Princeton Theological Seminary - Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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15 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. . ,Q , A ECCLESIASTICAL, HOMILETIC, AND PASTORAL THEOLOGY. Sacred Rhetoric is made a study of the H1-st year, with the help of a text- book QVinet's Homiletics, at present,j and lectures, followed by exercises in the analysis oftexts, 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 polity, membership in the Church 3 the baptized, the full communicants, oiiicers of the Church 3 commission, succession, and parity of Ministersg ruling Elders, in the warrant, qualifications, duties, and tenure of the office 5 Deacons, in the origin, importance, distinct and perpetual use of the oiiiceg Church Courts, in their warrant, gradation, and power. Pastoral Theology is studied in the third year. A call to the ministry 5 the aptitudes and attainments required, the duties, relations, and responsibilities of tl1e pastoral careg the Ordinances of Divine appointment in the Churchg Ordinances of Worship, including the Sacraments and public prayer, preaching and praise in the pastoral administration, systematic beneficence, keg Dis- cipline, in its principles, forms of procedure, subjects, objects, Sze. 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. CHRISTIAINI ETHICS AND APOLOGETICS. This department, which Was instituted by the Directors at their annual meet- ing in 1871, is, as yet, only partially developed. The course this year includes a brief series of introductory lectures on Re- ligion and Religions in generalg their Phenomenology, Psychology, Relations to Morality, Criteria, Svc., a resume of the Christian Evidences as ordinarily presented, and a series of lectures on the historical nature of Christianity and its authenticating documents. , It is proposed to add next year an Ethical course, discussing Christian Ethics theoretically, historically, and in their living connection with various branches of Social Science, together with the moral and practical relations of Chris- tianity to civilization, thus illustrating and vindicating Christianity on its ethical side. ' I It is designed subsequently to treat in a similar way the relations of Chris- tianity- to natural and speculative science?

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1 4 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 Hellenisiiif dialect, particularly as employed by the New Testament writers. The Life of Christ is exhibited in its several periods, with a careful analysis of the 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. THEOLCGY. The basis of the course of Systematic Theology is laid in the Junior year, by the instruction given in Exegctical Theology, the aim of which is to develop, 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 didac- tically, 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 decrees 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 offices, the nature, necessity, perfection and extent of the atonement, His kingdom, His humiliation and exaltation , vocation , regeneration, faith , repentance, justification, sanctification, eschatology, the Sacraments. f BIBLICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. The Junior Class is instructed in Old Testament History as it stands related to the Christian Tlispensation, 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 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 -1.,

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16 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 origilpalsdiiifk courses, memorirfer. The weekly preaching of the Senior Class, which is likewise memoriter, is under the direction of DR. BICGILL, who also has exercises with all the classes in eztempore speaking, in writing sermons, and in preparing written criticisms upon the sermons of others. I 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 different 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 bc approved by him. OLD AND NEWV 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 indifference, 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, whilcit 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 is in Habakkuk and Zechariah. These are studied in connection with Kcil's, Henderson's, and Maurer's Com- mentaries and Hengstenberg's Christology, with a comparison of the Vulgatc and Septuagintg 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 departments which, in the general plan of the course, are assigned to the second year, viz. :