ood. It is encouraging to note a
new departure in two leading theological seminaries. Yale Divinity School
changed its course very much a year ago. It strengthened the old course,
leading to the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, known as historical, also
adding a philosophical and lastly a practical course, both of which lead
to the B.D. degree. "The practical course will emphasize the relation of
the minister to the problems of modern society, giving special attention
to Christian sociology, ethics, and methods of Christian activity. As a
preliminary discipline students who take this course will receive in the
junior year special instruction in sociology and instruction in elementary
law in one of the courses furnished by the University for law students."

The Chicago Theological Seminary has made a similar change and says in a
recent catalogue: "The subjects for instruction are those directly
relating to the work of the ministry, and courses in the English Bible,
the psychology of Christian living, religious pedagogy, evangelism,
missions, Christian sociology and citizenship are included in both the
prescribed and elective work. Hebrew and Greek have been made almost
entirely elective, and much that is traditional in systematic theology,
church history, and other departments has had to make room for new
subjects. But the seminary authorities, believing that such changes are
necessary, hold that the mere fact that a subject has a traditional place
in the curriculum of the divinity school should not be a sufficient reason
for retaining it. Each subject must continually prove anew its right to be
taught and justify itself under modern conditions." This does not mean
less study or a less scholarly man as the finished product; but it does
mean that the seminary is to take its place along with other professional
schools in fitting men to meet present needs.

The action of the above schools is most encouraging, and no doubt before a
great while many other seminaries will follow the same course. This will
do for the minister what our medical schools are doing for the physician;
it will bring him in daily contact with the conditions which he must meet
out in the world. Who would think of running a medical school without a
laboratory and a clinic? Young men might know all the books have to say
about the property of drugs or the symptoms of diseases, but such men will
be handicapped if they are to wait until they go out into actual