Graduate Work for Ministers

The necessity of graduate work for our physicians is generally recognized. We are also aware that our college teachers need advanced study. But of all workers, perhaps the minister is most in need of graduate study. There is nothing narrow or circumscribed about the work of the minister. He deals with human life in all its varied phases. He must plumb the depths of divine reve­lation, for he is a messenger of God to the human soul. Mrs. White, in speaking of ministers, once said: "They might have done tenfold more work intelligently had they cared to become intellectual giants."—"Testimonies to Ministers," p. 194. Some very pointed in­struction has been given us regarding keeping our minds awake and growing:

"The intellect is to be kept thoroughly awake with new, earnest, wholehearted work."—"Fundamentals of Christian Education," p. 227. "Strong minds are needed. The human intellect must gain expansion and vigor and acuteness and activity. . . . The mind must invent, work, and wrestle, in order to give hardness and vigor to the intellect."—Id., p. 226.

The General Conference has established the Theological Seminary for the definite purpose of affording opportunity for self-improvement to our ministers and teachers through graduate study in Bible, religious history, Biblical lan­guages, and homiletics. God has greatly blessed the work of this school. One of our college presidents, who attended one quarter at the seminary, echoes the thoughts of many when he says: "I esteemed the time I spent there as the best three months of all my educa­tion."

The winter quarter, which begins Novem­ber 23, is especially planned for ministers and missionaries. Every course offered is of vital importance in the advent message. The course on the Sanctuary, followed by the Epistle to the Hebrews, deals with the very foundations of this movement, and fortifies the student against the insidious attacks of our enemies. The class in Prophetic Interpretation is also basic in our work, as are also the classes in Righteousness by Faith and Systematic Theology. The courses in Near Eastern An­tiquity, based on the findings of archeology, furnish a fine background for the study of the Old Testament. Early American Church History, covering the struggle for religious freedom and dealing with the religious thought and organizations of the early colonial times, will be especially helpful to American preachers; and the course in Religious Conditions in Europe brings to light the mighty forces at work in the Old World and the present trends in religious thinking.

There will be opportunity to begin the study of Hebrew, and to continue the study of New Testament Greek beyond what is offered in our colleges. Then we have two courses in homiletics. The course in History of Preach­ing, including a consideration of the elements of success in the lives of great preachers and some of their outstanding sermons, has been a very stimulating study. Methods of Evan­gelism will present practical instruction re­garding methods that have proved successful in the field. And the seminar in Research Technique should be taken by all students as a foundation for graduate study.

We appreciate the deep interest in the work of the seminary among our English-speaking ministers all round the circle of the earth. Many are longing for their turn to come. The tuition is free to workers, and the semi­nary offers some help on traveling expenses to those who come from great distances. Per­mission to attend and arrangements for leave of absence must of course be made with the conference administration. Catalogues and further information will be furnished on re­quest.