The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-08-12
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
FREE MINISTERIAL EDUCATION.


contemporary with the introduction OF the
Presbyterian Church into this land-the idea
has been adopted by the Church, or rather
by the Church courts, that it (the Church,
is bound to pay the expenses, in money, OF
all candidates for the ministry. The idea
re iterated in so many successive Assemblies
of our Church, has been sent down to the
people as something they ought to accept as
an axiom, about which there ought to be no
further debate. Indeed until quite recently
the brother who ventured, however meekly,
to lift up his voice in opposition was looked
upon as benighted individual, and an en-
tity to be "put down"
have, notwithstanding, for many years,
not only stood in the opposition, but some
times even rsked the responsibility of ex-
pressing dissent in open Presbytery. The
current however, ran the other way, and op-
position was ineffective.
have now few things to say in refer
ence to this matter, not in the way of full
discussion or even argument, which, if need
be, shall be furnished hereafter; but in the
way of stating certain facts, and also certain
opinions held by this present writer.
a. The theory that the Church is bound
to educate her candidates for the ministry
by furnishing money for this purpose, has
no foundation in the word of God, expressly
or inferentially,-or in the standards of our
Church. 1t was an outgrowth of the posi-
tion formerly occupied by the Church, and
perhaps justified by that position.
(2.) 1t is at variance with the idea of the
ministry as presented in the Old and New
Testament The idea that meets US in the
Word, as regards the ministry, is an ire
sistible force urging men to preach. "Woe
is unto me if l preach not the gospel, is the
Alpha and Omega of it all. The idea is
not" If the Church will educate me and
raise me to the ministry by her money, will
preach" This is too commercial. The BIZ
ble'S idea of preacher is-Q.) He is called
of God to proclaim the gospel of salvation;
and (2) He will not call upon the Church to
help him; but with that divine call in his
heart he will fit himself for that ministry of
reconciliation which is the all-absorbing as
piration of his whole being. Such man
will reach the ministry in due time without
the organized help of the Church.
(3.) AS matter of fact the Christian peo-
pie to whom such incesSant appeals are made
on this behalf, have demonstrated by their
failure to respond to these appeals that the
Church courts idea has not taken hold of
their conviction. As a thing of history the
scheme has failed to enlist their sympathy
and cooperation. Spasmodic efforts are put
forth ever and anon; and the people do re-
spond to greater or less extent; but more
to save the credit Of the Church than from
any conviction that the appeal is call of
God; and thus for years the committee have
been living from hand to mouth" Special
appeals, if not too frequent, and the cause
lies near the heart of the people, will be re.
sponded to; but with our whole system of
ministerial education there has been for years
in the bosom of the Church growing dis
satisfaction and each succeeding call for help
is met with increasing coldness.
A. 1t might not be out of place to suggest
the danger of the Church leading into tempta-
ton. Much might be said here but perhaps
the suggestion is sufficient.
(5.) Every man with intelligence and grace
enough to be minister, will himself be able
to wOrk his way to the ministry. I say wOrk
his way; and the effort will make him all the
better man. He can teach school, and thus
do good on his way. He can plough or hoe
corn at $12 month, or he can sell Lucifer
matches; and there is not an effort thus
made that will not tell to the glory of God
when he stands before men preaching Christ
crucifed.
(6.) Fear is expressed that without free
education the ministry would fail. 1t has
not failed in Scotland for the last three hun
dred years: and that time furnishes fair
experiment. Besides there are too many
preachers moV. The supply exceeds the de-
mand. The demand fairly is to be measured
by support given; and as that support is
confessedly miserably inadequate, the supply
exceeds the demand. l am not talking about
what ought to be: am talking about what is
What the future demand may be is not the
question. The facts of the present have now
to be dealt with.
(7.) Free education for the ministry robs
of self-reliance, and that spirit of independ
ence whose value cannot be reckoned in
money. The ministry ought to make-not
cravens, but men. The feeling of dependence
and obligation thus generated at the outset
instead of abating on entering the ministry
is too apt to go on accumulating Let the
spirit of the minister not be broken upor
this wheel at the very start. Let our sys
tenn tend to make him feel like man, tha
he may stand up as an ambassador of Jesus
"boldly," and feel that the laborer is worthy
of his hire.
(8.) Aid ought, no doubt, in some instances
to be given; but it ought to be local, no
church aid. Wherever there is man il
any Christian community who feels in him
self and gives evidence to others that he il
called Of God to preach the GOSPEL. God vii