If he

passes

He

an extempore treatise on any Theological subject proposed to him by the Examiners. this examination creditably, he then receives the licentia praedicandi," but cannot administer the sacraments. is still called Candidate," and seeks to make himself acquainted with the practical duties of his profession, by assisting the Clergyman of a Parish, or by giving religious instruction at a Gymnasium,

As soon as he feels himself qualified to undertake the cure of souls, which is generally about two or three years after his first examination, he announces himself for the second. This latter differs little in the scientific portion of it from the former, except in being more severe, but it embraces a greater number of subjects.

After the second examination he is entitled to offer himself as Candidate for any vacant pulpit in the Lutheran Church of his country; the Ministers of which, as is well known, are generally chosen and

CAREER OF THE THEOLOGIAN.

145

paid by the Congregations. In some parishes, however, the living is in the gift of a lay patron, or the State.

Before his induction into a living, the Candidate, if a Lutheran, must declare his belief in the Augsburg Confession, and the Apostle's and Nicene creeds. If he belong to the,,Reformed Church" he subscribes the Formulary of Dortrecht."

Career of a Student for the Catholic Priesthood.

The young Catholic who wishes to become a Priest, must also pass a,,triennium" at the University. He must then enter an Episcopal Seminary, in which

*

* Also called the Alumnat." The modern Church Reformer, John Ronge, who has been the cause of a serious defection from the Roman Catholic Church of Germany, gives a description of the Alumnat" in which he passed the usual period in preparation for the Priesthood. According to him

the time of the Students of this Institution was divided in the following manner;

he passes several years under the immediate superintendence of the Directors, and learns the practical part of his profession. When he has remained long enough in this Institution, which is not unlike a Monastery in its interior arrangements, he is appointed Caplan" (Chaplain) by the

,,Before and after dinner, prayers in the Chapel; occupying about 3⁄4 of an hour. Then 1/4 or 1⁄2 an hour Breviary Prayers."

,,After supper 1⁄2 an hour prayers in the Chapel, and an hour for Breviary prayers. The prayers are latin and always the same. On Sundays and Holydays, the time devoted to these prayers is still greater. Twice in the week the Student (alumnus) may go out for a few hours. During meals there is no talking."

Vid.,,Rechtfertigung" by Johannes Ronge, page 9.

CAREER OF A LAW STUDENT.

147

Dean and Chapter of the Diocese; then ,,Vicarius," and lastly Parish Priest.

Career of a Law Student. *

As we have before observed, the Law Student is subjected to no examination at the University; nor is it necessary for him to take a degree. The State makes three principal requirements of the young Lawyer; 1stly. That he should be able to maintain himself until such a time as he may reasonably expect to be appointed to an office with a sufficient salary: 2ndly. That he should have studied three years at a University: and 3dly. That he should have attended the necessary courses of lectures as a Student. If he can answer these requirements he then applies to the superior Court (Obergericht) of the Province in which he wishes for employment, to be appointed,, Auscultator" (Listener). His

* The following account applies chiefly to the Prussian States.

application must be written in latin, and accompanied by his College testimonials and a curriculum vitae. A time is then fixed for the State-examination, which is held before Commissioners appointed by Government.

The principal subjects of

this first examination are the „Institutions" the,,Pandects," the History of Roman Law, Canonical Law, German Law, Criminal Law, Law of actions, Feudal Law, and the Philosophy of Law. If he passes," he is sworn in as Auscultator, and generally attaches himself to some inferior Court; where, under the direction of some experienced Lawyer, he makes himself acquainted with the practical part of his profession.

Having passed one or two or two years as Auscultator, the young Lawyer petitions the same tribunal as before, to be admitted to the secoud examination, which is two-fold, written, and viva voce. To fail in either is fatal to the Candidate's pretensions. This second examination—which