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

ates obstacles, where none need exist to
progress and Improvement of the course.
But let the idea that the student is bound
to take a given number of studies in any
given time be exploded; let him be told
from the first, that he must Judge for
himself how much, or how little he should
undertake; that if he finds he has not
time for Theology and those other studies
also, he has only himself to blame for it,
he has undertaken too much, and nobody
hinders him from rectifyiRg that mistake.
Then this unfortunate limitation will be
thrown down. Each nofessor will be
entitled to exact as thorough work of his
school, as his own Judgment points out,
without a seeming infringement of his
colleagues rights. l will venture the
assertion that, while such curriculum
might possibly make a tolerably just dis
tribution of a youths time between the
drill-tasks of geometry and syntax; no
professional school can ever be taught on
that plan, in a truly liberal and expand
cd spirit. If the Directors would have a
truly fine school of divinity here, they
should talk thus to each of their profess
sors. You are sole Judge of the
amount of labor needed for proficiency
in your department. Exact as much as
you Judge necessary. Should you occu-
py the whole year of a student in your
sole course, we shall not complain. The
harder you make it to acquire the honors
of your department, the better for our
young ministers.
III, This leads us to the third point of
remark: the propriety of educating
young ministers under literary response
bilities, and collegiate rules, like other
men. There is, on all hands, shameful
lack of fidelity in applying the tests of
character and scholarship for Gcensure.
Presbyteries, because the Seminaries pro-
fess to give a certificate on examination
of mature course of study, are far too
much inclined to take for granted the
candidates scholarship. AS a matter of
course. he who has his Seminary testimo-
NAL gets his license. Where. in prac-
tice, is the instance to the contrary?
But the faculties of the Seminaries, on
their part, excuse their laxity by saying:
eve are not a Presbytery. Our award
has no constitutional authority. 1t is
not worth our while to reject Ounce,
for he will go before some easy, good
natured Presbytery and get our decision
reversed, and come back triumphant to
twit us with his license. Besides, if we
are not very strict in examining, it does
not much matter, because another trial is
still to come after ours. Thus the duty
is banded from one to the other, and
faithfully performed by neither. Exam
nations for the honors of the sacred minis
try are huddled over with a remissness
that would disgrace and ruin any respec-
table college in the land.
, When instances Of glaring deficiency
in scholarship occur, part of the Pres
byters are usually conscientious, and
would do their duty by postponing, or
refusing license. But to take the lead in
such acts is painful, invidious, odious, and
there are always some brethren, in whom
goodness of heart has swallowed up good
sense. who come to the rescue of indo-
lence andignorance. "Well, Moderator,
| doubt whether many of us would not
be unable to answer some of these queS-
tions any better than this young brother.
We all know that it is not the most
learned man who makes the most useful
minister. With zeal and industry, l
don't doubt this young brother will do a
great deal of good; it would be sin to
disappoint that good, by refusing him
license, now that the Church stands so
greatly in need of ministers. Gifts are
better than book learning. Our Daniel
Bakers, with an imperfect education, have
done ten times as much for Zion as We
common men with all our education. l
was pleased with this young brother s
popular sermon, and don't doubt he will
be very useful.
Such are the arguments which we are
accustomed to hear on these occasions.
1t is wholly forgotten that we are a reli-
gious commonwealth, governed by a
written constitution, which every Pres
byter is sworn to enforce; that a certain
scholarship is there required in the min
istry, and if this requisition is found un-
necessary, the only proper or honest
course is first to seek an amendment of
this constitution. 1t is forgotten that
the very proof which the Presbytery
should have, the only sufficient proof of
that zeal and industry in the candidate,
which would make him a useful minister
in spite of ignorance, is diligence in i'm
proving the means of education which
the Church has provided for him; and
that his failure to improve them properly
is the very evidence which the Presby-
terry is bound to take, that he has not
zeal and industry, and will be as lazy in
the ministry as he has been in the Semi
nary. 1t is forgotten that God requires
each man to serve him with all his mind
and strength; so that when a Daniel
Baker, with his neglected talents still, in
virtue of natural gifts, effects five times
as much as one of us common mortals, it
is no justification to him. For the thing
God exacted of him, was all the service
those talents, cultivated, could yield; !;
and if it is true that, with diligent train
ing, he might have done yet more for his
God, he is truly guilty delinquent.
The servant that could have brought ten
talents increase, would not have been
! instifed hY bringing five. like his humber