In the Theological Seminary—Studying Technique

Chapter 4, 1857-1860

College did not turn Arthur Pierson aside from the ministry, although in the course of his scientific studies his inquiring mind became a little skeptical on some points which he had been taught to believe. There were not lacking companions and even professors who suggested more doubts than the twenty-year-old student could answer. Of this period he says:

Just as I was leaving college, I felt myself in danger of sinking into the horrible pit and miry clay of doubt. I had been much interested in the study of the natural sciences and read many books on the subject, written by unbelievers. A shallow knowledge of science was leading me into skepticism, but I found that the deeper I went into the study, the more surely I came upon the reality of God. I found ‘a little learning to be a dangerous thing,’ but that all true science leads to the divine Creator and ruler of the universe.

He determined to prepare for the ministry at Union Theological Seminary which had been established in New York City in 1836. It was then located on University Place, near Washington Park, and when Mr. Pierson entered in the autumn of 1857, there were one hundred and twenty students and five professors. The seminary was not housed in the palatial quarters of