ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,-
FACULTY RECEPTION AT THE LIBRARY,
NORTON HALL
PROGRAMME
Spiritual Decline in Evangelical Churches and Some of the Causes Theodore Augustus Leger, Nebraska. By the grace of God the effort will succeed; d The seed-times of tears have often been loved With joyous sheaves and bountiful wreaths.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
BIBLICAL INTRODUCTION
This school is assigned several different subjects which are introductory to any appreciative study of the Bible. As they are for the most part elementary and will be useful for the work in other schools, they should usually be taken up by students when they first enter the Semary. One group, usually studied during the first half-session, includes the geography and topography of Bible lands and the daily life of their ancient inhabitants, as shown in history and in the many discoveries of recent explorers.
Another group, which came up during the second half of the session, covers the canon, authenticity and inspiration of Scripture, giving a broad overview of when and by whom the various parts, especially of the New Testament , have been written, how and why collected in one book, how transferred to our time and translated into English, and their full authority as a standard of belief and practice. For reference: McGarvey's Land of the Bible; Smith's Historical Geography of the Holy Land; Reports from the Palestine Exploration Fund; Westcott's History of the Canon; Editions of the Early Fathers, and many other volumes in our library.
OLD TEST AMENT INTERPRETATION
The class begins with portions of history books, along with a minute study of etymology and syntax. This year, in addition to the translation of the first half of the Book of Deuteronomy and the story of Joseph, the course also included an exegesis of significant parts of Isaiah. Students are required to read a hundred pages of the Hebrew Bible in addition to the portions they study with the professor.
Josephus and the leading books of the Old Testament Apocrypha are read as part of the material for this history. The life of Christ is then carefully examined through the harmony of the Gospels. The inner development of history is shown with an emphasis on the main doctrines and practical application of the teachings of the Bible.
Yorks of Josephus, Old Testament Apocrypha, Broadus' Harmony of the Gospels, and his Commentary on l\latthew, Conybeare, and Howson's Life of Paul, and the Professor's Syllabus. The class quickly reviews the forms of the Greek language, reads in the New Testament and Chrysostom, and does careful exegetical work in some of Paul's Epistles. The doctrines of Greek syntax are discussed at length and the peculiarities of the idiom of the New Testament explained.
The class reads freely in the Septuagint, comparing some portions to the Hebrew, and special talks are given on the idiom and text of the Septuagint. It also reads several books of the New Testament, and graduate students must have read the entire New Testament privately, if not in recitation, while studying in the seminary. The textual criticism of the New Testament is studied, with practical application to many interesting passages, and the well-known use of Tischendorf's great critical edition.
Careful exegesis is made of one of the larger letters, using the best critical commentary as a textbook.
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
The idea of the whole course is not to offer the students some results of the professors' exegetical studies, but to send them out prepared to do exegesis themselves. Greek, Warfield's Textual Criticism, Tischendorrs Critical New Testament, eighth larger edition (on loan from the Library), Gregory's Prologomena (also in the Library). analysis of the textbook, and to be able to state briefly or fully the views of the author and his treatment of each subject. They are also expected to take notes of the lectures and explanations given by the professor; and in the daily class exercise and the final exam they are held responsible for a thorough knowledge of the textbook, and also of the lectures.
The purpose of this course is to thoroughly study some of the greatest and most difficult doctrines in Theology, such as the Doctrines of Providence, Sin, The Person of Christ, The Atonement, The Holy Spirit, etc. study, therefore, several of the most important doctrines will acquire the power and the method to continue this kind of work throughout their lives. The plan pursued in this course is, first, to study the doctrine carefully, in connection with two or three of the best textbooks; to then study some major work on each of the chosen doctrines.
Only those with a fair knowledge of Latin can graduate in this course, as some reading in Anselm and Turrettin is required for graduation.
COMPARATIVE RELIGION AND MISSIONS
HOMILETICS AND ELOCUTION
The class must prepare and deliver m for cnt1-cism a number of short exercises in narration, description, argument, and other elements of homiletic composition. Also needed are sermon plans, more complete analyses, and complete sermons that the professor critiques privately and sometimes before the lecture. In the conduct of public worship, care must be taken to inculcate the view that preaching is only a part of the service, and special attention is paid to the correct reading of the Bible and hymns.
Lectures were given on Hymnology in general and on the history of English hymns in particular. For the History of Preaching, there are lectures in addition to the textbook, and in connection with them, the class analyzes and criticizes a number of well-known sermons, making this the occasion for the review of the entire Homiletics course. In Elocution it is intended that, by means of instruction in theory and by individual training and practice in speaking and reading, to secure for each student his most natural and suitable delivery.
Not imitation or some wooden method of rules, but the learning of principles and the acquisition of ease and correctness in speech are the goals pursued. To this end, the theory of diction and vocal training is taught, physical exercises are given, and the practice of the class as a whole and in sections is carefully performed. Short speeches before class are required so that each student is heard and helped by suggestions appropriate to their needs.
Preparation and Delivery of Sermons by Broadus (revised edition), Preaching History and Syllabus of Hymnology; Book of Homiletic Exercises; Russell's vocal culture; Campbell's Hymns and Hymn Makers.
CHURCH HISTORY
ECCLESIOLOGY
PASTORAL DUTIES
Essays on historical, linguistic and doctrinal topics are read by various members of the Seminary. During the current session, the Seminary has made a careful study of the entire book of Psalms. Papers were required from class members on subjects in which they were new.
Once a week, or less frequently, according to the nature of the subject or work under investigation, the class meets for discussion and criticism. HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY.-This course offers a careful study of the history of philosophy, based on the work of U eberweg. Joshua Levering, of Baltimore, President of the Board of Trustees, opened for use in February, 1897.
We are now making a special effort to raise fifty thousand dollars to endow the library in memory of Dr. For the second time, the Sunday School Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention has given away one hundred dollars worth of new books. on missions. One day a month is dedicated to the meetings of the Missionary Research Society of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
The scheme at the end of this catalog shows the organization of examinations for the current session. Graduation in all schools except Hebrew and Greek classes, and classes in the special course of theology, entitles the student to a degree, with the BA in ENGLISH of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the title of TH.G. ., Graduated in Theology. Degrees in either of the special classes are not included in the above schemes, but are separate.
There is no charge for tuition, nor for use of the library or public areas. Norton, of the Broadway Baptist Church, Louisville, who died October 20, 1886, left ten thousand dollars for the same object. The deed of gift stipulated that as much of the proceeds of this gift as the Board of Trustees may determine shall be used for the salary of the president; and the remainder for related purposes.
CALENDAR FOR THE SESSION OF :t90l-l902
It is hoped that many will be inclined to make donations for furthering the purposes of the seminary or for the training of devout young men in connection therewith. I hereby give and bequeath to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, now located in Louisville, Kentucky, the sum of. or, that certain lot and piece of land, etc., etc.), to be used by them for the purpose of said seminary, or for the education of devout young men in connection with said seminary. Since bequests have been made to the Seminary in several instances and directors and executors have not reported them, information regarding such bequests is sincerely requested to all to whom they may become known.
SCHEME OF EXAMINATIONS
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
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