The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-06
For TIE Central Presbyterian.
Preparation for Preaching.
BY REV. Il. II. HAYES.

In our Form of Government, chap g.,
sec. 6, par. 4, we read: "The Presbytery
shall try each candidate as to his knowl-
edge of the Latin language and the orig
inal languages of the Holy Scriptures.
Moreover, the Presbytery shall
require of him
l. A discussion in Latin of thesis on
some common head in divinity.
2. An eregeSis or critical exercise x * X
presenting an exploitation of the original
text, etc., etc.
In adopting this rule, the Church was
guided by circumstances which made it
necessary. 1t a0as wise 1t continued to
be wise rule for long time The ques-
ton suggested by changed circumstances
Is: Ought we to consider this rule as our
best wisdom now? In chap. 6, sec. 6,
par. 5, 6, we read: "These and other
similar exercises, at the discretion of the
Presbytery, shall be exhibited et,. -
No candidate, except in extraordinary
cases, shall be licensed, unless he shall
have completed the usual course of acad-
emical studies, etc.
The main idea is that Presbytery shall
be satisfied of the candidates ability and
aptness to fill the office of the gospel
ministry. In time when theology was
clothed almost entirely in Latin; and
when Gods word was wrapped in a triple
garment of Hebrew, Latin, and Greek,
the rule was necessary. Bit the case as
oheredi Should we not adapt our policy
to the changed circumstances? Many OF
the brethren think so. There is no de-
sire for an uneducated ministry. All
will say God forbid that the things of
God should be committed to ignorant and
unlearned men The question stands
thus Is (what we have been accustomed
to CALI ga classical education" now an
essential qualification for admission to
our ministry? Latin never hid better,
stronger, sounder theology than we now
have in English. No Hebrew or Greek
scholar can give us Gods word more
plainly than we now have it in English
So Gods providence has wrought out
way for the answer to our prayer, that
He would send forth more laborers into
the harvest. Why then, it is well asked,
refuse to admit, except under protest,
men Of matured minds, and well formed
character, men who are already so well
educated that three years of Bible and
other English studies in one of our SEM
lnaries would make them able and most
acceptable preachers? ?" We are needing
them. Our vast fields whitening unto
the harvest are going to ruin because the
laborers are too few. They are too few
because the process Of securing them is
too slow. Men able to answer every de-
nand, except that for strictly classical
education, have been land are) deferred
from entering our ranks, because time and
circumstances forbade their compliance
With our rigid rules. Other denomina-
tions get many Of them and they prove
workmen who need not to be ashamed.
Then we honor them as Gods messen-
gers; receive them into our pulpits :;
trust them to teach our people; yea, do
anything but admit them into our min
istry We need these men, and need
the work they are doing among the peo-
ple-men, who have the gospel truth
melted into their own souls as living
burning power-and who do feel "Woe
is me, if l preach not the gospel" Can
we not now afford to open our gates wide
enough to let them enter our felds2
What is the divine requirement? "The
things that thou hast heard of me among
many witnesses, the same commit thou
to faithful men who shall be able to teach
others also. " Ability and optness to
teach ! This is essential. Gods law de-
mands it. But who can successfully
maintain that this demand is not an