The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-26
UNION SEMINARY.

10 our brief notice OF the late meeting or the
Directors and Trustees Of this Institution, we de-
sire to add some thoughts touching its past and
present history, and suggested reflections, which
may be acceptable and useful to our readers.
On the cover of recently issued catalogue OF
the Seminary, we find summary history of its
foundation and growth from 1924 to this time, 1t
may not be generally known to most of our readers
that some Of the earliest efforts In behalf OF theO
logical education originated among the Virginia
clergy. Towards the commencement OF this GEN.
fury, and before Princeton Seminary was organised
the subject occupied the attention of men, then
young in the ministry, but afterwards eminent ser
wants of Christ. Both DR.. Alexander and DR..
Rice we're digent in its discussion, and in securing
the nucleus of Theological library. Almost CO.
incident with the establishment Of the Seminary
in Princeton, successful efforts were devised for in
shutting theological department of instruction in
connexion with Hampden Sidney College, and es-
peeiay with the Presidential office of the Insttu-
ton. To the service thus inaugurated, under the
auspices of the Synod of Virginia, Rev, DIR. Moses
Hoge was appointed. On his death the scheme
was for a time abandoned and before it could be
re0rganised, DIR. RiceS diligent and Jealous efforts
resulted in securing the establishment of an insti
tuition, under the auspices of Hanover Presbytery.
1t was located on the present site, near the col
lege. Improvements in means of travelling, which
subsequently rendered the propriety Of such
location dubious, had not then been even con-
ceiyed. The position was as accessible by ordinary
means of travel as any out of the large cities.
J. IL II -
pitious events connected with ecclesiastical and
commercial affairs, and the diversion Of main lines
of travel, together with the unexpected rise Of
other SeminarieS, the institution made very little
progress for thirty years Indeed it has never had
as large a number of students, as were connected
with it the year that DR.. Riees fatal sickness and
subsequent death deprived it and the Church Of
his valuable services.
Under awakened interest in its welfare in the
Synod of Virginia and North Carolina, in 1858,
the accessions of students gradually Increased, till
when the war opened, there were nearly forty.
Our readers know the general history of the in
stitution for the last four years. Seldom has the
history of any interest in our Church afforded
more manifest tokens of gracious Providence, than
the success which has crowned the efforts of the
Board since 1866 for increasing the endOwments
of the Seminary, and thus enlarging the facilities
it affords for theological education. We most
earnestly commend to our ministers and cOmmuni-
cants throughout the Synods of Virginia and
North Carolina prayerful and united effort to In
crease the candidates for the ministry. Although,
as stated a few weeks since, there are now num-
bered two hundred and fifty, yet this includes all
from the grammar school upward. We mag en-
courage young men to seek the ministry, by in.
creasng the facilities for procuring an education,
aiding them with contributions, and providing for
eheapening expenses; but after all God only makes
ministers, and we must therefore pray the Lord
of the harvest"
On the other hand, let more suppose We are to
obtain ministers by prayer simply God works by
means. We may not depreciate the Importance
of those means already alluded to, by which piOus
young men may more easily secure the advantages
of theological education. But it is a well estab-
ished fact that pecuniary contributions and SINH
lar modes of aid have sometimes resulted dlsad
vantageousy to the young men and to the Church.
1t does not follow that our judicous efforts in that
line and the wise schemes of our Church ought to
abandoned. By no means But there must be
united other agencies. Let parents set before
their sons the distinguished honors Of being en-
bassadors for Christ and at the same time the
distinguished trials to which he who wars a good
warfare viii be subject. Let them give to their
sons as far as possible the advantages of the most
liberal edueati IN they can receive. Let ministers
III, - II,
be the one great aim of all who enlist in Cbrist's
service, to be active particpators in the great en-
terprise of the Christian Church-erteadiag the
kaO,gledge and p0,cer of the Gospel among men.
1t is to feared that too many Christian people have
been misled to regard the ministry as profession
to be left humanity speaking to those who give no
special promise of success in any other service, Or
scriptually speaking, to those who may receive
special call of GOd-iuespeetive of human agen-
eies. Let us then take at once a Scriptural view
and common sense view Of the matter; use the
means by which our youth may be led to right
views and SO hope to secure an answer to our
prayers. Let young men of wealth and good
worldly prospectS-aboye all-professing mental
ability and training, seriously consider whether
they may not have come to live at such time as
this, for the work Of the Master in promoting His
kingdom and glory. The closing of so many other
methods of life to our young men, and the wide
opening for work in the engagements of the
Church in our own and other lands together, en-
phatically call on all who are the children of the
Church and of her Lord and Master, to ponder
most carefully and prayerfully the question:
Lord what wilt thou have me to do"