Nearly two hundred persons, some in foreign lands, are enrolled as students in the Chautauqua School of Theology. Their distribution in the departments shows that ninety-nine have elected to take practical theology, eighty-nine Greek, and twenty-five Hebrew. The other departments have each a smaller number. Many are taking the studies in two or more departments, and one student is already prepared for his examination.
The undertaking is constantly receiving hearty endorsement in educational and literary centers, where recognition has eminent value and influence.
Leading educators and clergymen are becoming better acquainted both with the needs which have called the Chautauqua School of Theology into being, its grand purposes, its undenominationalism, its evangelical catholicity, and with the remarkable feasibility of its methods.
Doubters have already been forced to admit that the curriculum of the Chautauqua School of Theology affords the untrained preacher who by circumstances was crowded past the doors of college and seminary into the pulpit, his best, if not hisonlyprivilege to supply deficiencies.
The qualities of seriousness, earnestness, and conscientious faithfulness, which are inseparable from the true theological student, characterize without exception the students of the Chautauqua School of Theology. It is indeed one special merit of the School that its members come to its curriculum only after ascertaining theirreal wants, their personal adaptation to technical training, or their special needs; or, it may be, their peculiar disqualifications for the work of the ministry. Hence they possess a clearness of aim and a vigor of purpose which are certain to command success. Necessarily, therefore, the atmosphere of the School work is tonic and healthful.
The eminent theologians, associated with the president, Rev. John H. Vincent, S.T.D., as deans of departments, everywhere inspire confidence in the quality of the training furnished. They have entered upon their peculiarly difficult labors with enthusiasm born of confidence in the possibilities of usefulness preëminently afforded them in the Chautauqua School of Theology.
By a recent arrangement Dr. L. T. Townsend, D.D., who from the beginning has borne like a Hercules the school work, places the burdens of the deanship upon the general secretary, retaining the two departments which he conducts with such distinguished success. His absence in Europe will not interfere with the work in his several classes.
The officers, departments, and deans of the School are as follows: President, Rev. John H. Vincent, S.T.D.; Dean and General Secretary, Rev. Alfred A. Wright, A.M.
I. Hebrew: Rev. William R. Harper, Ph.D., Chicago, Ill.
II. Greek: Rev. Alfred A. Wright, A.M., Boston, Mass.
III. Doctrinal Theology: Rev. Alfred A. Wright, A.M.
IV. Practical Theology: Rev. Luther T. Townsend, D.D., Boston, Mass.
V. Christian Science and Philosophy: Rev. Luther T. Townsend, D.D.
VI. Historical Theology: Rev. Philip Schaff, D.D., New York.
VII. Human Nature: Rev. Lyman Abbott, D.D., New York.
VIII. Literature and Art: Rev. W. Cleaver Wilkinson, D.D., Tarrytown, N. Y.
I. The Relations Between Body and Soul: Prof. James S. Jewell, M.D., Chicago, Ill.
II. Elocution: Prof. John W. Churchill, A.M., Andover, Mass.
III. Industrial Economy and Trade: Rev. John H. Vincent, S.T.D.
IV. Jurisprudence: Judge Edmund H. Bennett, LL.D., Boston, Mass.
For the school curriculum, or for special information, address Rev. John H. Vincent, S.T.D., drawer 75, New Haven, Conn., or Rev. Alfred A. Wright, Boston, Mass.
After June 1, 1883, all moneys from any source due the Chautauqua School of Theology for books, tuition, or on postage account, are to be paid to the general secretary.