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20 TH1
Contributed
OUR BRIGHTSIDE LETTER.
Small Books and Large.
He is a fortunate man who lias large
books anil can read them. They are
great store rco.ns of learning and masterly
thought in wliicn gretu and strong
men have deposited the wealthy traits
of a lift- ct research and study, t ney
have fed the minds of scholars ana
lu.nkers, ami inspired lives 10 action tor
their fellows, and to the produclU. n of
many otner books. As we look upon the
shelves there are Owen, Bacon, Edwards,
Calvin and Baxter. '1 hey are for an upper
class an 1 are for generations. And of
our own authors there are Thornwell,
Hodge, Dabney, Peck, Babcook and
Vaeghnn. They are large and for the
few. They cost moifey and time. They
ask for leisure and zeal and sustained
thought and reflection. They bide their
time patiently and will not wear out and
be wholly forgotten for many years ro
come.
But in our time we have a large generation
of small books. They suit the
needs of the times They cost small
money, and can be frequently bought
with the change of the pocket, and generously
loaned ami given away. They are
concise and direct. Tuey can be read by
busy men and women and catch the attention
and go to the point. They are
the best thought on one subject by men
of wide-awake mind and experience in
action and in dealing with men. They
nave a large circulation, wide-spread influence.
'the large book for the library
shelves of the scholars, and the small
book for the pocket and traveling bag.
The large book for the very few, and the
small book for the multitude. The large
book for the minister in his study, and
the small book for his congregation, and
every home. Hail the day of the small
book!
Dr. James Stalker was wise indeed.
He might have spent years 011 a great
book on St. Paul, but he chose rather to
make a book for the people, and set ttye
mode for many to follow. Dr. Egbert
Smith, of our own Church, might well
have written a theological book for the
shelf, but he wisely cnose to make "The
Creed of Presbyterians" for a vast read
ing from Virginia to the Rio Grande. Dr.
Howard Agnew Johnston has made his
ministry continental by his small books
?"Bible Criticism for the Average Man"
and "Scientific Faith." Ur. J. B. Shearer,
of Davidson, is doing a notably valuable
service, gathering in ms retirement the
fruits of the study of a long and usetm
life in his small books, "Studies in the
Life of Christ" end others, with the
latest perhaps ihe most valuable. "The
Scriptures, Fundamental Facts and Features."
The critics "have not rattled his
window panes," to use Dr. Cuyler's opinion
of Union Seminary. He stands by
ue Bible from our fathers, and it will
do you good to read it. And here is
Dr. Thomas Cary Johnston's small book
on "Christian Missions" that will fur
nish minister and laymen a true scriptural
foundation for their zeal for missions,
and teach them bright and safe
methods too.
A favorite small book with' us is Mr.
E PRESBYTERIAN OF THE SOU!
*
Carnegie Simpson's, "The Fact of Christ."
You can preach it and teach it and give
it to the young man near you, lawyer,
physician, business man, for .a bright
reading and tnen rejoice in the fruits
that will follow.
A friend has brought to our table a
rnmf email K ? 1 >v. i?i nn.1 Drnt'/M*
by E. AI. Bounds, Washington, Ua., published
at .\ashville, by the Ai. ti. Church
South, Publishing House. It is worth its
weight in precious stones to the Christian
minister. It will send liim into his
closet to nnd grace and power, and then
into his pulpit with a new unction and
a new* joy in his message.
Aluch there is in small books that is
light and empty, ephemeral indeed, but
some are weighty with truth and are
vital and quickening wherever they
touch.
J. P. S.
"PREDESTINATION, NOT FATALISM."
Air. Editor: In issue of Alay 5, 1 see
an article headed "Predestination, not
Fatalism," by Rev. Julian S. Sibley,
of Pensacola, Fla. So deeply impressed
with the soundness of the doctrine of
Presbyterianism therein enunciated and
elucidated, was I, that I wish, as an humble
elder or laymen in the Church, to present
my entire approval of k. Surely there
are many members in our beloved Presbyterian
Church who need such enlight
mem mm liisirucuun, us uie auove contribution
so concisely, plainly and beautifully
exemplifies. Of course, 1 must
admit that such members are poor students
of God's Holy Word. A part of
them may be rightfully classed among
the so-called "bales in Christ." f do not
wish to appear harsh in my criticism of
other brethren of some of the churcnes
. here, but think it a duty to my own
church and its tenets to warn our
members against listening to certain
evangelists in their revival meetings,
when they go so far as to trespass upon
our inherent rights, in purposely misstating
that Presbyterianism means fatalism,
according to our "Confession of
Faith." Therefore. I taae pleasure in
commending Rev. Julian S. Sibley's contrl
button to the prayerful consideration of
the many thousand subscribers and read
ers of your ably edited religious journal.
McKinney, Tex. An Elder.
INFLUENCE OF EDUCATED MEN.
Speaking of his Southern tour. President
Bliot said that he had had a most interesting
and enjoyable trip, and that
ho intended to devote some time up on
his return to Cambridge to the preparation
of a detailed report of the trip from
an educational point of view. He is more
than ever convinced, he declared, that
the great moral uplift in business and
public affairs must come from the educated
men.
"There Is an intense interest all over
the country at the present time In those
two great problems," said Dr. Eliot: "first
in making righteous our industrial activities,
and secondly, in making righteous
our municipal governments. University
men will have very great influence in
these matters during the next ten years."
In Holland the new princess is to be
named Julianna Louise Emma Marie
Wilheimina, Reports are all favorable
to the maintenance of the royal line.
?H. May 26, 1909.
I
Educational
! j
THE AUSTIN THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY.
At the meeting of the Seminary Board
hold last week, in Austin, Tex., the meet
important action was the election, by a
hearty and unanimous vote, of Rev. Robert
Ernest Vinson, j). D., to the presidency
of the institution.
in order to revive this office the constitution
was changed, subject to tne
consent of the controlling Synods. It
was found that the present and pressing
needs of this young and growing institution
demanded the change; and all
eyes turned promptly to Dr. Vinson as
the man of all men to meet the requirements
of the most important and responsible
position, lie is probably the
youngest man in the nation who has*
been elected to the presidency of a theological
seminary.
He was born in South Carolina Nov. 4,
187ti. His parents, Mr. Jchn Vinson and
Mrs. Mary Brice Vinson, brought him to
Sherman, Texas, in 1S86, where ii<5, in
iS9G, received the degree cf Bachelor of
Arts from Austin College. He then attended
Union Theological Seminary in
Virginia for three years, receiving the
degree of B. D. in 1899, taking first rank
in all his classes. He was pastor of the
First church of Charleston. W. Va.. for
three years. In 1902 he accepted a call
to the chair of Old Testament Languages
and Exegesis in the Austin Seminary,
where he has continuously given completest
satisfaction to all. In lt>06 he
was transrerred to the chair of English
Bible and Practical Theology, which he
will continue to fill In connection with the
work of his new position. At one time a
few years rgo, it being found that an additional
professor was indispensable, he
generously and voluntarily relinquished
his own endowed chair and took a professorship
without endowment, undertaking
to raise nis own salary and endow
his new chair, which he did most promptly
and effectually. In la05 the degree
of Doctor of DivTnity was conferred upon
him by his Alma Mater, Austin College.
He has received most flattering calls to
S number of our largest churches and recently
was twice called to the position of
Secretary of Schools and Colleges by our
General Assembly. The Board of Trustees
Is to be congratulated on having a
man of such rich endowments, sterling:
character and widespread popularity at
the head of their work.
Action was taken by the board looking
to the immediate inclusion of the Synod
of Oklahoma among the Synods In control
of the Seminary.
The year .iust closed has been the most
prosperous in the history of the institution.
There have been seventeen stu
uenis in auenaance on rne classes of
the seminary, fifteen of whom have been
regular students, and fourteeni of whom
are college graduates with the degree or
Bachelor of Arts. There were three
graduates at commencement who also
received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity.
The baccalaureate sermon was
delivered by the Rev. Dr. T. S. Clyce of
Austin College, and the missionary address
by the Rev. Dr. R. M. Hall of
Galveston. Theee were both of a high
order and most suitable to the occasion.