The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-24

FOR THE NENrRAL GRESBIIEkLAN.
Theological Education.
MEMOIR FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 1866, IN MEMPHIS.
" The next point to be discussed is
the attempt to combine a practical train
ing in parochial duties with the literary
and religious cultivation of the Divinity
student. In 1858, the Synod of Vir-
ginia committed itself definitely to that
attempt; and partly for that object,
heightened the vacation to four months,
in order that students might engage in
Colportage, and similar duties In my
opinion, the attempt has been a failure,
and should be relinquished. No one can
dispute that a practical knowledge of
pastoral duties, and skill in preaching
the Gospel from house to house, are es-
Sential to the scribe who is thoroughly in
structed to the kingdom Of God. But it
by no means follows, that therefore the
two kinds of preparation must, or can be
pursued together A sword needs to be
not only forged, and tempered, but
ground Until the latter is done, it will
not cut. Yet the smith does not attempt,
to grind it while he is temper
one process would spoil the
-" attempt to give thorough
that to cultivate pastO-
the same time, have been
~ .acompatible. A great deal has
been said of the uselessness of green,
awkward, impractical boOk-wOrms. Much
of this is true; but see no evidence
that the awkwardness is produced or in
creased by the scholarship. The former
defects are usually the consequences of
natural traits of taste and temper, which
thorough mental culture would rather cor
rect than exaggerate. The rest of the
cure must be effected, if at all, by the
young minister's own experience under
the pressure of pastoral responsibilities.
But, as a general rule, our students
cannot be made to employ the Summer
vacation in COlportage. Some excuse
for this may be found in the fact, that the
heat of the season is nOxiOus to the cOnsti-
tuition of a person whose life is suddenly
changed, at the beginning of Summer,
from sedentary to active. Cases have
been known at Princeton in which zeal
Gus men have contracted diseases from
exposure to these unaccustomed heats
and fatigues, brought them back to the
Seminary, lost the session by them, and
even died with them. Be this as it may,
the fact is, that the bulk of our students
spend the time in visiting, or recreation
only.
Now four months are obviously too
long a time to idle. Yet, eight months
are too long to study continuously and
ndustriOusly Towards the conclusion,
the animal spirits viii flag, the cheek
pale, and the digestion become deranged.
The old method of two terms yearly, with
two short vacations is the true one. Ten
months should be devoted to study, and
two to recreation. During the years
which are intended for mental culture,
-b's culture should be the main thing, and
q 4he securing of the
a. point. In the
.,erage of constitutions, and a gen
eral plan should be adjusted for the aver
age, and not for the exceptional cases.
the benefit of rest and change of scene
is all reaped in the first few weeks; the
elasticity Of the system reacts, appetite
returns, and all is done to recruit the
body that rest can do. The student then
returns to the Seminary, without so griev-
Gus a chasm in his studies and habits.
He resumes his books before he has be-
come "y1tSty" in last sessions aequisi-
tions. He sets in with life, and studies
for FIVE months without injury, and
about the time his energies begin to tleg,
another moderate season of rest recUrs.
But upon the plan of one session annu-
ally, eight months are a period too long
to study we'll; and four months are GER
tainly too much to play. The customs
of our fathers, of the English public
schools, and of the Universities, bear me
out. We departed from them chiefly
for this plea: that in our extensive eoun-
try, too much time and expense are re-
quired to take the remoter students home
and back again, twice year. Railroads
have exploded this argument The fact
is, that few of our students are now con-
tent with one journey a year; the most
get tired Of the mOnOtOny of long ses-