New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-07
Union THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
NArGrnATIOS on DIR. sNITH.


The Inauguration of the Rev DR.. II. b. SMITH as
Professor of Systematic Theology in Union Theological
Seminary took place, last evening" at the Mcrcer-st.
Presbyterian Church.
CH.s. Butler. Vce-President of the Board of Di-
rectors presided The Introductory prayer was made
bv the Rev. Mr. CAMPBELL The Rev. DIR. SrEaRss,
OF New Haven, then delivered the charge to the new
proiessor-setting forth generally the necessity of car
ryng Christianity into every department and action OF
life. The Christianity demanded by the times must
have power to crush at once tcriasm and supersti-
ton. by showing the erors from which they had their
growth; penetrating enough descend To first prnci-
pies. and flexible enough to apply itself to
all exigencies. For this they needed no new
theology. Tie old system, which fought the
battles of the Reformation and of Puritanism was
cemueteut 10 fight Their battles. II able not only
70 DO the work Of the Nineteenth Century but of the
Nntv-and.ninth if It should please God 10 continue
the world so long. In this age should be conserve
tive. In all their inquiries they should take their stand
uuon the past then graspng the present. Their the
oogy must be living theology, and not a cold and
dry skeleton Of logic. Theoogies, even though true
m themselves, not always wisely pressed. A
Characteristic of the age that every man had his
iraomeutary belief There were no great religious
parties as under Athanasius and Anus and Blaglus.
Il would be better il great issue could be made
and not 20 much strength wasted for lack OF UNITY
NNgltlelSn
their Theological Semnares. He eprobated all radi-
cal and conservative extremes. In all the great move
mens that were going on, the benevolent societies and
the Ant-SlaveTy movement, there was lack OF Chrs-
tanity. Christianity must not be clipped OF com
messed 10 suit the PHILOSOPHERS OF the times,
nor vet must IT yield TO them their usurped
slLere; must command their homage and root Itself
among them-throwlng out lis vital forces into all de-
usrtmeut. cf humanity. The best test OF such the
nloov-a living onc-was that il should 20 straight 10
the heart of universal man with convincing power. lie
tb,n addressed Professor Smith, who arose. After
passing the highest encOmiuns upon bus piety and tai
tuts he formal, charged him with the duties OF the
Professorship and exhOred him Ia fathtaness IN the
doctrines of the Reformation of Puri,ansm and OF JOna
than Edwards. This the age had night to expect;
thi. the branch of Chrsts Church with which they
were connected both expected and desired. Lei MN
90 with courage and with that solemn thoughuulners
VII eh war ever the accompaniment OF true courage
with eaost PRAYER, leaning on God ~ became man
who must not only be guide OF souls but me gude
of glpdes of others in the ways OF liie AND might
the Gown OF glory Be his at last
Pref. SMITH then entered the pulpit and delivered
his inaugural address.
This Seminary was founded, he said, by union OF
Evangelical Churches, the basis OF the WestmIl-
,er Catechism lie insisted on the necessity OF the
uri,n Of science and theology. He considered that
there was at present reaction from the intensely sub
iecye the rstonalsiic tendency, which had for some
time part been prevalent IN the theoioglcal "Orld.
The Coniets0n OF Augsburg had been adopted not
long since b. as thoughtful assomblage OF divlnes
~ ever ass blcd in Germany H. contended tor the
realism OF Christianity and spoke severely against
that system If philosophy which referred al thhgs 10
man. He maintained the universally Of religion,
which was union and communion with God The
Christian pligon added 10 this definition the great
doctrine of redeml ton through incarnation. human
history kuw 10 other center than the Gross
on Calvary A. the lower animals were but attempts
10 carry on the arChetypal idea, which was man. 80
The heather religions all more or less successful
attempts toward Christianity. He proceeded to con-
sider theology as a science The mediaorial principle
of the ChrEiian religion the cardinal principle ana
the center unity of the Christian system ana Il was
NJ marrow 10 the bones man llfe to his body II
gave u God and man IN It's analysis, the Goldman IN
rs .ynihegis God descended that We might ascend
was the g,eat doctrine of the sacremental hosts In
med:aval tines the living Savior was brought ior'h
from where be had been shrouded IN Rome
So too, IN the modern struggle with raiohailsu.
With Fahtheism. the paganism of science the great
rugole was 10 establish the necessity Qi the NC srna