The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-02-20
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Day of Prayer for Colleges
A Friendly Reminder

The Day of Prayer for Colleges
A Friendly Reminder.
There are between $1,000 and 10000
young men in the colleges and high
schools in the bounds of our Church. Oh
this number, doubtless two thirds shave
no hope and are without God" This is
H.. a solemn fact, and does not receive the
consideration which it demands from
every Christian. These young men, be-
cause of their numbers and their influ-
ence, have a special claim upon the
Church. Our Church has set apart a
certain day-the last Thursday in Feb
ruary-for united prayer in behalf OF
these young men. This day has been OBJ
served since the year l823-now sixty
one years. And yet how many churches
outside of our cities and towns are accus-
toned to observe it? Doubtless not one
IN twenty. The majority of these young
men are from country churches-the
ones which ought therefore to be most
interested in them. This article is writ
ten with the hope that some of the church
es which neglect to observe this day Cor
all of them) may be influenced to observe
1T with interest. The appointment of the
day is eminently proper, and there are
many reasons which call for a universal
observance oft on the part of our church
es. Some of these reasons will be men
toned.
First. Unless wholesome religious in
huence Is established and malntaIned in
these colleges, streams of corruption will
inevitable flow from them. 1t is in vain
that any can hope to prevent this by the
exercise of any system of discipline, how
ever rigid. AS we'll attempt to purify
the soul with outward forms on earth. u
Any one has to consider but moment to
lind the reason OF so much evil and gen.
eral indifference among the students of
this institution, and the orderly manner
and moral tone of the students in that in
stitution. The writer has heard it said
of a certain institution of note, that the
first accomplishment of its students is the
free use of profane language The men
ton of this brings to his mind the state
OF affairs in his Alma Mater, Davidson
College, N. @. With the exception of
our theological seminary, he has never
found college where more healthful
religious influence prevailed. And as
he looks back upon it, he cannot but re-
member how natural it seemed. Pro
family, evil speaking and evil practices
were dlscountenanced and were conse-
quently not freely INDUCED in. There
prevailed a rigid discipline, it is true, and
the influence of the professors was felt for
good but that which is to be noted as
most prominent in rorpptuating this
spirit was the observance of a custom
which has tor many years prevailed
there. Every night at nine o'clock the
college bell was (and it is supposed still
Isl rung, and the students in the differ
ent parts Of the building and campus as.
semble at certain rooms (of the students)
and have prayers among themselves. At
this hour there were usually seven little
assemblies Of students praying together
In the bounds of the campus. And this
too, notwithstanding morning and even
ing prayers in the college chapel. This
nightly observance was not compulsory
nor had the faculty any connection with
1T; yet almost every student in college.
even those termed "hard cases." as a
general thing attended. Such custom
could not but have decided influence
upon the general conduct of the students.
The great necessity for Just such an
influence as this is not appreciated by
the people as it ought to be. They do
not know the efforts which are made to
seduce these young men, There is the
greatest diligence exercised by some to
procure catalogues Of our colleges in order
to obtain the addresses Of the students,
and only they know how many circulars,
advertisements, and pamphlets are sent
to them, breathing spirit Of infdelity
and evil.
These things must be oounteracted.
How shall it be done2 Let the churches
awake and lay these things to heart and
take them to "a throne Of grace"
Second. Let every one bear in mind
the part that's to be played by the young
men in our colleges, both in our nation
and our Church They will furnish the
literature, to great extent Of our land
and will decide the character Of that lit.
erature; and to every profession they
must furnish the educated men that make