one in attaining this knowledge than could be done by a single pastor. It would be absurd to doubt that three or four men, devoting themselves with zeal to particular branches of sacred study, must be able to communicate more knowledge than one man giving his attention for the most part to other labors. When we bear in mind the peculiar character of the Scriptures, their many writers living in different ages and scenes; their varieties of style, narrative, preceptive, hortatory, argumentative, poetic, prophetic; their interdependence and unity as records prepared by inspired men and making known the will of God; and their relation to the pastor's work as his text-book and message, it would seem that he should have the best possible aid in learning to interpret them, the aid of one whose time and strength were consecrated to Biblical study. So, too, when we consider the vast fields which lie before the theologian; his premises imbedded in the Sacred Oracles from Genesis to Revelation, and not to be found without patient study; his analysis and synthesis laid up in the laws of thought, traversing the wide domain of mental science; his terminology, in the history of Christian dogmas, stretching back to the second century; and when we remember the close connection which obtains between the clearness, stability and correctness of one's doctrinal views and his usefulness in the ministry, it would seem no less evident that he should have the best help in studying this noble science, the help of one who gives his days and nights to Christian theology. Again: if we turn our thoughts to the history of Christian life, and observe the mass of records from which the knowledge of any one period of this history must be drawn-records pertaining to discussions, councils, creeds; to religious institutions, societies, modes of action; to Christian art, poetry and symbols; to education, domestic life and social worship; to fasts, festivals and holy days; to heresies, reforms, persecutions; to eminent teachers, marked providences, and the connection of Church and State; and if we recollect that this history, stretching over a space of nearly two thousand years, describes the mediatorial reign of -- Christ, and bears clusters of truth richer than those on the millennial vine of Papias, it would seem that a few of these ripe clusters should be culled by a skilful gardener and put in the pastor's hand for the refreshment of his own soul and the church of God. No less important is the sphere of pastoral duty, be it in the pulpit, the vestry, or the chamber of sickness, with the convicted sinner, the troubled saint, or the carping backslider. Questions of order, of discipline, of charity, of principle, and of expediency-all things which concern the application of truth in the manifold relations of life, and with an eye to the greatest purity of the Church and good of men, belong to this branch of study, and deserve the best thoughts of the wisest teacher, of one who, in addition to experience, has made this department an object of special study. I do not, therefore, hesitate to say, that, in view of their contemplated work and of the time given to preparation, candidates for the sacred office need and should have the best instruction possible; nor will I withhold an expression of my belief, that our leading schools of theology do furnish instruction far more thorough and reliable than could be given by any single pastor. In this respect their utility should never be questioned. If they fail in this respect, it must be due to the grossest incompetency, or unfaithfulness on the part of teachers. And Christian knowledge, be it observed, is the first object of pursuit in ministerial education. To seek it with a proper aim is the most wholesome mental and spiritual discipline. It increases one's faith, humility, love of truth, and power to grasp and wield it in the service of the church. It would here be in place for me to urge the benefits which may be derived from the use of a large and well selected library, but I forbear. Permit me, however, to remind you of the advantage to a minister of Jesus of associating intimately, for a time, with fifty or sixty brethren, who are to be fellow-laborers with him in the gospel. Many who are now covered with the dust of toil can bear witness to the comfort and strength which they owe to friendships formed in the Seminary, and many more to the precious results in their own characters of fraternal friction with students preparing for the ministry. The influence of pious young men upon one another, as they are putting on their armor for the conflict already in sight, is very quickening and salutary, and it will appear at the last day that many preachers of the holy gospel made greater progress in the divine life while at the Seminary than during any equal period of their earthly course. It is my deliberate conviction that the piety of theological students does very often keep pace with their increasing knowledge, so that they will remember their "school of the prophets" quite as thankfully for spiritual as for mental good. But, after all, some one will say, there remains a serious objection to theological schools. They are not practical. They do not enable students to improve their gifts. One can never learn to preach in the closet. Were these young men to read theology with a pastor, he would call upon them now and then to stand in his pulpit, and still oftener to conduct an evening service; and their increase of practical skill would more than compensate them for the knowledge which they would forego. This objection is plausible. But when it is recollected that our institutions are generally in or near large cities; that facilities for rapid travel to remote points are abundant; that feeble and destitute churches are in the habit of sending for students to supply their pulpits; that all may labor in Sabbath schools and take part in social meetings if they will; and that during a long vacation they may engage in preaching or in missionary effort, the force of this objection seems to be broken, and it may well be doubted whether students would have as many opportunities to anticipate in part the duties of their future calling, with a pastor, as they now do at the Seminary. It is quite possible, however, that besides a full course of study in the Seminary, many students would do well to spend a few months with a pastor, before undertaking the responsibilities of the gospel ministry over a church, especially if they are still young and without much experience in public labor. Let me urge you, therefore, my brethren, to give your hearty support to the cause of ministerial education. Befriend the institutions and the young men to whom the churches are looking for faithful pastors. After good natural parts.-a sound mind and aptness to teach,-the first qualification for the ministry, is deep piety; the second, à call from God to enter upon this work; and the third, education in its best sense, culminating in a thorough study of divine truth. It is our blessed privilege to be laborers together with Christ in securing for those who follow us the third qualification. If the great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls calls some to be preachers of his gospel in early life, He calls them as He did the twelve apostles, to be taught step by step, as they are able to bear it, until at length they are no longer novices, but well instructed, and, like their Divine Lord, have in some degree the tongue of the learned, that they may know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary. Let no doubts or scruples hinder you from aiding them in acquiring the discipline and knowledge needed for their work. And may God, in his infinite mercy, add his blessing to your labors. Amen. ARTICLE IV.-RECENT PUBLICATIONS. Notices are necessarily omitted for want of space. A History of the Intellectual Development of Europe. By JOHN WILLIAM DRAPER, M. D., LL. D., Professor of Chemistry and Physiology in the University of New York; Author of a "Treatise on Human Physiology," &c., &c. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1863. The Constitutional History of England, since the Accession of George Third, 1760-1860. By THOMAS ERSKINE MAY, C. B. In two volumes. Volume I. Volume II. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. 1862. Memoir of the Life and Character of the late Hon. THEO. FRElingHUYSEN, LL. D. By TALBOT W. CHAMBERS, a Minister of the Collegiate Church, New York. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1863. The Capital of the Tycoon: A Narrative of a Three Years' Residence in Japan. By SIR RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, K. C. B., Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Japan. With maps and numerous illustrations. In two volumes. Volume I. Volume II. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1863. Praying and Working; Being some account of what Men can do when in earnest. By the Rev. WILLIAM FLEMING STEVENSON. Dublin. New York: Robert Carter and Brothers. 1863. The Social Condition and Education of the People in England. By JOSEPH KAY, Esq., M. A., of Trinity College, Cambridge; Barrister at Law; and late Travelling Bachelor of the University of Cambridge. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1863. Woman and her Saviour in Persia. By a returned Missionary. With fine illustrations, and a map of Nestorian Country. Boston: Gould and Lincoln. 1863. Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation in 1838, 1839. By FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1863. The Bivouac and the Battle-Field; or, Campaign Sketches in Virginia and Maryland. By GEORGB F. NOYES, Captain U. S. Volunteers. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1863. Science for the School and Family. Part I. National Philosophy. By WORTHINGTON HOOKER, M. D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in Yale College; Author of "Human Physiology," "Child's Book of Nature," "Natural History," &c. Illustrated by nearly 300 engravings. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1863. The Fruit Garden; A Treatise intended to explain and illustrate the Physiology of Fruit Trees, the Theory and Practice of all operations connected with the Propagation, Transplanting, Pruning, and Training of Orchard and Garden Trees, as Standards, Dwarfs, |