The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-23

FIDES PROBATA CORONAT.

IIDES PROBtlh toltONhi.
In the last issue OF the Religious Her,
aid glowing tribute was paid to the
speclal Gift of one Of the University pro-
feesors i'm the line Of religious teaching
IL would be no matter Of surprise If the
Sabbath-school address referred to really
did deserve the encomiums bestowed on
II by a kind friend, for 'much practice
makes perfect" and the professor has
taught for twenty-six years Bible class
at the University of Virginia. This ses-
sion the class has averaged considerably
over a hundred deeply interested students
in attendance each Sabbath. To secure
seats and a comfortable hearing for them
II was found necessary to make the lee
lures exclusively for students. Sometimet'
every seat is fun; occasionally. standing
room is occupied.
Prof. Davis is not the only professor
who has thus devoted his sabbaths to
Bible teaching in the University. Prof.
John 3. Minor for many years, almost TO-
the very close Of his grand and beautiful
life, met his Bible class every Sabbath
Prof. Smith has also held Bible classes;
and other professors. back TO the long
ago." from time to time.
The Y. VI. G. a. Of the University was
the first college organization of the kind
I'm the world. The religious sentiment
and independent work Of the students
have fostered it through all these years,
and it is to-day fully alive, more active
and efficient than ever Like the faculty
this organization is composed Of men Of
various denominations, who have dropped
their distinctive forms OF belief to work
together on the broad ground Of D. COM
mon faith TO make Christians not
proselytes
In Justice to the religious sentiment OF
the University, so often assailed and per-
sistontlv misrepresented, the faithful work
on the part Of the professors and the -
N. c. A. should be more widely known
The fact also should be emphasized that
the students have inspired and sustained
this work by the interest which large
numbers Of them have shown in attend
ing these Bible classes year after year
II is so easy to start an error so hard
70 stop IT, jefferson in the organic law
wisely forbade any sectarian or denomi-
national control or predominence'
it was so easy for some ignorant OF
malicious person TO say that Jefferson
discouraged all religion: and to this day
the ugly untruth is still on the wing
This false impression perhaps about the
religious influences and privileges Of the
University prompted a society of heneVo-
lent ladies' in a far off northwestern State
TO send and maintain two missionaries
10 teach a Bible class in the University
for the past three sessions.
From the local newspapers it seems
that this benevolent extraneous mission
is about 20 be incorporated as a char
of Bible instruction.
However, the mission without regular
incorporation has been practically at
work three sessions. The class has been
small. but is slowly increasing, and meets
its superior missionary teacher once
week The body who have exclusively
projected and support this mission, dis
claim the name OF any sect or denoml-
nation. other than that Of Christians
and IT has been announced in papers
that the school will be "undenomiha-
tional" This assertion should simplify
measures and remove any difficulty
which might confront the Board In max
inc this new chair" For while the
BOARD has created no CHAIR OF Bible
study. they have always allowed sincere
and disinterested Christians Of every de-
nomination to stand up for Jesus with
ONT fear or molestation at the University
and the truth has never been without
witnesses there. Good men, in the chapel
and lecture room, have made one LORD
and one faith the theme of their dis
course. and while reyerencing all know
ledge. have ever taught the students that
above all is the knowledge of Him
"whcm TO know Alright is life eyerlast-
ing" Honor to whom honor is due"
RELIGIOUS teaching at the University is
not an innovation.
If the Board can and does organize this
new school, none will welcome 1t moro
heartily than "the old guard who have
stood without money and without price
an these years. They will be glad of the
fresh strength Of the eleventh hour la
borer. who is a workman that needeth
not TO be ashamed Of his work.