The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-05-10
No More Charity Students.

There is no denying the harmful
effects of indiscriminate aid to divin-
ty Students. The article in the jan
My Atlantic by President William
De Witt Hyde of Bowdoin on this sub
Rct is as sound as it is forcible His
msparing criticism of the results of
the charity student system is justified
by facts 1t stands to reason that
methods which never fail to pauper.
lie other classes of people must have
a pernicious effect even on the Chris
Ian ministry. AS President Hyde
says if any other profession held out
the opportunity of free board and
room, heat and light, clothing and
furniture, instruction. and all the re-
tlements of life to anybody who
could raise $50 a year. these profess
.ons would soon be swmped by the
horde Of idlers who would apply.
Under such conditions, natural selec-
lion gets no chance to do it's whole
some work.
The wonder Is that the injury TO
me church has rot been greater
mat it is already bad enough and
ending to grow rapidly worse IL ap
parent at glance A year ago the
Union Theological Seminary. after a
sTelu sitting of applicants. found
1 lat ont of seventy-two only thirtv-siX
lal ability enough 10 make IT worth
nDnlle to eXpend money upon them.
Even Of those who were admitted
several were discouraged from return
mg at the end of the first year The
Vnlcago Congregational Seminary re-
ports determination to move IN
ue same direction. But what of the
numerous theological institutions that
W not feel able to be so Independent
SO eXacting as to their materials?
~ nearly all of these the path of the
suueht has been made so smooth and
~ easy as to afford a special tempta-
aOn TO young men who lack the abil-
4 Ut the industry to succeed in other
directions.
III proportion as theology has lost
allractiYeness as profession
e ~ese artificial attractions have been
S@muplled by pious and well-meaning
sOAors until now ii is less expensive
F. get theological education than
n 80 without any education That
vo @ nelps many a poor and deserving
MSuu Is true. That IT also attracts
e uhlt and lowers the intellectual
USse OF the ministerial profession
uNeWlse true Concerning the
htIp'dIlon t. hypocrisy that lies in
rn1, system Of eleemosyuary aids
4 iDo U,',lns VI need here be said Concern.
nal s 'ue lifelong habit of thought that
4 ep.g 1gs lhe preacher regard himself as
E roatu r'.leu to half fares and special
o,ueht there may be a difference
A nm, T,nloh But there is not shad-
sns vi doubt that the indlscrlminato
4 Daa Wholesale charity by which the
Il 6Sa 6n 10 the Christian ministry is lu.
4 no na'ou has baneful effect upon
n personnel of the profession.
co,,S o,JSSS'Dly the theological schools
a vbot get comparatively no students
reoe'er II these artificial bats were
,or ,omoyed, If so, then there must be
emiG,llhg wrong about the whole
Coma ''"Iy system, and the time has
4 hh1,u u stop teaching creeds and
a cer,nns young men to think within
Of |nl |n nominated lines all the rest
gest'ol sIolr hves' President Hydos sug
nent nouS on this point are as peril
scaro"1a "a on the other His article can
II 10 d'y do lail to arouse discussion and
n ~cbJo good in more ways than one
N~cago Tribune.