tions of Zion, in their length and breadth, yet we had seen enough, and heard enough, to convince us that something must be done, or the churches would soon have no efficient pastors, and the heathen continue to perish for lack of vision. Something must be done, was the common sentiment. But, what? how? was the unanswered and apparently unanswerable inquiry of all. What could be done to increase the number of able and faithful ministers of Jesus Christ? We conversed and prayed, and at length, though with much fear and trembling, we acted-we resolved to organize a society "to aid indigent pious young men of talents in obtaining a suitable education for the gospel ministry." I well remember, Sir, the great deliberation and caution, I had almost said, reluctance, with which some were brought to adopt the resolution-the trembling of the hands raised in its support. The formation of this Society was indeed an experiment—it was impossible to foresee the result. Many doubted the expediency of the attempt; and even the most sanguine friends of the project, never anticipated half the beneficial effects, which have already resulted from the action of that memorable day.

Sir, the experiment has been made, and has succeeded-the remedy for the evil, which was then rapidly increasing, has been found. This Society, with its Branches and Auxiliaries, has settled the question, that the church and the world may be and must be furnished with pastors and teachers, by the action of charity-by the combined influence of Christian piety and benevolence-by associations of praying and enterprising Christians. view of the origin, progress, and prospects of the Society, Sir, I now present the resolution in my hand, for the action of the Society, and the consideration of this Christian assembly.

[Here President Bates offered the third Resolution.]

In

The resolution, Sir, very properly places this Society among the benevolent associations of the age. It is a friend and companion of them all. It makes no pretensions to independent action. It lays no claim to exclusive favor. It originates from the same principle; and seeks with them, the same general object. The Roman Orator, as, Sir, you learned from a school book of your youth, has beautifully said, that all the arts and sciences are bound together by a common chain. And a greater than Cicero, an inspired apostle, recognized the same principle of union among the Christian graces and virtues, when he gave the comprehensive direction to Christians, "Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity." So we discover the connecting chain-the harmonizing principle among the evangelical societies and benevolent associations which characterize our age and country. It is true, the resolution assigns to the American Education Society a distinguished place among these associations.. But the distinction is that of order, rather than of rank-a distinction which may exist among equals. They are mutually dependent-all on each, and each on all. Still, like faith among the Christian graces, this Society seems to sustain a peculiarly intimate and direct relation to all the rest. Are they viewed as a circle? this is the centre. Are they contemplated as an arch? this is the key-stone. Are they spoken of as constituting one great temple—a building of God? this lies at the very foundation. For, without the operations of this Society, what could the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, or the Home Missionary Society, or, indeed, any of our benevolent associations, accomplish? They must have missionaries and agents; and therefore their dependence on the efficient operations of this Society is peculiarly direct and exceedingly obvious.

The resolution, Sir, claims for this Society "the prayers and patronage of all who love the Redeemer." And the claim needs no labored argument

for its support. The whole tendency of the Society, both direct and collateral, both immediate and remote, is salutary and favorable to the cause of religion and the highest interests of the human race. It directly increases the number of ministers, and thus helps to supply the great deficiency, by encouraging some to seek an adequate education, who, without its aid, could not have pursued the requisite course of study. It directly promotes the same cause, by elevating the standard of ministerial qualifications-by aiding many in obtaining a finished education, who else would have rushed into the work unprepared-run before they were sent-and hence fallen under the apostolic curse of the novice. Let it not be said, Sir, that because some men of superior minds and peculiar energy of character have done good, and even distinguished themselves in the ministry; therefore learning, and the discipline of a liberal and thorough education are useless. The reasoning which leads to such a conclusion is false; the argument is unsound. No, Sir, knowledge is power, and education in a minister of the gospel-sanctified learning is moral power. How much more good would these distinguished self-taught men have done, if to their native genius and superior talents had been added the discipline and refinement of a liberal education? The people, Sir, want able as well as good ministers; and they will have such or none. In the midst of all the dearth of the preached word, and all the calls for pastors and teachers, there are in some portions of the land many calling themselves ministers of the word, who cannot obtain a settlement. The churches desire teachers as well as pastors; and those who would teach, must first learn-must be “scribes well instructed unto the kingdom of heaven"-must be "mighty in the Scriptures." I verily believe, Sir, that one man of God, thoroughly trained for the work of the ministry, is capable of exerting more moral power on the community, and of accomplishing a greater sum of good for mankind, than ten just such men, equally pious and equally talented, without education, despised as they will be, by learned infidels, and pitied even by believers of taste and judgment.

But, Sir, these direct and obvious beneficial influences of the Society, do not constitute the whole of its claims upon the prayers and patronage of the Christian community. Its collateral and indirect effects, though less evident, have not been less important to the cause of Christ. By diffusing information, and showing the wants of the church and the world, it has induced many pious young men who did not need its charities, to devote themselves to the work of the ministry; and by the application of their own resources, or the aid of pious friends, to seek an adequate education. The reports and other publications of the Society, have contained facts and statements calculated to touch the heart of piety; and many a pious youth, as he has read them, and as the message of the Lord has fallen on his ear, "Whom shall we send, and who will go for us," has been affected at the view of his perishing fellow men, and said, "Here am I, send me." Pious parents too, like Hannah of old, have brought their Samuels to the temple, and dedicated them to its sacred service. Nor has the indirect influence of this Society on the order and piety of our colleges been small or unimportant. You remember, Sir, when you and I were students at college, how few were the professors of religion in the institutions with which we were respectively connected-and how difficult it was to maintain authority and preserve order. But now the whole scene is changed. In the little college with which I am connected, out of about 120 students, more than 70 are professors of religion, and the consequence is general order and industry; and that without the necessity of asserting authority, or applying the penalties of law. This change is not indeed to be attributed directly to the influence of the Society; for only a portion of the pious students are beneficiaries; but it may safely be ascribed to the Society as the remote cause. [Here President Bates referred with approbation to the sentiments

of Professor Stowe and Dr. Alden, on the subject of health; and spoke at large on the necessity of making improvements in our plans of physical education-suggested a plan which he had in contemplation; and gave it as his opinion, that reliance must be placed on the Directors of the American Education Society, and the example and influence of beneficiaries, to give success to the experiment, and render manual labor at our colleges popular, and an efficient preventive of dyspepsia, &c.]

The Society, said President Bates, has done much, directly and indirectly, to raise up an able, pious, and efficient ministry. But, Sir, continued he, it has much more to accomplish. Its work is not done, nor will it be done while our churches are increasing in number more rapidly than the increase of ministers-while every efficient minister, by his instrumentality, is found to have prepared the way for two others—while the demand for laborers is thus far from being diminished-while, indeed, the Macedonian cry is waxing louder and louder, “Come over and help us."-Still, therefore, does it need your prayers and your patronage. And, Sir, shall it not have them? "The harvest is plenteous and laborers are few." Churches are springing up in the wilderness, and want pastors. The heathen are perishing for lack of vision, and missionaries must be sent to them, or they will continue to perish. The world is to be converted; and converted by the preaching of the gospel. Missionaries from America must bear a part-a distinguished part in this great enterprise. [Here President B. spoke of the enterprising character of American youth, and the favorable influence of our institutions in preparing missionaries qualified for the work; and concluded by an appeal to the hearts of the assembly.]-Sir, said he, is it true, that the repentance of one sinner-the conversion of a single soul, is an event of so much importance, as to cause joy in heaven ?-Is it true, that the world still lieth in wickedness? Is it true, that in the wisdom of God, those that believe are to be saved by the preaching of the word ?-Is it true, that Christ commands his disciples to " go forth, &c." and to "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send," &c. Is all this true? and shall we not pray and act-pray more fervently and act more efficiently, till this glorious work shall be done, and the kingdoms of this world shall have become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ?

SKETCH OF REV. MR. LINSLEY'S ADDRESS.

[On moving the 4th Resolution.]

Mr. Linsley invited attention to the actual want of ministers. In this country, 3 or 4,000 ministers were needed to supply existing wants. But as nearly as could be calculated, only about 300 a year entered the ministry. Half of these-150-were wanted to supply the place of those removed by death; and 50 more for the service of literary and theological institutions and benevolent Societies-leaving only 100 for destitute congregations. Now our population was increasing at the rate of some 1,000 every dayand adding six or seven congregations a week to be supplied. The increase of ministers, as before mentioned, being only two a week, there was an increase of 4 or 5,000 weekly, or from 2 to 300,000 annually, to our destitute population.

But this was not all. There were other urgent demands on the services of this 100. A few years ago, none were called for, for the service of seamen. Now they must not only be stationed in all our sea-ports, but along our canals, and rivers, and lakes, and in distant quarters of the globe,

wherever American commerce reaches, and American seamen are found.Yet more. Consider the call of the American Board for fifty missionaries this year-a demand which the Report characterized as 'peremptory.' That demand, too, would be rapidly increasing, and we should soon have to send into the foreign field, hundreds instead of units.

Mr. L. concluded with some remarks on the efforts of infidels and Romanists, and an earnest appeal to young men, and the parents and friends of young men, in favor of their immediate consecration, in far greater numbers, to the service of Christ in the ministry.

SKETCH OF REV. MR. PLUMMER'S ADDRESS.

The Rev. William S. Plummer, of Petersburg, Virginia, seconded the fourth resolution, and made some additional remarks. It was true, he said, that we wanted a great many ministers in this country. In Virginia, so many were wanted, that they must have several hundreds before they could tell how many would be required. At present, the additional supplies only increased the apparent demand. They had perhaps one educated evangelical minister to 12,000 souls. But he remembered a letter of Gordon Hall, in which he spake of himself as the only minister of 12,000,000, and in China they had but one to 100,000,000. Now our commission was, not to preach the gospel in this country merely; the message is for ALL. The command is, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Dr. Chalmers had remarked a prevalent aversion to the first word. People were very ready to preach—but the going!Such a feeling would not answer. Wo to the man who curtails and circumscribes the command! We must expand ourselves. We must send our pastors abroad, if need be. It was delightful to him, in attending the meetings at New York, and Philadelphia, and Boston, to see how all the dear brethren had got the world into their heads. Whatever subject was up, they could not limit themselves-their hearts embraced a world lying in wickedness."

[Note A. p. 41.]

VIEWS OF FORMER BENEFICIARIES ON REFUNDING.

"The remaining sum loaned to me from the funds of the American Education Society, will be forwarded at the time specified, with the interest due upon the same. This money I not only feel it a duty, but a privilege to refund, knowing that it will again be appropriated to pious and indigent young men, in a course of preparation for the gospel ministry. Of all the debts contracted by me in the progress of my studies, I pay none more cheerfully than this, as well from the conviction that without help from your Society I could not have obtained an education, as that the money when returned will be devoted to the advancement of that cause so dear to the heart of every true Christian."

"Your communication has been received, and nothing can be more obviously just than the suggestions advanced in it. Much less force of reason

ing than is contained in your letter, is necessary to enable me to feel the obligation of refunding what I received from the funds of that Society of which you are the Treasurer."

"Your communication to me was duly received per mail. I fully accord with your views as expressed, of the sacredness of the funds of the American Education Society. They are raised for a high object, and should be devoted to no other. The fact, too, that they are partially derived from “the hard earnings of the pious poor," invests them with a character which imperiously demands there should be no malappropriation of them. To render myself qualified for the gospel ministry, was the early and continued wish of my heart. And so long as I received aid from your Society, it was my heart's desire and wish so to do. Those funds were received by me' in good faith.' But circumstances not under my control, finally induced me to abandon the object. It was done with deep reluctance-for it had been the cherished purpose of years. You will readily perceive, that I must be impatient to liquidate any claims which the American Education Society may have upon me."

"Your favor came to hand this day, and merits an early reply. I am aware that the constitution of the Education Society requires all who receive aid from its funds to pay back the amount as speedily as possible. I hope also, that no one will be found among its beneficiaries so ungrateful and regardless of Christian obligations as to refuse compliance with the rules of that Society, without whose aid he must have been deprived of the high privilege of preaching the gospel of peace to his dying fellow men. So far as it regards myself, I can truly say it has been my constant purpose to refund the whole amount as early as I should be blessed with the ability to do it."

"I would, were it possible, express the obligations of gratitude which I feel to those who have acted as the agents of the Christian community, through whose instrumentality I was assisted in my preparation for the great work in which I am now engaged. Please express my thanks to the Directors of the Society, and assure them of my ardent desire for the prosperity and continued success of a Society which has already done so much to furnish the world with the gospel of salvation.

"It is my present purpose to refund, in some way, all the money I have received from the Society. This will however depend on future circumstances which I cannot control."

"Your very kind and affectionate appeal to me in behalf of the American Education Society, was received by the last mail save one. It was directed to F- -, on the north side of the Missouri river. Having been detained in that office for a long time, it was at last remailed for Bwhere I reside. I regret this circumstance, as it has prevented my prompt reply to a call from a Society, to which I am indebted for the precious privilege of preaching the gospel of Christ.

"I also regret that my response coming late must be what it is. My heart sickens and swells with grief over the operations of dire necessity. But neither the tears which I have often shed in private, nor the prayers which I have offered to Him who seeth in secret and rewardeth openly, nor the efforts which I have made to burst the bands of poverty, have ever enabled me to discharge the debt of justice, gratitude, and love, which I owe to your Society.

"Your Society has been remembered by me, with deep felt gratitude and hope. I have looked to it for a supply of these immense moral wastes in the West, and I still look to it. Praying that the God of heaven may ever