FORM OF A BEQUEST. ITEM. I do hereby give and bequeath to the American Education Society, the sum of dollars, to be paid within months after my decease, and to be applied to the uses and purposes of that Society. ITEM. I do hereby give and bequeath to the American Education Society, for the use and benefit of the Presbyterian Education Society, the sum of dollars, to be paid within my decease. months after LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE AMERICAN AND PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATION SOCIETIES AND THEIR BRANCHES. Rev. WILLIAM COGSWELL, Secretary of the Mr. B. B. EDWARDS, Editor of the American HARDY ROPES, Esq. Treasurer. Rooms, 52 Washington street, Boston. Rooms, 150 Nassau street, New York. Prof. CHARLES B. HADDUCK, Secretary of the New Hampshire Branch, Hanover, N. H. Hon. SAMUEL MORRIL, Treasurer of do. Concord, N. H. Rev. WILLIAM L. MATHER, Secretary of the Rev. WILLIAM W. TURNER, Secretary of the Rev. Orro S. HoYT, Corresponding Sec'y and THE Society held its Eighteenth Annual Meeting in the Tract Society's House, New York, on Thursday, May 8th, at 4 o'clock, P. M. A letter from the Hon. Samuel Hubbard, LL. D., President of the Society, assigning the reasons for his absence, and expressing his regret at not being present on the occasion, was communicated. The Rev. John Codman, D. D. was appointed Chairman of the Meeting. The Rev. Dr. Tucker, of Troy, New York, led in prayer. The Rev. John J. Owen, Assistant Secretary of the Presbyterian Education Society, was requested to act as Clerk. The minutes of the last Annual Meeting were read by the Secretary. to the more copious effusions of the Holy Resolved, That the churches of Christ, On motion of Rev. Eliakim Phelps, of the laborers are few,' and the Great Head Whereas the harvest is plenteous, but of the church has enjoined it upon his disThe Treasurer not being present, his An- ciples, Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the nual Report, certified by the Hon. Pliny harvest that he would send forth laborers Cutler, as Auditor, was read by Oliver Will-into his harvest;' and whereas the Tuesday cox, Esq. Treasurer of the Presbyterian immediately succeeding the first Monday of Education Society, and the same was acthe month is regarded by the beneficiaries cepted and adopted. of the American Education Society, and by many of the friends of the Redeemer, as a day set apart for united prayer that multitudes of young men may be raised up and qualified to preach the gospel, therefore, The reading of the Report of the Directors was postponed to the time of the public meeting, to be held in the evening. The officers of the Society for the ensuing year were chosen. On motion of Rev. William Patton, of New York, seconded by Rev. Ansel D. Eddy, of Canandaigua, New York, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted. Whereas the dependence of the Christian Ministry upon the Great Head of the church is entire and constant, and his blessing absolutely necessary to its success; and whereas the last Thursday of February has been annually set apart, by many of the friends of the Redeemer, as a season of united prayer, for a blessing on the young men of this country, and especially on those in a course of education at our colleges and academies; therefore, Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to all the young men, under the patronage of this Society, to observe the last Thursday of February as a day of fasting and prayer, with special reference VOL. VII. mended to all the young men under the New Beneficiaries. The number of new applicants the past year, has been 15 in theological seminaries; 88 in colleges; 177 in academies. Total, 280 in different institutions. On motion of Rev. T. T. Waterman, of Providence, Rhode Island, seconded by the Rev. Sylvester Eaton, of Buffalo, New York, Resolved, That this Society regard with unfeigned gratitude, the prosperity which has hitherto attended it, and that the Report of the Directors, an abstract of which has now been read, be adopted and published under the direction of the Executive Com-ries have the last year obtained licensure mittee. to preach, and commenced the work in which they have so long desired to engage. On motion of the Rev. James Matheson, of Durham, England, seconded by the Rev. Dr. Codman, of Dorchester, Number licensed to preach. It is supposed, that about sixty beneficia Deaths. Three of those who have been pursuing Resolved, That as Education Societies ex- their studies for the ministry, under the ert an extensive and beneficial influence on patronage of the Society, with fair prospects other benevolent institutions, as well as on of future usefulness, have been unexpectthe churches, it is of the highest impor-edly seized during the past year by the tance, that this Society should persevere in arrests of death, and remanded to the world its purpose of training up a thoroughly of spirits. educated ministry. On motion of Rev. Daniel L. Carroll, of Brooklyn, New York, seconded by Rev. William Patton, of New York, Resolved, That in view of the urgent call for ministers to supply this and other lands, it is the imperious duty of all young men of suitable piety and talents, prayerfully, and at once, to decide whether they are not required of God to devote themselves to the ministry of Christ. On motion of Rev. Miron Winslow, of Ceylon, seconded by Rev. William S. Plumer, of Petersburg, Virginia, Resolved, That since it is the revealed will of God that the world is to be converted through the instrumentality of the preached Gospel, the American Education Society is laid under the most solemn obligations to prosecute those measures it has adopted, to raise up an able and efficient ministry. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs. Waterman, Matheson, Carroll, Winslow, Plumer, and the Rev. Dr. Codman. The services were closed with the benediction by the Rev. Dr. McAuley, of New York. Number of young men assisted during the year. Soon after the last annual meeting, special efforts were made to seek out young men of talents, piety, and good promise, and induce them to prepare for the ministry of Christ. Patronage withheld. In withholding patronage from young men who have received it, the Directors are actuated by a sacred regard to the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, the American Education Society, the benefit of the young men under their care, and those especially who are the subjects of this censure. Patronage is withheld when there are such improprieties of conduct as discredit Christian profession, or as bring reproach upon religion or the Society, or where there is a destitution of suitable natural or acquired qualifications. From ten beneficiaries, patronage has been withheld the last year. Dismissions. ciety, fourteen beneficiaries, not needing In conformity with the rules of the Sofurther assistance, have requested and obtained an honorable dismission. In all these instances a due sense of gratitude has been expressed, and an intention to refund whenever it shall be in their power. Promotion of personal holiness. The object of this Society is to raise up a succession of holy and devoted ministers of Jesus Christ. As one means of accomplishing this, the Board of Directors instituted the plan of Pastoral supervision. Secretary of the Parent Society has, during the year, visited between four and five The hundred beneficiaries, and the remainder have been visited by other permanent Secretaries and Officers. By the Trustees of Phillips Academy, five hundred copies of the Memoir of the Rev. Elias Cornelius have been given to the Society for distribution. And they all have been, or soon A larger number of converted youth than will be distributed. A Communication on usual, have commenced preparation for the some important topic of moral and religious ministry. During the year, assistance has duty, designed to produce in them the fruits been rendered to 113 young men in 14 of righteousness unto salvation, is sent to theological seminaries; 433 young men in them quarterly. All intercourse with them, 34 colleges; 366 young men in 111 acade-in person or by correspondence, is both mies and public schools. Total, 912 young men in 159 different institutions. paternal and pastoral, and is designed to prevent an unfaithful, time-serving, and 1834.] AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. graceless ministry, and to bring forward a holy, consistent and consecrated host of ambassadors of the cross. Eternity alone will fully disclose its results. Receipts. From the Treasurer's Report, it appears that the receipts of the Society the past year have been $57,818 20; more than $11,000 greater than in any preceding year. Of this sum, $6,680, a bequest of Oliver D. Cooke, Esq. of Hartford, Conn. have been received on account of permanent scholarships, and 51,138 20 for current uses of the Society. There have been paid into the Treasury by beneficiaries, who have refunded in whole or in part what they received from the Society, $1,947 78, which sum is included in the above receipts. Of the $57,818 20, there have been raised within the bounds of the Presbyterian Church $19,277. Expenditures. Add to The expenditures of the Society, during the year, have been $56,363 91. this sum the debt of the Society the last year, $193 35, and the amount will be $56,557 26. From this sum subtract the amount of receipts for current use, and the Society will be found $5,225 71 in debt. A large portion of the funds of the Parent Society have been paid over to Branches, and Societies connected with it. Though the Society is in debt, yet it is not because funds as large as usual have not been received; but because the number of beneficiaries has been rapidly multiplied. The amount of appropriations now, is double to what it was four years ago. Amount of earnings. While pursuing their studies, the beneficiaries of the Society have earned during the year by manual labor, school teaching and other services, the sum of $26,268 23. This is truly creditable to them, and evinces what industrious application can accomplish. Obligations cancelled. During the year, the notes of ten individuals, at their request, have been cancelled in whole or in part, or placed in such a condition as will prevent embarrassment. Four of these were Foreign Missionaries, three were Home Missionaries, and three were settled Pastors in peculiarly depressed circumstances. 3 cussions in respect to sacred learning, and the Christian ministry; its statistics of literary, religious and benevolent societies; of academical, theological and ecclesiastical institutions, are of great utility. That part of the work called the Journal, containing an account of the proceedings of the American Education Society, is very important to the interests of the Institution, and should be widely distributed. Agents. No benevolent society will flourish without Agents to execute its plans of operation. This point has been fully settled by the experience of years. But, provided these institutions could be sustained without the labors of Agents, it is doubtful whether it would be best for the church, that they should be. Judicious and faithful Agents will be the means of rousing the attention, and calling forth the energies of the community, by presenting the claims of different religious enterprises, and thus be the means of grace to Christians, by enlarging their views and expanding their benevolence. During the year a number of agencies have been performed. Branches and Auxiliaries. There are branches or auxiliaries in most of the States of the Union, in successful operations and preparing for extended efforts. Presbyterian Education Society. This Society extends its operations over a very large portion of the Middle, Western and Southern States. It had under its care the last year 436 beneficiaries, and it contributed towards their support $19,277. General results. The first The results which have been produced by the instrumentality of the American Education Society, have been most animating and encouraging. There have been assisted by it 1,964 young men in a course of preparation for the ministry. year only 7 were aided, and the last year 912. About 600 of its beneficiaries have passed through their course of education, and are now actively employed in promoting the cause of Christ. There are 40 preaching the gospel among the heathen as Between 200 and Foreign Missionaries. 300 have been employed at times in dispensing the words of eternal truth amid the waste places of Zion, or among the new Quarterly Register and Journal. settlements of our country, in the service About 20 This work, established for the benefit of of Home Missionary Societies. the cause of Christ, has been continued are laboring as secretaries or agents of with high reputation, and is accomplishing different benevolent societies. More than much on behalf of literature, religion and 50 are engaged as editors of literary and benevolent enterprises. Its bearing upon religious publications, or as instructors in the operations of the Society, upon the institutions of literature and theology, and young men connected with it, and upon the the remainder are settled as pastors of ministry generally, is most happy. By the churches, or are candidates for settlement. One sixth of all the ordinations and instalhistorian and antiquarian, it is viewed as a work of peculiar merit. Its original dis-lations of ministers in the United States, the 64 Means to be used. And in the year past, as published in the different of young men must be raised up and qualiperiodicals of the day, were beneficiaries of fied for this blessed work. this Society. Through its instrumentality providence of God, the American Education towards $500,000 have been raised for char- Society seems destined to be a grand instruitable ministerial education. More than ment for the completion of this glorious $11,000 have been refunded by former work. beneficiaries. During the last 8 years, the young men connected with it have earned by manual labor, school teaching, and other Prayer is one important means to be emservices, $100,000. Making the returns ployed for the advancement of this cause. "the harvest is plenteous which the Directors have received from a After stating that large number of beneficiaries the basis of but the laborers few," the Great Head of calculation, it appears that the whole num- the church enjoined upon his disciples this ber of ministers educated by the Society, duty, Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the have since they commenced a course of harvest, that he will send forth laborers into education, taught academies and common his harvest." Every step in this work schools more than 1,000 years; instructed should be taken in prayer-prayer in faith about 135,000 children and youth; have-in importunity-in agony. been instrumental of 915 revivals of religion, and of the hopeful conversion of upwards 50,000 individuals. There are now instructed in Sabbath schools and Bible classes under their care, at least 60,000 persons. About $65,000 are annually contributed in their parishes for various benevolent purposes; and they preach statedly from Sabbath to Sabbath, to as many as 150,000 people. The indirect influence of the Institution is great in respect to society, the sciences and arts, and every thing that renders life desirable and happy. Perhaps it is as great as the direct. By its publications and agents and efforts generally, it has probably induced as many young men to enter the ministry, who were able to educate themselves, as would have educated themselves from among those, who have gone forth as heralds of salvation, by the aid imparted to them. And there can be no doubt that this Institution has excited to the formation of other similar Education Societies. In view of what has been accomplished by the Society, the Directors would make the most grateful acknowledgment of the Divine interposition in its behalf. "Thine O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty. Now, therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." In the year 1831 there was a revival in fourteen different colleges, and between 300 and 400 young men in our institutions of learning, were hopefully converted to Christ. The present year too has been signalized by the dispensations of his grace. Revivals have been enjoyed in a number of colleges, and many students have been brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. There are now 5,400 young men at the different colleges in the United States. How important that they should be sanctified and consecrated to Christ and the church. Another means to be used is the diffusion of information in respect to the want of ministers. Parents should acquaint themselves, that they may know their duty in reference to the consecration of their sons to the ministry. Pious young men are bound to be informed, in regard to the deficiency of ministers, that they may see the necessity of setting themselves apart to the work of preaching the gospel. All people should have full statistical information on the subject. Until this is the case, they will never perform their duty. Agents should be sent forth to spread before the community the woes and wants of perishing men, and excite to benevolent efforts. A knowledge of the true condition of the world, and the means of its mental The work to be performed. and moral improvement, must be highly "The field is the world," and Christians interesting to the philosopher, patriot and in the nineteenth century, filled with the Christian. The evil must be known before faith of God, anticipate its immediate cul- an adequate remedy can and will be aptivation. If they speak of multiplying the plied.-Efforts should be made, to induce copies of the Sacred Scriptures, it is for the pious young men of proper natural qualitisupply of all the families of the earth; if cations to enter the ministry. Parents should they speak of sending out missionaries of consecrate their sons, if pious and of good the cross, it is to every inhabited part of the promise, to this blessed work, and encourage globe; if they speak of raising up spiritual them to seek suitable preparation for it. laborers, it is for gathering in the moral child must not be withheld from this emharvest of the world. And so it should be.ployment, because he is the youngest son, Jesus Christ died for the world, and his re- or an only son. He must be given up, for deemed people should aim at nothing less, than bringing it back from its revolt to his allegiance. For the accomplishment of this object, the Christian ministry is the great and standing ordinance of Heaven. A host A the Lord hath need of him. Abraham could sacrifice his youngest son at God's command, and God himself could offer up his only Son for man's redemption. Parents must make more sacrifices in this way than they ever |