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the different branches and subjects in theology will be prosecuted in proper time and order, and authors read in a regular and systematic manner. Hence the many evils of promiscuous reading will be corrected, and particularly that of reading many books, from which nothing valuable can be learnt, but that they are not worth reading. Numbers being engaged in the same pursuit, due scope will be given to the principle of emulation, so natural to ingenuous minds, and so operative in early life. From this powerful stimulus may be expected closer and more persevering application, deeper research, and of course greater and more rapid progress. Their attention will also be stimulated, their conceptions quickened, and their minds invigorated by the frequent occasions, given by their situation, to conversation and argument. "As iron sharpeneth iron," so do such literary interviews the powers of the mind. Much time and labour of research will likewise be saved, and many former, but dormant ideas, revived by this intellectual commerce and friendly interchange of thought; advantages not to be enjoyed in solitude. Another striking advantage, enjoyed by residents at such an institution, is, that in the lectures of the professors will be presented to their view a concise system of natural and Christian theology; in which the principal arguments from reason and scripture in proof of the existence of God, his providence, the immortality of the soul, the future state, the necessity of a divine revelation, the truth of Christianity, and also the great doc

trines and duties of our holy religion, together with the objections, usually made to them by unbelievers, and the refutation of such objections, will be exhibited in a perspicuous and orderly manner. From such lectures they will learn, not only the system of Christian doctrines, but how to defend it; and, what is of peculiar importance, they will also learn in what way to study and apply the sacred writings with most advantage. No small benefit also will be derived to students in divinity from the recommendation and character of books incidentally and formally given in these lectures. By prosecuting their studies under such advantages a proper length of time, a large stock of appropriate knowledge will be acquired, methodically arranged, and conveniently disposed for use. Intermixing, as they advance in their studies, suitable exercises in composition, and submitting the same to the professors' friendly inspection, their sentiments, taste, and style will be improved. In due time also, by exhibiting specimens of their own composition in public, opportunity will be given for important improvements in delivery. It is material to add, that by such a course of education, not only a habit of research and close thinking will be acquired, but a more thorough and familiar acquaintance with the holy scriptures will be formed. This again will furnish a more ready command of pertinent texts on every subject in theology, and greatly assist and enrich the performance of extemporaneous duties. From such a course of study, at all times pursued in

humble dependence on the Holy Spirit to lead them into all the truth; and with daily, fervent prayer to the Father of lights for his guidance and blessing, it is reasonable to hope that young ministers, when entering the sacred office, will have acquired a more thorough understanding of revealed truths, a deeper sense of divine things, and of their need of divine direction; more humility and devotion, more reliance on God and less upon themselves, a livelier sense of redeeming love, and greater zeal for the glory of God, for the doctrines of the cross, the salvation of souls, and the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom.

II. From a minister of this description, one so well furnish ed for every good work, may we not reasonably expect a more able, defence of the truth and doctrines of Christianity, more forcible reasoning, and more persuasive eloquence; compositions more regular, instructive, and animating; sermons more luminous, rich, and profitable; and prayers more sentimental, connected, devout, and elevating? Having his own mind deeply penetrated by a lively conviction of the worth of immortal souls, and by an experimental sense of the truth and importance of the great doctrines of the gospel, he will naturally preach them with constancy, zeal, and perseverance, as the wisdom of God, and the power of God to salvation; with these, not with the reasonings of proud philosophy, will he feed the flock of God, "which he hath purchased with his own blood." Having made the scriptures familiar to his mind, and being well acquainted

with controverted points, he will be prepared to solve the doubts and difficulties of humble, inquiring Christians, as well as to refute the objections and confound the impudence of proud and carping infidels. Thus accomplished for his station, his talents will command universal respect; and his respectability will in turn give weight to his instructions, counsels, and example. This will especially be the case, if to his other acquirements he have added the virtue of prudence; and there is reason to hope that two or three years additional acquaintance with himself and those around him, while prosecuting his preparatory studies, will have also improved him in this necessary grace. A series of years, passed in study, reflection, and devotion, is certainly favourable to the government of the passions, and to the growth of that virtue, for want of which so much injury has been done to the cause of religion and the peace of the church. From a minister, who has thus devoted several years to prepare himself for his profession, and is thus deeply impressed by a sense of divine things, it may be expected that, if properly supported, he will give himself wholly to them, and that his profiting will appear to all. Personal cares and worldly interest will have little influence on a minister of such views and habits, to prevent him from feeding his people witla knowledge and understanding; the more he has done, the more he will wish to do for their edification, comfort, and salvation; being willing to spend his time, strength, and life itself, for the happiness of those for whom

Christ died. With a divine blessing on the learned, faithful, and pious labours of such a minister, it may be hoped, that converts will be multiplied among his people, that believers will be edified and strengthened, that they will increase in knowledge and walk in love, and that the God of peace will delight to dwell among them, and to build them up through faith and comfort to final salvation. Nor will the good effects of his preaching be confined to the present age, but be transmitted from generation to generation. The labours of such a minister will in books often survive the man, and in this way will he live through distant ages and countries, diffusing light, and life, and joy.

III. It is easy to foresee that, with the blessing of God, such an institution will in a few years furnish a respectable number of ministers, who, having enjoyed advantages superior to what now exist, will be better qualified to combat infidelity and error in every form. This goodly number, being annually increased, will soon constitute a solid and formidable phalanx, well armed for the defence of divine truth, so constantly opposed even from the first age of Christianity. "For many walk," said the apostle in his day, "of whom I told you before, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ." So also in modern times there is strong reason for believing and lamenting, that there are many of this character, who, by philosophy and cunning craftiness, wherewith they lie in wait to deceive, are secretly and assiduously undermining the fabric of

Christianity. By books of many kinds, and in various other ways, their deadly poison is extensively, though in some respects secretly diffused throughout our country. In proportion as these enemies of God and man increase in number, learning, and activity, will be the necessity of an able and learned clergy, to expose their wiles, refute their sophistry, and counteract the misapplication of their science, literature, and talents. Pious Christians may well tremble for the ark of God, unless supported by a learned and vigilant priesthood. That Christianity is still publicly professed and supported in Europe is in great part owing, under God, to the exertions and persevering industry of eminent, learned divines in England and Germany, by whose diligence the field of biblical knowledge has been greatly extended within the last fifty years, and science in general made to do homage to revelation by many rich offerings at the altar of sacred truth. By their ingenuity has the infidel been made to blush at his own sophistry and falsehood; and by them has the atheist been robbed of the laurels, which he expected from the regions of natural history and the garden of Asiatic literature. Such men are an inestimable blessing to the age and country, in which they live; and their writings of great use to other countries and ages, as far as familiarly known. Still, however, for reasons too numerous to be mentioned, it will be readily admitted, as a maxim, that living foes must be opposed by a living force. When the attack is made on our own soil, we must not de

pend on foreign auxiliaries. We must then defend ourselves by soldiers and weapons of our own. On such an emergence, what can be more necessary or happy, than to have a vigorous band of young men, already trained for this holy war, armed with the whole armour of God, and ready for the attack? Of what unspeakable importance then must an institution be, in which may be formed such a phalanx for the defence of the Christian cause!

But dismissing, if it be possi ble to dismiss, all fear of prevailing infidelity; is it not an indu bitable fact, that the intermediate space between pure Christianity and genuine deism is already crowded by errors of every name and kind? We have lost, not only that unity of spirit, but that uniformity of doctrine, by which our pious forefathers were dis tinguished. To them there was but "one faith and one baptism," as well as "one Lord, and one God and Father of all." But among us how many in effect deny that sacred name, into which they were baptized! While others, who do not thus deny" the Lord, who bought them," greedily embrace many erroneous doctrines, relating to our state by nature, and to the powers of the human mind; to the dignity, atonement, and mediation of Christ, to the agency of the divine Spirit in regeneration and sanctification, the duration of future punishment, and universal salvation. These and other like errors are now openly avowed and publicly taught; errors so gross, so contrary to the gospel of Christ, that, whoever had embraced them in the days of our Vol. III. No. 7.

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ancestors, would have have been thought a monster in religion, and deemed unworthy the Christian name.

But in places, where these fundamental errors do not prevail, there are nevertheless great divisions and contentions about doctrines of less moment, and also about rites, modes, and ceremonies in worship, and forms of discipline. While "one says I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; and another, I am of Cephas;" how few are content to say,

we are of Christ!" Is it not for a lamentation, that so many, who bear and profess this sacred name, have departed from the simplicity of the gospel of Christ, and are divided into sects, mutually opposing each other, and sometimes with a spirit of acrimony, that would disgrace heathens? Surely it must be the ardent prayer of every one, who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, that all his professed followers keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace; that, as they "are called in one hope," they "be of one spirit, having one Lord, one faith, one baptism."

What can more divide the Christian church, or more distract the minds and alienate the affections of its members, than to be instructed and led by teachers of opposite views, zealously engaged to propagate their respective peculiarities, and each to increase the number of his adhe rents? On the other hand, can the mind of man conceive any thing so necessary and conducive to unity in faith and affection among Christians, as that those, who are to inculcate the doctrines and duties of the gospel upon

others, be themselves united in the same mind and in the same faith? This union among the teachers of religion is the natural result of sameness of education, studies, and habits, which is not to be found but at a public institution. Diversity of sentiment, and not unfrequently prejudice and disaffection, is generated by difference of education. If the clergy of New England, from its settlement to this day, had been all educated in one theological seminary; is it suppose able, that our ministers and churches would have been so divided in opinions, and so opposed to each other, as they now are? If the appeal be made to fact, it will be found, that so long, as the clergy of this country were educated at one college, there was very little difference of opinion on religious subjects, and that the churches were almost universally of one denomination; a sectary was then scarcely known. But during the last half century, in which colleges have been so multiplied in our country, and candidates for the ministry, not, as was the ancient custom, at a public institution, but in private, and under direction of gentlemen of opposite opinions, have made preparation for the desk, errors and sects have been multiplied beyond calculation.

This being the deplorable fact, we are pressed by the important question: How can the evil be remedied? The answer is prompt; by retracing the steps and correcting the course, by which we have erred. Like causes produce like effects, and vice versa. Difference of education, we find, has produced difference of opinions. Sameness

of education, then, we may reasonably hope, will be productive of similarity in opinions. As far, therefore, as the prevalence of religious error and the multiplication of sects among us have arisen from difference in the theological education of our clergy, so far the increase of these evils in future may be prevented, and their growth checked, though they may not be wholly eradicated, by applying the natural remedy. This remedy, it is needless to say, can be no other, than the establishment of a public and well endowed Theological Institution; to which candidates for the gospel ministry in all parts of our country, and at whatever college educated, may resort for the acquisition of that fund of knowledge, which is necessary to qualify them to be able and eminently useful public teachers of religion; at which they may enjoy the same instruction, assistance, and counsel; where they will naturally form similar habits of thinking, reasoning, and acting; where daily intercourse, candid communication of sentiments, and reciprocal interchange of the purest energies of the mind, will efface local and other prejudices where several years continued residence in one religious and happy family will beget fraternal sympathies and lasting friendships; and where, devoted to the same object, pursuing the same course, seeking the same divine guidance, and "being knit together in love, they may grow into him in all things, who is the head, even CHRIST." From such a fountain, we may indulge the pleasing hope, would naturally flow such streams, as would

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