THE

BIBLICAL REPOSITORY.

No. III.

JULY, 1831.

ART. I.-THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN GERMANY.

By the Editor.

PART III. EXAMINATIONS, MINISTERIAL STANDING, ETC.

We have already accompanied the German theological student to the close of his regular course of study; to the time when, having resided three years at a university, he is permitted by the government to offer himself for examination, with a view to enter upon the practice of the sacred profession as a teacher or a minister of the Gospel. In the present article it is proposed to follow him through his various examinations and trials, until he is established in his calling; and then to make some observations upon the general character and standing of the German clergy, together with some remarks upon the state of religion in that country.

At the close of his university career, there are two courses open before the student of theology, in order to arrive at a future station in the church; one of which however can be adopted but by few, while the other is open to all. He may either take the regular degrees in theology at the university, and become a teacher or professor there; (which also gives him the right of becoming a preacher ;) or he may submit himself to the usual examinations before a commission or consistory, and thus directly enter the church. We will first accompany those who take

the former course.

It has already been stated, that all students of theology are No. III.

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also inscribed in the faculty of philosophy. In connexion with this, all those who wish to devote themselves to the business of theological teachers, and to become future professors in that department, usually (if not always) take the degree of Doctor in Philosophy, which is equivalent to our Master of Arts. This is granted after examination by the faculty, and after defending in public a Latin dissertation, or being expressly excused therefrom. This however does not yet qualify a person to be

*The following translation of a public notice from the philosophical faculty of the university of Halle, shews the mode of conferring the degree of Doctor in Philosophy. This is the lowest degree now conferred in the German universities.

Rules to be observed in conferring Degrees.

I. It is taken for granted, that whoever applies for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, first, has made such acquisitions as are requisite, in order to attain to a higher degree of learning in some one science; or possesses the knowledge usually acquired at schools of learning; and, secondly, that he has pursued some one branch of those sciences which are included in the philosophical faculty, with diligence and success, so as to have distinguished himself in it.

II. He must undergo an oral examination before the faculty, on the result of which it depends, whether the candidate can receive the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Magister Artium liberalium.

III. For this purpose it is necessary, that the candidate make known his wishes to the faculty in writing in the Latin language, and subjoin to this application the following papers, viz.

1. A curriculum vitae, in which he will describe particularly his literary life, his school education, and his university years; how he has employed himself during this time; what branch of science he has chosen for his particular study; to what department of learning he expects in future to devote himself; etc.

2. The testimonium diligentiae et morum, which he received on leaving the university where he last studied; from which it must also appear that he has completed a course of at least three years. If however any one should have made, in any other way, such acquisitions as render him worthy of the distinction of the Doctor's degree, he must bring forward the proofs of this, in order that the faculty may be able to judge of their force.

3. An essay or dissertation, written in Latin and composed by himself, from which a judgment may in general be formed as to the skill and capability of the candidate. The place of this, how

come one of the privatim docentes in either faculty. In the philosophical he must, regularly, still hold another public disputation,

ever, may be supplied by any printed work composed and published by the candidate; in so far as from it his qualifications to sustain an examination by the faculty can be estimated. When these works are in German, the candidate must take so much the more pains, in composing his curriculum vitae, to shew his acquaintance with the Latin language.

IV. Should the papers handed in not be regarded as sufficient for judging whether the candidate can be admitted to examination, the faculty may require others more appropriate; or may determine upon a tentamen by the dean and one or two other members, which shall decide whether the candidate may be admitted to examination or not.

V. If it be decided to admit him to the examination, the dean shall assign a time; when the candidate shall be examined, partly in that general knowledge which is to be presupposed, and partly and chiefly in those particular branches with which, according to his own declaration, he has principally occupied himself.

VI. The examination will regularly be held in the Latin language. In sciences where this would be attended with difficulty, or when there is otherwise reason for a special exception, the examination may be conducted in German. In such cases also it is allowed to hand in a German dissertation, instead of the Latin one required above.

VII. In regard to the examination itself, a record is kept in such a way that every examiner, immediately after he has finished, himself writes down in the record on what subjects he has examined the candidate, and what judgement he has formed of his acquirements. When the last examiner has ended, the candidate withdraws; and after deliberation, the faculty, represented by the examiners present, come to a decision. In this it is determined, whether the candidate in the examination has shewn himself worthy of the degree, or not; and in the first case, how the diploma is to be worded; and especially how it shall express, in what branches he has chiefly distinguished himself. The result is annexed by the dean to the record; which it then belongs to him to carry into execution.

VIII. The decision of the faculty is made known to the candidate by the dean.

IX. The conferring of the degree may either take place privately, by the dean's presenting the diploma to the candidate; or this may be done with the usual solemnities, after a public defence by

if he wishes to become a teacher there; and in order to teach in the theological faculty, he must further take the degree of Licentiate of Theology. This is the lowest degree in theology, and is granted after examination by the theological faculty, and after maintaining a dispute in public, in the same manner as is pointed out in the note below. The examination for this degree, being by authority of the university and not of the government, is held by the faculty, and not by a commission or consistory, as is the case with those who are candidates for the pastoral office; but it embraces of course, in most respects, the same ground; with more particular reference perhaps to those branches, in which

the candidate of a Latin dissertation or theses of his own, in the great hall of the university building.

X. Whoever will establish himself as a private teacher in the university, in addition to his inaugural dissertation, must also publicly defend another Latin essay, composed by himself and approved by the faculty, (disputatio pro facultate,) unless he receives from the faculty an express dispensation.

XI. The legal costs and expenses of the candidate, on the occasion of taking the Doctor's degree, and in other cases, are the following.

A. For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. (1) To the faculty for the examination and for many expenses, as for printing the diploma, etc. 8 Frederics d'or $32. (2) For the library, 4 rix dollars=$2 80. (3) Other expenses during the sitting of the faculty, etc. 10 rix dollars $7. [In all $41 80.]

B. Further. (1) At the disputatio pro facultate legendi, pro aperienda cathedra, to the dean, 2 rix dollars=$1 40. (2) Pro licentia legendi, when the candidate is not a doctor philosophiae legitime promotus of this university, 10 rix dollars=$7. (3) For a tentamen, 10 rix dollars=$7.

Extract from the records of the sitting of the philosophical faculty of Feb. 25, 1827. The holding of a public disputation seems to depend chiefly on the choice of the candidate. If he is a young man of talent, and hopes to shew off well, such a public exhibition affords him an opportunity to do this, and gives him a name. If he acquits himself with eclat, he is sure afterwards of a good number of pupils. On the other hand, there are instances of total failure. In 1828, a young man who held a disputation pro facultate at Halle, after going through with his regular opponents with ability and success, was put down by an opponent from the crowd, and that so completely, that he gave up his purpose, left the place, and changed the whole course and character of his life.

the candidate expects to teach. The examination also assumes a higher and more scientific character, in regard to those few who are to be scientific teachers, than with the many who become only pastors. The privileges, however, conferred by this degree are of a corresponding nature. The Licentiate of Theology is then qualified to read lectures, as a private teacher of theology in the universities, has the liberty of preaching, and should he wish to become a pastor, he stands on the same footing as those, who in the other course have passed two examinations. This degree is now never taken, except by those who thus wish to become teachers; the other course being after all less difficult, and perhaps more speedy.

The appointment of Professor extraordinarius makes the licentiate a permanent member of the university, and gives him a higher rank; but does not affect in any way his university degree. Indeed, the term licentiate is never employed as a title of address; while the title doctor is very extensively given to those who have taken the degree of Doctor in Philosophy, without having been further promoted. But this also is laid aside, when the individual becomes professor; the latter title being of a higher value. As a general rule, the ordinary theological professors are also Doctors of Theology; though this is not always the case. This has now become a merely honorary degree; and is usually bestowed by the universities on distinguished individuals, as a mark of favour and respect. It may also be regularly taken by those who apply for it; but at an expense of about two hundred rix dollars. The privileges annexed to this degree are not yet obsolete. The title of Doctor of Theology supersedes that of Professor of any kind. This degree also entitles the individual to receive ordination, if he desires it, without further examination or delay; and is the highest degree or rank conferred by the universities. The government, however, can and do bestow on theologians honorary titles, which are regarded as still higher. The most usual one is that of Consistorialrath, Counsellor or Assessor of the Consistory, a title with which is connected no right or privilege whatever, and which is merely a mark of favour on the part of the government. It is of precisely the same character as the title of D. D. with us, though somewhat higher in name. The same is the case with the title Oberconsistorialrath, which is a still higher degree of nominal honour.

The course above described, has been followed by most of the distinguished theological teachers of the day. Tholuck, for in