Boros György (szerk.): Értesítő a Nemzetközi Unitárius Conferencziáról (Kolozsvár, 1897)
A Nemzetközi Unitárius Konferenczián tartott beszédek és felolvasások - Beszédek és felolvasások
169 readiness of speech, — his culture, naturally, being on the level of his age. These are, of course, of the very first order, and they may appear in conjunction with other qualities no less advantageous. With regard to culture, we lay great stress on a thorough theological education. The minister has unquestionably to be an authority on this, and to seek for this authority not so much by wrapping himself up in the gloom of a mystic silence, as by communicating his scientific knowledge in a suitable manner. For who would not be interested in popular lectures about the spread and system of different religions ; the life and custom of the people confessing them ; the influence of religion on the state of their culture; the geography and archaeology of the Bible; and the contents of the biblical books from the point of view of Ethics, of History, and of Poetry ? Sciences akin te Theology, as, for instance, Philology, Archaelogy, History, Geography, Philosophy, even Literature, and chiefly Poetry, do open up a wide field for the acquisition of that culture, which, in so far as his inner life is being enriched, enables the minister to become a spiritual centre of his congregation, a wellhead to their spiritual needs, and lends him an authority readily acknowledged. And authority is a sure key to all success. As Channing said : „Science is the means, the aim is power.“ (See the „Christian Ministry.“) In order to be able to acquire such a scientific erudition, we have to afford him the basis and opportunity required, already in our theological colleges. These colleges have, in their very organisation, to give an assurence that the cirtificate they present to the students, shall, not only in formal designation, but also in reality, be equal to the diplomas of all other schools of an academic character. The education of our ministers cannot any more keep to the old standard to-day, when the
