DURING session 1935-36 Mr. Alexander Macaskill took his second year of divinity. The subjects embraced in the course were Systematic Theology, Church History, Bible Knowledge and Confession of Faith. In Systematic Theology the instruction imparted was through a text book and by a series of lectures on Eschatology (the Doctrine of the Last Things). The various subjects embraced under the doctrine of the Last Things came up for discussion and review. The prominence given to Pre-millennarianism and its latest phase Dispensational Teaching requires that our students should have instruction in these subjects. The theories of Annihilationism, the Larger Hope, Prayers for the Dead, Eternal Punishment, the Resurrection and the General Judgment all came under review.
In General Church History a text-book was used covering the period from Apostolic times to the Reformation. In Scottish Church History lectures were delivered on the Celtic Church, pre-Reformation Church, and Reformation Church. This course will be continued (D.V.) next session when a general view will thus be given of the history of the Church in Scotland from early times to the present.
It is our aim that our students should have a good knowledge of the Bible and in order to attain to this end questions are set at the Class examinations to test the student’s knowledge. The Confession of Faith is carefully gone over and during this session the first half came under review by expository lectures in which the outstanding doctrines were explained and controversial points dealt with. This excellent document is worthy all the study which theological students may give it.
Mr. Macaskill acquitted himself with diligence during the session and sat the two class examinations prescribed so as to obtain a very creditable pass mark. As it is impossible to take up the important subject of Apologetics in the class a text-book, Keyser’s System of Christian Evidence, has been prescribed for summer reading on which an examination will be set at the beginning of next session.
May I be permitted to say, in conclusion, that while we do not believe in giving educational attainments the place that the work of the Holy Spirit alone can give to prepare candidates for the ministry yet we do hold with the Directory of Public Worship a document recognized by our Church that “it is presupposed (according to the rules for ordination) that the minister of Christ is in some good measure gifted for so weighty a service, by his skill in the original languages, and in such arts and sciences as are handmaids unto divinity; by his knowledge in the whole body of theology, but most of all in the Holy Scriptures, having his senses and heart exercised in them above the common sort of believers; and by the illumination of God’s Spirit, and other gifts of edification, which (together with reading and studying of the Word) he ought still to seek by prayer, and an humble heart, resolving to admit and receive any truth not yet attained, whenever God shall make it known unto him.”