An Imperative Investment

Most people form an estimate of values on the basis of whether or not an item will pay. If a man is asked for a gift of time or money, which is part of his life, it is only proper to study the question from the view­point of profit and loss. If the plan outlined is the very best way to use that portion of life, then the investment is profitable. If there is a better, a more profitable way, then that is the one he should choose.

The General Conference in open session and in three consecutive Autumn Councils has recommended that the denomination establish a Theological Seminary where our younger ministers may be offered opportunity for advanced study in Biblical languages, Biblical interpretation, Biblical archeology, homiletics, evangelism, and related topics. This is not a new departure, or a breaking with the past, but an expansion of our denominational educational policy, which has ever been one of growth. Every year our schools have advanced in bettering their curricula. Increased requirements have been demanded of the stu­dent body, more thorough work has been required, and abler and better-trained faculties have been supplied—all to benefit the student. Today most of our recruits to the ministry are drawn from the graduates of our colleges.

This is a great advance over what once was possible among us. But in order to carry out the instruction that has come to us demanding a better-trained ministry, and in order to furnish advanced training to those who teach the young people in our academies and colleges, it has seemed to our leaders that the denomination should provide a seminary where strong young men who are called to the ministry may continue their study along special lines, so that they can meet not only the masses, but the educated, as able interpreters of the word of God.

In earlier days men could practice medicine after one year of study. They could be dentists by working with another dentist for a few months. They could start a law practice of their own by studying with some good law firm for a year or two. At that time the min­istry was often filled with men of limited edu­cation.

Now all is different. A doctor today must have two years of college education; then he must spend four years on his medical educa­tion, and, before he is considered qualified to practice medicine on his own responsibility, he is required to put in an intern year. A lawyer must complete fourteen grades, and then take a three to four year course in law. He is not permitted to practice law then until he has passed the bar examination. A minister of the popular denominations must secure a liberal education, and then take a three or four year course in some seminary before he is counted as qualified to preach.

All this is merely keeping step with the times in which we live. Ministers who speak in the name of the Lord should really be educated above all other professional men. The minis­ter is usually a man of extended influence. He changes lives. He not only teaches people how to live on this earth, but he also seeks to pre­pare them for the life to come. Of all the work done by men for their fellows, nothing is so vitally important as the work of the minister. He must be trained for his work, since he is to be a teacher and a persuader of men. He fails in his work if men are not made better by his teaching.

Salvation the Highest of All Sciences

In order to teach acceptably, one must study and gain knowledge. This is especially true in spiritual things. How can one know how to teach the Bible and its doctrines without special training? No science deserves so close a study as the science of salvation, which is the highest of all sciences.

In order that our ministry may become more able in its work, the General Conference has started a seminary. During the five years it has been in operation, the seminary has been conducted in buildings not its own. At present the library facilities, for reading and research, are entirely inadequate for the demands upon them. A seminary needs library facilities of the highest order in the various branches taught. It is earnestly hoped that a suitable building may be provided for our seminary during the coming summer. Part of the funds are already in hand, but not enough to com­plete the building and furnish the classrooms. Therefore it is planned to take up a special offering on May 13 for the finishing and fur­nishing of the seminary building. Many im­portant books ought to be added to the library, and shelves, tables, and chairs for the reading room must be supplied.

The unity of our world-wide work will be strengthened through the operation of this seminary. Missionaries sent to distant fields often spend some time there before sailing, or during their furlough period. This makes for unity of doctrine, and helps those who attend to preach the same truths. The May offering should be a liberal one, so that a second offer­ing will not be necessary. We are confident that our people will support this school as they have supported every good work in former days. Soon our seminary will be of such help that we will wonder how we ever carried on without it.