notice. Not so the minister. He enters at once on the stage. All the duties of a parish immediately devolve upon him. His connexion at the first moment extends to as large a number as he will ever be called to serve. His station is at first conspicuous. He is literally burdened and pressed with duties. The mere labour of composing as many sermons as are demanded of him is enough to exhaust his time and strength. If then his education has been deficient, how is it to be repaired? Amidst these disadvantages, can we wonder that the mind loses its spring, and soon becomes satisfied with very humble productions. How important is it, that a good foundation should be laid, that the theological student should have time to accumulate some intellectual treasures, and that he should be trained under circumstances most suited to give him an unconquerable love of his profession, of study, and of the cause to which he is devoted! These remarks, it is hoped, will show the importance of liberally endowing a theological institution. It now only remains to consider this ob ject in relation to Harvard University. A very mistaken opinion is sometimes expressed, that this University is sufficiently opulent to accomplish any object, without further publick assistance. A more erroneous sentiment could not prevail. The funds of this institution are indeed respectable; but they are already appropriated by the donors, or required by the general system of liberal education for the support of existing establishments, and very little can be furnished from its resources for the great end which has now been recommended.* The assistance afforded to students in theology is very limited, and not one professor ship has as yet been established expressly for aiding their preparation for the ministry.t The Hollis Professor of Divinity, and other Professors of the University, do indeed cheerfully contribute to this object, as far as their prescribed duties permit. But as their offices respect primarily the undergraduates, they can render little service in proportion to the demands of this most important end. Two professorships are immediately wanted at the University. The first is a professorship of Sacred Literature, designed to introduce students to the original languages, in which the Scriptures were written, and to the various sources of light and information, which are required to the interpretation of the Scriptures. Another professorship, still more necessary, should embrace for its objects sacred eloquence, and instruction in pastoral duty. It should be design. ed to instruct candidates for the min. * The offices at the College are all necessary or useful, and these cannot be maintained without considerable assessments on the students. Large expen ditures recently in building University Hall and in repairs of the other edifices, in making two new permanent establishments for instruction, a new Philosophy Room, and in an extension of the Chemical and Anatomical establishment at College, with losses during the unsettled state of public affairs, have made large deductions from the College funds. Of the liberal and important grant from the Legislature, a quarter part is by law to be applied to lessen the fees of tuition of a certain number of students. The other portion of this grant, received for the first two years and a half, is absorbed by the erection of the Massachusetts Medical College in Boston; and the receipts hereafter will be needed for the erection of one or more Colleges for the habitation of students, and for other valuable general purposes. † A good deal has been recently done towards a supply of this deficiency by the Dexter foundation for lectures and dissertations on the interpretation of the scriptures, by a donation of a township of land by Samuel Parkman Esq. for a Theological Professor for students in divinity, and by the Professorship of Greek Literature. But in order to render what has been already done effectyal, the additional means of education, here suggested, are essential istry in the composition and delivery of sermons, and in the best methods of impressing the human mind, and to awaken an enlightened zeal and ardour in the performance of all the of fices of ministerial life. What serious and reflecting man is not often reminded on the Sabbath of the painful truth, that some institution is needed to train our ministers for the impressive and effectual discharge of their duties! How much ability is lost, wasted, for want of the discipline which has now been recommended. We want not only these professorships. We want funds to enable our young men to devote a longer period to preparation for the ministry. These additions to the establishments at Cambridge, especially the foundations for assisting students in divinity to reside there for a proper time, would secure to the community the full benefit of the many advantages already possessed by the university for theological education, particularly its large and excellent Library. How great a blessing will be conferred on the church, if these aids are provided! We are apt to consider these as aids for Students in Theology. They are aids for ourselves, and for our children, who are to sit under the instruction of those, who may thus be trained, and who will be unspeakable gainers from our own bounty. The cause is our own and our children's. Let us not betray it by supineness, or a contracted mind. It ought to be particularly observ. ed, that the consequence of enlarging the theological funds of the University will not be the communication of a sectarian character to that institution. The design is not to inculcate the peculiarities of any sect, but to place students of divinity under the most favorable circumstances for inquir. ing for themselves into the doctrines of revelation. It is not intended that the course of instruction given to the undergraduates shall be in any degree affected by the proposed extension of the theological department. The University in consequence of this extension will not become a Theological College, any more than it became a Medical College when the several medical professorships were founded. It is well known, that in the distinguished Universities of Europe ample provision is made for preparing students for every profession. This we trust will be the glory of Harvard. We hope to see an institution for Law as well as for Medicine and Theology, so that thus our alma mater, our beloved and venerable parent, will send forth sons, furnished for honourable and useful action in all the liberal professions and in every distinguished walk of life. Let her grateful children never rest till this hope be accomplished. It may be proper to mention, that the object which has now been recommended is not of recent sugges tion. The late Chief Justice Parsons communicated to a friend an address to the publick on this very subject, prepared by the late Rev. Mr. Buckminster. The Chief Justice express. ed an unusual interest in the object, and observed, that a man in the last hours of life must derive great consolation from recollecting that he had contributed to its completion. The reasons of its postponement to the present time were the peculiar circumstances of the country. These remarks are respectfully submitted to the friends of Harvard University, of an enlightened ministry, of free inquiry, and of pure Christianity. Let them be weighed with seriousness, and it is hoped, that they will awaken some interest in the best and noblest cause, which human benevolence is permitted to advance. SIR, LETTER FROM LORD TEIGNMOUTH. London, July 28, 1815. I embrace with the greatest pleas ure, the earliest opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your oblig ing letter of the 31st of May last. The reasons assigned by the Bible Society of Massachusetts for declining to receive the Bibles and Testaments redeemed by their liberality, could not fail to insure the acquiescence of our Committee, and whilst we cordially concur in the propriety of their determination, we are no less sensible of the delicacy with which it has been communicated. Whilst we rejoice with our brethren in America, at the increasing interest excited there, for diffusing the knowledge of our Redeemer's kingdom, by the circulation of the holy scriptures, you will no less rejoice with us, at the efforts displayed all over the world for the attainment of the same object. The extent in which the principle of our institution has been adopted, furnishes a most gratifying proof of the veneration in which the holy scriptures are held; and whilst it calls forth our admiration and devout gratitude, suggests the duty of fervent prayer, that the light thus communieated to the eyes of men, may shine into their hearts. In constant dependence on Almighty God for the continuance of that favor which has so signally prospered the proceedings of the Bible Societies so extensively established, it only remains to excite and emulate each other in the discharge of that duty, to which we have devoted ourselves, and which has the glory of God for its object, and the salvation of mankind for its end. I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant. TEIGNMOUTH Pres. of the B. & F. B. Soc. W. PHILLIPS Esq. Pres. Mass. Bible Soc. LETTER FROM MR. WM. SWIFT. New York, 23d Nov. 1815. My dear Sir, The conduct of the Massachusetts Bible Society, in compensating for a quantity of Bibles, captured and sold by one of our privateers during the late war, excited the admiration of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and perhaps had some influence in the following instance. Soon after the arrival and imprisonment of the crew of the late U. S. Brig Siren at Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, the Rev. George Thom, "Scot's minister and a missionary from the London Missionary Society," applied to the admiral for leave to furnish them with Bibles, and if agreeable, occasionally to preach to them, but was refused. Sometime afterwards however, application being made by the prisoners themselves, the desired permission was granted, and they were immedi ately supplied with a variety of useful Tracts, and each one with a Bible or Testament; and subsequently by the assistance of some liberal friend, Mr. Thom succeeded in establishing a val uable little library among them, subject to certain regulations while they should continue together, and to be equitably distributed among them when they should be separated. Nor was the liberality of this active and truly benevolent man limited to the supplying of books merely, but several articles of small stores, conducing much to their comfort, were at different times supplied. The gratification and improvement which these men seemed to derive from perusing their books, and the order and attention observed by them, during the time of his professional and very friendly addresses to them, afforded their benefactor, and others, the highest satisfaction, and caused him to part with them with regret. But the value of this attention and kindness to prisoners in a distant land, perhaps cannot be duly appreciated but by prisoners themselves, or those who have been such. It affected me. in a manner that I shall not soon for get. Your friend &c. &c; WM. SWIFT. J. BAKER, Esq. * Perhaps the writer of this agreeable letter was an officer; but we have not Been informed. ED. LINES COMPOSED ON HEARING THE NEWS OF PEACE WHAT joyful sounds are those, that greet mine ear? To that great Gon, who rules both earth and skies, Massachusetts Peace Society. On the 28th of December 1815, a Society was formed in Boston by the name of the MASSACHUSETTS PEACE SoCIETY. This society is formed in strict subserviency to the great object of our Savior's mission, "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace; good will toward men." It is established on principles which we think must meet the cordial approbation of every humane and benevolent mind. The Constitution admits the friends of peace of every name, without distinction of sect or party. The meeting stands adjourned to Thursday, Jan. 11, 1816, to be attended at Chauncey Place immediately after the public lecture. We hope to give the Constitution of the Society in our next Number."The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till the whole was leavened." . JULIA. Ordinations. At Holliston, 6 Dec. Rev. Josephus Wheaton. Introductory prayer by Rev. David Kellogg of Framingham; Sermon by Rev. Otis Thompson of Rehoboth, from John xiii. 20. Consecrating prayer by Rev. William Greenough of Newton; Charge by Rev. Dr. Emmons of Franklin; Right hand of Fellowship by Rev Mr. Jacob Ide of Medway; concluding prayer by Rev. Professor Park of Brown Uni versity. At Methuen Rev. Jacob W. Eastman. Obituary. * Died Oct. 22, 1815, at Royston in England, Rev. S. Cary, one of the ministers of Kings Chapel in Boston. He was born at Newbury Port, Nov. 1785, was ordained in Boston, Jan. 1, 1809. Dec. 1, at Williamstown, (Mass) Rev. Walter King, in the 58th year of his age. Candidates for the ministry in Cambridge and its vicinity. Mr. Francis Jackson, Cambridge. Mr. Thomas Prentiss, Cambridge, Mr. Hiram Weston, Duxbury. Mr. Samuel Clarke, Cambridge, Mr. David Reed, do. Mr. Rufus Hurlbut, do. do No. I. THAT the people of the present age are less pure in principle and practice than their ancestors, is a common complaint. The amiable Cowper, in his Poems, has many things importing an awful degeneracy in Great Britain. Similar complaints are frequent in this country, and they are heard both from the pulpit and the press. By some things which are heard and read, one would be led to imagine that Christians of the present age when compared with former generations are little short of infidels and barbarians. Still, however, it is possible that these complaints are in a great measure groundless, and that there is a gross deception in such estimates. Similar complaints have probably been common in every age and in every country, and may be traced back through the line of our progenitors to the age in which they were all Pagans. In the book of Ecclesiastes we find a passage from which No, 2. Vol. IV. 5 it may appear, that such a complaint was made among the Is raelites in the days of Solomon"Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this," Eccles. vii. 10. A similar defect of wisdom may be suspected relating to the inquiries and opinions of men in the present age. That there is much error and vice prevailing at the present time will not be denied. Nor shall we deny that there has ever been such a thing among any people as a growth of degeneracy from one generation to another. But suspecting that there are misapprehensions relating to this subject, which have a pernicious influence, we shall state some of the probable sources of mistake-propose a standard for deciding the questionand then examine the matter in view of historical facts. Let it however be understood, that it is not the object of this inquiry, to cast reproach on our ancestors, but to illustrate the " |