The San Francisco call., 1899-05-26


10 a conference and free discussion on
the following subject: rs the Establish
ment Of Baptist Theological School on
the Pacific Coast Desirable and Feas-
ible?"
Papers discussing the question were
read by Rev. Alexander Blackburn OF
Portland, Ore, Rev. Robert Whitaker
OF Oakland, Rev A. p. Brown OF Fres-
no, Rev. c. NJ. Hill OF Oakland and Rev.
c. H. Hobart of Oakland. The general
sentiment expressed in the various pa
pers was that the seminary should be
established on this coast. 1t developed
that the pet plan Of the churchmen OF
the coast is that of establishing chair
of Baptist theology a. the University OF
California. While the pastors on this
coast favored the university plan, several
of the Eastern clergymen feared the at
rnosphere surrounding a State university
is not conducive TO the kind of training
that theological students require.
After the discussion Rev. A. S. Hobart
of Yonkers. y. Y. read an excellent pa
per on the Aims and Methods Of Theo-
logical Education He said in part:
Those of US who have had little experience
I'm the pastorate have learned the value OF
a frank discussion OF church plans by inter-
ested laymen. We learn how the matter
strikes their judgment, and that is very valu-
able We learn also the points which need to
be elaborated and elucidated and perhaps mod
ified. in order 10 secure harmonious, active
and enthusiastic support.
There are some great facts that underlie all
our thought; first the kingdom OF God is TO
come in the earth as IL is come in heaven.
That needs no discussion here Second. il is
given TO Christians TO work with God in max
ms it come. That needs discussion here.
Third, the Christians part in the work is two
fold namely: 10 live the kingdom lite them
selves and TO influence others to do the same.
That needs attention always. 1t is one OF
the fundamental racts by which TO regulate
and direct our lives.
Fourth the appointed special means by which
our work is 10 be done, is the preaching OF
the truth which Christ taught and he himself
embodied This TO some seemingly unlmp0r-
tant work is the work most important. Jesus
is lifted UP to mems view by preaching. 1t
is a remarkable fact that among all the heath
en- nations where they have caught the idea
OF divine love they do need TO be taught
the life of the kingdom much, they move
toward ii by a kind Of awakened instinct Of
soul. 1t Is only the truth of which Christ
the embodiment that makes the kingdom
" heaven come. Only his truth that sets
men free from their sinful ideas. only his
truth gives them high locals. Get man TO
see Christ and he has within him something
20 which We can appeal hopefully.
Il still holds true that II pleases God by
the foolishness OF preaching to save them that
believe The thing when We must DO is to
preach and teach the truth OF which Jesus
was the embodiment, and which he command
ed US TO teach.
preachers and teachers Of his truth. That is
our mission in the world. our churches must
have intelligent education in practical Chris
ton truth. Our seminaries ought 10 have a
years course in the English Bible.
The great need is for men who as pastors
educate the people and, therefore, the
need lies largely in the theological seminary.
First, in my judgment, the four years in col
leFe and three years in the seminary to fit men
for the pastorate is three years too long. II
would be far better to have a four years
course in which the substance of both courses
should be assorted and then mingled that
a would be well fitted TO his work Make
the admission special and rather high l
would not admit into q seminary who
have not settled the great question whether
they believe the Bible is true not.
Then make the course work severe. Keep
men there until they master 1t or refuse to
graduate there. The study Of church history is
a most Improbable study in the seminary. All
the student needs Is instruction under some
right man in the principles of history and in
the art of reading it for himself And there
Is systematic theology. Most OF it can be got
Wondrous familiarity with the Scriptures
should be gained by every student. The New
Testament should be at his tongues end.
Let me mention some important lines IN
which mis- training should be thorough: First,
public affairs. The minister who is a leader
of his people must have statemans vision
His best men must feel that he is alert and
open-eyed and has the bishop spirit or he can
not have their unwavering confidence.
To meet this necessity l would like to see
one OF the departments of a seminary given to
teaching men to read quick lightning the
papers of the week and the magazines and TO
select and epitornize the news that affect
Christian thought Then there needs to be a
training in logic from the first term to the
last-a sort Of training which makes man
logical in his thinking 1t applies in the
study of Scriptures and in the study Of inca
Such training will put end TO the vagaries
of doctrines that disturb the peace Of Zion. 1t
will give vitality to religion and confidence In
its supporters. Then he ought to have sound
instruction in pedagogy. Then the preacher
must have training in the science OF expression.
Ideas unexoressed are like lead unmined-
The art Of putting things that is the art
for ministers to study. / do not know whether
Fhara fu ar7tr boob on fha n ~
there ought to be. The science of convinc-
ing men is logic; the science of persuading
the course men should be exercised in real
persuasion. not the show thing but the real,
and then erowning all one thing-protessors 10
keep a prayerful spirit in the seminary, to
earnestly and constantly teach men how TO
pray.
After the election of the following Of
hcers the morning session came to a
close:
=, President, a: H. Strong. p.D.. LID. New
York; A P. Montague Phi D., LII. D.. South
Carolina; j. F. Forbes, Ph. D.. Florida; record
vanla; corresponding secretary. H. L. Moore
house ID, III Fifth avenue. New York City;
treasurer, e =, v Cary Esq, MontcIair. n. j..
bers Of the executive board from lSss-l9O2
Eugene Levering, Baltimore, Md. Rev. E. T.
Gates, New York City: H. K Porter, Pittsburg,
Pa. w. c. Biting. DID. New York City;
Joshua Levering. Baltimore Nd: G. W. Muir
ray New York City; Colonel J. A. Hoyt, Green
vile. S. G; E W Stephens. Columbia, No.
Henry Mcdonald. DID. Atlanta. Ga. J. b.
D.D; Waco, Tex. To hll vacancy in
H G. Woods. DID,. Rev. Robert Mcdonald,
Brooklyn. n. Y.
The Womens Home Baptist Mission
Society, with the national president. Mrs.
J. y. Grouse, in the chair, held a work
ers' meeting in the Sunday school rooms
There was a spirited discussion as
to the best, means of securing the
interest and contributions of the
young women of the church There
was considerable opposition made to the
of organizations. and it was
decided to have the committee communi-
cate with the Christian Endeavor socie-
ties 1t was also arranged TO ask the
Baptist Young Peoples Union to divert
part Of their energies to the field of home
work and mat they be given the
specific work of contributing toward the
of training schools for
young colored women in Dallas, Tex.
Two hundred and fifty dollars of the
year's deficit was pledged; Miss .Craw-
ford, who has done such efficient mission
airy work among the Indians, told, in sign
language, the story of the people among
Mr.. and Mrs. Neil OF the chapel car