The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-13
EDUCATION.
(sIXTH DAY.)

SIXTH DAY.
After the reading of the report of tht
Standing Committee on Education
Rsv. G.. W. Finley moved the reception
and adoption of the report. There is some
thing connected with this matter which does
not permit US to bring it before the people
as in the case of the other causes. There il
chord touched by the other causes that this
one does not reach. If the Bible is the foun.
dation of the Church, the Master has ordain'
ed that it is by the foolishness of preaching
that men are to believe the Bible.
There are many gratifying things in this
report. While there are not so many candi-
dates, there are clear indications that the
cause is winning the confidence and attention
of the Church. Many difficulties in the pro-
gress of this work have been removed out Of
the way. One of the principal difficulties
was that we are in danger of introducing a
class of weak ministers-thst all the pith
was taken out of man by beneficiary educa-
ton. 1t is not true, in theory or in practice.
Is it true that those who are aided to do that
work to which their lives are to be devoted,
are deprived of their manhood by the aid that
they have receivedS
Are the bene6ciaries inferior in any re-
spect to those who are not =? No, sir ! Many
soul has been saved-many harp set to
tune in heaven by those who have been the
benefcisries of the Church. Every endowed
institution, every State institution, is on a
beneficiary foundation. Did it take pith
from Robert E. Lee, from StOnewall Jackson,
that they were educated on a national fund
l shall heartily approve the recommends
tions of that report, and would gladly have
the whole Church initiate Brazos Presbytery.
Mr. Davis said we are recommended to
pray to God to send laborers to the harvest.
We do SO pray. The men present themselves,
and We say we are not ready to send you for
ward 90 back to your secular work. fSir,
we ought to help this work or stop our pray
ers. Let us reflect that we are likely to stul-
tify ourselves in the presence of Almighty
God
-Mr. Neel favored the report; endorsed all
said by the brethren; but there was truth
that ought to be brought out, and that was
some Presbyteries were extremely lax in re-
ceiving candidates under its care. This has
undermined the faith of the Church in the
work. But the tendency now is to guard the
door-to educate only worthy men. do
not oppose the principle of beneficiary edu-
cation, but do oppose educating men that
nothing can ever be made out of. Presby-
teries are not bound to receive every csndi-
date that comes knocking at the door.
Mr.. Cowan agreed with the points brought
out; but there is another point that should
be considered by every minister and elder
here. The people of the churches ought not
to be blamed for any dereliction in giving,
unless the minister tell them their duty. AS
chairman of the Committee on Education in
our Presbytery, l have endeavOred to get
our churches to give by calling attention to
the regular day of contribution. Ministers
ought to study up the case, and present facts
on that day to their congregations. Ii the
ministers will do this, we will have the salts.
faction of hearing from our Committee that
there are more than $500 left in the treas
ury. My Presbytery has been laboring to
support its own candidates, and we now have
small surplus left in the treasury. | au
satisfied that here is point to be acted upon
DR.. Howe concurred in the remarks that
had been made. The local Committee Of
Education at Memphis cannot 60 to Presby'
teries; but if the Presbyterial chairman Of
committee would only undertake the work in
their own hands, the Presbytery would be
likely to do its duty, provided this man fell
his responsibility. That is an important
point. What has been said about care in
receiving candidates is also true. And wha
has been said about the education of the
ministry, as the foundation of everything, ii
also true. 1t is the fact, this matter of pro
viding ministry is at the foundation of oul
whole work. How can this glorious temple
which our Lord Jesus is rearing (He being
the chief stone of it, be built, unless thi
foundation work is carried on by the Spiri
and power of prayer?
I have been connected with men studying
for the ministry for fifty years. have ex
amined the character of men studying for tn
ministry with aid given them. While ther
have been some notifying failures, believ
that, as a rule, they have been far more cor
rect, studious and attentive than those other
wise situated-not that they have any NOR
talent, but they have felt their duties and re
sponsibilities in degree that others did not
If l could call over the names of those
know thus aided, you would find pen of tn
highest capacity, culture, mental vigor an
commanding elOquence. l could pronouno
names whose virtues you have and will cheris
as long as you and they live. While NEAR
spirited man will be a mesn.spirited mar
vet take men with the impulses of men, an
the fact that they have received aid in thei
studies has diminished in no degree the
spirit and nobility of mind. 1t does not max
them, as is asserted, mean, low, base trucE
} lers.
DR.. Hos0e showed that the main suppl
, of the Church in its ministerial ranks Wt
t from those who were not from the wealth
. of this world. 1t was always 80. Justi
D Martyr was the first of the philOsophiC SCI
D to yield to the call of the Gospel ministr.
He urged on the Assembly jealous PuShin
? forward Of this work,