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Chautauqua School of Theology

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Chautauqua University

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is a chartered institution connected with the Chautauqua Assembly, and incorporated by the New York Legislature in 1881. It is intended for-the' benefit of young-ministers, or of older ones who may wish to review their early studies. It has an elaborate and thorough course. Its work is divided into eight regular departments and four special, each department being under the direction of a dean. The regular departments are-

1. Hebrew;

2. New Testament Greek;

3; Biblical Theology;

4. Historical Theology;

5. Practical Theology;

6. Christian Science and Philosophy;

7. Human Nature;

8. Literature and Art. The special departments are:

1. The Relation between Body and Soul;

2 Elecution;

3. Industrial Economy and Trade

4. Jurisprudence. -

The business of the school, is conducted by correspondence. The studies prescribed are to be pursued at: home. Full and rigid examinations are held in the presence of competent committees, under the direction of the deans of the various departments. Should the student pass satisfactory examinations on all the studies he will receive the degree of "Bachelor of Divinity." The studies of the eight departments will require four or five years to complete. No honorary degrees of any kind will be conferred. The degree of Doctor of Divinity will be conferred only upon graduates of the Chautauqua School of Theology who pass special examinations for-this degree, and who also hold positions of prominence in their respective denominations. his school is not designed as a substitute for the ordinary theological seminaries of the various churches. It does not claim to be even a rival to them, but rather seeks to supplement their work. It is undenominational in its character. It is at present, and has been from the beginning, under the presidency of the Rev. J. H. Vincent, D.D. The dean of the school is the Rev. A.A. Wright, Boston, Mass.

Besides the deans of the several departments there is a board of "counsellors," and also a secretary of the archaeological department. There has already been., made the beginning of an archaeological library and museum. The design is to have a collection of books, manuscripts, charts, plans, and casts, to assist in the study of the Scriptures. This collection .is kept at Chautauqua.

The whole number of students enrolled at the time of the last report (April, 1884) was three hundred and seven. They are divided among the various denominations and are to be found in all parts of the country.

Connected with the school is the JERUSALEM CHAMBER OF THEOLOGY, the design of which is to furnish ministers lay-preachers. Y.MC.A. workers, evangelists, Sunday-school officers and teachers courses of non-professional studies covering the entire field of theological, religious, and ethical literature. These departments are arranged with special adaptation to ministers who, from any cause, are unable to pursue with profit: the regular curriculum in the sacred languages. The departments under survey are as follows:

1. Historical Theology;

2. Homiletics;

3. Biblical Theology;

4. Doctrinal Theology;

5. Genesis of Man;

6. Sociology (Christian and Pagan);

7. Literature and Art;

8. Religious Biography;

9. Palestine Exploration;

10. Archaeology;

11. Hermeneutics, Old Testament;

12. Hermeneutics, New Testament;

13. Ancient History;

14. Modern History;

15. Philosophy;

16. Mental Science;

17. Philology;

18. Metaphysics;

19. Psychology;

20. Agliosticism;

21. Oriental Travels;

22. Christianity and the Sciences;

23. The Evidences of Christianity;

24. The Great Religions;

25. Greek and Roman History;

26. The Barbaric Incursions;

27. The Ancient Monarchies

28. The Hebrew and Greek Scriptures;

29. Art and Religion

30. Christian Missions:

31. Evangelism;

32. Romanism;

33. Biblical Criticism;

34. The Church and the State:

35. New Testament Greek for. English Readers

36. Egyptology;

37. History of the Primitive Church;

38. The Church Fathers;

39. The Church and her Reformers;

40. Introduction to Theology.

The business of this chamber is conducted by correspondence, the same as' that of the school. As special session of the Chautauqua School of Theology is held for about .four weeks during the summer, at Chautauqua; during this session oral lectures are delivered by the professors., (J. M.F.)