The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-09-17


tees were allowed by Mrs. Brown to use
the income of the Library endowment, if
the necessities of the institution required
them. 1t seems no such necessity has
occurred, and in general terms it may be
said such income has been used to in
crease our investments
In view of the unsettled financial con-
dition of the State, the securities of
which constitute large part of the vest
ed funds of the Seminary, and for other
reasons, the Trustees did no more than
secure "plans and specifications for the
proposed building till last April. Then
a Building Committee-Judge Watkins,
Rev. c. White, and Dr. J. D. Eggleston-
was authorized to go forward seeking pro-
posals for contract and entering on the
work
The fund given by Mrs. B. had now
increased by legal interest to sum near
ly reaching $4,000 This will fully meet
the proposed expenditure of erecting the
building. Meanwhile the propriety of
the effort to secure funds for such struc-
ture was fully justified by an incident
during the war AS the people were as
sembling for church the alarm of fire was
given, and it was found that under the
slate roof, regarded as full security from
fire from without, spark had ignited the
timbers on the ridge of the roof, having
been blown into crack out of which the
cement had fallen, made by the tapping
of the slate over the ridge, crack not
over three-eighths of an inch wide. Per-
haps in half an hour the building would
have been on fame. Farther, the need
of larger accommodation for books, in
view of anticipated increase, was verified
by the act of Rev. Urias Powers, who in
1869 communicated to me his design of
bequeathing half his estate to the Semi
nary, not as fund, but as cash, to be
expended, as collected, for books You
have" said he the confidence of the
public, adequate means to support the
Seminary and only need larger library
to give the reputation of frst-class in
stitution" The donation, amounting to
about $4,000, has enabled US to make
large increase. Other additions have been
made by the proceeds of Library Fund,
commenced in 1859, by donation of
$500 by Mr.. James Lenox. In 1866 Mr..
]. L. Weeks of Baltimore, gave $4,000.
He and Mr. Corning, of New York, joint
ly thousand, and Mr.. Gilman, of New
York another thousand. Then Dr. ]. G.
Hammer has given large number of val
liable books, and several widows of de-
ceased ministers have added selections
from the Libraries of their husbands
Thus, in about twelve years, the number
of volumes has more than doubled, now
reaching 1000.
2. AS to the purposes and advantages
of library, | am obliged to speak but
briefly 1t is a popular belief that no
more books are needed than professors
and students will have time to read
through. The idea that the books are all
to be read, and this as means of grace,
is illustrated by the anecdote of coun-
tryman who had visited DR.. Rice in his
library, and on going out said: IF DIR.
Rice don't get to heaven with all those
books to read, don't know who CAM
True, many are to be read, marked mot
with pencil, but mentally and inwardly
digested" But large numbers are for
reference. The professors in each depart
ment need books for such purpose. Of
ten, in the study of subject, in an hour
there is occasion to consult dozen or more
volumes. In the study of the Bible, the
literature of which exceeds that of any
other volume or subject, not only are
right views of critics, of photographers
and grammarians, and of commentators
and paraphrasts to be investigated, but
opposing views be known and refuted.-
In theology the truths of Gods word are
presented in systematic order, both in di-
dactic, polemic, and pastoral theology
There is large number of such works,
some greatly differing from the system
recognized as right in our standards, and
others with substantial agreement, yet
presenting variations if not intrinsically
Objectionable, of Objectionable tendency.
Hence as the knowledge of error and It's
fair presentation is essential to an honest
and successful refutation, the teacher of
theology and his pupil must have means
of tracing, examining, and setting aside
both the wrong teaching discovered and
the sophistry or unscriptural grounds by
which it has been undertaken to sustain
the teachings, and so fully "vindicate the
ways Of God to man"
The Church is.professedly the concrete
exposition of the Divine word. Hence,
Church history and government constitute
most important department af theology
cal teaching and culture. There is more
than history of the acts and events of
the men and the churches of past ages,
and more in the system of Church gov