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

fest to all, and drive them to increase
the numbers of a rival Thus misera-
bic jealousy and cowardice intimidates
each from setting out manfully in bene-
fetal reforms. Here, the proper remedy
should be found in tie common over
sight of the General Assembly. And
could we be encouraged to believe that
this supreme court could always be relied
on to exercise the enlshtened nerve and
frmness to compel all the Seminaries to
move together in these important meas
ures, and to forbid one Seminary from
accepting a student who deserted another
because of his insubordination to such
wholesome rules; we should be almost
reconciled to its assumption of the i'm
mediate control of all the Seminaries.
But the steady exercise of such intelli-
gence and courage would, we fear, be
expected in vain. Nor is it necessary
that the Assembly should become direct
manager of the Seminaries, in order to
make these precious reforms general
The exercise OF their general powers of
legislation, review, and control, would be
sufficient to regulate these matters; and
these are the sorts of things connected
with Seminaries, with which the Assem-
bly should concern itself. For these
general regulations its structure adapts
it; not for the election of professors, and
such like specialities, for which it is un-
fitted by its very nature. The spectacle
which the Assembly now presents is one
of attempting to do for some pet institu
ton, functions which it is wholly unfit
for; while it neglects, for all, those gen
eral functions, which it is adapted and
intended to perform.
Now, if there is sense and reason in
placing all the Seminaries under the con-
troll of the Assembly, it is precisely for
this: that the Assembly exercising its
supreme authority, may deliver all the
Seminaries effectually from the incubus
of these timidities and rivalries, by rigid
ly compelling them to move abreast in
wholesome, but stringent reforms. I'm
less the Assembly will do this, it is hard
for re to see what Assemblies are for.
We would, therefore, with profound res
pect, lay before the wisdom and con-
science of the brethren at Memphis, this
urgent suppication that if they see fit
to assume the control over both the Sem
inaries, which is now rendered to them,
they will improve the juncture, evidently
the suitable one, to begin Alright; and
to lay down the proper rules impartially
for all, and enforce their uniform obser-
vance. Let no petulant, coneeited, or
lazy fellow, who happens to be a student
of divinity, have power to obstruct salu-
tary reform or rigidity, through the
timidity or rivalry of faculties, by the
threat of going to another Seminary.
1t is for the Assembly to say to him: :
Nay, young sir, you shall find precisely
the same reform, and the same rigidity,
In that other Seminary; and In all others.
You cannot practice this game, and set
at naught the better wisdom of the con-
stituted rulers of the Church, except by
going out of its pale And l would add,
with peculiar emphasis, the Assembly
must adopt the same rigid and impartial
oversight over the Seminaries as to the
amount and mode of the pecuniary aid
offered in them. Otherwise we shall see,
gradually introduced, but surely, growing
out of the competition of Seminaries for
system of bidding for stu
dents, which will be nothing better than
bald simony.
TO BE CONTINUED.