The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1864-04-07
PEv. ne. MILLER,s LETTER.

REV. MIR. MILLER's LETTER,
We are at q loss to understand whether
this is all that our brother proposes to cay
en- the subject. Until we receive infOrms
ton, it is not judged proper to reply on the
main points. The present communication
is taken up in settling tie meaning OF his
letter to Dr. Wilson. We are very reluctant
10 enter into discussion of this kind. We
certainly tiled our best to state Mr.. Miller
fairly, though not sure, at the time, Of
successful effort. If'it is ''a mannerism Of
your (Ou) style of debate, to push q thought
eff Of its sense, and out Of anything that it
protested, or ever imagined" some indnl-
renee may be claimed because Of the OBJ
scurity in which the views Of tbs author are
envelOped. We are willing that our readers
should Judge for themselves whether they
understood bis meaning any better than the,
editor. 1t Would be e most Improbable
thing to debate questions as to what the
language used properly means. He has q
right TO explain what his meaning was. We
did understand him 10 assert that the num-
Der Of candidates who dropped off from the
Board was 'astOnishiDgly great" And If
the test he proposed is noticed, it applies to
them as well as TO ordained ministers. But
we nov ascertain his meaning to be that
they drop eff qtler they enter the ministry
Very we'll We taka issue with him there
too, and viii, st the proper time, try his
figures,
Take another point. If our reply of
March 18th is noticed, twill be seen that
when we say Mr. MJler's scheme goes go far
that she wOuld have the whole idea Of ben
Of .iary education uprcoted in every form"
it is deduced as q direct consequence from
what he himself advances. We expressly
admit. ed that he is willing to 'Tefer to
Presbyteries and Sessions the work they
may deem necessary," but that, upon hia
view Of tee case, there is no necessity for
helping auy one. And why2 Let his own
statement answer: "Aay young man in ihi:
Southern country # energy sufficient 10 de-
serre to ie a minis 'er, can be one by an ap-
preuticeship in teaching" And then he
immediately proceeds to show Row amply
las he conceiyes he can educate bimself
fcom the income. Aud now, if this be so,
can he assign a single reason why he should
receive aid at ALI D,es not this overturn
the whole idea Of beneficiary education p
Mr. Miller himself seems to feel the straits
of his condition. for when aluding to il he
ocotes it thua-'.I said that one Of energy
sufi Ient," Sc, and agein, at only gives
me- the necessity Ct saying over again that
an energetic man may often clear by teach
ing Sc. We must remind him that he
said, any going man." &C., and whether
be is not by his language inevitably shut
Up to the consequence deduced, is question
every one can determine for himself. We
we're aware that the overture he drew spoke
Of certain bursaries shat might be esta6-
is6ed," bat We also knew, not only that
they were not, but that if 'aag young man
in this Southern country, of energy stiff
Gent to deserve to be minister, can be
ore by an apprenticeship in teaching" it
would puzzle a more acute man than brother
Miller TO ezplain why they should be os-
tablished at all.
The only other remark we care to make
at present relates to the calculation made,
to show the ease with which candidate can
support himself by teaching, or, at least,
with which he can get an income tqaal to
what he receives from the Education funds.
The answer is very plain. Seventy Eve or
hundred dollars, will go but short = az
in the expenses Of a year. 1t will be
enough only to help young man. The
calculation fails to SHOW how after he hes
helped h,dlsef that far, be IS to procure what
is still necessary.
But let this answer for The present. We
beg, with. al pateyaql solicitude, to quiet
unnecessary apprehenaons. When, like
the Holy Clerk of Copmauhdrs5," we "bran-
dish our qnarterstaE about the sufferer"
lat him be assured we intend to keep more
than "just barely within the limits of re-
spect," and that our sole object is "to
level" not "him," but "bis IDEAS" which
are at present extrayagshly sublimated.-
And when lie asks the extension of kind
ness to his whole logio" our heart re-
spends TO the request, not only because it
feels most kindly towards himself, bat also
because it is perceived his logic has fallen
into precisely that predicamsnt, when "a
friend in need, is q friend indeed.
REV. S. J. ReIp, of fernando, Miss,
writes March 18th. THAT our churches
| hava baen very rnuco interruDtad nv the