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


/ Debate on the afternoon Of the fifth day
The report as presented by Rev. DR.. Smit
: was published in our last paper sS part of th
proceedings of the fourth dsy. 1t was take
up afterwards and discussed as follows:
, The second part Of the paper, relating
the Seminaries, was then considered.
DR.. Woodrow moved to commit this claus
to the Committee on Theological Seminaries
He said this paper was necessarily inopera
tive and void. The Assembly has alread,
told US exactly what to do. You have toll
US in our constitution not to do this very thin,
that you now tell us to do.
You have told us to have close curricu
lum, and now you tell US not to have cur
riculum. You put us in the position of ne
cessarily rejecting what you have told us tt
do. You are going to make it absolutely ne
cessary for US to brush away your recommen
dation as nonsensicsl ] hope, therefore, this
paper will be referred to the Committee on
Theological Seminsriss, with instructions to
bring in smendmentsto2 cur constitution, and
then we will do as ycs- bid us We are your
servants. We are bond TO obey your orders
in the constitution but do not put US in the
attitude of thrusting aside recommendation
of the Assembly as unworthy of notice.
Mr.. Fnley-Are not some changes in this
constitution to be submitted? Is the point
raised covered by any of these changes?
DR.. Woodrow-The changes to be made
by that committee are limited to two specific
points, neither of which covers the matter of
the report.
DR.. Smith-I would like to know whether
brother Woodrow understands by ''close cur
riculum" that given class must study, in a
given year, the particular studies of that class,
and no other. propcse not only to retain
the curriculum, but also that if student de-
sires to take any studies of different class,
he may be allowed to d. so. But this is not
to be left to the student even. He is to do
as directed by the Preslytery. The idea is
to legalize an arrangement by which stu
dent in one class can accomplish more than
the studies of that class
DR.. Woodrow-As Understand our con-
Stitution, we may not dpart in the slightest
degree from the "closea curriculum" If a
student enters the junir class, he must do
all that the junior clas does, and nothing
more.
DR.. Smith-I would sgain ask If a young
man takes all the studies in the junior year,
would it be an infractiou of your constitution
to allow him to do more than that?
DR.. WOOdrow-Practcally, that would be
impossible.
DR.. Smith offered to change the word
"shall' to "may," so as to make the article
permissOry.
He called to view the fact that this would
not be left to the option Of the student, but
must be under the direction of the Presby.
terry. He can only do this by the order of
Presbytery, and the agreement of the pro-
fessors. There is necessity to make proviS,
ion for special cases.
DR.. Howe expressed his opinion that such
a power conceded to the faculty would not be
expedient-it would enbarrass the faculty.
for,students would be for pushing forward.
lie was satisfied that thee years was as short
time as the science # theology could be
mastered in, and this rapid hurrying through
it was not expedient. It is in the power of
the young man to getino the ministry earlier
than the three years nov, if the Presbytery
is willing. The study If the languages in
the original Scriptures annot be compressed
into less than the course 1t is impossible to
get students to come Il the Seminary with
previous preparation in Hebrew. The effort
has been made-it resulted in failure In
deed, longer time, an6not shorter time,
is needed for the theological course.
DR.. Smith said that al would agree with
what DR.. Howe had said but that no effort
was made to abridge the time. He will be
compelled to study during his vacation
Some men have the mindand strength to do
this. Provision ought tc be made for such
men. 1t is no encouragement to young men
to shorten the course. I'll would 60 for four
sessions, for there is so much to be added on.
Examinations will have tcbe passed; and if
the man can pass through the course, stand
his examinations, and all il two years instead
of three years, why not lie him do it?
Mr.. Finley thought rcommittal would
only embarrass the matter The Assembly
is ready to vote upon the question on its
merits. He had often notified that this exact
end has been met in actual fact There are
some men who have actullly been sent to
their Presbyteries for liceBure before they
had completed the curriculum.
The motion to recommit was lost, and the
clause adopted.
The second clause, requiring the student
to sustain satisfactory examination before
passing to the next higher class, was read.
DR.. Woodrow said this would be entirely
imperative. You have told your servants,
the SeminarieS, not to let the young men pass
until satisfactorily examined. You have for
bidden the seminary to pass the young man,
an all cases. If the PIesbytery asks him to
be passed, it would make. no difference. You
have put me in certain position, and told
me what to do. l would look to see what
you have told me to do. would find that
you have forbidden me to do what the Pres
bytery asks. We would have, therefore,
cOurteOusly to decline 10 oblige the Presby-
terry in the case. We could not do otherwise.
This clause and the succeeding one were
adopted.
Clause Was read
Prof. Campbell was in favor of the propo-
sition to shorten the course. In the institu-
tion with which l am connected, we do not
measure mans attain@entS by time, but by
what he has done and can do upon an exam
ination. Take the department of Law. A
student can go through h course of junior
law, at any place he pleaseS; but before be
can get diploma, he must conclude his
studies at the University, and stand a
thorough examination; so let young man
oct his theology when and where he plesses.