** : i *:«* > I I £ : $k R Sfc,Wfr ■ *.' - - • % - ' / £S v x THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, | J Princeton, N. J. y— ' X Bequeathed by the Hon. E. BOUDINOT, LL.D. *# **_**** $***** % ********* | case, t^vis.on | Booh., t , No, T X ' v . v r £ A LETTER FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO THE CHURCHES UNDER THEIR CARE ; \CCOMPANIED WITH A PLAN ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL, INTENDED TO INCREASE THE PIETY AND LEARNING, OF CANDIDATES FOR THE HOLY MINI^RY, AS WELL AS TO PROCURE A LARGER SUPPLY OF MINISTERS FOR THE WANTS OF THE CHURCHES. PHILADELPHIA , PRINTED BY JANE AITKEN, No. 71, NORTH THIRD STREET. 18lO, THE LETTER GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The General AJfembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America, to the churches under their care. Dear Brethren, Among the various objects which have engaged our attention in the course of our prefent feffions, one of the moil important is, the plan of a Theological Seminary, propofed to be establifhed, in some convenient spot within the bounds of our church. This plan, so far as it has been matured, accompanies the prefent ad- drefs, and solicits your serious confideration. We trust, dear brethren, it is not necessary to employ much ar- gument to convince you, that the time has arrived, in which fome new and vigorous exertions are indispensable for increasing the number, and raifing the qualifications, of candidates for the gospel miniftry in our church. — When you are reminded, that the pro- grefs of population is going on in our country in a ratio at leafl three or four times greater, than the increafe of the number of minifters ; — when you are apprized, that we have near four hundred vacant congregations within our bounds ; that the frontier settlements, as well as many large and important dis- tricts in the interior of our country, are, every year, calling upon us for miflionary labours, which we are not able to fupply ; and that there is no profpect that any means of relief yet devifed, will be fufficient to preserve many parts of the church from a mod diftxefT- ing famine of the word of life ; we truft you will perceive the abfolute neceflity of ufing our utmofl exertions for fending forth more labourers into so great a harveft. We feel perfuaded, that, if the plan which we have adopted can be carried into vigorous execution, it will tend, under the divine blefiing, to increase the number of candidates for the holy miniltry. If we are enabled, by the poffeflion of fuitable funds, not only to afford a more complete and ample courfe of inftruction in theology than has been, heretofore, in ordinary cafes, attain- able ; but also to afford this inftruction gratuitously, to those who are themselves deftitute of adequate pecuniary refources; we che- rifh the hope that thefe facilities will be the means of drawing into public view many ingenious and pious youth, who are at present, either difcouraged from making the attempt to gain an education for the miniftry, or not properly awakened to the loud and impor- tunate demands of the church. But further ; fuch a seminary as that which is now proposed is not less calculated to improve the education, than to increase the number, of candidates for the facred office. — Without fome pro- vifion of this kind, it is, in moft cases, utterly impoilible to bring forward candidates for the miniftry with that furniture and thofe qualifications for their work, which the date of society now ren- ders in a great measure indifpensable to their respectability and usefulnefs. It is to be hoped that we fhall never ceafe to confider vital and experimental religion as the firft and moft indifpensable qualification in every candidate for the holy miniftry. All attain- ments without this, would unqueftionably be, not only inadequate, but pernicious. Yet it rauft alfo be admitted that piety alone can- not qualify a man to be a teacher of the gofpel; efpecially in cir- cumftances where the literary and fcientific attainments of many avowed infidels, and the general improvement of almoft all de- fcriptionsof people, will render it impoffible for the religious teacher to maintain weight of character, and permanent influence, if his knowledge be fcanty, and his literature circumfcribed. — The minifter himfelf, in fuch a fituation, will feel, and be difconcerted by, a sense of his inferiority, and will neither speak with confidence in himfelf, nor in fuch a manner as to beget and preferve confidence in the minds of others. Influenced by thefe confiderations, it has been the univerfal cuftom of the Proteftant churches in Europe, and of none more than of that chutch from which we derive our origin, to encou- rage a learned and pious miniftry, and to inftitute fchools for the purpofe. These fchools, particulaily in Scotland and Holland, have been cherifhed, with the greateft care, ever fince the time of the glorious reformation, and have been attended with the happieft consequences ; nor would it be difficult to prove that they have had a moft important efficajcy in preferving the influence of evan- gelical truth in thofe countries Churches in this country derived from thofe of Scotland and Holland, and ftill more recently, our congregational brethren in Maflachufletts have undertaken Gmilar i.iftitutions, and have already begun to reap fruits of the mod promifing kind. Unlefs we imitate their laudable example, the coflieouehces will probably be, that, in a few years, while they rife and flourifh, we (hall decline, and fall into a ftate of difcourag- ing weaknefs and inferiority. Impressed with these convictions, and placed in thefe folemn circumltances, the AfTembly have refolved, in the name, and, as they trust, with an humble reliance on the aid of the great king of Zion, to go forward, and attempt the execution of the plan which will be herewith fubmitted to your confideration. — They have preferred the eftablifhment of a fingle fchool, to the erection of a greater number, becaufe, after comparing the reports from the several Prefbyteries, and the sentiments of commilhoners to the AfTembly from the various parts of the church, there appeared every reason to believe that the former plan would be mod ac- ceptable and moll generally approved; and also because they are of opinion, that this plan, by concentrating the strength and refour- ces of the whole church, will furnifh a more complete fyfrem of education, and tend more than any other, to promote the purity, peace, harmony, and vigour of the Prefbyterian body in the United States. And now, dear brethren, it depends, under God, on your patronage and liberality, whether the plan propofed fhall be car- ried into execution, and if executed at all, whether with langour, and comparative inutility, or with vigour and effect. — To fupport several ProfefTors; to provide an adequate library; and to furnifh the means of giving gratuitous infti action and boarding to a large number of poor and pious youth, will require large funds. For ob- taining thefe, we have no human dependence but your liberality. And accordingly to folicit contributions in different portions of the church, we have appointed agents, who are directed to report the refult of their folicitations to the next General AfTembly. We call upon you, chriltian brethren, as the profeffed difciples of Chrift, to confider the important crifis, and the momentous object which are now brought to your view. — You acknowledge that you are not your own, but that you are bought with a price, and are bound to glorify God in your bodies and fpirits which are his. — If it be so, your Jiher and your gold are the Lord's ; and you are under obligations to employ them in fuch a manner as will mod effectually promote the glory of Him, by whofe bounty they were given you. — With this great principle in view, confider the preffing calls of large and flouiifhing churches, who solicit in vain for minifters to break to them the bread of life. Confider the loud and affecting cries of many deftitute fettlements, which know nothing of thofe precious privileges with which you are surround- ed. Confider the honour of the church, with which you are con- nected; the interests of religion for which you profefs to feel; the infinite valueof immortal fouls, who are perifhing for lack of know- ledge ; the authority of that God who commands you to com- paffionati th mi and the guilt which you will contract >< « ■ • fay whe« thei you can confeni i<> withhold ■> portion ol yom fubitancvi when called upon to aid in one <>( the mofl important concerni i vi present! youi ", from ( !«»l the i.Hii' i, iind i hi Lord feiui Cnrili, wc arc in ihc l ! ■!, ( }ofp< i, youi friendiand brethren. Signed by ordet ofthi Aflembly. Ioiin B, ROMEYN, Modentoi THE PLAN THEOLOGICAL school Tin Prefbyteriei wcri culled upon to (lite v/hei they had i pectively dom with refpeel to the re imendai I the latl Aii.iniiiv, relativi to Uk eftabliiliment oi a Theological icl I Tin ii ommitti i appointed to prefeni to the AflembTy i plan foi id. - f i .< i .1 1 (i i ■ t •. iii oi ft Theological fchooli reported) and ih i pon wai laid <>" the table, Tin Committei ippointed farthei to eonudai the lubjeci "i Theological (choolii rcportedi and thi report) being read and jin. mil ii, w.r. adopt ii. and ii ai fojlowii vi/. Tii. n .iiii i maturely deliberating on the lubjeci committed to tll'lll, liny liilxml In tin All. ml.ly 1 1 1< I. il Ii. wiiij; i. lull i. It ii i vnii ni, iii. ii mil only a majority ol ii" PrefbyterieJ wini ii ii.ivi reported <>" thii lubject) bul alfo a majority oi ill the 1'lrlliylriK •,, iinilrl ill. ..ii. nl tin. /\ v.. nil >ly , li.iv. |. I'll.. 1. 1 decided opinii favoui oi thi cftabliihmeol ol i Theological ichool 01 i' hooli In oui i nun hi 2. li appeari to the i om teci thai althoughi ai i ording ''• the ji. in mi ni already reported to tin AiirmUy, there ii tual iinniii. i ni I'm diyii in i in favoui ni tin lull plant w '"' '• ' ""'' im |ii.iii\ .i im).!. i. iniiii im tin- wimii church i and '" favoui oi thi limit plaoy which contemplate! thi erection ol b fchool is eaoh Bynod i yetf ai feveral of tin objei tioni madi to thi raril plan t an founded entirely on misconception) and will bi completely ob vi.imiI iiy developing the dctaili <»i thai plani ii leemi fairly to follow, thai then iiagreatei amount oi Preibyterial lurTragi in favoui oi i fmgle 13 hooli than oi -my othei plant j. I iniii i iin ir < iii iiiiiii.ini . i| the committei are ol opinion i thai ai mm ii 1 1 ; » I » i hai been obtained from thi ri porti ol rri aby '• rii ., mi i in . tubji > i, ai would bi lilti ly to n '"I 1 from i /al «>i ih. ri d n in i , thai ii" advantage will probably arlfe from farthei •J' lay in toil kmportani i om < roi btttj on thi < ontraryi few h nous inconvenience and evil; that the present AfTembly is bound to attempt to carry into execution some one of the plans proposed ; and that the firfr. plan, appearing to have, on the whole, the greateft share of public sentiment in its favour, ought of course to be adopted. 4. Your committee therefore recommend, that the prefent General AfTembly declare its approbation and adoption of this plan, and immediately commence a courfe of meafures for carrying it into execution, as promptly and extenfively as poflible ; and for this purpofe, they recommend to the AfTembly, the adoption of the following resolutions. Refolved, 1. That the ftate of our churches, the loud and affecting calls of deftitute frontier fettlements, and the laudable exertions of va- rious chrifHan denominations around us ; all demand that the col- lected wifdom, piety and zeal of the Prefbyterian church be, with- out delay, called into action, for furnilhing the church with a. large fupply of able and faithful mimfters. 2. That the General AfTembly will, in the name of the Great Head of the church, immediately attempt to eftablifh a feminary for fecuring to candidates for the miniftry more extenfive and efficient theological inftruction, than they have heretofore en- joyed. The local fituation of this feminary is hereafter to be de- termined 3. That, in this feminary, when completely organized, there mail be, at leaft, three profefTors ; who fhall be elected by, and hold their offices during, the pleafure of the General AfTembly, and who fhall give a regular courfe of inftruction in divinity, oriental and biblical literature, and in ecclefiaftical biftory and church go- vernment, and on fuch other fubjecls as may be deemed necefTary. It being, however, underftood that, until fufficient funds can be ob- tained for the complete organization, and fupport of the propofed feminary, a fmaller number of profefTors than three may be ap- pointed to commence the fyftem of inftruction. 4. That exertions be made to provide fuch an amount of funds for this feminary as will enable its conductors to afford gratui- tous inftruction, and, where it is necefTary, gratuitous fupport, to all fuch ftudents as may not themfelves pofTefs adequate pecuniary means. 5. That the Rev. Drs. Green, Woodhull, Miller and Ro- meyn, the Rev. Meffrs. Archibald Alexander, James Richards, and Amzi Armftrong be a committee to digefl and prepare a plan of a theological feminary ; embracing in detail the fundamental principles of the Inftitution, together with regulations for guiding the conduct of the inftructors and the fludents ; and preferring 9 tliebeft modeofvifiting, and of controlling and fupporting the whole fyftem. This plan is to be reported to the next General AfTembly. 6. That the Rev. Meflrs. Jedediah Chapman, Jonas Coe, Wil- liam Morrifon, James Carnahan, and Mr. Ilaac Hutton, of the Synod of Albany:— the Rev. Drs. Samuel Miller, Phillip Mille- doler, John B Romeyn, and Aaron Woolworth, the Rev. Meflrs. James Richards, David Comfort, and Ifaac Vandoren,and Col. Henry Rutgers, of the Synod of New- York and New-Jerfey: the Rev. Drs. Afhbel Green, John M'Knigbt, and James Muir, the Rev. Meflrs. Nathaniel Irwin, John Glendy, Archibald Alexander, John E. Latta, John B. Slemons, John B. Patter- son, and James Inglis, and Mr. Robert Ralfton,of the Synod of Philadelphia : — the Rev. John D. Blair, William Williamson, Samuel Houfton, Samuel Doake, and Benjamin Grigfby, of the Synod of Virginia: — the Rev. Samuel Ralfron, James Guthrie, William Speer, and James Hughes, of the Synod of Pittsburgh : the Rev. Robert G. Wilson, James BIythe, Archibald Cameron, and Jofhua L. Wilson, of the Synod of Kentucky: — the Rev. Drs. James Hall, and Henry Kollock, and the Rev. Meflrs. Malcham M'Neir, James M'llhenny, and Andrew Flinn, of the Synod of the Carolinas ; be, and they hereby are, appointed agents, to solicit donations in the course of the current year, within the bounds of their respective Synods, for the eftablifhment and fup- port of the propofed feminary ; and if any of said agents fhould be unable or unwilling to act in this cafe, it will be his or their duty to inform the Moderator of his or theii Synod, for the time being, who is hereby authorized, if he think proper, to appoint a subftitute or fubftitutes, as the case may require. These agents are to report to the next General AfTembly. Refolved, That the members of this AfTembly generally, and all the clergy of our denomination within our bounds, do aid the exertions of thofe who (hall go on this bufinefs. 7. That, as filling the church with a learned and able miniflry without a corresponding portion of real piety, would be a curfe to the world, and an offence to God and his people ; so the General AfTembly think it their duty to ftate, that in eftablifhing a feminary for training up minifters, it is their earnest defire to guard, as far as poffible, againft so great an evil. And they do hereby folemly pledge themfelves to the churches under their care, that, in forming and carrying into execution the plan of the pro- pofed feminary, it will be their endeavour to make it, under the blefling of God, a nurfery of vital piety, as well as of found theo- logical learning, and to train up perfons for the miniflry, who (hall be lovers, as well as defenders, of the truth as it is in Jefus, friends of revifals of religion, and a blefling to the church of God. B 10 8. That as the conflitutioti of our church guarantees to every Prefbytery the light of judging of its own candidates for licenfure and ordination; so the Afienibly think it proper to ftate, molt ex- plicitly, that every Prefbytery and Synod will, of courfe, be left, at full liberty, to countenance the propofed plan or not, at plea- fure ; and to send their frudents to the projected feminary or keep them, as heretofore, within their own bounds, as they may think mod conducive to the profperity of the church. 9. That the profefTors in the feminary fnall not, in any cafe, be confidered as having a right to licenfe candidates to preach the gofpel, but that all fuch candidates mall be remitted to their res- pective Prefbyteries to be licenfed as heretofore. ic. Refolved, finally, that Dr. Samuel Miller and Rev. James Richards be a committee, to prepare a draught of an address from this Affembly to the churches under our care ; calling their atten- tion to the subject of a Theological School, and earnestly solici- ting their patronage and fupport, in the execution of the plan now propofed. Certified by JACOB J. JANEWAY, Stated Clerk. fas • |X. ^ / • ■.* fefe *** a? •-.^ v>- ^ «3fc