Princeton Theological Seminary - Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

Page 16 text:

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 ofthe Church to the World. ECCLESIASTICAL, HOMILETIC, AND PASTORAL THEOLOGY. Sacred Rhetoric is made a study of the first year, with the help of a text- book tVinet'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 ofthe second year, mostly by lectures. These embrace the nature ofthe Church, and the different schemes of Church polityg membership in the Church, thc baptized, the full communicantsg oftlicers of the Church 3 commission, succession, and parity of Ministers 5 ruling Elders, in the Warrant, qualifications, duties, and tenure of the oiiiceg Deacons, in the origin, importance, distinct and perpetual use of the otlice, 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 praisein the pastoral administration, systematic beneicence, Src., Dis- cipline, in its principles, forms of procedure, subjects, objects, dmc. These and other topics connected, are treated historically, as well as discussed in the light of Scripture, and according to the standards ofthe Presbyterian Church. RHETORICAL EXERCISES AND SERMONIZING. DR. C. W. 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 memorizfer, is under the direction of DR. DICGILL, who also has exercises with all the classes in efctempore speaking, in writing sermons, and in preparing written criticisms upon the sermons of others.

Page 15 text:

14 K 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 ot' 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 de- velop, by a direct exposition of his writings, the doctrines taught by the Apostle Paul. In the Middle and Senior years, the doctrines of theology are presented didactically, historically, and polemically. 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, the de- crees 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 oiiices , the nature, necessity, perfection and extent of the atone- ment, His kingdom, His humiliation and exaltation, vocation, regenera- tion, faith, repentance, justification, sanctiiication, 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

Page 17 text:

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 MARK BAILEY, of New Haven, and ROBERT KIDD, of Indiana, by whom the Institution is successively visited at dii'l'erent periods in each session. This is without cost to the students, the expenses being borne by generous friends of the Seminary. Every student is required, prior to graduation, to exhibit to the Professor of Homiletic instruction two lectures and four popular sermons, which shall be approved by him. OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. The Senior and Middle Classes are united in the studies belonging to these departments. The subjects assigned to these two years, though related, are so far distinct that the order of succession is of comparative indiiierenceg and the facil- ity 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 the Typical Institutions of the Old Testament, and of Special Introduction to the Pentateuch, and the Historical and Poetical Books. A selected portion of the Book of Psalms is also read in Hebrew. This is studied in connection with the Commentaries of Alexander, Hengstenberg, and De- litzsch, a comparison of the Vulgate and Septuagint, and a careful examina- tion of the etyrnologies of words and synonyms, 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 Gospels and the Life of Christ, this is presented in detail and in its successive periods, the labors of various harmonists reviewed, and the course of events and the progress of our Lord's teaching examined. 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 third year, viz. : Special Introduction to the Prophets, and the Acts of the Apostles, and Special Introduction to the Epistles.