The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-17

keep accurate records OF each student S
diligence in study, punetuality in recita-
tions, and attention to the ordinances of
religion, of his daily and yearly scholar
ship, as compared with fixed grade, of
his energy of character and conscienti-
BUSINESS, as displayed in his academic de-
meanour. Each professor should exam
inc faithfully the students proficiency at
the end of each session, and graduate his
scholarship accurately. A grade of pro-
fciency should be fixed, and he who fell
below this shOull be held not to have a
competent acquaintance with the subject.
Then let the professors faithfully report
the whole to the Presbytery to which
each student belongs. Let the latter
body, when it comes to decide whether
the candidate is worthy of lcensure, have
all the facts before it, SO that it may
know, not only by a brief and imperfect
examination in Presbytery, but also by
the recorded testimony Of its teaching
agents, the exact degree of his diligence,
knowledge, and Christian walk. Then
the responsibility of deciding would be
wholly placed, in fact, as well as in form,
where the constitution places it. Pres
byteries might still be indiscreetly easy
but they would have no pretext, in their
relations to the Seminary, to be so. The
young man might believe that a facile
Presbytery would license him in spite of
the unfavOrable report of his professors;
but every one who had any honorable
self-respect, would yet be stimulated by
the knowledge of the report to be made.
Itmay be said that all this college appa-
rahs of roll-calls, of marks of grade, of
demerit-marks, of reports, would treat
divinity students too much like school
boys; that such a scholastic regimen is
reproach cast upon their principles; that
if it has any effect, it can only be by
substituting carnal fear and rivalry,
and appetite for applause, for conscien-
tiOusness, thus degrading the nature of
the young minister's motives; and in fine,
that unless young man has conscience
enough to be diGgent without such StimuR,
he is certainly not fit for preacher.
True; and the very thing we wish to
find out, by holding him in the position
of candidate, is, whether he is fit for a
preacher. How can that question be set
tied, except by keeping, and laying be-
fore the appointed judges a record of his
consGentiousness? Surely it is a sense
| less arrangement to hold a man for
number of years under a trial as to this
very point among others, and yet take
no note of the manner in which he stands
it. And that such a surveillance is re-
proach upon the honor of the good stu
dent, is certainly not the doctrine of the
Apostle, who teaches us that the same
law which is a terror to eyil-doers, sis a
praise to them that do well. The short
and complete answer to all such shallow
reaSonings as those Of the objection, Is,
that by the same rule, all repressive and
punitive measures in Church and State
ought to be abolished, lest they should
seem to cast a slur on good people. Let
the student show himself, by his conduct,
a good one, (as is his plain duty,) and
then the regimen and report will be
naught but testimonial to his honor
We should like to be convinced by what
title these wards of the Presbyteries are
to claim an responsibility, the like of
which no other class in Christian society
enjoy. Children are placed by Gods
ordinance, under the rule of parents, and
citizens under that of magistrates. The
ordained ministers of the Church are
governed, are required at Church courts
to answer to a roll-call, are forced up to
their duties by penalties. But it seems,
candidates for theministry areto be held
as greater and better than they; too great
to submit to, and too pure to need any
government
Nor is it easy to see how a conscien-
tious student can be made less conscien-
tious by knowing that if he were to fail
in his duty, he would incur certain un-
pleasant personal consequences. All de-
sire of the approval of the good is not
wicked. A value for the appreciation of
Gods dear children, seconding a desire
for the approval of God himself, is not
evil. but good. All emulation is not sin
full. Paul commands us to provoke one
another to good works. A fairly earned
literary honor is a legitimate cause of
pleasure to a Christian heart, where the
attainments are all cOnsecrated to God.
But suppose there should be many cases
in which students show none of this high
ETHEREAL consciousness to which, it is
presumed even the fear of Just blame,
and desire of the applause of the good,
would be taint; but in its place exhibit
sheer laziness- and Indifference Is
not a little eye-serYing industry even,
better than absolute idleness! Practi
cally, we think it is; though he would be
very sorry sort of minister who was
governed mainly by either. But com
mon sense and the laws of the mind con-
cur in teaching that if we would strength
en- any virtue which was before deficient
in the soul, we must procure the outward
exercise of it, by any innocent means
we can apply. 1t is by acting it grows.
By evoking the outward acting of the
quality, the potent law of habit is
brought into play; and thus the good
quality is confirmed We train our chill
dren to kindness by compelling them,
through fear, to forego acts of violence
and cruelty. We do not argue that be-
cause an enforced mercy is of no worth
in the eyes of the Searcher of hearts,