enterprises. Without such special and authorized Agents to present its claims, no benevolent society will succeed.

Operations of different Societies in connection with the Parent Institution.

Most of them are in successful operation and preparing for extended efforts.

Maine.-The Maine Branch has raised but little the past year, towards the support of her beneficiaries, and exhibits the clearest evidence, that the community move in no benevolent effort any faster or farther than they are moved by Agents connected with these Institutions. It is, however, due to the Christians of that State, to observe that they have not been neglectful of charitable education in respect to the ministry. Upwards of twenty thousand dollars have been subscribed by them within twelve months for the Theological Seminary at Bangor.

New Hampshire.-The New Hampshire Branch has been somewhat efficient through the agency, which has been performed in it. A sufficiency of funds, however, has not been raised in that State to meet the exigencies of the Branch.

Vermont. The Auxiliary Society of Vermont, has paid into our treasury during the year, nearly as much as has been expended within her bounds for beneficiaries. This has been effected through the instrumentality of Agents.

Massachusetts.-Massachusetts, which is the seat of the Parent Society, has, by her auxiliaries in the different counties, still evinced that this Institution is a child of her sympathies, prayers, and charities. This is especially true of Worcester, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. The latter has paid into our treasury the present year, about five thousand dollars. The other counties of the State, it is believed, will be equally prompt in aiding this cause, when they shall, the succeeding year, be visited by an Agent of the Society.

Rhode Island.-Little has been done within the boundaries of this State. Few men and small pecuniary means has she furnished in this glorious cause. Rhode Island, however, as it respects an educated ministry is on the advance.

Connecticut.-Connecticut, one of our oldest and best States, has shown herself not unmindful of a pious and learned ministry. Our treasury will tell that her sacred charities have not been few.

Though that Branch has furnished many beneficiaries, yet she has furnished means more than sufficient for their support. Be this told as a memorial of her.

Illinois.-No special efforts to raise funds have been made the year past, within the boundaries of that State. A number of young men have been under the patronage of that Branch at the Illinois college. That State, like all the other western States, is in a forming condition. Society there is composed of diversified elements, and is now susceptible of being moulded by the hand of science and religion.

Presbyterian Education Society.

The Presbyterian Education Society, associated with this,* is most important in its location, character, and operations. It has moved onward with energy and success. Its prospects are bright and animating. It has already accomplished great things for Zion, and is destined to accomplish still greater. As the proposition of union with the Parent Institution originated in that Society, with a view to the extension of the efforts of charitable education; so a desire of co-operation, on their part, continues to exist. Similar views and feelings this Board would most cordially reciprocate. It is believed this union will be promotive of Christian affection and interests, and of greatly extended efforts. Of the young men spoken of in this report, three hundred and forty-six have been sustained by the Presbyterian Education Society. Of the receipts acknowledged by our Treasurer, upwards of eighteen thousand dollars were raised within their limits. They have Branch Societies or Agencies in New York, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Alabama,

Quarterly Register.

Every benevolent Society of any considerable magnitude must have a periodical, in which to publish its transactions, its receipts and expenditures, and to present its claims to the public. In this view, the Quarterly Register and Journal is of great use to the Society. It is valuable also to the cause of benevolence in general. It is a work much needed, and occupies an important place among the periodicals of the day, and in no way can it be so

* Appendix B.

properly sustained, as in connection with the American Education Society. Through the ability and assiduity of Mr. Edwards, its editor, it has deservedly obtained a high reputation. He is expected to conduct it the year to come.

Resignations.

In November last the Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D. resigned his place in the Board, having been a Director fourteen years, and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of the Rev. Samuel Gile, of Milton. Mr. B. B. Edwards, in addition to his other engagements, having undertaken to conduct a work to be entitled the "American Quarterly Observer," has resigned his office as Recording Secretary, and as a member of the Executive and Examining Committees.

Work to be performed.

The whole country, as far as it is practicable, should be organized into State, County, or Territorial Societies, immediately. Efficient men should be appointed as permanent Agents or executive officers, to take charge of certain districts, and see that the cause is well sustained within their own respective bounds. They must be responsible for obtaining men and procuring funds for their support. There must be system, order and efficiency in the whole business. Every minister should exert himself to find at least one young man, worthy and desirous of the patronage of the Society. There are between twelve and thirteen thousand evangelical churches in the land. Cannot these churches furnish, upon an average, at least one student for the sacred office for every three churches? This would provide four thousand candidates for the ministry. This number should at once commence

a course of ministerial education. Were this to be done, two thousand new applicants would probably this year seek assistance from the American Education Society. A question here arises, If men could be found in such numbers, would the churches furnish the means of educating them for the ministry? From the experience of God's goodness, and the liberality of the churches in years past, the Board are confident that the means would be furnished, and they pledge assistance to all worthy applicants, how numerous soever they may be.

The blessing of Heaven needed.

Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' No exertions of men, however great, will avail to the raising up of a pious and learned ministry without the special blessing of Heaven. We should, therefore, most importunately beseech the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. This, indeed, he has taught and encouraged us to do. And when all his people, in united, continual and fervent aspirations, address the throne of the Great Eternal, he will not be inattentive unto the voice of their supplications. Persuaded of this, the Directors of the American Education Society have ever taken a special interest in the Annual Concert of Prayer on behalf of colleges and public seminaries of learning. A circular letter, by their order, was addressed last January to the beneficiaries of this Society in reference to this Concert, calling up their attention to the duty of fasting and supplication on behalf of the conversion of the multitudes of the dear youth of our land, now in a course of education.* God most manifestly has heard the prayers of his children on such occasions. During the last year, the blessing of the Holy Ghost descended on a number of these institutions of learning, and some souls were converted to Christ. From information recently received, it appears that a promising state of religious feeling exists in a number of our colleges at the present time. May the period soon arrive when they shall be not only schools of literature and science, but also nurseries of morality and religion. The Directors have also recommended a monthly Concert of Prayer on Tuesday, immediately succeeding the first Monday of each month. The object of this meeting is to pray particularly for the American Education Society, its officers, members and patrons, for the young men connected with it, and also that God would convert multitudes of our youth, and inspire them with an ardent desire to preach Christ and him crucified. Were all Christians thus to pray, the God of heaven, he would prosper us.

Demand for Ministers.

There has not been for the last thirty years so great a demand for ministers in New England as at the present time. Many va

Appendix C.

cant churches exist, and their call is, "Send us Pastors." In the South and West there is a "famine of hearing the words of the Lord." Between three and four thousand ministers are needed to supply the destitute evangelical churches in this country.

The different benevolent societies say, "Give us Agents, or the cause we have espoused will languish and die." Fifty such Agents ought to be employed immediately, in order to arouse the country to suitable efforts.

The Home Missionary Societies are presenting from all quarters the Macedonian cry, "Come over and help us." Five hundred ministers, besides those now in service, are needed, and, could they be procured, would immediately be employed for the building up of Zion in our own beloved country.

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions are peremptory in their demand for more laborers. Fifty-five missionaries are this year required to be sent into pagan lands, and one thousand, it is thought, might be employed to good advantage, could men and the means to support them be procured.

There is one more demand. It is from the East. Dr. Scudder of Ceylon, a Foreign Missionary, has addressed an appeal to the pious young men, to the ministers, and to the churches of this country, on this subject.* The call by him, is from the four winds of heaven, and it is for ministers to supply the world. And this call will wax louder and louder, as it is wafted on every breeze, till the world's redemption is accomplished.

Conclusion.

This Society is engaged in a great work-a work of no less magnitude than the salvation of the world. In it the church is engaged; angels are engaged; the sacred Trinity are engaged. This glorious work will be accomplished. As a pledge of this we have the purpose, perfections, covenant and oath of the immutable God. As a pledge of it, we have too, the providence of him, who for the salvation of his church divided the Red Sea, rolled back the waters of Jordan, caused the rock in Horeb to become a fountain, the heavens to rain down bread, and the sun and moon to be stayed in their circuit. The Lord will spread the triumphs of the cross, till the whole earth shall chant the praises of the Redeemer,

See "Letters from the East," an interesting little work, by John Scudder, M. D. Missionary in Ceylon.