The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-13


different condition of affairs con-
fronts us to-day and we must realize
this. There is to do still great work
Tor the present generation and the
future of the church. Strong leaders
are demanded and the church needs edu-
Gated ministers.
Vanderbilt University has been
established for the purpose of meeting
the demands of the church in this re-
spect. OF the six departments of that
institution it's more especially Of the
theological department that l come to
speak"
DR.. Tillett proceeded to explain the
provisions that are made for helping
young ministers to take the course, and
stated that the department is entirely
under the supervision of the college Of
bishops. He dwelt upon the impor-
lance OF churches supporting the school
of theology and gave his own expert
ence in this line.
when l, and also your honored
bishop, wanted to take theological
COURSE" said he, ''we had to attend
the school of other churches, for oul
own church had no school of theology.
Had 1T not been that my father was q
Methodist, and had he not looked after
my training, supplying me with abun-
know whore l might have landed. The
Southern Methodist Church cannot
afford to be without q school of theol-
ogy. Methodism was born in o univer-
sity and Is largely the result of the
university training of John Wesley. If
1T is to grow and brighten with each sue
cecding year of its history 1T must have
an educated ministry"
In this connection the doctor dwelt at
some length upon the Importance OF
theological training, and the thorough
education of ministers answering all
the arguments against such education,
and plling up arguments in favor of
manning the ranks of the ministers with
strong, well-trained leaders. He also
threw out many practical suggestions as
to the education of men to preach the
pospel. He advised that every minis
ter, as far as was possible, should re-
celve collegiate education as we'll as
theological training.
The question sometimes arises, he
said, as to whether the brightest or
dullcst young men should have tho ad-
vantage Of the university and theological
course. His conclusion was that the
man of the broadcast capacity should
have the opportunities for full develop
ment.
LIZ. 1llleCC assured the conference
that Vanderbilt University was in no
way competitor of Randol phi Macon or
any other of tho conference colleges.
but was rather dependent upon them.
de would advise no student to leave his
conference college for Vanderbilt until
after graduation. The college course
of the university, he said, draws. its
support from the half dozen conferences
that have no colleges.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
DR.. Smith, of Randolph Macon, an
nounced that the excursion to Bedford
City to visit Randolph-Macon Academy
would not ''excurt" on account of the
rain and the trip was postponed till Sat
urday afternoon at . o'clock.
DIR. Harris, president of Wesle van Fe-
male Institute, recommending improve
ments, and that the conference make
arrangements to hasten the payment of
debt of $4,000. There is now sink
ing fund which pays $1,000 year on
this debt.
Rev. DR.. e. e. Hoss, editor of the
Nashville Christian Advocate" was
introduced and presented the claims of
his paper, and Rev. DR.. j. D. Barbee of
the publishing house presented the
claims OF the house and the newly es-
tablished Pacific Methodist Advocate
and the Quarterly Review.
DIR. Barbee and DR.. Hoss both referred
to the Epworth League. a new organiza-
ton OF the young people of the church
for spreading the church literature, and
that is growing rapidly. They thought
that the organization was doing much
to spread good literature, and DIR.
Barbee stated that the publishing house
I'm iob Il TOW f,,,,r f,,oo
the organization.
DR.. Walter LANDER. superintendent of
missions in Japan, was introduced to
the conference.
Bishop Hendrix then addressed the
class of ministers that will be admitted
into full connection to-day, admonish-
ing them to prepare for taking upon
themselves the solemn vows with fast
ing and prayer.
After the usual announcements the
conference adjourned with the bene-
diction by the bishop.
The work of to-day will be of more
than usual interest. The class of the
second year will be admitted into full
connection. A report is expected from
the board of education, and the special
committee on Wesleyan Female Insti-
tute.
wesleyan remale institute, stanton,
was established about forty years ago,
but suspended for several years during
the war. DR.. Harris, the present presi-
dent, took charge in 1866 in the old
building, reopening the school In q
few years the number of pupils became
larger than the old buildings would &C.
commodate.
At the expiration Of the foarth year,
on behalf of the Baltimore Conference
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church