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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.