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Westminster Theological Seminary. J$ HISTORICAL. Acting on a resolution of Rev. L. W. Bates, D. D., the Maryland Conference, April, 1881, appointed Rev. J. T. Murray, D. D., Rev. P. L. Wilson and Dr. Charles Billingslea to formulate a plan for the establishment of an institu- tion in which to train young men for the ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church. One year later the report of the committee was adopted by the Conference, and on September 6, 1882, there was opened in Westminster, Mary- land, "The School of Theology." September 4, 1883, the title was changed to "The Westminster Theological Seminary.' and on April 8, 1884, it was duly incorporated by the General Assembly of Maryland. PRESIDENTS. Rev. Thomas Hamilton Lewis, A. M., D.D 1882-1886 Rev. James Thomas Ward, D. D., F. S. Sc 1886-1897 Rev. Hugh Latimer Elderdice, A. M., M. D 1897 CORPORATION. The Westminster Theological Seminary is owned and controlled by the Methodist Protestant Church through a Board of Governors and a Board of Visitors. The Board of Governors consists of five ministers and five laymen, appointed as foHows: Three ministers and two laymen are appointed by the Maryland Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church every fourth session succeeding the session of 1884. Two ministers and three laymen are appointed by the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church and hold office for four years. This Board of Governors holds the property, elects the Faculty, and exercises genera1 supervision over the interests of the Seminary. The Board of Visitors is composed of one minister and one layman, appointed by each patronizing Annual Conference-i. e., each conference appropriating a collection to the Seminary. The Board of Visitors, or any of them, has authority to visit and inspect the Seminary at all times, with a view to recommending to the Board of Governors such changes or improvements in the management of the institution as may seem desirable; and also to report to their conference in the case of any student placed in the institution by them. 25