The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1854-11-23
o DR.. Thornwdl and the Seminary.

| D1' AAotAWNA duO tne seminary.
The Synod off South Carolina now in
session in Chareson, is warmly engaged
IN the discussion If the important question
Of DIR. TnoRMyELL's removal from tbc.
presidency Of tie South Carolina College.
III order to his becoming professor of The
ology in the The'logical Seminary Colum-
bla. Both the ehurch, and State are deep
ly Interested i'll this debate; and VIC must
think, knowing Is much as we do from cx
periencc, Of the puators' influence upon n
large portion c., ve promising youth of
the State. that ,,."'. Vt desired by many
members Of Synod. would bn h"ridoAly
bad move for both parties. The main plea
for this change, seems to be, that it is
thought by some absolutely necessary to
place professor in that chair of the Semi
nary, whose peculiar scientific and logical
ability will enable him to supply his pu-
pills with the same strong weapons against
the insiduous attacks Of modern infilclity.
We have long wished for an opportunity
W say d "OIu OH llllS SUBJECT.
1t seems then that the Bible has indeed
become quite old fashioned, and fogyish;
its teachings and influence that in former
days made St. Paul and the whole army of
myrtars invincble against @nll the attacks
of the adversary, must now be reinforced
Ill its own chair by the subtle appliances
of modern science. We take this view of
the question, bccanse we are fully aware of
the fact, that there now sits in the Thco.
logical chair Of the Seminary one of the
ablest biblical scholars "fr.he e-en.
W. In" -@iin-7'-ff the profound, read, s-1wl-
edge he possesses of the Scriptures, isnot suf-
ticient to prepare the pupils for the future
duties as ministers Of the Gospel, in this
matter of fighting against tho encroach-
ments of infdelity, the Biblical. part Of the
professorsllip had better be abolished al
together. We do not say, by any means,
that young minister Of the gospel should
not be we'll instructed in every department
of scientific lore, his profession subsidises
every branch of learning; but we insist
that the chair of Theology should be the
chair of Theology, and not mixture of
tile two, as if one was not perfect without
the other. The Seminary is not tho school
to learn the sevcps art of polemics: the
academy and college are the proper arena
for these preparatory exercises. It does
not appear either that the alumni of the
seminary are deficient in theological dia-
lectics; many Of them are dong more at
this moment for Ihc advancement of the
blessed Masters kingdom than any other
class of men in tls State some of them
would do honor tp any country. On this
single negative consideration therefore. we
must object most seriously TO the contem.
plated change.
The Meagher d,ards.-1t will be seen
by the proceedipgAin another voltffnn, that
this public spirited company some time
since extended al invitation to Thomas
Francis Meagher toIdeIiver lecture in our
city in behalf Of tht Ladies' Calhoun Mon.
ument Association, We arc gratified lin
beirg able to state, hat Mr.. .Msaelfer 'has
accepted the invibtion. The subject ia
one likely TO Call fohh the 6nest powers on
this distinguished o,htoESfor he is not likely
to forget that in pating due homage to the
memory Of Carobin great stateman, he is
also eontibgti bahoble the memory Of
! the son Of dns Md like himself. fied from
Eha snnuna<5fnc. - In rli yxy.,y .5t.'.,'.