Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-17

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Just now, the question should be tho
roughly inquired into. He approved the
remarks of DR.. Marshal, and we must be
patient. We have a defined theological
/ course. Why not teach it? Wesley's
Sermons and Watson's Institutes are
parts Of our course Of technical learning,
and we should have a thorough, theo-
logical clxrTicsluBl Of our own We now
study books of the English Church. The
Presbyterians have a wisely conceived
idea Of learning, and Methodists pursued
It and then returned to their own
churches and pulpits. He didn't think
that the power which had directed and
governed the NJ. e. Church had always
been the wisest or most conservative. de
pointed to the musical instrument in the
gallery, and said: "The mere prejudices Of
the country nave held back the town and
city churches from adapting themselves
to the tastes of tbs people among whom
they were planted, and we have lost
much because a dead oGeneSs has sup
planted a pleasing unity, blending with
1t beautiful variety"
Being a graduate of polytechnic insti-
tuition, ne had ever felt embarrassments
for want of education and training more
suitable for his peculiar work. We have
a theological course. We have standards,
and men in our Conferences would be
tried for heFesy according TO them. Why
not develop our theology, and prepare
our ministers for the more advanced posts
in the realm of theological ~literature.
Books from theologians of other churches
mold our ministry.
DIR. Reed, from Mississippi, ssaid he
was for the majority report, if money to
sustain the system could be secured; 9TH
erwise he was for the existing system.
Colonel Fountain z. Pitts thought the
itinerant system the best institution of
learning and training for the ministry
ever devised.
DIR. Taylor, of Kentucky, said that he
faYordd the minority report, which had
worked well in his State. Six young
men were being mad to think, and in
structed in Greek and other branches
ordinarily taught in theological schools.
The great business of the institution was
to teach them to think-they go out
through the country and preach; they are
leaders in the institution, and control
public opinion within the college to which
they are invaluable adjuncts. Why is
the Methodist ministry so much more eff
fcint than that of other churches2 We
nave no memoriZed sermons; none that
are written and recited with cold languOr
that soothes an audience to profound re-
pose. Where Presbyterians are
more numerous, our preachers con-
duct the greater number of mar
rage and funeral services. Incarce-
rate a young man four years, separate
him from the multitude, and he loses
sympathy with the masses of people.
There should be partial biblical instruc-
tions in Methodist colleges, but under
graduates should be kept in contact with
the masses of the people. We want no
preachers from the cloister IN those who
thoroughly comprehend the wants, tastes
and modes of thinking OF the multitude.
The P~resbyterians propose to adopt a por-
ton Of our plan of training, and many of
them condemn written sermons, which,
none the less, should be thoroughly
studied and digested. Sermons should
never be written and recited, as Poor Poll
tells its simple story. 1t would hardly be.
wise in us 70 produce a ministry not ap
proved by churches already blest with
DIR. Smith, President of Emory Colleges,
Oxford, Ga, said he was not prepared to
discuss the grave question suddenly pre-
sented this morning by DR.. Garland's able
report, to which he was utterN opposed.
All thai was said in favor of education
was well enough, but lie must confess
unrelenting hostility to a purely theo-
logical school. 1t would foster
pride, the selfish intellectual pride
of mere human Learning. 1t would
encourage vague human specu-
lation. Such is the experience of the
past. The theological seminaries of Ger
many had only begOtten the widest
characterization and inhdelity, and the
church of God was blighted and withered.
A few German Protestants, like N@nder,
had adhered to the simple tenets of Chris
tianity; but the great mass Of great shOl-
ars had lapsed into infidelity or adopted
unknown systems Of philosophy hardly
as rational as those of ancient Greece
Luther was not indebted to his learning
for his achievements, and even his faith
was married by the spirit of German in
teIleetuaI training. The intellectual and
moral condition of New England may
Justly be ascribed to the excess of intel
lectual over moral teaching. Its multi
piled isms sprang from the system of edu-
cational training proposed now to be en-
grated on the venerable Conference
Methodist organization. To Overwrought
and overtaxed intellect New England is
indebted for its multiplied pestilential
heresies. The true glory of Methodism
consists in the Biblical simplicity of phi
losophy, and hence the unrivaled success
of the church. Its great leaders were not
trained in schools of learning. Wesley
and others of his peers, our fathers in the
church., were innocent of theological lore
such as is taught in the schools. They
derived their most invaluable lessons
from the Moravian brethren. Ne nav
ministers and teacher of profound, COM
prehensive learning, but these do not con-
stitute the great body of the useful
men of the church.. What is want
ed is, thorough devotion to the work
of the gospel. The graduates of En-
DRY College have played well their
parts. The war had retarded the pros
perity and limited the usefulness Of the
institution; but cottages have risen from
the ashes, and all that was needed was
money to maintain those who sought
access to this and similar institutions.
Money is wanting TO sustain the mixed
secular and theological schools now in
existence, and it was quite impossible to
establish and maintain the costly institu-
ton proposed to be created. He who will
not give to the orphan boy that he may
enter Emory College, would hardly en-
dow a great school of theological learn
ing. There is no absolute need for the
dry details of theological lore. Our col
leges, as they exist, will send forth
other Asburys and Soules, and young
men who will equal they that are honor
ed at Princeton or Andover. We would
have none of that jealousy in the church
which would be excited if there were a
favored class of intellectual ~aristocrats,
crowned with bay and laurel by the hand
of science. To be useful men do not re-
quire the inpTiHdtHr of the bishops and
of the great schools. The scheme deferred
in the majority report was opposed to the
genius and spirit of Methodism which has
shaken the world by its native force. The
statistics of our church show that it has
not prospered since its great seats oflearn-
ing began to send forth their eIeUeeS as in
former years of simple, eloquent, orig
inal, untaught piety. Buckles His
tory of Civilization attests this fact,
and asserts the decline of Meth
odism because infected by the example
of other churches. New England
- L - - --aT.-g-.N.-
theological schools. The failure of n of
these recently induced Mr.. Drew to give
it a million dollars to afix to it a literary
department. DIR. Pierce evolved the true
theory and principle of success when he
said of one church that il should be char
acterized by a conservative spirit but by
aggressive action. The prevalence of un-
precedented immortality and universally
of corruption in society and government,
tell Of the danger of innovations in our
system which has maintained the purity
of Christianity in all its faultlessness.
The last hope Of political freedom consists
IN the maintenance of the unspotted
purity of the church-its pure, simple
gospel; its united, unspotted ministry.
This purpose attained, in view of all that
this church has accomplished, We need
entertain no a-pprehensions for the future.
DIR. Fisher, OF California, said that if the
question of money were alone involved,
as he inferred from arguments adduced,
be must sustain the majority report.
Whenever a great and good end was to be
achieved, the want of mone could never
be an insuperable obstacle. He addueed
the example of the Jews when they re-
built their temple, alter the captivity, in
the midst of unheard-of poverty.
The venerable gentleman gave a mol
interesting sketch of his early history
and of his pursuit of knowledge under
difficulties. He memorized all of MUIR
rays grammar, foot notes and ali, on
horseback while riding the circuit. He
had often deplored the want of a thor
ough education. He had heard that the