The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-11-01


ministry of the gospel need aid, the churches ar
epioined to increased hberslity, both through prl
yate channels and through the Educational Com
mittee, and especially that all pastors and other
stately ministeriug to our churches are urged q
preseut this matter to their charges during the ap
proachinp month of November, on the most sulta
ble Sabbath, and remit the proceeds OF collection
promptly to the treasurer of the Educational Com
mittee, Mr.. A. +. bod, Memphis, Tenn.
DR.. Smith addressed the Synod at consid
cradle length on the subject of this paper
The following is the substance:
He proposed to occupy the time of th'
Synod in behalf of the interests of the Com
mi,tee of Education. This he did on DIR
Waddels request. He had however pro
posed to himself whenever that subject NIGH
come up, to state few thoughts which ht
deemed important to be urged on the genera
subject of ministerial education. DIR. Wad
del had authorized the statement for our en-
couragement, that by means of funds now
or soon to be at the command of the Com
mittee, the debt would be iquidated IN
short time, so as to allow the use of the pro-
ceeds of the collections made in November
and the following months to be used for the
payment of the appropriations for the cur
rent year.
There is not time for full presentation
Of the views summarily stated in the lst
resolution. We cannot be insensible to. the
Importance of considering the aspects of the
literature and science of the day which pre-
sent antsgonistic views to the received doc.
1 &c .Nh~~oh he oradihilitu and
divine authority of Old Testament history
But it is well known, that from many quar-
ters scientific writers are propounding propo-
sitions on the history and origin of our globe
and its inhabitants, which are, to say the
least, inconsistent with the statements of the
divine record. And these propositions are
permeating all portions of our country, and
in magazines, newspapers, reviews, tales, and
sketches, by continual repetition wearing out
the faith of some, as continual dropping OF
water wears away the stone.
What is to be done to meet and repel these
adverse influences? 1t has been proposed
that our students of divinity shall be induced
to read and study fully the sciences, wherein
they grow. But then they must needs neg.
lect their proper study of the Bible, Church
Government and History; and besides it can
never be known what type the sciences,
which are to be examined may present. The
various theories presented are constantly
changing. 1t has been said that as many as
fifty geological systems or theories have sue
cessiYely challenged the confidence of man.
kind during this century. In fact Geology
is in it's childhood, and thus far, except as to
some general and more fundamental propo-
sitions, has hardly become entitled to seri-
GUS regard Then in answer to the question
what is to be done, it can only be said let the
Church see to it that candidates for the min
istry are " thoroughly furnished by pro-
per course of professional study, successfully
prosecuted. For this purpose the most scru-
pulous and constant care is needed to be taken
by Presbyteries IN receiving and conducting
them through their course.
| But it is now, and ever has been true, that
large numbers of those who seek the gospel
ministry need aid. Parts and poverty are
often, though not always, found together
Now when Christian parents have rightly
trained their sons, piously dedicated to Gods
service, and Christian ministers have guided
youths to proper apprehension of duty in
the premises, and they grow up in the per-
suasion that it is their privilege to seek the
service of God, in the holy Office; those who
need aid must be in some way provided for.
While all assent to this general proposition,
a great diversity has existed, for many years,
as to the best mode of providing this aid
A report on the subject prepared by an able
committee, was presented to the last Assem-
bly,, and will be found in the appendix to the
Minutes. This report discusses various plans
and shows that the agency of central com,
mittee is, on the whole, the wisest plan We
can adopt. 1t is indeed the outgrowth of
other plans or rather the result of the failure
of other plans.
But an objection has been urged to what
is called beneficiary education" But,
Moderator, all who frequent endowed institu
tions are bene6cisries. As their expenses
are relieved in great measure by the incomes
from endowments, they are to that extent
"bsnefeiaries." 1t has also been alleged,
that students occupying the relation of bene-
ficiaries of the Committee or of other agen'
cies or persons, very often prove unworthy
of the benefactions received. This may be
true-but it is not the fault of the Commit
tee nor of the system of aiding young men
Presbyteries who perform their duties Alright
will ordinarily train candidates of proper
character. 1t is the result of long experience
and observation, and personal acquaintance
with every student of Union Seminary and hi
} pecuuiary relations, during period of thirty
six years (thirty years while student il
College and the Seminary, and tutor ant
professor in the latter, gave opportunities o
most accurate-snd six years-while Dl
rector, more general knowledge that tn
statement is made, that as class the 80
! called "bsnefciaries" have had as few wh'
failed to meet Well-founded expectations o
! success, and as many who have reached emi
! nence as in the other class.
1t is true we have been discouraged some
: what by decrease of candidates, but let u
) not despond. Twenty-Five years ago on
Seminary had only twelve students, only tw
5 from 1900 communicates in Virginia, 81
t endowment of $50, 900, and three Professors
one of whom died while the Synod was i
4 session in this church. 1t was then tn
: Synod uttered as if de profundis these words
4 "there is nothing in either the history OF tn
IS past, or the facts of the present, to make
falser for an instant in our efforts to give
e high and enduring foundation" Excep
IS ing FIVE or six, all who participated in th'
9 Synod have passed away-or are absent frOl
us to day. l we'll remember the discussion
fears which had to be sllsyed-hopes to |
cherished and purposes urged. Behold ii
q results, this day, of the efforts then COZ
menced: sixty students in the Seminary al
ss S24O, 900 of endowment. The work of Il
le training of the minister is the great work