raised up in the midst of us. To argue, at this period of the world, and under the existing degree of religious light in this country, the question respecting the utility of such seminaries, would be worse than idle. You have not only seen the truth on this subject, but have felt it; and not only felt, but acted. You have erected, and to some extent, endowed a THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL of the highest character. Many amiable youths have already received, either in whole or in part, their ministerial preparation within its walls. The destitute churches, from every part of our country, have looked toward it with anxious expectation, nor have they looked in vain; of those youth, a large number have already gone forth, and are, at this hour, surrounded with flocks, rejoicing in their gifts, and rapidly growing under their labours. For those who are still under instruction, other flocks are waiting; while other youth are rising up to succeed to their place in the seminary, and, in their turn, to go forth to gladden yet other flocks of our God. Brethren, this is a fair and beauteous sight; and none can contemplate it with indifference, who love America, and believe that God's presence and favour are her most effectual shield. But this sight is not likely to be long enjoyed. The active funds of the institution are more than exhausted-they are upwards of a thousand dollars in arrears. The directors have had to borrow money to pay the current salary of the Professors. Such a state of things cannot, of course continue; and after all our fair prospects, and fond anticipations, the Assembly will have to give up this child of their hopes and of their prayers, to die for want. From such a sight they turn as Hagar did. But there is no remedy; die it must, and that specdily, unless some immediate and effectual hand interpose to save it. It seems hard, indeed, that a church containing a hundred thousand members in full communion, and embodying a mass of intelligence, influence and wealth, as such, as is not easily paralleled, should stand by, and suffer to perish before its eyes, an institution that contains the vital interests of its perpetuity and strength. Yet such appears to be the fact. Individual munificence has, indeed, been displayed, and has erected to itself lasting monuments in the hearts of those who watch and pray over the prospects of the seminary. But a great and perinanent establishment, of common interest, and of common utility, is not to look to individual munificence, but to public contribution, for its support. When that school was founded, it was asked, "Where are your funds?" and it was confidently answered, "In the hearts of our people." Should the question be now repeated by those who learn the state of its treasury, what could the Assembly answer?

Brethren, we look round with anxious emotion. Our country is in a course of population, such as the world never witnessed till this hour. Extensive tracts but yesterday without an inhabitant,

to day are teeming with multitudes, and filled with rising villages and towns. Where a ministry can be supplied to them, these settlements form churches, with no less rapidity than they multiply civil establishments. Entire Synods have thus been created to our church within a few years. But if the sources from whence that ministry should proceed, dry up; if the vast regions of the west are suffered to remain destitute of the ordinance of a preached gospel, and the millions of its youth to grow up without the influence of the Bible, what must be the consequence, we do not say, to those immortal souls, nor even to the cause of Christ's truth, but to the morals of human society, and to the continuance of our civil liberty? With all the seminaries of all the churches in full and vigorous operation, this march of population far outstrips the efforts at supply. Is it then a time to shut up such a seminary, that has been instructing during the past year, not less than seventy of our future ministry? Other denominations are founding schools and endowing them-shall the Presbyterian Church choose such an hour to abandon theirs? It will be asked, has not Princeton Seminary a permanent fund? It has; but the proceeds of that fund do not meet one fourth of its current expenses. The churches therefore have this alternative now presented to them-either to say to the Board, dismiss your students, discharge your Professors, and shut your seminary doors-or to furnish the means of continuing the school. Can any friend to Jesus Christ, any lover of the doctrines of grace, any well wisher to the cause of religion and morals in our country, pause long on such an alternative? Beloved brethren, what is our hold upon this gospel of Christ? Must it necessarily continue in our land? Has it never been lost out of other lands? Look round the Mediterranean Sea, and find a single region that was not once filled with the churches of Jesus Christ; and where are those churches, and what are those regions now? Will all our youth be Christians of course? Is it of course that our churches should continue, that our ministry should multiply, that the gospel should be possessed and enjoyed, and all the effects of the gospel should continue to fill our land and flow down to our posterity? Or rather, is not the reverse of all this a matter of course? And can any thing prevent it but an immediate and a large supply of ministerial labour, ability and zeal? Faith comes by hearing; and hearing by the word of God; but how shall they hear without a preacher; and how shall they preach except they be sent ?

The Assembly in urging these considerations, turn especially to those who are already in the ministry. You, brethren, understand this case; you know the truth of all that we have said, and how much more might be said with equal truth. Can you be indifferent in this matter? Will you not bring it distinctly before your people? Have you so little influence in your flocks, that you cannot induce even the communicants of the church, to be

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come responsible for twenty-five cents each for five years? Will you not put into their hands a subscription paper to this effect, and see that the amount is collected? This single measure, carried throughout the churches, would put an end at once to all pecuniary difficulties. This seminary would lift its head-the hearts of its conductors would revive, their hands would be strong, and every interest which depends on its continuance would be at once secured. And are there no considerations of sufficient force to induce the pledged and sworn servants of Jesus Christ to do as much as this for his gospel's sake? Have you reminded them of what themselves owe to that gospel? Have you pressed upon them the command of our master to commit his truth to faithful men who shall be able to teach it," a command we cannot fulfil, unless they put the means within our power? Have you pleaded with them the cause of their children, and their children's children? Have you set before their eyes the hour of death, and the solemnity of judgment, and asked them how they can answer it to Jesus Christ, to let his truth perish in their hands, and die before their eyes? If you have not done this, you have not yet fulfilled your duty to God and to the church; and if you will do it, the Assembly can never be brought to believe that you will plead in vain. They will not, they cannot believe that while the hands that were pierced are streched out with a request for such an offering, a Christian can be found in all our bounds who will refuse his Lord.

Signed by order of the General Assembly,

Philadelphia, May, 1820.

JOHN M'DOWELL, Moderator.

EPISCOPAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The following Constitution of a Society for Foreign and Domestic Missions was adopted, and the Board of Managers appointed, by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, lately held in this city.. Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society in the United States, for Foreign and Domestic Missions.

Of the Name and Officers. 1. This Institution shall be designated "The Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society in the United States, for Foreign and Domestic Missions." Its officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, two Secretaries, and a Treasurer, together with such other officers as may be deemed

necessary.

2. The affairs of this society shall be conducted by a Board of twenty-four Managers to be appointed by the General Convention, twelve of whom shall reside in or near the city of Philadelphia, and six members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

3. The officers of this society, with the exception of those provided for in this constitution, shall be appointed by the Board of Managers, and continue in office during the recess of the General Convention, or until others are appointed.

4. The presiding Bishop of this church shall be the President of this Society, and the other Bishops Vice-Presidents, in the order of seniority established in their house.

Of Auxiliary Societies. The Board of Managers shall take such measures as they may deem proper, to establish Auxiliary Societies; to secure patronage, and to enlarge the funds of the institution. The Bishop of every diocess shall be President of the Auxiliary Societies organized in the same.

Of Members. 1. Every person subscribing annually the sum of three dollars, shall be a member of this society during the continuance of such subscription.

2. Every person giving a benefaction of fifty dollars or upwards, at one time, shall be considered a patron of this society.

3. The subscription books shall be so arranged, that at the time of subscribing, every person may contribute either to the cause of Foreign or Domestic Missions; and the money shall be appropriated according to the intention of the donor.

4. If any money shall be given to this society by individuals, congregations, or other societies, without specifying to what particular object it is to be applied, the Board of Managers may appropriate it as they shall think best.

Of the Funds. All benefactions and donations, exceeding the sum of fifty dollars, made to this society, if requested by the contributors, at the time of subscription or donation, shall be vested in some good and productive stock, and the interest only of such moneys shall be appropriated to the objects of the institution.

Of the Duties of Officers. 1. The Board of Managers shall have power to make all by-laws necessary for their own regulation, and to appoint from among their number, all such committees as shall be necessary to transact the various parts of duty assigned them.

2. The Treasurer shall keep distinct accounts of the money received by him, whether to be applied to Foreign or Domestic Missionary purposes; and shall be required to render his account at least once in every year, to the Board of Managers. . 3. The Board of Managers shall make a full report of their proceedings, and of the funds of the society, at every meeting of the General Convention.

4. No missionary of this society shall be employed within the bounds of any organized diocess, except with the consent and approbation, and under the direction of the Bishop: or if there be no Bishop, the ecclesiastical authority of the same.

Conclusion. It is recommended to every member of this sodiety, to pray to Almighty God for his blessing upon its designs, VOL. VII.

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under the full conviction, that unless "He directs us in our doings, with his most gracious favour, and furthers us with his continual help," we cannot reasonably hope, either to procure suitable persons to act as missionaries, or expect that their endeavours will be crowned with success.

Board of Managers. Philadelphia-Rev. Jackson Kemper, Rev. George Boyd, Rev. William A. Muhlenburg, Richard Dale, Charles N. Banker, Steven North, John Reed, John Claxton, Charles Wheeler, Israel Kinsman, Hugh De Haven, Jun. Richard S. Smith. South Carolina-Rev. Christopher E. Gadsden, D.D. North Carolina-Rev. Gregory T. Bedwell. Virginia-Rev. William Meade, Hon. Bushrod Washington. Maryland-Rev. John. P. K. Henshaw, Rev. William E. Wyatt, D.D. District of Columbia-Rev. William Wilmer, D.D. Delaware-Rev. Richard D. Hall. New-Jersey-Rev. Abiel Carter. New-York-Rev. James Milnor, D.D. ConnecticutRev. Nathaniel S. Wheaton. Massachusetts-Rev. Thomas Carlisle. Episcopal Mag.

FOREIGN MISSION SCHOOL.

In

The annual examination of the Foreign Mission School was attended on Tuesday the 16th inst. by the agents. The pupils were examined in reading and spelling the English language. The more advanced scholars were also examined in English Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography, the Latin and Greek Languages, Natural Philosophy, Astronomy and Surveying. these several branches the pupils acquitted themselves in a manner creditable to themselves and their instructors, and highly encouraging to the friends of the heathen. Some of the pupils exhibited decisive evidence of superior abilities and scholarship, and afforded a gratifying pledge of future usefulness among their countrymen. The school now consists of thirty members; twenty-seven of whom are now there, and 3 lately admitted, are expected soon to join it. And what is more than all literary or scientific attainments, in the view of the friends of Christ, one half of the members of the school at least, give comforting evidence of having passed from death to life, and of being the sincere disciples of Christ. On Wednesday, the 17th, at 11 o'clock, the scholars formed a procession, and, together with the agents and teachers, and such clergymen as were present, repaired to the meeting-house, where an appropriate and animating discourse was delivered by the Rev. David L. Perry, of Sharon, from 1 Chron. xxii. 16. "Arise therefore and be doing, and the Lord be with thee."

After the religious exercises, the public exhibition of the school was attended to in the following order :-1. Declamation in English, by John Ridge, (a Cherokee.)-2. Declamation in