The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-04-15
Eaton Theological SemtnarS--Cl0Seo of
the Session.
IReportcd for the Uispntch.l

HAMrpEN Sidney, Va. April IA. 1870.
The Board OF Directors Of the THEOLOGY.
cal Seminary at this pl1ce commenced their
annual session yesterday afternoon, aud
heard the report of the Faculty. The num-
Der of students the largest ever enrolled in
one wear since the institution vas founded
ia scyenty.seven. Of which twenty-five arc in
the graduating class, who will receive their
diplomas to-day.
The usual sermon Of the occasion was
preached list night By a mathematician, VINO
II also divinc-Dr. PniIips, Of Davidson
College. 1t vas an exceedingly Interesting
discussion of the office of faith as opposed
to sight in overcoming the world. Con.
seriousness is confined, said the speaker, to
the verify that is here and now; faith relates
To- that which is not here and not now.
The great binoma is what we know and
what we do not know.
We trust the eyes and ears Of others as to
their travels. speculations, and discoveries
IN science. The proposition that things that
are equal to the same thing are equal to one
ano' her is matter Of faith. do not see 1t.
| take the conclusion as q whispering OF the
God of Nature.
We believe what is not contradictory to
VIVA, already lies in the mind, and our conf
dcnce in the narrator le 'ds US 10 accept that
which is new. Faith is socill bond, by
which the observations OF many become the
property of each. Faith is the grandcSt OF
all our mental operations. Compared with
il, horizon, the discoveries of sight are intini-
teSimaI. Sight is arrogant in its preten,ions.
Faith SAYS will near what the LORD SAITH.
Sight asSigns evolution out of what has been
as he source OF all things. Faith receives
the declaration, "In the beginning
God created the heavens and the eartn.'
What is, might not have been, or might
have been different. All the conceptions OF
science are conprehended in this one grand
concept of Go0's creation of al things out
Of nothing. Faith releases the mind. GIVE
us a tree faith, free Bible, and We have free
ard curious investigation into the marvel
lous works Of God. Faith begins the prac-
tice of morality and the reformation OF man
kind 10y applying the principles OF revelation
TO each Individual heart and life, while sight
is m,king up with weights and measures It's
social theories by statistical estimates OF tnat
! which is already prevaienf, rubblDg TO-
! gether is rotten sticks 10 produce phos-
! phore>cent light, as If renovation were
| in man rather than from heaven. faltn
believes that God made man upright,
ard be sought out many Inventions,
and that harm my i'll society must he
obtained by harmony with God-the
peace which is found in justification by the
atouement of Christ. Sight says. Do and
! Live: Faith, " Live and Do" Sight says,
Be holy. that you may 90 to heaven, anu
seek purity by modification and penance.
Faith says, do good, because yon are gong
to heaven S'gut, while boastiug its SET
sutficiency. fills US with horror. Faith gives
Us peace and strength proportloned TO the
divinity aud eternity of the truths which 1t
| receives.
The board Of directors Of the institution
is composed OF ministers and ruling elders
from Virginia and North Carolina. Among
| those present from Virginia are Rev. W. I
! Richardson and Rev. Charles White. DIS
kirkpatrick, Bullock, Martin, and Brown
and Ruling Elders Sydenstrcker and judy,
/ Wa'knS. From North Carolina, RevS. j.
! Ii. smith. johnson, j. NJ. Atkinson, W. &,
Hill. and phaw, with Ruling Elders Me-
! Dowell and Or. HutcbesOn. TrcKAH)E.