Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

3242 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANSFor many years Doctor Gaines had been impressed with the importanceof Christian education, especially for girls, He began discussing privatelywith leading men the need and the possibility of establishing a Christianschool of this character. The suggestion met with instant favor, and onJuly 17, 1889, when he had been in his new pastorate about six months, ameeting was held in the pastor's study, at the manse in Decatur, to considerthe matter. The following- is the official minute of the meeting:"According to a previous understanding, several members of the Presbyterian church of Decatur met this evening at the manse. Present, Rev. F. H.Gaines, George W. Scott, Milton A. Candler, Sr., Dr. Robert C. "Word, JamesW. Kirkpatrick, J. A. Mason, John B. Swanton, George A. Ramspeck, B. S.Crane and H. J. Williams. Rev. F. H. Gaines was called to the chair andDr. R. C. Word was appointed secretary. The chairman stated that theobject of the meeting was to advise as to the need and feasibility of establishing in Decatur a school for young ladies and girls, to.be of a high order, andunder Presbyterian control and influence. After discussion Colonel George W.Scott offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted,to wit.- 'Resolved that we determine to establish at once a school of highcharacter.' "As soon as a charter was secured, incorporating the institution under thename Decatur Female Seminary, Doctor Gaines was appointed to visit Virginia to secure teachers. On this mission, after diligent search and inquiry,he engaged Miss Nanette Hopkins as principal and Miss Mattie E. Cook asassistant. A subscription of $5,000 was soon raised, a building rented, a canvass of the town made for pupils, and in September, 1889, school was opened.Under its charter the pastor of the Presbyterian Church was, ex-officio, chairman of the board and in general charge of the school until April 28, 1897,at which time Col. George W. Scott was elected chairman of the board andRev. F. H. Gaines secretary. In the meantime Colonel Scott had made hisgreat gift to the institution of a site, together with a magnificent buildingand equipment, at a total cost value of $112,500. The name of the institution had been changed from Decatur Female Seminary to Agnes Scott Institute, in memory of Colonel Scott's mother. Doctor Gaines had, in 1895,resigned his pastorate of the local church and accepted the presidency ofAgnes Scott Institute.The institute continued to develop its educational work by cutting off thelower grades and adding higher until in 1905 it became a college. It thensecured an amendment to its charter authorizing another change of namefrom Agnes Scott Institute to Agnes Scott College. At this time the collegework was completely separated from the preparatory work. The latter wascontinued for several years under the name Agnes Scott Academy. This wasdiscontinued in 1912 and the college stood alone, a full-fledged college, withno preparatory department nor sub-freshman class.Very early in the history of the institution Doctor Gaines realized that hisschool must have a great aim, likewise an ideal adapted to accomplish thataim; and he there wrote in 1893 "The Agnes Scott Ideal." The supremeaim of the institution was declared to be the glory of God; and the plan asoutlined by him in this little booklet embraced the following specifications,seven in number: (1) A liberal curriculum, fully abreast of the best institutions of the land; (2) a sound curriculum, with text books along all lines inharmony with the Bible; (3) the Bible a text book; the Bible course necessary to graduation; (4) thoroughly qualified and consecrated teachers; (5)a high standard of scholarship; (6) the institute a model Christian home;(7) all the influences in the school to be made conducive to the formationand development of Christian character.Time has abundantly vindicated the administrative wisdom of DoctorGaines. The success which has come to Agnes Scott College is due to the