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The first dean of the faculty at Princeton was James Ormsbee Murray (1827-1899), who served as such from 1883 until his death. Dean Murray, in January/June 1890, authored a 2-part article for The Homiletic Review titled How to Form a Minister’s Library. In addition to his own recommendations for useful books, he included further lists of recommended titles by Caspar Wistar Hodge, Sr. on New Testament exegesis, William Henry Green in Old Testament, James McCosh (former President of Princeton) in philosophy, Francis Landey Patton (then-current President of Princeton) in ethics, George Park Fisher in history, and B.B. Warfield in Dogmatic Theology.
Although in the 21st century, many theological students and ministers have found digital books the economical way to build a library, and Log College Press is doing its best to assist with thousands of worthy titles available on this site, there is still wisdom to be gained from reviewing the recommendations and suggestions of notable late 19th century ministers, theologians and scholars, although the counsel found herein as to how to purchase quality books.
For one thing, the recommendations go beyond theology to the realm of general history (as well as ecclesiastical), science, poetry and even novels - Murray writes: “Is fiction to have any place in the minister's library? How can he have it, if he is going to preach against novel-reading? If he is to preach indiscriminately against all use of fiction, he by no means should use it himself. But he had better refrain from all such folly, and set an example of using the novel as not abusing it.” This wisdom could be applied to other genres of art and aspects of culture as well.
Moreover, many classic titles in theology and Biblical studies that were utilized by Princeton theologians in the 19th century have stood the test of time, if not the test of popularity, even though the century of more of scholarship that has been performed since this article was published should also not be neglected. Patrick Fairbairn on the Typology of Scripture, Alfred Edersheim’s The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, George Smeaton on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit - these are some of specific titles mentioned which have stood the test of time. Some of the titles given are by American authors, some by European; some are available today in digital format, others require a trip to a seminary library. But the modern minister or student of the ministry today can gain from a review of this 1890 article by Murray and the listed recommendations. Bookmark this article and take a few minutes to see what men like Warfield and other Princeton divines thought was important to have in a minister’s library.
