1.11EOLOGICAL COLLEGES AND THE WAR.
[TO TEl EDITOR Of TEl " SPECTATOR:1 Stn,—May I be permitted to raise the very important question what is going to be the future of our Theological Colleges in England after the war ? One remarkable thing about this war has been that it is bringing Christian men of all sects and denominations more closely together. They are looking at things in a more brotherly way than in the past. May not some of those who have taken an interest in our Theological Colleges begin to feel that it would be better to associate, as at the Universities, all students who are studying theology, and to ask whether it is -possible to have a few National Colleges where all theological students, either of the Church of- England or the Froe Churches, could go t For all candidates for the service of the Church to work together and to meet in daily social intercourse would be of in- calculable advantage. They would find out how far apart they are, or perhaps how nearly they approach one another in their religious views ; would get idiosyncrasies rubbed off; and would acquire a saner and truer estimate of the real values in life. I ask myself the question whether men who take such a course would not be much stronger, much more liberal, and much more useful in the Christian Church. Provision could, of course, be made in these National Colleges for a year or more of special training for every man before ordination in his own denomi- nation. At the present moment a good many of our Theological Colleges are closed, or soon will be. Is it wise that all of them should be re- opened ? The financial question is a very important one. If we calculate the interest on capital expended on buildings and the general expenses of the Colleges, many of which are comparatively small, we shall see that the cost to England of clergy, ministers, and students is very great. One would like to raise the question whether, in view of the general tendency of the times, it will not bo much more diffiet lb after the war to raise funds for Theological Colleges, and especially when it becomes obvious, upon particular inquiry into the matter, that- the endowments and the values of the different properties held would be quite sufficient for the working more efficiently in every way of Colleges much larger than most of the existing ones. May I suggest that should some of our smaller Colleges close down they would be abla- te offer scholarships from the funds at their disposal which would largely help to support students whom they select to be trained in one of the National Colleges ? I believe that more than half the Colleges could be closed, and a greater efficiency secured by bringing students together in a few larger Colleges, under Professors of high qualifications and better paid than so many now are. Of course there aro many practical difficulties, but these are not insurmountable. Vested in- terests need not bo seriously considered as an obstacle, because those who really care for the prevalence of Christian ideas in the world am prepared to forgo personal advantages for that good and great objective. It may be added that some movement in the direction indicated has begun among the London Colleges. and still more in Manchester, where students of several denominations (including Anglican) meet in common classes. I know I shall have the argument put before us that these United Colleges would not give the " atmosphere " which is desired, but may I not suggest that the experience we have had with our men from the trenches during the past eighteen months shows that we can be sure that the men of the future are going to look at things in a broader way, that we have all got one ideal, and the closer we can be brought together the better it will be for Christ's Kingdom upon this earth ?—I am, Sir, &o., Dulwich. EVAN SPICER.
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