The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-14
For the Central Presbyterian.
A Voice from Kentucky.

oSul VI luOSl Ccb, anu SOulc III,
the different articles Which have come
out in our Church papers in reference to
needed reform in the Presbyterian
Church. Some of the writers seem to
wish to bring about radical reform in
the standards of the Church, by making
two orders of ministers, one class fully
educated and equipped for their great
work, the other class only partially pre-
pared, and only halfway educated. The
latter class to be sent to the churches
which are uneducated themselves. We
are told that the need is great that the
field is ready for the harvest, and there
is great want of Presbyterian ministers,
so that these fields cannot be supplied
without sending out this second order of
ministers. Now 1 can well see the need
of more ministers, and especially minis
ters who will go to such fields, and labor
and work among people of but little edu-
cation. But will the end be gained by
ENGRAVING such class of ministers upon
our Church? l think not. And from
my own experience 1 think that 1 may
be able to predict the very opposite. I
would be glad if we could so change our
rules, so as to allow Presbytery, in GER
tain well ascertained and necessary cases,
to license men to preach the gospel. who
have not the requirements the book de-
mands, but who are earnest, devoted
Christians, and apt to teach, without de-
handing OF them the knowledge of Greek
and Hebrew. But to make it a rule that
Greek and Hebrew may be dispensed
with, at the option of the candidate,
would, believe, bring harm and in Jury
to our Church.
My own experience confirms this view
Of the case. | am preaching as evange-
list under the care of the Synod, in the
destitute region of eastern Kentucky,
where the majority of the people have
had but few advantages for education
In the county seat where 1 reside there
is considerable education, and we have
many living with us who have come from
different States or parts of Kentucky,
who are educated and refined, as much
so as can be found in any town in Ken
lucky or in any other State. They, of
course, demand an educated ministry.
And when preachers have been sent here
who have not the necessary education,
the work done by them has been limited,
and generally a failure.
| have also other preaching points in
the country where the people have not
had the same advantages. Yet you will
find them all demanding, and longing
for, an educated ministry. They feel
the need of it, and have said to me, " This
is what draws us to your church, because
you send out men who are educated, and
qualified to teach. We are tired Of
and worn out with men who attempt TO
preach, yet know little more than we do
ourselves. We gain no good ourselves.
and the church makes but small pro-
gress."
This is the feeling of the people, and
it has surprised me, must confess, for I
had thought that these men Of the peo-
pie, taken from among them and made
preachers, would have taken we'll with
them, but it is not so in my experience :;
and / believe that the wonderful success
which has attended the evangelistic work
in this part of Kentucky, is owing, under
God, to this very thing. The people feel
their own ignorance, and are longing for
a ministry that can educate and train
them in the Christian life. This is why
so many have joined the Presbyterian
church under the preaching Of the evan
gelists.
Those who are brought into the church
and trained by ministry not thoroughly
equipped, make poor Christians, and
when they unite with our Church where
we have an educated ministry-they
often have to start over again and learn
many truths from the very beginning.
know this from experience, because !
have many in my churches who have
come in from other churches, and not
having been thoroughly trained in the
rudiments Of Christian living, have now
to commence over again. aud will never
make the Christians they might have
made, if they had been properly trained
from the start. The longer preach the
more strongly / am convinced that man
cannot be too well prepared to preach
the gospel. That instead of shortening
the time, we might well extend it. A
man needs to be we'll trained to Instruct
others If be is not well prepared and
qualified to preach, fear more harm will
be done than good The work of the
minister consists not only in bringing
persons into the church, but the training