FROM THE WORLD TO THE PULPIT. “Our humanity were a poor thing, but for the Divinity that stirs LONDON: WILLIAM FREEMAN, 102, FLEET STREET, E.C. 1863. 250. S. 157. PREFACE. THE following pages are the result of an after-thought. I entertained no idea of writing such a work whilst a student, so that I had no notes nor memoranda to which I could refer to aid me in delineating the incidents touched upon. The subject is one which might well engage the attention, and exercise the abilities of those, who are far better able to do it justice than I can pretend to be. Congregationalism possesses forces which, if used to the best advantage, would prove a moral power in the world productive of the happiest results. To have our eyes open to the defects of any system does not necessarily imply that we have lost confidence in its ultimate success. So far as the Truth is on its side our Denomination will succeed, and no further, whatever be the wealth of intellect or money at its disposal, and whatever be the honesty of purpose which stimulates its warm admirers. To say a system has faults is only another way of saying it is human; the choice we make in attaching ourselves to any body of Christians should follow an attempt, on our part, to which we wirantages and disadvantages connected with the several religious denominations. The success of no portion of the universal church should be judged of by its aparent reaults merely, but from the actual good accomplished. This test is in the hands of no mere human being, but is only known to the "Searcher of hearts," in whose power is the issue of events. Some evils are patent, others more remote and hidden. The former any ordinary mind may, without presumption, dwell upon; the latter can only be discerned and rectified by the master spirits of an age. I have attempted to set forth some of the excellencies and defects which are characteristic of our present collegiate training and settlement in the ministry. How far I have succeeded in my self-imposed task is not for me to decide. I shall be only too happy if anything I have said should lead other and abler men to grapple with the difficulties of the subject. That something is wrong is all but universally acknowledged, and the faults will not be explained or corrected by one man, be he ever so discerning. Great and small may unite to put matters on a better footing; let that be the apology for the appearance of this volume, with all its defects. This is all the apology I feel it necessary to make, and it is all that "honest men and true" will demand of me. I would not have it understood that the "Derri College" is deficient more than others. So far is such from being the case, that I believe it is excelled by none, if equalled by any, in the ministerial education which it affords, and the peculiar advantages which it presents to those who wish honestly and thoroughly to prepare themselves for the all-important work of the Christian ministry. If the next few years witness as great improvements as have taken place since the present reign began, my Alma Mater will be swiftlty ending to the goal of perfection: the perfection I mean, which is attainable oy any human institution. The management of our colleges is, to a great extent, in the hands of our churches-a fact the churches would do well to remember-and neither committees nor professors have it in their power, to place theological seminaries in a position far in advance of the sentiments and intelligence of the denomination. Many of the improvements made by those who have the welfare of the students at heart, are effected rather in spite of opposition than by means of help from those without. With respect to the preaching of the students whilst at college, and their settlement in the ministry, much might be said, and, I think, much has yet to be done. On the whole we may set it down as a rule, that men, sooner or later, attain that position which their qualifications entitle them to hold; but this rule has many |