Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-02-01

hardly need to be supplemented by
American education If education were
| simply mental training and the ac-
QUESTION of secular knowlt dge. But
from the moral and religious point of
view it is wofully deficient. Scripture
lessons (often mostly tradition and
fable lessons) are taught in the
schools; but the overwhelming influ-
ence on the scholars is openly anti
religious, skeptical, and even infidel.
Conse quently itwants the elements of
moral strength. For the Prot
estants OF the country, therefore, the
Institute is simply necessity; while
for Bulgaria generally it is the one
protestor and witness that young men
may and ought to have religion along
with good education.
The work of the Institute is also to
prepare native preachers, pastors and
school teachers. The demand for
training in such has risen steadilys
These men have to lead their COM
munities. They must be able to in
struct them on all questions. Outsi
ders look to them as the opponents of
Professionalism in everything. Hence
| the six years. study in the scientific
course is necessary for them. Up to
now, an additional year of purely
theological study has been considered
sufficient to equip for the ministry,
because of the large amount of relig-
Gus and Biblical instruction given dur
ing the collegiate course. But a Sec
ond year may have to be added, both
because of the growing demands of
that course, and because candidates
for the ministry show an increasing
desire for fuller training.
The Institute also gives its students
a knowledge of English. It is the
only school in the country that does
so. 1t thus opens up to them Anglo
Saxon literature, and enables them to
carry on study, after graduating,
without leaving the country.
Finally, the work of the Institute
through its industrial dep artment and
the school work which it encourages
it's students to perform is of the ut
most value. 1t emphasizes self-help,
teaches the value of money, trains in
neatness, cleanliness, and regularity,
stands for the dignity of labor, and
puts within reach of the students
crafts of practical usefulness.
In addition to three or four pastors
and others dating from the Philip
popolis and early Samokov days, the
Institute has sent out since 1881 nine
teen men who have done good work
as pastors and preachers; while at
least twelve others have already
made their mark, and as many more
are likely to do so in other good ways.
More men would have entered the
passionate had there been funds to
provide the mission g share of their
support in various new places.
One thing becomes clear from the
history of Bulgaria since it's enamel
patton; and that is, that it must look
to the Samokov Institute, not only
for preachers of the Gospel, but for
reformers along any line. 1t is note
worthy that, outside of the rank of
the "converted" men in the old fash
Toned sense of the word, no Bulgari-
ans either from this or from any
other institution take an open part in
the fight against evil. Christian in
f1uences doubtless lead others to
purer private and political life, to no.
bier aims, and to more liberal views;
but it seems that nothing short of the
redeemed and consecrated life stirs to
open and persistent conflict with in
fidelity, unrighteousness, impurity,
drunkenness, and other evils. Thus
far, in the field of this mission, such
converted men and reforming patriots
are the product only of this Institute.
To maintain the Institute in it's
present condition, and still more to
provide for its constant development
in order to efficiency, an endowment
of 500, 900 is needed Of this the Bull
garians have undertaken to raise
$1,000. Their poverty is great, and
they make slow progress; but they
will succeed in time The S99, ZOO
must be looked for from America
Last year the American board paid
for the support of the Institute, apart
from the salaries of teaching mission
aries 50, 134 25; while from the stu.
= dents there was received for board
: tuition, and general incidentals
l s1,e;625
4 ROBERT THOMSON.
Samokou. NoU. goth, 1903.