THE New College, Edinburgh, was the first of the Colleges instituted in connection with the Free Church. The idea was originally entertained of making provision for classes in Arts as well as in Theology; and accordingly, in 1844, Mr Patrick C. MacDougall was appointed Professor of Moral Philosophy; the Rev. John Miller was appointed Classical Tutor; a Mathematical class was taught by the Rev. John Wallace, and in the following year the Rev. Alexander C. Fraser was appointed Professor of Logic. In connection with these arrangements, the order of studies was practically altered (though the change was not made imperative) so as to give effect to the view long cherished by Dr Chalmers, that Logic and Ethics should follow the Mathematical and Physical Sciences in the order of study, instead of preceding them. C The provision thus made for classes in Arts was due, in a great measure, to the fact that at that time the tests imposed on Professors in the Universities were of such a kind, and so applied, as to exclude members of the Free Church from all the Chairs. When the University tests were abolished, and both Professor MacDougall and Professor Fraser were elected to corresponding Chairs in the University of Edinburgh (1853, 1857), this extended platform was abandoned, and the efforts of the Church were concentrated upon Theological training exclusively. No time was lost in procuring premises, which, though inadequate to the full development of the contemplated system, were sufficient for temporary accommodation. These premises were in George Street, and the business of the College was conducted there until 1850. Subscriptions having been obtained to warrant the erection of a building on a scale suited to the object, a very eligible site at the head of the Mound was secured. Plans by W. H. Playfair, Esq., were prepared and adopted, and the new building was proceeded with. Dr Chalmers, as Principal, laid the foundation-stone on the 4th of June 1846, exactly one year previous to the day on which his remains were consigned to the tomb. The structure was completed in four years, and was opened on 6th November 1850, under the sanction of the Commission of the General Assembly, by their Moderator, Dr N. Paterson, who delivered a sermon, and also a special address to the Professors and Students. The cost, including the price of the site (£10,000) amounted to £46,506, 8s. 1od. The building fund was begun by one contributor giving £2000, and twenty-one others giving £1000 each. The building contains accommodation for seven classes, together with a Library, Museum, Senate Hall, and Students' Hall. A report of the proceedings at the laying of the foundationstone of the College was printed as an Appendix to the College Report of 1847, which contains the address then delivered by Dr Chalmers. Subsequently, the sermon delivered by Dr Paterson on the inauguration of the College, and the introductory lectures delivered on the same occasion in their several Classes by Professors Cunningham, Buchanan, Bannerman, Duncan, Black, MacDougall, Fraser, and Fleming, were published in a volume which was issued as a record of the event. ? III.-ARRANGEMENT OF CLASSES AND STUDIES. The principles on which the Church has regulated the Curriculum have been referred to in Part I. The order of Classes now sanctioned as the permanent arrangement for Edinburgh is the following: First Year-Divinity, Junior Hebrew, Natural Science. Second Year-Divinity, Senior Hebrew, Junior Exegetics. Third Year-Divinity, Senior Exegetics, Junior Church History. Fourth Year-Divinity, Senior Church History. SESSION 1877-78. The Introductory Lecture will be delivered on Wednesday, 7th November, by the Principal. The Classes for the ensuing Session will meet upon Thursday, 8th November. The Session closes on the Wednesday before the first Tuesday of April. Divinity, Systematic Theology, First Year, I P.M. . Dr BLAIKIE, 9 Palmerston First Year's Students, Second Year's Students, Third Year's Students, Fourth Year's Students, Junior Hebrew at 10 A. M. . Dr DAVIDSON. Dr DUNS. Dr BLAIKIE. Dr MOXEY. Dr RAINY. Dr SMEATON. Dr MOXEY. MATRICULATION AND ENROLMENT. Regular Students of Theology, before entering with the Professors, must matriculate, and pay the Common Fee to the Treasurer, each year of their course. Nor can an irregular Student be enrolled with any Professor before he has matriculated. The matriculation Fee is 10s., and the Common Fee is £4, 10s. yearly. There is also kept, on a separate page, a register of students who are not provided with all the statutory certificates; such students may be allowed to take part in all the ordinary work of the classes they attend, with the exception of the discourses required by the laws of the church. Students from other countries or churches should bring with them certificates of Christian character from their ministers, and of their previous studies in the Universities and Theological Institutions with which they have been connected. For licentiates, a certificate of licence is sufficient. Hebrew Class.—A separate Class will be conducted by the * The Evangelistic Theology Classes meet during November and December only, for three hours a week. † Students of each year attend this class for one hour a-week. |