
a Session shall pay for the whole Session; and if after half a
Session has expired, they shall pay for half the Session.
4. The price of Board will be One Hundred Dollars for
the College year; paid quarterly in advance. The Board
shall include, besides diet, lodging, washing and fuel.
—sº-
AN ACT,
To incorhorate the Board of Trustees of the Institution of
Learning under the care of the Mississinfii Presbytery.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rehre-
sentatives a#. State of Mississ fifti, in General JAssembly
convened, That Doctor Rush Nutt, 1).svid Hunt, James Mc-
Gill, Thomas Freeland, Matthew Bolls, Smith C. Daniel,
John Snodgrass, William Young, Horace Carpenter, Isaac
Ross, Pierce Noland, Charles S. Lee, be, and they are hereby
incorporated and made a body corporate and politic, by the
name of “The Board of Trustees of the Institution of Learn-
ing under the care of the Mississippi Presbytery,” which
may hereafter be changed at the discretion of the Board; and
the board of trustees aforesaid, shall have perpetual succes-
sion, according to the constitution already adopted by the
aforesaid institution, and inay have a common seal, which
they may alter at will, and imay purch use and receive by gift
or devise, lands, tenemients, and reat estate of any kind, and
hold the saane in fee simple, or less estate ; the annual in-
12
tome and profits whereof shall not exceed the value of tea
thousand dollars; and the said board of trustees is hereby en-
abled to take and receive subscriptions of charitably disposed
persons, and may take any personal estate in succession, and
all donations to the institution, either by subscription, legacy,
or otherwise, (excepting such as shall be differently appro-
priated by the donor) shall make a part of, or be put into the
capital stock of the institution,' which shall be put out on
good interest, on good security, or otherwise improved to the
best advantage, and the income or profits applied to the sup-
port of the institution. -
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said board of
trustees shall choose a secretary and treasurer, and the pre-
sent constitution of said institution shall not be altered, unless
in the manner therein pointed out, and no alteration shall ev-
er be made, repugnant to the constitution of this state.
Sec. 3. JAnd be it further enaeted, That the board shall
make provision for instruction to be given in the English Lan-
guage, in the Latin and Greek Languages, in Mathematics
and the Arts and Sciences, and such other branches of Lite-
rature as may be within their means, in order to prepare
young men for business, or any of the learned professions,
and shall have power to confer such degrees, and grant such
certificates or diplomas as are usually given by the colleges
or universities in the United States.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the board of
trustees shall have full power to attach to the institution, a
school for the education of young females, which shall be en-
dowed and supported by funds contributed especially for this
blTOQSee
p §. 5. JAnd be it further enacted, That the board of
trustees aforesaid may, at all times, under the name, style,
and title aforesaid, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded,
appear, prosecute and defend to final judgment and execu-
tion; and may appoint an agent or agents to prosecute and
defend suits, with power of substitution; and it shall be law-
ful for said board of trustees to make sale of any estate or
personal property given or purchased, or in any other way
or right, accruing to them in their corporate capacity, and
convey the same by deed or other legal instrument, duly ex-
ecuted; and when the property to be conveyed is real estate,
under the hand of the treasurer and the seal of the institution,
provided that this section shall not be construed to affect the
purchase of real estate already made in any other way than
to sanction it.
Sec. 6. JAnd be it further enacted, That Thomas Free-
land be, and he is hereby authorized to give ten days notice,
in writing, to all the members, and appoint the time and
‘place of the first meeting of the board, under this act of in-
“eorporation. GERARD C. BRANDON,
-*. Governor of the State of Mississippi,
Approved : December 3d, 1830.