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The Princeton Seminary
Bulletin
Vol. XLII SUMMER 1948 Number 1 Board of Trustees OFFICERS
PETER K. EMMONS, D.D., President RICHARD J. DEARBORN, Esq., Vice-President BENJAMIN F. FARBER, D.D., Secretary GEORGE W. LOOS, JR., Treasurer CENTRAL HANOVER BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, New York, N.Y., Assistant Treasurer MEMBERS
Term to Expire May, 1949:
ALBERT J. McCARTNEY, D.D Chicago, III. JOHN H. GROSS, D.D., LL.D Philadelphia, Pa. FRANK SERGEANT NILES, D.D Princeton, N.J. RAYMOND C. WALKER, D.D Harrisburg, Pa. HAROLD E. NICELY, D.D Rochester, N.Y. HUGH IVAN EVANS, D.D Dayton, Ohio JOHN J. NEWBERRY, Esq New York, N.Y. JOHN G. BUCHANAN, Esq Pittsburgh, Pa. WILBUR LA ROE, JR., Esq Washington, D.C. JASPER ELLIOT CRANE, Esq Wilmington, Del. WOODBURY S. OBER, Esq Orange, Va.
Term to Expire May, 1950: MINOT C. MORGAN, D.D Greenwich, Conn. STUART NYE HUTCHISON, D.D., LL.D Pittsburgh, Pa. WILLIAM B. PUGH, D.D., LL.D., Litt.D Philadelphia, Pa. WALTER L. WHALLON, D.D Newark, N.J. RALPH COOPER HUTCHISON, Pii.D., D.D Easton, Pa. ROBERT GARRETT, Esq Baltimore, Md. WEIR C. KETLER, LL.D Grove City, Pa. HENRY E. HIRD, Esq Ridgewood, N.J. RICHARD J. DEARBORN, Esq Bernardsville, N.J. FRANK B. BELL, Esq. Pittsburgh, Pa. FREDERICK W. EVANS, D.D Troy, N.Y.
Term to Expire May, 1951: JOHN B. LAIRD, D.D Philadelphia, Pa. PETER K. EMMONS, D.D Scranton, Pa. WILLIAM HALLOCK JOHNSON, Ph.D., D.D. .. Princeton, N.J. BENJAMIN F. FARBER, D.D New York, N.Y. KENNETH H. LANNING, Esq Trenton, N.J. JUDGE ADRIAN LYON Perth Amboy, N.J. RAY VANCE, Esq Maplewood, N.J. MAJOR HENRY D. MOORE SHERRERD Haddonfield, N.J. W. SHERMAN SKINNER, D.D Pittsburgh, Pa. REV. C. RALSTON SMITH Oklahoma City, Okla. THOMAS M. McMILLAN, M.D Philadelphia, Pa.
Published Quarterly by the Trustees of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church. Entered as second class matter May 1, 1907, at the post office at Princeton, N.J.. under the Act of Congress of July 16, 1894.
ROBERT E. SPEER, D.D., LL.D., 1867-1947 I : fir i . OCT 14 1 The Princeton Seminary Bull
Vol. XLII PRINCETON, N.J., SUMMER 1948
The 136TH Annual Commencement Edward H. Roberts 3
Robert E. Speer
The Man : John G. Buchanan 5 The Interpreter of Christ Charles R. Erdman 8
The Missionary Statesman John A. Mackay 10
Memorial Minute The Board of Trustees 13
Memorial Minute The Faculty 15
The Task of God’s Liegeman Francis B. Sayre 18
The Endless Journey Starts John A. Mackay 2 5
Outlines of a Christian Positivism Emile Cailliet 28
The Charge to Dr. Emile Cailliet • Harold E. Nicely 37
Degrees, Fellowships and Prizes 40
Promotion and Public Relations James K. Quay 44
Princetoniana Lefferts A. Loetscher 45
Alumni Notes Edna Hatfield 5 i BOOK REVIEWS
Great Shorter Works of Pascal, translated by Emile Cailliet and John C. Blankenagel Morris Bishop 54
Studies in Biblical Law, by David Daube Henry S. Gehman 54 The Study of the Bible Today and Tomorrow, by Harold R. Willoughby John W. W cvers 56
The Religious Pilgrimage of Israel, by I. G. Matthews 57
John Calvin, Commentaries on the Epistle to the Romans, translated and edited by John Owen Otto A. Piper 57
Ephesians-Colossians, by Bede Frost Bruce M. Metzger 58 The Practical Use of the Greek New Testament, by Kenneth S. Wuest 59
Alternative to Futility, by D. Elton Trueblood Norman Victor Hope 59 Psychology for Pastor and People, by John Sutherland Bonnell 60
English Dissent under the Early Hanoverians, by Duncan Coomer 61
The American Churches : An Interpretation, by William Warren Sweet Lefferts A. Loetscher 61
A Short History of the Far East, by Kenneth Scott Latourette Edward J. Jurji 62
The Heathens : Primitive Man and His Religions, by William Howells 63
This Atomic Age and the Word of God, by Wilbur M. Smith Emile Cailliet 63
A Book of Worship for Free Churches, General Council of Congregational-Christian Churches Andrew W. Blackwood 64
Finding God through Christ, by Charles Edward Forlines Donald Macleod 65
COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATIONS
Hugh T. Kerr, Jr., Chairman Kenneth S. Gapp Paul L. Lehmann Bruce M. Metzger Edna Hatfield Lefferts A. Loetscher James K. Quay
Edward J. Jurji John A. Mackay Edward H. Roberts
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
Edward H. Roberts, Editor Edward J. Jurji, Book Review Editor THE ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY- SIXTH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT
ommen cement activities began on Sunday afternoon, June the sixth, with the Baccalaureate Service. President Mackay preached the sermon, on the theme “Life Belongs to God,” taking as his text Isaiah 43:1. The stirring message was followed by the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. It was not until Monday that the alumni invaded the campus in great numbers. The attendance, however, was not quite as large as in recent years.
There were several reasons for this. Some alumni found it difficult to adjust themselves to the new Commencement date, the first week of June rather than the third week in May. Many had just attended the General Assembly
in Seattle, and were hurrying home, while still others were in attendance at the college commencement of a son or of a daughter. After the club and class reunion luncheons in which the class of 1898 figured most prominently with its fiftieth anniversary, the alumni gathered in Miller Chapel to do honor to the memory of one of the most distinguished sons of Princeton Seminary, the late Robert E. Speer. The Reverend Peter K. Emmons, President of the Board of Trustees, presided; the Reverend Frank S. Niles, a member of the Board, offered the prayer, and the Reverend Alexander Mackie, President of the Alumni Association, read the first eighteen verses of the second chapter of the Epistle of the Philippians. At the request of Mrs. Speer, who was present at the Service, the following hymns were sung: “The Sands of Time Are Sinking,” “He Who Would Valiant Be,” and “Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand.” Mr. John G. Buchanan of Pittsburgh, a member of the Board of Trustees, spoke on “Robert E. Speer : the Man.” The Reverend Charles R. Erdman, Professor-Emeritus of Practical Theology, told of Dr. Speer, “The In- terpreter of Christ,” and President Mackay described for us “The Missionary Statesman.” The three addresses are published in this issue of the Bulletin, together with the Memorial Minutes passed by the Board of Trustees and by the Faculty of the Seminary. At four-thirty the alumni made their way to “Springdale” for the Presi- dent’s Reception. This is always the most enjoyable occasion of the year, when all may greet Dr. and Mrs. Mackay, and meet old and new friends on the lawn. The weatherman was gracious, as he usually is at this event, and nature was in her Princetonian glory. Two hundred and seventy-five sat down to dinner in the Whiteley Gym- nasium. Alexander Mackie presided, Dr. Charles R. Erdman gave the treasurer’s report and led in the singing of the traditional Seminary songs,
and Dr. Mackay presented the new members of the Faculty, namely : Emile Cailliet, Philosophy of Religion; George W. Fluharty, Speech; Paul Leh- 4 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN mann, Applied Christianity; Donald MacLeod, Homiletics, and Bela Vasady, Theology. Unfortunately, the new Vice-President, James K. Quay, was not able to be present because of pressing engagements previously made. Dr. Mackay then introduced Mr. Charles G. Reigner, President of the H. M. Rowe Publishing Company of Baltimore, who has made a most generous gift toward the furnishing and enlarging of the book holdings of the Reading Room of the School of Christian Education. Mr. Reigner responded to Dr. Mackay’s words of appreciation in a way that showed his deep concern for education and religion. The following names were placed in nomination by the Executive Com- mittee and the candidates were unanimously elected: President, John A. Visser ’29, Detroit, Michigan; Vice-President, Eugene C. Blake, ’32, Pasa- dena, California; Secretary, C. Ralston Smith, ’37, Oklahoma City, Okla- homa; Treasurer, Charles R. Erdman, ’91, Princeton, New Jersey. Arthur M. Adams, ’37, Albany, New York, and James W. Lowrie, ’27, Buffalo, New York, were elected to membership on the Alumni Council for a three year period. The new president of the Board of Trustees, the Reverend Peter K. Emmons, spoke with deep feeling as to his sense of inadequacy and humility in assuming the mantle of leadership from the shoulders of the late Dr.
Robert E. Speer. Dr. Mackay gave evidences that God is weaving a web of destiny around Princeton Seminary, not only in the life of the denomination and nation, but for the Kingdom of God around the world. President Theodore Distler, of Franklin and Marshall College, the speaker of the evening, spoke with consummate humor leading up to his theme, “The Three R’s,” stressing reason, responsibility and religion. The alumni were deeply moved by the earnestness and sincerity of Dr. Distler’s remarks. The Commencement address on Tuesday morning was delivered by the Honorable Francis B. Sayre, former Assistant Secretary of State, and now President of the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations, and a United States delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. His address appears in this issue of the Bulletin, together with the Words of Farewell to the New Graduates by Dr. Mackay, and the names of those upon whom degrees were conferred and awards bestowed. One hundred and five degrees were conferred by President Mackay, five Masters of Religious Education, forty-nine Bachelors of Divinity, forty-three Masters of Theology, and eight Doctors of Theology. The glorious music which has been provided annually by the Westminster Choir College for the past fifteen years was greatly missed, but the Seminary Choir composed of present students and alumni, under the leadership of Dr. David Hugh Jones, rendered beautiful selections not only at the Commencement but also at the Alumni Banquet. E.H.R. ROBERT E. SPEER: THE MAN
John G. Buchanan
OD created man in his own At an assembly of all the students it vJTimage, in the image of God was the young Robert Speer, though created he him.” The best visible proof there were men in the society who were of this statement that has come to many his seniors by two years, who presented of us was the man Robert E. Speer. the cause of democracy and so com- He was born eighty years ago last pletely routed the debater for the old September, in the little town of Hunt- societies that their influence was gone ingdon, named for the great Countess forever. Selina, the protectress of Methodism, In Princeton University, then The in the valley of “the beautiful blue College of New Jersey, his leadership Juniata,” through which westward the was marked from the start. In the first course of the empire took its way. His semester he won the second place in
father was the most eminent lawyer scholarship ; in each of the other seven in the district. When he appeared in semesters of his course he led his class. court the room was filled with spec- When he graduated in 1889 with the tators, and not infrequently Robert highest honors he delivered the vale- was among them. The boy’s ambition dictory. He excelled all other speakers was to become a Justice of the United in the class, winning in all contests States Supreme Court. With what the first prizes for debate and for distinction he would have graced that orations. He was the editor-in-chief bench those of us acquainted with his of the Princetonian and a contributor industry, his learning, his logical mind, to the Nassau Literary Magazine. He his eloquence, his lucid style, well played on the varsity football team in know. But God had in store for him his upperclass years and even, in those an even greater work than that of a days before strict eligibility rules, when Justice of the Supreme Court. he was a student in this Seminary. On During his childhood he acquired a the examination in metaphysics his great love of nature and a proficiency paper was so outstanding that ex- in hunting and fishing, which in the President James McCosh gave him a case of the latter art remained his till grade of 103 per cent, sent for him
the end. and said : “Mr. Speer, I’ll make you a At the age of fifteen he entered professor in my college.” Phillips Academy at Andover and at At the first weekly students’ prayer once became a leader in all school meeting in his freshman year, when activities. Two secret societies, un- all who were church members were recognized by the faculty, had plotted asked to rise, Speer alone kept his seat. successfully to obtain all the principal In connection with a revival in that year school offices. A new society was he professed his faith in Christ and formed on a democratic basis, which joined the church. In his sophomore contained the ablest students of the year, at the instance of John Forman school. Robert became a member of it. and Robert Wilder, he volunteered 6 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN for service in the foreign field. While those of all their predecessors since the still a college student he became one of days of the Apostles. the leading speakers for what was later My own first contact with Mr. Speer known as the Student Volunteer Move- was when I was a freshman in Prince- ment. He was also the President of ton University, forty-three years ago. the Philadelphian Society, the college There were great preachers in the Y.M.C.A. faculty of those days. Two of them had After his graduation from college been Moderators of the General As- he worked for a year, largely in the sembly—ex-President Francis Landey interest of missions, and then entered Patton, described by his distinguished this Seminary. Had he completed his pupil, Dr. William L. McEwan, as course, what a great theologian the “the primate among the preachers of church would have had in this man of America,” and Henry van Dyke, poet the finest scholarship in his generation and preacher, whose sermons, like his and such great distinction as a student other writings, were literary master- of philosophy! Striking recognition of pieces. But it was not in Marquand his ability came to him in his second Chapel, but in Murray-Dodge Hall, year here. When only twenty-four where the Philadelphian Society had years of age he was called to be a its mid-week religious meetings, that secretary of the Board of Foreign Mis- the young men spoke who pricked their sions. It was a hard choice to make, to hearers in their hearts; and foremost leave the academic scene before comple- among these preachers to youth was tion of the studies in which he so ex- Robert E. Speer. Every year he came, every celled. But Speer at twenty-four, like and year he delivered an ad- dress which his Milton on arriving at the age of made auditors better Christians. twenty-three, desired to use his all as So I formed the habit of going to ever in his great Taskmaster’s eye; and hear Dr. Speer whenever he spoke in he accepted the appointment. my city or another where I happened to It will be the part of Dr. Mackay to be, at morning and evening church tell you of Speer’s life work as a mis- services, at Sunday Schools, at lectures, sion secretary, to be concluded only at banquets, at mass meetings. And al- at the end of forty-six years of service, ways, no matter who else spoke, Speer not by reason of weakness or unwilling- spoke best of all. The finest sermon I ness to continue at his post, but because heard in the year when he died was his of the arbitrary rule of the General As- sermon at the installation of the pastor sembly, which ends the labors of its of my church. The greatest missionary matter valuable, when servants, no how leader, he was also the greatest three score the days of their years are preacher of America. years and ten. I have no fear of contra- For a number of years before the diction when I say that in the great termination of his service as a secre- century of Christian missions Robert tary of the Foreign Board I served as E. Speer for forty-six years made the a member of that Board. I sat and par- greatest contribution among all the ticipated in its deliberations often when great contributions of the galaxy of the matter seemed too hard for us; and missionaries, whose labors surpassed at length Speer would speak and the ;
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 7
answer to the question would seem others with justifiable pride wore the clear. As a ready extempore debater I academic robes befitting their earned or
have not seen his equal ; and yet I honorary degrees, dressed merely in have heard not merely the arguments the cap and gown of a student. I have of counsel in the courtroom but many often thought, as I looked on him at arguments of leaders in the halls of our Commencement exercises, of the Congress. If I am capable of judging inscription above the dais in the great his qualifications in nothing else, I hall of the Graduate College yonder: think that I am on safe ground at least "Nee vocemini magistri: quia Magister in saying that there has been no one vester unns est, Christus.” in He was not only selfless the Gospel ministry of our time who ; he was would have made so great a lawyer as Christlike. He went about doing good. he would have made. He followed his Master’s steps. Guile He was an omnivorous reader, the was not found in his mouth. “When he owner of a library of fourteen thousand was reviled, he reviled not again when ; volumes. He left scarcely any style of he suffered, he threatened not but ; writing unread, and his sermons, as committed himself to him that judgeth well as his books, reflect the great righteously.” In the East Liberty Pres- thoughts of historians, philosophers, byterian Church of Pittsburgh, com- theologians, and poets. Yet he “wore pleted in 1935, are hundreds of figures all that weight of learning lightly like in stained glass of heroes and heroines a flower.” of the faith, from righteous Abel to He opened his mouth with wisdom the founders and leaders of the church and in his tongue was the law of kind- in America. Only one living man was ness. I never heard him say an unkind included in their number and now that ; word to anyone. Perhaps that goes he is gone, will any doubt that our without saying; but what of this: I pastor was right in selecting for that never heard him say an unkind word unique position Robert E. Speer? of anyone. Time would fail me to tell of the He was a man of great wit and joys experienced by those who had humor. There are none who had the the personal friendship of this man. pleasure of sitting at annual dinners Among my precious memories will al- of the Board of Foreign Missions or of ways be the recollection of visits made Princeton Seminary at which he pre- by him at my house. His presence in sided, but will place him in the front one’s home, as many have said to me, rank of light occasional speakers. His was a benediction. Like Moses when he talk was full of came down from the mount, he wist not that his face shone. “Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles, His family life was an example to all Nods, and becks, and wreathed smiles, the household of the faith. No one could have been happier in his marriage and Sport that wrinkled care derides, in his children. As he left Princeton to And laughter holding both his sides.” serve the Board of Foreign Missions, He was a selfless man. Honors came so his wife left Bryn Mawr before to him, never were sought by him. How graduation to be a helpmeet for him. often have we seen him here, when The Huntingdon and Princeton friends 8 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN of Robert Speer thought that no all our deliberations and activities he woman could be good enough for him. exhibited restraint yet he could in- ; The Harrisburg and Bryn Mawr struct us and teach us in the way which friends of Emma Bailey thought that we should go : he could guide us with no man could be good enough for her. his eye. Both were wrong, as fifty-four years of At the meeting of the Board of their life together proved. We of the Trustees in October he was with us for Seminary Board thank God that when the last time. One month before he our leader has been taken from us, his had attained the age of four score dear wife remains in our unofficial years, apparently with his natural family, constant of “the tie a reminder force unabated. But he had left a sick- that binds our hearts in Christian love.” bed to perform his duty, and though he And what shall I say, in closing, of presided at a long meeting of the Ad- Dr. Speer’s relation to us who shared ministrative Committee the evening be- with him in the oversight of this Semi- fore the Board meeting, he was unable, nary? Was it not providential, when on account of bronchitis, to conduct the the Boards of the Seminary were rent meeting of the Board. His private con- asunder by schisms, that this ecumenical versation, at the luncheon at Spring- man, who had served as President of dale, was cheerful and animated, but the Federal Council of the Churches of during the meeting for the first time he Christ in America, who alone in our sat silent. Like his great prototype, the time had been elected Moderator of Apostle to the Gentiles, he was our church by acclamation, should be now to offered, the time of his called on to use his prestige and his ready be and ability to heal the schisms and lead the departure was at hand. He had fought fight, finished his course, Seminary to greater service than it a good he had had ever before performed? What a he had kept the faith: henceforth there privilege to serve as Trustees under is laid up for him a crown of righteous- the presidency of the greatest Presby- ness, which the Lord, the righteous terian, yes the greatest Christian, of our judge, shall give him at that day: and day ! What harmony of the members not to him only, but unto all them also of this Board with him at its head ! In that love his appearing.
THE INTERPRETER OF CHRIST
Charles R. Erdman
R. SPEER’S interpretation of fested also in the Christian statesman- D Christ was expressed by the way ship of which President Mackay is in which he valiantly and with con- about to speak from his own personal stancy followed the Master. It was em- knowledge and his participation in bodied in the life and character which world-wide vision and endeavor. Mr. Buchanan has portrayed with such It was also expressed in that con- sympathy and insight. It was mani- tinuous series of arresting and compel- THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 9 ling public addresses delivered during “the greatest book in the world.” Prob- half a century in schools and colleges ably when Christianity has been given
and churches and assemblies and con- its final interpretation it will be in the ventions at home and abroad. One of terms supplied by the “Beloved Disci- the earliest of these messages was en- ple.” titled: “Remember Jesus Christ,” the However, there was another source phrase taken from the second letter of upon which Dr. Speer relied. It was Paul to Timothy. It seemed that when- that of personal experience. He knew ever Dr. Speer rose to speak he had this Christ because of a long and daily injunction in mind. companionship. His interpretation was
His interpretation of Christ ex- not theoretical it was experimental. was ; pressed further in unnumbered pub- It is significant that one of his last lished articles and in more than thirty volumes should be entitled “The Mean- printed volumes. These are on various ing of Christ to Me.” and diverse themes, but they all reveal However, he found the Master re- the unfailing desire to discover the vealed further in the lives of other mind of Christ. Even when writing on believers. One of his greatest services problems of personal concern he en- to the Church is found in the biog- titled his volume “Jesus and Our raphies which he composed. These in- Human Problems.” His writings were cluded names well known in Christian all expressions of the mind of the circles, but also names which otherwise Master. might not have been remembered. All His interpretation of Christ was may be familiar with such characters manifested still further in his continual as Dr. Cochran of Persia, Dr. Ewing of endeavor to promote the fellowship India, Dr. Lewis of China, but pos- among the various groups of Christians. sibly some of us would not have known This was particularly evident during the consecrated life of George Bowen his service as President of the Federal of Bombay, or of Horace Pitkin or Council of the Churches of Christ in Louise Andrews or Hugh Beaver or America. He always insisted that we many others which might be listed, had should not regard it necessary to strive it not been for the patient work and for church union, but should rather affectionate memoirs prepared by Dr. seek to manifest the spiritual union al- Speer. ready existing. He regarded the Church He interpreted Christ from his as the one united body of Christ and he knowledge of the Christian Church. In urged upon the Church to so express its growth, its activities and its achieve- this existing unity that it might thereby ments, he continually traced the hand give testimony to the world as to the of the Spirit of our living Lord. divine mission of our Lord. Who then is the Christ as inter- To what sources did Dr. Speer turn preted by this exponent of his char- in his endeavor to interpret Christ? acter? The answer is beyond all ques- Obviously to the Scriptures of the Old tion or doubt. He is the Christ of the and New Testaments, but particularly Gospels and Epistles ; the Christ of the to the Gospels and supremely to the creeds of Christendom the ; Christ of Gospel according to Saint John. He the universal Church. Dr. Speer was regarded that version of the Gospel as convinced that there is no other Christ 10 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN and that no other Christ is needed. He Forbidding His Possible Classification loved to quote the lines of Christina with Man.” That is to say, he was the Rossetti used by him in his last public God-Man, one to whom we can pray, address and with which he prefaced one worthy of our worship. Yet he was his volume on “The Finality of Jesus also “a divine sacrifice for sin” as well Christ.” as “an ensample for holy living.” He “None other Lamb, none other Name, was also the risen and ascended Lord None other Hope, in heaven or earth or whose will we must obey. He was also sea, the coming King, and Dr. Speer dwelt with None other Hiding Place from sin and power and emotion upon the great shame, reality of the return of Christ as the None beside Thee.” great hope of the Church and of the world. This finality and sufficiency of Possibly this interpretation was set our divine Saviour were expressed in forth in the clearest and most compre- lines dear to Dr. Speer taken from the hensive way in the Stone Lectures de- noble poem of Frederick W. H. Myers livered here in Princeton and pub- entitled St. Paul. lished under the title of “The Finality of Jesus Christ.” Here was revealed the “Yea, through life, death, through sor- Man whose ideal character was row and through sinning, sketched by Dr. Speer in one of his He shall suffice me, for He hath suf- earliest books, “The Christ ficed Man Jesus.” ; Yet here was One of whom we should Christ is the end, for Christ was the employ the phrase quoted by Dr. Speer beginning, from the heading of a chapter by Hor- Christ the beginning for the end is ace Bushnell, “The Character of Jesus Christ.”
THE MISSIONARY STATESMAN
John A. Mackay
T is as a missionary statesman that States of America. During his time in I the name of Robert E. Speer is en- that office, and under his leadership, the graved forever in the annals of the number of missionaries representing Christian Church. His incomparable the Board in many parts of the world greatness as a man, the unique insight reached the figure of 1600. At that time which he had into Christ, he made the Presbyterian Board of Foreign tributary to what he loved to call the Missions was the most powerful single “missionary enterprise.” denominational Board in the whole Professionally speaking, Dr. Speer world. was a Foreign Missions Secretary. For There were two things about Dr. forty-six years he held that office in Speer which should make clear that he the Board of Foreign Missions of the was supremely and above all else a Presbyterian Church in the United missionary statesman. In the first place, THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN ii
Christ’s missionary cause was his mas- that had appeared to date. I have no
ter passion. Following his conversion hesitation in saying that it was his when a student in Princeton Uni- statesmanlike insight into those coun- versity, he was profoundly influenced tries as a legitimate sphere of evan- by Robert Wilder, the founder of the gelical activity which led to their in- Student Volunteer Movement. He be- corporation within the orbit of the came immediately a leader in that world-wide activity of the Christian Movement, and his impact upon youth Church. It can be regarded as a tribute in the universities of this country be- to his memory that the next world came greater than that of any other gathering of the International Mission- man, young or old. It may be said in ary Council, which at one time excluded this connection that as a missionary representatives of the South American leader Dr. Speer influenced more men countries, will be held in Rio de Janeiro. and women to become missionaries When we gather there, some years than any person, I believe, in the whole hence, we will remember that mission- history of the Christian Church. It was ary statesman whose insight and reso- Christ’s missionary cause that lured the lution, six years after the Edinburgh youthful Speer from our Seminary Conference of 1910 had rejected Latin
campus, while still in his middle year America as an illicit sphere for evan- in this institution. Then followed the gelical activity, promoted and presided great forty-six years which carried him over a conference held at Panama in across the frontiers of many mission 1916, which considered the religious fields. Pie was an indefatigable traveler. problems of that great area. Wherever he went he grasped the In the course of his many journeys, human situation and the missionary Speer, the Board Secretary, amazed all problems involved. He wrote profusely who heard him. Those of us who give and with deep insight about the things our lives to administration tend to be- which he saw and heard. come notoriously dry and appallingly
Speaking personally, it means more monotonous, because administrative
to me than I find it possible to express, activity is so absorbing, and can be so
that it was Dr. Speer’s book about deadening. Whether it be true or not South America which was a decisive that Dr. Speer had to force himself to factor in interesting me in that par- be an administrator, he was the greatest ticular mission field. Speer the Mission- and most gifted and most meticulous of ary Statesman was profoundly dis- administrative officers. When he went satisfied, in 1910, when the first great through China on a famous visit, he ecumenical gathering, which met in never repeated, we are told, a single Edinburgh in that year, refused to con- address. Why? His vast reading and
I sider the validity of countries where the assimilation of the material he the Roman Church dominated as legiti- studied, made it possible for him to be mate spheres of action for Protestant fresh with geyser-like freshness, fresh missionary activity. Shortly thereafter, with all the beauty and variety of wild
he visited the South American countries nature, as he came to love it in boy- and wrote, as a result of his six months’ hood days in a Pennsylvania valley. journey, one of the most illuminating This man was the most widely and in- and incisive studies of that great area telligently read man in the Christian 12 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
Church. How did he do it? In all sorts Layman’s Foreign Missions Inquiry.” of situations, at moments when others There was one issue in particular were beguiling time in less profitable which he met head-on. That report, pursuits, in some secluded nook in a strangely enough, although written on steamship, sitting on a seat or standing the edge, so to speak, of the rumbling on the platforms of railroad stations, volcano which was to burst forth and
sometimes sitting it out all night when disrupt contemporary society, did not no train was available until the next suggest anywhere that Communism day, Robert E. Speer mastered books was becoming a major issue. No men- of the greatest variety, so that his mind tion was made of the cataclysm that was literally a well of living water. was to break forth. There was no sense The second thing that may be said in that report of the on-coming tragedy. about Dr. Speer as a missionary states- It went on record rather as believing
man is this : His administrative concern that all religions had something to offer embraced both principles and persons. to an eventual religious synthesis, and As a supreme administrator he had a that now it was time to look forward penetrating grasp of the principles in- to “The New Testament of every ex- volved in the cause that he served. He isting faith.” Christianity was, of had an equally sympathetic interest in course, the highest religion to date, the men and women who served that but beyond Christianity, when merged cause. I recall that it was his grasp of and fused with what was best in the missionary principles, and the impres- other religions, the “New Testament sive, logical, architectonic way, in of every existing faith” would be writ- which, with that deep sonorous voice of ten. Dr. Speer saw the issue and re- his, he presented the great issues in the pudiated the doctrine. He did so vio- missionary enterprise, that held me en- lently, in a notable piece of polemic, in thralled in 1910, when, as a student in which, as in everything else, he was Aberdeen University, I heard him for nothing but a Christian gentleman. the first time. I felt then, and there has What happened shortly afterwards? been no change in my opinion since The greatest revolutionary era in the then, that I was listening to the great- world’s history began, and some of est man I had ever seen. those religions which were supposed to No one in the last missionary genera- flower and to contribute to “The New tion succeeded as Dr. Speer did in for- Testament of every existing faith” are mulating the ultimate issues and prin- in full and complete disintegration. ciples involved in this great enterprise. Dr. Speer’s unqualified, unswerving It was his clear insight into these prin- loyalty to Jesus Christ, and his insight ciples that led him fifteen years or so into Christ and the Christian mission- ago to take issue with that famous in- ary movement, shaped his thought, quiry known as “Re-thinking Missions made his heart strong and his mind —A Layman’s Inquiry After One luminous, and his words flaming. But Hundred Years.” Dr. Speer wrote a his grasp of principles never made him critique of that report entitled “Re- impersonal. Some of the finest and thinking Missions Examined—An at- most touching missionary biographies tempt at a Just Review of the Report of recent years have come from his of the Appraisal Commission of the pen. Not only so, his letters to mis- :
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 13
sionaries are incomparable Pauline human interest written with literary epistles of modern times. These were charm, which make them a treasure for written to many men and women who study. otherwise would remain anonymous I have no hesitation in saying that and obscure. Who were Appelles and this man was the most truly Pauline Aristobulus, Tryphaena and Tryphosa? figure of his generation. It is surely They are known only because Paul nothing casual that his favorite poem wrote a letter to the Romans. And should be that great masterpiece, when Speer’s missionary letters, which Myers’ St. Paul, from which Dr. Erd- believe will constitute one of the clas- I man has quoted the last verse and I sical series of letters, are published, will quote the first there will appear there anonymous “Christ, I am Christ’s and let the name people, simple people living on the ; world’s frontiers who will be remem- suffice thee. bered in the Christian Church, like Ay, for me, too, He greatly hath their counterparts in the old Christian sufficed. Church at Rome, because Robert E. Lo, with no winning words I would Speer wrote to them. For his letters, entice thee. when he wrote administratively, were Paul has no honour and no friend but full of things personal, of things of Christ.”
ROBERT E. SPEER MEMORIAL MINUTE
The Board of Trustees
ITH profound sorrow and a sense Dr. Speer was born in Huntingdon, W of irreparable loss, the Board of Pennsylvania, on September 10th, 1867. Trustees makes record of the death of After studying in public and private
its beloved and esteemed President, schools in Huntingdon, he graduated Robert Elliott Speer, D.D., LL.D., from Phillips Academy in Andover, Litt.D. at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, in 1885, and in 1889 on November 23rd, 1947. Each individ- from Princeton University, then still ual member has lost the earthly fellow- called The College of New Jersey. ship of a cherished personal friend. While in College he came under the The Board of Trustees and the Semi- influence of, and became one of the nary have lost a truly great and trusted leaders in, the Missionary Movement leader. among students, and was led to dedicate The Board would express to Mrs. his life to the world mission of the Speer and the other members of the church. In 1890, he entered The Theo- ; family its prayerful sympathy in their logical Seminary at Princeton, but in bereavement and its gratitude to Al- 1891, early in his second year, he was mighty God for His assurance in Christ called by the Board of Foreign Mis- Jesus of eternal life and everlasting sions of the Presbyterian Church in the fellowship in His heavenly home. U.S.A. to become one of its Executive 14 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
Secretaries. Thus, under the guidance the U.S.A., the second person ever to of the Holy Spirit, began a career occupy that office who was not an in World Evangelism and Kingdom ordained clergyman. In 1920 he was Statesmanship which has been written elected President of the Federal Coun- large in the history of the Christian cil of Churches of Christ in America. Church of our time. In the truest sense Robert E. Speer This call to the service of the Board was a global Christian. of Foreign Missions prevented him His retirement from active service from completing his theological course on the executive staff of the Board of and graduating from the Seminary. Foreign Missions did not mean any Nevertheless, he never lost interest diminution of his energy or activity in either in theology or in the work of the his Lord’s service. Rather it meant re- Seminary. His brilliant mind, stored leasing him from administrative re- with rich treasures acquired by inde- sponsibilities to a broader service in fatigable study, made him one of the evangelism through the written and world’s truly great theological thinkers spoken word. All the stored up riches and preachers. of a lifetime of study in the Scriptures His keen incisive intellect, his broad and in the whole wide realm of human cultural experience, his uncompromis- literature, illuminated and inspired by a ing integrity, his spiritual fervency, cultivated intimacy with his beloved and his triumphant faith made him a and adored Saviour, were shared, in veritable God-appointed apostle to a humble self-giving friendliness, with generation of students baffled and con- an ever-enlarging circle of eager listen- fused by a struggle between material- ers and readers. Thus perhaps the clos- istic sophistry and ecclesiastical dog- ing years of his earthly service were the matism. most fruitful and blessed of all his life. At the same time his prophetic vision Dr. Speer’s service to Princeton and administrative genius made him Theological Seminary was marked by one of the Church’s greatest missionary that same spirit of self-giving devotion statesmen. For forty-six years he con- and dauntless faith which he demon- tinued to lead in the work of the Board strated in every activity to which he was of Foreign Missions until he was called by the Lord of his life. elected as Secretary-Emeritus in 1938. In 1914 he was elected to the Board He was also called to many other posi- of Directors of the Seminary and con- tions of leadership both in his own tinued to serve in that capacity until denomination and in the life of the that Board was discontinued by action ecumenical church. In 1910 he was of the General Assembly in 1929. In chosen chairman of the Committee on that year, as the Seminary was reorgan- Cooperation in Latin America and in ized under a single Board of Trustees, that capacity had a large part in focus- he was immediately elected to its mem- sing the attention of united Protes- bership. He brought to the work of this tantism upon the spiritual needs of board the wealth of his experience, ad- Central and South America. ministrative wisdom and spiritual lead- In 1927 he was elected by acclama- ership. In 1935 he was elected as its j tion as Moderator of the General As- Vice-President, succeeding Mr. Thom- sembly of the Presbyterian Church in as W. Synnott. Two years later, in — —
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 15
1937, he was chosen to succeed Dr. new sense of confidence and comfort William L. McEwan as President and in the “communion of saints.” the unanimous and insistent choice by “Great Heart is dead, they say of his fellow members, continued in What is death to such a one as Great that office until the time of his death. Heart? carried his truly Pauline mis- He One sigh, perchance, for work un- vision states- sionary motivation, and finished here of the Board manship into the work Then a swift passing to a mightier did into and of the Seminary as he sphere, every task which he undertook. To New joys, perfected powers, the vision serve under his leadership has been a clear, constant inspiration and challenge to And all the amplitude of heaven to ever-enlarging achievement in Christ’s work Kingdom Enterprise. The work he held so dear. His call to higher service has brought a sense of loneliness and loss in the A soul so fiery sweet can never die
fellowship of earth. But it has also But lives and loves to all eternity.” brought heaven nearer and inspired a
ROBERT E. SPEER MEMORIAL MINUTE
The Seminary Faculty
OTHING that has happened in Christ’s missionary service. Called N recent years has so affected the from his studies in this Seminary, while Princeton Seminary community as the a student in his Middler year, to be a passing of one of its most distinguished Secretary of the Presbyterian Board Alumni and the President of its Board of Foreign Missions, he returned some of Trustees, Dr. Robert E. Speer, who years later as a member of the Board died in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, on of Directors. It was his wisdom, more November 23, 1947, in the eightieth than that of anyone else, that piloted year of his age. Princeton Seminary, some twenty years From his early youth as a student in ago, to a constructive solution of a
l Princeton University to the end of his serious internal problem. Becoming a long life, Dr. Speer was in a peculiar Trustee of the reconstituted governing sense a Princetonian. In the University Board of the Seminary, he was subse- he had one of the most brilliant careers quently elected its President, and in the of any student in the long history of last years of his life this presidency ' that institution. In the classroom, on was the only public office which he was the playing fields, and in the halls of willing to hold. debate he was outstanding. It was Dr. Speer was one of the greatest ;s during his Princeton days that he was Americans of his generation. Some
'" converted to the faith of Christ and would say of him, taking him all in all, i" that he decided to give his life to that he was incomparably the greatest i6 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
man they had ever known. Intellectually Paul was his favorite poem. Its first he was a giant. Culturally he was one and last couplets express Speer’s burn- of the best read men of his time. The ing love for Christ. penetrating power of his mind, his “Christ, I am Christ’s, and let the name marvelously retentive memory, his suffice thee. architectonic gift to rear massive struc- Ay, for me, too, he greatly hath sufficed. tures of thought, his logical powers as of a great jurist in making an irrefu- Christ is the end, for Christ was the table case for the cause he was pro- beginning, moting, marked him as a prince among Christ the beginning for the end is his peers. His strength of will was in- Christ.” domitable and was matched only by his Dr. Speer’s strength of body. Once only in his Among books we catch the titles, “Remember Christ,” public life of more than half a century Jesus “The Man Jesus Christ,” “The Finality was he laid aside by sickness. His ad- of Christ.” Because of his ministrative gifts were quite extraor- Jesus supreme devotion dinary and were characterized by an to Christ he was committed to the missionary orderliness, a precision, and an unusual cause. He lived that the name of Christ, the world faculty for details. While often re- Saviour, might be made known across served and austere in outward de- all the frontiers of the globe. It was the meanor among strangers and at public spirit of Christ that made him, through- gatherings, he could on occasion and in out his life, an apostle of Christian more intimate circles bubble over with unity. It was the love of Christ that humor and even become boisterous in made him a flaming evangelist, under his mirth. In the closing years of his whose ministry more young men were life in his country home at Lakeville, turned to Christ and to missionary Connecticut, his love of nature ex- service than under the ministry of any pressed itself. Much of his time was person who addressed college uni- divided between gardening and book and versity students in the last fifty years. binding, and in identifying himself with It was because of Christ’s influence the life of the local community. To the upon his life that he was never known end he maintained his friendships, and to complain of any hardship he had to his letters when edited will constitute, suffer or any indignity that he received. undoubtedly, one of the most unusual He counted it a joy and an honor to epistolary collections of modern times. bear in his own life the wounds of the The inspiration of Dr. Speer’s life Lord was Jesus Christ. From the time of his Jesus. conversion as a University student All Dr. Speer’s gifts of heart and Christ was the heart of his heart, the mind appeared and were transfigured in master light of all his seeing, and the his work as a missionary statesman. object of his unstinted devotion. His He and his life-long friend, Dr. John great intellectual gifts were chiefly R. Mott, will stand out as the two devoted to interpreting some aspect of greatest statesmen in the modern mis- Christ. During all the days of his sionary era. During his forty-six years years he lived to serve Christ and as a Board Secretary, Dr. Speer had Christ’s missionary cause. Myers’ St. occasion to travel widely in the Orient 7
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 1
and Occident. After each period of mis- councils in Latin America are mem- sionary visitation some outstanding re- bers of the International Missionary port or book would come from his pen. Council. In the great ecumenical gatherings of The Faculty of Princeton Theologi- the modern epoch he played a prom- cal Seminary wishes to express its inent part. He was Vice-Chairman of deep sorrow at the decease of one of the Commission on the Christian Mes- the Seminary’s greatest sons and lead- sage at the Edinburgh Conference of ers. It would extend its sympathy to 1910 and occupied the same position at Mrs. Speer, to her two daughters, Miss the enlarged meeting of the Interna- Margaret Speer of the Shipley School, tional Missionary Council at Jerusalem Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and to in 1928. Heading up the movement Mrs. Barbour of Bristol, England and ; which emphasized the need of missions to her son, Mr. William Speer of Rut- in the Latin American world, he pre- gers University. In praying for God’s sided at the Panama Congress on holiest and richest benediction upon the Christian Work in 1916 and at its suc- widow, children, and grandchildren, cessor in Montevideo in 1925. Due the Faculty would pledge itself to them largely to Dr. Speer’s prestige and his and to Jesus Christ, the Head of the
fervent apostolate in presenting the Church, that it shall continue to serve needs of Latin America as a mission the tradition which Dr. Speer so dearly field for the Protestant Churches, this loved, striving to make this institution great area of the world stands now with which he was connected during within the orbit of evangelical concern his long life a place worthy of his mem- and already several national Christian ory and of the Lord whom he adored.
SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The School of Christian Education as teachers of the Christian religion in is an integral part of the Seminary, schools and colleges, directors of re- hence the degree of Bachelor of Arts, ligious education, assistant ministers, or its academic equivalent, is required missionary educators at home and for entrance. The three year course abroad. leads to the degree of Master of Re- For further information address: ligious Education, M.R.E. (Prin.). Edward Howell Roberts, Dean, There is a great demand for the men Princeton Theological Seminary, and women who complete the course, Princeton, N.J. THE TASK OF GOD’S LIEGEMEN
Francis B. Sayre
FEEL honored and happy that I Amidst all this turmoil, this doubt, I have been given the opportunity to these shifting sands of belief, the speak with you this morning on this Christian faith stands out like a great day of days when you have completed rock in a weary land. your long preparation and stand poised, We Christians know that the last ready to go forth at last upon your word does not lie with blind chance or great enterprise, to translate God unto materialism or sin. man. All your lives you will remember We know that the last word lies with this day. God. Yours is no ordinary task. The mis- We believe, as Christ revealed, that sion which you are undertaking is one God is supreme goodness. And we also of supreme and critical importance. dare to believe with Christ that God is For we are living in no ordinary time. supreme power. We therefore believe Never before in human history have in the ultimate and inevitable triumph such far-reaching and fundamental of goodness. alterations in the pattern of men’s The world today has gone awry, not lives been wrought with such rapidity because He has failed us, but because and tornado-like force. Cosmic forces we have failed Him. Millions of men are shaping and reshaping before our and women today are hungry and in eyes. desperate physical need, not because of Old institutions, old beliefs, old any failure in the earth’s fertility, but ideals are going fast. In this revolu- because of human greed and self-seek- tionary age new conceptions and new ing. As Christ said long ago, selfish- beliefs are competing relentlessly with ness and hatred breed suffering. God the older ones which our fathers re- cannot change that. If men choose to garded as fundamental. Our Western build on self-seeking and division, civilization, toilfully built upon the rather than on brotherhood and under- slow emerging triumph of heart and standing, the inevitable catastrophe
brain and soul over brute force, which which follows is not of God’s sending, i a generation ago we thought secure as God is shaping history today, as He the Rock of Gibraltar, is today being always has, overruling human activities ( terrific institutions would fall short undermined and subjected to and which J attack. Human liberty, democracy, of man’s best. Educational systems parliamentary forms of government, which fail to teach the highest truths (j freedom of speech, freedom of con- are faltering under His demand that;
science, tolerance, faith in God—these they make for nobler living. Churches - in large and important parts of the lost in material concerns are disinte- world already ceased to exist. grating under His insistence that they have m And the powers of darkness are dan- should more powerfully bring people v
gerously advancing. Democratic gov- to His way of life. Economic systems .
ernment is fighting for its life. built upon our selfish disregard of the THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 19
needs and well-being of other person- Palestine or how to determine the in- alities contain the seeds of their own finitely complex issues which make up destruction and will in time dissolve United States foreign policy or what under the pressure of His persistent part the United Nations should play in will. Social orders based upon ex- the maintenance of world order—is ploitation of others, upon class war- Christianity really applicable? What fare, upon intolerance, will surely go to has Christ to do with these ? pieces. International policies and activi- And if we are honest with ourselves ties which ignore moral law and are often the question must arise in our built upon nothing but material force own minds: What can Christ have to will crack and bring ruin to all they do with the public issues of our day? touch under the relentless operation of What can that solitary Man of long His moral law. God cannot be frus- ago, never in contact with the world trated. leaders of His day, living His simple Christianity is not a beautiful dream. life in a small unimportant country, It is not merely a hauntingly lovely almost unnoticed by contemporary poem of a fearless revolutionary who historians—what can He have to do lived 1900 years ago. It is not a way of with the issues of burning national escape. It is an intensely practical way and international importance in our of life for here and now. It is a unique driving, mechanized world of today? and God-given revelation of the only The answer seems to me very clear. possible foundation upon which a Nations are not mystical entities. Na- human society can be built that will tions are people. A changed world satisfy the eternal demands of the means changed people. And the only human heart and thus prove stable and humanly possible way to change people permanent. is through some power outside of them- selves. The Fearful Responsibility We cannot fence Christianity in as if Do you catch something of the fear- it were applicable to our private lives ful responsibility laid upon you, going but had nothing to do with our public out to translate Christianity to the men and national issues. If what Christ and women of your generation? said was true, His teachings are just You will be told that the task of the as applicable to nations as to men. If Christian minister is not to meddle in this be in very truth God’s world, the political issues but to preach Jesus inexorable moral laws of the universe Christ to individual lives—to bring must bear with exactly the same force home to men and women, buffeted and upon nations as upon men. baffled by life, some understanding of May I illustrate by a very concrete the extraordinary power of Christ to example what I have in mind? For the heal and to enrich and to emancipate past year at Lake Success we have individual lives. It will be said to you been struggling with the profound diffi- that Christ is well enough for churches culties and discouragements which at- on Sundays. But when it comes, for tend the many-sided work of the instance, to deciding how to work out a United Nations. What has Christ to do practical solution of the problem of with the United Nations? —
20 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
Our Number One Problem peace, like stable government, presup- poses homogeneity of fundamental I suppose it is clear that peace is to- ideas. A mere Kellogg-Briand Pact by day our Number One problem. In the which all nations solemnly renounce last analysis either our civilization must war will prove an utter futility. eliminate war or war will eliminate our Such common standards do not today civilization. The choice between the exist. They will gradually emerge pagan way of war or a peace built through either of two different ways upon justice and Christian brother- through the imposition of fixed stand- hood will in all probability determine ards by victorious and conquering within the next decade or two the fate armies or else through appeal to reason of Western civilization. War is an at- brought about through the give and tempt to settle human destinies by the take of discussion, growing understand- sword of man rather than by the mind ing and ultimate agreement. If the first of God. War ignores moral law. War is method is pursued, the chances are that based upon material force as the su- the atomic bomb will prove the end of preme power in the world. Surely no Western civilization, and the forward one can doubt that if we would follow march of human progress will await the Christ we must find more constructive development of new barbarians who and practical methods for settling inter- possess greater ingenuity for peace national conflicts and determining than our civilization does. In that event world issues than war. nothing we say or do matters very The experiences of the last thirty much. years have taught us that a stable peace But Christ, we can be very sure, cannot be built upon mere desire. Good- would choose the second way. And I will alone, or even the firm resolve to have faith to believe that this is the way abstain from fighting, is not sufficient. which will ultimately prevail. Our After the First World War the peoples Western civilization has in it very of the world were firmly resolved not much that is precious. I cannot believe to fight again. That did not prevent it is God’s will that it be smashed, un- war. Neither are mere peace treaties less—unless. Unless we lose all sight and conventions sufficient, or a League of God, and forget our moral standards of Nations or even a United Nations. and allow spiritual values to be drowned Important and necessary as these are, and choked by material ones. Thus we must go deeper. In a shrunken we can lose all sense of direction, and sully that in which live world such as we our civilization with evil. If against today, where every nation’s activities God’s deep desire this should come and policies affect vitally—often cru- about, our Western civilization can be cially—the lives and living standards smashed—either by ourselves or by of other peoples, perhaps on the other others. That can happen if those who side of the world, a peace that will last believe that Christ is the answer today must be based upon justice and law and remain silent and lethargic in the face brotherhood. Such a peace manifestly of the world’s unparalleled need. depends upon the development of com- Surely the course which Christ would mon moral and legal and spiritual stand- choose for us today would be through ards of international action. Stable reasonable discussion and common un- — THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 21 derstanding to learn, East and West, pressed, had you sat in the deliberations North and South, rich and poor, white of the General Assembly, as I have been and black and brown and yellow, inde- doing, and watched the Assembly at pendent states and non-self-governing work. Here are gathered peoples from territories, to build up common moral every part of the world, exchanging and social and spiritual standards and ideas in the effort to find solutions for understandings. Out of these must in the world problems which have come time emerge common legal standards, boiling to the surface in our volcanic and a core of common values accepted and trouble-wrenched world—Pales- by mankind at large to light the way of tine, Korea, Indonesia, Greece, and a good life. And thus the New Day, dozens more besides. Solutions were the lasting world peace, will come. not found for all of these. What of that? The far-reaching problems are The Town Meeting of the World deep-rooted and will take extended time The place of the United Nations in to solve. The important and the excit- this immense task is clear. Through it ing fact is that the vast majority of the second process is already constantly nations are today honestly trying to at work. The United Nations, is, first solve these world problems, not with and foremost, the town meeting of the armed forces, but through the confer- world. It is the common gathering ence method—by reason and on the place, where men and peoples of every basis of justice. That is a tremendous shade of opinion and of every differing fact. In the long sweep of time, it is race and culture may be heard and almost new in international history. where the moral judgment and verdict And even more important than find- of mankind may be crystallized. Thus, ing immediate solutions is the fact that and only thus, can conflicting standards representatives of different nations and and viewpoints be reconciled. And only of widely varying cultures and races through this great, salutary process of and religions are together learning the reconciliation—which, it seems to me, profoundly difficult art of international links closely with the mind of Christ cooperation, coming to understand and and through the organized forces rest- appreciate each other’s viewpoints, ing upon it can the lasting peace of the learning to give up and sacrifice im- world be built. mediate interests and values for larger Many families have wayward and ultimate objectives. wilful children who create problems If we believe, as Christ believed with at times. The Family of Nations, too, all His soul, that God is really at work has wayward and wilful children. In in the world, that this in very truth is the case of children and nations alike, His world, then, it seems manifest, force, though sometimes necessary, the United Nations is an instrument generally aggravates and seldom solves. for the doing of His work. The sup- Solutions more generally come through porting and strengthening of the sympathetic understanding and tactful United Nations is in this sense, as I see suggestion. And this, in the case of na- it, part of the building of His King- tions, can best be done around a con- dom. ference table. I am well aware of the current criti- You would have been deeply im- cisms of the United Nations. In view —
22 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN of its deadlocks, its frustrations and moral standards, applicable to nations its failures, there seems to be a growing as well as to individuals, such as feeling on the part of many that since strengthened respect throughout the our honest efforts along the pathway world for fundamental human rights, of collaboration have failed the only such as a comprehensively planned and alternative left to us now is to prepare integrated program for the economic for another world war. development of the natural resources Against such defeatism and utter of the world, such as sound and healthy pessimism, I strongly protest. War, the practices in the realm of international stark enemy of the human race, is not trade and commerce, based upon equality inevitable. We cannot blame God or of treatment and lowered trade barriers, destiny or pure chance for recurring such as a closely-knit and effectively war. War is of mankind’s own making. functioning international organization It is the result of his unintelligent and of the peace-loving nations of the often immoral conduct, and of nothing world. All of these are necessary else. God does not will war. foundations, and each depends upon I do not mean that certain men with an immense amount of virile work and full power of choice deliberately will constructive thinking—upon clearing and choose war. I do mean that war away the vast accumulated debris of rests upon fundamental bases of greed Nineteenth Century thinking based on and self-interest on the part of certain bygone conditions and outlived philoso- sections and groups and upon the phies. The rampant nationalism of apathy and unintelligent failure to the Nineteenth Century must give way build sound bases for peace on the part to Twentieth Century broad humani- of people generally. I mean that be- tarianism—a genuine concern for the cause war is of man’s own making, the individual welfare of men and women fatal recurring sequence of war and all over the world—if we and our civi- peace and war can be broken. lization are to survive. The building of foundations such The New World Order as these depends upon work on many There is no reason on earth why we fronts by many types of men—sci- cannot make our civilization the instru- entists, economists, diplomatists, states- ment of further and as yet unguessed men and a host of others. Such work is human progress. But it is equally clear vitally necessary for survival. But un- that to do so we must turn to the task derlying all this is a still deeper need of building new and sounder founda- a common sense of direction in the tions for world order. minds of the workers such as only a The new World Order is not to be common spiritual objective can give. gained through merely negative action That means a sense of the reality of —through suppression of international God. Christianity, so far as I can law-breakers, or through general dis- And armament, or even through the mere see, is the only practical way to achieve cessation of fighting or of war. The it. Without a common sense of direc- new World Order can be built only tion the work of some will cancel the upon very positive achievements, such work of others and all must end in as heightened and universally accepted futility. THE PRINCETON SEMIN ARY BULLETIN 23 Our Only Hope Christ’s death, His unforgettable words ring across the world with resurgent, The point I want to stress is that, in revitalizing power. the last analysis, Christianity alone has What were these revolutionary, the power to save the civilization we world-shaking ideas ? Underlying every- know from extermination. Scientists thing else was Christ’s unswerving and and technicians cannot save us. Their rock-foundation sureness that this work, necessary as it is, has resulted in world in which we live is God’s world. intensifying the deadliness of war. From that flow four fundamentals Economists cannot save us. Their work which seem to me to sum up the very in organizing and making possible in- heart of Christ’s thought and teaching. creased production in the world has First. Absolute and serene knowledge only served to make war more gigantic that so long as we follow God the and worldwide and hence to intensify future cannot harm us. God cannot be its consequent disruption and suffer- frustrated; and if this be in very truth ing. Diplomatists and statesmen can- His world, in it no evil can ultimately not save us. They can often reconcile triumph. To put heart and courage into differences of viewpoint and sometimes us nothing could equal that faith. work out formulas which prevent Second. The impregnability of moral actual conflict; but if peoples have no law. If this be God’s world, it must be common sense of ultimate values their based upon moral law and God’s inex- efforts must prove futile. Unless the ; orable moral law can be no more evaded leaders themselves in their various or outwitted than His physical law. spheres of work have a common sense Whatever forces violate moral law of spiritual direction, only catastrophe contain the seeds of their own destruc- can result. And unless the great rank tion and will generate counter forces and file of the peoples of the world which in time will overthrow them. have common spiritual values upon Third. The absolute supremacy of which the leaders can build, again only the power of love and goodness. Christ catastrophe can result. Only a more utterly believed and proved with His virile Christianity permeating the world life that love is more potent because of can save. And that is your task. the power which it can generate than By Christianity I do not mean sec- any possible array of mere physical tarian doctrine. I do not mean ec- force. clesiasticism or narrow theological Fourth. The brotherhood of all men. dogmas. I mean the vivid, yeasty funda- If God did create the world, all men mentals taught by Jesus Christ. are His creatures. If God is, as Christ Such teachings possess world- declared, a supremely loving God, He shaking power. again Again and they cares infinitely for each one of His have upset kingdoms and changed the creatures. Human brotherhood, sacri- course of empires. They have gener- ficial giving in the service of others, ated more irresistible power than any genuine international cooperation, are other force in history. Great armies, in- the only possible bases upon which an comparable arrays of material strength, enduring human society can be built. have not been able to withstand them. The Kingdom of God is reality and its ; Still today, twenty centuries after building is going forward to a sure 24 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN conclusion whatever men may do. telligent manpower and its unparalleled
That was Christ’s faith and it rested wealth must assume world leadership in ; not upon the impractical dream of a the political field if our civilization is mystic but upon a realistic and pro- to be saved from shipwreck, so the found understanding of the human strong forces of Christianity must no heart. less assume world leadership in the Have we any right to think of Chris- spiritual field if mankind is to be saved. tianity in terms of world salvation? I And the practical way to such an hope, if you have not already done so, achievement is to make America more you may some day have an opportunity truly Christian. to visit Lake Success. You will be im- Parting of the Ways pressed by the sharp contrasts there of The race and color and creed. You will see Do you remember Marc Connelly’s Buddhists and Hindus and Moham- superb play of some twenty years ago, medans and others quite untouched by Green Pastures ? God, visiting the earth any religion working shoulder to shoul- to check up on the development of man, der with Greek Catholics and Roman His creature whom He had created and Catholics and Protestants and Jews. cherished, feels sick at heart as He en- Amid such a welter of conflicting faiths counters, time and again, man’s com- can we hope ever to achieve common plete absorption in his own shallow moral standards throughout the world ? and shabby concerns and his utter dis- Emphatically, yes. Fundamental regard of God. God singles out, now goodness and evil in terms of human Noah, now some tiny group of faithful behavior are essentially the same the followers, and rests upon them the world over. Every religion at its best dreadful responsibility of helping to alike teaches the ideal of justice, of win mankind back to God. good faith, of charity. human Sometimes the present situation of But Christianity goes beyond all this. the world reminds me of that play. Its teaching of the fatherhood of God We stand today at the parting of the and the consequent brotherhood of man ways. On the one hand, it is entirely —its unyielding emphasis upon the possible that the present “cold war” is breakdown of every racial and national only a second brief interlude in a fifty- and social barrier which separates man or hundred-years war which began in from man—gives it a universality of 1914 and which will make Western outlook which makes it unique in its civilization but a memory and usher in world-embracing appeal. Christianity Dark Ages of savagery until in transcends time and space. The great a new future some new young timeless principles taught by Christ the distant This is not only have a matchless appeal to the op- civilization will evolve. re- pressed and the suffering everywhere possible but likely, if Americans and a unifying power possessed by no main indifferent or apathetic. On the will to do other faith. But if Christianity is to win other hand, if we have the struggle out of its way across the world it must be salt- so, there is still time to of ier, less localized and more like Christ. the vortex of destruction and make of divine Just as America today with its demo- our civilization the instrument re- cratic and humanitarian ideals, its in- progress. Can the vicious circle of :
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 25
curring war and peace and war be of individual men and women in the broken ? factory and on the farm and in the Who and what will decide? So far mine and in the home will follow. If as I can see there is only one possible men and women can turn back to God means of escape. That is the way that and take the hand of Christ and learn pointed out years ago. Christ 1900 of Him, there is nothing to fear. these solemn days when forces In You men of Princeton Seminary are being shaped which within a decade are now enlisting on a very great mis- or two will bring either new advances sion. If your work be well done, you in human destiny or the utter ruin of can have a momentous part in the Western civilization, the issue depends awesome decision. I bid you be very in the last analysis not upon decisions taken in Washington. It depends upon proud—and very humble. God waits which course the millions and millions with hope.
THE ENDLESS JOURNEY STARTS
John A. Mackay
Members of the Graduating Group something from which we start. It is Jesus Christ, the Truth. It is not that T falls to me, in the name of my col- we understand all that this Truth I leagues of the Faculty and of your means, but it grips us in such a way fellow students here and already gone, that we know that it is the true mean- to address to you the traditional words ing of life. And so our interest in truth, of farewell. henceforth to the end of the road, will For some months past my mind has consist in understanding Jesus Christ, been haunted by a line of poetry writ- the personal truth, and in translating ten by a contemporary poet, the words into life, our own lives and the lives of which run thus : “O here and now of others, its inner meaning and impli- our endless journey starts.” The cations. author is W. H. Auden and the line I But let us never forget that we can have quoted he puts into the mouth of never truly represent Jesus Christ, the the shepherds of Bethlehem when they Truth, unless our lives become in a very came and saw the Child in the manger. real and reverent sense the incarnation These haunting words have a deep of that Truth. We start from Light. significance for you and for me. Let The luster in our eyes, the torch in our me, in a very few minutes, translate hand, both illuminated by Christ, will to you what they have signified for me serve us to understand life and to apply personally. Christian principles to life. Our whole Remember, to begin with, that real life must be aflame. Our hearts must life starts from Jesus Christ. For us burn and our lips break into singing, Christians, truth is not something that and our chief witness, our most de- we pursue endlessly like a bird. It is cisive witness to our generation, in 26 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN every sphere where providence may prose, says, if I may paraphrase his lead us, shall be by our life to remind words : You pilgrims, you crusaders on men of His life. It is no exaggeration life’s road, if you find a flower bloom- to say that what our generation awaits, ing by the wayside, pluck it and take it if those glorious Christian ideals set along with you. If you use it to inspire forth in the vibrant address of our you for the pilgrimage, for the great Commencement speaker are to be ful- crusade, good and well. But if any filled, is men and women who are fully pilgrim should use that flower for Christian, not simply in their thinking ostentation, throw him out and let the but in their living, who are moving out cavalcade move on. into life with the light and the love of Like so much that Unamuno wrote Jesus Christ. this sentiment of his may be perhaps a This line has meant something more little extreme. But the great Spaniard to me. It says: Maintain throughout is basically right. Whatever comes to life the sense of pilgrimage. To dis- us that we deeply cherish, let us use it cover Christ is not merely the end of a to inspire us, but not to make a show of quest. It is rather the beginning of a it. Then let us move on to other things, journey. Our generation with its hosts to other tasks, to other fields, to other of uprooted people, with its multitude endeavors. of wayfaring men and women, under- Finally, as you start from Christ and stands this word “pilgrimage.” Chris- move out on your pilgrim way, never tianity has the mean- always understood cease to he persons. What is a person ? ing of pilgrimage. sense of pilgrim- A In its deepest Christian significance a age is the core of the Christian way of person is one who responds to God. life. I ask you not to make posi- May One becomes a person when one hears tion the end of your course as you the Word of God and does it. A person move out. Positions will come to you, takes to the road as a pilgrim not know- but do not think of them as pedestals ing whither he goes, but knowing that or as places of prestige. Think only of God knows. A true person, one who a position as a place to perform a task. lives day by day by the Word of God, In your spirits be steadfastly moving who listens for God’s command and on, with a consuming concern to be on does God’s will, fulfills the answer to pilgrimage, doing Christ’s will, ful-
that most basic of all questions : “What filling what you found when you began is the chief end of man?” “Man’s chief from here. is glorify and to enjoy him Lovely things also will come to you, end to God many things that you will cherish, that forever.” To glorify God, what does you will be proud to have. Remember that mean ? To make God visible in life, this. Do not use them for ostentation in both thought and behavior, to the but only for inspiration. Look at them. end of the road. And so for you, and Cherish them. Get out of them what for me, and for all who call Jesus Lord, they can tell you or give you. Then lay Auden’s line has meaning. “O here and them aside and move on. Miguel de now our endless journey starts.” Unamuno, one of the greatest of mod- As we go on pilgrimage together, ern writers, in what I believe is the taking different roads, never meeting most vibrant piece of contemporary perchance as a group all in one place THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 27 again, may we find in this living Truth age and for strength from now to the what we need for light and for life. journey’s end. May we discover in the Christ of the The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ pilgrim way all that we lack for cour- be with you all.
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
In addition to the contributors men- Professor in the Stuart Chair of Chris- tioned in the Editorial of this Bulletin, tian Philosophy. It is a pleasure, also, Dr. Emile Cailliet has permitted the to present “The Charge to Dr. Cailliet,” publication of his address “Outlines of delivered by the Reverend Harold E. a Christian Positivism,” which he de- Nicely, D.D., pastor of the Brick livered in Miller Chapel on April 27, Church, Rochester, New York. 1948, when he was inaugurated as
DICKENS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL
While there was some delay in the albums of seven twelve-inch records can finishing of the records of the reading be purchased from the Marquis Re- by Dr. Donald Wheeler of A Christ- cording Company, 212 ’03 Hall, Prince- mas Carol, the albums are now ready ton, New Jersey. and all orders have been filled. The OUTLINES OF A CHRISTIAN POSITIVISM
Emile Cailliet
HE word “positivism” in our title diction between religious obscurantism T is used for want of a better one. and religious defeatism rests upon Its immediate reference is to certitude, them.” or the claim of certitude, in knowledge. We agree. Let us then proceed with Thus we call “positive” that which may the business at hand. be directly affirmed. Now there does not exist a current and well-informed I. view of life and knowledge which may Going straight to the heart of the be affirmed and referred to as the matter, it is obvious that the secret of philosophy of the Reformed Faith; the sway of science over this world of and something ought to be done about men and affairs, and its thinking, is it. essentially this: science knows how to A recent book of high quality, widely do things so as to get results. It works. used on the American campus under Let us see how this is done. A good the title Types of Religious Philosophy, way of doing it is to consider the case follows up a splendid fifty-three page of a science which matters very much presentation of the Roman Catholic to each of us, that of medicine. No bet- philosophy of religion with a miserable ter guide in this field could be found twenty-seven page caricature of what than the founder of experimental medi- is called “Protestant Fundamentalism.” cine, Claude Bernard, through whose The author of the latter is not, mind impetus a scientific medicine came into you, a Roman Catholic. Neither do I its own in the middle of the nineteenth use the word “caricature” to indict his century. treatment of Protestant fundamental- The scientific concept of medicine ism. Clearly the cause of such a lament- had been held back in his day by end- able situation lies right at our door. less controversies between “vitalists” Are we willing to lose the best of our and anti-vitalists so-called, the bone enlightened youth to a scientific agnosti- of contention being that science ended cism or to Roman Catholicism ? Denun- where the consideration of life began. ciation will simply not do. Shouting At this point, it was felt, a “vital from the pulpit will not do. And, as a principle” intervened, which caused all college student once put the matter in possible predictions to go astray, thus a deserted chapel, “It is not enough to rendering further experimentation ring the bell.” fruitless. Just as a walking man dis- In this connection, Reinhold Niebuhr posed of Parmenides’ and Zeno’s denial makes it clear that a program of re- of the possibility of movement, the ligious reorientation of our higher edu- vitalist controversy was simply ignored cation must come out of the religious by Claude Bernard, who thereupon community and its institutions. He lays proceeded with what proved to be an down the principle that “the primary extremely successful series of experi- responsibility for resolving the contra- mentations in biology. The vicious circle THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 29 had been broken, the rule of clever but such an admission amounts to render- empty dialectics had come to an end. ing justice to necessary preliminary ef- It would be an understatement to forts at investigation. say that such dialectics had their day. II. They had been anybody’s sport for centuries, the only limitation to such To sum up, scientific theories pa- feats of logic being the amount of tiently and critically worked out to a imagination of the talker in question, point where they may even be expressed also the fact that as a rule, such dialec- with mathematical precision, rule over tics were practised in Latin—a good a certain realm of reality to the ex- way, doubtless, of hiding their empti- clusion of other theories. Their limita- ness. In one of his comedies Moliere tions and imperfections, as universally shows such an impressive confabula- acknowledged in the world of science, tion broken up with the doctors leaving give the status of their actual scope.
all together. To a questioner wondering That this is not the case as yet where they were going, one of them among the laity for many an ethical answered solemnly that they were going “theory” so-called, is only too obvious to see a man who had died the day to the moral scientist. He sees such before. This of course made the ques- “theories” as contradict one another to tioner wonder still more, until his query the point of cancellation, actually end was silenced by the doctoral pronounce- in advocating the same practice at a ment that they were going to see this given time, in a given society. Another dead man in order to find out what surprising feature is seen in the fact should have been done in order to pre- that as a rule the authors of such vent his death. “theories,” who walk together although When we pause and think about this disagreeing even in their silence, hardly comical answer we realize that there ever admit to difficulties or limitations
is a great deal of truth involved in it. in their ready-made solutions. For, as The trouble with these seventeenth a rule, each one provides from the out- century doctors was that they were un- set answers to all the problems in- able to provide for a given situation be- volved, a fact which should immediately cause they were unable to foresee such put the wary on their guard. As Archi- a one and they were unable to foresee bald MacLeish would say, they know ; it because they did not know enough. all the answers, but they have not as yet So they ventured all sorts of explana- asked the questions.
tions in the form of gratuitous systems. Is it not evident that in such cases Claude Bernard was right, then, to see the so-called “theory” is but a mere that such systems led nobody anywhere. afterthought, a rationalization of actual A survey of eighteenth century litera- practice, at best a dialectical feat? The ture in philosophy would uncover the public at large, as well as its leaders, growing awareness of this fact in a are aware of this, the scientist further number of written rather, works on, or argues ; they will allow theorists to against such systems. The case of medi- speculate to their heart’s content, in cine is but an illustration of what was the awareness that the clever oppo- true in every branch of human knowl- nents will fall in line, like everyone else, edge. Far from being an indictment, when the time comes to do so. What we 30 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN have in mind for the present, the scien- normal and legitimate. The reason for tific outlook, is the kind of practice this is obvious. Such motivation re- which may be observed in what Bunyan ferred solely to basic concerns we may called the “village morality.” This vil- be said to share with frogs in a pond. lage remains quite typical of the world Intelligence then was applied to the at large. mere safeguarding of life and health, Each and every society at a given and beyond that, merely to the satisfy- time actually has a moral code, or bet- ing of urges and motives natural to ter, a pattern of moral codes which may man as a tool-using, food-preparing, direct its individual members to strange weeping or laughing animal. forms of behavior. The senseless taboos Yet, pausing too long on such ele- you and I are unable to sweep aside in mentary aspects with reference to our the realm of fashion, thus are seen to animal nature may prove unfair even give the measure of our slavery. It to animals, for there is seen to be in must have been in this connection that man what Professor C. H. Dodd has George Eliot once remarked, “We are called that “ingrained wrongness,” an all born in moral stupidity.” almost uncanny propensity to wicked- Now such patterns of collective be- ness, which is unknown to animals. havior are observable facts. It is How much of a guide, then, can therefore the contention of the moral science be in these circumstances? This, scientist that they are subject to scien- we readily discern, is not a mere tific investigation. In this vein we vitalist-antivitalist sort of issue. We are should welcome, for instance, the con- dealing with stark realities, and hard cern of the research worker bent on facts. the solution of problems such as those III. related to production and distribution, the function of labor leaders, the tech- As soon as this all-important issue is nique of relief and charity, and others. brought to a head, we become aware As soon as a solution is attempted, how- of the true scope and impact of an un- ever, the “brain-trust” so-called realize assuming science. What strikes us im- that they have hardly begun a formula- mediately is a constant emphasis on tion of the same. They find themselves depersonalization on the part of any unable to provide, and, or so the scien- individual scientist. What is mostly found to responsible tists think, the result is that the “grapes be for phenomena of wrath” reach maturity. To the re- is the scale of observation. It is for search worker, an inability to provide such reasons that the human recording appears once more to be a symptom of set is now being rapidly replaced by an inability to foresee, of a lack of mechanical devices. Yet these same instruments, in adequate knowledge. Therefore it is their turn, prove to be that wild theories, unheard-of utopias, limited by their own sensibility. solve nothing. The science of tomorrow The scientist is perforce engaged in will have to go into such problems, our a form of cold-blooded detective work, scholars conclude. even if personal feelings, motives, or
An important remark is called for at values are likely to be involved in the this point. Human motivation has thus primary concern. He is a sort of Sher- far been taken for granted, as perfectly lock Holmes aiming at a transcription !
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 3i
likely to fit the facts. Thus our research or negations as to the existence of a worker will beware of any irruption of supernatural being, nay, reasons why emotionalism. His task in the presence there should be any supernatural form of nature, according to a parable of of existence at all, is to expect from the Einstein, is very much like that of a scientist the very things he cannot pro- man who had been given a closed watch duce. It is only in legends that a good which he could never open. His busi- fairy will emerge from a dusty scien- ness would then amount to figuring tific treatise and proceed to dance on out the workings of that watch. the printed page The scientist’s pragmatic notion of Such a situation is at least gratifying causality becomes a mere heuristic in one of its implications, namely, that principle which he introduces at any one fails to see how, in these circum- point of his investigation until a work- stances, any real conflict could arise ing theory be formulated, namely one between a sober science and the Chris- which may allow for a minimum of tian faith. The plain fact is that I prediction. Once the script obtained have as yet been unable to detect any begins to make sense, everyone con- serious point of disagreement between cerned is given a chance to discuss it the two. We may safely leave alone
and to criticize it. Fresh information such pseudo-scientists as indulge in un- having been brought forward, a recon- warranted speculations irksome to the
sideration takes place until nobody can Christian message, be it only because any longer find fault with the out- it does not pay to advertise one’s op- come, at least for the time being. ponents, especially when they are un- Scientific truth, then, is what re- worthy of public recognition. The mains at the end of the last cross- Christian philosopher has, therefore, examination. Very much in the man- every reason to accompany his scien- ner of the battle of Corneille’s hero tific friend all the way, or at least fol- against the Moors, the battle ends be- low him with his sympathy. Such an cause there are no warriors left on enlightened attitude on his part will the battlefield—shall we say, until the indirectly pave the way for mutual next “last war” ? Accordingly, such respect and understanding. And so truth amounts to a depersonalization the Christian philosopher will be more through socialization of thought. As likely to get a hearing later on when
such it may have little to do with the proceeding to read the scientist’s tran- deep reality of the things that are. What scription in the light of revelation. we call scientific knowledge now turns However important such corollaries, out to be a sort of temporary script, a there comes out of our consideration of series of clues about that which is, and the true scope and impact of an un-
the manner of its being what it is. assuming lay science another con- : Such knowledge is best expressed in clusion, the importance of which could mathematical language, as already hardly be exaggerated. Precisely be- noted. cause science is impersonal, colorless, But then, to expect from a purely and neutral by nature, precisely because objective elaboration of the kind we as an essentially pragmatic transcrip- have suggested, any decisive axiology, tion of available clues, science may well and, still more, to expect affirmations have little or nothing to do with the —
32 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN deeper reality of the things that are, it In the words of my late friend. can hardly be thought of as a guide in Hartley Burr Alexander, “truth is of the realm of true motives and values. faith fulfilled, faith is in truth antici- When argument is taken, for example, pated, and of both our intelligible life from George Eliot’s contention that is the expression.” Such is the divine “we are all born in moral stupidity,” order. Allow truth and the faith to be to prove that what we need is more divorced, and see our best patterns of research and statistics, it becomes ob- humanism become the motives of an vious that this is at best a small portion infernal sabbath, not unlike Dies Irae of the truth. There are, as a matter of in the last movement of the Fantastic fact, whole areas of human behavior Symphony by Berlioz. In Italy during which have been thoroughly investi- the Renaissance, in England during the gated and where, as a result, the “how” Restoration, in France under Robes- is fully known. Yet, could it be said pierre, in Germany under Hitler and that, ipso facto, human behavior is his Gestapo, nay, in the midst of a being straightened out in such areas? sinister caricature of medical research
To begin with trivial illustrations, is it at Buchenwald, cold-blooded calcula- true that we men dress intelligently? tion, brutal selfishness, that untrans- is it true that doctors do not smoke? latable thing called Schadenfreude, will that a tremendous advance in our scien- come and crouch at the door, as it had tific knowledge of human adjustment already done in the days of Tiberius. prevents divorce? that the most en- And unto thee, O man, shall be its lightened and statistically supported desire, in a kind of parody of conjugal methods of progressive education ipso relations, dreadfully suggested in the facto produce moral fiber? Book of Genesis. The deeper truth about this whole Let a merely academic knowledge matter, if it be the truth we want, is ignore such roots and such depths, and written in letters of fire and blood all miss the mark. If lack of power be the over the pages of history. Let us be test of truth in theories, as our scien- positive about this also. Can any one tists proclaim, then let us ponder, as study the annals of our civilization enlightened humanists stare at this without being driven back upon human present-day world of ours, aghast and nature, back to what the Bible calls a powerless. Neither can they explain “lost” humanity in need of redemption? away its worse features in terms of True enough, Calvin considered politics glandular deficiency. The practitioners as an earthly discipline. As such, he of scientifically secularized psychology, added, however, they have little to do ethics, history, government or eco- with the intelligence of things divine nomics, by being unaware of their 1 namely, “the rule and reason of true heritage, living and thinking in un- justice, and the mysteries of the grateful ignorance of it, are most likely heavenly Kingdom.” And so, the best to play into the hands of their worst this great humanist of the Renaissance enemies. could say about political science, was A Christian positivism, then, would : that in such a realm as that of the be careful to draw a counterpart to the government of men, human under- picture, just given, of a life and knowl- standing does not labor entirely in vain. edge divorced from our heritage. Thus THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 33 we see great battles for liberty won by ence, he approaches the study of na- men whose faith is grounded in Holy ture, of history, and especially of man, Writ. William Wilberforce leads the in the awareness that there is more in- crusade to emancipate Negro slaves in volved in the w'hole inquiry, and far his successor, Lord more at stake, than a mere transcript the British empire ; Shaftesbury, in Parliament success- of useful clues. fully champions the cause of factory IV. workers in industrial England. The tradition of the American philosophy What has happened in modern times of government goes back to the Pil- now becomes clear. A great deal of grims of Plymouth, Connecticut, and damage has been done to the Aristote- Rhode Island. Roger Williams it was lian notion of causality, in both science who asserted the necessity of liberty and theology, from Galileo, through of conscience and the equality of Hume, down to Heisenberg and Max opinions before the law. Men to whom Planck in our day. This situation has “God alone is Lord of conscience” been complicated by the compromising were well prepared to become staunch character of an incomplete, then back- supporters of a free Church and of a sliding Reformation only too eager to free state. In Pennsylvania especially, come to terms with rationalistic ways they were among the foremost to advo- of thinking. Construction costs, such as cate American independence. If in- the faqade of scholastic clarity involved, deed we mean to understand documents are truly prohibitive. One is also left to such as the Declaration of Independ- wonder how it could be possible for as- ence, the Constitution, and the Bill of surances which owe so much to human Rights, realize that while they we must infirmity, to provide security unchal- reveal strong rationalistic trends, they lenged. If Christians were thus able to are essentially Christian documents. enjoy perfect peace of mind, would The very psychology of the American they ever turn to seek the same in the founders is derived from deep-seated seclusion of a monastery, in meri- religious convictions. Even men like torious works or mortification? Let us Franklin and Jefferson, who particu- rather learn from Pascal, as “a capital larly liked to assume a rationalistic truth of our religion,” that there are attitude, will fight oppression in the “times when we must trouble this name of the Lord. To them “rebellion possession of error that the evil call against tyrants is obedience to God.” peace.” To them the Creator of heaven and earth was the Giver—and remains the A climax was reached in the meta- Guarantor—of the rights of man. physical realm with Kant, whose antin- Far from being an impractical, omies may be seen as a perfect expres- dreamy star-gazer, therefore, the sion of scientific neutrality. To my Christian philosopher proves to be the knowledge, such a finished form of ob- true realist in this world of men and jectivity had been exhibited only once affairs. His realism, moreover, is of before, namely by that star-gazer of the utilitarian sort, intent first and old who, according to legend, fell into foremost on self-preservation. Using a well. He had simply forgotten his Scripture as a constant frame of refer- own existence. —
34 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
Yet the truth has strange ways of re- but to do justly, and to love mercy, and asserting itself. Kant’s posthumous to walk humbly with thy God?” It is notes published in 1920 by Erich by attending to righteousness in actual Adickes would tend to show that the faith and practice that we become aware great German rationalist henceforth of this enduring Power, as of a reality was groping for a genuinely Biblical verifiable in the light of Scripture. notion of righteousness. We find al- Such a reality, then, is first and ready under his pen the equivalent of foremost a kind of truth that must be Matthew Arnold’s awareness of “the done, according to a Hebrew phrase Eternal not ourselves who makes for which would put a philosopher like righteousness,” except that it remained Hegel quite on edge. If any man will hard for Kant to consider God out- do the divine will, he shall know of the wardly. This Being was in him, Im- doctrine. Thus any further progress in manuel Kant, though distinct from truth is conditioned by an attitude him. He felt inwardly directed, as which John A. Mackay has character- through a causal efficacy not dependent ized as quite incompatible with a purely upon the law of nature in space and theoretical mode of existence. time. At one point even, he almost This basic incompatibility finds its echoed Saint Patrick’s famous hymn most striking expression in Kierke- by experiencing “God in me, about me, gaard’s Either/Or. As we know, the and over me.” Truly he was not far Danish Pascal finally parted ways with from the Kingdom of Heaven. a purely esthetic enjoyment of life, for Seen in this light the life-work of a lone venturing forth far upon the Kant would seem to point to a most deep, with seventy thousand fathoms significant fact. For the last one hun- of water under him, in the firm assur- dred years some of the most highly ance that he should be supported, then cultured men, dominated by an earnest be met in the fullness of time. As in the concern for truth, have submitted re- case of Isaac, this venture of faith even ligion to the harshest criticism. They implied a temporary, awe-inspiring have finally struck the rock roughly at suspension of the “ethical” until he had the point where God, once more been found by the truth. thought of in the light of Scripture, is Such an acknowledgment of the identified with the Power-not-our- strangeness of a Biblical pattern of selves, who makes for righteousness, thought, and of the tremendous value and sends the blessed ones back to of some of its most objectionable their fellow men “with a richness not aspects, decidedly implies a turning of the common earth.” It would be hard away from the System and a resulting to overestimate the positive value of awareness of the reality of the things such a conclusion. that are, so that one may truly exist, The most frequently quoted text of stand out ex-stare. Heidegger sug- the prophets from Matthew Arnold to gests the same experience as the fact Professor Erwin R. Goodenough of of Da-sein, In-der-Welt-sein which Yale University in our own day, is Walter Lowrie pertinently translated
Micah’s beautiful assertion : “He hath “thereness,” “the fact of being in the shown thee, O man, what is good : and world.” And so our Hebrew-Christian what does the Lord require of thee, notion of truth, of that which is truth ” THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 35
for me, proves to be, in the last analysis, restored to man. Only once the Christ
existential. is fully enthroned in a fully sur- It should be made clear at this point rendered soul, does the vision become
that no intellectual anarchy is involved as clear as it can be on this side of the in the case. This is merely a re-admis- veil, where we see as through a glass, sion of the most obvious fact—namely, darkly. that truth is being refracted in every Thus, in the light of a guarded use individual soul, that no two persons of analogy, the principle, and there- will perceive the same truth in exactly fore the end, of Christian philosophy, the same way. We become aware of a may be seen to rest on the cornerstone homo-standardisation of our experi- of what Robert E. Speer has magnifi- ence, which causes us to measure the cently called “the finality of Jesus world in which we live in terms of our- Christ.” We may well imagine what selves. This awareness of the vital such a culmination means in the case symbolism which generates in par- of well-equipped disciples having at ticular the very pattern of our think- their command, together with the best ing, should cause us to pause on this resources of scholarship, the data made all-important subject, had we time to available by a lay science. do so. Be it sufficient to remark that Call to mind now the dramatic scene we make our apprehension of reality of the Westminster Assembly of di- both a mirror and a reflection of our- vines when the incomparable definition selves. In fact we actually expand our of God was literally conceived in own nature as assimilate its we en- prayer, wrought out in a spirit of utter vironment. Thus we find the inner self loyalty to Scripture. “O God, who art not only reflected in our world-picture, a Spirit infinite, eternal, and unchange- but coloring it and colored by it. able, in Thy being, wisdom, power, When natural man, therefore, pro- — holiness, justice, goodness and truth jects his whole being into immensity so Thus was the living God disclosing that he may wrench away the secret of his very essence and majesty in the the universe, as used to do the magi- matchless invocation uttered by a fully cians of old, the outcome is in part an dedicated Christian scholar. No better idol-making process. Not only is such confirmation could be found of the a process likely to miss the divine ultimate validity of a scripturally in- mark ; it may also produce mere approach to our fancies, or even monstrous conceptions, spired and scholarly one freely which a candid science will proceed to knowledge of God than the expose in the terms we know. given by the living God himself. Let, on the other hand, a man be in Precisely because such an approach Christ, that is, not only redeemed, but is so thoroughly Scriptural, the objec- progressively enlightened and delivered tion may be raised that this very from blindness of heart. As he pro- method involves a certain confusion jects himself into God’s creation, he and duplication between theology and does it henceforth through an inner Christian philosophy. Christ taking control more and more, But then, this objection would ad- focussing the vision and purifying it. mittedly proceed from a scholastic Thus is a true knowledge of God conception of the whole matter, a con- ;
36 THE PRINCETON SEMIN ARY BULLETIN ception which our argument previously tific capacity, as his new friend pro- dismissed. It may therefore be ignored. ceeds to suggest deeper interpretations Yet, nodding approval to such dis- of available uncolored data, in such missal implies that a new responsibility fields as history, psychology, and ethics, has now been thrust upon us, namely or to submit further propositions on that of formulating a new status where- points where science has nothing to say in the jurisdiction of both theology because it never pauses to consider the and Christian philosophy may be deeper “why” issue—for instance, that clearly mapped out. This new status we ours is a created universe. Thus we see forthwith implied in a careful dis- would render unto Caesar the things tinction between talents bestowed, be- that are Caesar’s, only to secure a tween calls heard and followed, and in firmer hold on the things that are a corresponding division of social labor God’s. as will be outlined in our conclusion. While theology, then, attempts to clarify the process according to which V. the light is being presented to the world, In its essentially pragmatic search Christian philosophy should remain in for clues, science proceeds upon the world without being of it, so as to axioms, principles, and assumptions, prepare the path of the world toward which prove to be postulates of thought the light. This movement to Zion is one beyond ultimate verification. So, in a of the great themes of Bible teaching way, our Christian thinking bent on from Isaiah to Bunyan. The author of religious truth proceeds from postu- Pilgrim’s Progress may precisely be lates of faith of which man cannot be said to have summed up Christian the measure. Yet the advantage is on philosophy in the briefest and yet most the side of Christian thinking inasmuch pungent form, with Christian’s oft re- as these postulates of faith are data of peated statement : “I am a man that am revelation. Let a Christian positivism come from the City of Destruction, and begin right here. I am going to Mount Zion.” Precisely. Our Sovereign God, the Creator and The Frame of the City may rise
Upholder of the universe, sits at the higher than the clouds. Yet it is often roaring loom of events and reveals hidden from view by partial, that is, Himself in His Creation, in the very false perspectives, arising from the ex- texture of history, and in the human perience of mortal man, especially from soul. There is therefore a Christian his failure to acknowledge “the great view of nature and of human nature Doer of redeeming things,” and conse- there is more especially a Christian out- quently to heed the divine Agency at look on history, including our own life- work in this God-created, God-con- history there is Christian approach trolled and upheld universe of ; a ours. to psychology and human relations It is the part of the Christian philos- there is a Christian epistemology pre- opher to help restore the true per- paring the way for constructive Chris- spective as he has been given eyes to
tian metaphysics. see it. In doing this he will prepare a Such views appeal to the scientist as path for the theologian, while formu- a person, if carefully defined. The lating and applying a good-neighbor scientist may pause even in his scien- policy with the catholicity of science, THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 37
through which the thinking of the good will. What happens then lies world of men and affairs is mostly between them and the living God. being framed nowadays. We need Let us therefore emerge from the therefore no longer lend a semblance vanity of artifact, of pseudo-theories, of motive to Whitehead’s contention and mere dialectical feats. Let our that any step forward on the part of language recover, with a power pertain- science ipso facto brings about a panic ing to the reality of the things that are, on the part of the Church. a clarity of expression arising from the Such convictions have been forced awareness of a well-assessed and upon me by a twenty years’ experience scripturally thought out integration of on the American campus. In many data. instances the Church and the lay world Precisely because we look for a City are no longer on speaking terms. A beyond this wilderness, let us cast our meeting ground must be prepared for lot with this matter-of-fact world them, from which both perspectives, temporarily assigned to our care, yet the God-centered as well as the man- without being of it, learning its most centered, may be seen in their true perfect techniques, while availing our- implications. Thus the old invitation, selves of the best information yielded “Choose ye this day,” will take on a by them. Let us boldly come out for a new meaning for our contemporaries of truly Christian positivism.
THE CHARGE TO DR. EMILE CAILLIET
Harold E. Nicely
mile CAILLIET, it is my reason for the faith that is in us? Can E privilege in behalf of the Board of we apply it to the ever changing con- Trustees to lay upon your mind and ditions of this confused and frantic conscience the duties of your office as world? There is no time to thresh the the Stuart Professor of Christian old straw of irrelevant questions. There Philosophy in this Seminary. is time only to deal affirmatively with From the date of its founding this the hope and destiny of men and na- institution has maintained an unswerv- tions today. As the late Justice Holmes ing loyalty to the Gospel of Jesus once observed, “Truth isn’t such an
Christ. Such loyalty has often been ex- invalid that it can take the air only in a pressed by scholars who were known closed carriage.” Its vitality, its author- as defenders of the faith. Defenders ity are within itself. It can stand on its are needed, for there are always many own feet. It can shine in its own light. adversaries, and indeed one of the In a day when the very lights of civili-
1 glories of the Gospel is the fact that it zation seem to be falling, it can bring i has always been greatly assailed. men to the moment of vision when But the real question is always, with their Master they can see the r “What is this truth that we defend?” forces of darkness shaken, their grip on Do we understand it? Can we give a history broken when they can ex- ; 38 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN claim, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall for their faith. They must believe that from heaven.” they are dealing with realities. They We want you to take the field as a must be persuaded that here they touch champion of Christian truth, with no the truth. limitations except those of a great What is this world in which we live commitment to Jesus Christ, whose and move and have our being? If God service is perfect freedom. is a name for the source and ground of I speak as the pastor of a church to our existence, most people believe in an eminent scholar. I want to remind God. We did not make ourselves. We you of the needs of simple, everyday are dependent on something beyond people. A dozen years ago the leading ourselves for daily bread. We cannot best selling non-fiction was the “Boston foresee or control our future. We be- Cook Book.” For the last two years the lieve in God. But what kind of a God? best selling non-fiction has been Lieb- Is He a Subject or an Object? Is He a man’s “Peace of Mind.” There aren’t Knower, as the psalmist said? “O enough hospital beds or enough quali- Lord, Thou hast searched me and
1 fied psychiatrists to take care of the known me. . . . Thou understandest my people who cannot find peace of mind thought afar off.” And is there a wide- in this disordered world. ness in His mercy like the wideness of Where will they find it? By running the sea? Here, as Mr. Montague has away from life ? After the Seven Years’ pointed out, we are dealing with a Frederick the Great built a castle War, momentous possibility. “If we could in the forest at Potsdam and called it not only believe it but act upon it, life Sans Souci. But it was not “without would suddenly become radiant.” And care.” we could answer the question of a Sleep can be induced by medicine, young mother who said in the hospital, but there is no peace of mind until in “We aren’t sure that we should have our waking hours we can “Trust God, brought this little child into the world.” see all, nor be afraid.” Moreover, we need to know the truth “Come unto me, all ye that labor about man. There are great Christian and are heavy laden, and I will give you duties, but we shall be confused by rest.” Here is a resource, but how can them and we may even take them lightly it be apprehended in the workaday world? until we make great Christian discov- eries. What is man ? An animal which “I am not alone, because the Father — tells us nothing. He is an animal that is with me.” These are among the most reassuring words ever spoken, but can laughs, draws pictures, uses tools, cooks we believe them enough to act upon his food. An ancient philosopher called
1 them ? him a “two-legged animal without feathers.” Is he nothing else? Is he a “Why are ye fearful? How is it that ye have no faith ?” When the tempest barbarian not too far removed from rises about them, simple everyday the brute, lightly touched with a people would like to have such faith. civilizing veneer? Is he rival, alien,
They know that it is their most pressing competitor, adversary, and nothing
need. But before they can accept it more ? Then with a bow to the conven-
and live by it, they must have a reason tions, which I am bound to respect, THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 39 why not brush him aside, or get on his spoke often of the foolishness of back and hold him down? fear. But once, and I think only once, Or is he, as Jesus said, a child of he told men what to fear. “Fear not God? And if I stand under God, and those who can destroy the body, but say, “O God, Thou art my God,” then rather fear those who can destroy the this other man stands in the same rela- soul.” tion, is endowed with the same rights, A young chemist appeared for em- and he is not merely rival, alien, com- ployment at the Eastman Kodak Com- petitor, or adversary. He is my brother pany. He was asked why he was in the eyes of God. And if every man is interested in that organization. He an- a child of God, then wherever I en- swered, “Because I think you have counter a human being and in whatever the best retirement plan of any that I condition I find him, the ground where- know.” At twenty-five he was thinking on I stand is holy ground. about retirement. Therefore I must search out the What becomes of people when initia- meaning of justice under God who tive fails ? When effort is something to made the earth and sky and sea. I must be avoided ? When a man relates him- know man’s right to live, to toil, to self to life only in terms of his un- rest, to love, to provide for his children redeemed desires, for pleasure, wealth, in a land where they shall dwell every power, indulgence, ease ? When a man man under his vine and under his fig makes himself the center of his world tree, and none shall make them afraid. and uses all of God’s gifts of mind Surely I must be militant in his behalf. and strength and talent for nothing I must know why I stand for his free- more than to have his way ? There will dom, and I that whatever must know always be some. And in the absence of philosophy begins with the belief that a reason for resolute, strenuous, hope- there is something worth more than a ful effort, there will be many who drift human life will end in some kind of into the various expressions of self- tyranny over human life, whether it is love. But it is still true that “he that the tyranny of materialism or a feudal loveth his life shall lose it,” as Jesus society or a police state. I must know said. his rights, and I must go beyond his We must have a reason for living, rights and understand his needs and be for seeking the pearl of great price, very tender in my concern for his wel- for a will to spend and be spent, and fare. These are imperatives if he is a to be measured not child of God. For that also, I must have by the wine drunk but by the wine poured out in loving a reason—the reason of Christ : “Inas- much as ye have done it unto one of and faithful service to God and man. the least of these my brethren, ye have What is the truth about God ? What done it unto Me.” is the truth about man? What is the Let no one suppose that the only seri- meaning of life? What does Christian ous dangers that we face are those philosophy have to say? To this chair that threaten world peace. It is not yet we call you, and to your labors we clear that even a constructive use of pledge our support, praying that this atomic energy will free us from all ills new relationship may be, in a phrase in this world and the next. Our Lord of Cromwell, “a birth of Providence.” )
DEGREES, FELLOWSHIPS AND PRIZES
The following degrees were con- Robert Elston Hargis, A.B. University ferred at the Commencement on June of Redlands, 1943
8 : Orion Cornelius Hopper, Jr., A.B. Yale University, Religious 1945 Masters of Education {Erin . Richard Edward Hunter, A.B. Ursinus Ruth Florence Frazer, A.B. Hunter College, 1945 College, 1942 Louis Francis Hutchins, B.S. Georgia Eleanor Ruth Miller, A.B. Austin Col- School of Technology, 1937, M.S. lege, 1945 Massachusetts Institute of Technol- Dorothy Mae Presnell, A.B. High ogy, 1939 Point College, 1943 James Leslie Inglis, A.B. Bloomfield Blanche Elizabeth Robertson, A.B. College and Seminary, 1944 University of Kansas, 1920 Charles Henry Jester, Jr., A.B. Uni- Agnes Katherine Smith, B.S. Cornell versity of Redlands, 1945 University, 1945 Reuel Edmund Johnson, A.B. Wheat- on College, 1945 Bachelors of Divinity Donald DeVoe McKendree Jones, A.B. James John Anilosky, A.B. Lafayette Wesleyan University, 1945 College, 1945 Robert Keith Kelley, A.B. University Wilbert John Beeners, A.B. University of California at Los Angeles, 1945 of Dubuque, 1943 Claire Benton Kline, Jr., A.B. College Alfred Edwin Behrer, A.B. Juniata of Wooster, 1944 College, 1945 Andrew Kosten, B.S.E. University of Fred Christian Bischoff, A.B. Bloom- Michigan, 1942 field College and Seminary, 1945 Dallas Davis Landrum, Jr., A.B. Uni- Charles Brackbill, Jr., A.B. Texas versity of Colorado, Christian University, 1944 1947 Ernest Thomas Campbell, A.B. Bob Bickford Lang, A.B. Franklin and Marshall College, Jones College, 1945 1945 Charles Edgar Carson, B.S. Hartford Donald James MacGuire, A.B. South- School of Religious Education, 1945 western, 1945 Weyman Reives Cleveland, A.B. John Harvey MacLeod, A.B. College Wheaton College, 1943 of Wooster, 1945 Donald R. Dilworth, D.O. College of Frederick Albert Magley, A.B. Lafay- Osteopathic Physicians and Sur- ette College, 1945 geons, 1944 Harry Henry Maue, A.B. Bloomfield Verne Hatch Fletcher, A.B. Wheaton College and Seminary, 1945 College, 1945 Donald Ellis May, A.B. Princeton Leroy James Garrett, B.S. Abilene University, 1945 Christian College, 1942, M.A. South- Earl Wesley Morey, Jr., A.B. Western ern Methodist University, 1943 Maryland College, 1945 Edward Conant Gartrell, A.B. Wheat- Harold Sidney Murphy, B.S. Rutgers on College, 1945 University, 1948 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 41
James Brown Ollis, A.B. Hastings Col- William Crompton Bennett, A.B. Em- B.D. Union lege, 1945 ory University, 1944, Wesley Alfred Olsen, A.B. Central Theological Seminary, Virginia, 1946 Michigan College, 1945 Spyker Riley Bingaman, A.B. Albright James Douglas Ormiston, A.B. Uni- College, 1915, B.D. McCormick The- versity of Saskatchewan, 1944 ological Seminary, 1920 Jack Benjamin Rapp, B.S. University Ulysses Buckley Blakeley, A.B. Lin- of California, 1940 coln University, 1936; S.T.B. 1939 Ralph Herron Reed, A.B. Muskingum Kenneth Robert Boyd, A.B. University College, 1945 of California at Los Angeles, 1943, Robert Franklin Rice, A.B. Centre Col- B.D. Princeton Theological Semi- lege, 1946 nary, 1945 Tetsuo Saito, A.B. Whitworth College, Robert Harold Bragstad, A.B. Augus- 1944 tana College, 1938, Th.B. Luther Robert Francis Scott, A.B. University Theological Seminary, Minnesota, of Pennsylvania, 1942; B.S. 1943 1942 Phil- Robert Edward Seel, A.B. Maryville Beauford Harding Bryant, M.A. lips University, B.D. Phillips College, 1945 1944, University, College of the Bible, Elmer Charles Smith, A.B. Tusculum 1946 Dugal Glenn Campbell, A.B. Univer- College, 1944 sity of Western Ontario, 1942, B.D. Paul Watson Stauning, A.B. Drew Presbyterian College, Montreal, 1946 University, 1945 Kwai Sing Chang, A.B. University of Raymond Lee Strong, B.S. Harvard Hawaii, 1944, B.D. Princeton Theo- University, 1944 logical Seminary, 1947 Richard Feild Taylor, B.S. Virginia Howard Hess Charles, A.B. Goshen Polytechnic Institute, M.S. 1935 ; College, 1941, B.D. Union Theologi- 1936 cal Seminary, Virginia, 1944 Harold Merton Udell, A.B. North- James Arthur Cogswell, A.B. South- western University, 1945 western, 1942, B.D. Union Theologi- George Leonard VanLeuven, Jr., A.B. cal Seminary, Virginia, 1945 Whitworth College, 1945 Frederick Maxwell Corum A.B. Uni- Cornelius Wall, A.B. Tabor College, versity of Pennsylvania, 1937, Th.B. 1928 Princeton Theological Seminary,
Eli Fry Wismer, Jr., A.B. Ursinus 194° College, 1941 Philip John Daunton, A.B. Oxford University, 1941 ; M.A. 1947, Wy- Masters of Theology cliffe Hall, Oxford, 1947 Harold Harmon Ditmanson, A.B. St. Deszo Abraham, Reformed Gymnasi- Olaf College, 1942, Th.B. Luther um, Kiskunttalas, 1938, Budapest Theological Seminary, Minnesota, Theological Seminary, Hungary, 1945 1944 Walter Lewis Dosch, II, A.B. Uni- John Pritchard Amstutz, A.B. Asbury versity of California, 1943, B.D. College, 1943, B.D. Asbury Theolog- Princeton Theological Seminary, ical Seminary, 1947 1945 42 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
William Hague Foster, Jr., A.B. Aus- sity of Alabama, 1940, B.D. Colum- tin College, 1939, B.D. Austin Theo- bia Theological Seminary, 1943 logical Seminary, 1942 John Barton Payne, A.B. University Ethelbert Hopkins Gartrell, Jr., A.B. of California, 1942; M.A. 1946, B.D. Hampden- Sydney College, 1939, San Francisco Theological Semi- B. D. Union Theological Seminary, nary, 1945 Virginia, 1942 William Oates Ragsdale, A.B. Erskine John Dickson Harkness, A.B. Temple College 1937, Th.B. Princeton Theo- University, 1934, Th.B. Princeton logical Seminary, 1940 Theological Seminary, 1937 Frank Yolton Ramsey, A.B. Grove Donald Ferdinand Hesterman, A.B. City College, 1943, S.T.B. Western Capital University, 1945, B.D. Evan- Theological Seminary, 1945 gelical Lutheran Theological Semi- Paul Wentworth Reigner, B.S. Johns nary, 1947 Hopkins University, 1942, B.D. Un- Earle Wilbur Hutchison, A.B. Rutgers ion Theological Seminary, Virginia, University, 1937, B.D. New Bruns- 1943 wick Theological Seminary, 1940 George Arthur Reinke, A.B. Wart- Thomas Albert Jenkins, A.B. Johnson burg College, 1944, B.D. Wartburg C. Smith University, 1928; B.D. Theological Seminary, 1947 1931 Melvin Louis Schaper, A.B. Greenville Edward Donovan Jones, A.B. Victoria College, 1945, B.D. Asbury Theo- College, 1943, Emmanuel College, logical Seminary, 1947 Toronto, 1946 Edwin Adam Schick, A.B. Wartburg Girtle Victor Levan, A.B. McMaster College, 1942, B.D. Wartburg The- University, 1940, Emmanuel Col- ological Seminary, 1945 lege, Toronto, 1947 John Cromley Shetler, A.B. Franklin Peter Macintosh Macaskill, A.B. Mc- and Marshall College, 1942, B.D. Gill University, 1944, United Theo- Seminary of the Evangelical and Re- formed Church, logical College, Montreal, 1947 1945 William James Harper McKnight, Thomas Irvine Smith, A.B. Washing- ton and Jefferson College, A.B. Westminster College, Penn- 1932, Th.B. Princeton Theological Semi- sylvania, 1922, Th.B., Pittsburgh- nary, 1936 Xenia Theological Seminary, 1925 Peter Ven-Hao Tsai, A.B. University David MacNab Morrison, A.B. Pres- of Shanghai, 1940, B.D. Nanking byterian College, South Carolina, Theological Seminary, 1945 1939, B.D. Columbia Theological Arthur Albert VonGruenigen, A.B. Seminary, 1942 Heidelberg College, 1944, B.D. Mis- John Henry Moseman, A.B. Elizabeth- sion House Seminary, 1947 town College, B.D. Eastern 1932, Cornelius Wall, A.B. Tabor College, Baptist Theological Seminary, 1945 1928, B.D. Princeton Theological David Clemens Newquist, A.B. Uni- Seminary, 1948 versity of California at Los Angeles, David Brainerd Watermulder, A.B. 1941, Th.B. Princeton Theological University of Kansas, 1942, B.D. Seminary, 1944 Princeton Theological Seminary, John William Ormond, A.B. Univer- 1945 :
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 43
Doctors of Theology Augsburg Theological Seminary, 1941 Steven Barabas, A.B. Princeton Uni- Thesis : The Hermeneutical Principles versity, 1937, Th.B. Princeton Theo- of Luther’s Early Exegesis logical Seminary, 1940 the Thesis : Keswick and Its Use of Fellowships and Prizes were award- Bible ed as follows William Hendriksen, A.B. Calvin Col- Fellowship in New Testament lege, 1924, Th.B. Calvin Theological Raymond Lee Strong Seminary, 1927, Th.M. 1933 Fellowship in Church History Thesis : The Meaning of the Preposi- Verne Hatch Fletcher tion “anti” in the New Testament Fellowship in Systematic Theology Balmer Hancock Kelly, A.B. King Col- Claire Benton Kline, Jr. lege, 1934, B.D. Union Theological Fellowship on the Samuel Robinson Seminary, Virginia, 1939, Th.M. Foundation 1940 Wilbert John Beeners Thesis: The Septuagint Translators of - Prizes on the Samuel Robinson Foun- I Samuel and II Samuel 1 : 1 1 1 :i dation John Henry Kromminga, A.B. Calvin William Brimberry Abbot College, 1939, Th.B. Calvin Theo- James Stanley Barlow logical Seminary, 1942 Wilbert John Beeners Thesis : The Christian Reformed Alfred Edwin Behrer Church: A Study in Orthodoxy Martin Ernest Lehmann, A.B. Uni- Brevard Springs Childs James Gordon Emerson, Jr. versity of Saskatchewan, 1937, B.D. Robert Bent Hayward Lutheran College and Seminary, Sas- Ellsworth Erskine Jackson, katoon, 1944, S.T.M. Hamma Di- Jr. Robert Keith Kelley vinity School, 1945 August John Kling Thesis : Justus Jonas, the Halle Re- former John Harvey MacLeod Maurice Eugene Osterhaven, A.B. John Henry Marks Hope College, 1937, B.D. Western James Perry Martin Theological Seminary, 1941 Thomas Fish Moffett Thesis: Our Knowledge of God Ac- Wesley Alfred Olsen cording to John Calvin Kenneth McKinnon Read Christian Keyser Preus, A.B. Luther Tetsuo Saito College, 1930, B.D. Luther Theo- James Hutchinson Smylie logical Seminary, Minnesota, 1933, Paul Allison White Th.M. Princeton Theological Semi- First Grier-Davies Prizes in Homi- nary, 1941 letics and Speech Thesis: The Theology of Johann Chris- Senior—Wilbert John Beeners tian Konrad von Hofmann with Spe- Middler—William George Chal- cial Reference to his Hermeneutical mers Principles Junior—James Stanley Barlow Warren Anderson Quanbeck, A.B. Second Greir-Davies Prizes
Augsburg College, 1937, Th.B. Senior—Eli Fry Wismer, Jr. 44 THE PRINCETON SEMIN ARY BULLETIN Middler—John Henry Marks Robert L. Maitland Prizes Junior—Horace White Burr First—August John Kling Scribner Prizes in New Testament Second—Elizabeth Deborah Bon- Literature neville First—Robert Elston Hargis John Finley McLaren Prize Second—Andrew Kosten Earl Wesley Morey, Jr. Benjamin Stanton Prize Archibald Alexander Hodge Prize John Henry Marks John Lowe Felmeth
PROMOTION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
James K. Quay
T seems to take a long time to get the caption “Into the Sunset.” Each I the sand under my wheels in my job monthly page of the calendar will carry of Promotion and Public Relations. I a verse of Scripture and a line of had hoped to get the new Princeton homely philosophy. All the printing Seminary Brochure in the mail by this will be done from hand sketches in time, but one or two very important quaint Benjamin Franklin type by one features are slow in coming through of our students. No advertising, not
and I am holding it up for a few weeks. even the name of the Seminary, will
I believe when it is finished it will be appear on the face of the calendar. For one of the most attractive presentations those who wish to look, the advertising of Princeton Theological Seminary will be found on the under side of the that has appeared. The two center pages. This will explain the picture of pages will show a new air view of the the old couple facing the sunset by pre- campus with all our lovely old trees senting the opportunity for investment in full leaf and with the white cupola in a Princeton Theological Seminary of Alexander Hall gleaming in the cen- annuity. A small blotter showing the ter. new air view of the campus will go Some two months ago I sent out a with each calendar. letter to all alumni requesting them to We wish to give the widest possible ask by return post card for a copy of circulation to the calendar among the the Brochure. So many of them have people who might be interested in responded that we have decided to send Princeton Seminary. Naturally every a copy to every alumnus on the assump- alumnus will be given an opportunity tion that it will be universally wel- to share in this distribution. come. Your frank comments and criticism Another piece of really artistic pub- both on the Brochure and on the Cal- licity for the Seminary is in the mak- endar will be most welcome. Also we ing. It will be a small desk calendar shall appreciate constructive sugges- with a brown gravure picture at the tions as to how we may bring Prince- top, showing an old couple silhouetted ton Seminary to the attention of the against the evening sky and bearing people who logically might be expected THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 45
to give financial support. The Board Kingdom with a background of Prince- of Trustees has suggested that I try ton Seminary training. to secure the sum of $4,900,000 for There are few tasks more worth- new buildings, new equipment for the while in your ministry than to discover old dormitories, endowment for teach- and inspire the right youth for Chris- ing and current operation, and endow- tion leadership in this day of world ment for scholarships to assist the crisis. With your help, Princeton growing stream of consecrated and Seminary pledges itself to give them gifted young men and women who the best training that is humanly pos- desire to go out into the service of the sible to match this hour.
PRINCETONIANA
By Lefferts A. Loetscher
The Faculty Mackay gave the address on the sub- ject “The Decade Ahead.” There was R. Emile Cailliet was installed as much stimulating discussion in both D Stuart Professor of Christian morning and afternoon sessions. Dr. Philosophy on April 27. The Charge Vasady led the closing devotions. These
. to the Professor, delivered by Dr. occasions are valuable contributions Harold E. Nicely of the Board of to Faculty fellowship, planning, and team- Trustees, and Dr. Cailliet’s Inaugural work. Address are both published elsewhere Out of this year’s Faculty Retreat in this issue of the Bulletin. there grew the idea of a Faculty Club. Three promotions in the Faculty The annual retreats prove fruitful have been announced. Dr. Bruce M. so that it was felt that something similar, Metzger was promoted from Assistant but of a briefer sort, might well be Professor to Associate Professor of maintained throughout the year. It was New Testament; Dr. Lefferts A. therefore decided to form a Faculty Loetscher from Assistant Professor to Club which will hold dinner meetings Associate Professor of Church His- about six times a year and will tory; and Dr. John W. Wevers from discuss matters of theological interest. Instructor to Assistant Professor of Sub- jects will rotate from meeting to meet-
\ Old Testament. ing among the several departments. The annual Faculty Retreat was held last May at The Deaconry, near Ber- Navy Plaque nardsville, New Jersey. After a devo- The United States Navy officially tional service led by Dr. Quay, ad- presented to the Seminary a bronze dresses were given by Dr. Cailliet and plaque in recognition of the Seminary’s
1 Dr. Lehmann on the subject “Our work in training men for the navy Historic Ideal of Learning and Piety chaplaincy under the V-12 program in the Life and of the Work Semi- during World War II. The daily chapel nary Today.” In the afternoon Dr. service on May 20 was given over to :
46 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN the ceremony connected with the award. the degree of Doctor of Laws.
Navy Chaplain Walter J. Vierling, who Dr. Hugh B. McCrone, who served is currently studying for the Th.M. with distinction for many years as degree at the Seminary, led the devo- Chairman of the Council of the Alum- tional service. Chaplain Frank R. Ham- ni Association of the Seminary, was ilton, Captain, delivered the address of recently greatly honored by friends on formal award, with Dr. Mackay, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary behalf of the Seminary, making the ac- of his ordination to the ministry. A ceptance address. The plaque reads as dinner was held in his honor at the follows Rutledge Church of which he was for- “Navy Department United States merly pastor. The many friends who of America were present bore testimony to the es- This mark of commendation teem in which his person and services to many good causes is awarded to are held. Princeton Theological Seminary The sun never sets on the Princeton For effective co-operation Seminary family, scattered as it is throughout the in training naval personnel world. Less than a fort- night after during World War II the meeting of alumni at Navy V-12 the Seattle General Assembly, loyal (Theological) alumni gathered in Belfast, Ireland, for their annual James Forrestal meeting. The “Irish Princetonian Secretary of the Navy” Association,” as the group calls itself, elected as president for the Alumni coming year the Rev. A. E. Scott, B.A.,
There were more than a hundred at B.D., of Donegal. Mr. Scott is of the the Princeton Seminary Alumni Din- Seminary Class of 1920. Word of this interesting ner at the General Assembly on May meeting comes from the Rev. 31. Dr. Peter K. Emmons, President J. Wallace Bruce of Temple- of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, patrick, County Antrim. It is always presided. The meeting was visited by inspiring to hear of the activity of Dr. Jesse H. Baird, Moderator of the these friends from across the sea and Assembly and President of San Fran- of their continuing interest in the Sem- cisco Seminary, who very graciously inary’s work. left a similar meeting of his own Sem- Word has come from the Rev. Al- inary group to bring the greetings of varico D. Viemes of the Class of 1926, the Assembly to the Princeton meeting. who is in Cagayan in the Philippine Is- The Princeton alumni were addressed lands. He is ministering to two church- by Dr. Mackay and Dr. Quay. Dr. es which he founded. He is serving, Mackay spoke of the Seminary’s role too, as head of the Bible department in in the contemporary world and Dr. a high school. Plans are under way to Quay spoke of his work and of plans found a junior college next year. afoot for raising necessary funds for Mr. Viernes writes : “You might the Seminary. Dr. Quay had just come wonder how I and my family fared from his alma mater, Monmouth Col- during the War. Well, we never sur- lege, where he had delivered the Com- rendered to the enemy. We took to the mencement Address and had received mountains with many other civilians —;•
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 47 and worked on the farms to support therefore, General Hodge changed the our guerrilla soldiers. But our three date to Monday, May 10.” In the new houses on the coast were burned. We Korean Congress which was thus elect- lost our furniture, books, our work ani- ed, 38 of the 198 members are Chris- mals and more than ioo Rhode Island tians. Red chickens.” Mr. Viernes earnestly Mr. Pai reports many encouraging requests books for the high school developments in the religious situa- “wholesome novels, fiction, religious tion. The Sungdo Presbyterian Church, books. Am sure there are many pri- for example, has shown remarkable vate libraries with good books that are growth during its year of existence. simply lying idle on their shelves.” In July, 1947, the largest attendance Mr. Viernes’ address is Carruth Me- was 1 01. By February, 1948, the maxi- morial Hall, Cagayan, Misamis, Orien- mum attendance had reached 556, and tal, Philippine Islands. Musical instru- by June 936, with 1,200 attending the ments are also desired. Anniversary Service. “The General As- Firsthand experience with some of sembly of the Presbyterian Church the horrors of the recent war has led elected me as the General Secretary Mr. Viernes to the following conclu- for the Board,” Mr. Pai reports, but sion : “I hear people saying that some adds that it will be a little time before the has helped them spiritually. War he can take up the duties of his office. If it takes a for them to have war “Refugees,” he says, “are continually spiritual growth, I say, let them go coming from North Korea. Their lands, somewhere. To me war is always evil homes, properties and money are con- all angles and aspects of it. I hate — fiscated when they come, but they come to see another war ! I saw the first anyway, bringing their wives and chil- World War. . . . Do you know how dren without anything. The Capital many Princeton Seminary alumni are City is packed with the crowd.” in the Philippines? I should like to Interesting reports of Christian work locate them and have contacts with too. Rev. them.” come from Japan, The Chuzo (Th.M., writes From another part of the Orient— Yamada 1941) from Kure, don’t have our Korea—comes word from the Rev. Japan. “We Minsoo Pai, who was a special student Church Building as well as our resi- living at the Seminary, 1941-43. He is tempo- dence yet. We are in a small rarily engaged in work under the Unit- room of Salvation Army temporarily. ed States Military Government in Ko- Our Church also burned down during rea. Mr. Pai reports that the political the war. We are expecting to have a election in his land was “successful,” portable house from America and will with more than 93% of the eligible start its construction some time next persons voting. “This they did despite month. Kure was the main Naval Port the opposition of the Communists who of Japan, so much as it was war sabotaged, killed and did what they boomed city, therefore it suffered so could to hinder the election. . . . The heavily and lost its main industry and election was first called to be held on means of living. . . .
May 9, a Sunday. Christians from all “We have two Church of United parts of Southern Korea opposed this Church of Japan and one Anglican and 48 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
Salvation Army. Every one of them work is going forward in those strategic destroyed by the war, however, Salva- lands. tion Army built a fine building with Theological Library Association the Social Works Center by the help of British Army. The most of them The American Theological Library are having their meetings at private Association was organized in 1947 at house or temporary hut. Ours are also the suggestion of the American As- at private house, however, over eighty sociation of Theological Schools. The people attends on Sunday Service, and purpose of the new Library Associa- Sunday School has over hundred chil- tion, according to its constitution, is dren. . . . There is widely opened for “to bring its members into closer work- Christian Evangelism and we have sev- ing relations with each other and with eral new faces every meeting. Although the American Association of Theolog- is great hope and opportunity ical distinctive there a Schools ; to study the we are having some obstacles and dif- problems of theological seminary li-
ficulties to christianize this nation ; that braries, to increase the professional is the shortage of workers and places competence of the membership, and of meetings. Life of Japan is still to improve the quality of library serv- under depressed condition, and . . . will ice to theological education.” The meet- cause lot more hardness of life there- ing this year wr as held on June 14 and fore I shall be much appreciated your 15 at The Bonebrake Theological Semi- constant prayer and support so that I nary, Dayton, Ohio, partly coinciding and whole my family can stand and in time with the meeting there of the work to His glory, particularly in this American Association of Theological period of opportunity and trials.” Schools. Another message also comes from Dr. Gapp, the Librarian of Prince- Japan, this one from the Rev. Takii- ton Seminary, has been active in the new organization. Last year he was a chiro Konno of the Class of 1933, who writes from Fukushima. “The long member of the Executive Commit- tee and Chairman of the Constitution years passed in the war. Since I came Committee, and this year he presented back to Japan from America in 1933, a report on Personnel Training. I had stayed in Akita for fifteen years as a pastor and last spring I moved Student Activities here to Fukushima from Akita. This This past summer, for the second church is the biggest in North Japan. time, an opportunity was offered to “Nowadays all ages of Japanese, es- complete the beginners’ Hebrew in a pecially young men and women, come special summer session. Forty students to church to hear the Gospel of God. took advantage of the offer, and they So every day, I work hard to preach were divided into two sections taught the Gospel at churches, at school and respectively by Dr. Fritsch and Dr. other meetings and sometimes I try Wevers. This was about a dozen more to use time for rural evangelization.” than took the course last summer. It is a joy to us all to receive word Each class met for ten weeks, five days from these and other friends in the a week, two hours a day, from 8:30 Orient and to hear that the Lord’s to 9:30 and from 11 :30 to 12:30. Sev- THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 49 eral students from other seminaries American Association of were among those taking the course. Theological Schools The results during both summers were The Biennial Meeting of the Ameri- highly encouraging. Though the total can Association of Theological Schools number of hours of class work was a was held at The Bonebrake Theologi- little less than in the winter, a compa- cal Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, on June rable amount of work was accomplished 15 and 16. Dr. Kenneth S. Gapp, Li- because of the concentration of the stu- brarian, and Dean Edward H. Roberts dents’ full time on the task during the represented the Seminary. President limited period. Mackay was unable to attend because In the spring of each year now there of pressing engagements made before is held a joint meeting of the Faculty’s the dates of the Biennial Meeting had Committee on Student Life and the been announced. Nevertheless, in his outgoing and incoming Student Coun- absence, the Association elected him cils. Student life and activities are dis- President for the coming biennium. cussed, and the way is prepared for The Committee on Theological De- the closest possible cooperation of grees, of which Dean Roberts is Chair- Faculty and students in the life of the man, presented “A Program for a Seminary. Graduate Professional Degree.” This During the year a number of stu- would enable a man to secure a degree dent pastors attended New Life Move- after seven years of supervised study, ment training schools and guided lay and after having given evidence of leaders of local churches in visitation marked proficiency in the ministry. It evangelism. In one student church near- was voted that the plan should be given ly fifty members were added to the further study during the next two church, some of them on profession of years. faith, through such visitation evange- lism. Dr. T. Z. Koo Bids Farewell
very fine Institute of Theology A farewell letter was re- ceived by Dr. Mackay from the dis- In spite of the greatly increased tinguished visitor in Princeton, Dr. T. number of summer conferences since Z. Koo. Dr. Koo wrote in part as fol- the war, the Princeton Institute of lows : Theology was unusually successful this ‘‘Even a good thing must come to last summer. The enrollment was even an end and this was the feeling upper- larger than last year, with a total of most in my heart when I left Princeton more than 300 in attendance. Twenty- recently. When I returned to China seven states, from Pennsylvania to Cal- from last Sabbatical in ifornia, and from Maine to Alabama, my Oxford (’28-’29) were represented, and twenty-six de- it was to face the mounting nominations. Visitors were present threat of Japanese aggression in Man- from ten foreign countries. churia. Twenty years have gone by Whatever your plans may be for since that time and what years of strug- next summer, you will want to reserve gle, tears and blood they were for many a place in them for the Princeton In- of us in China. To come out of that stitute of Theology. kind of background and have a year :
50 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN of study and rest in beautiful Prince- Bishop Otto Dibelius of the Berlin ton was a blessing which can only be Area Russian Zone on conditions in appreciated to its full when seen against Germany. that background. The Rev. L. K. Anderson, D.D., “On behalf of Mrs. Koo and myself, Secretary of the Board of Foreign Mis- I wish to express to you and the mem- sions on “The Challenge of Missions.” bers of the Seminary faculty our most Bishop Fjellbu, of the Diocese of heartfelt gratitude for having made it Nidaros, Trondheim, Norway, on the possible for us to enjoy such a blessing. present situation in Norway. As we gradually wend our way to the The Rev. George E. Sweazey, Ph.D., west coast to return to China next year, Secretary of the Department of Evan- we shall always remember with grati- gelism of the Board of National Mis- tude and affection the many friends sions, on the New Life Movement. who have helped to make our year in The Rev. Anders Nygren, Th.D., Princeton intellectually stimulating and Professor of Systematic Theology in spiritually refreshing.” the University of Lund, Sweden, on Preachers and Lecturers “Revelation and the Bible.” Dr. Jessie Dell Crawford on the During the sessions of 1947-48 on New Curriculum of the Presbyterian invitation of the Faculty, Mr. Wilbur Church. LaRoe, Moderator of the General As- The Rev. Liston Pope, Ph.D., Pro- sembly of the Presbyterian Church, fessor of Social Ethics, the Divinity U.S.A., spoke in the First Presbyterian School, Yale University on “The Need Church of Princeton. for Christian Social Vision.” On invitation of the Faculty, the The reading of Dickens’ Christmas following preached in Miller Chapel on Tuesday evenings: Carol by Dr. Donald Wheeler. The Rev. John R. Cunningham, D.D., President of Davidson College Missionaries in Residence and Moderator of the General Assem- During the past year it has been the bly of the Presbyterian Church, U.S. pleasure of the Seminary to welcome The Rev. H. Ray Anderson, D.D., to Payne Hall the following mission- pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian
: aries A. Babos of China ; L. B. Car- Church, Chicago, 111 . ruthers of India; W. P. Fenn of Chi- The Rev. Robert J. McCracken, na; D. Harkness of India; A. E. D.D., pastor of the Riverside Church, J. Harper of India; S. C. Henderson of New York City. Chile T. Z. Koo of China F. Larudy Addresses were delivered before the ; ; student body by of Iran; R. McKinney of Mexico; D. A. Parker of Colombia R. Scott Mr. Robert S. Bilheimer, Executive ; W. of India of India B. Secretary of the National Inter-Semi- ; W. C. Smith ; of Argentina F. nary Committee on the Inter-Seminary D. Stockwell ; S. Movement. Thompson of Egypt. ALUMNI NOTES
Eugene Pilgrim is Chaplain of the i 1885 ] W.
Virginia Hospital, Dwight, 111 . On May the 8th G. B. F. Hallock and Mrs. Hallock celebrated the sixtieth anniversary Merold E. Westphal has accepted a call to the Church, Seattle, of their marriage. Mt. View Wash. Calvin Church, Detroit, Mich., has called
[ 1890 ] R. A. N. Wilson.
At its Commencement in June Lincoln University conferred the honorary degree of [ 1927 ] Doctor of Divinity upon George M. Cum- Edwin H. Rian has begun his work as mings. Vice President of Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas.
[ 1899 ]
The Session of Bethany Collegiate Church, [ 1928 ] Philadelphia, Pa., has asked William Barnes Jacob A. Long has been elected Professor Lower to be pastor of John Chambers Me- of Christian Sociology at San Francisco morial Church. He has been serving the Seminary, San Anselmo, Calif. church for nearly two years. Mynerd Meekhof has begun his work as Director of Religious Education in the Uni- 1913 [ ] versity Church, Seattle, Wash. On May 13th the First Church of Miami, Fla., broke ground for a new house of wor- [ 1929 ] ship. W. K. C. Thomson is the pastor. Glenn Otto Lantz has been called to the Norwood Church (U.S.), Jacksonville, Fla. [ 1917 ] The manse is located at Lake Forest, Fla. At its Commencement in June the Univer- sity of Dubuque conferred the honorary de- [ 1930 ] gree of Doctor of Divinity upon Dirk Henry The First Church, Mansfield, Pa., has Middents. called John Ross Hays.
[ 1919 ] 1931 John Luke Gehman has accepted a call [ ] from the First Church, Columbus, Kansas. Harold Gordon Harold has accepted a call to the Bellefield Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.
[ 1922 ] Franklin Elwood Perkins is pastor of the First Benjamin W. Kossack is now pastor of Methodist Church, Milltown, N.J. the Johnsonburg and Wilcox churches. His John T. Galloway has been installed pas- address is 603 Bridge Street, Johnsonburg, tor of the church at Wayne, Pa. Pa. [ 1934 Raymond E. Muthard has been called to ] the First Church, Strasburg, Pa. Calvary Church, Staten Island, N.Y., has called Gerald J. Huenink.
[ 1923 ] John W. Myrose has accepted a call to The First Church, Bridgeport, Conn., has the First Church, Fort Davis, Texas. called Ralph W. Key. At its Commencement in June Miami Uni- versity conferred the honorary degree of
[ 1924 ] Doctor of Divinity upon Reuben F. Pieters. H. Lewis Cutler has accepted a call from the church at Boonton, N.J. [ 1935 ] Lindley E. Cook has been installed pastor [ 1926 ] of the Slateville Church, Delta, Pa. Norman S. MacPherson has organized a The First Church, Sandpoint, Idaho, has Baptist church in Lakewood, a suburb of called Lewis M. Harro.
Long Beach, Calif. A new building is to be Wilbur J. Matchett has accepted a call to erected. the First Church, New Brighton, Pa. 52 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
[ 1936 ] Hugh McH. Miller received the Robert G. E. Otto DeCamp, who has been in this Wall Memorial Meritorious Service award country since 1941, will return to the mission as the outstanding citizen of Dover, N.J., field in Korea in September. for 1947. The award is an engraved copper Clifton E. Moore plans to enter full time plaque and a gold watch. religious radio work after a period of study.
He has resigned as pastor of the Glenville [ 1943 ] Church, Cleveland, Ohio. The Church at East Stroudsburg, Pa., has called Frank W. Wingerter. [ 1937 ] At its Commencement in June the Uni- Horace W. Ryburn has returned to Siam. versity of Minnesota conferred upon John
His address is : American Presbyterian Mis- Purvis Woods the degree of Master of Arts. sion, 138 Sathorn Road, Bangkok, Siam. T. Winston Wilbanks has accepted a posi- [ 1944 ] tion as assistant field representative for the Interboard Commission in the Synod of Donald A. Amsler has accepted a call from the Perseverance Church, Milwaukee, Texas. His address is Box 901, Denton, Texas. Wis. The First Church, Waukesha, Wis., has David S. De Rogatis, pastor of the Second called G. Aubrey Young. Church, Providence, R.I., was elected Mod- erator of the Presbytery of Providence for
[ 1938 ] 1948-49. In May, G. Hall Todd was elected presi- The Rhawnhurst Church, Philadelphia, dent of the Philadelphia Ministerium. Pa., has called Walter H. Gray. Waldo E. Hancock, Jr., is Minister of
[ 1939 ] Christian Education in the Wilshire Church, Louis E. Campbell has been called to the Los Angeles, Calif.
Hawley Memorial Church, Blue Ridge Sum- In September J. Louis Hutton will begin mit, Pa. his duties as assistant pastor in the West The First Church, Bowling Green, Ohio, End Church, New York City, and as a mem- has called James Murray Drysdale, Jr. ber of the Faculty of New York University. David I. Rees has been called to the During the spring Paul W. Keppel vis- Church at Catonsville, Md. ited England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Scotland. [ 1940 ] Edwin Sih-ung Kwoh is Controller and Ralph W. Hand, Jr. has accepted a call professor of two religious courses in Ginling to First Church, Frederick, Okla. College, Nanking, China. He undertook this Centre Church, New Park, Pa., has called work last December. Evan W. Renne. John W. Beardslee, III, has accepted a position in the Department of Religion at t 1945 ] George Washington University, Washing- William J. McKeefery has accepted the ton, D.C. position of assistant professor of Bible and Religion at Alma College, Alma, Mich. I94i [ ] Joseph T. Sefcik has been called to the Charles Edward Brubaker has been called Park Hill Church (U.S.), North Little to work on the Westminster Foundation at Rock, Ark. the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo. Jay L. Bush has been called to be as- [ 1946 ] sociate pastor of the Second Church, New- The Osceola Church, Cranford, N.J., has ark, N.J. called Albert G. Dezso. Robert E. Shields has accepted a call to Stein has been appointed di- the First Church, Morgantown, W.Va. Edward V. rector of Presbyterian student work and pas-
[ 1942 ] tor of the new congregation in College Park, The church at Vineland, N.J., has called adjacent to San Diego State College, San William V. Grosvenor. Diego, Calif. THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN S3
Dallas D. Landrum, Jr., under appoint- [ 1947 ] ment, Board of Foreign Missions. Willard M. Galloway has left for the mis- Bickford Lang, pastor, Eastminster sion field. His address is : American Mis- Church, Erie, Pa. sion, Omdurman, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Donald MacGuire, pastor, Presbyterian The Totowa Church, Paterson, N.J., has J. Church U.S., Tuskegee, Ala. called Robert Cameron Fisher. John H. MacLeod, assistant pastor, Cove- Plans of the Class of 1948 nant-First Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. Frederick A. Magley, plans not yet set- Anilosky, pastor, Smjth Amboy, James J. tled. N.J. Harry H. Maue, pastor, Lansford, Pa. Beeners, Teaching Fellow in Wilbert J. Donald E. May, assistant pastor, Abing- Speech, Princeton Seminary. ton, Pa. E. Behrer, further study, Dubuque Alfred Eleanor R. Miller, Director of Religious Seminary. Education, Red River Larger Parish, Texas. Fred C. Bischoff, pastor, Pleasant Grove Earl W. Morey, Jr., pastor, First United Church, Long Valley, N.J. Presbyterian Church, Germantown, Philadel- Charles Brackbill, Jr., pastor, Madison phia, Pa., and Teaching Fellow in Theology, Avenue Church, Elizabeth, N.J. Princeton Seminary. Ernest T. Campbell, pastor, Portland and Harold S. Murphy, further study. Mt. Bethel Churches, Pa. James B. Ollis, pastor, Suburban Church, pastor, Trinity Church, Charles E. Carson, Scranton, Pa. Harrisburg, Pa. Wesley A. Olsen, pastor, Christ Baptist R. Cleveland, pastor, Trinity Weyman Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., and further study, M. E. Church, Savannah, Ga. Princeton Seminary. under appointment, Donald R. Dilworth, James D. Ormiston, home mission work, Board of Foreign Missions. Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Verne H. Fletcher, further study, Mont- Dorothy M. Presnell, assistant editor of pellier University, France. Society Kits, Board of Christian Education. Ruth F. Frazer, Director of Religious Jack B. Rapp, under appointment, Board Education, Third Church, Trenton, N.J. of Foreign Missions. Leroy Garrett, teacher, J. Montgomery Ralph H. Reed, further study. Bible College, Montgomery, Ala. Robert F. Rice, further study, Princeton Edward C. Gartrell, pastorate in Presby- Seminary. terian U.S. Church. Blanche E. Robertson, Instructor in Bible Robert E. Hargis, pastor, Verdugo Hills and Religious Education, Trinity University, Baptist Church, Montrose, Calif. San Antonio, Texas. Orion C. Hopper, Jr., pastor, Carteret, Tetsuo Saito, plans not yet settled. N. J. Robert F. Scott, pastor, rural parish, Mar- Richard E. Hunter, further study, Univer- shall, N.C. sity of Pennsylvania. Robert E. Seel, pastor, First Church, Louis F. Hutchins, assistant pastor, Park Whitestone, L.I., N.Y. Street Congregational Church, Boston, Mass. Agnes K. Smith, Director of Educational James L. Inglis, assistant pastor, First Work of Helena Presbytery, Montana. Church, Mt. Vernon, N.Y. Elmer C. Smith, assistant pastor, Pine Charles H. Jester, Teaching Fellow in Jr., Street Church, Harrisburg, Pa. History, Princeton Seminary. Paul W. Stauning, pastor, Fairfield Reuel E. Johnson, assistant pastor, First Church, Fairton, N.J. Church, Haddonfield, N.J. Raymond L. Strong, further study, Prince- Donald D. M. Jones, assistant pastor, First ton Seminary. Church, Lansdowne, Pa. Richard F. Taylor, Teaching Fellow in Robert K. Kelley, pastor, Immanuel Christian Philosophy, Princeton Seminary. Church, Trenton, N.J. Harold M. Udell, pastor, First Church, Claire B. Kline, Jr., further study, Prince- New Bedford, Mass. ton Seminary. George L. VanLeuven, Jr., pastor, Lidger- Andrew Kosten, pastor, South River, N.J. wood Church, Spokane, Wash. 54 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
Cornelius Wall, evangelistic work, Men- It is requested that Alumni will kindly nonite Church, Germany. send Alumni Notes to the Registrar of the Eli F. Wismer, Jr., pastor, Thompson Seminary. Memorial Church, New Hope, Pa.
BOOK REVIEWS
Great Shorter Works of Pascal, are not serious. I suspect that the real rea- son is hidden in Professor Cailliet’s subcon- translated by Emile Cailliet, and John C. sciousness. But it is a pity to deprive the Blankenagel. Westminster Press, Phil- reader of this effort of young Pascal to ob- adelphia, 1948. Pp. 231. $4.50. serve and understand the nature of worldly
love. Callow and incoherent as it sometimes So far as I can determine without doing is, the Discours contains a dozen remarkable a good deal of work, the minor works and casts at truth, flashes of illumination that correspondence of Pascal have only once reveal a little corner of truth, and a corner been translated into English, and that was of Pascal’s spirit. a century ago, in an edition that has long Professor Cailliet hints in his Introduction been unavailable. This disregard is surpris- at a possible book on Pascal and Kierkegaard. ing. Surely few if any authors with the This would be a fitting continuation of the standing of Pascal in the world’s literature work of one of the greatest living pascali- have not been presented to the English-read- sants. ing public in complete editions. The volume at hand honorably fills the Cornell University, morris bishop lacuna. Professor Cailliet has selected all Ithaca, New York (or all but one) of the opuscules of in- terest to the general reader, and has made a Studies in Biblical Law, by David happy selection from the correspondence. The inquiring mind may here make the acquaint- Daube. Cambridge University Press, ance of one of the greatest minds in intellec- 1947. Pp. viii + 328. $4.50. tual history, and may observe that great mind This book is written by one who has a at work on problems of science, mathematics, great interest in Roman law, from which he theology, and the relations of man with man, draws numerous parallels to the Old Testa- of man with his fate, of man with God. Pro- ment. The book contains five chapters with fessor Cailliet has provided a luminous intro- the following titles : Law in the Narratives, duction, helpful without being overwhelming. Codes and Codas, Lex Talionis, Communal He has avoided the vice of the introducer, Responsibility, and Summum Ius—Summa who is always tempted to talk too much, Injuria. to hold the stage too long. His words lead Daube holds (p. 2) that the religious into Pascal’s text, not away from it. His character of Biblical law was not from the introduction elucidates, it does not needless- beginning inherent in the law. Be that as it ly adorn. may, the Old Testament, however, assumes The translation, as I have tested it here a divine origin of law. In like manner, on and there, seems to me excellent. It keeps Hammurabi’s stele the king is represented as the tone, the harmonies of the original. It is standing in respectful attention before the elevated, colloquial, or severely lucid, in ac- god Shamash, who hands the code to the cord with the varying manners of Pascal. Babylonian monarch. The writer maintains I have only one criticism to make. Pro- (p. 17) : “The priests and prophets who com- fessor Cailliet omits the Discours sur les posed the Bible were not deeply interested passions de I’amour, on the ground that “it in private law, they did not bother to create presents a manuscript problem.” But this is a Corpus Juris Civilis.” But somehow this a very poor reason. There are only two statement seems to miss the point; Israel’s manuscripts, and the differences between them destiny was not to give the world a body :
THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 55 of laws like the code of Justinian. In any cording to which the Pentateuch was com- study of ancient Israel we have to bear in plete at the moment of its revelation without mind that God made a covenant with this any further changes, and on the following people and that he used them for the specific page he properly maintains “that the very purpose of teaching the rest of the world retention in the Torah of the traces of a the revelation of God. It should be noted long historical development perhaps consti- that Daube says (p. 47) that God was the tutes a point to be admired and to be taken owner and relative of the whole people and to heart.” that in most cases it is not clear exactly on Obviously in discussing Hebrew laws, due what basis God redeems Israel. This difficulty regard must be shown to the documents of would not have occurred to the writer if he the Pentateuch. In his treatment of Ex. 3 had begun with the covenant. In fact, the 21-22 Daube suggests a solution of the case Old Testament cannot be explained merely where the Israelite women shall ask of their as a legal document, and for this reason Egyptian neighbors jewels of silver and gold Daube’s book will not satisfy the minister and raiment. The author thinks (p. 43) that and the theologian. the Exodus was construed on the model of The author regards the Bible as the prod- social legislation, and his interpretation is uct of one small Eastern community, a col- that God will induce the Egyptians to re- lection of literature arranged by priests and lease the Israelites in the same manner as a prophets. Apparently he does not realize that Hebrew slave is released at the end of six the Bible had its origin in a complex milieu years (Deut. 15:13-15). This, however, in- and that for its interpretation we need a troduces a serious element in criticism. The knowledge of the history of the Ancient Near older form of the law of release (Ex. 21 12) East from the earliest times to the end of says nothing of supplying the released bond- the first Christian century. The title of the man liberally out of the flock, the threshing book should demand that numerous and thor- floor, and the wine press as in Deut. 15 : 13-15. oughgoing comparisons be made between Verse 15 can hardly be used as the reason Sumerian and Babylonian laws and those of why the Israelite women asked for gifts from the Bible, but unfortunately in this respect the Egyptians. It should furthermore in this the book leaves a great deal to be desired. connexion be noted that there is a develop- Daube asserts (p. 25) that “the authors of ment from the Book of the Covenant to the Bible were theologians, and it is not Deuteronomy in the direction of human sym- surprising that they treated the law some- pathy and a more humane attitude, and this cavalierly.” The reviewer cannot help what has to be taken into consideration in Penta- wondering how any one who has read the teuchal studies. Pentateuch and the Prophets can come to Any discussion of Biblical law should in- such a conclusion. clude material that is organically related, Apparently the author has little interest in and the reader will miss the many excellent Biblical criticism. On page 154 he admits comparisons that could have been made with that problems of Bible criticism are touched the Sumerian and Semitic codes of law. In- as little as possible, and again (p. 246) he speaks of “by-passing the critical problem.” stead we find numerous quotations from Daube, however, admits a growth within Roman law, in which Daube apparently is various sections of the law and in this con- an expert, but Roman law can hardly make nexion well illustrates this point. For exam- a contribution to the Sits im Leben of the ple, in Lev. 20:10-21, he regards verses 10- Old Testament. Naturally there are universal 13 as the earliest part, to which verse 14 was elements in law, but the citation of Roman added and later verses 15-16 were joined; law is considerably overdone. The author thus verses 10-16 once stood by themselves, maintains that the ancient Hebrews like the to which verses 17-18 are an appendix, while Romans attributed to the eye a great deal verses 19-21 constitute a third section. In of power; he applies the principle of fines
' I similar fashion he shows the same phenome- demonstrare, whereby property was trans-
non in Exodus 21-22. The point he clearly ferred by one party’s pointing it out and
brings out is that the old laws were not the other’s seeing it. Daube thinks that this rewritten, but new laws were added. He legal principle can be applied to Abraham refers (p. 98) to an “orthodox view” ac- (Gen. 13:14-15) and to Moses (Deut. 34:1- 56 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
and he sees it also in the Devil’s offer volume of twenty-four essays is the result of 7), , to Jesus (Matt. 4:8-9; Luke 4:5-6). its planning. , A number of the studies in this book are It is evidence of the virility of this Society based on non-legal material, such as the that in order to accomplish this survey only ( stories of Jacob and Esau, Jacob and Laban, six scholars outside of the Chicago area had , and Joseph and his brethren. In these cases to be called upon for a contribution. These , the writer becomes quite repetitious, and his are James H. Cobb of Kansas Wesleyan Uni- | hairsplitting and overrefined arguments even- versity who wrote on “Current Trends in , tually become wearisome. In one instance Catholic Biblical Research,” Harry M. Or- over two pages are devoted to Shakespeare’s linsky of the Jewish Institute of Religion, on
Portia and Shylock ! Considerable space is “Current Progress and Problems in Septu- devoted to Plautus’ Poenulus and the Aeneid; agint Research,” W. F. Albright of John Varro and Macrobius on the Roman family Hopkins Univ. on “The War in Europe and j name Scropha are also introduced, but all the Future of Biblical Studies,” C. C. Mc- this material has little relevance to the Old Cown of the Pacific School of Religion, on f
Testament. The last forty-eight pages are “The Geographical Conditioning of Re- •’ heavily laden with Roman law, and there ligious Experience in Palestine,” F. C. Grant
the author apparently forgot the title of his of Union Seminary (New York), on “The , book, for the work does not close with Bib- Teaching of Jesus and First-Century Jewish lical law. Ethics” and Sherman E. Johnson of the ( Each chapter is followed by copious notes, Episcopal Theological School at Cambridge, . which are valuable for reference. A number Mass, who contributed a chapter on “The of Hebrew words are discussed in the text, Emergence of the Christian Church in the but the student of the Old Testament can Pre-Catholic Period.” Of the Chicago con- obtain the same results by using Gesenius- tributors ten are connected with the Uni- Buhl and Brown-Driver-Briggs and observ- versity of Chicago, and five with Me- ing semantic development. The book will Cortnick Theological Seminary. doubtless be interesting and informative to The volume is divided into two parts. a trained lawyer or one interested in com- Part I deals with “General Surveys of Main paring Hebrew and Roman law, but it has Areas.” This section is particularly important little to offer in Old Testament Biblical in that it gives the reader a survey of recent Theology. research and literature in the Biblical field. It ] HENRY SNYDER GEHMAN contains such articles as “Old Testament Re- search Between the Great Wars” by Bowman, ^ “The Present State of Biblical Archaeology” The Study of the Bible Today and by Wright, an article on recent research on Tomorrow, by Harold R. Willoughby, the Psalms by Sellers as well as articles on j ed. The University of Chicago Press, the intertestamental period by Rylaarsdam Chicago, 1947. Pp. xviii + 436. $6.00. and Marcus, and on New Testament problems J and research by Parvis and Schubert. The
^ In the fall of 1892 the Chicago Society for chapters on contemporary trends in Jewish Biblical Research was organized to “promote in Catholic Biblical research are both and J the critical investigation of the Bible” and somewhat marred by polemics, whereas the £ “to accomplish the above mentioned object chapters by Bowman and Orlinsky are among by the preparation and discussion of papers the best in the book. on topics in the general sphere of Biblical Part II deals with “Special Studies of j science. . To further this end the Society Salient Problems.” In this part the New ( has been meeting three times a year. At the Testament articles are much more numerous jj close of World War II the executive com- than in the preceding. Allen Wikgren con- ..
{ mittee of the Society “projected the program tributed a detailed “Critique of the Revised ; plans for the society to cover in survey Standard Version of the New Testament.” fashion the immediately past accomplish- Among the best chapters are those by Sher-
ments, the current status, and the immedi- man Johnson and by Floyd V. Filson. The . ately future opportunities for biblical research differences in theological points of view can j in the main areas of study: Old Testament, be clearly seen by the reading of Filson’s intertestamental, and New Testament.” This chapter on “The Central Problem Concerning THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 57
Christian Origins” in conjunction with that a higher and nobler religious ideal. There is of F. C. Grant. no mention of a Biblical Theology of the
This book is not intended merely for Bibli- Old Testament rather reference is made to ; cal scholars. Pastors who are somewhat out “the development of the religion of the Old of touch with contemporary trends in Biblical Testament people.” The question of the truth research will welcome this survey for its or falsity of the Old Testament faith is not broad sweep as well as for its stimulating in- discussed; the author prefers to deal with sights into work which is still to be done. his material from the vantage point of the John Wm. Wevers objective historian, not that of the theologian. Accordingly the author chooses to discuss
the Old Testament as it issues forth in Juda- The Religions Pilgrimage of Israel, ism, rather than as the background for by I. G. Matthews. Harper and Broth- Christianity. It is hard to see wherein Dr. Matthews’ position differs essentially from ers, New York and London, 1947. Pp. that of Reformed Judaism as represented by xii, 304. $4.00. Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. The author, Professor Emeritus of Old It is true that the present reviewer can- Testament Literature and Exegesis at Crozer not subscribe to the position set forth in this Theological Seminary, has synthesized a life- book. On the other hand, it must be said time of reading and study in this book. The that its perusal is invaluable for the better average student of the Old Testament is understanding of the Old Testament. It is often lost in the maze of historical, literary not only informative, but stimulating. After and exegetical details. Trees so often blot out all, books which merely echo one’s own the picture of the forest that it is refreshing opinions are seldom worth reading—books to review through the eyes of a seasoned and written from a different viewpoint can pro- widely read scholar the growth of the re- voke one to a better understanding of one’s ligious thought of Israel from its earliest own. records to its final climax. Dr. Matthews’ John Wm. Wevers ability to find his way through intricate details of literary and historical criticism and John Calvin, Commentaries on the to integrate the results of the most recent Epistle to the Romans, translated and fruits of scholarship is unquestioned. Formally the point of view of the book is edited by John Owen. Eerdmans, historical. It traces Israel’s religious thinking Grand Rapids, 1947. Pp. xxviii, 592. through its various stages beginning with the $4.50. religion of the Seminomads and ending with the religion of Judaism (i.e., with the dis- Of Calvin’s vast exegetical activity, which persion of the Jews under Hadrian at the is of high standing throughout, nothing com- time of Bar Cochba’s rebellion in 135 a.d.). pares in concentration, penetration, simplicity The successive stages treated are the religion and practical helpfulness with his first work, of the Seminomads, the Sinai Confederates, the Commentaries on Romans, published in the Canaanites, the Invaders, Nationalism, 1539 during the relative leisure of his exile the Reactionaries, the Laymen (the eighth in Strasburg. Luther’s commentary of 1515/ century prophets), Cooperation (Deuter- 1516, while unmatched in spiritual vitality onomic School), Individualism (Jeremiah and and depth, suffers nevertheless from the
Ezekiel), the Intellectuals (the Wisdom reader’s standpoint from the fact that it School), the State-Church (Priestly School), divides the material in the manner of the Mankind (also the Wisdom School), Super- schoolmen into gloss and scholia. This work naturalism (Messianism and Apocalypti- was unknown to Calvin because never pub- cism) and Judaism. lished by Luther himself and not printed Materially the point of view is that of a until 1908. Calvin had such excellent prede- thoroughgoing rationalism. The author has cessors in his exegesis as Faber Stapulen- chosen his title well. For him the Old sis, Erasmus, Melanchthon, Bullinger and Testament is precisely and merely the liter- Bucer, and in his interpretation he refers ary record of the spiritual struggles of a frequently to them. Calvin followed the new small, otherwise insignificant, people toward way of exegesis, expounding Scripture out of 58 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
! ri itself, and for the promotion of faith. His a readable translation for the benefit of the P work was destined for the common good of modern Calvinist. Thus the Calvin Transla- W tion tr the church people, not polemical like Society decided soon to have a fresh ! Melanchthon’s nor for the use of the erudite translation made, which this time was en- 8 only. He regarded as his special task to trusted to John Owen, Vicar of Trussing- ft 1 present the ideas of the epistle in “lucid ton, Leics., and which was published in 1850. 11 brevity” ( perspicua brevitate). In this he It is this translation, from which the new B fully succeeded. He was anxious to avoid edition is reproduced by way of photo-print. i the profusion of learning that encumbered Owen’s work is freer than Rosdell’s but fa Bucer’s work and rendered it practically still stiff and clumsy in comparison with 8 worthless except for reference purposes. Sibson’s. Its accuracy is not beyond re- u
Though Calvin’s interpretation is original proach ; at times the author seems to substi- 8 he was anxious rather to express the con- tute his or Hodge’s ideas for Calvin’s. Owen t sensus with his predecessors. “I thought was a man of extensive theological learning. that it would be no vain labour, if by point- He added a considerable number of foot- C ing out the best explanation, I relieved them notes to his translation, in part to supplement ci’ from the trouble of forming a judgment, who lexicographical and textual information, of are not able to form a judgment for them- which there is very little in Calvin’s own selves.” Grammatical and lexicographical work, and in part to familiarize the reader details are discussed but sparingly. Like with various expositions of Romans from a
Luther, Calvin expounds the ideas found in the days of Peter Martyr down to his own {I the text rather than the words that form the days. But a full century has elapsed since J text. Owen’s edition saw the light, and many of 1 An early English translation of this com- his notes are completely antiquated, while mentary was made by Christopher Rosdell, the reader learns nothing of the modern preacher in London, in 1583. It is extremely exegesis of Romans. wooden, often obscure and in not a few places Calvin’s Commentary on Romans is such , inaccurate. Not until 1834, in the wake of the an outstanding work that even this reprint Evangelical movement and the renewed inter- with all its imperfections will not be useless. est in Nevertheless, the very fact that the only way the Reformers, did a new translation j appear. Its author was Francis Sibson, of for the ordinary minister to acquaint himself Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. The Lon- with this work in English— let alone the don edition was followed in 1836 by an priceless Latin text—is by buying a copy of American one, published in Philadelphia. this reprint, is a serious indictment of the
That new translation was done in a clear Anglo-Saxon Reformed churches. Jubilees ! and elegant style, which conveyed something are celebrated and lip service is paid to the of the ease and the logical clarity and “unsurpassed master of Protestant exegesis.” stringency of the Latin original. But this But no Board of Christian Education seems goal could be reached only by a certain to be able to provide the few thousand dol- ® freedom in handling Calvin’s text. This fact lars, which would be required to bring out may have aroused the suspicion of the this and a few more of the best of Calvin’s Calvin Translation Society. The fact is that commentaries in an adequate new translation. ' they choose the Commentary when on Otto A. Piper Romans for one of their earliest publications, they decided to reprint Rosdell’s translation. Ephesians-Colossians, by Bede Frost. It was published in 1844. The editor, Henry Beveridge, had been instructed not to inter- Morehouse-Goram Co., New York, fere with Rosdell’s text nor to introduce any 1946. Pp. 164. explanatory views. Beveridge states in his The sub-title, “A Dogmatic and Devo- preface that “wherever the translation ap- tional Commentary,” indicates the general < peared been inaccurately to have made, or nature of this book. The author, an Anglo- to be expressed in terms so obscure as Catholic whose sacramental and hierarchical scarcely to be intelligible, the original words penchant appears on many a page, writes have been given in a foot-note, accompanied briefly and usually to the point. Accepting with a literal translation.” The result was the Pauline authorship of Ephesians and a critical edition of Rosdell’s text rather than Colossians during the Apostle’s Roman im- 1 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 59
prisonment, in his introduction Frost weaves Perhaps the weakest feature of Wuest’s together a synthesis of the teaching of these general treatment is the slight attention two Epistles on the subjects of the person which he gives to the Greek translation of and work of Jesus Christ, the Church, grace, the Old Testament, which was the Bible of faith, and the Christian life. The main part the writers of the New Testament. It is of the book is a vigorous commentary on the quite true, as Deissmann, Moulton, Milligan, Epistles, arranged according to longer or and others have pointed out, that the New shorter sections of the text in the English Testament was written in koine Greek, but
Revised Version. Occasionally, however, the it is of far greater significance in interpreting author departs from the customary versions the great words of the New Covenant to in- and offers his own rendering, as, for ex- quire how they were used in the Old Cove-
ample, at Eph. i :23, which conspicuously nant. In spite of this major criticism and displays his high-Churchism, “[God] gave several minor ones which will occur to the him [Christ] to be head over all things to the reader of this book, it is one which will repay Church, which in His Body, the complement any serious student’s attention. of Him Who by it is made in all things Bruce M. Metzger complete”—a rendering which achieves a certain smoothness by unjustifiably omitting Alternative to Futility, by D. Elton the Greek words ra iravra. Apart from sev- eral similar examples of the author’s An- Trueblood. Harper and Brothers, New glican bias, the Presbyterian reader will find York, 1948. Pp. 124. $1.00. not a few suggestive and illuminating com- Those who have read Dr. Elton True- ments in this little book. blood’s previous books, The Predicament of Bruce M. Metzger Modern Man and Foundations for Recon- struction do not need to be reminded that, The Practical Use of the Greek New in his case at least, small books may be very Testament, by Kenneth S. Wuest. The good books. This is likewise borne out by the present volume, Alternative to Futility, Moody Press, Chicago io, 111 . Pp. 156. which is the third in this series. $2.00. In The Predicament of Modern Man, Dr. Many are the tomes which a technical Trueblood analyzed our present discontents, scholar of the New Testament can use with which he correctly diagnosed as being profit, but few are the books which the busy ultimately spiritual in character. In Founda- minister finds exegetically rewarding. Mr. tions for Reconstruction he sought to specify Wuest, the Instructor of New Testament the lines along which alone true rehabilita- Greek at the Moody Bible Institute, has tion can take place. Now, in this present added a slender volume to the second cate- book—as if to refute the current dictum that gory. As he indicates in his Preface, “It is today we are suffering from “a paralysis of one thing to have a theoretical knowledge analysis”—he sets forth a constructive and of New Testament Greek. It is quite another practical program for the solution of our to be able to use that knowledge in a practical difficulties. way.” Though one may be perfectly ac- Beginning with the proposition that what quainted with the forms of the Greek verbs is lacking primarily today is a sense of and the rules of syntax, unless he has purpose in life, Dr. Trueblood goes on to say acquired the knack of using this information, that “what the average man needs is a he remains poor amid riches. The author religious faith or something like it” —and shows by many examples how to proceed one which, moreover, is free from the barbar- in extracting golden nuggets from the Greek ities and ruthlessness of such quasi-religions New Testament. Besides dealing in separate as National Socialism or Communism. This chapters with the several parts of speech, faith he finds in Christianity; so it is with Wuest discusses practical methods of master- the revival of genuine Christian faith that ing the Greek text in preparation for ex- the bulk of the book concerns itself. pository preaching. If the reader follows How did this Christian gospel spread when these suggestions he will undoubtedly grow first it was proclaimed to the world? It greatly in his ability to read and use the spread not by the organization of an army Greek Testament. or the writing of a book, but by the forma- 6o THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN tion of a redemptive society. And if it is to than for “people.” That is to say, Dr. Bon- be revived in the present-day world, it will nell in this work addresses himself—as was have to be along the same line. The creation most appropriate in a series of lectures given of such a redemptive community—the “Fel- to budding ministers in a theological semi- lowship of the Concerned,’’ as Dr. Trueblood nary—particularly to the Christian pastor. calls it—would be a reformation not from He begins by pointing out the urgent need the this for Church, but within the Church ; and this ministry of spiritual counselling. He Fellowship would combine traditional loyal- then goes on to list the resources which the ties with creative experiment. The minimum ministerial counsellor has at his command, conditions of membership in such a group in the power of God revealed in Jesus Christ are five in number, viz., commitment, wit- The third chapter specifies the personal ness, fellowship, vocation, and discipline. qualities which the counsellor ought to pos-
Already several promising ventures of sess : “He should impress people as a strong, this kind are being carried on within the self-reliant person, with notable qualities fold of the Church. The Iona Community in of leadership. . . . He will carry with him a Scotland is one, the Kirkridge experiment consciousness of power, and by his words and in northeast Pennsylvania is another. But attitude will inspire confidence and hope” many more such groups must be started, be- (p. 41). Chapter four stresses the impor- fore a full-fledged redemptive society can tance of the art of listening; chapter five deals come into being and make its impact widely with the technique of asking questions. In felt. The creation of such “cells” is one of chapter six Dr. Bonnell gives his suggestions the primary tasks of committed Christians for the consulting-room, its location and today. furnishings, and the conduct of the counsel-
Such a bald summary does not begin to lor while in it. In the seventh chapter he do justice to Dr. Trueblood’s book. Its well- points out the wisdom of taking no one for reasoned argument and its grace of expres- granted. Chapter eight he devotes to a con- sion can be fully appreciated only by those sideration of the special problems of child- who read it for themselves. It is to be hoped hood and youth and in chapter nine he ; that there will be many such for this is a discusses the art of ministering to the sick. ; very worthy successor to the other two fine The tenth and final chapter sums up the volumes in Dr. Trueblood’s trilogy. whole book by listing what Dr. Bonnell calls “Some Principles of Counselling.” Norman Victor Hope Dr. Bonnell is, of course, uniquely equipped —by temperament, upbringing, study, and ex- People, Psychology for Pastor and perience—to deal with this important theme; by John Sutherland Bonnell. Harper and in the judgment of the present reviewer and Brothers, New York, 1948. Pp. his book will be most valuable to ministers who are seeking to take their pastoral 225. $2.50. responsibilities seriously. For one thing, Dr. As is well known in religious circles, for Bonnell very properly insists that pastors some years, Dr. John S. Bonnell, minister should not try to usurp the role of the of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church of psychiatrist, but should concentrate on their New York City, has carried on a highly distinctive function of spiritual counsellor. important ministry of personal counselling Again, he gives sound and practical advice among his parishioners and others. In an to ministers as to how they can exercise this earlier volume, entitled Pastoral Psychiatry, function most fruitfully. Again, in an ap- published in 1938, he has given some ac- pendix at the end of his book he adds a care- count of this work, its methods and results. fully selected bibliography of books for In this new book, Psychology for Pastor further study of the subject, and an article and People, which contains the substance of of his on “How To Read the Bible.” This the James Sprunt Lectures delivered at article outlines a concrete plan for the fruit- Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, ful study of this “reverently unread volume”;
Virginia, in 1943, he embodies more of the and so helpful is it that more than two mil- fruits of his personal ministry to sick souls. lion copies, in a shortened form, have been It ought to be said at once that, despite distributed by the American Bible Society to its title, this book is much more for “pastors” service men and women and civilians. THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 61
It is to be hoped that Dr. Bonnell’s book preachers—their religious life was such that will have the circulation it so richly de- eventually—by the beginning of the nine- serves. teenth century—they were able to profit from Norman Victor Hope the rich evangelical life which Methodism brought, and to grow into that great political English Dissent under the Early and religious movement which was nine- century Nonconformity. Hanoverians, by Duncan Coomer. The teenth This story Mr. Coomer tells with knowl- London, Pp. 136. Epworth Press, 1946. edge derived from primary as well as sec- Six Shillings. ondary sources; and though his treatment is
brief, it is clear and orderly and therefore As every student of the history of the well worthy of study by all who are inter- Church in England is aware, the Noncon- ested in the development of English Dissent formists had to struggle for legal recogni- during the first half of the eighteenth century. tion for more than a century after the Anglican settlement was made under Queen Norman Victor Hope Elizabeth. In 1689, however, after the so-called Tolera- “Glorious Revolution,” the The American Churches ; An Inter- which tion Act was passed by Parliament, pretation, by William Warren Sweet. gave Dissenters “a position of freedom from Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, New York persecution but one subject to irritating political disabilities.” and Nashville, 1948. Pp. 153. $1.50. Duncan Coomer in this book tells the Mr. This suggestive little book, consisting of English Dissenting groups story of how the Professor Sweet’s lectures on the Beckly during the half-century between the fared foundation before the British Methodist Con- Toleration Act of and the impact of the 1689 ference, seeks to explain why the American of the Wesleys and Methodist movement Churches are so socially minded. The seven “evangelical conversion” Whitefield, after the chapters, respectively, deal with left-wing of John Wesley in 1738. Protestant influences, the frontier, revival- were three main Nonconformist There ism, denominational dividedness, the Negro bodies in England at the end of the seven- Churches, Roman Catholicism, and American teenth century Presbyterians, Congrega- — activism. If some of the material is only tionalists (or Independents) and Baptists. very indirectly related to the announced so- These last, however, were divided into two cial theme, the departures serve to round out quite separate groups, Particular Baptists an admirable brief sketch of American Chris- and General Baptists and these two did not ; tianity as a whole. unite until 1891. During the period covered One of the most striking characteristics of by Mr. Coomer’s study, the Baptists were American Christianity is that here the not of great importance in England, either churches and principles of the left-wing, or numerically or religiously. But the Presby- Anabaptist tradition, of the Protestant Refor- terians Independents were of real ac- and mation are proportionately far stronger than count in the national religious scene and it ; in Europe. In emphasizing this all scholars is instructive to reflect on the different ways today agree, but when the author claims that in developed during the period which they “all the great conceptions for which Ameri- under consideration. The Presbyterians be- can democracy stands” came out of the left came more and more Arian in doctrine and ; wing of the Reformation (p. 15) he does they virtually remained that way until the less than justice to the Enlightenment with formation of the Presbyterian Church of its classical and secular roots as one of the in 1876. The Independents, however England basic sources of American democracy. The represented by men like the hymn-writers — author points out that here in America—even Isaac Watts and Philip Doddridge—main- among communions having more “churchly” solid orthodoxy in theology, thanks tained a traditions—the “voluntary society” concep- to their and to their belief in a hymns tion of the church is dominant, another ex- “gathered church.” Though at first there ample of the pervasive influence among us was some opposition on their part to the of the Protestant left wing. Methodist movement—on account of its “en- The success or failure of churches on the thusiasm” and its employment of lay frontier, says Professor Sweet, was the fac- 62 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN tor that decided whether they were to be growing cause of concern in the leading large or small, national or merely sectional. Protestant bodies. And, he adds, it was precisely those churches Most American denominational divisions which were most active and successful on had their roots in social and cultural dif- the frontier which later became the most ferences rather than in disputes about doc- vigorous exponents of the social gospel—the trine and polity. Denominational divisions are Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Disci- given credit as the chief factor in producing ples, and Congregationalists. He finds one American religious liberty. Therefore the au- explanation of the amazing growth of Meth- thor would rather see church union in Amer- odism in the fact that it built no ecclesias- ica produce a few large rival churches than tical or theological fences. “There is no such one dominant majority body. He finds theo- thing as a distinctive Methodist theology.” logical education today—even in the denomi- There is need of the author’s reminder that national seminaries of Methodists, Baptists, the American Great Awakening did not de- Presbyterians, Disciples, and Congregational- rive from the revivals led by Edwards or ists—largely interdenominational in charac- Wesley, but antedated both. A Methodist ter. himself, Professor Sweet calls attention to In discussing Roman Catholicism the au- the fact that “all the great colonial revival- thor speaks a strong and sympathetic word ists were Calvinists until Methodism was in- regarding Protestant alarm over Catholic troduced in the final phase” (p. 24), and political pressure in world affairs. He is that “in the history of American revivalism generous, however, in acknowledging the con- by far the largest number of famous revival- tribution of Catholicism in curbing lawless- ists have been either Presbyterians or Con- ness in the urban areas where its chief gregationalists” (p. 57). But their Calvinism strength lies. was a Calvinism very much colored by pie- In his chapter on activism, the author leaps tism. Revivalism tended to simplify and per- to the defense of American theology against sonalize theology. The author distinguishes critics, European and American, who have spoken disparagingly of it. But this distin- between a Presbyterian-Congregational ra- guished attorney for the defense presents no tional, more aristocratic revivalism appeal- new evidence, and many will still feel that ing to the few and a Methodist-Baptist-Dis- his client cannot be entirely acquitted. He is ciple emotional, more democratic revivalism highly critical of the crisis theology which appealing to the many. Like Maxson, Ge- he considers “entirely out of step with the wehr, and others, he emphasizes the democ- American tradition,” adding that “such a ratizing influence of revivalism. Revivalism theology ... is not at home even in a con- was also an educational influence, being the fused and groping America.” direct cause of the founding of five of the This book can be heartily recommended nine colonial colleges, and of very many of to the pastor or layman as a brief populari- those founded between the Revolution and zation by a leading authority of the best re- the Civil War. Camp meetings began under cent scholarship on many aspects of Ameri- Presbyterian auspices but were largely taken can Christianity. over by Methodists, though never becoming Lefferts A. Loetscher an official Methodist institution. Professor Sweet, who has given extended study to both A Short History of the Far East, revivalism and frontier Christianity, says by Kenneth Scott Latourette. The that on the frontier there was more of re- Macmillan Company, New York, 1947. ligious instruction and less of mere emo- Pp. with 6 maps. $6.00. tionalism than is sometimes supposed. The 665,
rapid decline of revivalism after the Civil This is an over-all picture from the pen War is explained as the result of the new of the distinguished Yale professor. The cultural and social climate which produced story of India, China, Japan, the East In- a new emphasis on education, refinement, and dies, and the lesser lands of the Far East, dignity. Meanwhile, revivalistic sects have is brought down from the dawn of history
been increasingly successful in reaching those to the present time. The work is impressive untouched by the middle-class churches. Fail- in its simplicity of approach, wide sweep,
ure to reach these elements is, as he notes, a depth of analysis, lack of bias, and dispas- THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 63
sionate concentration on the several themes Some of us have already grown so weary as they are introduced. Geography, dynastic of the A bomb theme and of the ways it has chronology, and historic details are kept un- been seized upon to become the occasion of der control whereas the primary concern of platitudes, that we should not be amiss in the narrative continues to the end to be with stating first what the present book is not. It the fundamental issues of culture, religion, is not a history of recent developments of and society both in the pre- and post-Occi- atomic energy, although such are given due dental periods. Bibliographies, of selected and consideration. It is not a dramatic rehearsal accessible character, mark the end of every of the story of Hiroshima and Bikini. It is chapter and the reader is free from the dis- emphatically not a recital of the horrors tracting presence of footnotes at the bottom brought about by the early use of the atomic of the page. An admirable introductory man- bomb. As current events move more rapidly ual on the Far East is thereby provided. than do the printers of books, one need hard- ly add that the author does not aim at pro- Edward J. Jurji posing some plan for the control of atomic The Heathens: Primitive Man and energy. Besides, no one would ever expect Wilbur Smith to conclude such a weighty His Religions, by William Howells. argument by merely advocating basic legis- Inc., Doubleday and Company, New lation so-called. York, 1948. Pp. 306. $3.75. An enormous amount of the best litera- ture and scientific information on the sub- The author who is Associate Professor of ject at hand is here brought to a head, then Anthropology at the University of Wiscon- read in the context of Bible teaching. Truly sin turns his attention in this book to the the atomic bomb demands biblical phrases in social usefulness of the many and varied its description and the Biblical pattern for manifestations of religion among the primi- its supreme reference. One is also amazed at tive societies. If the reader would bear in the amount of early Church literature on mind the fact that Professor Howells’ aim the concept of atoms handed down by early is to deal with his subject apart from philos- Greek philosophers. Our physical universe ophy, ethics, and religion, the central weak- was clearly seen by the Church Fathers to ness of the volume will not come as a shock. have “a direct and powerful relation to the It must be stated, nevertheless, that through- conceptions one holds of God and the work out the book religion is viewed as a charac- of God. It is so today,” concludes the author teristic of man. The treatment is scholarly, on this point, (p. 95.) humorous, and skeptical. It offers what may The historical survey having been brought be described as a “scientific” exposition of down to our time, a clear and up-to-date religious behavior. No one who is interested presentation of the atomic structure and of in a Christian interpretation of religion, espe- the meaning of nuclear fission, pertinently cially in its primitive expression, will want introduces the Biblical outlook on the whole to overlook this work. issue of atomic energy. The author’s ap- Edward J. Jurji proach is that of the Fundamentalist. Thus the prediction of Peter regarding the final This Atomic Age and the Word of dissolution of the heavens and the earth, leads God, by Wilbur M. Smith. W. A. to an interpretation and use of his description Co., Boston, Wilde 1948. Pp. 363. of the final conflagration. Variations on $3.00. “Ouranos: Uranus: Uranium” open up the theme of world dictatorship. With hundreds of fellow-ministers of the There is no doubt that the fantastic pos- Gospel, Dr. Wilbur M. Smith felt compelled, sibilities today discernible in after Hiroshima, to preach on II Peter 3:10- the availability of a 14. Out of his initial sermon grew a message new power which baffles the imagination, which was published in a thirty-page booklet have brought to an abrupt end the scoffing of which 50,000 copies were soon exhausted. and ridicule heaped upon eschatological im- The timeliness of the message thus became agery by the superficial optimism of a post- so obvious to the author that he enlarged Victorian age. Such phrases as “in the caves the original booklet into the volume now un- and rocks of the mountains,” or “men’s hearts der consideration. failing them for fear” could be better laughed ,
64 THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN
off decades ago than they could in our day to various parts, especially the general in- and age. We are recovering a fresh under- troduction (brief) about “Symbolism in standing of what was meant by Sodom and Worship.” Another brief statement explains Gomorrah’s “punishment of eternal fire.” the meaning of Lent; a third deals with the And there is surely a new urgency experi- uses of a Lectionary. The point of view is enced with regard to our need for regenera- that of liberal evangelicalism, though never tion and victory in Christ, by those who combative. The editors draw freely and wise- come with Dr. Smith to the realization that ly from other such works, including our own time may be short. B.C.W. Yet, all such conclusions are not to be In addition to orders for various services, ascribed to the resourcefulness of a dramatic as in our own B.C.W. this new work con- preacher. The treatment is from beginning tains suggested orders for Vespers; a candle- to end free from emotionalism. Rather, a light service for Christmas Eve, and a serv- of urgency arises from the total effect ice for the next morning a service sense ; for of a thoroughgoing presentation of hard Maundy Thursday, and two for Good Fri- facts. day, one of them for a three-hour remem- This reviewer who had recently to go brance of the Seven Words; a Marriage preparation for through the same material in Service followed by the Sacrament ; the a graduate course on the philosophy of sci- dedication of officers and teachers in the ence, is most favorably impressed by the evi- church school; the commissioning of foreign Dr. Smith’s approach to dent relevance of missionaries ; with five orders for the Civil available source material. There is no doubt Year, including Rural Life Sunday and a that this richly documented volume has now Harvest Festival. Doubtless we have too become in our circles the standard work on many special services, but all of these or- an extremely complicated and highly techni- ders will prove useful, or at least suggestive. cal subject. Apart from its timeliness, it The new book as a whole pleases me. shows to what extent a well-informed intel- Here and there, as an old-line Presbyterian, ‘ lectual honesty may go hand in hand with I should stress different truths, theologically;
an unreserved commitment to the reliability e.g., about the baptism of infants. But I find ", of the Word of God, and be the gainer little to cause a shaking of the head, and
thereby. much to make it nod. The editors, with ,
Fifty additional pages bring together most Dr. Boynton Merrill, of Columbus, as lead- . useful information in search of which one er, know their business well. The reviewer might spend precious time in vain—i.e., a thinks that every pastor should have two or table of the elements; data on the United three of these works, including this one, and Nations Atomic Energy Commission and its the Methodist Book of Worship for Home personnel. A last appendix “The Enduring and Church, which sells for seventy-five
Message of Apocalyptic” from the pen of cents. Helpful in a different way is Prayers : Professor H. H. Rowley of the University for Services, by M. P. Noyes, Scribner, College of North Wales, echoes our author’s 1945, large 8vo., 296 pp., $2.50. 1 most earnest treatment. Scriptural passages, How should the pastor use these books? subjects and persons are conveniently in- Answers differ widely. The reviewer rec- dexed. ommends that a young man use them often, Emile Cailliet and other devotional works, to prime the pump. No one can object, occasionally, to A Book of Worship for Free the reading of a short prayer early in the Churches, General Council of Congre- service, or occasionally, to the reading of a ' later in a special service. But s gational-Christian Churches, Oxford longer prayer some of us still look on “free prayer” as the University Press, N.Y., 1948. sm. 8 ideal. That calls for a pastoral prayer with vo., $1.50. a man’s eyes both closed, and his heart open A work about the size of our own good as his words flow out in streams of bless- B.C.W., but not quite so handsome or so ing. Let the main prayer be pastoral! expensive. Such books often seem much Who that has gone through a communion alike. At present we shall think about minor service with prayers from the heart of a differences. The new book excels in prefaces man filled with unction, or a service of ordi- THE PRINCETON SEMINARY BULLETIN 65
nation, can rest content with the sort of tive teachers of the Methodist Church in words that come from far away and long ago, America. words that cover everything and touch noth- With this type of volume, a reviewer finds ing? No one feels so about the prayers in a adequate appraisal rather difficult because the liturgical church. The author of a Baptist manuscripts were originally gathered to- book recommending liturgical prayers has gether without any suggestion even of title recently become an Episcopal priest, consist- or arrangement. The material falls into two ently. But as long as maintain general groups. The first consists of a series : we member- ship in a church that has always gloried in of brief lectures on the revelation of God in freedom of worship, let us continue to pray Christ. The second is composed of baccalau- in the good New Testament fashion. In all reate sermonettes, which President Forlines the New Testament, according to experts, delivered between 1935 and the time of his
. no one has ever found a liturgical prayer. death in 1944. The first section is by far the Free Worship means freedom to use forms, better and is worth the purchase price of the or not to use them. “Where the Spirit of whole book.
. the Lord is, there is freedom.” At the outset, one finds a wide disparity in Andrew W. Blackwood the quality of the author’s treatment of these somewhat miscellaneous themes. Under head- ings such as “The Plain Man,” “Vanity of Finding God Through Christ, by Secular Hope,” “Christianity,” and “Higher Charles Edward Forlines. Abingdon- Criticism,” the author is at his best, whereas I Cokesbury, York. the chapters on “Amos and Hosea,” i New 1947. Pp. 207. “Resur- rection,” and “Vision and Life” are disap- ) $2.00. pointingly ordinary. In fact, the whole of Few memorials to a worthy man are more the second part is of value only to former useful and fitting than a posthumous pub- students as mementos never to be divorced lication of the finer products of his thinking from the personality of the speaker or the !‘and devotion. The Class of 1944 of West- contemporary situation.
1 minster Theological Seminary, Westminster, For two reasons in particular this volume Maryland, j has made possible such a perma- commends itself to us : First, in his dis- nent memorial to their [ late President and courses, the author never loses sight of Mr. former beloved teacher, Charles Edward Average-man, nor fails to take cognizance Forlines. of his limitations or possibilities. He aims not In fifteen carefully selected lectures and to present theological verities in academic sermons, this volume gives us many new j isolation, but to bring them to bear with fit- and unusual insights into what have come ting and startling impact upon personal rela- to be regarded as well-known elements of t tionships. Here, it is his method that is the Christian faith. The most commendatory worthy of notice and study. Second, his feature of this series, however, is , not the chapter on “Vanity of Secular Hope” shows author’s ability to deal with more obscure to advantage how a devoted mind, well-
, ‘and underlying currents of thought, but his stored with facts about many fields of ex- great faith and his . obviously sincere ap- perience, could delineate the higher possibil- predation of eternal values. his , As biog- ities of science, economics, and politics, when ‘ rapher writes, “He had the unusual power God is included in the picture. Here, one
.. to grasp great truths and to give them sim- commends his ability to present a wide vari- pie and plain explanations.” And this, added ety of facts under the ]( unifying spell of his to the fact that “for him God was exceed- great conviction. j ingly real,” made him one of the most effec- Donald Macleod I
it Faculty
JOHN ALEXANDER MACKAY, Litt.D., D.D., LL.D., L.H.D. PRESIDENT, AND PROFESSOR OF ECUMENICS
JAMES KINO QUAY. D.D., LL.D. VICE-PRESIDENT
GEERHARDUS VOS, Ph.D., D.D. PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL THEOLOCY, EMERITUS
CHARLES ROSENBURY ERDMAN, D.D., LL.D. PROFESSOR OF PRACTICAL THEOLOGY, EMERITUS
SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., LL.D., Litt.D. PROFESSOR OF THE HISTORY OF RELIGION AND CHRISTIAN MISSIONS, EMERITUS
FREDERICK WILLIAM LOETSCHER, Ph.D., D.D., LL.D. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY, EMERITUS
HENRY SEYMOUR BROWN, D.D. VICE-PRESIDENT, EMERITUS
JOHN E. KUIZENGA, D.D. CHARLES HODGE PROFESSOR OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, EMERITUS
ANDREW WATTERSON BLACKWOOD, D.D. PROFESSOR OF HOMILETICS
DONALD WHEELER, Litt.D. PROFESSOR OF SPEECH
HENRY SNYDER GEHMAN, Ph.D., S.T.D., Litt.D. WILLIAM HENRY GREEN PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT LITERATURE
ELMER GEORGE HOMRIGHAUSEN, Th.D., D.D. THOMAS W. SYNNOTT PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
OTTO A. PIPER, Th.D., D.D. HELEN H. P. MAN SON PROFESSOR OF NEW TESTAMENT LITERATURE AND EXEGESIS HOWARD TILLMAN KUIST, Ph.D.
CHARLES I. HALEY PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL THEOLOGY FOR THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH BIBLE EDWARD HOWELL ROBERTS, D.D. DEAN, AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HOMILETICS NORMAN VICTOR HOPE, Ph.D. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY
EMILE CAILLIET, Ph.D., Th.D. STUART PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY BELA VASADY, Th.D. CUEST PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY
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J. CHRISTY WILSON, D.D. DIRECTOR OF FIELD WORK, AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECUMENICS
J. DONALD BUTLER, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION EDWARD J. JURJI, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ISLAMICS AND COMPARATIVE RELIGION JESSIE DELL CRAWFORD, Ph.D. GUEST PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DAVID HUGH JONES, Mus.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MUSIC PAUL LOUIS LEHMANN, Th.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF APPLIED CHRISTIANITY BRUCE MANNING METZGER, Ph.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF NEW TESTAMENT LEFFERTS AUGUSTINE LOETSCHER, Ph D., D.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY CHARLES THEODORE FRITSCH, Ph.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT GEORGES AUGUSTIN BARROIS, S.T.D., Th.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE AND THEOLOGY DONALD MACLEOD, Th.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HOMILETICS JOHN WILLIAM WEVERS, Th.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT GEORGE WATSON FLUHARTY, M.A. INSTRUCTOR IN SPEECH DANIEL JOHANNES THERON, B.D. INSTRUCTOR IN NEW TESTAMENT JOHN SUTHERLAND BONNELL, D.D. VISITING LECTURER IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY WILLIAM BARROW PUGH, D.D., LL.D., Liit.D. VISITING LECTURER IN ECCLESIASTICAL THEOLOGY WALTER H. EASTWOOD, S.T.D. VISITING LECTURER IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY JOHN R. MARTIN, Ph.D. VISITING LECTURER IN CHRISTIAN ART
TEACHING FELLOWS
DONALD HUGH GARD, B.D. TEACHING FELLOW IN OLD TESTAMENT JOHN BARTON PAYNE, Th.M. TEACHING FELLOW IN OLD TESTAMENT IMRE BERTALAN TEACHING FELLOW IN NEW TESTAMENT
CLAIRE BENTON KLINE, JR., B.D. TEACHING FELLOW IN ENGLISH BIBLE
CHARLES HENRY JESTER, JR., B.D. TEACHING FELLOW IN CHURCH HISTORY RICHARD FEILD TAYLOR, B.D. TEACHING FELLOW IN CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY
EARL WESLEY MOREY, JR., B.D. TEACHING FELLOW IN THEOLOGY HAROLD EDWIN DAVENPORT, JR. TEACHING FELLOW IN HOMILETICS WILBERT JOHN BEENERS, B.D. TEACHING FELLOW IN SPEECH Administrative Officers
JOHN ALEXANDER MACKAY, Litt.D., D.D., LL.D., L.H.D. PRESIDENT
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PAUL MARTIN, A.M. REGISTRAR, AND SECRETARY OF THE FACULTY, EMERITUS HENRY SEYMOUR BROWN, D.D. VICE-PRESIDENT, EMERITUS
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