Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-05-12
YOUNG THEOLOGIANS.


EEsDISG THESES AT THE SEMINARY.
Religious Questions Freely Discussed-Ab-
strGcts OF the Experimentation of
Diplomas.
Extremely Indictment weather last night
prevented 4 large audience from asscmh-
ling in St. Stevens chapel, college CAM
pas. to witnG IS the closing exercises of the
Reformed theological seminary. The floral
decorations OF the pulpit were very pretty
but modest. A splendid cross composed
OF handsome flowers stood upon tho altar.
The ritual of the church was conducted
by Rev. =. V. Gcrhart, u. d., president
Of the seminary, after which the Sunday
choir-composed of male and female
voices-san. a beautiful anthem.
The first thesis was read by Jacob j.
Roth.ock, entitled John Wicklitte.
Christianity has been called jewel o. in
estimab!e value and has been delivered
INTO the custody of man as symbol Of
true life aud spiritual victory. In the
early history Of Christianity many were
the impedimcnts before it and it was soon
surrounded By men using it for ends not
designed by God. Year after year Chris
tiani:y became delugcd with the ambitious
efforts OF men, and each year removed the
GlutiIS vi sochiAS 'tS1 NJ l W.
security, until the Church became little
| morc'than a means Of promoting tho in-
terests of the priesthood. At an early
period of Christianity the religious conli-
ton of England was almost wholly gov
erned by the papacy OF Rome. Hence it
WIS that En-. land was at that time by no
means tho seat of apostolic religion. But
she was willing to hear the teachings oi
| one bold enough to proclaim them. Born
in 1924, in Yorkshire, nothing is !.
greater contrast than the youth aud
| subsequent glory Of the life oi
John WickliiFc. lie acquired the
title OF "Gospcl Doctor, in Baliol
college, Oxford, and his studies were
| mostly cencered upon the Biblo. The lit
erary, social and religious condition of
England, 1T that period all converge into
| this one individual-hc was the light OF
| all and an organizer of i religious order OF
| people. When he put forth his tr:Insla-
| ton of the Bible into the English tongue,
he performed great deed for his fellow
| men. But he had sutfcrings and Ilcn'S S
hate was stronger for q time than their
admiration. He died of the palsy in the
rectory oc LutterwOrth, 1891. He was
denounced as Il hereto and his bones ex-
humad, burned and thrown into u neigh
boring brook which flowed into the river,
then into the sea- and in the quaint words
of Fuller "Thus this brook has conveyed
his ashes into Avon, Avon into the Sew
ern, Severn into the narrow seas, they Into
the main ocean, and thus the ashes OF
Wicklffe are tho emblem of his doc
trine, which is now disposed all the world
over"
Christian W. Summy-MissonaryC Char
acter of the Church. whole work OF
redemption is one grand missionary labor.
Tho life of Christ, His incarnation, His
earthly lifo, His ignominiOus yet trl
umphant death is one of the greatest mis-
sionary works the world ever knew. But
His achievements were not only for Ills
time, but in order that His works might
DO continued, he selected btnt OF
sturdy and truthful men, and by His OWE
sublime knowledge used them in ulak
ing them the salvation of others by thcil
instrumentality. Tho Christian l:fc is &
law of extension, aud in Christ's kingdom
it is that man may bo brought to Chris
by the aid of other men. Yet the Saviour
leaves man not alone to transact his duty
for lie says as EIo confessed to His dici
pies, "lo, am with yc always even untt
the end of tho world" In its yer,
nature the Church is missionary Church
its past history has shown it's character
as such. When Paul was called
he was not Gisobedient to the
divine summons, and he was filled
with supernatural power the ap"s
ties like he received this power and wen
forth to disseminate the gospel in Asia
Africa and Europe, and To lay the fonnd;i
ton of tho Church for all future ages
Against all it's mighty impediments tll
, Church has stood and has passed throug
| an ordeal Of fire which no other religion
could have survived. Ancient wOrshippcr
acknowledged it's might, and Grccan re
!, lig;on bowed to it AMI said, "Gallican
thou has conquered" When the tiissOiI
ton OF the Roman power came the Churc
alone survived, and planted her banner
or the ruins, and now with wondron
, vi.or she still continues her work throuS
all the world. The Church is spreadin!
!, her truths throughout all the confines o
the ca,th and with stirring words is call
ing men into new life by tho light Of TIL
gospel. 1t will so Oh so this work mus
continue until all men shall hav
, heard the word of life, and so longas tim
, sbal! last We must al labor, fo" VIC sE:,l
have aid what Christ has said to th
Church ages ago He says Row : {" L",
an Will you liW'to - C'Si hheo e''' "i'
| of the world"
Essay--Wi!son ID. Donat-'' renlpsS'
tons OF Christ" The baptism OF Jesus D.
John the Baptist was q final investment .
, Christ with His holy Office, and no" i'll au
r snlu.e power his character fitted Him t.
+ establish new life between God ana nay
6 But this time was not an arc OF oIcDurage
, | mems, for men were wicked and parvarS
3 and uuenlghtencd. Among slcli people In
q gospel and it's principles must be cst.b
l lshcd by Christ. But the great iinPedi
6 mcnts IIc was to encounter were MI
] imaginary. There WAS opposition and l
= made a conflict i'll which lie was con
= uueror. But Christ did not attempt t
/ work alonc-Hc depended upon and fol
lowed His father i'll heaven, and it W..
, only by this that He conquered. Wha
| Christ had to do was TO do the will OF Iii
, father and to effect this right He was b
divine authority accessible to the cha
:, lcnee Of the Prince Of Darkness yet Ia
+ was without sin. The sinless ~ Ire o
Christ was similar to the sinlcs,ness q
q Adam before the fall, and having assume
: the form and in one sense part OF til
nature of man, He thus became subject t
o human injury and temptations. But til
O temptations Of Christ were purely obIet
!, tive they approached Him only fror
v without. There was no innate weakness
f no natural frailty /; no temptation could b
;. aroused by prOmptings OF his own heart
: there was nothing within to beset sir
The essayist then spoke OF the many an