Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest
James S. Currie, Executive Secretary
A couple of years ago a visit to the office of Mark Tuschak, Vice-President of Advancement at Schreiner University, reminded some visitors that as much attention should be paid to those who make small donations to an institution as to those who make large gifts. Not only do those small gifts add up over the long haul, but often those donors remember those institutions in their wills. More importantly, taking the long view, the spirit behind the gifts is a powerful testimony to their love for, and faith in the cause for which the institution stands. It reflects a desire to see the school or the church or the institution last beyond that person’s life.
Of course, no one has a crystal ball and can know what the future holds for any of us, let alone for the causes we support. But we take the risk anyway, trusting and giving thanks and understanding that, as Isaiah says, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our ways God’s ways (55:8).
Certainly Sarah Ball of Galveston did not know if in 1902 whether her gift of $75,000 to endow two chairs (Systematic Theology and Old Testament) for a Presbyterian seminary in Austin that had not even opened its doors would bear fruit. Austin Seminary has been the recipient of many generous donors over the years. In addition to Sarah Ball, such names as Frank Lubbock (the school’s first refectory), Fred Robbins and the Brown family (the Seminary Chapel), Toddie Lee Wynne (student dormitory), the McMillan and Trulll Foundations (Seminary classrooms and administration building, respectively). Then in 1981 when Jean Brown of Hot Springs, Arkansas died, Austin Seminary received $11.25 million, almost doubling the school’s endowment (Lyon College received $13.75 million).
It is doubtful that Henrietta King could have known in 1911 whether her gift of 640 acres to the Presbyterian Church to establish a trade school for Mexican boys in south Texas would ever see a campus materialize. But, taking the long view, over 100 years later both Austin Seminary and Pan American School have not only come through challenging years, but have borne – and continue to bear – a significant witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many others have dared to take the long view by making generous, and perhaps costly, gifts without any assurance of success. And sometimes seeds are planted that do not germinate until years later. This is true not only in matters of stewardship, but also in matters having to do with personal decisions. A certain word of encouragement or a simple suggestion might stick in one’s mind and contribute to a vocational decision. And occasionally, the two come together.
Recently it was announced that the Lilly Endowment has made a gift of $10 million to establish the Arc of ministry Center. According to the press release, this ministry will be a collaboration among the following institutions: Austin Seminary, Schreiner University, Austin College, Huston-Tillotson University, Presbyterian Pan American School, and the Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy. It “will offer new programs to engage high school and college students in vocational exploration through experiential and cohort-based learning.”
These institutions are to be congratulated on their vision and cooperative spirit. However, just as the gifts of Sarah Ball and the Brown family did not materialize in a vacuum but through relationships formed years before the gifts were given, so also is the current Lilly gift based, at least in part, on relationships forged years ago.
Rev. Mike Murray reminds us that Kim Warner joined the Texas Presbyterian Foundation as Vice-President almost 30 years ago. Confirming this, Warner decided that, in order to familiarize himself with Presbyterian institutions in Texas, he should visit them and get to know the heads of these places – Austin Seminary, Schreiner University, Austin College, Presbyterian Pan American School, Presbyterian Children’s Home and Service Agency, and Mo-Ranch. Out of these visits there arose relationships among the presidents of these institutions. And out of these relationships arose an annual gathering of these presidents, a kind of roundtable. Incidentally, Austin Seminary’s relationship with Huston-Tillotson University is not a new one. As mentioned in Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: A Seventy-fifth Anniversary History (p. 110-111), the relationship between the presidents of the Seminary and Tillotson College (the predecessor to Huston-Tillotson University) was forged in the 1930s.
Even though presidents leave or retire, and there have been several generations of leadership at these various institutions, over the long haul this roundtable of leadership that was begun almost 30 years ago has continued. While certainly not the entire basis for the successful awarding of this Lilly grant, one could reasonably argue that the relationships among the institutional leaders over the years were a contributing factor to the successful outcome.
No doubt, there are many other examples over the years that could be cited in which individuals and churches and other institutions have benefited, perhaps in unforeseen ways, from the faith and vision of Presbyterians that only become evident when we take the long view.
The Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest exists to “stimulate and encourage interest in the collection, preservation, and presentation of the Presbyterian and Reformed heritage” in the Southwest. If you are not a participating member of the Society and would like to become one, the annual dues are $20 per individual and $25 per couple. Annual institutional and church membership dues are $100. Checks may be made out to PHSSW and sent to:
PHSSW – 5525 Traviston Ct., Austin, TX 78738.
