least, a wider range, and a fairer prospect of success, than in places where discordant professions have descended, by inheritance, from the sire to the son, and being incorporated with their habits, both restrict their intercourse, and controul their opinions. "Proportioned to the magnitude of the object is the necessity for workmen who need not be ashamed. The popular opinion, that any sincere and orthodox preacher is competent to plant new churches, and water such as have been lately planted, has done infinite mischief to the christian cause. As congregations first formed will probably be models for others, too much care cannot be employed in organizing them according to the scriptural pattern. "A consideration of serious moment with regard to the Associate Reformed Church, is, that though of recent establishment, she is growing in numbers and repute. Societies, like individuals, being flexile in their infancy, but of difficult correction in their advanced years, it is all important to a rising church, that her ministry be intelligent as well as pure. It will not only be her strength and ornament, but will fix a proper standard of ministerial character for times to come. Men who are themselves scribes well-instructed in the kingdom of God, will have both the inclination and ability to see that their successors partake of their capacities and acquisitions. And it is too obvious to admit of dispute, that, other things being equal, the ablest ministry will do most honour to the gospel, and most benefit to the souls of men. On the other hand, the effects of an illiterate, inefficient ministry, have been too se verely felt in many parts of the church, not to be deprecated by all who understand and love her peace. "The rank which America must one day hold among the nations, renders her political and moral institutions of general concern. Of this, infidel reformers are a ware; and in no quarter of the world have their emissaries been more active in disseminating their poison. They know, too, that there is little hope of overturning christianity, and of inflicting on the world those plagues which would follow her ruin, as long as her ministry retains its respectability and influence. This, of course, must encounter their most inveterate hostility. And hence arises an additional reason for ministerial ability. The Committee cannot fail to perceive the conclusion which I wish them to draw, that the churches I represent have a claim upon their sister-churches here, for preachers of talent, as well as piety." One extract more, referring to the erection of a Theological Seminary. "The procuring of funds toward the erection and support of a Theological Seminary, under the inspection of this Synod, made the principal object of my attention during the intervals of the transactions already detailed in this report. In prosecuting this part of my business, I at different times visited Glasgow, Stirling, Paisley, Greenock, and afterwards London and Manchester. An object so essential to the welfare of this church, and so influential on the common christianity, was countenanced by the vigorous patronage of many christians among different denominations. Gentlemen of distinguished respectability, both in Scotland and England, interested themselves in its success. They distributed among their friends the circular letter, No. 11. Their active good-will prevented, in most instances, the necessity of my personal applications. Had it been consistent with other duties to have remained longer in London, there is every reason to believe that a sum would have been raised equal to all the original exigencies of the proposed institution. Nothwithstanding the unpropitious circumstance of an indisposition which suspended all my operations for nearly three months, and my premature departure from London, the ollowing monies, as stated at length in No. 12, have been collected. "Of this money, the principal part has been expended in the purchase of books, most of which are to be deposited in the library of the seminary. The rest may be disposed of, by sale, as the Synod shall direct, but cannot be given away, unless their price be replaced, as the whole of the pecuniary donations were made to the seminary exclusively. The particulars are in No. 13, "Several benefactions have also been made in books to the library. They are enumerated in No. 14. "Although the liberality of christians in Britain, towards the seminary contemplated by this Synod, could not but receive a check by the return of their agent, yet there is ground to think that it has by no means produced its whole effect. Gentlemen, whose names are a sufficient pledge that no reasonable effort shall be wanting, nor any reasonable expectation disappointed, have engaged to solicit additional benefactions." We love sometimes to talk of ourselves— It was this mission which brought the writer of this article to the United States and to Kentucky. And though, during the troubles and anxieties of twenty years, he has had his fretful moments, yet in his calm and sober hours he is not only contented but thankful that in holy and wise providence his destiny has in any degree been connected with the destiny of the kingdom of our Lord in these remote regions. But to return. Though there were considerable discussions and considerable exertions made by one or two individuals respecting the erection of a Theological Seminary by the Associate Reformed Synod, nothing farther of importance in this business was done from the meeting of Synod in 1802 till the meeting of the General Synod in 1805, when an act for the establishing of the Seminary was passed. From this act we give the following extracts. "Whereas, The ministry of reconciliation is the great means instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ, for perfecting his saints, and edifying his body; and, Whereas, he has required in his word that they who are called to this excellent and important work, be furnished with gifts and graces above those of other believers; especially, that they be faithful men, apt to teach, workmen who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, wise stewards, to give the household their portion of meat in due season, able to convince gainsayers, to stop the mouths of unruly and vain talkers, to reprove, to rebuke, to exhort, with all long suffering, and doctrine, and authority; and to know how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God, ruling well, and being examples to the flock.-And, Whereas, the aforesaid qualifications, since the miraculous effusions of the divine Spirit have ceased, cannot be obtain ed in any other way than by his blessing upon the cultivation of natural talent, sanctified by his grace; which cultivation consists in a good accquaintance with those various branches of literature, which are necessary for understanding, expounding, defending, and applying all the parts of revealed truth.-And, Whereas, seminaries erected for the especial purpose of instructing the rising ministry in things immediately connected with their holy vocation, are the most probable means of attaining the proposed end; have been cherished by the christian church with much affection from the earliest ages; and have been remarkably owned of God, for the preservation of her purity and glory.-And, Whereas, the Lord hath been graciously pleased to incline the hearts of |
