The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-12-31

add, without enlarging, necessitates SUBJ
tracing also and if you add English,
for the very reason that it is English,
this means subtracting something that is
not English, and this means in their
Judgment lowering of our standard.
To this they will never consent. and by
they we mean to include the Faculty
and Board of Directors. We NAV as
well dismiss this idea of modification.
Those who have the matter in charge had
rather put up two bars than to let down
one. Second, if the Fifth Professorship
is to enlarge the present course of study,
then the length of time of completing the
course must be heightened, or else the
students must be hurried through, and
permitted to acquire only the most super
neal knowledge, not only of the English
Bible but OF everything else that is
taught: Shall the time be heightened?
10 this there are serious objections.
There is widespread feeling that our
system of ministerial education is even
now too expensive. A large proportion
OF our candidates are dependent upon
church aid. If the church takes charge
OF them when they enter the Freshman
year In collegs, she has them on hand for
seven years, at a possible annual cost of
SloO per student-total maximum cost
OF one student $1,000 Add another
year and it increases the maximum cost
to the church of educating one candidate
to $l zoo. 1t is a great pity that we
must look at such matters from the
standpoint of dollars and cents. But so
it is. To-day the Committee of Educa-
ton is under promise to our candidates
Tor more money than it has any reason
able prospects of being able to pay. Be-
fore all the present applications were
allowed, some members of the committee
refused to be party to promises that in
all probability cannot be fulfilled. Is
this time to think of adding at least one
sixth to the aggregate expense of our
candidates? What means the little
seminary at Austin, ditto at Clarksville,
ditto at Batesville? They mean an at
tempt to cheaper ministerial education.
Our two institutions have an equipment
already that makes their work too tedious
and costly. Their weakness is apparently
In their completeness and the greatest
danger that now threatens, grows out of
their abundant facilities for imparting
instruction.
All our Presbyteries are becoming
alive to the necessity of a more agrees
slve policy In the home mission work.
In the proceedings of almost every Pres
bytery we read of the election of an
evangelist, or of steps being taken to en-
large this branch of ministerial labor.
Suddenly, it would seem, the real condi-
ton OF our territory is being understood
and appreciated. The Church stands
amazed at the vast destitutions, and is
filled with great concern at the demands
upon her Christian philanthropy. The
cry for men is waxing louder and louder.
The cry tor money Is equally stentorian.
ls this time to send out an agent to
levy tax of $4,000 for the purpose of
making men scarcer and dearer by in
creasing the expense of ministerial edu-
cation? Is this time to drain our
feeble churches of what meagre re-
sources they have for the purpose of en-
dSowlng a professorship to teach no man
knows what? We think not. We think
there are clearly defined needs which
could be met by this $4,000 that is
now asked for to supply need that some
confess to feel but none can define.
There are urgent needs, painfully urgent
needs, calling for this money that is to
be appropriated to al. experiment. There
are already five able professors, and less
than fifty students. Had we not better
trust to these five to hold the fort g. while
longer, and let US for the present turn
our attention to the means for increasing
the number OF students?
R. G. REED.