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INTRODUCTION. ,3 3 As it may, at some future time, be of importance to have on record a narrative of the circumstance connected with the establishment of a Theo- logical Institution by the Baptists of Canada ; and as it seems necessary to give some explanation of the circumstances out of which the address and reply here published, have grown ; a statement of the action of the Kcgular Baptist 5Il8sionary Society of Canada, of the committee of that Society, and of the subscribers to the endowment fund in the matter is here sub- joined. At the annual meeting of the Society, held in Toronto, October 12th, 1852, a commi'^^'ij on ministerial education, consisting of Messrs. Gilmour, Inglis, Pyper, Duncan, Miller, and McCord, made a report, in which they recommended that " steps be immediately taken to procure an endowment for a Theological Institution ;" and that Dr. Maclay should be requested to undertake a tour of the churches, with a view to procure subscriptions to such an endowment. The Secretary of the Society was instructed to communicate with Dr. Maclay ; and a committee was appointed to carry out the recommendation of the report. In conformity with these appointments the following letters were ex- changed. Hamilton, October \Sth, 1852. Eev. Dr. Maclay— My Dear Sir : — At the annual meeting of the Reg. Bap. Missionary Society of Canada, it was suggested that you might be in- duced to devote a short time to raise an endowment for a Tlicological School in the province. The suggestion was recovved with great hiterest, piidit was unnniniouslv airreod to solicit vou to set aside vour earliest con- venient period for this purpose. I will say nothing of the importance of the object, but I maybe allowed to say that you can accomplisli, probably, what no man living can in securing it ; and may here erect a monument to !• your own name — and vlnt ynu will prize more — ^a permanent means of benefiting the cimrch of God. If you accede to our request, and name a time when you may enter the province, a committee of friends will meet you and make arrangements for your comfort and convenience iii making a tour of the churclies. With much respect and affection, I am, yours, fraternally, James Inglis, Cor. Sec. of II. B. Missionary Society. New Yoniif November 1, IS52. My Dear Brother. — On niy return to this city from a tour tlirough the Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, I found your letter of the 18th of last month. My knowledge of the interests of the Baptist de- nomiuatiou in Canada, in part derived from personal observation, long ago impressed upon my mind the conviction how much tliose interests would be promoted by the establishment and maintenance among yourselves of an Institution for ministerial education ; while the sacrifices heretofore made to procure one, as well as your present letter, furnish gratifying proof that this want is appreciated. During the present year, I received a similar application from brethren in Mississippi, to aid them in endowing Clinton College, in that State. The Board of the Bible Union, to whom the invitation was rv '.-rrcd, reluctant- ly decided it was inexpedient for me to accept it in view of some pressing and unfulfilled engngcments. Tlicy have in the present instance consented tiiat I postpone a promised visit to Kentucky, and, I therefore, accept your invitation, and shall, God willing, be in Canada in the course of thcensu. ing week. I fear, however, that you overrate tlie value of any services I can render, but such as they are shall be given gratuitously, and let me add a donation of $100 towards the undertakinff. Affectionately, yours, A. Maci.ay. I •I. i The committee appointed to carry out the recommendations of the Re- port on Education, met at Hamilton, C. W., on Nov. 11, 185;^. Dr. Maelay was present, and he expressed his readiness to proceed at once on his mission to the churches. The necessary arrangements for his journey were made, and terms of subscription were adopted, in which it was pro- vided, that the money subscribed was to be applied strictly as a permanent endowment ; and that no subscription should bo held binding if les than five thousand pounds be subscribed. It was also provided that a meeting of subscribers should be "held at Toronto, on Wednesday, January 19. f t means of ly enter the foments for iies. With NGLIS, Society. 1, 1852. xr tlirough ir letter of Baptist dc- n, long ngo s would be jlves of an )forc made proof that n brethren 5t!\tc. The rcluctant- LC pressing consented ecept your ■ thcensu- services I ind let me Iaclay. )f the Re. So2. Dr. i it once on 1 is journey J was pro- 1 permanent '^ ' los than 1 a meeting ii .nuary 19. 1853, to organize an Educational Society for the establishment, regulation, and maintenance of .art with you at tlic close of your arduous toils to secure an endowment for a Theological Institution in Canada, without express- ing our high sense of your services, and our gratitude to you under God, for favors which wo can never even hope to repay. Our urgent need of such an institution the importance of its results wlien sccured—tlie sacrifice of case and comfort which such an undertaking at this season involved to one of your years, and the mingled energy, wisdom, and kindness with which you have prosecuted it, lay us under deep obligations. It is doubly phasing to acknowLdge obligations when esteem for a benefactor mingles with gratitude for benefits conferred. We dwell with thankfulness upon the grace of God which crowns your life of devoted and successful activity with an old ago of so rare nsefuhiess. We praise Ilis Holy Name for all he has done for you and by you. In the present case, we cannot but chcris', the hope that what has been so well begun, will be happily conducted to the glory of God and the welfare of Canada. But be this as it may, you may well reflect with satisfaction on your share in it. .ind we rejoice %vith you in the confidence that your labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. ^V hen you leave the Province, our love, gratitude, and prayers will follow you. When you are gone, we will endeavor to cherish the memory of your example and counsels. We shall often recall the happiness which your visits have shed over our homes, and the instruction as well as pleasure of our social intercourse. Your progress through our churches has boon attended with a salutary and ele- vating influence which will not soon be exhausted. The glorious gospel you have proclaimed from our pulpits cannot be as water spilt upon the ground ; and yotir advocacy of the cause of a pure Bible has left impressions which can- not be effaced. If we add anything to our fervent prayer that Cod may Idess you, it is to express our unanimous desire that God, in his providence, may lead you back to spend the remainder of your days, in carrying out amongst us the objects contem- plated in the Institution which you have been instrumental in originating. On behalf of the Subscribers, WILLIAM WILKINSON, Chairman. n Kcsn rjr 19, 1853. ' arduous toils thoutexpress- jod, for favors n institution — i and comfort years, and the mtcd it, lay us r a benefactor thankfulness essfu! activitv for all he has ?ris', the hope ' glory of God II reflect with aifuknce that ill follow you. jour exanjplc ctual entailments and leases, fho nrosjicrity of a sober and Industrious people— as all denominations of Christians are— is ulvrays suftlcient for tho voluntary and liberal support of their religion. It is so, because, to say nothing of the higher and holier motives by which the tnie disciples of the Lord are actuated, they can secure a higher prosperity over and above this voluntary tax, than they can possibly get without it. Placing it on the lowcs* ground, far 1)cncath that which you will bo content to occupy, tho conservative and econom- ical power of their religion over themselves and their cliildren is worth more than its cost. No other appropriation is more sure of a return with increase than that which is cheerfully and freely invested in the support of their chosen and trusted church. The tendency of all things on this continent leans powerfully toward the clear- ing of tho soil from all fixed burdens, wluther church rates, or church rents, or church exemptions from taxes, or legal obstacles to alienation by tho parties in present ownership. This tendency is folt in the provinces ; it will be felt moro and more until every vestige of a church claim on the products of lahor applied to^ the soil will be brushed away; and the last hope of the ministry for support will fix itself again where it finjt dawned— in the free-will olFerings of tho people who have one faitli and one baptism. I rejoice with you in the near prospect there is of a successful termination of the long and arduous struggle which the fricnils of r.-ligioug liberty have main- tained in Canada, againsf the f-rasping clergy of the established churches ; and against the assumed zeal of tliose who have entertained the project of using tho ministers of religion as a rural police, and instruments of raisgovernmcnt. i re- gard it as a happy circumstance that at tliis juncture, when the secularization of the clergy reserves occupies the public nilnd, you should have come forward with ihis practical expression of your conviction, that it is the true wisdom and interest of each denomination of Christians to rely entirely upon the voluntary principle for the support of all its institutions. In the zeal and energy with which you sustain this movement, let it be seen that the principle is adcqtialc to the end— your example will not be lost upon others. Should some remnants of the old spirit of beggarly dependence in some churches survive, when the clergy reserves are rescued from them, tliey will become ashamed to live at the public expense j or will soon become too weak to enforce such a living. Your address furnishes me with en opportunity of submitting to your consid- eration, a few plain and practical thoughts on the nature of the enterprise in which you are associated ; and some information which I trust may be useful in its management and furtherance. Before proceeding with the remarks which I have to offer on the various con- siderations which lend an interest to this movement, it may be instructive to glance at what has been accomplished by others, in a department of religious activity which we, as a denomination, have too long neglected. During my brief sojourn in Canada last winter, I took occasion to acquaint myself in "somo measure with the state of its Institutions of general and theological learning ; « roughout tlio ick burdciu^ a sober and lys suftlciont ratisc, to say of the Lord is Toluntury * ground, far ind cconom- n-orth more ith incroaso their chosen rd the clcar- •ch rents, or 10 parties in iic fult more i')or applied for support ngs of the inination of have inain- irchcsj and >f using tho ;cnt. i rc- ;uIarization no forward lisJom and ) voluntary nergy with wlcqtiatc to emnaHts of the clergy the public 5ur consid- iterpriso in )C useful in arioui? con- tructive to »f religious )uring my If in some ! learning ; i and am happy to record my favorable imprcsaions. In the provision made for general education there is much that is commendable and promisir^. Th« common school la^r of Canada West is a wise measure, energetically adminis* tercd and in successful operation. Tho attendance at tho common schools, amounting to about two-thirds of all tho children of school-age, is a most grati- fying fact. And I am persuaded tliat the manner in which Canadian schools are conducted, will compare well with the schools of most of the States of America. Indeed I know of no community who have practically manifested more inter> est io the subject of common school education than Upper Canada. The reports for tho last year show 3,749 schools with an attendance of 200,- 000 scholars — a result which, consirlering the number of townships but recently ll settled, and the diflicultics incident to such a condition, compares favorably with any similar effort in any of tho United States. It is stated by your Chief Superintendent, and I presume the statement is a correct one, that the people voluntarily taxctl tlicmsclvesfor the salaries of teach- ers, in a larger sum in proportion to their numbers, and have kept open their ^ schools, on an average, more months than the citizens of the State of New York, The efforts in several of the cities, towns and larger villages, to bring a good education within tho reach of all classes, arc worthy of the most enliglitcned communities on this continent. The Normal school, conducted in a building worthy of the object, under able professors, and possessed of the best apparatus, must Hpcedily make its inllucncc felt in elevating t!tc character of schools, even in retired localities. This enlightened activity on the part of the friends of secular education, will prove a stiuiulus to the friends of Theological education j while the effects of that activity in raising the standard of general intelligence, ought to impn s-: ns with a sense of increasing obligation to advance the literary qualifications of those who arc to bo the future advocates of Divine Truth. The condition of the higher class of schools and of Colleges, I had inot the same opportunity of examining fir myself. From tho statements of others, I gather that much yet remains to bo done to perfect the means of what is called classical education. The history of the Provincial Unix'crsity is too intricate and involved to be followed by a stranger. I found it, however, possessing a magnifi- cent endowment — and so far as I could ascertain the prospective arrangement of its afluirs. there seems reason to hope that the endowment will be wisely admin- istered. The experience of the United States clearly shews the great dilTiculty of rendering a State College or University efficient ; but that experience may I be serviceable to Canada, in shewing tho errors to be shunned. Foremost amongst them will be found the introduction of denominational rivalries into its management. I may be permitted to express the hope that, however the benefits of that endowment may be distributed, no dread of centralization and no sectarian or local jealousies, may be permitted to obstruct the endeavor to perfect the organ- ization of the Toronto University as a great National Institution. This is important, not only for the service it '^ill render to the youth who may bo 1.0 111 , m 1 m I ini=;tructecl within its walls ; but also for its influence in keeping up the standard of literary attainment — an influence which ought vo be felt, not only over affili- ated and independent colleges, but which may reach Upwn even to the country school. The Baptists of Canada have wisely determined that it is better for them to embrace the advantages offered by public literary Institutions, than to attempt to establish such Institutions of their own. Whatever may be our several opinions as to the propriety of religious bodies engaging in such enterprises, there can be but one opinion as to the duty of sustaining a public Institution, so far as it is worthy of support. Other things being equal, our youth will gain in enlargement of mind and views, by receiving a liberal education, free from the bias and the contracted associations of any sect. This notice oi general education will not be regarded as entirely aside from our purpose, but our more immediate concern is with Institutions designed to promote Ministerial Education. My late tour scarcely extended below Toronto, and I can only speak of the efforts of those denominations who have located their Institutions in that city. I have great plea .' ure in speaking of these three — Knox's College, the Theological Hall of the United Presbyterian Church, and the Con- gregational Theological Institute. The brethren who preside in these Institutions are, indeed, worthy of the confidence of the bodies with which they arc con- nected, and the fruits of their labors will soon be abundantly reaped. I am hapi^y to be able to lay before you seme particulars of the present con- dition of each of them, from communications with which I am favored from their several Professors ; and I know of no way in which I can better convey to your minds information regarding the nature of the work that remains to be done by us. The first of these communications possesses a peculiar interest to me, from the fact that it was from the lips of Dr. Willis' liithcr that I heard, sixty years ago, the exhibition of the gospel which first brought the peace of God to my troubled heart. I have the satisfaction of acknowledging to ttic son the gratitude I owed to the father, whom I never saw either before or since I listened to the sermon which God blessed to my enlightenment, KNOX'S COLLEGE. Knox's College is the Theological School of the Presbyicrian Church of Canada, or that portion of the Presbyterian community which separated from the communion of the Established Church of Scotland in 1844, the year follow- ing the disruption in Scotland. The Church in Canada, though alTiliated with the Free Church, is independent in its organization, and equally holds commu- nion with the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Provi- sion is made for the preliminary training of students having the study of Theology in view. Prof. Esson has, from the time of the institution of the College, taught the preparatory classes of literature and philosophy, assisted occasionally by an additional tutor. Since the University of Toronto was re- modelled or divested of its sectarian character, the youths proposing to study for the ministry at Knox's College, are permitted or encouraged to attend such of the University classes as are adapted to their capacities and tastes— or whose arrangements consist with their opportunities for giving attendance. 11 ip the standard 3nly over affili- to the country cr for them to iian to attempt be our several ch enterprises, ■: Institution, so nth will gain in , free from the rely aside from ns designed to below Toronto, ve located their three—Knox's I, and the Con- 2se Institutions they arc con- )od. le present con- orcd from their convey to your 1 to be done by ;o me, from tho ixty years ago, to my troubled atitudc I owed to the sermon an Church of separated from be year follow- ainiiated with holds coramu- eland. Provi- the study of :itution of the soph}'^, assisted )ronto was re- using to study to attend such stcs— or whose ice. Dr. Willis has been the Theological Professor since 1847, and has had charge of the various departments of Systematic Theology, and sometime of Biblical Criticism ; though in the latter department and in Church History, arrange- ments have been made by which others have relieved him of a part of his labor. A separate chair was for some years indeed sustained in the department of Bib- lical Criticism, though financial considerations induced the discontinuance of it. The students have gradually increased in numbers from six, eight or ten to fort}' or fifty. The average number for the last three years nay be stated at about forty, including the preparatory classes. The theological students proper, may have averaged during these years 18. Taking the last six years together, the Institution has prepared for service as preachers of the gospel near thirty in- dividuals. A few who had made some progress in their preparation, died or left for other countries, or joined other denominations. Very few indeed, have aban- doned their design of following the profession of ministers of the gospel, especial- ly of those who had entered the Divinity Hall. In rarer instances still has ex- pulsion been necessary. A considerable librarj' is attached to the Institution, say near 4000 vols. A large portion of this collection was obtained in the parent countries by Dr. Willis, and a still larger portion was brought out by Dr. Burns, minister of Knox's Church, who temporarily taught the students before a professor of theology was appointed, and who has since assisted during several sessions in the department of Church Ilistorj', During the last session that duty has devolved on the min- ister of the Second Presbyterian church. The Institution har> no endowment except what it derives from the annual col- lections or subscriptions made throughout the various presbyteries of the church, to meet its annual expenditure. The erection of suitable premises is contem- plated. The students have cheap board provided for them. Though the alternative is left to them of boarding out. or in the premises engaged expressl}'- for the purpose. The students receive their education gratuitously, except some trifling charges. But the more advanced students are supposed to be available for the service of the church as catechists, in return for their gratuitous training. Most of the Di- vinity students are employed in this way during the summer, receiving such maintenance among the people whose religious services they conduct in the ab- sence of regular pastors, as is presumed to meet their winter's expenses in board- ing in the city. The sessional term each year is six months, commencing in October and end- ing in April. The next communication furnishes an account of the Congregational Theologi- cal Institute. It is from tho pen of Prof. Lillie. CONGREGATIONAL THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. This Institute had its commencment about 15 years ago, by Mr. Cribs, now our Indian missionarj^, being placed under my instruction while pastor of the church in Braulford, by th- Colonial Missionary Society, in connection with the Con- gregational Union oi England and Wales. Shortly after. I removed to Dundas, where I spent something over a year, preaching there and in the neighborhood. 12 .1 and teaching? the students who had then increased to five. In September, 1840, we removed to Toronto, since which time I have been devoted entirely to my tu- torial engagements. Our average number of students since coming here has been eight or thereabouts. The course of instruction was at first three years, the session being nine months in length. It is now four, and has been so for six or seven years. Till within the last four years the entire work of instruction devolved on me, but we have now a classical and Hebrew tutor — a gentleman of high repute as a scholar, who takes charge of these departments. For some time previous to Mr. Wick- son's appointment, I was assisted in the classical department by some of the more advanced pupils? imiTED PRESBYTEEIAir THEOLOGICAL HAIL. The Theological Hall of the United Presbyterian Church in Canada, lias been several years in successful operation. It was established at London, C, "W., under the care of Professor Proudfoot, a man of massire intellect and solid worth, who has gone to the grave, not without appreciation by a limited circle of friends and admirers, but without leaving an impression of his powers in the wider sphere for which nature fitted him. On the modification of the charter of the Provincial University, it was thought desirable to chant:,e the location of the Hall from London to Toronto. The death of jMr. Proudfoot occasioned an interruption of its studies, but a highly accomplished Professor has at length been secured in the person of the Rev. Dr. Tavlor. His appointment is too recent to enable me to furnish a complete view of the present state or prospects of the Institution over which he presides. The following brief sketch of the curriculum is upon the authority of the Rev. J. Hogg, of Hamilton, C. W. He sayp : '* Nothing but a very general curriculum has as j-et been sanctioned by the Synod, ]^Llny of the students have studied for two or three years in the col- leges of Great Fiitain or the United States before ent^i'lng on their theological course ; but this has not been deemed obligatory. Qualifications rsquired before entering the Hall. — A correct knowledge of the English language ; a rudimentary knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages, so far as it involves an ability to read and parse Sallust and the Gospel according to St, John. The elements of Hebrew grammar are also required. It is the duty of the several Presbyteries to exaL.ine students ; ascei^ tain that they possess these requirements, and furnish them with a certificate to enter the Hall. Course or Studv in the Hall.— The Hall continues eleven weeks in the year, in Toronto. Every student requires to study there at least four years. The Professor, Dr. John Taylor, teaches Languages, Theology, and* Church History ; and as no course of study has been matured and sanctioned by the Synod, tlie Professor is left entirely to follow out his own plan. In The- ology, the text-book has been Dick's Theology. Knowledge required before oirrAiNtNo License to Preach, — The ability to read Virgil's yEneid in Latin, and the New Testament, ad aperturam libriin Greek; a thorough knowledge of Dick's Lectures on Theology, and a general knowledge of Church History and the Hebrew language. I cptcmbcr, 1840, tircly to my tu- ig here has been ing nine months s. Till within c, but we have te as a schohir, s to Mr. Wick- >me of tlic more n Canada, has London, C, "W., cllect and solid u limited circle s powers in the of the charter ! the location of t occasioned an has at length lointment is too ito or prospects f sketch of the ton, C. W. lie nctioned by the cars in the col- heir theological I. — A correct if the Latin and rse SalUist and am mar are also tudcnts ; ascei^ t a certificate to even weeks in e at least four Theology, and* and sanctioned plan. In The- pREACfi, — ^The , ad aperturam 'hcology, and a 13 Besides the classics and Hebrew, to wh'ch a considerable amount of attention is given, our course embraces Systematic Theology, Uiblical Criticism and Inter- pretation, Evidences, Ilomilctics, Ecclesiastical History, and Mental and Moial Pliilosophy. On these various subjects I have written full courses of lectures. about oOO in all, which I am constantly doing my best to improve and extend. Previous to the reading of each lecture, I examine on the preceding one. Full freedom is allowed the young men for questioning or stating difTiculties which they never abuse, but from which much advantage has arisen. An essay is written by each of them weekly, on a subject prescribed by me— -that of one o{ • the lectures for the week. These I examine carefully, pointing out what I think calls for alteration. Before my opinion is given, they arc submitted to the criti- cism of the class. We have a sermon weekly, and four plans of sermons which arc also submitted to general criticism. This system I have found productive of great good. Along with the most entire freedom the most perfect courtesy has always been maintained. The subjects to which special attention is given, are Theology and Ecclesiasti- cal History. The amount of attention given to mental and moral philosophy is also considerable. This study I have found eminently useful as a means of men- tal drilling. For a short time a distinct Institution was maintained in Montreal, under the care of Drs. Carruthers and Wilkes. But on the removal of the former of these gentlemen to Scotland, the two Institutions were merged into one. The circumstances of the country, and the full occupation of the time of the students, have led us to adopt the plan of fui-nishing the young men with board and lodging, in addition to tuition, leaving them to find their own books, clothing, tic. During the vacations they are ordinarily employed supplying vacant cliurchcs. The expenses of the Institute are borne by the Colonial Missionary Society, and by subscriptions and collections from our friends and churches here. Twenty-eight brethren have finished their studies in the Institution, over and above several who went out from the Montreal Institute, who are all. with a single exception, now engaged in the ministry, and all hf^jig charges except two, who will, I hope, soon find them. Of these, two are settled in the United States, with one of the students from the Lower Institute; the rest arc all in Canada, one excepted, who is stationed at Halifax, Nova Scotia. One of the Montreal students is at St. Johns, New Brunswick. The following arc among the places occupied hy them, beside those already mentioned, viz: — Montreal, Melbourne, Granby, Ilusselltown, Indian Lands, Brockvillo, Lanark, Kingston. Cobourg, Hamilton, Simcoe, Scotland, Brantford, Paris, London, Warwick, Port Stanley. God has dealt very graciously in respect of the character of the young men he has given us ; and both by the Society at home and the churches here, the results are viewed as highly satisfactory. COMPAEATIVE CXAIHS CN BAPTISTS. By reference to the census of Canada, I find that the Presbyterian church. with which the first of these Institutions is connected, numbers 05.807 of the population among its adherents ; the Congregational body numbers 7.747. 14 M|- ' /r . t The proportion of the population put down as Baptists is 45,353. But we have not a fair view of the relative need of a Theological Scliool in our denomination by merely comparing its numbers with those of these other tlenommations. There are other important considerations which must not be overlooked. The Presby- terian church of Canada has an ecclesiastical connection' with the Free church of Scotland, and the Presbyterian church in Ireland. The United Presbyterian church of Canada has a similar connection with the United Presbyterian church in Scotland. The Congregational body has a missionary connection with the Congregational Union of England and Wales ; and these connections may be supposed to open up the theological schools of these several bodies at home, as sources o*" supplying the churches in Canada with pastors. We have no similar connection, and yet w^e have hitherto been without any provision for minis- terial education. ** Again, our numbers cannot be recruited by emigration to an equal extent with the bodies above named, and consequently our churches cannot be so well pre- pared to receive ministers from, the mother country, if they could be obtained. I am not in possession of any statistical information regarding the proportion of our church members who have come from Baptist churches either in England or Other countries, but I am persuaded it must be small in proportion to the number of members of Presbyterian and Congregational churches who have been received from the parent bodies. In other words, our churches must be more completely of Canadian origin. Of this much we are certain, the numerical strength of Baptists -at home is not in the same proportion to the number of Baptists in Canada as the number of Presbyterians and Congrcgationalists there bears to their numbers in Canada. ' The conclusion to which I would lead you from this consideration is, that as our churches are much more of Canadian origin, it be- comes all the more important that they should be supplied with a native minis- try. If these bodies have found it to be their best policy to train young men in the Province for the ministry of the word, how much more shall we ? While it seems surprising that such a provision has been so long neglected, it seems almost unaccountable that our increase should have been so rapid as it has been, especially during the last few years. That increase seems to warrant the inference that the public mind in Canada is favorably disposed towards Baptist principles ; and it furnishes to my mind the strongest argument in favor of a native ministry, since our faithful brethren, without the advantages of a theo- loo-ical school, have outstripped the better trained preachers of other denoininil- tions, who have been introduced from the mother country. In speaking of the want of a Baptist Theological Institute, I would not be thought to overlook the earnest endeavors of those friend:; who sustained for a time the College at Montreal. There can be no good reason for hesitating to do justice to the motives and services of these brethren, however we may have dif- fered from them in opinion, or to whatever cause we may be disposed to .ascribe the failure of their cnterpr'se. I should do injustice to my own convictions, and to them, if I did not say, that the history of that Institution shows some noble examples of Christian benevolence on the part of its supporters, both in EnglancI and in Canada. It is due to Dr. Cramp, also, who is now presiding with dignity .** 15 J. But we have ^nomination by nations. There , ThePresby- Free church of 3 Presbyterian >ytcrian cliurch iction with the ections may be ics at home, as liavc no similar iion for ininis- ual extent with be so well pre- be obtained. I e proportion of r in England or I to the number re been received lore completely cal strength of • of Baptists in ; there bears to d you from this m origin, it be- a native minis- n young men in we? )ng neglected, it rapid as it has ; to warrant the owards Baptist nt in favor of a ages of a theo- >thcr denominil- [ would not be sustained for a hesitating to do e may have dif- losed to ascribe convictions, and wa some noble )oth in EnglancJ ingwith dignity J i and efficiency over Acadia College, to say, that the failure at Montreal cannot bo traced to incompetency or want of zeal on his part. But, so far as I can learn, that movement was never fully concurred in by the great body of Baptists in the Upper Province. They never regarded the Institu- tion as theirs; nor although the subject has been frequently approached, its im- portance acknowledged, and some preliminary steps adopted, has any serious and sustained effort to establish a seminary been engaged in by them until now. We may, consequently regard it as altogether a first movement by the body ; and as such we may consider this much as gained. The need of such an institution, and the duty to establish it, is practically and emphatically acknowledged ; the ability of the body to establish and sustain it is satisftictorily demonstrated j and we are strongly pledged to carry it into speedy and effective operation. This much is gained, and little more. We have taken the first step. We have laid a foundation stone, and thus we stand committed to an arduous undertaking, to which we may rest assured it is necessary that we bring an earnest, perse- vering and forbearing spirit, much faith and fervent prayer, as well as our means and our energies. It is true in every undertaking, but it seems more sensibly true in such an enterprise as this : " Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it ; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watch- eth in vain." I am exceedingly anxious that we should be duly impressed with the arduous nature of the enterprise to which we have put our hands. And while I reflect with pleasure and gratitude on your liberality in subscribing to- wards the endowment, I would guard you against the supposition that you have relieved yourselves of a responsibility. In point of fact, you have only fairly as- sumed it, after having too long neglected it. A glance at your true position will satisfy you of the need of strenuous efforfc, and that the cause is every way de- serving of such effort. DEMAin) FOB EVANGEUCAL EFFOBT-SELF BELIANCE. I will take it for granted, that you acknowledge the general duty of the dis- ciples of Christ to make known His saving truth to every creature, up to the extent of their ability and opportunity. And I will take it for granted, that you acknowledge the duty to teach those who embrace the truth, to confess Christ in baptism, and to observe all things whatsoever he has commanded them. Acknowledging these obligations, look around you in your own beautiful prov- ince, and learn the great work which God has given you to do there. There is, for the present, a large portion of your population dead in trespasses and sins j many of these are within the limits of your respective neighborhoods, and lie in your way in the ordinary activities of Christian life ; many of them are in local- ities where they are practically removed from all means of grace. But wherever they are, unless Christians in Canada bestir themselves, they must perish ic their sins. Besides the impenitent who, to-day, are scattered over the provinces, we must remember that immigration and the natural increase of anew country are rapidly swelling their numbers. Your present supincness is not only hazardous to the salvation of dying men around yo ■ but it will sacrifice the most favorable opportunity of impressing society with the Truth. Every day neglected confirms u tm i iit 1 .i t 5 an irreligious character ; and everyday is strengthening the current of worldli- ness, which, with the rapidly extending prosperity and enterprise of the country, is setting in against the gospel. The enemy is not asleep while Christians are at their ease; yet Christians have it in their choice, under the blessing of God, to give a religious bias to society in its infancy, or to leave it to become confirmed in ungodliness. All experience teaches us that neither immigration nor natural increase will add to the evangelical forces of a country. Other bodies of professing Christians are, happily, united with you in the gen eral object of spreading the gospel through the land ; and some of them display, a commendable zeal in the work. We are not called to sit in judgment on others ; neither does it becomes us to measure our activity by theirs, farther than as their zeal may provoke us to good works. We must all give an account of our stewardship to the Lord ; and it is our wisdom to frame our course accord- ing to the rule by which we shall then be judged. He will hold us responsible for the whole extent of our opportunities of well doing, and the love of Christ should constrain us to fill it up with zealous efforts. In addition to the responsibility which we share with all who have named the name of Jesus, the facts already alluded to seem to argue a fiivorable disposition on the part of the people of Canada towards Baptist sentiments. This predis- position, if it exists, vastly increases onr advantages in presenting the gospel to them. But when, beyond the first presentation of saving truth, we consider the observance of the order and ordinances of the gospel, our denominational respon- sibility will appear more evident. If the honor of the Redeemer and the pros- perity of his church be at all involved in the observance of these ordinances, we cannot with our convictions of truth, be content to allow other bodies to occupy the whole neld and perform the work, even if they were prepared to do so. The influence of time in confirming men in their attachment to human traditions and in their prejudices against the commandments of God, furnishes another strong argument for our immediate and energetic activity. I have spoken hitherto only of aggressive movements against the kingdom of darkness, but while I urge the need of laborers for this service, and all the more because the fields seem already white for the harvest, I cannot overlook the painful fact that, so Hir from having a surplus of laborers to reap these fields, the churches already in existence are, to a large extent, destitute of pastors and teachers. This destitution I encountered, with great pain, at almost every step of my progress through the western parts of the province j and yet, I suppose, I saw the most favored region. Every step prompted renewed prayer to the Lord of the harvest, and furnished me with additional arguments in behalf of the en- terprise in whose interest I was engaged. If it be evident that, if Christians in Canada neglect the spiritual interests of the impenitent around them, they will, humanly speaking, be left to perish in their sins, it is equally evident that, if churches in Canada do not bestir themselves to procure pastors, they will be left destitute. • The churches of other lands can scarcely be expected to take this charge off your hands, while there are such multitudes sitting in darkness and the regions of horrid cruelty. But if they were disposed to do so, they have neither the moans nor the men. To be satisfied of this, you may look at the reports of Mis- 17 mt of worldli- )f the country. Christians are jssing of God, )me confirmed )n nor natural 'ou in the gen them display, judgment on s, farther than an account of 30ursc accord- US responsible love of Christ lavc named the ible disposition This prcdis- X the gospel to re consider the ational respon- and the pros- ! ordinances, we odies to occupy to do so. The 1 traditions and another strong the kingdom of ce, and all the annot overlook cap these fields, ! of pastors and most every step rctj I suppose, I yer to the Lord ehalf of the cn- if Christians in them, they will, ■ evident that, if they will be left J this charge off and the regions lavc neither tho ; reports of Mis- f Fionnry Societies, both in Groat Britain and America, and you will be at a loss to know whether their greatest embarrassment is to find men to go. or means to send them. ]Jut more than this, you may look to the statistics of Baptist churches in older countries, and learn how utterly hopeless it is to turn to them for the f-upply of your destitution. Three years ago, there were six hundred and fifteen churches without pastors in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, to ,«ay nothing of other and more destitute States of the American Union ; and the lapse of three years has certainly not diminished the deficiency. After this it is a work of supererogation to attempt to shew you that, if you had a choice, it would still be prcTcrablc to find a supply among yourselves. The policy of Missionary Societies, which leads them at the earliest possible period to train native preachers ; the course of those denominations among your- selves who have the greatest facili^cs for procuring ministers from the mother country ; the testimony of all ministers who have labored under the disadvan- ta^-es of a foreign training ; and the experience of churches every where, to which I doubt not you can add your own, establish it, beyond all question and argu- ment, that, whether for the care of churches, or the propagation of the gospel, a ministry should be sought among the people for whom they are to labor. It is not, however, a matter of choice with you, you must find them among yoi.r- selves or want them. And here I must offer the remark that, in my view, the time has fully come when the Baptist body in Canada should assume an independent and self-sus- taining position. The stage of the country's progress, the numbers of its popu- lation, its increasing wealth, enterprise and intelligence point to the time when it should aim at a distinct national character. I do not mean of course, politi- cally, but socially and intellectually. But still more do your numbers and im- portance as a denomination, indicate that, however desirable it may be that you should cooperate with your brethren abroad, the sooner you form and maintain independent institutions for the advancement of your internal afiairs, the better for your harmony, efficiency and progress. A body of 45,000 Baptists, placed in circumstances of unusual advantage, with ample means and intelligence, will be expected to walk alone. The fostering care of foreign or parent societies can now only embarrass and enfeeble you. Whatever the inconvenience or perils of setting out in your independent course, they will only increase by delay, and it will be your wisdom, in a spirit of mutual forbearance, to enter upon it at once. On the supposition that you have arrived at the same conclusion, there are two associations for the embodiment of your efforts in accomplishing a conunon work, to which your attention must at once be turned. I mean your Home Missionary Society, and your Society for the promotion of Ministerial Education. These two are quite distinct in their oTjects, but they are mutually necessary to each other ; and both of them are necessary for the proper execu- tion of your work. The one prepares the supply, the other distributes it. THE HALDANE MOVEKfENT. In this connection, let me lay before jou an interesting and instructive chap- ter of Missionary history the progress of which I witnessed, and in which it was my privilege to bear an humble part. 2 18 1.^1 Itl n Id ! -is if ill The latter part of tlie cigljtccnlli century has Icon called " thon;i(!nh!;ht of the church of Scotland." Tho prOi)or cfFccts of State patronage and control had, long before tills, hecn wrought out in the (lead formality •udiich took the place of the lofty ardor of its earlier and martyr age ; the voice of a faithftd protest was silen- ced in its courts, on the secession of the Er' kincs and tlicir associates, and there was only here and there a burning and shining light left to make the darkness risible. It is enough to say that many of its nn'nistcrs were genuine S'ocinians ; some of them were more than suspected to be tainted by the infidelity of David Hume; and multitudes of them were practically Infidels. I need scarcely say what was the state of religion among the people who were led by these blind guides. God in his wondcrfal and all-wise providence prepared tho .agents of an extra- ordinary revival of pure and undefiled religion, not amongst the clergy, but the laity. Among th most efTicient of these, were the brothers Kol)ert and James Ilaldano, who brought to tho service of the Lord, not only large pecuniary resour- ces, but, what was of far greater price, a singular devotion, heroic natures, in- domitable cnergyj superior endowments, and most ample and scriptui'al views of gospel truth. Both of them had entered the Iloyal Xavy. and bid fair to f )lIow in the footsteps of their distinguished uncle, the hero of Camperdown, when the lyord called them to forsake all and follow him. Cod had .about the same lime, though by separate means, called other men of kindred spirits from various con- ditions in life. These lovers of Christ were gradually made .icquainted with one another, and began to unite their efforts to do good. They were led ov.t from the humbler labors of the Sabbath School .nnd Tract distribution, to what the clergy denounced as " tho dangerous irregularity of lay preaching," ami gradually extended their sphere of evangelical labor from the city of Edinburgh to an itineracy which embraced the remotest portions of the country. Their occasional tours impressed them %vith the necessity of providing a more systematic means of continuing the good work ; and in 1798 "the Society for propagating the gospel at home " was formed in Edinburgh, consisting of Chris- tians of different denominations, and managed by a committee of twelve directors, all of them laymen. They stated their oljcct to be to make known the CIospc], without designing to form or extend the iTilluenco of any sect. The prosecution of the enterprise, and the earnest desire of the Ilaldanes and other members to follow the guidance of the Word of CJod, led to the formation of a church in Edinburgh, and subsequently to the organization of a congregational hody in Scotland. The same spirit of inquiry afterwards conducted the broth.crs and many of their associates to embrace Baptist principles. AVhen I became ac- quainted with them, they were Congrcgationalists j and tho above mentioned Society was sustained in connection with the Congregational body. Robert Ilaldane had for some time cherished the intention of devoting Fome portion of his fortune to th.e education of pious young men to preach tho gospel. The great difficulty which the Society experienced in procuring itinerants, and which the New Congregational churches found in obtaining suitable pastors, con- firmed his intention. At first, he thought of placing a few young men, for one year, under the tuition of Mr. Bogue, at Gosport, but circumstances, which I need not detail, led to the establishment of a Seminary in Scotland, under the 19 n;i(!nh^ht of the »:itioI hadjong tlie plr.ce of the •otest was silen- iiatos, and there kc the (hirkness uine Socinir.ns; flclity of David 'cd scurcoly f^ny by thfso blind nts of an cxtra- clfrjry, but the l)ert and James cnniarv rcsour- ■oic naturcSj in- iptiiral views of id fair to f )lIow lown, when t!ie , t!ie same lime, 3m various con- cqiiainted with 'f were led out bution. to what ircaoliinpr," ftnd )• of Edinburgh ntrv. roviding a more ' the Society for iisting of Chris- twelve diroctsrs, 5wn the (lospel, The prosecution ier members to of a church in ationa! Ijody in 10 brotb.crs and n I became ac- bovc mentioned ' devoting; FOire •each the gospel. ', itinerants, and b!c pastors, con- mg men. for one ^tancoSj which I land, under the caro of Dr. Innis and Mr. Kwlnj. which continued to be sustained by Mr. Ilal- dane'i? liberality from 1709 to 1808 ; during which it sent forth nearly CCO prcacliers. I extract from the memoir of the Ilaldanes on account of this Institution by Mr. I'vobi.'rt Kinnibnrg; and it.s fervicc to us in the outset of cur ellbrt, will bij a sufncient apology for it.s intro(hictioa. " The course of study gencTully extended over two years with a vacation of six weeks in cacli year, and embraced English Clr.uuniarand Khetoricjthc elements of Greek and Hebrew — the last three classes had Latin in addition — !ectu,\\; on Systematic Theology and essays on pre^-cribed subjects. Each student m rotation delivered sermons before the class, the tutor making his remarks. One day in each week, all were required to speak in rotation from a passage of Scrip- ture appointed for that purpose, the tutor making concluding observations. The students were supported, liad medical attendance when needed, their education and class books were given them, and they had access to a large and well select- ed library, all at the expense of Mr. Kobert Ilaldanc. Although inconsequence of the large demand for laborers, tlic young men were sent out with more meagre attainments, than would have been proper in other circumstances, ytt among t'lcm there were very many who would liave done honor to any of tlie religious bodies of the day." Dr. Slrutliers speaking of these seminaries* says: " Among the ^00 sent forth from these classes before they were altogether given up, there were some choice spirits, who, having got a start in learning, pushed on their private studies with vigor and obtained .success." This is quite correct. There were choice spirits amorig them, some of v\'hom subsequently made a' tain- mcnls in actual scholarsliip equal to and beyond the attainments of many who boast their University education ; while others of them, although they did not aspire to be erudite scholars, yet by diligent application rose to eminence as preachers and writers. Speaking generally, those sent out from the Seminaries were men I'cfitting the times in which Ihey lived. The}' were raised up in mercy to a perishing world ; and if they did not succeed in drawing multitudes to their chapels, it must be ascribed iu a great measure to the unbending principles which they ever maintained. Thus a succession of efficient preachers was secured on a plan adapted to the necessities of the times, and which provided for the supply of their wants, without piesenting any temptation to those to embark in the cause wliose avarice was greater than their zeal for doing good. It is gratifying to me to acknowledge my own indebtedness to tlie noble libe- rality of Mr. Ilaldane, for a "participation in the benefits of this seminary, and for the means of a more extended course of study in the University of Edinburgh at a time when it was my privilege to cfTer my services as a missionary to tlie East Indies. Jly personal knowledge would enable me to present a more extend- ed view of the course of studies, and to do justice to the ability of the teachers one of whom, the venerable Dr. Innes, still survives; but the above account is sufficiently exact for my present purpose. . I have observed that the difficulty which '' The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel at Home" experienced in finding missionaries, urged on the establish- ment of the seminary j and the account of the seminary will show to what ex- tent it met the exigency. But I wish to point out another feature in the recip- do im t ill I- rocal services of those institutions. The students in the seminary were employed to teach in ikstituto places, n.s occasion ollevcd } and as an iUustration of the ad- vantages of this policy, I may be excused when I state that my own visits to a village in the neighborhood of Glasgow, during the last year of my studies, led to the formation of a Congregational church there, which, I may further state, I was rejoiced to find, on a visit to my native land, sixteen years ago, had, like myself, embraced baptist principles. By this means the students became to some extent known among the vacant churches and stations. Applications were made by these churches for preachers, and frequently for a particular individual, who had becomt; known to them during his "- great sacrifices ;nny of an aged little differences cts of an eternal s blessing of fra- :crably precious. S I would cncourago no indiHlrcncc to purity and no laxity of principle ; but as a j^cncral thing, the more earnest we are in the pin-suit of the great object, the less arc these endangered. And when we think of destitute churches, and whole settlements, without a preached gospel, what are individual preferences or per- sonal opinions? It has sometimes been alleged that worldly men can htirmonizo more perfectly in the prosecution of secular interests, than the i)rofessed people of CJod can in the advancement of the work of salvation. To whatever extent this may be true, surely no man will pretend that it arises fiom the greater meekness forbearance, and love of worldly men — it is because each n>an\s sense of personal interest in the result, overcomes the force of personal feeling in the prosecution of it. But amongst the people of Clod, in the pursuit of an evangel- ical enterprise, there is no personal interest to counteract the personal feeling. The object is a disinterested one, and. unless grace reigns to the extinction of self-will tin object may be lost sight of in the conllict of opinion, even on trilling details. The remedy, over and above the general cultivation of a meek and quiet .spirit, is to be found in a more elevated view of the object to bo attained, a more lively interest in it, and a single-hearted aim towards it, in accordance with the supreme will of the Lord. All of us have seen, in times of revival, how speedily a holy enthusiasm for the glory of Clod and the salvation of souls, sweeps away the last vestiges of old dinbrcnccs and alienation. The Baptist body in Canada is comprised parti}', of those who have been members of Baptist churches in the British Isles and in the United iStatcs ; partly, of those who have been members of other churches in these countries ; and partly of those who have been brought to a knowledge of t^'^ Saviour and have been baptized in Canada. Apart from the grace of Cod, harmonious coop- eration on the part of such a body of men might seem next to impossible, under any circumstances, it will demand much mutual forbearance. One thing is consolatory — whatever differences there may be in manners and customs, tlicrc is " one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one bapti-m,onG Cod and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in you all." This essential unity underlies all con- ventional diversities ; and should not only bo an argument for mutual forbear- ance, but furnishes a good ground for hope that cordial cooperation will be ulti- mately secured. When you coma together for the .ittalnmcnt cf common ends, bear in mind the great things in which you arc one / and then take it for granted that it will he impossible to assimilate the operations of the body in Canada to the opera- tions of any one body of Christians elsewhere. With your minds settled in the doctrine and discipline of the New Testament, each of you must be prepared to forego everything but your principles. Take the peculiar circumstances in which you are placed into account, and then without an abject captivity to customs on the one hand, and without an affectation of novelty on the other, freeing your- selves from all fancied infallibility or superiority, in the spirit of a sound mind, aim at the decision of every question on its own merits. Above all, let love pervade all your counsels. In the absence of love, matters of very small moment may occasion very great noise and contention ; so that in perusing the history of the professing church, 98 *{i [|i nni (p.«:pecia1!j tho history of its Pchfsras, wc Jiro C3nst.nnt!y forced to cxctafm, " Bt'hoM how grcnt a firo a small spr.rlc kindles ! '* On the other hand lovo Is not easily provokoih There is nn o1 joct of ilu union of ClirLstians Kufneiently important to warrant tho pacrifica of cverythinf; hut truth. Tho enemy nUvnys act" upon tho maxim, ^^dtrlfe and con'jucr/^ It should bo ours to act on tho opposite maxim, ^hnu'nn Inrinciblc,^^ CkiUivato Christian sympathy. And hy tliis T mean, not only Kvmpnthy In tho trnth where you are ahoady agreed, but sympathy for mutual innnnities; bear- ing one another's burdens, having compassion one of another. Xor I mcnn only ith tlio church private grief, vc thcc," Or isoled by the ; to fiivor her, glows in the tv or distract it of j^cnuino (! collisions in which is cm often )nit an vcar. While, grace — a truo iciliatory, and he Ba|.l'.sts in lo than those ;tian zeal and c to Christian n, whose spir- the aspect of tcnsivcly pre- iJ means, you • of your pres- md. not only is entrusted to jricncc among liberality ; so ne Missionary slied with the )ortant points ssionavies and st Missionary the churches ; ling the great comparative- ly limited as its operations have been, It has already found it as dilTlcuIt to find laborers as to find means for tlicir .support. Tliia I presume was partly the oc- casion of the clfurt in behalf of niiniati;rial education which called me nmon.:you. You have arrived at a similar point In your cvati'^flical cifort, as in the rase above cited Mr. llaldane and his sissociatcs found in their endeavors to overtake the destitution which surroinided them, when he thought it necessary to provide means for the cducatioa of the young men rh^iu he wislicd to employ a.: preach- ers of the gospel. AN UHEDtJCATEB MINISTRY. Let mc take occasion to point out the extent to which I consider the one Tn- stitution as necessary to the other. I would lend no countenance to the notion that a regular education in a college or a theological school is an indispensable qualification for the work of the ministry. Nor would I for a moment enter- tain the thought, that a missionary society sliould sustain no other laborers than those who are so trained. It will bo a dark day for our Baptist churches when «such notions gain currency among thcrn. There is no amount of scholarship, and no endowments of genius too great to be presented as an humble offering to the service of the church ; and in that service, learning and genius will find ample Ecopc. But it does seem a singular infatuation and a daring presumption, to fix upon a standard of qualification for the ministry, dilTerent from that determined by the word of God, and which would have excluded nearly all the apostles and their fellow-laborers. Such a policy is inconsistent with the procedure of him who has called not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. But hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ; the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty, and base things of the world, and things that are dci-piscd, and things that arc not, to bring to nought things that arc ; that no flesh should glory in his presence. We might anticipate, what will be found to be the case, that, when such a standard has been established, the ministry as a whole, has lost in spirituality all that has been gained in outv.-ard accomplishments. The most able and godly ministers of churches that have suRered from this cause, have been tlie fore- most to acknowledge the important services of devoted ministers, who have been sneered at as illiterate and clownish. As an example of these testimonies to the usefulness of unlearned men. I quote a paragraph from a popular work by a dis- tinguished minister of the church of England, and follow it up by a quotation from an address by the president of a New England Theological school. The former says: " We bless (lod for the names of a Captain Scott and a Captain Joss ; for captains may have tongues and brains and grace, as well as doctors ; and men of inferior rank in the same line, if not superior, have been c(iual to them in a v>-ise conduct, a lioly vralk and extended uscfulne:-s in the ministry of the word. Others also shall I mention, stone masons, butchers, tail- ors, shop-keepers and shoemakers, and a certain tinker, who lived a century and a half ago, (the llight Reverend Bishop Bunyan, the apostle of Cambridge- shire and Bedfordshire, and, though a Baptist, admitted all to communion with him whom he believed to be children of God) all ot whom gave evidence that ^ 24 grace, good sense and knowledge of the word of Clod may so far possess the minds of plain mechanics, as to render them abnndantlj^ useful." The latter sa)'S, " The notion that a certain amount and a certain form of ed- ucation is an essential condition of usefulness is disproved not onl}^ by the whole history of the American Laptists but still more emphatically by the more extend- ed history of the English Dissenters. Among the thousands of names enrolled among the graduates of Cambridge and Oxford, how few will flourish till the world shall end with so fragrant a savor as the names of the imperfectly and partially educated Baxter, TJoddridgc and Xcwton ; or to con0.nc ourselves to our own denomination, how does the long list of mighty Avorthies who adorn every page of its history laugh at the narrow idea that the master minds of the world have all been stretched on the bed of Procrustes ? Bunyan, Booth, McLean, Faw- cett. Robert Hall, sen., Pierce, SutcliiTe, Fuller, Carey, AVard, :\Iarshman, Cham- berlain, Yates, Iviiuey, Steadman, John Foster ! ^Y\mt would Baptist history or the world's history be without these men and their labors." Those who make these candid admissions »vill not be understood as in any sense becoming the apologists of ignorance and sloth. For we could furnish no better proofs that the higiiest attainments in solid and scriptural information, are consistent with the humblest station and the most limited opportunities, than the names mentioned in these passages. However, ample the evidence whicli the his- tory of the church furnishes, that God can use men devoid of %vhat, in a worldly sense, is called learning, there cannot be found, either in sacred or profane histo- . ry, a particle of countenance to the idea that a m^n devoid of scrip- tural and experimental learning, and yet too slothful to acquire either, can be an able minister of the New Testament and a succssful teacher of the disciples of Christ. These men, as well as many kindred spirits in the United States, Baldwin, Gano, John 'AVilliams, r)achus, Case, (iu.-tavus, F. Davis, Nathaniel Kendrick, John Dcciccr, Alfred Bennett, and other '• unedu- cated " men, whose successful ministrations have spread our principles over this continent, were not only strong minded and devoted, but their thorough acquain- tance with the Scriptures would have shained many learned doctors. No man does so great injustice to their memories as he who pleads the blessings wliich crowned their labors as a justification of his neglect to study the word of God earnestly, accurately, and prayerfully. The institution of a Theological School among you w-ill have no tendency to depieciate the labors of such men. No Baptist Missionary' Society can ever afford to overlook them. But after all of these, whom God has given you, are established in their proper fields of labor, there will be urgent occasion to pray to the Lord of the Harvest, that he will send forth laborers into His har- vest. There is no class of men who better understand the utility of a Theological Institute than the class of whom I speak. Look over the names above men- tioned of American ministers, and you will see that it includes the fathers and fosterers of ministerial education among us. Among the originators of the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York was Nathaniel Kendrick. John Williams, by whom I was baptized, and whose memory T cherish with tenderness, was. to the last of his useful life, an efllcieut promoter of the cause of Jt-" issess the minds ain form of ed- y by the whole 10 more oxtcnd- names enrolled lourish till the 111 per fee tly Jind )urselvcs to our 10 adorn every ds of the world , McLean, Faw- rshman, Chara- liaptist history tood as in any uld furnish no nformation, are inities, than the B which the his- atj in a worldly ' profane histo- evoid of scrip- acquire either, ^cssful teacher id spirits in the , Gustuvus, F. other '■ unedu- iciplcs over this )rougli acqnain- ;tors. No man blessings wliich le word of God no tendency to jciety can ever has given you, ;cnt occasion to •s into His har- of a Theological les above men- the fathers and iginators of the lanicl Kendrick. ! T cherish with r of the cause of 25 ministerial education. '* His own case affords a strong instance of the truth that the I Head of the church often gives to intellect and piety the success and graces which lie denies to mere human learning, but he was never encouraged by suc- cess to act upon the principle of making himself a blockhead in tlic hope that God would make him an apostle." You will find in Canada that your college will have no warmer advocates and promoters than the most devoted of your " uneducated" ministers. Their remembrance of all their own struggles, and of the disadvantages against which they have held on their course of self-denying toil, will prompt their enthusiastic support of an instrumentality which promises to smooth the path of their successors and extend their useful- ness. But over and above any advantage to be gained in the increased cfhciency of those who are called to the ministry, it is evident that such an Institution is urgently needed, to call forth and to forward a supply of laborers adequate to the increasing demand; and to this also those now engaged in the work arc intensely alive. NEED OF A THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL. There arc numbers of young men scattered through your churches, as I can testify from actual knowledge, who are panting for opportunities of usefulness in the wide field that is spread out at your feet, white for the harvest. Their spirits are oppressed by a sense of the religious necessities of their country, and by a sense of their own lack of the scriptural (T say not literary) attainments, which would qualify them for the work of the ministry. The question for you to determine is, whether the facilities of a Theological school shall be afforded them, or whether they shall be left to struggle on, with a desire which they cannot suppress, amid the distractions and toils of ordinary avocations, with a very remote hope of being enabled, with impaired powers, unsuitable habits, and meager attainments, to consecrate a brief remnant of life to a service for which the whole of life seems so short. If they are left to struggle on unaided, past experience teaches us that, where death does not cut it short, the desire, after years of disappointment, will, in many cases, be stifled, and in others the entanglements of domestic and business life will compel its abandonment. It may be that some of your own hearts can bitterly testify to the truth of this remark. Were there no other consideration, the saving of time in the preparation for active usefulness would be a vastly important one to plead on behalf of such institutions. The demand for laborers is urgent — death will not delay his strokes till they arrive — opportunities will not remain unchanged. Who of us can say what in a few years will be the condition of the field which is now so inviting? All of us know that delay in evangelical enterprise is not only a loss I of time, but that it leaves the field in a more unpropitious state. It is with the character of a people as it is with the character of an individual — there is no stationary point : it is either advancing or retrograding. Every day's neglect multiplies and strengthens the elements of irreligion and the obstacles to truth. If the field is not cultivated, noxious weeds arc propagating. But there are other considerations. There is a saving of power as well as of time, which, if not used in the service of the church, will be expended on other objects. If young men are left to struggle on unaided, there is not merely but ff# ' 'if- PP i"'' .26 a brief remnant of existence to bo devoted to the work, but the faculties which are at length brought to it are impaired, A man ivho enters the ministry in the prime of lifc. and another who delays till its decline, arc VGTy difTerently prepnrcdto bear the burden and heat of the day j and how different is the latter at fifty years of ago, from what he would have been had the preceding twenty- five years of his life been spent in improving his gifts and gaining knowledge and experience in his proper office, instead of having been spent on a farm or in the workshop or counting house. We all know at how great disadvantage a man in later life turns from one calling to jwiother. There may be instances in which men of extraordinary ver- satility have done so successfully, but they are no few that, as a general rule. we should consider it unwise to make the attempt. Now whatever wonders God's grace may effect, in fitting his servants for their work, we know that He does not miraculously make old men young, nor in any respect reverse the laws of our physical and intellectual nature. While, therefore, we sedulously guard against any disposition to direct young men to the ministry as a profession, and set our fiices like a flint against the impious design of encouraging any who have Dot given the clearest evidence of a gracious character and a call of God, to enter on any course of education which has the ministry in view ; let us exercise proper wisdom and prudence in husbanding the resources, cherishing the gifts, and cultivating the talents v,'hich God has conferred on the church, for the vrork of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. There is one consideration in favor of such an Institution, which will be best appreciated by those who are actually in the ministry. An earnest ministry anywhere, but cspcciallj'- in a new country, will bo an active, toilsome ministry. Constant activity, public speaking, pastoral visitation, and " journcyings oft," in many instances break up habits of study which have been previously formed. They produce a dissipation of thought and an impatience of application, by which the necessary preparation for the exercises of the Lord's day are rendered irksome. If it be so when the habit of study has actually been formed, how improbable it is that the habit will be formed in the face of such distractions t No man who has not made the experiment, can understand how hard it is to acquire the power of sustained application, especially in advanced manhood. If it is to be done at all, it must bo uider the most favorable circumstances ; and if there were no other advantage in an attendance at a College or Seminary, the opportunity of forming studious haljits would be of incalculable value. Farther, in addition to the cultivation of thiS habit before entering on the activities of the pastoral office, it is of importance that a young minister's know- ledge should be reduced to order, and his views of divine truth matured, before he undertakes to teach ; otherwise the trumpet will give an uncertain sound. and the pi'eacher will be either vacillating or rash ; he will be embarrassed, and his people will lose confidence in him. He will find it also to be a very differ- ent thing to build upon a foundation of knowledge already laid, and to lay a foundation, amidst a thousand interruptions, and at moments snatched either from toil or sleep. Such moments may be improved for the former purpose—- for the latter they are almost worthless. In all this I have not alluded to the importance of elevating the standard of 27 cultics which i ministry in y diffLTently t is the latter ding twenty- g knowlcdgo a farm or in rns from one Drdinary ver- gencral rule, iver wonders :now that He crse the laws dously guard "ofession, and my who have God. to enter . us exercise ling the gifts, for tho work I will behest icst niinistry )me ministry, yings oft," in )usly formed, pplication, by ■ are rendered formed, how distractions t 7 hard it is to manhood. If istances; and kiuinary, the ilue, tcrinp; on the lister's know- atured, before crtain sound. )arrassed, and a very diffcr- and to lay a latched either iKT purpose — ,e standard of mini' tcrial attainments, both thcolo;:ical and literary. Yet this is univcr.cally felt. We do not reflect upon tho existing ministry when wo spink of this neces- sity; but point to the advancing intelligence of the age, and antinpatv- its future pro.cress. Looking only to the present, the low state of scriptural knowledge in the churches generally, intimates the necessity of improving the resources of their teachers, and fretiucnt changes in tho pastoral OiTiCC, which we all lament, points to the same necessity. I shonld be the last to advise any course which might scorn to cater to tho capricious, and I will add impious taste, which craves exciting novelty and mere rhetorical flourish in the pulpit ; or which might soem to countenance the policy of having ministers of the gospel wear the airs of mere men of the world out of the pulpit. Men who iiguro with equal grace in tho drawing-room aiid the puljiit, are commonly a disgrace to both. I behold with grief much in the pres- ent condition of all denominations, which seems to intimate that wo have fallen ttpon tho times when •♦ they will not endure sound doctrine : but after their own lusts heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." Yet wc must not close our eyes to the Hict. that the advancing intelligence of the people and the increasing l;\cilitics for the propagation both of truth and error, render it ncccs- .«^ary to seek a corresponding elevation of the attainments of those who are to be the 1 eligious teachers and preachers of the age. Not only higV»er literary quali- fications, but higher theological attainments are necessary for the edification of the churcli and the evangelization of men. The e:;traordinary activity of the press, which is so marked a peculiarity of this ^.ge. presents a two fold claim upon the ministry; they must cultivate their intelligence, if they would guide and edify the enlarged and quickened intellect ; and they must stand prepared to combat error universally diffused, in its sub- tilest form, and with accelerated force. Formerly, the progress of error was Flaw, and it was exposed, or its force was spent, before it reached the masses. Formcrlij, the assaults of infilclity on the truth could only affect a limited cir- cle ; and it was enough, if there were a few accomplislied defenders of thy faith, in high places and in .«eats of learning. But now, a humble prer-.cher of the gospel can scarcely fmd a remote handct, in which the' oppositions of .'Jcicnce, falsely so called, the quibbles of a deistical literature, and tb.c pretensions of a visionary philosophy, have not j^rcccdcd him ! And there is scarcely a mini>-tcr among us, who lias not been called upon to nnswcr for tho faith, in discussions which demanded a considerable acquaintance with science, history, and philoi?- ophy. The consequences of a minister's incompetency to grapple with tho specious oTjcctions of socialists and philosophists, are not limited to the oljectors, who may thereby bo confirmed in their delusions ; but the consequences of tl:c apparent triumph of scepticism are most disar,trous to the young and on D , L.L. D. Stephen AV. Tavlor, h.L. D. Itev. David N. yiielilon, D-D. Hev. .loelS. I^acon, 1).I>. Uev. Duncan U. Campbell, LL. D. J llev. f'ilas liailey, D.D. .1 Itev. Robert H.vlantl, A.M. * J llev. .Tolin L. Dagg, D.D. . i Rev. Nornrin N. Wooii, D.D. .1 Uev. John U. Whito, A. .M. Joseph n. Katon, L L. D. U.;v. Henry Talbira, .V. 51. Kev. Uufus C. Uurlcson, A.M. Rev. Tlowrtrd Malrom, D.D. I Rev. K S. Dulin, A.M. 1 lion. Iru Harris, LL. D., Chancellor. Uev. Geoiv'ii C ClwndkT, A.M. THEOLOGICAL INSimJTIONS. NAMB. Th<>nlog5ci\l Dopart. of? Mailison University, ^ Kew llatniitnn Theolo- } {•ical Seminary, .... S Newton Theologicalln- > stitution,.... S Jlercer Theological ( Seminary, S Furman Theological ^ Seminary, ^ Western Rapti.st Thuo- t logical lustitnte,-—. S Theological Uepartm't i Ilowanl College, .... S KaLima/.oa Theological Seminary, Rochester Theological Seminary, Fairmonnt Theological } Institution, \ FOUNDED. PLACE. 1820 lS2i 1S25 1833 1S35 1840 1S43 1845 1850 1851 SENIOR PHOFESSOR. Ilamilton, N.Y. Rov. George W. Eaton, D.D. Rev. Ely IJ. Smith, D.D. Uev. Henry J. Ripley, D.D. Rev. John L. Dagg, D.D. Rev. J. C. Furman, A M. Covington, Ky j Rev. Samuel W. Lyml, D.D. Rev. Henry TalbirJ. A.M. Rev. J. A, B. Stone, A.M. Rcv*- Thoma.s J, Couant, D.D. N'ew Hampton, N.U Newton Centre, Slass. .. Ponfield, Geo Oroenville, S. C Marion, Ala Kalamazoo, Mich Rochester, N.Y. ........ Cincinnati, 0. COURSE OF STUDY. L PBEPASATION. My reason for inserting these in an address to you, is, not to aid in the dcMb- erations of those who are to determine tlie course to be pur.^ued by students in your Institution, but to furnish you with some correct information regarding the nature of the work that is to be done in such a scliool. And though wc cannot now lay before you cither a proscribed or a proposed curricuhim, there are a few gcnci'al considerations which it may be profitable to revolve. You will observe that there are two great divisions of the whole subject of ministerial education : first, that which is properly considered preparatory- including the various departments of literary, scientific, and philosophical .study. With these we have not directly to do in our Institute, for it is probably a SIDENT. vl.inil. 1> I) , L.L. D. or. li.L. 1). U'lddii, D-D. t>t), 1)1). L'umiiboll, LT..D. , D.l). lUitU A.M. • Wood, D.D. [)ite, A. M. u L L. D. lira, A. M. urlcson, A.M. ilcom, D.D. , A.M. . LL. n., ClianccUor. uluii'lk-r, A.M. PHDFESSOR. Eaton, D.D. th, D.D. lipley, D.D. ,g5,D.D. lan, A M. , Lynd, DD. binl. A.M. oiici A.M. , Couant, D.D. aid in the dcMb- ed by students in nifition regarding And though wc curricuhim, there revolve. c whole subject of 'ed prcpar;itory — [lilosophical study. ir it is probably a as unanimo'.is deci.sion that the?© can be most advantageously prcsecuted in the general in.^titutions of the country ; which I tru.st will be wisely and liberally provided for by the state. Wc cannot determine on any absolute standard of- preparatory attainment, nor would it be cither wise to do so. or consistent with our views of the gospel ministry, if we could. The truth is that the highest pifti? and the most eminent scholarship may find scope in the service of the chtirch ; but neither the one nor the other appear in the authoritative statement of a Bi.shop'.s qualifications, which stands on our only statute book. We would, in a private capacity, recommend parents, when they have the means, and young men, when they have the opportunity, to extend as far as possible the advan- tages of education of the highest order ; but we ma}'' not, in any relation to the church of Christ, decree that any given amount of scholarship shall be an indijs- pcnsable condition of admission to a Theological School, or to the pastoral office. A certain amount of intelligence will indeed be necessary, before a man can properly be described as " apt to teach ;" bat that we are not to determine pre- vious to his admission to our school, n. THEOLOGICAL AND PASTOBAL. The second division is that which is more strictly theological and pastoral ; and the na? ratives given above, will .show you how extensive and various arc the studies which properly belong to it. If I were to say, that the grand source from which the materials of Theological Science rre to be drawn is the Holy Scripture, 1 should .«:ay nothing but what the Papist, as well as Protestants of every .school and sect alFirm. But in speaking of the great business of a Theo- logical School, as the actual study of the Word of God itself, I should probably contradict the practice of most Protestant as well as Papal Seminaries, where the common text-book is not the Bible, but some system of divinity suited to the views of the sect or the teacher, while the Bible is to be viewed chiefly through the medium of commentators and expositors who support the system. The consequence of such a course is the cultivation of bigotry, and the confirma- tion of prejudices and prepossessions which veil the truth. To this also must be traced the decay of scriptural knowledge among the people, whose teachers are not so much engaged in unfolding to them the Scriptures, as in enforcing the system in which they have been trained ; if they are not content with the lower aim of displaying, for the entertainment of their hearers, the accomplish- ments tliey have learned. " Is ClirLst an .ibler teacher than the schools 1 If Christ, then why resort at every turn To Athens or to Rome for wisdom short Of man's occasions, when in Ilim reside Grace, knowledge, comfort, an unfathomed Stored How oft when Paul hath served us with a text Hath Epictetus, Plato, Tully preached." In every Theological School, as in every church, the Bible should be the text book: and the students should be led to it directly, with the independent but humble view of being taught of God, and not of man. The impression, T know, has been cherished, that such a course would be unsafe, and must end in counl- 3 Ill f i * '^1 ■1 U less diversities of sentiment, if not in the utter bewilderment of the young en- quirer, anJ ultimate skepticism. Are they Protestants who cherish^ such a •sentiment 1 or only Papists under another name, and owning allegiance to another master 1 What a reflection is implied in such a sentiment against the wisdom and goodness of the Cod of the Bible I and what a contradiction, more- over, of the claims of the Bible itself, which represents itself as enlightening the eyes and making wise the simple; which not only invites but enjoms the search of all, and which encourages us, as new-born babes, to desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. One thing is very evident, if God has not succeeded in making himself understood, the eiForts of learned men have not 'fereatly improved on the original obscurity, if we may judge by the ponderous and widely conflicting expositions, which arc still continmng to accu- mulate in our libraries. v », 4 i>.« On this point, let me make a quotation from a learned and accomplished Pro- fcssor of Theology of the last century. . .. x% * t,- "Pvica havin- been to visit the library of a French convent, writes thus to his friend in Persia concerning what had passed -.-Father, said I to the M'J^^nan, what are these huge volumes which fill the whole side of the library 7 Ihese said ho are the Interpreters of the Scriptures. There is a prodigious number of them replied I ; the Scriptures must have been very dark formerly and very clear 'at present. Do there still remain any doubts ? Are there now any points contested? Are there 7 answered he with surprise, arc there ? There arc almost as many as there are lines. You astonish me, said I, what then have all these authors been doing? These authors, returned he, never searched the Scriptures for what ought to be believed, but for what they did believe themselves. They did not consider them as a book, wherein were contained the doctrines which they ought to receive, but as a work which might be made to authorize their own ideas. For this reason they have corrupted all the meanings, and have put every passage to the torture, to make it speak their own sense. 'Tis a country wherein people of all sects make invasions and go for pillage j it is a Held of battle where, when hostile nations meet, they engage, attack and skirmish, in a thousand different ways." . . *t, wt I press these considerations, not merely in justification of my position that the word of God should be the text book, and the study of it the great business of a Theological School; but also with a view to disabuse your minds of the idea, that human learning, or the assistance of notes and commentaries, arc necessary to the every.day study of the word of God. True learning is useful—and wo are in no danger of having it in excess either in our schools or our pulpits ; but it is not necessary either to the general understanding of Scripture, or the know- ledge of the great truths of revelation. These, in all their majesty and precious- ness, with all their elevating, comforting, sanctifymg and saving power, lie open to the prayerful enquiry of the humblest Christian. Learning is important to the church, chiefly for the defence of truth against the cavils of worldly wis- dom; and for such an appreciation of all the sentiments of the inspired writers, as a familiarity with their language and idiom may afford. The word of God itself then, I repeat, should be the great theme of study in your Institution. The business of the instructor will be frst to teach the cor- I 05 the young cu* cherish such a g allegiance to ont against the •ailiction, morc- as enlightening but enjoins tho sire the sincere very evident, if of learned men ly judge by tho tiuuing to accu* iomplishcd Pro- rites thus to his to the librarian, brary 7 These, i^ious number of merly and very now any points luTc arc almost 1 have all these d the Scriptures imselves. They doctrines which authorize their gs, and have put 'lis a country ; it is a Held of ,d skirmish, in a position that the 2at business of a nds of the idea, ics, arc necessary useful — and we )ur pulpits ; but ire, or the know- sty and precious- aving power, lie ning is important ; of worldly wis- inspired writers, licme of study in to teach the cor- rect principles of interpretation, and to put the student in the possession of such aids to nndej'standing the iScriptures, as are to bo derived fjom sacred history and biblical philology ; and ///en. to guide hlin in the art of expounding and cnH^rcing the Scriptures as a teacher of others, I would not overlook the importance of systematizing the truth we acquire, in order both to tho advance- ment of our knowledge and our use of it ; but the best service we can render the student in this respect, is to teach him to systematize, instead of teaching him a system. The following suggestions on this point, communicated, at my request, by the Rev. O. B. Judd, are worthy of careful consideration. "In all the Theological Institutions of this and other countries there is but little variation in the Course of iStudies, or the plan on which tliey are prosecuted ; and it would be presumptuous for any one man, especially for one of limited ex- perience, to suggest a material alteration ; as such changes, in what has been so uniformly sanctioned by the most matured wisdom and experience of ages gone are never to be admitted but with the greatest caution. Nevertheless, it is not to be supposed that our schools have reached the acme of perfection in this par- ticular feature, so as to be incapable of further improvement ; or that there may not be some radical defect in the order and method of their studies, which nothing short of a positive innovation can remedy. Having noted several ideas on this sulyect, as they occurred to me from my own experience and observation, I will cheerfully comply with your request, and communicate one or vwo of the most important, submitting them to the disposal of your own superior wisdom. The Bible has been by some caviller, compared to a musical instrument, on which the master can play any one of a hundred different tunes at pleasure. And this comparison, though unjust and false, in the use made of it by the infidel, is yet truthful in tho exhibition of a real and important feature of the Sacred Wi-itings ; since they are so constructed that, while all the different parts, taken in their connexion, form one harmonious whole, isolated passages may be so speciously cited as to afford plausible proof-texts in support of the most varied and even contradictory dogmas. In view of this characteristic feature of the Holy Scriptures, and the evil use which is made of it by infidels, sectarians, and crrorists of every description, great importance should be attached, not only to sound princijiles of biblical interpretation, but also to the method in which those principles are to be applied. For whenever an crrorist is allowed first to set forth a false doctrine, and then to sustain his assumptions by the citation of certain passages of Scripture as proof-texts, the true meaning of the Divine Word suffers violence, from which the soundest principles of interpretation cannot save it. And so long as the orthodox are accustomed io teach Theology after this method, the same liberty will be looked upon as fairly accorded to the advocates of error. Indeed, apart from this evil, the most orthodox incur a great disadvantage by such a method ; since the proper meaning of passages so cited in support of the truth itself is so liable to be mistaken, and consequently unsatisfactory. Would it not be better, therefore, that students for the Christian ministry should devote little or no time, during the limited space allotted for instruction u \ -t . 36 in the Seminary, to what is technically called Dogmatie T]>eolop;y, excnpt as he led e weltleilne.l doctrines from the Scriptures hy the.r own consecut.. V station and critical exposition of the inspired vohnne assisted, of conr y a on^petent Proa.Hor in this department? It is a notorious and unden.ab flct t .at as a general thin., the graduates of our Theological Schools are tnorc hovSlv re:d in some •' Hody of Divinity," a theory or system ot uunan das- ificati;. and construction, than they are in the Oracles of ^^^^J^^^^ sequence is, that they arc Calvinists or Armm.ans, Truntar ans or A nans, pSnari'ans or Socinians, etc., etc., according ^o the - -olm wluch they tudied, th. 'Body of Divinity" that they used, and the Doctor ot hcology >^ho u^.t'them. Tll^ycan preach with distinguished ";.'>l'ty, ^ tale,Ue o^^^^^^^^^^ of the doctrmes embraced in their system-" Systematic 1 hcology "-hut when cll led on to expound some precious portion of (iod's Holy AVord, they are more Lquently confused, and sometitnes utterly confounded ; because, a cons.derablo portion of their time having been devoted to Dogmatic or Systematic J iieology, the principles of biblical interpretation are but imperfectly understood and their practical application is confined to a few select portions of the d and the New Testament. The disadvantage of this is greatly enhanced by the circumstance that most theological students, when they leave the Seminary, arc not furnished with those helps, which are absolutely essential to an advantageous prosecution of their studies in sacred philology and biblical interpretation. It is much easier to become familiar with Ecclesiastical History and Dogmatic Theology, apart from Theological Professors and the Library of a public Institution, than it is to make much head-way in the sciences of biblical criticism, independent of all such advantages. Let the student be furnished with all the historical and geographical know- ledge that is essential to a thorough understanding of the sacred writings, and with all the principles to be employed in their interpretation ; then put him directly into the exposition of the Scriptures in their completeness and proper connexion, with such critical helps from books and teachers as may be needful, and he will be most likely to develop all the doctrines and duties revealed m the Book of God for the knowledge and use of man ; he will be thus most thoroughly "grounded in the truth," free from the trammels of any mere human system, and most secure against all subsequent invasions of error. That the Course of Studies in our best Theological Institutions is defective in this respect, cannot be reasonably denied ; though it may, perhaps with more reason, be doubted whether any material change can be safdy made to improve them. ' It is much easier, I know, to detect deficiencies than it is to supply thorn ; to point out errors than to correct them. And hence it is sometimes better to cover up blemishes which cannot be removed. But trusting that a suggestion from me on this subject will be at least harmless, I have ventuied to gay 'thus much, in the hope that it may be, by the blessing of God, in some way beneficial." The extent to which the course of instruction shall extend in the contemplated institution, must be accommodated to circumstances. I suppose it will necessa- rily, in the first instances be more limited, and be gradually expanded as the 37 gy, cxcppt as vn oonsccutivo toil, of cotirsc, iiul iindoniablo lools are more ot* hunian clas- And the con* ms or Arians, in which they Theology who vlcnlcd, on any ry" — l)ut when , they are more I a considerable natic Theology, 4oo(l, and their Id and the New lie circnmstancc '0 not furnished ous prosecution t is much easier Theology, apart ion, than it is to iident of all such graphical know- d writiiiga, and ; then put him ness and proper may be needful, 3 revealed in the most thoroughly ; human system, ns is defective in :'hap.s with more made to improve L it is to supply e it is sometimes t trusting that a have ventuied to Jod, in some way the contemplated se it will necessa- expanded as the qualification of students anranches, which would not rank so high as the preparatory studies of a strictly Theological course. Wo must, in fac't, not only in the commencement, but in the progress of our Institution, include, in our arrangements, provision for a class of students, whose age and circumstances render it unavoidable, that they must either enter the ministry without a classical education or not at all. This is not so serious a drawback as might at first sight .ceem, or as somo Pedants would be disposed to represent it ; for it is a fact which need not be disguised, lh:\t a large portion of the ministry, in those churches which require what is called a classical education, as an indispensaldc preliminary to the study of Theology, have no knowledge of the dead languages, which is of the smallest practical use to them ; except as a reputation for ac(iuirements which they do not possess, may serve their purpose. Instead of si)ending precious ihnc in earn- ing such a worthless reputation, our students will be better employed in acqui- ring a correct and fluent use of their own tongue, and a general knowledge which will place them, in that respect, on a level with the most intelligent of their congregations, when they enter the ministry. This may bo prosecuted contem- poraneously with studies which belong more properly to the Institution. Another class of students will come to us with a partial knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages; and our arrangements must include provision for their advancement in these studies, and for their introduction to an acquaintance with the Hebrew and Chaldce. This may be done in connection with other studies, and especially with the study of Biblical interpretation— the standard of scholarship being gradually elevated as the course is extended. Both of these classes must be introduced to the study of ^lental Thilosophy. I do not add Ethics, because I would derive Christian I^.thics, as well as Theolo- gy from the Scriptures diiectly. The study of iMental Philosophy, of History, and other branches, will afford the most favorable opportunities for exercises in English composition. But I need not dwell on particulars in this address. Enough probably has been said to indicate the general course to be pursued : enough has been said also to satisfy you that, should the period of study in the commencement be limited to two or three years, there will be work enough for both teachers and students. FORMATION OF A LIBRARY. Connected with the present efibrt to endow a Theological School of the denomination in Canada, and in perfect consistency with it, would be the forma- tion of a library. This object should be kept steadily in view, both because of its practicability and obvious use, and as not conflicting with the other. Aside from all that can be accomi)lished by yourselves, I speak not unadvisedly when I say, that there are many brethren in the United States who have both 3S r * the disposition and the al.ility to aid in this related undertaking. X r could the beneficence of those upon whom God has devolved the responsibility of riches be better employed, or seemingly mo -o under the guidance of provident wisdom, than in the establishment of a library consecrated to the highest inter- ests of mankind. It is difficult to imagine an investment of private liberality at once so perma- nent, so productive, and so exempt from the liability to perversion. At the period when as yet no plan had been adopted in reference to the munificent bequest of Smithson to the government of the United States, " for the increase and diffusioli of knowledge among men," many of the wisest men in our public councils contended that the whole fund should be appropriated to the establish- ment of a Library, as a mode of investment less liable than any other to waste or perversion, and best adapted to accomplish, for generation after generation, the benevolent design of the testator. Libraries, embodying merely the secular knowledge of an age or nation, arc copious and perennial fountains of its civilization and progress ; for civilization has its origin in the confluence of intelligence, and in written authorities alone can the latter be so preserved as to afford a perpctunl and augmenting supply. Printed books have created the grand distinction between the recent and the remote ages of the world ; and that distinction is the impossibility, humanly speaking, of any future retrogradation into the ignorance of the past. Unlike the manuscript collections of ancient nations, vast as they were, and replete, no doubt, with knowledge transmitted from the earliest times, the treasures of our printed libraries may be deemed too imperishable in their numbers and facilities of reduplication, to be irreparably lost. In their modern multiplication and more durable form, all valuable contributions to knowledge and religion are certain to become the heir-looms of future generations. It is another and more immediate inceiitive to united pecuniary efforts for such permanent objects, that nearly all the great collegiate libraries of this country, with many others of a still more public character, and all the incalcu- lable good they have done, from their origin to the present period, may be traced to some single act of private liberality. Even that of Harvard, with its eighty thousand volumes, disdains not to acknowledge this origin. That of Yale, now numbering nearly sixty thousand volumes, commenced with its forty folios, the joint contribution of ten clergymen of the colony of Connecticut, assembled at New Haven. That of Brown University, in Rhode Island, aug- mented, about twenty years since, by private subscriptions, amounting to twentj'- five thousand dollars, and already containing more than thirty-two thousand volumes, within a beautiful Doric structure, having the reputation of being one of the best selected and most valuable libraries in the country, commenced with a donation of twenty pounds. Indeed, of the four hundred collegiate and other public libraries now established ?ind flourishing in the United States, at least three-fourths have sprung from private liberality. An exauiinatiou of the history of many of the cekbrated Libraries of Crcat Britain would disclose similar results. Of 435,000 volumes in the British Mu- seum, more than 250.000 were presented. There is much that is curious and interesting connected with the Librar}'- in «« g. N r could isponsibility of 3 of provident ! highest inter- )nce so perma- rsion. At the ;hc munificent ar the increase 1 in our public » the establish- other to waste 'tcr generation, or nation, are civilization has is alone can the pply. Printed he remote ages leaking, of any lie manuscript 10 doubt, with of our printed ad facilities of ation and nioro on arc certain liary efforts for brarics of this dl the incalcu- pcriod, may be irvard, with its rigin. That of :1 with its forty of Connecticut, de Island, aug- itiug to twent}'- '-two thousand )n of being one smmcnccd with i'iato and other States, at least iraries of Crcat the British jNIu- the Librar}^ in M 39 the University of Glasgow, commenced in 1475. ana embracing among its many thousand volumes so many beautiful editions of the classics, and containing such a number of valuable manuscripts. Yet, after all, its history will be found to bo little else than " a register of the successive donations by which it has been formed." Among its first benefactors was George Buchanan, who gave it a do- nation of twenty volumes. At no previous period could libraries be formed under auspices so favorable as the present. Bibliography has become one of the most mature of the eco- nomic sciences. Every known book in the world, of practical and marketable value, is readily found in the great catalogues, marked at its maximum price; and although the cost of old editions of works, in theology especially, has increased rather than diminished, yet others more compendious, containing the substantial portions of many within the smaller dimensions of a few, are ob- tainable at prices which render the formation of a modern library, numerically more extensive, and intrinsically richer in its contents, than one of equal cost in other times, an undertaking of comparative facility. The religion we profess is not a system of imperious dogmas, but of enlight- ened truths and convictions which, so far from apprehending a collision between the works and the word of the Creator, rejoices in the growing intelligence which so powerfully contributes to the harmonious interpretation of both. And what a fountain of ennobling wisdom and virtue does a modern Theological Library thus become ! By it successive generations of students are influenced, who influence others in their turn, but like that mystic mineral, whose properties were not unknown to the ancient world, which imparts its active forces to a thousand magnets, which yet again can impart them to a thousand others with- out impairing the inherent power of supply. EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENTS. There is another point on which I must touch in passing. I shall take it for granted, that the leisure and the vacation of the students will be filled up with evangelical labors ; I take this for granted for two reasons. 1st. If the character of our students be such as I am persuaded it will be, and as I know it ought to be, they will not consent to even two years of silence and inactivity. 2d. Preaching is an essential part of the education of a preacher. Men do not, in any other calling, teach an art without the practice of it, and expect the learner to come out a proficient. But it becomes an important question, how- much of the brief period of their student life shall be spent in active labor. Without determining the question, I would suggest that such provision should be made for their support as would enable thei . to spend by far the greater portion of the year at their studies ; and this, not only because the period is at the best too brief, but also because the opportunity of studying with the least possible interruption, greatly increases its advantages. From this last consideration it will appear to you, that the Theological school demands more at your hands, than that you should simply provide an endow- ment for its chairs and a library and other apparatus for its use. "We should not regard it as desirable, if the amplest means were at its disposal, that it should bo separated from a pecuniary dependence on the churches, at least to the extent of 40 jl "1 the support of such students as may need aid ia the prosecution of their course. Such a dependence will liavo a salutary influence on faculty and students, and upon the churches themselves. It will serve as a certain stimulus to the former and keep them in sympathy with the churches. It will keep the sympathies of the churches with the Institution, in lively exercise, call forth their Christian benevolence, maintain their interest in the great object of the enterprise, and establish a closer relation between them and the ministry who shall issue from the School. Some system of contiibutions to ministerial education should, therefore, from the first, be adopted ; and young men of suitable gifts should be eucouragcfl, by the assurance that the way to the attainment of a suitable edu- cation is open to them, without any unnecessary embarrassment, and without the hazard of their being involved in debt. The most favorable light in which to place this nrrangement is, not that a young man is made dependent on an eleemosynary grant, but that the churches, wheu ihey call him away from a secular employment, engage themselves to afibrd him a support and an education, ia return for which he gives up his time to them, during the two or three years of his course. The churches, or the Education Society acting for them, beconie virtually his employers, and it is then for them to say how much of his time should be spent at the seminary, and how much of it in actual service. Probably nine months' study and three months' activity would be a good division of the year ; but no period of study approach- ing that could be proposed, if the students are to be left to sustain themselves. You will not, of course, suppose that I advocate the payment of salaries to your students, which would present the student life as one of actual pecuniary gain. The sum allowed should be adjusted by a fair but close estimate of the actual expenses. For, while I would free the way to evangelical usefulness from unnecessary hindrances, and relieve the mind of the student from any sense of beggarly 1 pendence, by putting his relation to the society in the light of an employment, I would be far from desiring to make the path to the pulpit other than one of self-denial, and far, very far from making any thing relating- to the pastoral office wear a mercenary or secular aspect. It is already too much so ; and I should be glad that the word '• hire," and not only the word but the idea, were altogether banished from our ecclesiastical vocabulary. The pastor is not, or ought not to be, a man hired to do a given amount of work for a given amount of pay. He is a Christian, called of God and by the Church, to take the over- sight of the flock of God, not by constraint but willingly ; not for illtliy lucre^s sake, but of a ready mind. The church for whom he labors, considering; that they have called him away ■* \>iu oi lor methods of providing for himself and his household, will be bound a, re it^r of justice, and will rejoice as a matter of love and liberality, to minlstr c' .i necessities. If he sows unto them spiritual things, it is not a great thing " he reaps their carnal things j but it is not on either side a matter of bargain, .liJe or hire. As to those who are setting out upon a course of preparation for such an office, if they are not prepared to sacrifice and deny themselves, and to pi-efer a bare maintenance with the advantages of a Theological education, to the most lucrative and honorable station by which the world can tempt them, it will prove a blessing to the church that they are stopped on the threshold of a 41 of their course. (1 students, and lis to the former c sympathies of their Christian enterprise, and shall issue from ucation should, ? gifts should be a suitable cdu- nt, and without b Is, not that a at the churches, J themselves to ives up his time hurches, or the 'S, and it is then iiinary, and how i three months' study approach- in themselves, it of salaries to .ctual pecuniary estimate of the usefulness from m any sense of the light of an the pulpit other ; relating- to the Y too much so j ■rd but the idea, je pastor is not, a given amount ) take the ovcr- )V filtliy lucre's onsidering that himself and his as a matter of them spiritual 'ut it is not on ion for such an and to prefer a on, to the most )t them, it will J threshold of a course of misguided ambition. The proper attitude of tlie candidate for the min- istry, is, that he should be prepared to endure all hardship, as a good soldier of Christ, and to submit to any privations rather than not preach the gospel. Hut then, his Christian brethren should not be willing that he should bear all the burden of a common service ; and, as a mere (question of economy of resources, it is desirable for you that his time should not be occupied, and that his thoughts should not be distracted from his studies by care for a subsistence, RELIGIOUS CHASACTEE-THE BIBLE, I have entered so far into particulars in this address, not because I desire to exercise any influence or authority in the ultimate adjustment of your mode of ^^ operation, but because, the movement being a novel one in Canada, I am anxious that you should have your thoughts directed to the length and breadth of the enterprise, that you maj' see the importance of the objects to be attained, and ;|| anticipate the amount of earnest and sustained efibrt that will be demanded on your part, in order to their attainment. It would have been more agreeable to me to have dealt with the higher and more spiritual asp ts of the subject ; but the consideration of these every-day details seem, at this juncture, more needful for you, Wo must not, how :ver, lose sight of the higher bearings of the subject. An eflScient organization, ade(iuate machinery, thorough business management, and |§ judicious policy, are indeed important ; and if in any enterprise we need the wis- dom of the serpent, and the most mature fruits of talent and experience, it is in such undertakings as these. But how vain will all human policy prove, if not moved by the Spirit of God. governed by the wisdom which is from above, and crowned by the blessing which alone maketh rich. I can conceive of uo greater calamity than denominational Institutions standing in the wisdom of man, and controlled by cold, calculating men. whose councils differ, only in the nature of the interest discussed, from the negotiations of the counting-house, or the delibe- rations of a worldly corporation. Such ungodl}^ dealing with the things of God, will necessarily be followed by a blight on the souls of those who engage in it, which will gradually extend over the whole sphere of their operations. "Were it our object to build up the Baptist denomination as a well compacted and iuiluential corporation, and to secure a party triumph, the cool tact and talent ot such managers would be invaluable ; but since our object is spiritual and heavenly, we need rather the graces of the Spirit, love, faith, prayer, and dcvotedness. My chief object in this address, is to point you to the true object of our undertaking, with a single eye to God's glory, and in a spiritual frame. If my years may stand as my apology, I, who am an elder, exhort you indi- vidually and in your churches, " dtsire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby." I have spoken of the Bible as the text-book in our school. 1^ but it is not to be regarded as merely the foundation of Theology for the stu- dent and preacher— it is the aliment of spiritual life for all ; and the churches cannot be in health if they are content to take it at second hand from their teacher. You must all be taught of God. One manifest defect of this age of abundant profession, is the lack of scriptural knowledge. In Theological education, the Bible is superseded by systems. 42 There is even a jv'ulc spread disposition to tlcprcciate its authority, and tamper with its matter. But worse than any thing in the schools, is the neglect into which it has fallen among the people. You can scarcely have failed to notice this neglect in a new country, where everything discourages earnest study of the Word, and favors a superficial, though energetic piety, fitful in its efforts and uncertain in its results. The bulk of professors do not now feed on its doctrine, repose on its promise, and walk in its light. A thorough and familiar acquaintance with it is a rare attainment. As a natural consequence of this neglect, the prevailing tone of doctrine is as low as the sl'andard of piety. That which is the great burden of its doctrine, history, promises, and prophecy, "Christ and him crucified," does not occupy the place i^ the Church's teaching and the Christian's contemplation, which the intrinsic preciousncss of the truth and the prosperity of souls demand. While, then, I say, " Let the Word of God dwell in you richly," I add, lay hold with a firmer grasp upon a living and loving Saviour ; fix a steadier gaze on him " the Lord and our righteousness:" let all that he has done, is doing, and will do, be the theme of your praises and discourse ; and in your dealings with perishing men bring the cross into greater prominence— exhibit it as the onltj way of sal- vation. The influence of the Bible and the Cross needs to be more vigorously wrought out in the personal character and private life of professors. It is not an influ- ence only to be enjoyed and displayed in public ordinances and assemblies, but an influence to transform the whole man from glory to glory, and to pervade an everyday life, reaching into the sanctity of the domestic circle and the closet} or, rather, beginning in the heart, it extends to the closet, the domestic circle, until it reaches the public assembly. When Christians, walking in the Spirit, and exhibiting the image of Christ, come together with one accord, praying in the Spirit, it is soon known that the Lord is in Zion—God causes the light of His countenance to shine on them, and Ilis way is known in the earth. As you grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus (Christ— attainments which cannot be separated — your hearts will burn with love for the Church which Christ has purchased with his blood, and kindle with compassionate zeal for the salvation of men. The Home Missionary Society and the Theological Institute will be the appropriate organ of such a piety ; and, when they are so, we need have little fear for their pecuniary support, the har- mony of their counsels, and their efficient operation. With what spiritual power will they be endowed, if they represent the aggregate love and zeal of such churches — if the aficctions of such hearts minister to them — if the sanctified wisdom of such spirits guide them — and if from such hearts and spirits fervent and eflcctual prayer is constantly ascending in their behalf! This spirit and aim will determine the character of the men whom you will seek, and who will ofler themselves for the work which lies before you. Not the cold and listless, not the selfish and indolent, not the vain and ambitious ; but the humble, self-denying, earnest and devoted, will be attracted by sympathy or led to it by duty. It is not gifts only, but grace also that we need, in those who, through the training of the Seminary, are to be sent out on the labors of the Society. No splendid endowments or attainments can compensate us for a ,^ 43 and tamper leglect into ed to notice st study of its efforts • feed on its md familiar )ctrinc is as ts doctrine, not occupy , which the id. While, hold with a n him " the , will do, be ;h perishing way of sal- ;ly wrought lot an influ- jrablics, but to pervade \ the closctj cstic circle, 1 the Spirit, , praying in the light of th. Lviour Jesus I burn with kindle with Society and piety ; and, Drt, the har- ritual power :eal of such 10 sanctified irits fervent 3m you will •u. Not the jitious; but sympathy or edj in those be labors of sate us for a ,.^ lack of spirituality in the ministry j and, with this in view, you must not only see to the character of those who are sent to the Institute, but we must watch over the advancement of that character in the Institute. I regard it as a matter of groat moment that the youths, who shall be gathered into it, should be tho- roughly trained in the Bible, and well grounded in the truth as it is in Jesus ; that they should especially be made familiar with the plan of salvation through a crucified Saviour, and be prepared to preach it plainly and forcibly ; but with all this, I should regard it as a failure if that Institute shall not become a school of practical Christianity, where the doctrines studied shall become the means of the student's sanctification, and where Christ exhibited shall become the model upon which the character of the beholder ^hall be formed. The teachers and pupils must be bound together, and tlie pupils must be bound to one another by the closest ties of Christian brotherhood ; their associations must be carried up into the fellowship of Christ ; their meetings must be hallowed by praj'cr, and improved to the comfort and edification of their souls, so that the future minis- ters and missionaries of Canada may go forth, not onl}'' accomplished in knowl- edge, but strong in faith, ardent in love, adorned with all the graces of the Spirit, and equipped with the whole armor of God. Now all this, let me say, is not such an easy and natural result as it may seem. A student life is not without its temptations, from without and within ; and in order that our hopes and desires may be realised, let us all, from the first, be watchful over the spirit we breathe into our organization, and the atmosphere by which we surround it. And as it advances, let us continue to surroiuid it by our united supplications at a throne of grace, that those who are within, while they are enriching their minds with intellectual stores, may also be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man ; that Christ may ?lwell in their hearts by Hiith ; that they, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length,- and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passcth knowl- edge } that they may be filled with all the fullness of God. EICAPITTJIATION. Let me now pass in hasty review the considerations thus far submitted to you in this address, We have seen the promising condition of the Common Schools and Seminaries of Learning in Canada, and the exemplary efforts of other de- nominations to promote ministerial education. We have seen in contrast, the inactivity of Baptists, while their numbers, circumstances, and opportunities eminently demand their best endeavors. They are last where they ought to have been foremost. ^Ye have seen the uigent demand which the destitution of churches, and of the Province at large, presents upon your earnest and prayerful endeavors to send laborers into the fields white for the harvest. We have seen that you must furnish and forward these laborers from your own ranks, and that the time has come when you must take an independent and self-sustaining posi- tion. We have seen that the Theological Institute and the Regular Baptist Mis- sionarj- Society are the appropriate agents for preparing, distributing, and sustain- ing these laborers. We have seen the necessity for the exercise of meekness and forbearance in cooperating in the Missionary cause, and the practicability of your 44 complete anf! cordiivl union in ?o r.reat a work. "NVc have seen the necessity of ft Theological School in orKt to the efficiency of the Missionary Society. Kot because a formal education for tlie ministry U essential to ministerial usefulness, but because the Theological School will call forth men of suitable gifts and graces for the work— save time ancl talents— cultivate suitable habits—elevate the standard of ministerial qualillcations to meet the wants of the age— ami prepare the pi-cachers of the gospel for its defence and its advancement. AVe have seen the importance of a native ministry, with a home education, and the impossibility of obtaining suitable men from alien institutions or other lands. We have g^mced at the course of instruction which ought to be prosecuted— the formation of a librarj — and the provision that will be necessary for the sup- port of students during the period of their attendance at the Seminary. And now let me suppose this two fold instrumentality in successful operation. The Society I shall suppose established in your confidence, and furnished with ample means to aid feeble churches, and to send the gospel into destitute regions. The Seminary I shall suppose to be fully endowed, an:l to have obtained the services of suitable professors. I shall further suppose, that a reasonable num- ber of young men have devoted themselves to the ministry, and are prosecuting their studies in our classes. The city of Toronto an<^l its vicinity— a vicinity which three railroads and numcious steamers will soon extend over a very wide area— \vill afford an ample field for the exei-cise of their gifts during the sessions of the Institute, and during a poi'tion of the year they will be dispersed over the Province as messengers of grace. Not only will this furnish a considerable amount of evangelical service, and afford a suitable opportunity for the culti- vation of their powers, but befoic the close of his studies the character and qualifications of every student will become known to the churches and to the Society. Vacant churches will, in many instances, be prepared to receive tl;e young preacher with open arms as he issues from the school. The Missionary Society, with an eye to the necessities of the several localities on the one hand, and to the qualifications of the students on the other, will wait to conduct them at ouce to fields of usefulness without cither embarrassment or delay, CONCLUSION. In conclusion, permit mc to acknowledge the affectionate terms in which you speak of my efforts among yon, and of my visits to your homes. Advancing years do not diminish the preciousncss t>f friendly consideration and Christian sympathy. And it is matter of gratitude to my Heavenly Father that, while he has prolonged my period of activity in the service of the best of Jilasters, he has multiplied around my closing labors, the fiiends who cheer and sustain them. When the companions of earlier toils have gone to rest, it is not often that their places arc occupied by friends of a succeeding generation ; but this has proved the case in my experience, to an extent which fills my heart with grateful sur- prise. The last few years have been spent in frequent journeys over a wide region, which, in my youth, it would have seemed the work of a life-time merely to explore. AVherever I go I find open hearts and open homes. It is a grateful thought that my errand ensures my welcome, and that the friendship I prize is J necessity of society. Kot al usefulness, ble gifts antl ibits — cleviitc the age — luul cement. AVe ition, and the other lantls. prosecuted— ^ for the sup- ary, ;fiil operation. irnished ivith titute regions. obtained the .sonablc num- re prosecuting ty — a vicinity ir a very wide g the sessions ersed over the i considerable for the culti- character and les and to the to receive the :ie Missionary the one hand, conduct thcin lay. iu which you 3, Advancing and Christian that, while he rasters, he has sustain them, ften that their his has proved h grateful sur* 4o atvin to the love for the Master wc serve. The hearts that are opon to mc are warmed by the Gospel I preach, and the homes which I share arc gladdened by the Bible for which I plead. I give the best expression of my regard when I turn from the welcome that awaits me elsewhere, at the voice of your invitation. And I give my most emphatic testimony to the importance of your enterprise, when I say that, although the cause in which I have been willing to spend and be spent still demands my solicitude. I am willing to labor with 30U ; and. should this prove the last service of my old age, I shall consider it well and worthily bestowed. I need not remind you how unavailing my endeavors will be unless the Lord sliall add his blessing. " Brethren pray for us." Xor need I remind you of my need of your zealous cooperation, your forbearing love, your kind consideration and .sympathy, '• that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." Are cannot penetrate the darkness which broods over the future of this earth- ly pilgrimage. One who has crossed the bourne of threescore years and ten. may not boast of what shall be on the morrow. But in such a cause as ours, we may Well, with hopeful diligence, give ourselves to present duty ] remembering the words of the preacher, " In the morning sow thy seed, in the evening withhold not thy liand ; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether both .'^hall be alike good." I cannot but cherish the assurance that blessed results will yet be reaped from what wc arc now sowing, though we may not live to witness the harvest. Though clouds and darkness envelope the immediate future — the future of .sense, there is a future beyond it—the future of faith, which is radiant with heavenly light : like (he mountains on which the sun shines beyond the valley that is shrouded in mist. Thither I look, with a gaze not less clear and steady locause these bodily eyes wax dim ; and there I behold glory and joy— the true fruition of Christian toil— the gift of Sovereign grace. "^My pilgrimage cannot stretch f:ir into the darkness, and I enter it without fear. But to its close, be it nearer remote, Christian responsibility follows us; and I go with this word in my heart, " Be thou faithful unto death, and I %vill give thee a crown of life." In this blessed hope, I subscribe myself. Your servant for Jesus' sake, AncnioAtD Maclav. a wide region, imc merely to t is a grateful dship I prize is