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October i3, 1909. THE PRESBYTERL
Members of the Northern Presbyterian Mission have
agreed to a doctrinal test being added to their constitution,
but in these "test times" several of the Southern
Presbvterian Mission are not wirli thic
solution of the matter.
Dr. P. F. Price was elected a professor, but declined,
then Rev. W. II. Stuart was chosen, but it is
doubted whether one so young will be able to stem
the tide. Some think there is a fight on hand, and
it is wise for us to join the conservatives; others of
us are of the opinion it is wiser to keep our barque
out the path of the tidal*bore.
The Collegia Baccalauria.
Kasliing's poetic name is "Urbs Baccalauria." Our
Institute's Chinese name is the "Collegia Baccalauria."
By the plan of union it was to be reduced to an academy,
but the mission at this meeting has added two
years to its course of study. It is a pity it did not add
?v.m. ;vau, aw <ia iw IMU1J4 it up 10 xne merary stanaard
of the Confession of Faith, as this would cost no
more. The Northern and Southern Presbyterian colleges
could be co-ordinate and patronized by either
mission at will.
P?y dropping the department of English, the college
course would require no more time and when finished
the student would receive a diploma instead of only
a certificate.
As a practical matter of universal application in this
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rtnu, me tuncgc mat rejects tne spienaia curriculum in
the Chinese language is as to the ministry a barren fig
tree. Therefore, I personally decline to vote for both
the financial appropriations and the call for teachers
for institutions that teach English. Students will thus
escape belonging to the class to whom will be offered
the scholarships the philanthropist, J. D. Rockefeller,
may establish in his fifty million dollar university.
"ABIDE WITH ME."
"Abide with me; fast falls the eventide"?
With r-n nllrvtir
? ? ?vu luviiun t>* a\yC
The notes rolled forth where'carven arch and urn
Find sacred place.
The deep-toned organ swelled out full and strong,
Then soft and low;
The summer breezes wafted far awayEach
sweet reflow.
"Abide with me; fast falls the eventide"?
How pleasantly
It now was sung, with every charm of shade
In melody.
A happy band of singers, with no thought
Of what might be
Wrapped in the words that fell from youthful lips
So tunefully.
"Abide with me; fast falls the eventide"?
From one faint heart
The words uprose, and not a song but prayer
In every part.
"Abide with me"--but one could read the tale
Of words so few,
And send the calm, as on the parched ground
The tender dew.
E. C.
Bartonville, V?.
? - ?.
4
\N OF THE SOUTH. 7
WHO WILL TAKE AWAY OUR REPROACH?
Some months ago an article appeared in these columns,
"A Lack of Self-Respcct vs. A Labor of Love."
It recited the agreement between tbc Northern and
Southern Presbyterian Churches to build and maintain
a Theological Seminary at Nanking, China, for the
training of the much-needed native ministers. It told
llow venrs aim rlinrrli ncl-oil f..r ol-v- (lirvm-in/l
J - " .-..-X uiuuoauu
dollars to erect buildings and begin necessary equipment,
requesting that if possible this five thousand
dollars be given by wealthy individuals, so as not to
divert the ordinary funds of the mission treasury, always
pitifully insufficient. The Northern Church
promptly gave its share, through two of its members;
but the years dragged on and no Southern Presbyterian
appeared with our quota. Our professor, Dr.
Davis, has lived in the house built by our brothers
il. ~ D^i. A a- 1--^ r ?
aviusa nit i uiumat. /At iast, ior very sname at our
failure, the China missionaries, took from the scanty
funds (for which a hundred needy places were clamorous)
and paid part of what we had promised.
All this the article told, and appealed to our selfrespect
and honor to give the six thousand dollars
still needed for the main buildings and Mr. Stuart's
house.
Xot long after the article was published the good
news came from the Birmingham Laymen's meeting
that one gentleman had given five thousand dollars for
Xanking Semindry. This the secretaries joyfully
cabled, because an important meeting of directors was
to be held to devise concerning the needed building.
TI?..r ~1 1 1 ta_ ta_~: 1 -kir- o -
.i*ww oiiu jjiuiiu i. j-?avis an? ivir. oiuart were
to tell that our church had at last done its part, and the
Northern brethren joined them in thanksgiving and
in the order for the new building.
But now, alas! after the contract is given and the
work going forward, the news reaches Dr. Davis that
it was "a mistake" about the gift?no five thousand
dollars is forthcoming. The last issue of the China
Bulletin says that it is reported that "the money promised
has been diverted to Korea, and the Seminary is
again left in the lurch financially."
Surely there is enough money for both Korea and
Chiiia 1 Surely it is not necessary to rob Peter to pay
Paul!
iir _ _ i ? ?... -
we nave aounaancc ot rich men and rich women
in the South. But since they and all the church have
been told that we Southern Presbyterians are no longer
behind with our "promise to pay," this statement
is made in the hope that some one will speedily make
up the lack.
No word of complaint has come from Dr. Davis *or
Mr. Stuart. They are "comfortable," though their
families are crowded into one house. Yet they, as
our representatives, must feel mortified by our slowness
to fulfill our obligations as a church. '
Who will take away our reproach?
T. K. M.
The best proof of the truth of the Bible is its openness.
It has nothing to hide- It stands .out in the
clear light. It challenges investigation. The effort
to conceal it in any way is not warranted by its own
demand that all men come and put it to a test. Come
and see!