xt7v6w967d4p https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7v6w967d4p/data/mets.xml Thomson, C. T. 1908  books b92-70-27083018 English Transylvania Press, : Lexington, Ky. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Blanton, Lindsay Hughes, 1832-1914. Presbyterian Church in Kentucky. Central University (Richmond, Ky.) Centre College (Danville, Ky.) Lindsay Hughes Blanton  : an appreciation of his life and work / edited by C.T. Thomson. text Lindsay Hughes Blanton  : an appreciation of his life and work / edited by C.T. Thomson. 1908 2002 true xt7v6w967d4p section xt7v6w967d4p 








LINDSAY HUGHES OLANTON







               AR Appreclatloa of



           HlS I le and Work







                  Edited by
            C. T. Thomson, Ph. D.


                   I 9 O a



Trannsylvania Press,
Lexington, Ky.


 
This page in the original text is blank.




 







































































LINDAY HUGHF BLANTON


 
This page in the original text is blank.


 













                   A FOREWORD



            T  has been a work of great pleasure to prepare this
               memorial volume. The letters from so many people of
               high position, great learning and superior culture, are
               an eloquent tribute to the one who for a half century
               has labored abundantly and successfully.  The Car-
negie Foundation Fund has twice honored Dr. Blanton-first in grant-
ing him an annuity of one thousand dollars a year, and then by in-
creasing it to eighteen hundred dollars per annum.
    The editor makes only one request of the readers-judge the work
as the effort of one who is trying to let others see a great and good
man as he appears to him who has had most favorable opportunity to
know whereof he speaks-as a member in the Sunday school at Paris,
as an elder in the church at Shawhan which Dr. Blanton served and
saved, as an elder in Presbytery and Synod, as a member of old Cen-
tral University's Board of Curators and of the executive committee;
as a Trustee of Central University consolidated, and also a member
of the executive committee; as a frequent visitor in his home; as a coun-
sellor with him in his great work of maintaining and developing the
S. P. Lees Institute and the Matthew T. Scott, Jr., Institute. I have
had a manifold vision of the versatile gifts of one whom we delight to
honor as Pastor, Preacher, Educator, and Friend.

 











LINDSAY HUGHES BLANTON.



    Born in Cumberland County, Virginia, January 29, 1832.
Graduated   Hampden-Sidney   College,  1853.  Same   college  con-
ferred D. D. 1878; LL. D. 1901. Student in Union The-
ological Seminary, Virginia. Graduated from Theological Seminary,
at Danville, Ky., 1857. Pastor of church at Versailles, Ky., 1857-61;
at Salem, Va., 1861-68; at Paris, Ky., 1868-1880. Chancellor of
Central University, Richmond, Ky., 1880-1901; Vice President of
Central University (Danville) 1901-07. Chaplain in Confederate
army 1863-4. Stated Clerk of Synod of Virginia 1866-68; of Synod
of Kentucky since 1874. Trustee of the Confederate Home, Pewee
Valley, Ky. Four times commissioner to the General Assembly of
Presbyterian Church, U. S.
    During his twenty-one years' work as Chancellor, 300 young
men graduated, many of whom are now filling the highest places of
useful service in the church and state.  He was also instrumental in
building up the Lees Institute (Jackson, Ky.), Hardin Collegiate In-
stitute (Elizabethtown, Ky.), Matthew T. Scott, Jr., Institute (West
Liberty, Ky.),
    His energy, activity, enterprise, courage, self-sacrifice are empha-
sized in the letters which are herewith submitted.  The kaleidoscopic
character and versatility of a life-work are better told by many than ex-
pressed in the words of the editor.
    He needs no eulogy, for his praise is in the lives of several thousand
people whom he served as pastor or helped during their school days.
As one who loves him much, may the writer be pardoned if he ex-
presses his opinion of some leading elements that have contributed to
his monumental work
    First-He is essentially a man of large view-not contracted or
narrow. The man of optimistic hope sees beyond the present into the
future, looking at the invisible, reckoning upon the final supremacy of
the good, the true, the beautiful, striving ever to attain the ideal of per-
fection, and not content with the imperfect attainment of the ephemeral
present. The man of such view to the ordinary man may seem vision-
ary, impracticable, daring, but every great work always has had its
                                 4


 




Columbus, who launched upon the untraveled water to find the America
of his hope.
    Second-He was patient and uncomplaining. At times the burden
of the university was almost crushing, the difficulties seemed to multiply,
yet, before synod, presbyteries, churches and the board of trustees,
there was never a complaint of too much to do or a request for a vaca-
tion or lessened work and service. He spared not himself, and had he
fallen it would have been with full armor on.
    Third-He was a genius in finding men who would be useful to
the causes he supported.  He developed the men and women in the
churches he served as pastor. He found the people who had money
and who gave to the great causes he so heartily supported.  He had
a keen knowledge of the student life, and gave encouragement not only
to the boys in starting upon their college course, but he aided them
while they were so engaged. This aid was not merely in advice and
counsel, but, when necessary, it took a financial form.  Perhaps no
greater evidence of his power in this line was seen than in the corps of
professors whom  he drew to the university and held for years when
many of them could have gone elsewhere at larger salaries.
    Fourth-His self-sacrifice is known to but few. When he went to
the university he was promised a salary equal to what the Paris Church
was paying him.    After a few years he voluntarily relinquished the
larger salary and took the same salary the professors of the university
were receiving.  It was my duty on the auditing committee to examine
his books in the last years before the consolidation.  I found that he
always paid the others first and took his own last, if there was any
money left.  At the commencement in 1901, I called his attention to
the fact that he had received no salary at all that year, but only the
balance due on the previous year. He said that by taking some boys
in his family as boarders he had managed to live.  Afterward he re-
linquished the whole year's salary to help close up without debt. Dur-
ing his Chancellorship he spent all he had earned up to that time. He
freely gave as he had opportunity.
    Fifth-After all, his one greatest talent was fidelity. He did what
he could. He sought not high place or power or honor. He bravely
assumed his part of responsibility as the church placed it upon him,
and did his best. It is to such as he that the Master will say in the
last day, "Well done, good and faithful servant." The world is better
and brighter because he has done his part.



5


 
















Long years to you've been given,
In faithful service for your Master;
Nobly and well you've striven,
Defying the stroke of disaster,
Still hoping and toiling for more
And larger good put in store,
Yourself heavy burdens you bore.

Heroes are men whom we praise,
Useful the duty they've done.
God wisely measures our days;
His race you've patiently run-
Ever seeking His help in your ways
So loyally rendered the Son.

Blessed years are in the past,
Let the future shine with His love.
All the way His grace shall last
Nor be wanting-till above
The Father says: "Well done, my son-
Over life's race so well run,
Now rejoice-in -Heaven begun."
                                C.T. T.



6


 
This page in the original text is blank.




 


BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF CENTRAL UNIVERSITY






 








   RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
                    CENTRAL UNIVERSITY


    On June 11, 1907, in the regular annual meeting of the Board
of Trustees of Central University, held in the gymnasium of the College,
Dr. B13nton read his report as Vice President. After its reception and
adoption, he offered his resignation as Vice President, explaining the
step because of his belief that he should have rest from the long and
arduous labors of a half century of ministerial service. The resignation
was accepted with regret, many members of the Board expressing their
appreciation of his unselfish work for the University. A committee to
bring in a suitable resolution submitted the following, which was unani-
mously adopted:
                                 Danville, Ky., June 11, 1907.
To the Board of Trustees of Central University of Kentucky:-
    Your committee to which was referred for consideration the resig-
nation of Vice President Blanton now reports:
    First-While the voluntary retirement of Dr. Blanton from direct
active connection with the affairs of the University as its Vice President
and member of the faculty is a matter of serious concern and sincere
regret, yet when we recall his fifty years of constant, faithful, able, and
consecrated service as pastor and preacher, as Chancellor and Vice
President, his devotion to the training and teaching of young men, we
feel he well merits the earned right to rest and release from the burdens
of his present post.
    Second-We congratulate him that his last years will be passed in
the shadow of the institution whose history is so large a part of his
own life and labors, and among those with whom he has wrought.
    We congratulate him on the splendid condition of the institution
here and on the status of Lees Collegiate Institute, that school to which
his prayers and fostering care have been given in overflowing measure.
    We congratulate ourselves that these rest years of Dr. Blanton
will still abound in service through his wise counsel and guidance which
we will enjoy through his continued membership in this Board.
                    (Signed)       JOHN W. YERKES,
                                    JOHN BARBOUR,
                                    THOS. W. BULLITT.
                                    E. W. C. HUMPHREY,



7


 




                            ADDRESSES

    On Commencement Day, June 12, 1907, the large chapel of the
University was crowded. After a splendid address on the "Meaning
of Education," by Dr. J. W. Cochran, Secretary of Education for the
Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.), President F. W. Hiritt delivered
diplomas to a large number of graduates in literature and law. Before
he announced the prizes and fellowships, he said:
                    PRESIDENT HIN1TFS ADDRESS
    "At this point in the program we will pause in order that we may
take due note of the retirement from the ranks of educational service in
Kentucky and of this institution, one who for fifty years has been prom-
inent in the life of the Church and in the education of the young men
of this state. I refer to Dr. Lindsay Hughes Blanton, who lays down
the office of Vice President of Central University on this day. Before
introducing the speaker who will represent the Alumni of Old Central
University, I desire to extend the greetings of the Alumni of the new
Central University and to express their appreciation of his personality
and service to the college.  And for myself, I desire to express my
indebtedness to Dr. Blanton since I undertook the duties of the Presi-
dency of Central University.  With unfailing kindness and courtesy,
he has seconded my efforts in every direction. I could not have asked
nor desired a more genuine co-operation in my work than he has given,
and it has been a constant pleasure and help to me, in the presence of
difficult problems, to consult with him and to find myself reinforced
by his wise counsel, enriched by the experience of the years, and pro-
ceeding from a heart devoted to the welfare of the University.  He
retires from this form of active service on this anniversary and bears
with him the confidence and affection of those associated in the admin-
istration of the University, and from myself, a genuine affection and
appreciation that can suffer no change. I congratulate Dr. Blanton on
the achievements of his years of service and that this day we are privi-
leged to recognize in him an eminent servant of the Church and of the
highest interests of this Commonwealth. Ladies and gentlemen, I have
the honor to introduce to you Mr. John H. Chandler, of Louisville, who
will now speak in behalf of the Alumni of Old Central University."

              ADDRESS OF JOHN H. CHANDLER, ESQ.
    Mr. Chandler said:
    "Doctor Blanton, it falls to my lot as an old C. U. man, speaking
for a multitude of C. U. men, scattered over our broad land today, to
lay at your feet a simple tribute of affection which comes straight from
                                  8


 





the hearts of those who know you best, and, therefore, who love you
best-those whom you have known and loved and served so well.
    "Many of the old guard are not here today, but their hearts are
with you-in spirit they are with you on the old campus ground, where
down the dim aisle of sweet by-gone, happy thoughts of other days
come thronging by. Yes, we can hear the old college song, 'In the
good old days we knew, in our classes at C. U.' Then, too, the old
college yell! How it makes the heart beat faster!
    "We congratulate you, sir, today on your rounding out a half
century of public service, so ably, nobly, and unselfishly rendered in
the name of Christian education.
    "For fifty long years you have served in the front ranks of college,
church, and state, with an industry unflagging, a fidelity unfaltering, and
a courage unflinching, bearing the heat and burden of the day, unmindful
of self, with a spirit of sacrifice worthy of your great chieftain, John C.
Breckinridge, under whom you served in the days of '63.
    "For a quarter of a century you breathed the breath of life into a
prostrate institution, giving your own life blood that it might live. And
that institution, though financially cramped, as it was, became, under
the leadership of you and Dr. Logan, one of the best institutions in
all our Southland.
    "None can know better than 1, who lived by your side for ten
years, amid the stress and strain of it all, the wonderful spirit of sacri-
fice with which you labored in your supreme loyalty and devotion to
old C. U.
    "You were always known as the college boy's best friend, not
only while he was in college, but you followed him out in the world,
always ready to help and serve.
    "Last, but not least, you, Dr. Blanton, more than any other man,
helped to bridge the yawning chasm caused by the Civil War, in re-
uniting the great educational forces of old C. U. and old Centre-in
binding up the old wound-in placing above the great system of educa-
tion, the motto of our Commonwealth, 'United We Stand, Divided
We Fall.'
    "'With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in
the right as God gave you to see the right,' you labored for the con-
solidation. But it will take another generation fully to appreciate the
magnitude of your noble work.
    "And now, dear friend, since you have voluntarily laid aside the
harness of official life, may you enjoy a well-earned rest from the life-
time of honorable, but arduous, labor. In the days to come, as you
walk down the western mountain up which you have climbed so high,
may the sunset's glow at eventide be more radiant in the memory of
                                   9


 




the great good you have wrought, in the memory of the poor boys,
who, but for you and your personal help, would have gone into life
bound and shackled without an education.
    "And now, as a token of our affection-strong, deep-seated, and
abiding-I present this loving cup in the name of the old boys. On
it is inscribed, 'Rev. Lindsay H. Blanton, D. D., LL. D., 1857-1907,
Minister, Educator, Friend. In Loving Remembrance of the Students
of Old C. U.'
    "As the old mariner, taken far away from his native seashore,
carried with him a sea shell, which, placed to his ear, whispered to
him the sweet sounds of the distant sea; so, in the remaining days of
your life-and may God give you many of them-this loving-cup, if it
could speak to you, would sound in your ear the heart-throbs of the
old boys."



1(




 




















z


 
This page in the original text is blank.


 








RfVSPONSF. OF DR. L. VI. BLANTON.



My Young Friend:
    I am deeply moved, almost overwhelmed, by this expression of your
good will and affection; not more by the value, beauty and appropriate-
ness of your gift than by the tenderness and elocquence of your words.
I feel unable and shall not attempt to make response to all the compli-
mentary and generous things that you have spoken. The feeling upper-
most in my heart today is that of profound gratitude to God, who has
carried me safely through this long and eventful perniod, and to the
friends who have stood by me so faithfully and loyally in all the crises
of my life.
    By the consent of the President, you have made me the central
figure of this occasion, and you will bear with me when I tell you of
some of the things which have entered most deeply into my life, and
which have done most in fitting me for whatever service I have ren-
dered to others.
    I have been a fortunate man always; fortunate in my parentage,
the son of an honest, faithful, loving couple, who walked in the right
way, and taught me to walk in it.
    Fortunate in the place of my nativity.  I was born on the banks
of the Appomatox, in the great Piedmont region of Virginia, of which
Dr. Stuart Robinson once said, "The people live one-half of the year
on past recollections, and the other on future expectations."  Under
the wit a great truth is expressed.  It is a good thing to cherish recol-
lections of the past, and it is a good thing to have large expectations
for the future. It was a region of high ideals, about which Dr. Hinitt
spoke last Sunday, and to which the orator of today so eloquently
referred. Our grandfathers, soldiers of the Revolution, told us of
Washington and his generals, of Bunker Hill and Lexington, of King's
Mountain and Yorktown; and our fathers told us of Jefferson and
Madison, of Monroe and Rives, of Henry and Randolph. These great
seers, philosophers and statesmen still lived and walked through the
land. The boys of my day felt their very presence, and it was a great
inspiration as we listened to the story of their achievements.
    I was fortunate in that I was reared in a church that had been
ministered to by such men as Samuel Davies, Archibald Alexander,
Stanhope Smith, Moses Hoge and others. During all my early life, I
sat under the ministry of a scarcely less distinguished preacher, Doctor
Jesse S. Armistead.
    I was fortunate in my academic training. At seventeen I was sent
                                  11


 




to Hampden-Sidney College, a child of the Revolution; a small college,
with five or six professors; a poor college-"poor, yet making many rich."
At the head of the faculty stood a great and good man, Lewis Warner
Green, a native of this county, and the first graduate of Centre College;
a ripe scholar, an inspiring teacher, a man of superb bearing, and
of matchless eloquence.  Dr. Green got his grip on every man
who came under his influence; and I want to confess today, in this
presence, that I owe more to him than to any other man who ever lived.
Out of a class of forty in the Freshman year, only nine of us graduated in
1853, but each man made his mark in the world, and two, Holliday
and Mcllwaine, reached great distinction; each in turn becoming presi-
dent of his alma mater.
     I was fortunate in my theological training.  Spending one year in
 Union Theological Seminary, Virginia, I came to Danville in October,
 1855, and here I met in the class-room, and in the family circle, three
 of the greatest men of that day or any other day-Robert J. Breckin-
 ridge, Edward P. Humphrey, and Stuart Robinson. They were very
 different in their physical and mental make-up, but each was a great
 man. Across the campus, at the head of Centre College, was a man
 I heard nearly every Sunday, John C. Young, who lives today in the
 lives of so many of the alumni; a graceful, accomplished and eloquent
 preacher.
    Fortunate, also, in my companionship in the Seminary.  There
were nearly fifty of us, students drawn from all parts of the country,
Young (D. P), Douglas, Rutherford, Scudder, Pitzer, Hunter, Hib-
ben, Cortelyou, Davies, Muchmore, McMillan, and others.   What
a blessing these men have proved to be to the church, North and South!
The inspiration I received from the great men of the college and sem-
inary and student association has carried me all through these fifty years
of service, and I entered upon my work as a young minister, June 1,
1857, hopeful and happy.
    I have been a busy man always. Some say that my life was a
strenuous one; but I have always been hopeful and happy. Whether
at Versailles, where my inexperienced feet first trod ministerial paths,
and where I helped to lay the foundation for the splendid work done
by my successor, Dr. Rout; or at Salem, Virginia, in the beautiful,
matchless Valley of the Roanoke, during the fearful periods of war
and carnage; or at Paris, where a maturer manhood was given to the
gospel ministry; I was always hopeful and happy. And at Richmond,
where, in 1880, I took up heavier burdens still, the head of a college
without students or endowment, living from hand to mouth, and adding
to the endowment from year to year.  Dr. Samuel B. McPheeters,
one of the wittiest and saintliest of men, once said, he never knew what
                                12


 




the prophet meant when he said he "saw times, and a time, and a half
time," until he became the pastor of a second-rate city church. My
young friend, you know that I saw times, and a time, and a half time,
and yet I was happy and hopeful; hopeful that a better day was com-
ing, and happy in being supported by a Board of Curators, who
stood by me through twenty-one years, and seconded by a band of
noble professors, Logan, Barbour, Wilson, Nichols, Akers, Crooks,
Kennedy, and others; happy in seeing gathered there, from year to
year, a band of splendid young men, the very pick of Kentucky, who
gave me always their confidence and affection.
    And I have been happy in Darville; first, in the fact of the con-
solidation-happy in the thought that all the Presbyterians of Kentucky
were united once more in the cause of Christian education and
in support of two great institutions. Centre College was founded
eighty-eight years ago; the Danville Theological Seminary, fifty-four
years ago. But a period of division and strife ensued. In 1874 Cen-
tral University was opened at Richmond, and later the Louisville Pres-
byterian Theological Seminary at Louisville. But the brick and mortar
of these institutions were scarcely dry when earnest men on both sides
thought and talked about getting together in education.  And this is
not strange. The Presbyterians of Kentucky are one people; they
differed about the War, but in all great essentials they have always been
one people; one in lineage, one in faith, one in a common history; their
traditions, hopes and aspirations were the same. And it is a glorious
consummation, that once again all the Presbyterians of the state are
standing hand in hand, and shoulder to shoulder in the support of these
two great institutions, and have recently joined hands in the establish-
ment of a great college for women at Danville.
    You can carry the message, therefore, my young friend, to your
comrades and fellow-alumni, that there is no friction or division of
councils in the conduct of our great work here; that under the wise
leadership of the President, their alma mater has been placed upon a
firm foundation and in the very front rank of the best colleges; and that
it is now worthy of their fullest confidence and support. Tell them, also,
that I am constantly cheered by the good reports that come to me of
their well-being and well-doing; that I have kept on the track of nearly
every man who has left the old institution, and it is a great satisfaction
to know that nearly all of them are doing well in the world; some
occupying positions of honor and distinction, one the Chief Executive
of the State, another on the bench of the Court of Appeals, another
a great professor in the McCormick Theological Seminary, one is the
Dean of the Law Department of Vanderbilt, others are professors and
teachers, circuit judges, lawyers, doctors, ministers.  It is a splendid
                                  13


 




contribution-nearly 300 in all-that we have made to the long and
illustrious alumni roll of Old Centre.
    And now, my young friend, let me thank you again, and those you
represent, for this beautiful testimonial of your confidence and affection.
To my latest day on earth, I shall carry the recollection of this occasion.
This loving-cup will always be treasured by me and by those who love
me and whom I love.



14




 


























td
zP
0
i

Q
x



I:  



11 j


 
This page in the original text is blank.


 













LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS TO BLANTON LOVING CUP.



Eugene F. Abbott
Robt. E. Adams
D. E. Bedinger
E. C. Blanford
S. E. Booker
W. Fred Booker
John H. Chandler
W. J. Chinn
W. C. McClelland
R. H. Coleman
Charles C. Cooper
E. M. Costello
S. R. Crockett
C. G. Crooks
0. C. Crooke
Charles Daly
Chas. B. Dickson
L. W. Doolan
R. E. Douglass
J. Tate Duncan
Gilbert Glass
R. G. Gordon
Graves Griffith
M. H. Guerrant
H. B. Fleece



Thos. L. Haman, Jr.
John R. Hampton
Lewis B. Herrington
A. Lisle Irvine
J. L. Irvin
W. M. Jackson
R. W. Keenon
0. A. Kennedy
Jas. C. Knox
J. M. Lassing
C. A. Leonard
D. Clay Lilly
R. G. Lowry
Sam. C. Lowry
Charles McKee
G. M. Mansfield
J. B. Million
W. H. Morton
J. V. Norman
Chas. L. Nourse
C. P. Price
C. T. Ray
B. F. Roach
John L. Scott
S. Sellers



E. F. Shannon
Wim. P. Simmons
L. M. Smith
A. E. Spencer
P. H. Steenbergen
J. A. Sullivan
I. F. Swallow
David M. Sweets
Henry H. Sweets
E. V. Tadlock
John N. Turner
R. E. Turley
J. W. Tyler
T. E. H. Urmston
Miss Estill Walker
Frank Walker
Miss Mattie 0. Walker
J. H. Wallace
E. H. Walker
W. R. Welch
Walter Wilkins
V. I. Witherspoon
J. B. Wood
H. P. Yennowine
J. R. Sanders



15


 





                    THE CARNEGIE FOUNDATION
              FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF TEACHING
                           542 FIFTH AVENUE,
                               NEW YORK
                        OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

 Dear Sir:
     I have the honor to inform you that, at its last meeting, the Execu-
 tive Committee of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of
 Teaching voted to you a retiring allowance of One Thousand Dollars
 (1,000) a year, to begin at such time as you may care to give up
 active work. In making this communication, the Executive Committee
 desires to express its high appreciation of the work you have done and
 its best wishes for your continued health and prosperity.
                     I am, very sincerely yours,
                                    HENRY S. PRITCHETT.
     December 20, 1906.
 Dr. Lindsay H. Blanton,
      Central University of Kentucky,
           Danville, Kentucky.






                  REV. DR. J. McCLUSKY BLAYNEY
                                  Danville, Ky., Aug. 1, 1907.
My Dear Dr. Thomson:-
    I had known Dr. Blanton casually for twenty-five years, but had
never been brought into close association with him until the time of
the discussion of the union of our Presbyterian colleges and theological
seminaries in Kentucky. From our official positions we were at that
time necessarily brought into close and active co-operation to bring
about the proposed consolidation.  I then soon came to recognize in
Dr. Blanton one of the strong men of the Presbyterian Church-strong
in character, strong in intellect, strong in purpose, strong in achieve-
ment, strong in his influence over men, strong in self-control, strong in
gentleness. Since that time I have been constantly and closely associ-
ated with him in various interests concerning the church and higher
education, and all that I have seen of him has only served to confirm
my original estimate of him as a Christian, a gentleman and a wise doer
of things. I have seen Dr. Blanton in trying situations; I have never
known him to lose his self-possession or utter a word at which his bit-
                                 16


 
This page in the original text is blank.




 


CHURCH AND MANSE, VERSAILLES, KY.
1857-1861






 




terest opponent could take offense. I can say the same of but few of
the strong men I have met in my life. What a pity it seems that such
men must lay down the armor when they are so few and so much needed.
                            Fraternally yours,
                               J. McCLUSKY BLAYNEY,
   President Board of Directors Ky. Presbyterian Theological Seminary.



                  UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
                         RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
                       OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
                          East Northfield, Mass., June 29, 1907.
Rev. L. H. Blanton, D. D.
    My Dear Dr. Blanton:-Please accept my thanks for the copy of
the "Courier-Journal" containing a full and detailed account of the
tribute of your old students and the other exercises on the occasion
of your retirement from active service in connection with Central Uni-
versity, whose history you have so largely made. Certainly you have
abundant reason to thank God for your opportunities since you went
to Kentucky, and for the manner in which you have been enabled to
improve them for the good of the church and state, and the profound
impression which you have put especially upon the minds and hearts
of the young men who have, year after year, gone forth to positions of
leadership. '   
    I trust that you continue to be as young in appearance and in
feelings as you have always seemed to me to be, and that there are
many years of honorable satisfaction and repose for you within sight
of the great educational monument which you have done so much to
rear in the garden spot where providence has cast your lot.
                                   Cordially yours,
                                              W. W. MOORE.



                      REV. C. H. ROUT, D. D.
                  PRESIDENr OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
                               Versailles, Ky., June 7th, 1907.
    My Dear Doctor Blanton:-In view of your announced determina-
tion to retire from the position of Vice President of Central University,
I congratulate you upon the distinguishing goodness of God in allowing
you to complete fifty years of continuous service in the gospel ministry.
Of these fifty years, I believe nearly one-half has been devoted to the
                                 17


 




pastorate. Although the evidence is abundant of your exceptional suc-
cess at Paris, Ky., and Salem, Va., the fact that I succeeded you as
pastor of the church at Versailles has enabled me to appreciate more
thoroughly the value and fruitfulness of your labors in this, your first
charge.  I feel under personal obligations to you for what the Lord
enabled you to accomplish as my predecessor.  He honored you by
using you to bring the church from apparently the verge of extinction
to a self-supporting basis and thus to lay the foundation of all its
subsequent prosperity.
    I arm somewhat familiar with the difficulties besetting your work in
connection with Central University. In spite of the difficulties, the work
accomplished was of immense benefit to the church and the country.
The work will live in the noble men who were trained by it for
useful service to God and humanity and will be transmitted by them
to future generations. For this, you and the able men who preceded
you and those who co-operated with you in this important and difficult
undertaking are entitled to the thanks of your fellowmen.
    Not less valuable, in my opinion, was the service you rendered in
effecting the consolidation of the two colleges and the two theological
seminaries in the bounds of the Synod of Kentucky, and thereby open-
ing to those institutions an opportunity of usefulness otherwise impossible.
    With kind regards for Mrs. B. and best wishes for all