The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-02-13

Home missionaries, &C. 1t Will greatly
lessen the expense of educating ministers
Funds which now go slowly to support
the candidate, will then do double work,
viz: support the candidate and at the
same time support aggressive work in the
great field. Again this plan will be far
more acceptable to most of the candidates,
as well as to the churches, and be likely
to elicit more liberal contributions to the
educational funds. And will it not tend
to increase the supply of candidates, to
give us more men as well as more man
hood !" in the ministry? Facts point
strongly to this conclusion. Prof Calder
wood of the United Presbyterian Church
of Scotland, stated in Philadelphia Coun-
Gil, (see proceedings page 665) that " in
Scotland g. e., in the United Presbyte-
rian Church) we have no such thing as
supporting our candidates for the minis
try we have no such thing as takiug a
certain number of them and providing
quarters and board and support; and
yet we have many students forthcoming
and we think more than we can supply
with fields of labor whether at home or
abroad. Further, we believe very much
III IAO Ildu VIII Sd1 IO 10 duAlOuS W D6
a minister of the Gospel, and is willing to
encounter hard work to-prepare himself
for it, Prof. Blake says that the Free
Church Divinity Halls have scholarships
varying in income from $75 to 5000 which
the candidate may obtain by competition
or presentation and he further says: 1--WE
have students enough for the ministry :"
Prof. Tulioch of the National Church of
Scotland, says that they also have scholar
ships, (attained chiefly by competition,
we infer, and he also says there is no
lack of candidates for the ministry in the
Church of Scotland" Rev. DIR. Reid, of
the United Presbyter Church of North
America, also writes, we have no plan
for supporting candidates for the minis
try. Some little aid is afforded to the
needy, still this aid is but small part
for their expenses. Like students of law
and medicine, our students of Theology
have to work their own way for the most
part. The supply of candidates equals
the demand" This church has four
Theological Seminaries with a yearly
course of six months sessions Here
then are four great sections of the Pres
byterian Church, each Jealous for minis.
terial education, each having, 1st, short
Seminary session, End, almost no bene-
ficiary system, and yet, Sd, no lack of
candidates or of superior scholarship. On
the other hand, the two great Presbyte-
rian Churches of the United States have,
lst, Seminary session three eighths, or
more than one-half longer, I'd, settled
beneficiary system that reaches some
times down to the academy, and Sd, a
PAINFUL lock of candidates. chronic |
lack that with some variations has existed |
for time whereof the memory Of man
runneth not to the contrary" Do not
these facts suggest the conclusion that a |
beneficiary system like ours will always
be afflicted with great paucity of candi-
dates Whether this is so or not, five
months Seminary session will make it
easy for the Presbyteries to secure the
greatly needed practical training of can
dldates, and will give the most impov-
erlshed candidate an opportunity to pay
his own way. 1t is undoubtedly practi-
cable. For if a. five months session can
be made to answer in scholarly Scotland,
a five months session can be made to an
swer In our own country. But let us
ever keep it at the front, that the wisest
method is worthless unless the baptism,
of the Holy Ghost be given; that no
minister can be efficient save as the Spirit |
gives him power That He may guide
you in this and all the great work en-
trusted to you, is the prayer of,
Very fraternally you're,
9. w. LANE.