Princeton Theological Seminary - Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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15 to the present time, including the history of the separate church organizations in Europe, America, and the East. The whole course is conducted by lecture and recitation upon the subject of the lecture, with constant reference to original authorities and the best books for collateral reading. Special attention is given throughout to the historical order of revelation and development of doctrine, to Christian life, and the rela- tions of the Church to the world. ECCLESIASTICAL, HOMILETIC, AND PASTORAL THEOLCGY. Sacred Rhetoric is made a study of the first year, with the help of a text- book QVinet's Homiletics, at present,j and lectures, followed by exercises in the analysis of texts, and writing of skeletons. Church Government is made a study of the second year, mostly by lectures. These embrace the nature of the Church, and the different schemes of Church polityg membership in the Church, the baptized, the full communicants 5 ohicers ofthe Church, commission, succession, and parity of Ministers, ruling Elders, in the warrant qualiications, duties and tenure of the oflice 3 Deacons, in the origin, importance, distinct and perpetual use of the oiiice g Church Courts, in their warrant, gradation, and power. Pastoral Theology is studied in the third year. A call to the ministry, the aptitudes and attainments required 5 the duties, relations, and responsibilities of the pastoral care, the Ordinances of Divine appointment in the Church, Ordinances of worship, including the Sacraments and public prayer, preaching and praise in the pastoral administration g systematic beneieence, Sze. 5 Dis- cipline, in its principles, forms of procedure, subjects, objects, Src. These and other topics connected, are treated historically, as well as discussed in the light of Scripture, and according to the standards of the Presbyterian Church. RHETORICAL EXERCISES AND SERMONIZTNG. DR. C. VV. HODGE presides at the weekly speaking of the Junior and Middle Classes, each member of which is, in his turn, expected to deliver original dis- courses, memoriier. The weekly preaching of the Senior Class, which is likewise memoriier, is under the direction of DR. MCGILL, who also has exercises with all the classes in extempore speaking, in writing sermons, and in preparing written criticisms upon the sermons of othcrs.

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14 THE NEW TESTAMENT. In the study of the New Testament an acquaintance with ordinary Greek is assumed, but careful attention is paid to the peculiarities of the Hellenistic dialect, particularly as employed by the New Testament writers. The Life of Christ is exhibited in its several periods, with a careful analysis ofthe different gospels, their mutual relations, their individual characteristics, and the har- mony of their respective narratives. The Acts of the Apostles is studied both exegetically and topically, with prominent reference to the life and labors of the Apostle Paul, and the early planting of the Christian Church. Special introduction to the various Epistles is inserted in their proper chronological place. THEOLOGY. The basis of the course of Systematic Theology is laid in the Junior year, by the instruction given in Exegetical Theology, the aim of which is to develop, by a direct exposition of his writings, thc doctrines taught by the Apostle Paul. I In the Middle and Senior years, the doctrines of theology are presented didactically, historically, and polemieally. The order of topics pursued is: The nature, forms, and sources of Theology, the being of God, His nature and attributes, the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, the Holy Spirit, thc dc- crces of God, creation, providence, miracles, the law of God, the origin, nature, and primitive state of man , the covenant with Adam , the fall, sin , imputation, original sin, inability, the covenant of grace, the person of Christ , His ofiices, the nature, necessity, perfection and extent of the atone- ment, His kingdom, His humiliation and exaltation, vocation, regenera- tion, faith, repentance, justification, sanctification, eschatology, the Sac- raments. BIBLICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. The Junior Class is instructed in Old Testament History as it stands related to the Christian Dispensation, and the general history of the world before Christ. The study of Church History is pursued with the Middle Class from the founding of the Christian Church to the period of the Reformation. The Seniors are occupied with the period following the Reformation and extending

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16 Special instruction is given in the art of elocution, with appropriate vocal exercises, by Prof. S. G. PEABODY, who is in constant attendance at the Semi- nary, and by Professors IVIARK BAILEY, of New Haven, and ROBERT KIDD, of Indiana, by whom the institution is successively visited at different periods in each session. This is without cost to the students, the expense being borne by generous friends of the Seminary. Every student is required, prior to graduation, to exhibit to the Professor of Horniletic instruction two lectures and four popular sermons, which shall be approved by him. ' OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. During this year and next, by way of experiment, the Senior and Middle Classes will be united in the studies belonging to these departments. The sub- jects assigned to these two years, though related, are so far distinct that the order of succession is of comparative indifiercnceg and the facility of the two classes in the original languages of Scripture, is so nearly on a par as to admit of this combination being made without prejudice to either, while it is hoped that it will prove serviceable and stimulating to both, and be a useful economy of time. During the present term, accordingly, both these classes are engaged in the study of Prophecy in general and of Special Introduction to the books of the Prophets. Their Hebrew reading consists of extracts fchiefly Messianicj from the book of Isaiah. These are studied in connection with A1exander's abridged and unabridged Commentary, and Hengstenberg's Christology, with a comparison of the Vulgate and Septuagint, and a careful examination of the etymologies of words, the derivations of roots and synonyms 3 each student being allowed his option, within certain limits, as to the method of study which he shall select. In the New Testament they are engaged in the study of the Acts of the Apostles, which is read in the original and made the basis of lectures, in which not only the labors of the Apostles therein recorded, but their writings are discussed in their appropriate place in the history. Next year these classes will be occupied with the studies in those depart- ments, which, in the general plan of the course, are assigned to the second year, viz. : Special Introduction to the Pentateuch, Historical and Poetical Books, and the Life of Christ and Exegesis of the Gospels. K