The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-04

Work is TO be carried on IN the most dP-
proved manner. it cannot be made a
source of revenue, but must have special
endowment provided for it.
The work of the Biblical department
has been modified more than that of any
other within the last four years. Thls
work is now divided into three terms of
three months EACH so arranged as to
allow students to enter at the beginning
Of any one term. In this way many stu
dents are enabled to finish a conference
year and enter the university in January.
fThe course of instruction has also been
greatly enlarged. and the faculty in
creased. The total faculty now consists
OF nine officers, divided into five pro-
fessors three adjunct professors and one
instructor. Students are not held to a
rigid curriculum, but are allowed con-
siderable latitude in the selection of sub
jects. The requirements for admission
have also been changed with view to
Increasing the. attendance and opening
th@ benefits of this department to
larger number of young men of our
church. Formerly it was required that
the prospective student should have COM
pleted two years college work before
entering the seminary. This require
ment is now waived in such cases as
the faculty may decide worthy to be adj
nlitted without this attainment. This re-
taxation from the requirements for adj
mission has probably brought into the de-
present year and has made the present
junior class the largest in the history
o. the university.
The general conference of 1902 insti-
tuted correspondence school for the
benefit of young preachers of our church.
The school was promptly put in opera
ton, and has been carried on under the
joint management of the theological
faculty and the general board of educa-
ton. Funds for the school are provided
partly by a small payment from each
student enrolled. but chiefly by general
education collection through the whole
church which is paid to the board or
education and by that board appropriated
TO the uses of our correspondence school.
'This school is in charge of Rev. j. Il.
Cunningham as director, and with him
are associated a number OF instructors
who give considerable time to the details
of the work. Much of the work, how
ever, must still be done by the theologi-
cal faculty of Vanderbilt university.
The, number of students now enrolled in
the correspondence school is nearly or
quite six hundred. These are chiefly con-
ference undergraduates, but some prog
ress has been made in establishing adj
vanced courses.
We are informed that memorials Will
be before you from certain annual con-
ferenees bearing upon the whole question
of the unversity's relation to the church.
You will of course, give them your care
full consideration.
In the same connection, we desire to
call your attention to the action taken by
the general conference of 1898 on a
memorial from the board of trust. II, for
any reason, or in any respect that action
has failed of accomplishing the end in
view, II may be well for you to take
whatever additional steps that are neces-
sary to give 1t due effect.
This great school, which has in 1t such
for
thought, the earnest prayers, and the
liberal support of the whole church we
cherish the hope that you may have wis
dom from God so to shape its affairs
that it may have ever widening field OF
usefulness
Ministry and Modern Scholarship
We deem it advisable to call attention
to the subject of Biblical criticism, utter
a word of caution. The unwarranted APP
plication of the historic method of Bible
study has occasipned concern in some
sections of the church. While giving
hospitality to reverent investigation and
according all honor to sanctified learn
ing. 1t is our Judgment that ministers
should observe great caution in discuss
ing themes in the pulpit that do not min
lister to the spiritual life.
Methodism. by the circumstances of its
birth, and the progressive spirit of its
triumphant history cannot but be nos
patron of sound learning. Its founders
and many of their coadjutors' were uni
yersity scholars and men of varied Gull
ture. To clear and accurate scholarship,
whether in the field of Biblical criticism
or elsewhere, it could not be unfriendly
or intolerant. But many things may be
wrought out in the study that are not
edifying in the pulpit. Confident state
nent with the passion of constraining
love- and not raising questions in critical
scholarship is the demand OF the pew.
Congregations need the certitudes OF
orr faith not our doubts and day
dreams Those who look to the pulpit for
spiritual guidance want the authoritative
statement of infallible TRUTH and not the
methods of critical research or the varied
phases of theological inquiry. The con-
ceit of fancied scholarship is scarcely
less offensive than the arrogance of
ignorance. A distinguished English
,theologian and Oxford professor clearly
stated the case in this recent utterance:
''Nothing involves greater danger to the
cause of truth than rash crude defiant
announcements subjects which touch
mems deep and sacred convictions.
.sn superanuates.
More adequate support of our superan-
nuated ministers and the families who
have died in the itinerant service should
he the special care of the church. IL
the nation has pride in literally provid-
ing for the veterans who fought her
battles. making provision for the COM
Portable old age of her brave itinerants
who have made possible the Israel of
today. No doubt many continue to toll
when they ought to rest because stop
page of labor means physical want 1t
is our earnest hope that the great con-
spectional movement in this interest in
augurated by the last general conference
may be a triumphant success. fund of
Ave million dollars well invested. sup
plemented by annual collections in the
rongregat ions,~ will enable the church to
provide, in fsome measure of comfort.
Tor her retired ministers and the families
of those who have fallen in the field.
4 We are gratified to report the assets
of the superannuated endowment fund
as follows:
In bank - .................$ 2,7S407
Loans made ...................-... 10 too'oI
Notes on file ........!.....,......... ss,s94Io
Open subscriptions .....,.........,. H,4o2.l0
Present assets .$1sAs37 SO
Deaconesses.
The action of the last general conference
in providing for the office and work OF
= a ~