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EDUCATION.

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT AND THE MINISTRY.

A thoughtful and candid layman residing in Missouri writes to us concerning the "special cases" mentioned in our January number, pp. 59 and 60. One of the young men there mentioned as needing help from the Board of Education in order to pursue his studies in preparation for the ministry has a widowed mother "dependent upon her own exertions for support, with such aid as her children can give;" and in the other case the young man's "mother is partially dependent on him for support." Our correspondent is of the opinion that neither of them ought to be either aided or encouraged to study for the ministry. It appears to him to be a case to which is applicable our Lord's solemn rebuke of those who taught that the filial obligation to provide for parents may be nullified by devoting to religious uses or service the resources from which a parent's wants might have been supplied.

We assure our correspondent that the Board of Education would agree with him in the opinion that no young man is called by Christ to leave a dependent parent in want, in order to study for the ministry.

Yet parents and children are sometimes called to a concurrent exercise of faith in this matter. A pious family in which there were several sons were obtaining their livelihood very laboriously by tilling land, not a foot of which they were able to own, for a share of its products. It was a hard life. They were poor. They all agreed to spare from the home labor one of the boys, who was disposed and advised to study for the ministry. Those parents were censured by worldly-wise sincere friends for allowing one boy as able to work as any of his brothers

was.

to be thus withdrawn from productive employment, the fruits of which were so much needed by the entire family. It cost no little courage of faith to resist these apparently prudent remonstrances. The lad was not allowed to know of this trial put upon his parents. Twenty years afterwards, in his parents' age and infirmity, he was a pastor, with a reasonable, though not large, salary. But his early home life had taught him how to live frugally, and he was not insensible to what he owed his parents. His brothers and sisters were all affectionate and dutiful, and were all working as hard as he But not one of them was able to do as much to supply the wants of their parents as the one whom they spared so long ago. The aged mother said to her son, "Your father and I gave you up to serve God in the ministry, without any expectation of ever having any help from you toward our earthly maintenance. We knew that you might find it your duty to be a missionary to the heathen or to the destitute in our own land. We gave you up entirely and cheerfully. And now, when all our children are as dutiful and affectionate as children can be, you are the one of them all through whom God sends us needed means of living. My son, do not ever fear to trust God, in your path of duty, and do not fail to encourage parents to give their children to him, for whatever service he calls them to." This is a typical case. No parent ever surrenders a child to the service of Christ without receiving for the sacrifice a rich reward in some way. Besides, it must be expected that the salvation of the world will be earned at the same cost at which it was begun the giving up of a well-beloved Son by the Father.

ANOTHER LETTER.

It comes to us from one of our remote western states, and touches wisely upon a matter already discussed in these columns. It is to be regretted that we have not space to give it entire. We present, however, its main point. The writer opens:

The slight causes which unsettle a minister, and the consequent uncertainty of the pastoral relation, constitute a great evil. The causes are not local or denominational. They are operating in the Congregational, the Methodist and the Protestant Episcopal churches with equal intensity.

Originating as they do in imperfectlysanctified human nature, the opinion is expressed that they cannot be suppressed or removed by the mere exercise of ecclesiastical authority, whether through bishop or presbytery. Rather the interposition of authority might tend to aggravate the evil, by awakening resentment as against an undue infringement on the freedom and autonomy of the individual church. Especially would the stronger and more independent churches be likely to insist on the right to manage their own affairs without external control. But such a condition of things, the writer argues, ought not to prevent young men from devoting themselves to the ministry.

The trial arising is one that is incident to all employments. Men on salaries are always liable to lose their places, and it is hardly to be expected that ministers should be exempt from like dismissals.

Nor should young men be deterred from consecrating themselves to the sacred work because of such liabilities. Their motive for entering it is not or ought not to be the hope of enjoying an easy and assured position. So far from encouraging such hope, our Lord frankly tells his apostles that in the world they would have tribulation; but it was just such as he himself had passed through, and it was enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, persecuted by the very persons he came to minister unto, and not even having where to lay his head.

This is a very good reminder for our young men who are hesitating to accept the

Master's call because of the liabilities to unsettlement to which they see ministers subjected. No man is fit to preach the gospel who is not willing to suffer for the gospel, and who does not prefer the blessedness promised in such cases to the comfort of a fat salary and the admiration of a devoted congregation.

But while this is true, it must still be recognized as an important duty devolving upon all church officers and church judicatories to do what in them lies to obviate and repress disorders, and to oversee the flock of God for the promotion of its peace and welfare. This duty is enjoined upon them in the apostle's charge. They are to see to it that all things be done decently and in order. And so the question arises, whether the claim to independency has not to too great a degree neutralized the office of supervision, and created needless difficulties. in the way of exercising the ministry to the injury of the churches. This point is very ably discussed in an article in the Presbyterian Review, by Dr. S. J. Nichols, on the importance of more thorough organized action in the church, and also in an article in the New York Evangelist of April on the "Defects in American Presbyterianism." Certainly there is such a thing as wise regulation and control. Law, so far from nullifying liberty, is essential to its preservation. And we cannot but think that something more may be done than is doing for guarding the pastorate against the mischief of malcontents, and for providing churches with ministers. and ministers with churches, and thus ensuring a more steady and progressive life and activity in all parts of the church. Well would it be if the subject secured the earnest attention of the coming centennial Assembly.

THE WEST AND THE BOARD.

It is a noteworthy fact that by far the larger number of our candidates come from the western states and are studying in the newer colleges there; also that the churches at the West have contributed in larger numbers and in greater proportion to the

education cause than ever before. Some of them have doubled their gifts. It is a token of their high appreciation of the cause. The need of workers is greatest there, and their efforts to obtain them are an appeal to the East for assistance. Two requests have come in this week in behalf of and for young men, “who have been struggling on as long as they could without applying for aid from the Board, but are now in pressing need of such aid to help them through this present term." But how can this be given? The accounts for the year are closed, and the next year has not opened. Are there no liberal benefactors who will send us $100 to supply their wants without the form of a vote from the Board?

THE SUMMARY FOR THE CLOSING YEAR.

The Board started on the year with a debt of $15,000. It has received 741 candidates on slightly reduced scholarships, which is forty-five more than it took in charge last year, and has lowered its debt to $3800. Why could it not have been paid off entirely? So near and not quite. It makes one feel badly. Does it not make those churches and ministers who sent us nothing feel badly too?

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY.

It was a real pleasure to accept an invitation to attend the commencement exercises of the theological department of Lincoln University. The day was bright; the company down was exhilarating; and we had a cordial welcome when we reached the place which goes by the name of the institution.

Through the Connecticut branch of the National Indian Association, $1000 has been paid for two cottages for the housing of some Indians in Alaska. Five hundred dollars of the amount came from New York. Deserving Indians, it appears, are furnished with such houses and given an opportunity of paying for them on the installment plan. In all cases the Indians are said to have acted in a thoroughly honorable way. In addition to these

This is the thing there. While attending the exercises in the well-filled hall we could not help thinking, by way of contrast, of what we were told by a southern Presbyterian doctor of divinity, that according to his large observation and thorough acquaintance with the Negro character, he was convinced that God never intended the Negro should be a Christian minister and that it was a sin against the Holy Ghost to try to make him one. If he had not become converted to more rational views after listening to the exercises of that day, he would have shown an inveteracy of prejudice that would have entitled him to be regarded as a curiosity fit for some museum. As it was, we could not help reflecting how there was then and there fulfilling the old prophecy, "I will provoke you to jealousy by them that were no people, and by a foolish nation will I anger you." Here were the sons of those who but a short time ago were regarded as

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no people" discussing high themes in a style of elocution and with an intelligence that would have done credit to any institution in the land. There were six that spoke in the afternoon, and the themes were as follows: "The Pulpit;" "The Perils to the Church;" "Knowledge and Feeling in Religious Experience;" "The Minister of the Nineteenth Century;" "The Advantage of the Greek Testament to the Minister." were particularly interested in the first and last speakers. Never do we attend public exercises at a Negro institution without being impressed with the rare gifts for music and oratory that seem natural to the race. In these they are bound to excel when properly educated. They have the rare faculty of putting their heart into their voice.

We

Alaska cottages, model cottages are built, similar to those found in our cities, and these are sent to different reservations, the object being to inculcate a knowledge of civilization by teaching the red man to keep house like his civilized brother. The experiment has been found to be very successful, and the Indian purchaser of these cottages is allowed to pay for them upon easy installments.-Christian Weekly.

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it is true, a deficiency of dormitory accommodation, but fortunately it is one which can be met, on the modest scale demanded here, by the expenditure of about $4000. The beautiful chapel and eleven airy class-rooms of our present main building, however, afford room for double our present number of students. Where even this moderate amount is to come from we do not at present see. But, doubtless, he who has raised up friends for this institution in every crisis of its history will put it into the heart of some one to supply the need.

The number of students in attendance this year has been a third larger than last, and judging by the results of the examinations, the remarks of professors and the statements of students as to the new light they have obtained on the subject of successful study, it is plain that very solid work has been done in the classrooms. The capacity of colored young men as students is not in question among those who have been their teachers. But as comparisons will inevitably be made between them and white youths, it is a pity that so large a proportion of them are so heavily handicapped by their poverty. Most of those who have the ministry in view can obtain some assistance, but of the remainder a large proportion cannot remain for the full eight months of the college year. They come in late, or leave when their funds run short, and so get through their course in fragments, with great waste of time and money to themselves, and with additional labor imposed on their instructors. It is a great drawback to their progress, but there is little hope of relief until either this institution obtains an endowment or until the current rate of wages in this region rises to such a point as will enable the laboring man to save something.

That so much has been accomplished in the face of all these obstacles is amazing. Certainly there is everything to encourage those who have taken an interest in this work for the freedmen to redoubled efforts. There is promise of rich results in the future, and especially to endeavor in the line of Christian education. That church is wisest which will soonest and most thoroughly emphasize this department of her work. The educational and

religious work which is to be done among the colored people must largely be done by members of that race, and the sooner that fact is recognized the better. The moral uplifting of these vast and rapidly-multiplying masses will never be effected by the whites alone, nor can much be expected from the uneducated Negro. The hope of the race lies in these higher institutions of learning. And there can be but one explanation of the fact that so small a proportion of the church has yet shown any enthusiasm in this matter, and that is that the true state of the case has never been brought home to them. If men could clearly see how promising this educational work in the South really is, and how great the peril to vital interests of our nation if it be neglected, surely they could no longer be apathetic in regard to it.

CHARLOTTE, N. C.

W. F. JOHNSON.

"THE BOYS' MISSION BRIGADE." In a late tour through the state of Minnesota, I had the pleasure of addressing the "Boys' Mission Brigade" of Westminster Church in the city of Minneapolis. At the close of the address I was elected an honorary member, and immediately a dear little fellow stepped forward and pinned their beautiful badge on my coat collar. The following is the first annual report of the brigade, which was read by one of the little fellows before the Ladies' Home Missionary Society at the last meeting. The report will explain itself. We commend it especially to the "Little Presbyterians," and it is well worth reading by older ones. To the Ladies of the Home Missionary Society of Westminster Church, Minneapolis, Minn.

We are proud and happy to come before you to-day with our first annual report of "Westminster Boys' Brigade."

Ours is the youngest of all the bands connected with this church, having been born on the 29th day of last June, and we are an only son. It began with three members, Bennie Weld, Harry Teel and Chase Terry, and in these nine months we have doubled ourselves just ten times, until now our names are thirty. We work for home and foreign missions, dividing our gifts equally between the two.

Our officers are a president, vice-president,

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