Samuel Ort was Wittenberg’s fourth president, from 1882 to 1900, and he filled in as acting president when President Ruthrauff died in 1902. As a professor he taught Systematic Theology in the divinity school.
In a fall address to divinity students, he offered advice on the theme, “Why You are Here.” Some of the advice is specific to future pastors, e.g., “you are here to make theologians of yourselves.” But some the advice is broader, and his opening advice is quoted here verbatim. “What should your life in this school be?” he asked.
For one thing it should mean intense application to study. To make use of a colloquialism, there is study and there is study. However, that only is deserving the name which is characterized by undivided attention of the mind to the subjects offered for examination and thought; and not only undivided, but prolonged, constant application of the knowing powers. Without this, no real, serviceable attainments in knowledge can be made. Understand, you are here not merely to have minds crammed with a lot of information and learning, and then to be sent out to deliver it to the people from week to week in small quantities until the stock is exhausted. You are not barrels to be filled. You are young men [we would say persons] with rational minds. You are not machines. While it is true that in the acquisition of knowledge you are to be more or less passive, it must never be overlooked that in the appropriation of knowledge you must be intensely active.
Knowledge, whatever its character, is serviceable to you only in so far as you make it over. This you do, first, by getting a clear understanding of it, and second, by putting it in the mould of your own thought. Then it is no longer mine nor that of my colleagues. It is positively yours, and is easily and always at your service.
All this means that, in the getting of knowledge, you must be persistently and intensely active in the exercise of your intellectual powers. The instruction of your professors may in itself be considered valuable, but it will prove to be of no special value to you until you have thought it over and through for yourselves and thus made it your own possession in the truest and highest sense.
He closes this section of the address with a line specific to future pastors, but it can readily be applied to any field:
It will not be enough for you at last to be able to recite what men of the past have thought, or men of the present think, but you must be able to tell your fellowmen what you think, what you know concerning the target and enduring themes of Sacred Scripture.
Source,” “Why You Are Here,” Selected Sermons and Addresses by the Rev. D.D. S. A. Ort, D. D., LL. D. (1914).
About The Project
With Wittenberg now celebrating its 175th year, and the University unable to hold regular in-person classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor of History Thomas T. Taylor has started circulating several pieces on Wittenberg's history. Some originated in earlier series, either This Month in Wittenberg History or Happy Birthday Wittenberg. Others have their origin in the Wittenberg History Project or in some other, miscellaneous project. Sincerest thanks to Professor Taylor for connecting alumni, faculty, staff, and students through a historic lens.