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mence a course of study at college. By gagement, 1. To go through a full course interrupting their college studies occasion- of collegiate and theological education in ally, in order to recruit their finances by some approved college and seminary; and, teaching a school, they might, after long 2. To refund the sums advanced to aid delays, be able to complete the requisite them, should the providence of God, in afcourse at last; and then, by similar efforts, ter life, give them the means of doing so. carry themselves through the required the- Such are, in few words, its principles. ological course at a seminary. Others, A rigid supervision is maintained over more fortunate, might be so far assisted those who accept its patronage. And setby a church or some wealthy and benev- ting out in its admirable career with a few olent patron or friend.* But the greater young men, it has gone on, under the fanumber, in despair of success, were likely vour of God, diffusing its blessings far and to renounce all expectation of being able wide. It has rendered aid to young men to preach the Gospel, and to resign them- belonging to eight different Evangelical selves to the necessity of spending their Churches. At one period, some three or lives in the ordinary pursuits of business, four years ago, the number of persons not in making known the "unsearchable whom it was aiding exceeded 1100! Duriches" of Christ to their fellow-men. ring the year ending May 1st, 1843, the These remarks, it will be perceived, ap-number aided was 468. These were purply to such youths only as conscientious- suing their education at institutions in difly cleave to those churches which require ferent parts of the country; some in acada college education, as preliminary to a emies and grammar-schools, some in coltheological one, in all aspirants to the sa- leges, and the rest in theological schools. cred ministry. This is the rule, except And the whole number of those who had in very extraordinary cases, with the whole been aided, up to that time, was 3482. of the Presbyterian churches, excepting The receipts for that year were 33,789 dolthe "Cumberland Presbyterians;" with lars, and the expenditure 29,290. The the Episcopalians, and with the Congre- amount refunded that year by beneficiaries gationalists. The Baptists and the Meth-who had completed their course of educaodists, as we have seen, are less strict, and are satisfied with a common English education, and a competent knowledge of theology. But even among these, great and laudable efforts are now put forth in order to give a higher education to as many of their candidates for the ministry as possible; and it is on this account, as well as for more general objects, that they have established so many colleges within the last few years. God is granting his rich blessing to their efforts in this great cause; of this every year furnishes cheering evidence.

To meet the demands of the churches for a vastly-augmented number of ministers of the Gospel, and to help those young men who desire to respond to this demand, the American Education Society was formed on the broad basis of rendering its aid to all pious young men, of suitable talents, who appear to be called to preach Christ, and who belong to any of the evangelical denominations. The only conditions imposed upon the recipients of its bounty are an en

* Several of the colleges possess funds bequeathed to them for the express purpose of educating poor and pious young men for the ministry. The Rev. Dr. Green, in his historical notices of the College of New-Jersey, relates that, more than half a century since, a pious young man of the name of Leslie was educated at that institution for the ministry of the Gospel; but, fearing to assume the responsibility of that office, he devoted himself to teaching a school of a high order, in which employment he was eminently successful. At his death he bequeathed to the college the sum of 15,000 dollars, the interest of which was to be devoted to the education of poor young men for the ministry. This fund has already educated a large number of excellent ministers.

tion was 2157 dollars. The earnings of the young men under the patronage of the society, chiefly from teaching schools during their vacations, have some years amounted to no less a sum than 20,000 dollars.*

The sums granted by this society to those who are admitted to its benefits vary from forty-eight to seventy-five dollars a year, the latter sum being rarely exceeded. Its funds have been liberally augmented by bequests from devoted Christian friends who loved it during life, and remembered it in death. Its first president gave it 1000 dollars during his lifetime, and left it a legacy of 5000. Mr.. Burr, whom we have already had occasion to speak of, also left it a handsome legacy. The late Dr. Porter, for many years a distinguished professor in the Theological Seminary at Andover, though far from being a man of much wealth, bequeathed to it 15,000 dollars. Many of its friends have given proof of large and enlightened views by the patronage they have given it. It able ministers of the Gospel in the course has assisted a great number of most valuof their education, and to these we have to add no fewer than sixty of the missionaries supported in foreign lands by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, one of the largest and oldest foreign missionary societies in the United States.

Of late years, however, the number of young men assisted by this Society has *This society has permanent funds to the amount of 73,000 dollars.

greatly diminished; partly owing to the of the Reformed Dutch Church supported very difficult times through which the twenty-four last year. A Methodist Educountry has passed; partly because of cation Society has also been formed at higher requirements in the department of Boston. preliminary studies; and partly from most of the evangelical communions having now education societies of their own. Thus the "Old School" Presbyterians have a Board of Education under the direction of their General Assembly, which prosecutes its work most wisely and efficiently. It had 350 beneficiaries during the year ending 1st May, 1843, and had assisted 1330 young men in all. Its receipts for that year amounted to 30,000 dollars.*

These statements will give the reader some idea of our Education Societies. Though of recent origin, they are exercising an immense influence in training up a more thoroughly-educated ministry. In the absence of precise information, the young men now receiving assistance from them may be moderately estimated at 1600 in all, and of these at least 250 annually finish their studies, and enter on the work of preaching the Gospel.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES.

I HAVE spoken of the various literary institutions, in their several gradations, through which our youth may pass in prewhich they usually close their studies. I paring for the professional course with have noticed also the education societies for assisting poor but pious young men, of suitable capacity, in their preparations for the ministry. And I now come to speak of the theological schools, in which a very large number of our candidates for the cred office. ministry complete their studies for the sa

A number of devoted clergymen and laymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church, having met at Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of an Episcopal church, were providentially led to talk of the importance of having a plan for aiding pious but indigent youths, of suitable talents, in preparing for the ministry. The result was the formation, in 1818, of the Protestant Episcopal Education Society. It has proved a great blessing to the Church and to the world. It may be said to have originated the Episcopal theological school near Alexandria, in the District of Columbia; and nearly a tenth part of the clergy of the church to which it belongs have been more or less assisted by it. A sixth part of the present clergy in Ohio, an eighth of those in Pennsylvania, a fifth of those in enter the ministry among the denominaFormerly the young men who sought to Maryland, and a large proportion of those tions which require, in those who occupy in Virginia, have been aided from its funds; and it is now assisting a seventh of all the their pulpits, a college and theological edstudents in the several theological schools ucation-I use the term in a technical of that church in the United States. I do compelled to study theology, more or less sense, and mean nothing invidious-were not know the precise number of its pres-immediately under some individual pasent beneficiaries, but believe it exceeds eighty.

There are also several Education Societies among the Baptists, which have aided a large number of young men.‡ That

tor, and it was common for six or eight of them to place themselves under this, and a few under that other, distinguished divine. They often resided in the house of their spiritual teacher; sometimes they boarded in families near his house; they availed themselves of his library, and were direct

The American churches have long been impressed with the importance of having a competented by him in their studies. and sufficiently numerous ministry. The friends of the American Education Society observe the last Thursday of February yearly as a day of special prayer for colleges, academies, and other institutions of learning, that God may be pleased to pour out his Spirit upon them, bring many of the students to a saving knowledge of his Gospel, and incline their hearts to preach it. The General Assembly of the "Old School" Presbyterian Church recommended last year, to all the churches under their care, to observe the first Sabbath of November as a day of special prayer to the Lord of the harvest, "that he would send more labourers into his harvest." They recommended the subject also to the daily intercessions of Christians, in view of the vast demand for ministers of the Gospel.

But this was obviously a very imperfect method. Few pastors could afford time to do their pupils justice; fewer still possessed such a range of learning as to fit them for conducting others to the acquisitions, in various branches of knowledge, required in order to a competent preparation for the ministry.

+ Dr. Hawks's "History of the Episcopal Church in Virginia," p. 261.

To the late Rev. Dr. John M, Mason, of New-York, one of the most eminent divines

ring the eight years from 1831 to 1839 it had aided 279 young men in preparing for the ministry, and supported 134 in 1840. It was mainly owing to its efforts that the Baptist Theological Seminary at Newton was founded in 1827. The latter society was founded in 1817, and has maintained many stu dents at the Hamilton Literary and Theological In

In particular, "The Northern Baptist Education
Society," and "The Baptist Education Society of
New-York." The former of these was instituted in
1814, and has the seat of its operations in Boston. Du-stitution, founded in 1820.

that America has ever produced, we owe | of an orthodox professorship of divinity, he the first attempt to establish anything that was led to unite with Mrs. Phillips, widow could be called a theological school. He of the late Hon. Samuel Phillips, one of the collected in Europe an extensive and valu- founders of Phillips' Academy, and her able theological library, and commenced a son, in a plan for connecting with that course of instruction in various branches academy the erection of buildings, and the of theological study about the beginning of appropriation of certain funds for the supthe present century. For years he carried port of a theological professor, and of indiit on almost single-handed, and many young gent students of theology. men heard at his feet the masterly instructions that he was so capable of giving them. The theological seminary at Andover was founded in 1808, and being the first, on a complete plan, founded in the United States, and the most celebrated, I shall notice it more amply than the rest.

Meanwhile, a similar plan for another seminary was formed by the late Rev. Samuel Spring, D.D., of Newburyport, and the Rev. Leonard Woods, D.D., of West Newbury, now a professor in the Seminary at Andover, and funds were pledged for its endowment by Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Brown, two parishioners of Dr. Spring, and by Mr. Norris, of Salem-all at the solicitation of Dr. Spring, who was the author of this scheme. Dr. Woods, in whose parish the institution was to be placed, was to be professor, and a colleague was to be appointed to assist him in his pastoral duties.

The college buildings are beautifully situated on elevated ground near the village of Andover, about twenty miles to the north of Boston. They consist of two large edifices for the residence of the students, and a central building, in which are the chapel, the library, lecture-rooms, &c. At a due distance behind these stand the refectory Thus far had the parties proceeded, not and steward's house. The grounds in front only without concert, but although living are tastefully laid out, and their walks and within the compass of twenty miles, and avenues adorned with various sorts of for- several of them having friendly intercourse est trees. Facing the seminary buildings, with each other, without being cognizant and forming one side of a street which bor- of one another's plans. This seems to ders the grounds in front, stands a row of indicate the intervention of a kind omnishouses where most of the professors re- cient Providence, and may have been a link side. The grounds are very ample, the in the chain of causes which cordially unisituation salubrious, and the buildings re-ted, in the end, the two parties into which markably convenient.

This seminary forms a branch, as we have elsewhere stated, of Phillips' Academy, which stands in the immediate vicinity, though the two institutions are no farther connected than by being both under the same board of trustees.

The history of the Andover Seminary may be given in a few words. It originated in a growing conviction of the need there was for a higher standard of qualification in the clergy, and in the obvious necessity of having something to take the place of the University of Harvard on its defection from the Faith. Farther, the good providence of God was manifested in the undertaking, by his giving both the necessary means and the heart to four or five enterprising merchants to lay the foundation.

the orthodox Congregationalists of NewEngland were then divided, and to the adoption of a better creed for the seminary than it might have had otherwise.

These parties were, on the one hand, the so-called moderate Calvinists, moderate both in action and speculation, and, on the other hand, the Hopkinsians, the keensighted, active, fervid, pungent, and perhaps rather ultra men of their time. Now, to have continued and widened the separation of these parties by their having contiguous and rival seminaries, would have been no less disastrous than their union was desirable, both for the nearer approximation of both to exact truth, and for its common defence against the advance of Unitarianism; and nothing could well have been imagined more likely to produce prompt and effectual union, than their being led to co-operate in establishing a common seminary. But it seems very doubtful how far they would ever have thus combined their efforts, had not certain members of each been led, in the providence of God, by ways that they knew not, and for a high end which they never contemplated, each to advance thus far in their projects. The evil sure to result from there being two such seminaries was obvious; the benefits to be derived from their being united in one *Thomas Hollis, Esq., a highly-esteemed Christian merchant, was born in England in 1659, and died were appreciated, at least to a certain exin 1731. He founded the professorships of theology sented to it a philosophical apparatus and many and mathematics in Harvard University, and pre-books.

One of these was the aged Samuel Abbot, of Andover, who had already executed a will bequeathing funds to a large amount for the support of professors and indigent students of theology in Harvard University. But having lived to witness the new movements there, and to be convinced of the danger of trusting a legacy to an institution which, in his view, had perverted the funds left by Mr. Hollis* for the support

tent; yet this union of the two institutions, and the adjustment of principles common to both, cost nearly two years of anxious and incessant labour, during which the negotiations were more than once wellnigh broken off, and at one time quite abandoned. "No one," says the Rev. Dr. Woods, "who did not himself act a leading part in these interesting transactions, can ever have an adequate conception of the unnumbered difficulties which the principal agents had to encounter, or of the amount of solicitude, and of effort, which fell to their lot, or of the variety of dangers to which the great object was from time to time exposed.

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The greatest difficulty in the way of the union was the adjustment of a common creed, to be subscribed by the professors of the seminary. The founders of Phillips' Academy had already adopted the Westminster Assembly's Shorter Catechism. To this Dr. Spring, with the advice and support of his friend, the Rev. Dr. Emmons, strenuously objected, because some parts of it were widely understood to imply what he did not believe, and, partly, because he thought that more definite and extended statements on several points of doctrine were desirable. He and his friends, also, wished for additional barriers against heresy, and particularly for a Board of Visiters, professing the same creed, and with ample powers for the correction of errors. These difficulties were adjusted at last by the institution of such a board, and by the adoption of a new creed, drawn up by a committee from both parties, and couched very much in the language of the catechism, but with some omissions and some additions. And this creed is to be solemnly repeated and subscribed in the presence of the trustees of the academy, by every professor and every visiter, on his induction into office; and the same is to be repeated, in like manner, by each of them, once every five years, during his contínuance in office.

pathize, and act together. These results are matters of devout astonishment to many a beholder of what God has wrought amid the movements of our times.

The opposition, in various forms, to orthodoxy was considerable, but was of little avail in retarding its progress. Fears were at one time entertained lest a majority of the trustees of Phillips' Academy, under whose guardianship the seminary is placed, should ultimately be found men of lax opinions; but, as most of the suspected parties died or resigned their seats within a few years, those fears gradually subsided on the vacancies being filled up by others who were unquestionably sound in the faith.* Anxiety on this head led to a greater solicitude about creating a Board of Visiters, and the quinquennial renewal of subscription by the professors and visiters, though this could not be extended to the trustees, no provision to that effect having been made at the institution of that board.

With all these guards, and looking to the present character of the boards, the friends of the institution consider that there is none in the country more completely guarded against perversion. At the same time, the most perfect freedom of inquiry is allowed, and even encouraged among the students, in order that their faith may rest on conviction, not on human authority or constraint. No subscription to a creed is required of them, nor can any one who gives to the professors satisfactory evidence of Christian character be debarred from entering the seminary, or dismissed from it on the ground of his belief. This condition was required by the State Legislature on their enlarging the powers of the trustees, so as to enable them to hold the additional funds required for the establishment of the seminary. And although its expediency has by some been doubted, it seems as yet to have had no bad consequences. It has been thought unreasonable to require a minute profession of faith from students who go to the institution for the very purpose of learning what is truth, as well as how to teach it.

In this adjustment the Hopkinsians gained their main object, but, at the same time, sacrificed some favourite points which they would gladly have introduced into a semi- The seminary was opened in the autumn nary of a more sectarian character. Some, of 1808. For several years there were indeed, a few of whom are still to be found, only three professors, but now there are persisted in their objections to the semina- five, one of whom acts as president of the ry on this account; but nearly the whole institution. Each member of the faculty orthodox community of New-England have has a salary of 1500 dollars per annum, tocordially acquiesced in it, so that the ar-gether with the use of a family dwellingrangement, has most happily, though silent- house, and is debarred from receiving any ly, become a virtual bond of union among compensation for preaching abroad. them. Foreign missions, and other great benevolent enterprises to which the seminary soon gave birth, hastened and confirmed this coalescence by bringing the two parties more frequently to pray, sym* Manuscript History of the Theological Seminary at Andover, from which much of the information here given was derived. L

The departments of the professors are, Sacred Literature, including the Greek and

It must be kept in mind that Phillips' Academy was founded in 1778, when Unitarianism had not yet developed itself in the United States, though the erIrors which led to it were to be found in Boston and its neighbourhood. When it did develop itself, it was not strange that the Board of Phillips' Academy should have been infected with it.

Hebrew Scriptures, chiefly during the first | years at first, but they have gradually inyear; Christian Theology, chiefly during creased from about thirty to about 150, the second year; and Sacred Rhetoric, Ec- which has been not far from the number clesiastical History, and Pastoral Theolo- on the list for many years. Any farther gy during the third year. The instruction increase 'has been prevented by the mulis given partly by written lectures and tiplication of kindred seminaries since its partly by the use of text-books, which are reaching that number. The whole that recited in substance by the students, and have been admitted from the first amount accompanied with remarks by the profes-to about 1500, though, partly from deaths,

sors.

The students are not allowed to preach, nor are they required to write sermons till their senior or last year. Each may then be called on to preach in the chapel, and is also allowed to preach abroad for six Sab-mestic missions. The American Board of baths in his last term, within certain limits as to distance, so as to avoid being absent from any of the lectures. The remainder of the preaching in the chapel is chiefly performed by the professors in rotation.

Most of the students are graduates of colleges, and all are admitted on examination in regard to their attainments, ⚫evidence of piety, &c. During the first year they attend two lectures a day; afterward, usually but one.

Great attention is required of the professors in the cultivation of piety among the students, which has ever been regarded by them, as well as by the founders and guardians, as a grand object of the institution. For this purpose, they meet the students for a devotional exercise every Wednesday evening. The students also hold many conferences and prayer-meetings by themselves.

Indigent students, of whom there are many, receive half the price of their board in commons gratuitously. No charge is in any case made for tuition, and but a small one for the use of the library, and for rooms and furniture.

As the design of the seminary is to furnish an able as well as a pious clergy, and as its privileges are, to a great extent, gratuitous, each student is required, at his matriculation, to promise to complete a regular three years' course of study, "unless prevented by some unforeseen and unavoidable necessity," which is to be judged of by the faculty. This is a much longer course than had commonly been pursued under the guidance of private pastors, and it has been found very difficult thus far to elevate the views of the community, and fully to reconcile the feelings of the students to this requisition. Indeed, the rule itself was not made for a considerable number of the first years.

partly from many having failed to complete their course, or gone to other institutions, not more than 950 of these have graduated. Nearly 100 have devoted themselves to foreign, and many more to doCommissioners for Foreign Missions were indebted to this seminary for all their missionaries but one for the first ten years; and many of its students have lived to become presidents and professors of colleges and theological schools, and secretaries and agents of benevolent societies.

It possesses peculiar advantages for the training of missionaries. The " Society of Inquiry on Missions," of which almost all the students are members, is nearly coeval with it. It has a valuable library and museum, and exerts a very salutary influence on the spirit and piety of the institution. The doctrine is taught at this, as at most of the other theological seminaries in the United States, that every pastor should be a missionary at heart, and that every student should be willing to go whithersoever God may call him. There are great facilities at Andover for having early intelligence from the American missionaries, by constant correspondence, by visits of returned members, and by intercourse with the secretaries and other officers of the American Board.

The "Porter Rhetorical Society," so named from its founder, the late Rev. Dr. Porter, the first president of the seminary, has an excellent library, and exercises much influence.

.

The library of the seminary itself is thought to be one of the best in the country. It was selected for the purpose, contains 14,000 volumes, and has a fund to provide for its constant augmentation. Some of the large number of German books contained in it being of a neological character, it was at one time feared by many that these might do mischief; but such apprehensions have now yielded, in the minds of those who felt them, to the consideration of the importance of having such books in an institution where men are to be trained to face an enemy, not to flee from him.

As this is the oldest theological seminary in the country, it has had to make its own way, unaided by previous experience; The institution is under strict discipline. and very many are the changes, mostly Monitors' bills are kept; all are required for the better, it is believed, which have to attend to their studies, and to be presbeen made from time to time in its ar-ent at the lectures of the professors, at rangements. the morning and evening chapel prayers, There were not many students for some and at Divine service on the Sabbath.

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