The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-06
. LOCAL MATTERS.
Baptist Educational Convention.
SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
The Merits OF the Elective and Curri'
culum Systems CompaFed-The
Education Of COlOred PEG.
pie and Women Dis
cnssed.

cnsseG.
The second days session was opened with
prayer by the Rev. DR.. Parker, and other
devotional exercises. The president, Rev.
DR.. Boyce, occupied the chair.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
The committee on this subject submitted
a report recommending Rev. I. I. Eaton
of Tennessee, for first vice-president, and
Professor Charles R. Cooke. OF Virginia,
for second vice-president, and these gentle
men were duly elected.
DUTY OF PASTORS WITH RESPECT TO EDUCA-
TON.
The President announced the second
topic for consideration to be "The duty OF
pastors with respect to the education OF
the young in their congregations"
The discussion was thereupon opened by
the reading Of an able paper on the subject
by the Rev. A. J. Huntingdon, ID. D., PRO,
fessor of Greek In the Columbian College,
Washington. The question was considered
in all its branches, and it was demonstrated
that the pastors duty in respect to the
youth of bis congregation was high and
charged, will be productive of the most
beneficial results, not only in the mental
development of the young, but in their
spiritual advancement. We regret that tie
extent of the field covered by the elaborate
essay of Dr.. Huntingdon prccludeS our Sv-
ing ANYTHING like an abstract of bis views in
the limited space available for this repol J..
After DR.. Huntingdon concluded, tho
Rev. DR.. Jeter arose to submit motion.
Although this was Baptist convention,
having for its object the advancement OF
nIr IN a a
nomination, he was sure that those present
would be pleased to have the benefit of the
thoughts of educators and clergymen of
other denominations. He saw present Rev.
DR.. Read, of the PRESBYTERIAN Church.
He REPRESENTED church which in this
State at least had been most prominent in
eleyatinr the standard of educati0n-the
first to engage in the cause, and the most
liberal and self.denying III its support. lie
moved, therefore, that DR.. Read be invited
to Darticipate in the deliberations Of the
Convention.
The motion was put and carried, and in
response to the invitation OF the President,
Dr. Read returned his thanks for the COM
pliment to himself and his branch of the
Christian Church. He would say that he
felt quite sure that no UNCONVENTIONAL dit
ferences would prevent him from becom-
ing thoroughly immersed in the sympa-
thies of the occasion.
The subject treated Of by DR.. Hunting
don being open for general discussion, Rev.
DR.. Samson spoke briefly OF the danger OF
holding out secular motives in seeking en-
dowments. Christians should be approach
ed with Christian motives.
Rev. DR.. Cutting spoke Of the great mis-
take made in certain States when in eSGab-
fishing their public school systems they eX-
cluded ministers of the Gospel from parii-
citation in the work. No class Of people
were so interested in this work, and none
so competent to perform it, rs the minis
tiers: and wherever they are allowed to
take pa1t in the instruction Of the masses
the result is for the best. He urged the
Lawmakers of the South 10 sJai d against
the eli ror in this regard committed by the
trainers of the constitutions of certain
northern States.
PRESCRIBED AND ELECTIVE EDUCATION.
The ncAj question in order being the
comparative melts Of prescribed and elect
i've studies in higher education, Prof. John
Hart, of Staunton, Va. read thoughtful
and terse essay on the subject. After some
preliminary remarks he detncd1he cduca-
ton refer red to in the statement OF the
question to be that which educates mrn as
special calling in life. 1t lies between
acqdem;cal training and professional
training. Passing by other questions
which readily suggest themselves, the
professor addressed himself to the SIM
Ole inquiry: Shall the college prescribe,
or the stuuent elect, the course OF study to
be pursued? He pronounced himself OPP
DoSed TO allo wing young men unreStrainad
freedom Of choice. At the age at which
they usually enter college, they are too ot.en
incompetent to make judicious selection
of studies. With the student prepared for a
regular university, it may be different but
the introduction OF the university system
into training schools, is crying evil.
1t is done to meet a demand for what
is called "practical education" and,
TO meet which also there are now
established commercial colleges which guar
untee to turn out thorough business man
in 4 few months, and agricultural colleges
which furnish ready-made scientific farm
ers, 1t does not seem to enter the minds
of many that liueral education and en-
Iarged culture will he useful TO man III
any profession or any trade. What are the
available means of rectilying this mistake !?
The only remedy is found in 4 correct pub
lie sentiment. Parents must Ue made to see
that the youth OF their boys is better spent,
in developing the man than in unwilling
the hidden lawyer, doctor, or mechanic.
Colleges must adopt sucn 4 system as will
give conspicuous advantages to such as
pursue the whole course rather than to
those who become proficient IN few
branches of learning. The same principle
must be observed, too, in the selection of Il
faculty, and if possible by the government
III the distribution of Offices. 1t is wise
thing, also, for colleges 10 secure scholar
ships in the best professional institutions,
which shall be bestowed upon students
who take the complete course, and tnus
acquire tincture OF generous culture; a. a.
tractiYe inducements must be offered, iol
otherwise it is asaiust human natt.e W
pursue such course. Colleges mus t ahs
he put upon better financial Dasis. ~ . nnT
facilities may he more 1nqePeuuonC, ~,
there must be concert OF actioh oo'"
college. s,;d bo uou,d
!, ~ No understood as being an advocate oil
tbe curriculum under all circumstances.
1 III 80 trare features of that system which
! onn,d not approve; but to the e ective
~ H in ordinary colleges he was still
more ore 9 3!nrry then called upon Prof. Eaton,
If Union University, for his views on this
~ Inject. Prof. Eaton is a graceful speaker,
and entertained the convention and the
andience most pleasantly for about half an
He was totally opposed to the elective
system, believing that it arises from de-
sire to avoid diligent study of the classics,
and the legitimate fruit of the idea bat the
great object Of an education is money!
making. He then eloquently defended the
study of the classics, aud showed that an
with Greek and Roman litera-
ture is beneficial in every walk Of life. Re-
turning to the subject under consideration,
as the conclusion of the argument he said
that he saw not one redeeming feature in
the elective system Of education in higher
schools.
Row DR. Caswall Of Brown IIniverritv